Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 429 - 326: Disgust

Returning to the Big Courtyard, Zhou Jiao didn’t bother unpacking. Once Ping’an was settled, she immediately sent Zhang Guoqing to invite the Cheng Family over for dinner, especially to call Cheng Ruzhu and her husband.

After he left, she hurriedly said a few words to Zhou Xiaozheng and headed straight to the kitchen.

As soon as Aunt Chen saw her, a smile naturally appeared on her face, "I’ll prepare dinner tonight, you should go rest."

"Auntie, it’s a pity you didn’t come with us this time. Aunt Wang bought a lot of cheap goods. I didn’t know what you liked, so I bought some things for you. Don’t mind them, tonight we can choose what you like, and I can give away the rest."

Aunt Chen smiled and complained, "Why do you waste money, child? Before New Year’s, you already sent me back with a lot of things, and now you brought more, always sparing nothing."

With a smile, Zhou Jiao said, "Auntie, don’t say such formalities. I treat you like family, that’s why I’m not being polite with you. If it were outsiders, I’d hide things to avoid being conspicuous."

Aunt Chen nodded happily. Among the Zhou Family, she was the most at ease. The Zhou family’s setup was simple, untangled, uninterested in gossip, and everybody got along well, especially Zhou Jiao and her mother, who were always kind.

She hadn’t stayed long at home before already wanting to come back, really missing Jiao Jiao’s cooking. She saw how Xiao Wang and the others had gained weight, always smiling foolishly. Being assigned to the Zhou Family was truly a blessing for them.

"Jiao Jiao, a couple of your cousins came by while you weren’t home, I didn’t let them into your room, claiming we didn’t have the key. Remember to say you forgot to give it to me," Aunt Chen whispered, glancing outside.

Zhou Jiao covered her mouth, smiling, and quickly nodded.

Aunt Chen rolled her eyes at her, whispering, "Don’t be so naive! Their eyes are on you. Luckily your mom bought clothes that fit you just right, otherwise, they could have borrowed them and never returned. There’s nothing more to say. Saying too much might seem like stirring trouble."

Zhou Jiao began sorting out the dishes, listening to Aunt Chen’s words, and couldn’t help but laugh. She thought, after all, the judgment of the public is always sharp.

"Oh, some people were looking for Xiao Wu. I wrote their names down on paper and left it on your study desk. All from those boys in the Big Courtyard."

"Auntie, you are impressive. I bet they don’t have anything serious, probably just want to play with Xiao Wu. If they don’t come tonight, they’ll definitely show up tomorrow night. Has my dad been coming home for dinner these days?"

Aunt Chen shook her head with a smile and said, "He has to come back to eat. Your maternal great-uncle comes over right at meal times. Oh, and we need to wrap more dumplings. A couple of days ago your cousin and his wife came over and refused to leave. They even brought two bags of flour."

Zhou Jiao laughed heartily, "What do they like in dumplings? Last time I sent some over, my cousin’s wife told me not to trouble myself and just make more when they want to eat. Now that my great-aunt is not home, they surely can’t go hungry."

"Shrimp and lamb are their favorites, and the most leftover is the chive. Your dad loves sauerkraut and shrimp."

"Hmm, chive has a strong flavor and they might not be used to it. It’s my maternal grandfather and uncle’s favorite. Has my grandfather not come over these days?"

Aunt Chen smiled, "Your grandfather and great-uncle have been over a few times; he also loves shrimp and sauerkraut now. Jiao Jiao, are these hairy crabs and knife fish? Wouldn’t this evening’s preparation be too extravagant?"

"It’s rare for my uncle to come over. These were gifts from my great-aunt’s friends, so it wouldn’t look good not to serve them." Zhou Jiao didn’t mention the surplus at home, as she was considering whether to invite the Lin Family over.

She wiped her hands, stood by the door, and peeked to see her mom holding the baby, accompanying her dad in conversation.

"What’s wrong?" Aunt Chen asked curiously.

Zhou Jiao smiled, "Nothing. I was just checking if the guests have arrived." Just then, she heard the Cheng children yelling "sister" loudly.

"Go out and accompany the guests; there are only two dishes left here, leave them to me." Aunt Chen urged her to go out quickly.

Zhou Jiao checked her watch and realized it was getting late. She began setting the table with dishes to serve.

"Oh my, is our Jiao Jiao at it again? Tell us what’s left to do?" The Cheng Family’s eldest daughter-in-law, Liu Ting, hurriedly came up to her and said.

