Is this winter cold?
Very cold, cold to the bone, cold to the heart...
Outside, heavy snow is falling, inside, apart from some warmth on the kang, it’s very cold...
The lumpy cotton quilt covers the body, the hungry stomach, even colder...
At this moment, Zhang Guoqing stands inside the thatched cottage, watching the scene before him, a chill runs from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
Sometimes, love is very grand...
His mother-in-law Lin Lishan abandoned her own flesh and blood for love, wandering outside for seventeen years...
Mr. Zhang, for his late wife, has guarded a soon-to-collapse home alone for decades...
But reality is in front of him, does Mr. Zhang feel he’s lived enough, or does he simply not want to leave this once love-filled small house?
Zhang Guoqing shook his head at the family uncle behind him, stepped forward, and observed the old man calmly.
"Xiao Wu, you and your uncle go back. I’m not staying at his house, nor at your house..."
"Grandpa Zhang, are you missing Grandma Zhang? She’s definitely waiting for you to chat with her on New Year’s Eve."
The family uncle adopted by Mr. Zhang, "Xiao Wu..."
"Shh," Zhang Guoqing gestured to him, then continued, "My grandfather must be missing you to have a drink with him. Did he ever come in a dream saying he wants to eat something? I think, he loves braised pork, especially stewed until tender, melting in the mouth. He most liked pouring the fragrant meat juice over white rice, often saying that no matter what one eats, there’s nothing tastier than fragrant rice."
You don’t tell Grandma Zhang about the future, don’t tell my grandfather about my future, they’ll definitely be angry. With no news coming through, you tell me why wouldn’t they be angry."
"Your grandfather’s favorite isn’t braised pork. He most likes cooked peanuts, roast chicken... Oh, you little brat, you’re doing it on purpose."
Zhang Guoqing heard Mr. Zhang finally speak, and burst out laughing.
"Seventh Uncle, I’ll carry Fifth Master, you shut the door. Grandpa Zhang, don’t worry, this house feels like it won’t collapse."
Mr. Zhang immediately got up when he heard this, "What are you doing, kid? I’m really not going. If you’re worried, help me chop some firewood."
"Dad, come home with me, alright? Your grandchildren all want you to come over."
"No!"
Zhang Guoqing was silent for a while, shook his head, "Stubborn old man. You wait, I’ll be back soon."
After moving the firewood from his village yard, he thought about it again, worried, and secretly stuffed a bag of cornmeal inside the old quilt to send over.
With outsiders around, Zhang Guoqing didn’t say much, gestured with his hand. Seeing Mr. Zhang understood, he felt at ease. No matter how good an adoption is, it’s not one’s own child.
After settling the old man, he rushed back to the county town. Called back to the village suddenly at noon, he thought something had happened. Now his wife must be worried sick.
In the county town, afraid of drawing attention by burning wood at two places, nowadays Zhou Jiao has given up using the kitchen. Anyway, meat aroma and seafood can’t be cooked for now. She directly started a fire in the living room. With no outsiders, the three in the family had a small stove.
She now not only worries about Zhang Guoqing but also her dad Zhou Xiaozheng. Going to the South for a conference for no good reason, making her anxious.
"Mom, eat dumplings."
Zhou Jiao was amused by her son’s voice. What a good child! He even knows to leave two for himself.
"Son, when others ask what you eat, what do you say?"
"Wild vegetable steamed buns, that’s it."
Zhou Jiao teased her son, smelling the dumpling aroma in the air, pondering how to eliminate the smell quickly.
She still remembers the meat aroma from Aunt Wang’s house next door a couple of days ago, attracting many children to gather outside the yard. That pot of bone soup made the children’s eyes shine.

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