Chapter 1323 - 1195: Northeast Family Home 2

Chapter 1323: Chapter 1195: Northeast Family Home 2

After having the noodle soup prepared by Mother Zhang, Zhang the Second patted his belly and said, "Dad, I’m heading out to reconnect with old friends."

"Go ahead. Drink less alcohol."

"Got it."

"Mom, you should go back to your room early, don’t rush with the kitchen chores."

"It’s just two bowls."

Mother Zhang watched her son go out, quickly tidied up the unfinished work, left the kitchen, and entered the west room, only to see her husband crawling on the ground.

Curious, she approached him, "What’s going on?"

"Now that the kids have left, I need to prepare something."

Hearing this, Mother Zhang moved a stool next to him, sat down, and massaged her legs, keeping a close eye on her husband’s actions.

After much effort, Mr. Zhang finally pulled out an oil paper package from beside the kang hole and placed it on the kang, dusting off his pants with his hands.

Seeing the familiar black oil paper package, Mother Zhang couldn’t help but laugh, "Delving into the family savings, are we?"

"I plan to take Xiao Wu’s money over there."

"Are you worried he won’t have enough money?"

"Even if he has some, it’s not a lot. Previously, our May 1st earned a bit, we gave some to Shi Tou, some to buy a courtyard in the provincial city, it’s just too much to handle."

Mr. Zhang sighed lightly, "Although the state is paying for the kid’s trip abroad this time, it won’t be enough once he gets there. Our Ping’an is already 25 this year, with many expenses."

"Xiao Wu said he got a raise."

"I’m not nitpicking the youngest son, but no matter how much his raise is, it won’t be enough. He spends too easily. Last time he came home for the New Year, he let it slip after having a bit too much to drink.

He mentioned that many soldiers on the battlefield either return without limbs or never come back, leaving some orphans and widows at home...

The most pitiful are those who just started a family, leaving helpless dependents behind. Once the widow remarries, the child is left with no one to care for...

Alas... let’s not talk about it. I see our youngest son will definitely send money to those families. He’s soft-hearted; once he sees it, he has to help."

Mr. Zhang frowned, "Remember those years? Brother Zhou donated a lot of money; I don’t think this family would have any savings left."

Mother Zhang blinked: she didn’t quite understand her husband’s meaning.

"Moreover, with such high wages, don’t you need to pay for the nanny? Don’t three young men need to eat and drink? Otherwise, our May 1st wouldn’t rack his brain to earn money."

Mother Zhang opened her mouth, "You mean, our Xiao Wu is out of money?"

"Oh dear, it’s exhausting to talk to you. Didn’t I say there isn’t much left? Understand ’a wealthy journey with a frugal family’?"

Mr. Zhang gave his wife a sidelong glance, "Give May 1st more travel money to take abroad, so he won’t suffer. Money is courage. It’s a foreign country; Brother Zhou can’t help."

Mother Zhang paused, smacked her lips, "That makes sense."

"Of course, I’ve lived a lifetime, how could I not understand these things."

Mother Zhang evasively looked away: she wouldn’t tell her husband. Her daughter Jiao Jiao secretly told her that not only the money for three grandchildren’s weddings, but even thirty were stashed away.

Knowing that her youngest son has always been spendthrift, how could she not give him and his wife a good talking-to?

Besides, her youngest son’s wife has kept her informed. They’ve even prepared a courtyard for Ping’an, renting it to foreigners for a substantial monthly income.

Unaware Mr. Zhang whispered, "All these years, Xiao Wu gave us nearly five thousand. I’ve saved a good portion, leaving about three thousand. Should we bring it all?"

"We’re at an age where we hardly spend. Just bring it all first. If you leave it at home, I don’t dare travel far. There’s only a thousand left here."

"True, alright, let’s bring it all. The rest is over there."

"Then hurry up, while the Second Son isn’t around. Let’s get it done."

"Is it necessary?" Even as he said this, Mr. Zhang tucked the money in the cabinet, quickly tied his shoes, and headed out.

He’d rather hide it from the Second Son, trusting he wouldn’t take advantage, but any suspicion would be troublesome.

He hopes that when he and his wife are gone, the three sons will remain united.

As soon as Mr. Zhang stood up, Mother Zhang quickly grabbed the new eight-pound cotton quilt from the cabinet: this stubborn old man says one thing and does another, always stubborn.

If you go without hiding it in the quilt, how will you travel?

The next morning, as they prepared to leave, Zhang the Second saw his parents’ belongings—a thick winter quilt, a large canvas travel bag, and...

"Mom, do we really need to bring a quilt in this scorching summer?"

"Who knows how cold it is abroad? Better to bring it."

Zhang the Second winced at his mother’s words. He’d seen people bring quilts to university, but never heard of anyone taking one to study abroad.

Mr. Zhang explained beside him, "Cotton is cheap this year. If May 1st doesn’t need it, he can give it to your brother. Usually, mailing things requires shipping fees, this way we save money."

Zhang the Second nodded wryly, quickly moving things out, worried that if he delayed, his mom might decide to bring another quilt.

He’s given up on his parents, not that he’s unwilling to give, but his younger brother really doesn’t need these things abroad.

Did you see what his younger brother prepared for their parents last year?

It was a genuine silk quilt!

—Warm and lightweight.

Right now, he couldn’t bring himself to mention it. If he did, his parents would ask for it back for Xiao Wu, and wouldn’t that make Xiao Wu complain about him?

About to travel far, Mr. Zhang naturally wanted to leave word for his brothers, in case they came looking for him: getting older, not just himself, his older brother too.

His elder brother used to be so strong.

He would easily carry two hundred pounds of wheat; now, he saw him struggling just to move.

He used to feel his older brother sometimes spoke too harshly, but even so, there’s only so much time for lifelong siblings.

—In their seventies, how much longer can they live?

His eldest brother’s health can’t compare to his. He feared that being away too long, he wouldn’t see his brother one last time.

Then there’s the timid eldest sister, who suffered much, with a head full of white hair, a hunched back, often complaining of back pain, and discomfort when sitting or lying down.

He wondered if the medicine given to her had any effect.

Mr. Zhang, full of melancholy, glanced at his wife’s vigorous steps, and couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile. No wonder old acquaintances said the two of them seemed to grow younger with age.

His youngest son and wife might be a little wasteful.

But not every indulgence is bad.

At least over the years, they’ve continuously sent them ginseng pills and calcium supplements, keeping him and his wife especially vibrant.