Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 542 - 425: Black Steamed Buns

Zhang Guoqing didn’t know his parents’ thoughts. For their safety, he had reduced and reduced again, even preventing Zhou Jiao from leaving some supplies in the village.

Hunger to the point of turning green in the eyes—people lose humanity at that stage. He’d rather mail things frequently than leave hidden dangers. The village is no safer than the county town.

The car sped along, bypassing the provincial city center and went straight into the military family courtyard.

"Godfather, shall we visit Grandpa and Grandma first?"

Zhao Chuan Guang shook his head after hearing Zhou Jiao’s words, "They are now in a sanatorium and told me beforehand to head straight to Beijing. They’ll visit Beijing by the end of the year; you’ll see them then."

Zhou Jiao didn’t visit the Big Courtyard as often as Zhang Guoqing. As the car slowly drove in, she quickly noticed the passersby and the environment had greatly changed since last time.

In the family courtyard, few people were moving around, and no children were seen playing; the usual noise was now a quiet scene.

The youngest, Zhao Lihui, quickly dashed out upon hearing the car, complaining, "Sis, you finally came. I’ve waited so long. Dad, why are you so slow?"

Zhou Jiao smiled, "Ping’an, quickly call your little uncle, and behind him is your big uncle."

Zhang Guoqing tossed him a bag, "No need for your help here, you brothers take Ping’an inside first."

Zhao Lihui saw his brother already cuddling Ping’an and going inside, sniffed the bag, and pulled a long face, "Brother-in-law, you’re going to Beijing. How am I supposed to survive?"

Everyone laughed heartily at his antics.

Just before entering the living room, Zhou Jiao was pulled in by Huang Hui Min and pressed onto a chair, "Eat some noodles quickly. Why didn’t you come sooner? You’re leaving tomorrow; when will the two of us meet again?"

"I’ll come back during winter and summer breaks. Godmother, if you’re not working, come see me..." Before she could finish, Zhou Jiao saw Zhao Xiaodi gulping, so she quickly ran into the kitchen.

Indeed, aside from two leftover black buns, there were only two bowls of noodles for herself and Zhang Guoqing. She didn’t bother checking the rice jar; she knew the previous delivery had likely been given to the elders.

Feeling a twinge in her nose, Zhou Jiao complained, "Am I really your biological daughter? Why didn’t you tell me if the house was lacking supplies? You’ve been sending things here continually, look at how much the two brothers have thinned."

Huang Hui Min chuckled, hugged her, and led her out, "We all eat at the canteen now, that’s why there’s nothing at home. We’re not starving, your brothers aren’t thinner! They eat meat every day, it’d be weird if they thinned. Don’t worry, my dear daughter!"

Zhou Jiao skeptically glanced at her, having seen the black buns. Seeing her smiling face, she thought to ask the two little guys later.

As noon approached, Zhou Jiao took out a package from her luggage, "Don’t go to the canteen today, Xiao Hui, help your sister grab bowls and chopsticks, taste your sister’s cooking."

"Sis, don’t. Take it on the road tomorrow."

"It’s meant for you to taste. It’ll be spoiled by tomorrow. Be good, quickly help out." Zhou Jiao said while untying the package.

Zhao Lihui glanced at their mother, and seeing her nod and smile, he happily exclaimed, "Hey... I’m on it."

After lunch, Zhao Chuan Guang took Zhang Guoqing out, and Huang Hui Min went to a meeting.

Zhou Jiao took the opportunity to have the elder brother, Zhao Liyao, watch the child, while she took the younger brother out, "Xiaodi, tell your sister why your little friends aren’t around?"

"Hehe, sis. Do you want to know something? Just ask, I’ll tell you everything."

Zhou Jiao patted him, "Smart! Is it true you seldom have enough to eat at home?"

Upon hearing, Zhao Lihui pulled her inside, and whispered, "Our family doesn’t lack food. With Grandpa, and your support, how could we not have enough? Others aren’t as lucky. In the canteen, only the uncles and older people can eat their fill; the aunts and children struggle with the limited rations."

Zhou Jiao nodded in understanding, "Does the family cook meals too?"

Zhao Lihui sighed, "Mom says once we start school, we won’t cook anymore, directly eating at the canteen. Whenever I think of eating at the school canteen, my stomach hurts."

Zhou Jiao comfortingly patted him, "Bread will come, life will get better soon. I’ll mail you some pastries from Beijing, just tell your sister what you want."

"Haha... Sis, even with money you can’t buy pastries. In the city, not to mention pastries, any food that appears on the counter is immediately snatched up. Now even with tickets, you can’t buy anything. Is Whey Powder expensive? It’s snapped up till there’s none left."

Zhou Jiao blinked in surprise—she managed to buy Whey Powder last month, yet now the world has changed so quickly?

"Don’t doubt. My little uncle said many outsiders are rushing in now, they’ve had no holidays and nonstop meetings. My grandfather’s worried every day, I don’t dare visit."

After chatting for a while, Zhou Jiao sent him inside to play and started organizing her luggage, secretly placing some things in the kitchen and living room cabinets. She didn’t dare put too much, there was only so much luggage, who’d be foolish?

After arranging everything, she took out the patched old clothes. She pondered what else she should prepare; this time she insisted on getting a regular sleeper berth, as too much of a disparity would be unsafe.

After sitting down for a while, she sighed deeply and stood up.

"Liyao, Xiao Hui, take care of Ping’an, I’m going out for a walk, I’ll be back later." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Okay, sis be careful, don’t go too far."

After hearing Zhao Lihui loudly respond, Zhou Jiao smiled. The elder child really had the nerve to remind others.

Leaving the Zhao Family, Zhou Jiao didn’t visit any of the other four aunts’ homes. Exiting the courtyard gate, she waited a while before finally catching a shuttle bus.

Getting off in the city center, Zhou Jiao watched as the vehicle drove away, patting her chest—oh dear, scared me to death. The bus drove like it was flying, with the accelerator just like the brake; she really worried about not reaching Beijing tomorrow.

Unbeknownst to Zhou Jiao, as soon as she got off, the young driver also patted his chest, exhaling heavily. He decided that when he finds a wife, he wants someone just like that girl—fragrant, soft, and gentle. As he thought about it, he regretted not asking the girl for her name.

No mention of the young warrior’s thoughts.

At that moment, Zhou Jiao stood inside Friendship Mall, looking around at the goods; all the essentials were still available, and nothing seemed out of stock. After pondering, she decisively turned and left.

Last year, the overseas remittance coupons left by Zhou Xiaozheng were mostly used up by Zhou Jiao. The dozens of foreign exchange coupons she had now were privately exchanged by Zhang Guoqing last year.

Since April this year, overseas remittance coupons have had no market price. Otherwise, Huang Hui Min wouldn’t be in such a predicament. Zhou Jiao decided to leave them for her two godbrothers.

Transiting to a department store, she saw the pastry and food counter empty of goods, leaving only a few items that noted they weren’t for sale.

"Comrade, when will the goods arrive? My family elder lacks nutrition and truly needs Whey Powder. Can you help out, please?"

The salesperson raised their chin, "Don’t know, wait for notice." After finishing, they bowed their head to play with their nails.

"Alas... don’t ask anymore. Look for someone and try to think of a way."

Zhou Jiao witnessed the whole scene. At this moment, she lost interest in shopping, used up her provincial cloth tickets to buy vests and undershirts. As for the remaining few tickets, they’ll be kept as souvenirs.

As she left, she turned and looked toward the hall, recalling the grand scene during her first visit. Indeed, times have changed.