Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 571 - 452: Homesickness

Early the next morning, Zhang Guoqing and his wife got up early, had breakfast, and with their luggage, accompanied Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang onto the carriage heading to Zhang Family Village.

After visiting Zhao Dashan and Zuo Lin last night, the couple planned to stay a few more days, bring some wild game to the provincial city to see Zhao Chuan Guang and then head back to Beijing.

The yard of Zhang Family Village was completely cleaned out by the couple last time. They thought that after such a long time, the house would surely be dusty, and they planned to tidy it up.

Unexpectedly, not only was the bedroom clean, but even the backyard was well-tended by Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang. The couple didn’t know what to say about it. They didn’t come back to worry their parents, hoping to show their filial piety, but instead, their parents were still burdened.

After laying down two blankets and setting up a big pot, seeing that everything was settled, Zhang Guoqing took advantage of the work time and, carrying a bag, went to the production team’s office.

No matter how idle the farming was during winter, there was still plenty of work to do in the team. For example, sorting seeds, collecting cow dung, weaving willow baskets, and twisting hemp ropes, not to mention some people still had to go out for work.

Besides the farming work that required leaving, inside the production team compound was a heated north-south kang, where a row of women were busy sorting seeds.

Sorting seeds was considered one of the most leisurely tasks on the team. There weren’t any ready seeds to sell this year, so every year the Old Captain would have the village women pick out the shriveled and moldy bad seeds, leaving the good ones for spring sowing next year.

Even though the women were chatting about household matters, gossiping about this and that, no one dared to take their eyes off their work. These seeds were crucial for next year’s planting and food supply, so no one dared to be careless.

Sorting seeds was something everyone was willing to participate in, especially when it came to picking peanuts and beans. It was quite a tempting task for people who couldn’t even fill their bellies.

The Old Captain arranged the work, took a look inside the house, and seeing that these old women were doing fine, he didn’t want to linger. He instructed the women’s director, Ye Zi, to keep an eye out as he was worried someone might secretly take seeds home.

Upon leaving the house, he started pacing and headed to the pig farm in the back row, seeing that the pigs and chickens were thriving. He laughed heartily, pleased that his care hadn’t been in vain.

When Zhang Guoqing arrived at the brigade office with a big bag of old clothes, the Old Captain happened to be standing at the door. Having just learned that this young chap was back in the village, he knew he would definitely come to see him, and he wasn’t wrong.

The Old Captain looked at him with a smile. "What are you doing with those big bags? Is everything okay outside? How long will you stay this time?"

Zhang Guoqing nodded with a smile, "These are some old clothes I brought for you to handle. The kids didn’t come back this time; we’ll be heading back in two or three days."

The Old Captain smiled gratifyingly, "I’ll give them to the children later. Did you bring any shame to your father-in-law by doing this?"

"My father-in-law isn’t that kind of person; he has always supported the old war buddies himself."

While speaking, the Old Captain walked, "He’s a man of loyalty and righteousness, what a pity... Remember to learn from him, even if you only absorb a little, it will benefit you for a lifetime."

Zhang Guoqing heard this reminder from the Old Captain for the second time. Without asking what the pity was, he nodded with a smile.

The Old Captain stood up, left the courtyard, and pointed to the vast white fields outside, "Having been away for so long, do you still remember how to work in the fields?"

Zhang Guoqing understood his meaning, "I remember. This is my root. No matter how long I’ve been away, I won’t forget that I’m a farmer’s son."

"Ah... Remember, wherever you go in the future, never become one of those who bully others with their power. Our descendants of Old Zhang’s family cannot do things that make our ancestors restless in their graves or deeds that invite criticism."

After saying this, the Old Captain did not expect a response, and with a tone of indignation, he continued, "Not long after you left for Beijing, those who bully with their power once ravaged the village, claiming falsely that it was an order from above, not allowing anyone to hoard grain. I am old and unable to manage all this, but those scoundrels are too infuriating, searching all the way to your little yard before a few were reminded that it was your home, and fled hastily. Xiao Wu, when you encounter such people, never pay them any mind. These are just opportunists who follow the wind. Be careful dealing with them."

Zhang Guoqing nodded with a smile, understanding roughly that even if he were home, he couldn’t have stopped it, but some words couldn’t be discussed too much with the elderly. He took the opportunity to change the subject, chatting about other things.

"Xiao Wu is back. Did your wife and son come with you? Your parents have been looking forward to your return every day. How long do you plan to stay this time?" Uncle Zhang, upon arriving at the team, saw his nephew chatting happily with the Old Captain.

Zhang Guoqing, seeing him, nodded with a smile, "The kids didn’t come with us this time. We’ll go back after a few days. How have you been, Uncle?"

"Oh, what’s so good about it, times are tough. Did you see those fleeing refugees this time? I was about to write to you if you hadn’t come back."

The Old Captain waved his hand to stop his imminent request, "Let’s not talk about that now. This youngster is compassionate and won’t abandon those in difficulty, but the time isn’t ripe yet. The village should endure a bit more; if it becomes unbearable, we’ll talk about it then."

Uncle Zhang listened and nodded happily. Although he didn’t want his nephew to suffer losses, being the most successful child of Old Zhang’s family, he had to contribute to the clan, sometimes it seemed more heartfelt to be subtly urged rather than forced.

Zhang Guoqing didn’t know what his uncle was thinking. Having heard a lot of gossip after returning this time, he had already made plans. It was just that the time hadn’t arrived yet!

"Luckily you found a dense forest, otherwise it’d be hard for everyone to fill their stomachs. Unfortunately, even the animals have become clever, all running to the deep mountains. It’s too dangerous there, and I don’t dare let the young men from the village go in now. We’ll live like this for now and find a way when it becomes unbearable."

Zhang Guoqing listened to the Old Captain’s self-talk, not knowing how to respond. Nobody wants to risk their lives unless desperate, even if the Old Captain wanted them to go deep into the mountains, it wouldn’t necessarily mean anyone would be willing.

"Uncle, should the pigs in the team be turned in earlier? They eat quite a bit every day."

The Old Captain hesitated upon hearing Uncle Zhang’s words, finally revealing his intention, "Let’s wait and see how other villages handle it. Some villages don’t even have pig bristles; the township should develop new policies, so why turn them in so early?"

Zhang Guoqing glanced at the two upon hearing this. It seemed the village wasn’t doing too badly, at least there were pigs being raised. Should he hand over the corn and rice bran to them? He didn’t care about the stuff but was afraid they’d naturally expect it again in the future if he gave it now. However, if he didn’t hand it over this time, it would spoil easily, so he could only take it first.

Alas... truly a dilemma!

The three chatted for a few more moments before Zhang Guoqing excused himself and left.

At noon, the village canteen served one bowl per person. Zhou Jiao was fortunate to receive a bowl of porridge, chopped cabbage stalks mixed with a little dried sweet potato, plus a crumbly wild vegetable bran dumpling.

Still, the village aunts specifically served the thickest portion from the bottom to Zhang Guoqing and his wife, and even picked the largest vegetable dumpling.

Zhou Jiao somewhat understood why Xi Zi’s children didn’t return to the village with them.

Unable to refuse the hospitality, Zhou Jiao thanked the aunts and enjoyed a meal full of deep rural affection. When compared to the school’s meal, it wasn’t much different.