A military truck was spotted not far from the commune family courtyard. Thus, the most interesting scene unfolded—the in-laws met before the bride and groom returned.
Zhang Zhitao opened the car door, "I’m swamped, come help me, brothers."
Innocent Mr. Zhang, who was dragged into it, smiled helplessly and had to follow Zhao Dashan inside. Zhou Jiao quickly winked at the twins, "Dad and Mom, you go in first. I’ll turn back to see where they are, and keep you updated."
"Liu Yi, May 1st, go inside with Grandma."
"No, I want to find Dad."
"Goodbye, Grandma." May 1st was already waving his small arms.
Zhou Jiao signaled to Mother Zhang amidst the crowd, smiled, "Mom, I’ll take them for a spin, if it gets cold, we’ll go inside. You go in first and have a cup of tea to warm up."
Mother Zhang glared at her, knowing she disliked crowds, could only smile, shaking her head without persuading further, went inside accompanied by the twins’ goodbye to Grandma.
Once the crowd left, Zhou Jiao had the brothers sit tight and hold onto the handrail, then she slowly reversed away. She wasn’t really going to wait for them on the road—was she crazy? Her sons would freeze.
She drove to the small restaurant in front of the commune, took a look there, thick curtains blocked the view inside, "Liu Yi, May 1st, would you like to go inside with Mommy to have some steamed eggs?"
Liu Yi blinked his large eyes, tilted his head, "Aren’t we looking for Dad?"
"It’s too cold outside, let’s go in and warm up first. Your dad is not coming that fast."
"What about Brother?"
Zhou Jiao looked at the well-behaved May 1st, then at the endlessly curious Liu Yi, "Your dad is with Brother. They’ll arrive with the sound of firecrackers, and we’ll get to see them."
"Alright then."
Zhou Jiao got out of the car, took the two boys out from the back, and led them into the restaurant. Inside, there was no customer, but the heater was warm, instantly warming the whole body significantly.
"Zhou Jiao?"
Zhou Jiao immediately turned her head to look.
"Is it really you? I haven’t seen you in years. It’s a rare guest, come in and have a seat, are these your sons? Are they twins?"
Cheng Feng’s wife, Sister Wang, ran over cheerfully, crouched looking at the twins.
Zhou Jiao smiled, pulled her up, "I went to the county guesthouse, heard from the chef you hadn’t transferred yet, and just thought I’d see if you were here."
"It’s a long story." Sister Wang thought and smiled, "Let’s not talk about me, little darlings, Aunty will treat you to noodles, okay?"
Liu Yi and May 1st looked at Zhou Jiao after hearing that.
Zhou Jiao led them slowly to the service counter, "You should call her Auntie."
Liu Yi glanced at Sister Wang, "Hello Auntie."
May 1st followed, eyeing her, "Hello Auntie."
"Wow, Jiao Jiao, your twins are really polite. Xiao Wu, I remember you have an older son Ping’an, right? Didn’t they come back?"
"No, no, today is Yuntao’s wedding, you’re here for the celebration feast, right? My husband went over there early in the morning."
Once Sister Wang finished speaking, May 1st asked, "Mommy, do we still eat custard?"
Zhou Jiao laughed, looked at Sister Wang, took out money, "Please order a bowl of custard from the chef first, the kids must be hungry by now."


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