Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 326 - 253: The Warm House (Part 1)

In the small courtyard of the county town, Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao were enjoying their leisurely family life with their child. Apart from Zhou Jiao often thinking about her father Zhou Xiaozheng, everything in life was passing smoothly.

Mother Zhang came over every few days to check in, never really having a chance to lend a hand. Apart from the nourishing dishes simmering in the kitchen, Zhang Guoqing and his wife planned to take-out from the hotel until the full moon. In these few short days, even though Mother Zhang felt a bit sorry, she had nothing to oppose. Once the full moon arrived, Zhou Jiao would naturally be home doing chores and caring for Zhang Guoqing’s three daily meals.

In just a few days, Zhang Guoqing rode his bicycle around during the day, bringing things back to store in Jiao Jiao’s space. The couple, like little hamsters, were busy preparing for winter.

In a blink of an eye, it was Zhang Meili’s moving day. Zhang Guoqing got up early in the morning. Last night, they were busy moving items from the cellar into the space and tidied up the house. After pacing around the courtyard a few times to ensure there were no flaws, he breathed a sigh of relief.

They received a telegram from Zhou Xiaozheng saying that Lin Lishan was bringing the Cheng Family and the Lin Family over. Along with folks from the provincial city, the county town, and relatives’ homes, there would be quite a number of guests coming. Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao realized things were getting big, and they needed to discuss with Mr. Zhang, so they had no choice but to return to the village early to prepare.

Zhang Guoqing looked up at the sky, shook his head; today’s morning run was out of the question. It wouldn’t be long before his dad would definitely bring the family over.

Standing in the courtyard, Zhang Guoqing practiced a set of boxing moves, loosened up his limbs, and hurriedly prepared porridge. When the meal was ready, he returned to the bedroom and was particularly surprised to find Zhou Jiao already awake.

"Why are you up so early? Go back to sleep. Get up when I bring back the buns." These days, Zhou Jiao was up with the child at midnight. Zhang Guoqing lovingly coaxed her back to bed and covered her with the quilt.

Zhou Jiao looked at him speechlessly; she wasn’t Ping’an—how could she just lie there awake? "Okay, I’ll lie down. You go buy some breakfast. Get more buns, the kids will surely come over in the morning and won’t have had enough to eat. They’ll definitely be hungry before we head to elder sister’s place."

Zhang Guoqing hugged her, kissed her several times, making Zhou Jiao pat him repeatedly before he released her and left the room.

Zhou Jiao waited for a while, then gently got out of bed once she estimated that he had left. Seeing that their son hadn’t woken up, she sighed with relief. After washing up, she returned to the bedroom, folded the quilt, and sat down to watch her son. After a moment, she saw Ping’an wake up on time, and she laughed heartily, kissing him several times. This child’s schedule was more punctual than an alarm clock.

Zhou Jiao helped him with his bathroom needs, wiped him clean with a warm towel, and, while softly humming a tune, held him to breastfeed. Seeing his contented expression, she happily sighed. As soon as he finished eating, she hurriedly picked him up and patted his little back, speaking softly, "Son, today mom will take you to the village home. Later when grandpa and grandma come, you have to be a good boy, okay?"

Looking at her son, Zhou Jiao’s heart softened. She imagined her father felt the same way looking at her, wanting to give the best things in the world to his child.

After accompanying Zhang Guoqing for breakfast, Mr. Zhang brought the entire Zhang Family to visit shortly thereafter. Zhang Guoqing quickly brought buns from the kitchen, "Dad, help yourselves. The porridge is in the pot, whoever wants some, go serve yourself. I’ve prepared yours. Just help yourselves. There’s plenty of time before the meal at elder sister’s."

Mr. Zhang nodded, "Everyone, eat a bit more. Kids’ mom, you take the two daughters-in-law to the kitchen, they’re not familiar yet."

Zhou Jiao smiled apologetically at her two sisters-in-law. Seeing that they didn’t mind, she felt relieved. Quickly glancing at Zhang Guoqing and seeing him nod, she knew there was enough for them to eat and, telling Mr. Zhang, she carried Ping’an back to their room.

