Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 748 - 623: Filial Piety of the Heart

In the old courtyard, Mother Zhang watched her grandchildren bustling about with a cheerful smile, unable to sit still, she followed them, moving between the kitchen and the courtyard.

Mai Miao amusedly advised, "Grandma, sit down and rest for a bit. We can handle this. Little sister, go ahead and help our grandma sit down."

"Grandma, take a rest. My sister and brother can handle it. Let me tell you, today my fifth brother also caught quite a few things. Don’t let his age fool you; he’s really quick with his hands and feet..."

Xi Zi carried a large plate of vegetable porridge, while Ziwen carried a big plate of mixed grain steamed buns. The two cousins came out one after another, both instructing the younger brothers to be careful.

In the kitchen, Ping’an watched Mai Miao stir-fry river snails with bright eyes, "Big Sister, you’re amazing! Well, almost as good as my mom. You’ll be even better when you grow up."

"That’s nothing. I’ll show you something even better tomorrow. Are you getting used to staying in the old home? Tonight we can catch cicada slugs again, those things are delicious when slightly fried in oil, and we can even sell them for money."

Ping’an’s eyes crinkled with laughter as he nodded repeatedly, "Great. I love the old home, there are so many fun things to do here, and you all know so much."

"My fifth brother knows a lot too. It was my aunt who taught me about these cicada slugs, and your mom fries them even better than I do."

Ping’an inhaled contentedly, thinking to himself, of course, I know that. My mom is generous with oil. And who is my mom? She’s got skills for days.

Speaking of his mom, there it was, the sound of his dad and mom in the courtyard.

Ping’an carefully avoided his brothers who were fetching bowls and chopsticks, and ran into the courtyard, launching himself at Zhang Guoqing who caught him with both hands, making Ping’an giggle with delight.

"So happy?"

Zhou Jiao looked at the unwashed mud on his clothes with amusement, he was really a little mud boy. But his hands and feet were clean, so she didn’t say much. It was enough that he was having fun!

"Mom, the kids here can all earn money."

Hearing the implication in his words, Zhou Jiao laughed, "Do you have something to discuss?"

Ping’an nodded with a gleam in his eyes, "I knew my mom is the smartest! Can you take us to gather medicinal herbs sometime?"

"No problem!" Zhou Jiao agreed immediately. Knowing things outside of what’s in textbooks is something she intended for him anyway. It’s never a bad idea to learn more survival skills.

Zhang Guoqing saw his nieces and nephews stop what they were doing and smiled, "Pick a time, I have some preparation to do."

The children cheered happily at his words, and Xi Zi and Ziwen put down what they were holding to crowd around Zhang Guoqing, as if they were still kids, despite being sixteen, shaking his arm.

"Uncle, let’s go hunting as well."

"Uncle, we promise to follow your every command."

Zhang Guoqing thought of what he discovered on the mountain at noon and smiled mysteriously, teasing the kids’ curiosity before slowly nodding.

Zuo You, Shi Tou, and the others weren’t having it, they rushed forward, grabbing Zhang Guoqing, "Uncle, what about us?"

Zhang Guoqing cheerfully nodded, "Everyone will go! But you must listen to commands." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"No problem!"

Mother Zhang asked worriedly, "Will it be dangerous?"

Zhou Jiao reassured her, "Mom, Xiao Wu knows his limits." She finished, then whispered in her ear, "Let them have fun first, we won’t go to the dangerous places."

Mother Zhang nodded with a relieved smile.

Mai Sui was hopping anxiously, "Uncle, what about me, me, my sister, and Yaya?"

Zhang Guoqing shook his head, "You three sisters will go herb gathering with your aunt. The girls in our family are precious and aren’t suited for fighting and killing. Better to be a lady."

"But I’m still young, can I be a lady when I grow up?"

Zhou Jiao laughed and patted her head, "There are too many snakes and insects on the mountain, we’ll play our own games."

Zhang Guoqing reassured, "In a few days, I’ll take you girls to see the sea and play in the provincial city, make our three girls look pretty, okay?"

Mai Sui’s face bloomed with joy, nodding and shaking her head excitedly, "Uncle, we won’t get dolled up, that costs money. We just want to play. I have long wanted to see the big city outside."

Zhou Jiao lovingly patted her head, "Let’s forget about this winter vacation, it’s too cold. Next summer, you can all go to Beijing, and your aunt will take you around."

"Really? We can all go?"

Zhou Jiao laughed, "There’s one condition, you must bring your grandparents."

Mother Zhang couldn’t help but smile happily, "Why bring us up in your conversation? We’ll discuss this later. Who’s going to fetch your grandpa for dinner?"

"I’ll go, I know where Grandpa is," Ping’an barely finished his sentence before he sprinted off, closely followed by Xi Zi and the others running out as well.

Mai Sui glanced at the kitchen and, running, said, "I’ll go help my sister and Yaya."

Zhang Guoqing laughed, "The house is really lively with the kids growing up."

"So noisy!" Though Mother Zhang said this, the smile on her face indicated she was enjoying the hubbub.

After a while, Mr. Zhang entered the courtyard accompanied by his grandchildren.

Mother Zhang playfully teased, "Look at you, your face is all smiles like a flower. Happily showing off in the village?"

Mr. Zhang chuckled, "Someone’s jealous."

Zhang Guoqing pulled out a chair for him to sit and opened up a bottle, smiling, "Third Grandpa said he’ll come over to drink tonight, I’ll pour you a little for now."

"I won’t drink yet. Your uncle just said he and your uncle will come over tonight, us three brothers will have a drink. Later, let Xi Zi invite your Third Grandpa over."

"Sounds good, let’s eat first, later we’ll have Jiao Jiao prepare some snacks."

Mother Zhang waved dismissively, "Mom will take care of it, you all rest early." She couldn’t let her youngest son’s impulsive ideas take over; it could cost a lot if any fancy dishes were made.

Earlier that morning, just upon arriving in the village, Mother Zhang got a headache from the gifts her daughter-in-law handed her. Not to be critical, but it would have looked nice if those two families had just given a couple of boxes of pastries, why the candy and alcohol? Luckily, Jiao Jiao discussed it with her.

Her youngest son is just too honest! Like when he agreed to take the kids out to play; how much money will that cost? She’ll have to remind and knock some sense into him.

Zhou Jiao listened and smiled silently. She understood her mother-in-law’s thoughts well. The older generation, having endured hardship, was reluctant to waste anything. But some of life’s social nuances, as a daughter-in-law, she couldn’t afford to be stingy, and she had to tactfully seek her mother-in-law’s guidance. Her mother-in-law’s worries were, after all, happy troubles.

What are elderly people most gratified and worried about?

Zhou Jiao guessed they were happy to see their children grow up and establish families but also started feeling unnecessary as if they were expendable, optional.

So let them feel that they, as a couple, still need their guidance and care. That, too, is filial piety! Yes, a filial piety of the spirit.

Zhou Jiao’s eyes crinkled with a smile as she listened to Mr. Zhang and Zhang Guoqing chatting, observed her mother-in-law tenderly caring for the children with a gentle smile, and watched the children chatter happily as they ate. She thought, less calculation, more tolerance, happiness is actually not far away.