Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 322 - 249: (Revised)

"You guys better not mess with your little aunt’s stuff. Otherwise, no one’s coming back next time. Just sit there quietly, don’t wander around."

"No need to scare the kids. Be gentle, your little cousin is sleeping. Xi Zi, give those candied haws your little uncle bought to Ziwen and the others."

Zhou Jiao heard the commotion outside and quickly checked on her son. Seeing him sleeping soundly with rosy cheeks and not a hint of disturbance, she instantly felt relieved.

She packed a big handful of milk candies and the roasted seeds bought this morning, picked up the basket, and headed to the living room.

Zhou Jiao beamed at the group of kids in the living room, lifted the basket towards them, and seeing them run happily towards her, she hurriedly placed it on the table, "There’s enough for everyone, no need to grab. I’ll pack you more after dinner."

Mr. Zhang chuckled as he watched her interact with the kids, "Don’t eat too much or you’ll spoil your dinner. There are plenty of delicious dishes today, even more than during the New Year."

Zhou Jiao thought for a moment, then pulled out some change from her pocket and handed it to Ziwen, whispering, "Shh, keep it down, don’t let your mom hear. This is for you three brothers, take it quickly. Xi Zi just gave it to you. Each one of you gets some."

Xi Zi saw him decline with a red face, looked outside, saw his aunt couldn’t hear, "Just take it. My little aunt said it’s for you, so it’s yours. My little aunt doesn’t like fussing over it."

Zhou Jiao laughed heartily, "That’s right, Xi Zi understands little aunt well. Take it quickly, keep it with you, and buy whatever you like. Aren’t Ziwen and Xi Zi the same age? I heard from your little uncle that you three brothers have excellent grades. Well done."

Zhang Ziwen grinned widely as she gave him a thumbs-up. He adored his little uncle and aunt. They always praised the three brothers and never scolded him.

Zhou Jiao patted his head. Seeing Mr. Zhang sitting alone, she felt something was amiss. Suddenly, she noticed the long pipe was gone.

"Dad, where’s your pipe? You brought it, so why not smoke? Xiao Wu isn’t home this noon, I’ll have my brother-in-law drink with you, alright? That room is yours and mom’s. The quilts are all new, prepared just for you. If you’re tired, go lie down there and rest. Let the kids play freely, it’s okay. There’s nothing inside that can break. If it’s broken, it’s broken; out with the old, in with the new."

Listening to Zhou Jiao rambling nonstop, Mr. Zhang’s smile grew wider. His youngest daughter-in-law was indeed generous, with a temperament fit for great deeds.

"I’m not tired. You go rest, when the meal’s ready, I’ll have your mom bring it to you."

Zhou Jiao happily put on her coat and said, "Dad, if you’re not tired, go in and look after Ping’an. He just fell asleep. When he wakes up, call me. I’ll find my mom." With that, she hurried out.

Mr. Zhang watched her back, laughing heartily. This child really warmed the heart. She was so casual in letting him go in. He was well aware there were quite a few of their belongings in their room. This daughter-in-law truly didn’t see him as just a father-in-law, but as her own father. However, he wasn’t used to entering his son and daughter-in-law’s room.

Thinking about it, he got up, with his hands behind his back, and strolled towards the room. Standing by the study door, he looked at the bookcase. Then glanced at the furniture placements, took a deep breath, and muttered to himself, "Wastrel." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

He walked through the study into the bedroom, quickly scanning the room’s furniture, and approached the bed. Watching his little grandson sleep soundly, he picked him up along with the small quilt and returned to the guest room.

In the guest room, Mr. Zhang looked at the heated brick bed by the window, lowering his head with a soft chuckle. After a while, he gently put the child down, covered him with the quilt, and patted his head, whispering to himself emotionally, "My grandson really knows how to choose a family. He came at just the right time, blessed, a little golden baby."

