Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 509 - 393: Beijing Before the New Year

Beijing, at dusk, Old Mrs. Cheng came out of the post office with the maid.

The heavy parcels weighed the maid down so much that she couldn’t straighten her back. Once she placed them on the back of the bicycle, she let out a huge sigh of relief.

On the way, they ran into acquaintances. Old Mrs. Cheng wasn’t in the mood to chat, exchanged a few pleasantries, and quickly followed behind the maid. Watching the parcels on the back seat, she silently shook her head in her heart.

When they reached home, the maid quickly refused the old lady’s help, holding her breath, she moved step by step into the living room.

Old Mrs. Cheng had been waiting with scissors for a while. As soon as the parcels hit the ground, she hurriedly stepped forward to open them. A rush of meat and seafood aromas hit the nose.

Inside were small, finely stitched cloth bags. If it weren’t for the smell, it would be hard to tell what they were. Who knows how they checked these before sending? Judging by the old lady’s observation, Zhou Jiao must have spent a lot of time stitching the bags closed at the post office.

She didn’t open the bags inside, but after searching for a while, she found a letter inside.

Seeing the familiar, delicate handwriting, Old Mrs. Cheng smiled and quickly opened the envelope. As she read on, her face gradually blossomed into a radiant smile.

"Madam, what did Jiao Jiao say to make you so happy? Didn’t she send something with Chief Zhou a while ago? Why send more now? It seems that the Northeast is really wealthy, not short of food at all, truly a good place."

The old lady laughed heartily, "Where is it not short of food? I think this child sent all the things from her godfather and relatives to the Big Courtyard. She heard from Lin Lishan that her father has gotten thinner and asked me to keep an eye on his eating and resting."

The maid shook her head with a smile, "This father and daughter....."

"Their relationship is good, isn’t it? They’ve been through a lot together."

The old lady carefully folded the letter, planning to let her nephew see it later. It’s not that she’s overseeing the child, but because Jiao Jiao asked her to keep an eye on her nephew, she couldn’t disobey.

"Madam, how should we arrange the things in the bags? Should we send them to the Zhou Family?"

Old Mrs. Cheng shook her head, leaning back and closing her eyes to rest.

Who is this child, Zhou Jiao? Since she sent it directly to her hands, it means she doesn’t trust Lin Lishan and is afraid the items will end up at the Lin Family. She being an outsider, it’s not appropriate to inspect her nephew’s storeroom. Doing so, what does it make her?

However, she hasn’t grown up just eating greens. From her observation, Lin Lishan doesn’t have the guts to move things to her natal family, at most carrying some when visiting Old Lin.

"Do you think Xiao Zheng has gotten thinner recently?"

The maid shook her head, "I haven’t noticed him getting thinner. Seeing him every day might make it hard to tell."

The old lady laughed hard when she heard this, "I may have poor eyesight, but you are still young. Since you say he’s not thinner, I’ll write back to Jiao Jiao saying her father is well. Alright, tonight we’re stewing an old hen, adding a few slices of ginseng from last time, so Jiao Jiao can be at ease."

The maid nodded with a smile, "Shall I move the parcels to the storeroom?"

"No need. Send them with the chicken soup to Xiao Zheng tonight."

"Send it all? The bags have Zhou and Cheng written on them. It’s obvious Jiao Jiao separated them."

Old Mrs. Cheng rolled her eyes at her, "The child is being filial to her dad, I’m not short of food. Oh dear, you reminded me, otherwise I would have forgotten. Let’s open the bags and destroy the evidence."

The maid did not object; after all, even if they opened them, Zhou Xiaozheng would surely leave half.

As they started their task, they gradually took out dumplings, wild boar meat, venison, rabbit meat, an old hen, tea leaves, and fried dried fish from the bags.

Not even one-third opened, the old lady, gasping for breath, waved her hand, "Forget it, stop rummaging and let Xiao Zheng handle it himself. Can you tell? Except for the fresh meat, everything is processed and ready to eat. This child Jiao Jiao is really thoughtful. She’s afraid of bothering us, so she’s prepared everything ready-to-eat for her father."

The maid nodded repeatedly. Strips of fragrant meat jerky, golden-fried fish, stacks of frozen dumplings, all bundled in oiled paper — braised pork, fried peanuts — she really thought of everything!

The old lady couldn’t help but burst into laughter. If she refused, even Old Man would fall out with her. Her husband is always talking about Jiao Jiao, and has long wanted to taste the child’s cooking.

The maid suddenly noticed another parcel at the bottom labeled ’Lin’, "Madam, look, this is for the Lin Family. Poor Jiao Jiao, such a good child."

Old Mrs. Cheng nodded. Although it was small, it was still a proper little package. Lin Lishan is a blessed woman, with such a considerate daughter.

After a moment of thought, the old lady took out the letter again and said, "Alright, let’s give Ru Zhu’s parcel to her too, or else Jiao Jiao would be upset. This girl has a good relationship with her little aunt. Half of what she sent us is enough; the rest should all go to Xiao Zheng. Now that Xiao Zheng can enjoy the snacks lovingly prepared by his precious daughter, he will be overjoyed."

The maid laughed heartily. Isn’t that so?

Near the end of the workday, as soon as Zhou Xiaozheng got home, he heard Aunt Chen cheerfully say that Old Mrs. Cheng had invited them over. Knowing Lin Lishan had already gone to the Cheng House, he couldn’t figure out why; he thought they were being invited for dinner. After washing his face, he strolled leisurely over.

Before reaching the living room, he heard the laughter of Mr. Cheng and Cheng Sijin from the courtyard. Zhou Xiaozheng smiled, there must be great news.

"Xiao Zheng, come here. I’m telling you now, after I finish eating, you have to replenish my stock."

Zhou Xiaozheng glanced at the things on the coffee table and the floor, "Did Jiao Jiao send these? Didn’t my aunt send things again? Jiao Jiao asked you not to send more, as it might not leave a good impression."

Old Mrs. Cheng looked at Lin Lishan, who had a face full of smiles, "We know. That child was worried about your work schedule, having no time to pick up parcels, so she sent them here. Shanshan, the parcel your precious daughter sent for her grandpa is also here, you can take it with you later."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiaozheng’s eyes were filled with even more joy. His dear Jiao Jiao is worried her mother would take things home to her family? This child doesn’t realize with Aunt Chen around, who would dare? Once the items enter the storeroom, Aunt Chen seriously enforces Jiao Jiao’s arrangements, absolutely not allowing them to be given away. Even to himself, she wouldn’t agree. Always saying it was Jiao Jiao’s order.

Lin Lishan saw the small parcel pointed out by the old lady and laughed heartily.

"What’s so funny?"

Lin Lishan stifled her laugh, lowered her voice, "Jiao Jiao does this on purpose. Other than her grandfather, she’s not close to anyone in my family. This child’s behavior takes after me."

The old lady glanced at her nephew, "You are her mother, if not like you, then who else?"

"Dear, shall we start dinner? Seeing all these delicacies got my appetite going."

Old Mrs. Cheng hurriedly asked the maid to prepare.

After dinner, Zhou Xiaozheng asked Lin Lishan to deliver the parcel to Mr. Lin first, while he took out the bags labeled ’Zhou’ and packed them away. His daughter always handles things thoughtfully, and without needing further explanation, he knew the remaining part was Jiao Jiao’s gift for her aunt’s family.

Zhou Xiaozheng repeatedly declined the old lady’s insistence, picked up the bags, and was followed by her carrying a pot of old hen soup as they both headed home. Walking together, he considered whether it was time to send a telegram to his daughter soon, to ease her mind.