The setting sun was slanting in the west. After more than an hour of scavenging, the family of five finally contentedly pushed a cart full of rubbish back to their courtyard in the alley.
"Dad, I want a wooden stool."
"A rocking chair would be nice."
"Are you sure?"
"Hehe, let’s go with the wooden stool."
"No worries, let’s store the materials in the side room first. Once I have a long break, I’ll see if I can make a rocking chair. It doesn’t look too complicated to me."
"My dad can definitely handle it. I’ll give you a hand then."
"Forget it, let’s spend a bit of money to get a professional to do it. With that time, Dad, you might as well take us out. We can test our skills in the process."
"Hunting has to wait until autumn. It’s too hot now, and we can’t store the meat. In the fall, we can take your mom to gather wild fruits and make some snacks for you all."
"Mom, did you hear that? Dad promised to take us hunting."
Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile. It wouldn’t be long now. Some things needed to be resolved, and by autumn, her father should be back no matter what.
Ping’an patted May 1st, "Grandpa and Grandma might come over, so don’t get too excited yet."
"If they come, they come. We can take them out too. With Dad around, getting permits and all won’t be a problem. Right, Dad?"
Zhang Guoqing shook his head, "They won’t come. Your Brother Xi Zi and Cousin Ziwen are getting married at the end of the year. They’ll likely have us go back instead."
"How do you know if you haven’t replied to them?"
"Ask your older brother. You can figure it out."
"No need, I can guess too. Missing his wife, right?"
"You cheeky kid, you’re so young. What do you know about missing a wife?" Zhang Guoqing couldn’t help but laugh.
"I know a lot. Grandma said once our cousins get married, Old Zhang’s family will soon have a fourth generation. We will all be elders."
After Liu Yi finished speaking, he softly said, "They are already engaged. Grandpa asked in his letter when you and Mom will have a vacation. They want to arrange the time, right?"
Zhang Guoqing smiled approvingly at him, "Smart!"
"Do you and Mom have time off? Last time you mentioned to Mom that it would be busy at the end of the year and you might not be able to get away."
Zhang Guoqing looked at his youngest son in surprise, "You heard that?"
"Yes, I was lying in bed, not napping."
"If this time your mom and I don’t have a vacation, would you represent us to go?"
Ping’an frowned, "Must we go?"
"Last time when Yin Suo got married, no one from our family went. This time Xi Zi and them will likely arrange their weddings around the same time. If we don’t go back, your grandma will be sad."
"Alright, I can go alone then." Ping’an nodded, pensively asking, "How are we going to handle the wedding gift this time?"
Zhang Guoqing laughed and looked at him, "Wait for the hometown to notify us of the wedding date, then we’ll discuss with your second uncle. We’ll give the gift together. Your grandfather will also give a gift, which should be sufficient."
Ping’an hesitated and looked at Zhou Jiao before stepping closer to Zhang Guoqing, "It’s okay to give gifts like this to our aunt’s side, but won’t our big aunt be unhappy?"
"Do you mean I should give a bigger gift for her?"
Liu Yi and May 1st shouted in unison, "She wishes."
"Why should her feelings matter to us? Your mom and I have limited salaries, and besides taking care of your grandparents, we still have to raise the three of you. Where would the money come from?"



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