Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 476 - 363: Zhang Guoqing Returns

For several consecutive days, kids waited on the riverbank and stone bridge every day, hoping for a miracle to happen.

Mother Zhang mentioned that at first, many people were afraid to eat the fish, fearing it might be poisonous. Who knew that after being in the water for less than half a day, the pale fish all came back to life. The elderly women who caught the fish were overjoyed.

Zhou Jiao was taken aback by what she heard. After that day, she dared not bring it out again. But she was confident about the sedative she concocted; it was truly non-toxic. But did they come back to life? She really didn’t know.

After that scare, Zhou Jiao absolutely dared not go near the river. Now she eagerly awaited Zhang Guoqing’s return. His return meant she could go mountain climbing and river rafting with him, carefree and happy.

After picking wild vegetables for two days, Zhou Jiao lost interest. She even pulled out all the weeds in the vegetable garden, inadvertently damaging some of the seedlings.

In the kitchen, Xi Zi and the other kids gathered around Zhou Jiao, inhaling the fragrant aroma from the pot. Seeing Zhou Jiao about to serve the dish, they cheered happily.

Zhou Jiao placed a basin of stir-fried snails on the table, saying, "Eat sparingly and leave some to take home."

Tong Suo from Uncle Zhang’s family protested, "Fifth Aunt, just let us eat to our heart’s content. My mom doesn’t like them, she won’t even cook them."

"Yeah, every time I bring them home, the adults scold me. They must not like eating them."

Zhou Jiao saw them winking and grinning, and said with a smile, "Don’t joke around. I’m worried you won’t have room for the shrimp later."

Stir-frying requires oil—who among Old Zhang’s daughters-in-law would want to waste oil on food that doesn’t fill the stomach? The older kids might understand a little, but the younger ones couldn’t grasp their parents’ reasoning.

"Fifth Aunt, don’t return to the county town. We can help you take care of the kids every day, make you laugh. Can the county be better than Zhang Family Village?"

"Big brother’s right. Fifth Aunt, don’t leave. We’ll go up the mountain with you in a few days."

Zhou Jiao laughed, "Alright, those of you who need to go to school, go to school. Don’t skip classes, okay? Your younger siblings are watching you. Be careful not to burn yourself."

"Aunt, won’t you consider staying in the village? Anyway, Uncle works every day. Let him return after work."

"Hehe... fine, you can discuss it with your Uncle. If he agrees, it’s okay with me."

Zhou Jiao saw the kids’ disappointed faces, shook her head with a smile, and hurried to wash the pan and cook. If she really lived in the village, where would she find the time to cook for them every day?

As Zhou Jiao just finished cooking, the sound of footsteps came from outside.

"Jiao Jiao, Xiao Wu is back." Mother Zhang’s voice called out from afar.

Zhou Jiao wiped her hands and hurried out.

Seeing Zhang Guoqing enter the door—thank goodness, he didn’t look exhausted. She had been worried this silly guy might have helped with chores.

"Jiao Jiao, when I came home and found the house empty, you gave me quite a scare. I wondered where you’d gone. Luckily, I found your note."

Mother Zhang jokingly scolded, "Silly boy. If she’s not in the county, she’d be in the village. Go wash up first. Did you have lunch?"

Zhou Jiao looked at Zhang Guoqing, knowing he ate early and had already digested his lunch.

She took the child who ran towards her and said with a smile, "Mom, Xiao Wu likes the noodles you cook. As long as you make them, he’ll eat them. Remember to use the meat broth we have."

After Zhang Guoqing watched Mother Zhang leave, he asked, "Do you have something important to tell me?"

Zhou Jiao gave him a sidelong glance—why be so clever for no reason? She motioned for him to come inside before speaking.

In the bedroom, Zhou Jiao turned and took out some clothes for Zhang Guoqing to change into, from her stash. After a moment, she also retrieved a fish, laughing when she noticed their son’s bright eyes watching her.

