Zhou Jiao gently lifted the curtain and looked at the approaching Zhang Family Village, feeling extremely excited. She realized she already considered this place her home.
Thinking about Grandma Zhou in Zhou Family Village next door, she paused. Unknowingly, she had grown attached to so many people.
The child in her arms leaned against her uncomfortably with the jolting of the carriage, moving slightly. Zhou Jiao straightened her posture, holding him securely, and hummed a little tune softly.
Zhang Guoqing watched her holding their son, smiling as she hummed a tune, a scene he had imagined countless times, and gradually a happy smile appeared on his face.
The family of three snuggled together, quietly enjoying this warm moment.
"Whoa..." As the carriage slowed down, they arrived at the Zhang Family’s entrance.
The family was still the same, yet upon returning, it felt extraordinarily intimate. Zhou Jiao stepped on the high steps, feeling extremely joyful. She turned her head to look at the newly built yard. She wanted to decorate it well; this land and the family here made her feel attached, just as Zhang Guoqing had described it, this was their root. Since they came here, this is their root.
Stepping on the muddy ground of the yard, moving towards her room in the west wing, Zhou Jiao gradually beamed with smiles. The heated kang bed, coal stove, the laughter of her beloved family, children playing around. This was the life she had always wanted.
Mother Zhang noticed Zhou Jiao walking faster, with a brighter smile on her face. She was very pleased with the joy Zhou Jiao expressed upon returning home. Her little daughter-in-law was still her intimate padded jacket.
"How is it? I warm the bed every day. I just aired the quilt yesterday. Knowing you were coming back, I lit the stove and went to the county town."
"Mother, you are so wonderful. I love you so much. Don’t even think of getting rid of us in the future. What would I do without you?"
Mother Zhang laughed heartily, gently patting her, muttering, "Silly girl."
The two entered the bedroom, Zhou Jiao gently laid Ping’an on the kang bed, then lay down herself, exclaiming, "How comfortable, finally home."
Mother Zhang laughed heartily again, checked what hadn’t been tidied up, and suddenly noticed the phonograph was still in her room, "Jiao Jiao, your phonograph is still in mom’s room. I’ll bring it over."
Zhou Jiao quickly got up and shouted, "Don’t bring it over. You use it first. Mother, come over here quickly."
"What’s wrong? I can bring it over quickly. Something wrong?" Mother Zhang hurriedly turned around and came into the inner room.
"Nothing, just there are batteries in the cabinet, you can take them later. Mother, do you think I can go out now? Look, I’ve gained weight. My face is getting rounder. My health is better, can I go out with you?"
Mother Zhang looked closely at her face, cast a suspicious glance at her, "Not gaining weight. But you are indeed fairer and rosier. My family’s Jiao Jiao is getting lovelier. Still needs more rest. Don’t think of going out. Stay calm and complete the postpartum recovery."
After finishing, hearing Zhang Guoqing’s voice, she whispered again, telling him not to indulge her and to ensure she completes the full postpartum recovery.
Zhou Jiao touched her face, thought of the doorway, reached for a mirror, and looked closely in it. She had gained weight, not obvious. Touching her supple face, she finally felt a bit comforted.

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