Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 319 - 246: Sheepskin Coat

Lin Lishan struggled to carry a large basket, with a big bag hanging in front, panting as she hurried in. As soon as she reached the bedroom door, she immediately set it down, "Oh, I’m exhausted."

Zhou Jiao quickly poured her a cup of hot water. Frowning, she looked at her in puzzlement, "Where’s Xiao Wu? Why didn’t he help you carry this? And where are the others?"

Zhou Xiaozheng glanced outside the door and shook his head with a smile. Indeed, she was the real mom.

"I heard your elder sister-in-law didn’t go to work today. Xiao Wu and his dad took the kids to her house. They probably didn’t want to disturb you two, so they didn’t tell you. Your mother-in-law is watching the kids alone in the guest room. I got off the car first; the others bought more and went straight to the guesthouse. We agreed to have lunch at the guesthouse canteen.

Mom rushed back to prepare your meal. No way, Brother Zheng, we really should hire someone. With Jiao Jiao staying here, there’s no way to get meals done," Lin Lishan said discontentedly.

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded, "Hmm, I’ll talk to Xiao Wu in a bit. When they return next year, we must hire someone. For now, we have to make do." After speaking, he gestured across the way.

Lin Lishan understood, rolling her eyes. She suddenly stood up, opened the bag, and began laying out items, "These are things I learned from talking to locals. They’re gifts needed for the child’s full-moon ceremony. Oh, and your aunt and godmother are all prepared. It seems they want to bring them back and have someone send them on the full-moon day."

Zhou Jiao looked at the rattles, tiger head shoes, hats, and several small cotton-padded jackets and couldn’t help but laugh, "Mom, with everything you’ve bought, are you sure Ping’an can use it all? Dad, just the wooden toys alone, we already have two sets at home. As for clothing, let’s not even get started, a whole wardrobe full for him."

Zhou Xiaozheng disdainfully pinched the small red cotton jacket with two fingers, "No worries, one set per day. If it’s not nice, just give it away as a gift. These kinds can definitely be gifted."

Lin Lishan slapped his hand away, "Your little aunt said he has to wear something red on that day. This is the best I could find. You can’t get this silk here. Just keep it as a backup."

After speaking, she ignored him. She took out a box from the bag and placed it on the table, instructing Zhou Jiao, "Jiao Jiao, this is the golden lock to hang around the neck on the full-moon day, along with some Copper Coins. I don’t know the customs here, so I added some Jade Pendants. Keep them safe for now. Don’t touch the red envelopes inside; save them for the day. I’ve given Aunt Cheng the red eggs, and she will bring them over that day. Your godmother is really enthusiastic, saying she’d prepare everything herself. Judging by this, she treats you like her own daughter and even said she’d take you back to the provincial city to move houses. She only gave up after your great-aunt advised her otherwise."

Zhou Jiao glanced at her dad and saw him nodding slightly towards her. She felt a lot more at ease.

"I counted; on the full-moon day, just in Beijing, from your grandmother’s house, your aunt’s, the provincial city with your godmother, your dad’s three other brothers, and in the county, with your Aunt Cheng here, there are many people. Can you manage all that? Maybe, this time mom won’t go back, and I’ll ask your dad to take leave for me. If he can’t, so what if there’s a penalty? I’ll return after the full-moon. What do you think?"

Zhou Jiao decisively refused. Her dad just came back. They can’t just leave for the Northeast with nothing prepared. If her mom doesn’t go back, what happens to the family? Besides, they might have to move house soon, and how can the woman of the house not be there? She must go back.

Those unaware might spread nonsense or even get ideas. If rumors spread about them being separated or any such nonsense, it might affect the couple’s image. Her dad is so outstanding; who knows if anyone’s eyeing him in secret? Her mom must stay close to her dad to declare her territory.

Zhou Xiaozheng and Lin Lishan burst into laughter after hearing this. The child thinks so deeply. However, there is some truth to it. Public opinion is scary, but it’s unfair to the child.