Seeing this, Zhang Guoqing quickly told her to put the fish away—never underestimate their son, he was very clever. He sniffed himself and told Zhou Jiao to wait for him in the room; he needed to take a shower first.

Zhang Guoqing quickly took a military-style shower and returned to the room. He took his son in his arms and looked at Zhou Jiao.

Zhou Jiao laughed awkwardly and peeked out the window. Seeing no one around, she whispered to Zhang Guoqing about the mix-up with the sedative and the fish miracle.

Holding back his laughter, Zhang Guoqing asked a few details, but couldn’t restrain himself and burst out laughing.

After he stopped laughing, he made a few jokes. Then he asked Zhou Jiao about her daily life in Zhang Family Village and admired his wife for finding ways to enjoy herself.

After Zhou Jiao finished sharing these stories, she brought up serious matters. They needed to keep an eye on Old Zhou Family’s issues. She wasn’t sure how her father would respond to the letter.

After listening, Zhang Guoqing agreed with her concerns. He planned to find time to go check personally and have someone keep an eye on them.

After discussing these trivial matters, Zhang Guoqing began recounting his recent reporting experiences, focusing on the entertaining aspects to amuse her, while skipping over his arduous days digging ditches and carrying soil with everyone else.

For five whole days, the labor left him utterly exhausted. He was scolded by Zhao Chuan Guang for two entire hours. Zhao Chuan Guang called him foolish, but Zhang Guoqing knew his own objectives. The report he held made it all worthwhile.

The things he did wouldn’t just be a line under work follow-ups in his resume. The additional honors would give him a future advantage.

Gu Ruyi was right, he was like a mud-stained laborer now. But in the future, his roots would also be in working with the mud. Being a laborer wasn’t bad; Zhang Guoqing wasn’t afraid of the insults. Sometimes, even negative words from others were rooted in reality.

Being pointed at and insulted—the shame was ingrained deeply in his heart. He was determined to become like his father-in-law, someone whom no one dared to easily offend, allowing Zhou Jiao to live carefreely like her mother. One day, he’ll be able to protect his wife and child with his own strength.

Mother Zhang’s voice brought Zhang Guoqing back to reality. He responded loudly, cheerfully, holding his son and walking out with Zhou Jiao.

Looking down, Zhou Jiao tried to conceal the worry in her eyes. Zhang Guoqing was returning to the tenacious spirit he had in her previous life; gone was his previous laid-back attitude.

Was this change good or bad? She wasn’t sure, but she understood that the man had regained his drive.

In the living room, Zhang Guoqing ate noodles while listening to Mother Zhang’s chatter. He responded occasionally, smiling when Mother Zhang mentioned Zhou Jiao driving the sidecar back to the village.

Driving a sidecar, much less a tank—if his wife wanted to, so be it. As long as it didn’t endanger her safety, he was even willing to hand her a knife if she wanted to kill. Who was he working so hard for? Just so his wife could live as she pleased.

Zhang Guoqing understood Mother Zhang’s good intentions and patiently explained that Zhou Jiao could drive, and had circled around Beijing several times with her daughter-in-law.

Seeing Mother Zhang laughing heartily, Zhou Jiao quickly carried her son outside—the man was such a bragger. She had only been riding along with him.

After Zhou Jiao exited, Mother Zhang turned to her eldest son, lamenting that Zhou Jiao was too silly. She wouldn’t even go to the old house for meals when invited. See now, the whole family had gone to her youngest son’s house to eat.

Mother Zhang calculated the expenses with her eldest son. Seeing him laugh uproariously, she punched him hard, exasperated by his careless attitude—why wasn’t he more attentive?

Zhang Guoqing nodded repeatedly as Mother Zhang offered her advice. This favoritism warmed his heart once again. Humans are made of flesh; he and Jiao Jiao weren’t foolish. They were willing to sacrifice for their parents.