Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 336 - 259: Harvest and Celebration (Part 2)

I’ve always wanted to find a chance to go up and see if it was Lingzhi. Didn’t we climb up the tree last time? I think there are still medicinal herbs down the hill. If there’s a chance, I’ll take the big brother to check them out. After a bit of searching, big brother found some ginseng. We picked it and hid it in our chests, then ran to the front to wait for them. To avoid suspicion, I also hunted a wild boar. Do you know how to eat that Purple Ganoderma? Should I find out?"

Zhou Jiao shook her head, "No need. I can handle it. We’ll leave it for now. There’s no rush to eat it now. When Ping’an is older, our whole family can use it to make congee. This thing is effective with long-term use. The big ginseng, you take it to Grandpa Wang and have him help infuse it in alcohol, he might have a secret method. The longer it ages, the better."

"Alright, last time he said if I ever got a century-old ginseng, not to sell it, he’d help me infuse it in wine. I’ll look for him when we’re back in the county town. Your magical place can’t store wine. Haha, if you could put it in there and take it out unchanged, that’d be a real kicker."

Zhou Jiao heard footsteps and hurriedly got off his lap.

After a while, Mother Zhang came in carrying postpartum meals for Zhou Jiao to eat first. She pulled Zhang Guoqing to the side, and upon learning that the two brothers had such a great harvest, she was overjoyed. She instructed them not to publicize it. After stressing it several times, she urged Zhang Guoqing and his brother to bring back the wild animals.

Zhang Guoqing left the room and walked with his big brother to the yard. If no surprises were to happen, they should be at the drying ground. The two chatted all the way, laughing out loud from time to time. The villagers they passed greeted them and couldn’t help but look back, repeatedly exclaiming how good the relations between the Zhang brothers are.

At the drying ground, Mr. Zhang repeatedly declined Old Captain’s kind offer. Since everyone went up the mountain together, there was no reason for Xiao Wu to get an extra share. For such a bit of stuff, the couple didn’t want others to be envious, wasting goodwill.

Old Captain and Accountant Zhang exchanged a glance, both understanding the situation. Even if it was Zhang Guoqing’s own decision, he would refuse. They just thought, forget it. When all the men were clean, they split a bone, removed the meat, and began weighing the total. After rewarding the hunting participants, the rest was distributed per head.

When Accountant Zhang saw Zhang Guoqing coming over, he quickly waved him over to explain the situation and, as expected, watched him refuse, laughing heartily.

In the drying ground, the entire village was busy setting up stoves and fires. The women’s director instructed the village women to stew bones and meat. Before the meat was even fully divided, the aroma spread, delighting the village’s children who excitedly circled the stoves.

As evening approached, the men lit bonfires in several corners. The red-hot fire drove away the chill; nearby households moved out tables and chairs. Families, already carrying their share of meat, brought bowls from home, joining in to help. Uncle Captain had long prepared the drinks and refreshments.

Zhang Guoqing, carrying a bamboo basket, hurried home, placed it in the kitchen, didn’t have time to say much, and made his way back to the bedroom to see Zhou Jiao feeding their son. He immediately realized she still went out, and no one was left to take care of the child.

"What’s up? Why the rush?"

"Ah... such a pity. I initially wanted to take you to see the village’s bonfire party. It was only when I saw the baby that I remembered no one was there to care for him. Mom and them are already set to go. Now, there’s no one home in the entire village; everyone’s gathered at the drying ground. It’s very lively. The village is brimming with joy. We haven’t had such an event in two years. Our Zhang Family Village is the only one around that has a full village celebration. Maybe this is the last hunting feast."

Zhou Jiao smiled, nudging him, "Go ahead. I don’t like too much noise. Just as well to stay with the baby. Tell me all about it when you get back."

Zhang Guoqing shook his head and dropped the topic. No matter where he was, if she wasn’t around, it didn’t feel joyous no matter how lively it got. Taking off his shoes, he leaned on the kang, watching her finish feeding the baby. Embracing the child, she sang a ditty, Zhang Guoqing’s face lit up with a smile. Listening to the ditty, he joined in singing loudly.

This made Zhou Jiao laugh out loud. In high spirits, she took the child onto the kang, and the two of them sang every song, regardless of what it was. Their singing and laughter surprised Mother Zhang, who came in to care for her grandson, and she joined in the laughter as well.

"Hurry up, Xiao Wu, take Jiao Jiao over there. Uncle Captain wants you two to join in the fun. I’ll take care of Ping’an. Mother just ate and came, hurry along."

Zhang Guoqing glanced at Zhou Jiao, and immediately helped her up, "Put on your sheepskin jacket. We’ll go over for a look, and then come back to accompany Mom. Staying too long is not good for your body."

Mother Zhang watched the young couple don their clothes and run out; she shook her head and laughed heartily.

Walking on the dirt road, Zhang Guoqing held Zhou Jiao, and they slowly slowed their pace. The distance was filled with bustle; from afar, one could hear the sound. As they got closer, they saw two villagers performing Er Ren Zhuan on the earthen mound where Old Captain usually stood. Someone was even tuning an erhu, making it as lively as a New Year celebration.

Zhang Guoqing mischievously suggested an idea to Zhou Jiao. Watching Zhou Jiao take out two bundles of firecrackers from her coat, he took them and ran with her to the heap behind the drying ground to light them, pulling her away immediately after.

Immediately a burst of pop and crackle filled the air, resounding in the sky like thunder, making ears ring. People were curious about the source of the firework sounds. Kids all rushed behind the heap, hoping to find unexploded ones to play with.

Zhang Guoqing took another bundle of firecrackers from Zhou Jiao and led her towards Uncle Captain’s table.

The nearby table saw the young couple approach, and it was clear to everyone. Seeing the firecrackers in Zhang Guoqing’s hands, they all laughed out loud.

Zhang Guoqing placed the firecrackers on the table, smiled sheepishly at the elders at the table, "It’s quite lively here. Adding a bit more joy. I’ll set them off later."

Old Captain stood up, pulling them to sit down.

Zhou Jiao saw Huang Cuilan and the others waving and quickly said, "Third Grandpa, this seat isn’t for the younger generation like him. Let Xiao Wu pour you elders some wine; don’t let him sit down. You enjoy your drinks, I’ll run over to my sister-in-law."

Old Captain, watching her finish speaking and dart away like a rabbit, laughed heartily, "Xiao Wu, listen to your little wife, pour us old folks some drinks."

Zhou Jiao ran to sit beside Huang Cuilan, being teased by a large group of women, and she remained all smiles. She soon fitted in with everyone.

Listening to their jokes and watching the performance on the opposite mound, Zhou Jiao thought she would remember these endearing villagers for the rest of her life. Though life granted them hardship, their simple nature kept them believing in a better tomorrow, always full of hope for life.