Children’s laughter could be heard from outside, and Mr. Zhang glanced at him, sleeping so peacefully. Just like his father, so well-behaved from birth, never causing his mother any hassle. Remembering how his wife struggled raising the older kids, especially after having their little daughter, she couldn’t work in the fields. It wasn’t until she had Xiao Wu, with the whole month’s confinement, that the child was calm, eating and sleeping without fuss, that she finally recuperated. No wonder his wife doted on Xiao Wu.

Zhou Jiao went into the kitchen, frowned at the dishes, "Mom, why aren’t you cooking again? I asked my brother-in-law to come accompany Dad, there needs to be drinking food. There’s plenty to eat at home, cook more. Your youngest son eats a lot with his drinking, and he’ll need food when he comes back."

Mother Zhang was startled by Zhou Jiao’s sudden appearance, "You child, why did you sneak out again? Go back in. I’ve got it under control. It’s enough."

Upon hearing she should go back in, Zhou Jiao protested. How could she after finally getting out? She quickly sat by the hearth where it was warm, "Look, this is cozy. Mom, I’ll keep you company. Where’s my sister?"

"Don’t get involved, just stay still. Your sister went home to call your brother-in-law. She kept saying there were preparations at home for him to eat. I told her off."

"Mom’s really something. Mom, prepare a few more dishes for the kids to try. Don’t let brother-in-law be dissatisfied. We really aren’t short on supplies. Didn’t my mom bring back lots of meat? Cook more. If you don’t go, I’ll do it myself," Zhou Jiao threatened her as she watched.

Mother Zhang had no choice; this girl was stubborn. She glared at her before hurrying to the storeroom.

The storeroom really had a lot of food. But she couldn’t bring herself to use it all; much better to leave it for the couple to enjoy over time. She had plans to come over every morning to cook, then go back. Her little Wu wouldn’t have to struggle. She couldn’t bear the thought of little Wu handling three meals a day. How could a big man be stuck in the kitchen all day?

Lost in thought, she looked up to see Zhou Jiao standing at the door with a silly grin, realizing she had been discovered. She was both annoyed and amused, now knowing that the child was tired of staying indoors.

Zhou Jiao carefully sidled up to her, pointing with her finger, "Mom, this, this, that, that, and over from here..."

Mother Zhang quickly grabbed the items, hoisted the bamboo basket, and immediately pulled her out, "Okay, that’s enough, any more and it could feed the whole village. If you don’t want to go back in, just stay in the kitchen where it’s warm. If you run around again, I’ll tell your Dad. Let him talk to you. See if you’re scared."

Thinking of her dad, Zhou Jiao immediately followed obediently back into the kitchen.

Zhang Meili came in to see Zhou Jiao tending the fire, hurriedly pulling her to rest in the room, muttering the whole way.

Seeing no other choice, Zhou Jiao looked at Mother Zhang, who secretly chuckled at her trouble.

Seizing a rare pause from Zhang Meili’s nagging, Zhou Jiao quickly said, "Sister, I’m going. I’ll take it myself." She’d had enough of her sister-in-law’s endless chatter.

Watching her eldest daughter push Zhou Jiao back into the living room, Mother Zhang couldn’t stop laughing at the door. Oh dear, Jiao Jiao finally met her match. Not just Jiao Jiao, even she feared her eldest daughter, who was quite fierce and would go on endlessly. She often wondered who this daughter took after.

Zhang Meili settled Zhou Jiao then returned to the kitchen, noticing her mom still cooking, and gave her a puzzled look.

"Don’t mind it, Jiao Jiao said her brother-in-law is coming, to add more dishes for your dad’s drinking. Your brother will come back to eat later too. These dishes are still fewer than I’d like."

Zhang Meili appreciated her sister-in-law for saving face for her. Whatever about Xiao Wu needing food when he returned. "Just this time though. We shouldn’t do this always. All this was Uncle Zhou’s arrangement to ensure his daughter wouldn’t go hungry. We really shouldn’t use it up freely."

Mother Zhang didn’t respond. With a personality like Jiao Jiao’s, next time they visited, there’d still be a full table. She was quite pleased that her child treated her own kids so kindly. If the kids could love each other this much, then when she and her husband were gone, they’d rest easy.