Zhang Guoqing returned to the side room. Zhou Jiao saw him wrapped tightly by himself and curiously asked, "Is it really cold outside? What’s the temperature now?"
"It’s going to be November in a few days. Think about what November means—it’s only a few days before the big snow comes. The village is organizing a hunt the day after tomorrow, right before the snow. It didn’t feel cold during the day but the night temperature sharply dropped. It’s at least minus two degrees outside now. Luckily, I brought the military coat; otherwise, coming home with your dad tonight would have been freezing. I’ll make some ginger tea in the small pot for when they come back."
Zhang Guoqing washed his hands, put ginger slices and brown sugar in a small pot, covered it, and led her into the inner room. "Did dad tell you about buying a new yard today? You’ll be satisfied after seeing it when the full moon comes." Seeing Zhou Jiao nodding, he didn’t repeat himself; it would be a surprise when they see it later on.
"The job is settled, and I have to start work at the beginning of February. Our household registration can be moved in the next few days. All materials are ready; we just need the village’s stamp. Keep the house deed in the drawer, it’ll be useful for settling down these days." After speaking, he took out a house deed from his military coat’s hidden pocket and handed it to her.
After Zhou Jiao kept it, she mentioned her dad’s talk with her about handling certain properties and going back to Beijing at the end of the year to take the dowry. Then she thought about the Zhou family, and her dad hadn’t mentioned them. This would be a good time to ask him how things went.
"Business is business, follow the procedures. It’s good to put them in for 2 to 3 years, so you won’t see them when you return to Beijing."
Zhang Guoqing winked at Zhou Jiao, "Dad said it himself. He said in both the rural and county, business is business, follow the procedures. Jiao Jiao, I’ve encountered a daughter-loving father-in-law."
"Hehe, I also felt his affection for me. You can’t compare, young man, you need to work hard!" Zhou Jiao raised her eyebrows at him.
"No problem, the more pressure, the more motivation I have. I’ll pamper you with all my might, making you feel I’m your closest person in the world. Your dad kept emphasizing that even though you married me, you two are still the closest. He also said I’ve found a treasure; if I were late by a year, he’d definitely drag you back."
Zhou Jiao laughed heartily, not exaggerated at all. Without Zhang Guoqing, this place wouldn’t hold her. What’s more important is without him, she wouldn’t have attachment to this world except for her dad and son.
Zhang Guoqing held her and talked about what the old man said at Zhao Dashan’s house. He started from boasting about having such a daughter and carefully described the old man’s sorrow. He thought Zhou Jiao needed to hear this, even if it would make her cry, they would be tears of joy. He had to let Zhou Jiao truly understand what fatherly love meant.
He recalled him being cautious for seventeen years, fearing that if he sacrificed himself, Jiao Jiao would become a child without a father. Remembered him talking about how his daughter’s grievances made him rub his face forcefully; recalled him clenching his fists, eyes full of sorrow and grief when mentioning Jiao Jiao’s mistreatment.
His heart was deeply shaken. Fatherly love is like a mountain; this is the pure feeling Zhou Jiao hoped to find.
At that moment, he realized that heaven really allowed Zhou Jiao to find a father who loved her, cherished her like his life.
In his past life, his father’s unfortunate death for his sake was the pain he didn’t dare touch. At that moment, he thought if his dad hadn’t met the mishap, he would regard him with the same importance as this man in front of him.
From that moment, the blurry image of his father slowly became clear, like the man in front of him.
Zhang Guoqing vowed that the man in front of him was no longer just his father-in-law; he would treat him as his own father, be filial, respect, and love him. This man was worth his full trust and filial piety. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝗻𝗼𝘷𝗲𝗹•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝕟𝕖𝕥
Zhang Guoqing wiped the tears off Zhou Jiao’s face, softly saying, "Fatherly love is like a mountain. This time I finally felt the weight of those four words. I thought my current parents were already very good to me, but compared to your dad’s love for you, it’s incomparable. Jiao Jiao, two lifetimes of waiting is finally over."
Zhou Jiao saw his gloomy expression towards the end, with a dazed look, felt a pang in her heart. It’s been so long since he’s been . She thought Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang had filled his inner wounds; it seemed she still neglected his feelings.
Zhou Jiao gently shook him, smiled, and said, "Brother, tell me how dad was at the Zhou family today? Did you fan the flames?"
Zhang Guoqing came back to his senses, kissed her several times, and said with a cheerful tone, "No need for me to add fuel; dad stood up for you. Today was really satisfying. At noon, I accompanied him to the Zhou family, and dad’s face looked really bad then. Just at that time, Old Man Zhou was distorting facts in front of him, dad lost his temper, and the old man was later sprayed so much he couldn’t catch his breath. His face turned black and red; I worried he’d have a stroke, but didn’t expect him to be so healthy. Haha... Thinking of Old Man Zhou’s expression makes me satisfied. So shameless!"