Chapter Six: Discussing Countermeasures
"Mom, can you think on my behalf? I want her to stop sending money in the future. The money is always sent to Zhou Family Village for my grandpa to collect. Now, my grandpa's health isn't good, and it's always my uncle who collects it on his behalf.
Last month, my aunt only brought 10 yuan, but before it was 20 yuan per month. I didn't feel right to ask grandpa and grandma for details. I also heard from Sister Xiao Yue next door that my cousin married someone from her mother's village.
I heard my cousin wore a cashmere coat, and the child was dressed in new cotton clothes and a new cotton jacket. I guess these were probably sent by my grandma or mom intended for me, just right for my child to use in winter, but my aunt secretly gave them to my cousin.
Every time something is mailed, she gets first pick. In the past, I couldn't do anything about it in that family, so avoiding trouble was the best choice.
Last month, my aunt sent only 10 yuan, implying that their family has a heavy burden now, which I find pointless. My grandparents have a lot of pension each month, but her family relies solely on my uncle's work, all supported by the elderly.
I'm already married, and besides, all these years, my mom's money has been spent on them. There's no reason for me, as a niece, to help them support their family.
I want to cut off this money path. First, it's too conspicuous, and the team is secretly envious and gossiping. Second, I have money on hand too; if it's sent over, it's only to save. Brother Xiao Wu and I can still make money.
If my mom wants to continue sending money, let her deposit it under her grandson's account, so when the child grows up, it'll directly go to him. What do you think? Anyway, she doesn't plan to remarry, so it's for the child in the future, sending it over just causes trouble."
Mother Zhang thought carefully and realized it was true. She often heard idle gossip about how Xiao Wu found a golden baby, but she really didn't care about these things. She genuinely liked Jiao Jiao. This girl, aside from being a little weak, was very capable and knowledgeable.
Growing up right in front of her, she wasn't spoiled, was steady, generous, cultured. Had it not been for the two elders' poor health worrying about not living past the year, and the concern that the child's mother might not be around to protect the child from being mistreated by her aunt, they wouldn't have married so early.
She had agreed to treat the elderly couple like her own parents. Besides, her Xiao Wu was strong, and with a nimble mind, his two sisters married well, and she wasn't worried if they wanted to find work in the city later on.
And thinking about it, Jiao Jiao is right. The Zhou Family constantly picks up packages, and Jiao Jiao, pregnant and staying home without going out, didn't hear any gossip because the house is in a remote area.
According to the post office, two months after Jiao Jiao's marriage, the Zhou Family received a Shanghai watch and some big coat fabric, still mailed from Beijing, probably sent by her grandpa.
But her aunt was spreading the word that it was sent by Old Sir Zhou's old comrades, but who doesn't know who around here? It was because Jiao Jiao was pregnant that she was afraid and hid it from her.
Originally, she wanted to wait until after confinement. This way is good too. No matter how many things are mailed, they won't reach Jiao Jiao, and money left will be for her grandson in the future.
Mother Zhang was also puzzled by the Zhou Family. You say they're so narrow-minded. Just because Jiao Jiao's maternal family doesn't come doesn't mean they have to acknowledge this niece. Why else would they frequently send things over?
Aren't they afraid that inquiries would reveal they're withholding things from a young girl? If it were up to her, she'd say Old Sir Zhou was confused and thought daughters were of no use, valuing sons over daughters. And they call themselves from a scholarly family? Aside from Grandma Zhou, the Zhou Family has not amounted to much.
Not to mention the other things, just last year when Xiao Wu got a spot to join the army, did they really think it was given because of the Zhang Family's face? The Zhang Family's ancestors for eight generations were poor farmers, and they didn't have any connections to extend so far, nor know people in the county's armed forces department.
Later, it was through inquiring from her eldest brother-in-law's brother that they learned the armed forces department leader knew Zhou Jiao. In the county, seeing the two of them heading to the city, they happened to hear someone say Xiao Wu was betrothed to Zhou Jiao since childhood, which is why the opportunity was left for their Xiao Wu. They saw that Xiao Wu refused, and nothing came of it later.
The Zhou family forgot these past years, and it was only because they had Jiao Jiao that the village production team leader never forced mandatory labor duties. Even when Old Sir Zhou returned to the village, he had to follow along and do labor. People need to learn to be content with what they have. This is what his grandma often reminded them about.
"Mom, don't worry about this matter, just pretend you don't know. Earlier, because of Jiao Jiao's health, I didn't bring it up. I heard that Jiao Jiao's second uncle and little aunt also frequently send things over. Did you see those military coats of Jiao Jiao's two sisters-in-law?
Tomorrow morning, I'll directly tell Jiao Jiao's grandpa that we're going to send a letter of congratulations, and prepare some things to mail to her second uncle and little aunt, and also to my mother-in-law.
As for the letter, make it subtle and mention to stop mailing things and sending money, as it's often claimed by relatives, and it's a pity if it's lost. Hehe, who wouldn't know what's going on once it's mentioned like this?
All their post was military mail, except for what Grandpa Zhou collected, or what's proven by the production team leader. Who would dare to risk collecting other mail? Besides, who in the army wouldn't be aware of the reputation? The rest, if they sincerely want to send it out, should address it to our Zhou Jiao, and no one else would receive it." Zhang Guoqing suddenly interjected.
"Wow~ Brother, you heard it, huh? I don't want to let them have any advantages either, anyway, I'm already married. Apart from respecting grandpa and grandma, I'm not obliged to support anyone else." Zhou Jiao was very happy to see Zhang Guoqing waking up next to her.
Mother Zhang had just been thinking about how to notify the other side not to send things, so they would understand it wasn't about being greedy, not realizing that by adding Zhang's two locations, it's not how things were meant to end up.
But she was startled by her son's voice: "Wow, my little Xiao Wu is really clever, look at how quickly he thinks, so we don't offend anyone, yet the problem is solved.
Alright, I'll listen to you. When the time comes, I'll pack some cured meat, wild chickens, and wild rabbits, and you can mail them over as a gesture of goodwill. No matter whether our family received anything before, knowing the other party's intention, we can't pretend to be ignorant.
But Jiao Jiao, you two write together, make sure it's not just Xiao Wu writing, so misunderstanding won't arise~ Haha, just thinking about it makes your aunt laugh, thinking of the future without money and packages, how she would be heartbroken? Haha."
Zhang Guoqing shook his head helplessly. His mom had long had issues with Zhou Jiao's aunt, and now she finally had a chance to vent, making the elder happy.
"Xiao Wu, don't get off the kang bed. I'll bring over some steamed bread and dishes; they're heated in the pot. You eat and then get back to sleep. Do you want to go to the main house and sleep with your dad? I'll take care of Jiao Jiao tonight."
Mother Zhang hurriedly rushed out, talking non-stop without waiting for a response, her voice still carrying as she shouted at the second household along the way.