Zhou Jiao saw no need for formalities, "Auntie, just help to bring the dishes out. How come Xiao Wu didn’t return with you?"

"He went to call your grandfather’s house." After saying that, she winked at Zhou Jiao. Seeing her understanding, she chuckled as she headed toward the kitchen. Just now, her father-in-law also asked Xiao Wu to go and call them.

Zhou Jiao thought for a moment, followed her into the kitchen, and asked in a low voice, "How long has it been, why aren’t they here yet?"

"Your uncle happened to meet us. It seems they’re all gathered at their place discussing their eldest granddaughter’s dowry. Just ignore them, they’ll come over soon," Liu Ting replied, obviously displeased.

Seeing how the Lin Family was so lavish about their granddaughter’s marriage, it reminded her of how they had let poor Jiao marry into the Zhang Family all alone, and it filled her with anger. They behaved as if they hadn’t seen a man in eight generations, their flaunting known all over the Big Courtyard. If her Jiao had married any later, she would’ve made a grand affair of it.

"We won’t compare ourselves with them. A lasting marriage relies on the couple’s mutual affection, not on the dowry. Our Xiao Wu is a hundred times better than those people."

Zhou Jiao, seeing Liu Ting’s worried face, held onto her arm and laughed, "Yes, I’ll listen to you. I really don’t feel aggrieved, they enjoy being extravagant and lively; I, on the other hand, fear the trouble. Now that I have my dad and all of you, who in my family can compare? But Aunt, you’ll have to care for me more in the future."

"Silly girl!" Liu Ting patted her hand, smiling warmly.

Except for Mrs. Lin feigning illness, everyone else from the Lin Family came. Perhaps because the old lady’s illness seemed so natural, nobody gave it much thought. The Lin Family members were all smiles, a picture of joyful celebration.

Zhou Jiao hurriedly set up another table. At this moment, she didn’t have time to exchange pleasantries with the Lin Family, merely nodding and smiling to greet them before returning to the kitchen to bring out more dishes.

Luckily, she had prepared all large plates earlier, splitting them into two tables was still manageable. After sending Liu Ting and Cheng Ruzhu out to take their seats, she started warming the dishes personally.

Once the hot dishes were served one after another, she too returned to the women’s table in the living room.

At this time, the women’s table was lively with Lin Liyin chatting animatedly; she silently sat beside them, quietly listening to the gossip.

Old Mrs. Cheng, noticing her, pulled her to sit beside her, pointing at the dishes urging her to eat.

"This girl should be satisfied now. My sister-in-law lost her soldiers and the generals this time. The bridal money was taken back entirely, and so many things were given as dowry, the Yang Family must be overjoyed," Lin Liyin laughed.

"72 pairs of legs, a radio, a bicycle, and a watch. The only one in the Big Courtyard," Old Mrs. Cheng said in a low humorous tone to Zhou Jiao. She didn’t even dare mention they only gave three hundred yuan as dowry while providing such a generous dowry.

Zhou Jiao looked up, smiled at her, and simply continued eating her meal quietly. She inwardly sneered, those 30,000 yuan swallowed by Gu Ruyi were enough for the Lin Family to toss and turn multiple rounds.

Ever since Uncle Wang from the Northwest came back to Beijing. Upon learning they entrusted Lin Aidang and his wife to mail her luxury items, she held the Lin Family in even lower regard.

People say desperation leads to recklessness, but the Lin Family hadn’t become poor enough to lose face yet. Their flaunting now was a mere joke. The most laughable thing was how they were still convinced their under-the-cover scandals were undetectable when the smell had long permeated outside.

Especially watching Lin Aidang at the men’s table, without an ounce of shame, loudly engaging in conversation made her think: like mother like son! Wasted her effort in preparing such a nice table of dishes.

After the feast ended, Zhou Jiao particularly kept Old Mrs. Cheng back. After seeing off the guests, she and the old lady returned to Zhou Xiaozheng’s study. Originally, the Lin Family was her maternal home, and she hadn’t intended to let the old lady in on anything. But now that she was about to return to the Northeast, those people’s duplicity would certainly reverse things and clean up their messes. She worried that some matters her father couldn’t intervene, and her mother even less, could only be entrusted to the old lady to ensure she had some insight if issues arose.

After hearing Zhou Jiao’s words, Old Mrs. Cheng was at a loss for words that could comfort the child. She moved forward, hugging Zhou Jiao silently, gently patting her back.