Zhou Jiao casually said, "These customs just represent good wishes. You are his real grandparents; wouldn’t you protect him? What’s more important than practical matters? When he grows up, if he follows my dad and learns a skill or two, it’ll be worth more than anything else."

"Well, let’s go back first, see how it goes, and arrange time. Listen to Jiao Jiao; she won’t be at ease if you don’t go declare your territory. We, as father and daughter, don’t emphasize ceremony that much. Aren’t we doing well now? Isn’t our Jiao Jiao a hundred times better than others? Quickly, tell me what’s in your basket?"

Lin Lishan, being light-hearted, felt relieved after hearing this. Stopping Zhou Xiaozheng, she happily dragged out the basket and began taking things out one by one.

Zhou Jiao watched as she took out a sheepskin jacket, two pairs of sheepskin boots, gloves, and then rice, fresh pork, and pork ribs. Then she looked at the two blood marks on her mom’s hands, and couldn’t hold back her tears anymore.

Lin Lishan looked at her helplessly, turning to her husband for help, muttering, "Mom didn’t spend much money. I just asked someone to take me to the village to buy them."

Zhou Jiao pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket, wiped her face hard, smiling through tears, "Mom, I’m happy. These tears just don’t listen. I love all these things. I love every piece. You have to keep buying them for me in the future, especially these sheepskin boots. Mom, you’ve got great taste. Where did you find them?"

Hearing this, Lin Lishan immediately perked up, reached out to pat her, and chided, "Silly child, you scared the life out of me. I thought you disliked that I bought too much. Haha, let me tell you. Next time, let Xiao Wu go find that household himself.

I wasn’t out shopping with them? There happened to be someone selling sheepskin boots. I saw that he didn’t look like a villager, probably a middleman. So I bargained, then told him I’d buy two pairs if he told me where I could get a sheepskin jacket like the one he wore, but prettier for a girl. After he gave me the address, I drove there myself. The family’s conditions were quite good. Hearing I was a soldier buying a jacket for my daughter at home, without a word, they sold the one they prepared for someone else to me first. Oh, I discovered what a great place this is; people here are so genuine and warm-hearted. As I was leaving, they even instructed me to send it to their home if any alterations were needed."

"Then why didn’t you buy any for yourselves? Was it not enough money? Last year, Xiao Wu found out it cost at least 200 yuan and you had to wait for it to be sent from the far north. You pay one year and get it the next. I pushed it off. Ordinary families can’t afford this jacket. Now the ones sewn at home look too ugly. This one’s better, and the fur collar is really warm."

Hearing her mention money, Lin Lishan held her breath, and when she heard the 200 yuan, she proudly said, "150 yuan, unexpectedly cheaper. They only had this one new. We have to wear military coats, not planning to wear this. Ask your dad if you don’t believe me. This one weighs only ten kilos; the outer black linen can be removed, and you can change to whatever color you want. With this jacket, you can go wherever you want without worrying about the cold. Try putting on the shoes and see if you can move freely?"

After putting it on, with her 1.68-meter height, Zhou Jiao instantly looked shorter, the coat covering her whole body down to below the knees, and the fur collar concealing her face, leaving only her big eyes exposed. Along with the sheepskin boots, there was no wind penetration, not even on snowy days. Watching her move back and forth with ease, adding a hat upon going out, she was fully warm.

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded repeatedly, "Your mom thought of everything. Such good taste. You’re not too strong; wrapped like this, there’s nowhere too cold. Even if snowflakes land on it, they won’t seep through. Military coats in heavy snow can get wet and heavy if you’re not careful. This is great; nothing suits better than this."

Zhou Jiao giggled, glancing outside, and said softly, "Of course it’s good. Dad, your daughter is dressed in a whole courtyard from the county."

As soon as she said it, it made Zhou Xiaozheng and his wife burst into laughter.