Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 602 - 481: Something Feels Off

The elders declined the invitation to drink together and each left with their grandchildren and grandnephews.

In the Zhou Family’s living room, Zhou Xiaozheng signaled Aunt Chen to serve the dishes first. Xiao Wang and others moved quite a few chairs from the left and right families, finally accommodating everyone to sit down.

Soon, two tables were filled with dishes. At the women’s table, Old Mrs. Cheng was all smiles as she pulled Mother Zhang to sit beside her, urging her to eat more.

At the men’s table, Mr. Cheng and Mr. Lin introduced their sons and sons-in-law, meeting Mr. Zhang for the first time. For a moment, toasts were exchanged, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Since entering the Big Courtyard’s gate, Xi Zi and Ziwen had their eyes darting around. If they weren’t in the car, they would have wanted to come down and take a look.

At this moment, Ping’an expressed his awareness as a little host.

He came from the neighboring table to Zhou Jiao and was scooped up onto the table by her. Smiling, he said to Xi Zi and Ziwen, "Big brothers, why haven’t the brothers and sisters at home come?"

Zhang Ziwen asked in surprise, "You still remember them?"

"Brother Stone, Sister Mai Miao... I remember them all." Seeing them put down their chopsticks, Ping’an immediately imitated his father’s manner, waving his hand, "Don’t stand on ceremony, make yourselves at home. Eat while we chat."

The people at the table noticed this scene and looked at him amusingly.

Ping’an then invited them, "This dish tastes good, try it. Want a cup of wine?"

Zhou Jiao gently patted her son, "That’s enough, stop being playful."

Ping’an wasn’t annoyed at being exposed. His eyes twinkled as he said to the two older brothers, "After we’re done, I’ll take you guys to play. I saved a lot of good stuff for you."

Xi Zi and Ziwen covered their mouths to stifle laughter. Such a small child speaks like an adult. So funny, who will play with whom isn’t certain yet.

Lin Lishan quickly said, "You can play other things, just don’t think about playing with fireworks; your mom will get angry if she sees that."

Ping’an sighed, "Grandma, you’re really not cute."

Everyone was amused by his act and laughed heartily.

Lin Liyin watched him, remarking, "Kids grow so fast, in no time they’re talking. I remember when he was just a tiny bundle in my arms."

For a moment, there was a silence in the room. As the Zhou and Lin Families grew distant, there were fewer topics among everyone. Many things couldn’t return to the way they were.

"...Initially, they wanted to take Ping’an back to the hometown. I was worried about safety on the way, so I told them to wait until he’s a bit older to go back."

Mr. Zhang nodded after hearing Mr. Cheng’s words, raised his glass to toast the elder, and said, "It’s thoughtful of you, sir. The situation outside is indeed quite bad."

"How’s everything at home?"

Mr. Zhang replied with a smile, "Pretty good. Besides the monthly supplies, we have some harvests from our own yard, living better than most people."

"That’s good. Come, let’s drink."

Mr. Lin glanced at his silent son-in-law and then at Zhang Guoqing, who was busy pouring wine. He smiled at Mr. Zhang and said, "I can’t drink much wine. You go ahead."

Mr. Zhang glanced at the tea in the elder’s hand, a fleeting look in his eyes, and nodded with a smile.

"The weather was too hot a while back, we’re staying at the sanatorium. We’ll move back in a few days and get together with the kids then." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Hearing the invitation, Mr. Zhang finally noticed a missing person and was about to respond when Mr. Cheng interrupted.

"Isn’t it troublesome for you to move back and forth like this? What have the doctors said recently?"

"As long as I’m careful, there’s nothing much with my health. It’s just the kid’s mother hasn’t shown any improvement. The Old Russian doctors have all left, so we need to find someone else."

Zhou Xiaozheng raised his glass to clink with his in-laws, "Brother, stay for a while longer this time with sister-in-law, let the kids fulfill their filial duties."

Mr. Zhang wasn’t shy with Zhou Xiaozheng, downed a glass of wine, and laughed, "Even if you didn’t mention it, I planned to stay a few more days. It’s more comfortable here than back home."

Zhou Xiaozheng laughed, "What? Are you willing to leave home? If you ask me, you might as well stay here. Later, I’ll find a way to transfer your household registration here."

Mr. Zhang hurriedly waved his hand seriously, "Don’t owe favors; it’s not worth it." He knew better than anyone how hard it was to migrate the household registration even in the county, let alone in a place like this.

"With Xiao Wu by your side, I’m more at ease. The few at home still need me to watch over them. Isn’t there a saying, ’It’s hard to leave from one’s native land?’ I still need to go back to the village often. If I stay too far away, I won’t feel at ease."

Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head at this. With different mindsets, he decided not to persuade further.

Even though Mr. Lin was chatting with Mr. Cheng, his ear was always tilted toward their conversation.

At this moment, hearing this sparked an idea in his heart. If he could help Xiao Wu’s parents move over and settle his own second son’s affairs, it would be a good opportunity.

Unfortunately, no matter how much he thought, it was useless. If Zhou Xiaozheng intended to help, he would’ve done so already, without the elder having to struggle with Lin Aidang’s transfer until now.

Speaking of Lin Aidang, his luck was indeed quite bad. Currently, the personnel in various places were unstable, especially the large cities with strict household registration; no one dared to make an exception. He remained at his original post, waiting for news from home.

After three rounds of drinks, the women left the table earlier and chatted on the sofa. It wasn’t until late at night that people left with Mother Zhang’s gifts.

In a room in the main house, Mr. Zhang lay on the bed with his eyes closed in thought. He only opened his eyes to look at his wife when she entered.

Mother Zhang quickened her pace and whispered in his ear, "Xiao Wu said the two families haven’t had much interaction since the New Year, not even for the New Year visits, except his mother-in-law who went back alone."

Mr. Zhang shook his head with a smile, signaling her to turn off the lights for sleep.

After a while, the old couple lay on the bed, unable to fall asleep for a moment.

Mother Zhang nudged her husband, "Do you think something happened later?"

"Of course. Didn’t you notice the atmosphere at the table tonight? Brother Zhou didn’t acknowledge his father-in-law the whole time, and even our Xiao Wu didn’t offer Mr. Lin any medicinal wine."

Mother Zhang complained, "All you think about is the wine."

Mr. Zhang chuckled softly, "Silly woman. I’m not short on wine. I just found it odd that Uncle Lin kept drinking tea. By right, the tonic wine is suitable for him, but Xiao Wu didn’t even mention it. That’s unlike him."

"Forget it, if they don’t say anything, let’s pretend we don’t know. Husband, do you think our in-laws have a high position? Why does everyone salute him when they see him?"

Mr. Zhang hesitated for a moment and said, "With servants at home, it shouldn’t be a small position."

"Our son is really lucky; I never even dreamed the children would live such lives."

"Haha... let’s sleep early. Tomorrow they’ll take us out for a stroll."

After speaking, Mr. Zhang closed his eyes but couldn’t fall asleep. His son always said life was good, but since stepping into this Big Courtyard, his heart ached.

He wasn’t like his wife, oblivious to the undercurrents here. To be praised by those big shots tonight, who knows how hard his son had to work.

Everyone has some snobbishness, especially those big shots who wouldn’t naturally look favorably upon a farm boy. Besides the in-laws’ background, his son must have had a tough time.