Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 361 - 276: Neighbors on Both Sides

After dinner, Zhang Guoqing washed the dishes, said a word to Zhou Jiao, and headed towards his eldest sister’s house.

The Zhang Meili family was having dinner. Seeing him coming over, Zhang Chunming quickly pulled him to sit down and have a drink.

Zhang Guoqing waved his hand repeatedly, "Brother-in-law, I just ate. I’m here to ask my eldest sister for help to look after Ping’an. I have something to do in the evening, going out around seven and back by eight-thirty."

"I’ll go with you now." Zhang Meili hurriedly gulped down the remaining bites.

Zhang Guoqing already knew that his brother-in-law worked the night shift, so he quickly pulled her, saying, "Don’t rush, it’s still early. It’s not too late to go after you’ve tidied up."

Zhang Ziwen was so anxious that his face turned crimson, hesitating to pick up his chopsticks. He had been hoping to go to his uncle’s house. Seeing that he might miss the chance, he nudged his younger brother, Zhang Ziwu, and secretly pointed at Zhang Guoqing.

Zhang Ziwu nodded, quickly gobbling down the food in his bowl. He stood by Zhang Guoqing and tugged at his clothes.

Zhang Guoqing patted his head, "Later you three brothers protect your mom and Yaya to uncle’s house, okay?" After speaking, the kids cheered loudly.

Seeing Zhang Meili object, Zhang Chunming quickly persuaded her. He was on duty tonight and wasn’t comfortable leaving the kids at home. He suggested she take them all over.

Zhang Meili had no choice but to tell the kids to be obedient. She kept emphasizing not to ask for things and set a bunch of conditions.

Zhang Guoqing quickly pulled the three kids out the door. If they listened any longer, the kids wouldn’t get to go. He wasn’t worried about her brother-in-law being embarrassed as she said so much.

As they stepped out, they happened to bump into Zhang Meihao bringing her kids to visit his eldest sister’s house. Hearing that they were going to look after the kids, Zhang Meihao quickly sent Ziwen to her house to give a heads-up.

The group dragged their feet back to the courtyard; it was already late.

Zhou Jiao prepared Ping’an’s formula, got the kids’ snacks ready, and was pulled away by Zhang Guoqing.

There was still time, so the two of them weren’t in a hurry. The couple strolled leisurely down the street. Zhang Guoqing looked around, then lifted Zhou Jiao and placed her on a cart. He pushed the cart and whispered to her about going to the fishing village with Zhao Dashan’s family over the weekend. He planned to have Mother Zhang come over to watch the kids for a day and take her out for some fun.

Zhang Guoqing gazed at Zhou Jiao’s eyes, bright as stars, and her dimples on both cheeks, chuckling quietly. He guessed that this girl was excited about the prospect of clam digging. He began to look forward to how Cheng Hongli and she would fare that day. Hopefully, the winter wind wouldn’t dampen their enthusiasm.

Approaching the East Suburban Forest, the kerosene lamp hanging on the cart shone on the other party. The other party seemed surprised to see a girl on the cart, paused for a moment, and then pulled a cart out of the forest.

Zhang Guoqing opened each one to check, nodding in satisfaction. The two of them moved the grains to Zhang Guoqing’s cart, paid the remaining amount, and watched the other party swiftly run off with the cart. Zhang Guoqing then pushed a cartful of grains back. Along the way, only two bags remained on the cart — these two bags were left for appearances.

Just as they reached their doorstep, their neighbor Wang Dasheng opened the door and called out with a smile, "You finally decided to come home? I saw the light in your courtyard and guessed you must be back." After speaking, he walked quickly towards them and pointed at the bags on the cart with his finger.

Zhang Guoqing smiled and said in a low voice, "It’s grain, just bought from a farm. Uncle, aren’t you resting yet? Where’s Auntie? Would you like to come in and sit?"

Wang Dasheng waved his hand and said in a low voice, "Your aunt is inside cleaning the pig’s offal, and she told me to ask if you want bones? They’re not great stuff, but they’re at internal prices. Uncle Chen bought twenty pounds at noon. If I’d known you were coming back today, I’d have told you earlier."

Zhang Guoqing nodded quickly, "Uncle, I’ll go with your advice. However much there is, I’ll take it. Simmering it on the stove in the winter is just right."

Wang Dasheng quickly shouted, "Kids’ mom, I’ll take Xiao Wu to the factory."

"Hurry and go, otherwise, it’ll be gone. Come back early." The voice from the left courtyard echoed unusually loudly at night.

Wang Dasheng responded to her loudly, pointing at the grain on Zhang Guoqing’s cart, gesturing towards the courtyard.

Zhang Guoqing picked up two bags, placed them in the courtyard, and said to Zhou Jiao, "I’ll go to the factory with Uncle first." After speaking, he hurried to catch up with Wang Dasheng, who was impatiently pushing the cart.

Old Chen from the right courtyard was putting on a coat while running and shouting, "Hey, wait for me. Old Wang, why didn’t you give me a heads-up? I only started realizing after hearing your wife’s loud voice."

Wang Dasheng said, aggrieved, "Oh, brother, didn’t you just go at noon? I thought you’d had enough."

"Some relatives wanted some, and there’s only a little left. I just discussed with my wife to go see you tomorrow. When I heard you mention taking Xiao Wu to the factory, I jumped up and almost missed you. Xiao Wu, buy more this time. Stock it up and eat it slowly."