In the evening, around three o’clock, a car slowly drove up and stopped at the gate of the Zhang Family at the North Mountain Foot. At this moment, Xi Zi had just woken up from a nap, and upon seeing the house, he was very excited. He first greeted Lin Lishan and then hurriedly ran into the courtyard, shouting for his grandmother. He knew that the family had all gone to work, so he called his grandmother out to help move the things.
Lin Lishan looked around and saw no one, so she went straight up to move things, bringing them back to the west wing, Zhou Jiao’s room. Without having time to say much to Zhou Jiao, she then went out to help Mother Zhang, who had come upon hearing the news, move the things from the car back.
Zhou Jiao watched her mom come in and go out again. Guessing there were a lot of things, she saw them coming in and quickly suggested they take a break first, adding that no one would dare steal the things left in the car.
Lin Lishan took a sip of warm water and waved her hand, "There’s not much stuff, I bought only small, inconspicuous items, and they’re all brought in. It’s just the radio that’s a big item. This is for you to listen to during your confinement, so you won’t be bored. Things at the Friendship Mall are indeed much cheaper than outside. As for other things, you don’t need to get up and check, just rest assured and lie down. I’ll sort them out later, and you’ll know all the essential items have been bought."
After saying that, she opened each package and put the contents into the wardrobe and boxes one by one. Once they were filled, she stood there in a daze, looking at the remaining piles on the floor, and tapped her own head.
Mother Zhang had been standing there with her mouth open since she started opening the packages, wanting to say something but stopped. Seeing her move, she burst into laughter and pointed above the cabinet.
The two of them together lifted a few bolts of fabric and placed them above, setting the radio. Watching them, Mother Zhang shook her head repeatedly, chattering as she advised her in-law not to buy so much in the future.
Zhou Jiao was initially watching with interest, but gradually fell silent, continually giving her mom pleading looks. Fortunately, Lin Lishan understood and didn’t open the remaining packages but instead stuffed them into the outer cabinets and boxes.
Finally, what couldn’t fit in were just some snacks and pastries.
Zhou Jiao glimpsed at two more packages in the corner. "Mom, where did those two packages in the corner come from? Why is one of the package wrappings so big?"
Lin Lishan recognized at a glance that it was from Fang Jianmei, having forgotten about it. She dragged the two packages to the middle, which made Zhou Jiao’s eye twitch. Upon opening, there were two military coats, two pairs of military boots, and three military bags. In the other smaller package were two cans of malted milk, a piece of fabric, about a pound of yarn, and carefully placed on top was a piece of red paper.
Zhou Jiao was puzzled looking at her mom; the red paper meant a social obligation to reciprocate.
Lin Lishan smiled, "This is from Xiao Fei’s aunt, Fang Jianmei. Her niece plans to join the Beijing Art Troupe, so you just take it. Usually, we have a normal relationship, but this time she saw me make the decision. Xiao Wu will explain the details when he comes back."
After saying this, seeing Zhou Jiao understand, she didn’t explain further.
Zhou Jiao watched her mom take out a wrapping cloth and started putting candies and pastries into it. She also stuffed books and pencils into the military bag which was on Xi Zi’s back.
Lin Lishan looked at the gifts prepared for the children and then said to Xi Zi, "Put the military bag in your room first. Once it’s stored, come back here to grandma. The gifts for your younger siblings are for you to distribute, grandma has given them to you." After saying this, she pushed him out.
Xi Zi truly adored his beautiful grandma for thinking ahead to hide the military bag first.


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