Once the Zhang Family finished breakfast, Xi Zi, along with his younger siblings, came in. Zhou Jiao asked him to help look after Ping’an, put out baskets of candies and roasted snacks for the kids, and headed toward the living room herself.

Mother Zhang, along with Huang Cuilan and Lin Juhua, two daughters-in-law, were touring the small courtyard. As soon as they entered the guest room, Zhou Jiao quickly pulled Mother Zhang to sit on the kang and invited the two sisters-in-law to sit down, "Mom, sisters-in-law, I added two quilts as housewarming gifts. When you go over there later, don’t mention I prepared them. Just say they’re from the family."

The three laughed heartily; there was actually something to fear others would find out about a gift.

Zhang Guoqing came in and saw Zhou Jiao facing his mother awkwardly, raised his eyebrows, "Mom, dad wants us to go to elder sister’s old house earlier. They’re moving in at ten in the morning. Jiao Jiao, I’ll bring them over for the move-in and be right back. You wait here for me."

Zhou Jiao was relieved that he came in. "You hurry and take the prepared items from last night with you, but don’t say we prepared them ourselves."

Zhang Guoqing nodded and turned around to leave. When he returned to the living room, he picked up two thick quilts, with a bundle on top. He followed Mr. Zhang and the others out and placed them on the bullock cart at the door. Once Mother Zhang and the others were all outside, he ran to the courtyard to greet Zhou Jiao, locked the courtyard door, and followed them to Zhang Meili’s house.

"Xiao Wu, what’s in this bundle? The gifts are already heavy enough. No need to add more." Mother Zhang, sitting on the bullock cart, felt through the outer cloth, finding fabric inside, and said uneasily.

Zhang Guoqing and his two brothers walked slowly behind the bullock cart. Listening to this, he took a few quick steps forward and said in a low voice, "Initially, my two brothers and I planned to have a set of furniture made for elder sister. But the carpenter said he couldn’t make it in time, so we couldn’t get the big stuff. I arranged for some quilts. The bundle has three sets of cotton clothes for the nephews for today. A while back, Jiao Jiao promised to give each kid a set of clothes, didn’t she? They all have them. Has mom brought Yaya’s?"

Mother Zhang didn’t want to say much with the two daughters-in-law there, so she patted him lightly with displeasure, "It’s long been given to your elder sister. What you’re holding isn’t for your second sister’s place, is it?"

Zhang Guoqing chuckled, didn’t answer, and simply stopped walking, letting the cart pull ahead, smiling at his elder brother and second brother behind him. He didn’t mean to, but since Zhou Jiao promised the kids, they couldn’t show favoritism. The fabric at home was too good, and he didn’t want to use those materials for just a few kids. It took him quite some time to find the fabric and cotton for these clothes. Not to mention, his mom wouldn’t agree to that in the future.

Sitting on the bullock cart, Mother Zhang, along with her two daughters-in-law, opened the bundle to see three sets of clothes inside, silently sighed. Just the two big gifts prepared would cost quite some money. These silly kids, no wonder they said it was from the family. They feared the eldest daughter would return the favor and didn’t want to attract attention.

The Zhang Family did attract a lot of attention. Dressed in new clothes, the entire family drew the eyes of many passersby. Zhang Guoqing quickly pulled his two brothers to take the side path.

Zhang Guoqiang laughed heartily, "You’re just noticing now? When we first left the village in the morning, quite a few people came out to watch. On this way here, if I weren’t worried the things on our parents’ cart might get taken, I would’ve run off long ago. Let’s keep some distance and follow them from behind."

Elder Zhang patted the second child, reminding him to be careful, noticing that their father was continuously looking back at them.

He softly said to Zhang Guoqing, "Your second brother tried leaving in his uniform this morning, but dad complained about it, saying no one would want him entering the house dressed like that on a good day."

With this, he couldn’t help but laugh, and the three brothers trailed behind the bullock cart at a distance, laughing heartily.