Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 758 - 633: Hu Xiaohui

Zhou Jiao definitely didn’t dare to accept it! What if the two of them hook up again in the future, and that dead girl doesn’t keep the secret and tells the truth? Better to save it; it’s not like she lacks money.

Zhang Guoqing saw her quickly wave her hand and laughed, "Let’s not talk about money. We’ll ask you if we ever need it. As long as we’re here, things won’t move that fast. You just focus on getting better. Otherwise, when you see people again, they might disdain you for looking so shabby."

Zhou Jiao nodded and quickly said, "This isn’t something to rush. But with this information, as long as she’s in the country, we should still be able to find her."

Li Qinglin felt a huge relief after hearing Zhou Jiao’s words. If Zhou Jiao can say this, there’s an eighty to ninety percent chance there won’t be any issues. The only question now is how long it’ll take.

"Then I won’t be formal with you. If you need anything for helping, just let me know."

Zhou Jiao nodded towards him, thought for a moment, and said, "Besides us, don’t ask anyone else for help on this matter. Blowing it up won’t be good. I’ll arrange it as soon as possible, and I’ll send a telegram as soon as there’s news."

"Thanks, sister."

"It’s sister-in-law, sister-in-law!"

Li Qinglin knew his good buddy was trying to lighten the mood intentionally. He shook his head with a smile, "You guy! I’ll head back first then."

"Alright, I’ll see you out. Spend some good time with Uncle Li and Aunt the next few days. I went to your house the day before yesterday, and Uncle Li was talking about not knowing how you’re doing outside."

"As soon as I got home, my dad said you guys were back. By the way, did you give him some wine? He was so happy, kept saying feeding his old son wasn’t in vain after all."

"It was just a small bottle of wine, nothing much," Zhang Guoqing said as they walked, "I won’t keep you today; when Taozi and his wife come back in a few days, we’ll meet up then."

"You guys head back. We’re almost at the village entrance."

Zhang Guoqing teased, "Do you really think you’re some esteemed guest? We still have to see you out? Brother, we’re just here looking for our child."

"Better not to go. Just now a group of kids caught a snake next door. Who knows where they’re cooking it now."

"No worries, we’ll just take a walk."

After sending off Li Qinglin, Zhang Guoqing wasn’t in a hurry to find the kids. In the countryside, with guys like Xi Zi around, there’s really nothing to worry about.

Taking advantage of the good moonlight, he pulled Zhou Jiao along, leisurely avoiding the villagers as they strolled.

"Won’t Lin Zi’s matter make things difficult for you?"

"What do you think? I don’t even know if we can find her when we go back. If she’s gone out, we’ll just have to wait. I have a plan. Wait till we meet her. I reckon she’s secretly keeping an eye on Lin Zi. I even left the school’s address for her before, so maybe she’s got a clear idea of the few of us now."

Zhang Guoqing shook his head with a smile, "Lin Zi didn’t say how far they’ve gone, but I think something substantial has happened. If I’m right, you might not even need to get involved. Given how things are, with Lin Zi traveling such a long way this time, she will find a way to contact Lin Zi."

Zhou Jiao thought of that dead girl’s behavior, and it might really be possible. Others might not dare, but Hu Xiaohui would absolutely take the risk. I just don’t know why she fancies Li Qinglin. Logically, it shouldn’t be.

"Is that mom up ahead?"

Zhou Jiao laughed, "If you can’t be sure, can I?"

"With that hearty laugh, it’s gotta be her. Should we go over?"

Zhou Jiao looked towards the group of old women, "They should see us coming; might as well go say hi."

Before the couple could get closer, Mother Zhang had already stood up with a smile, "Oh my, time flies so fast. I have to go home and check on the kids. Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, are you coming?"

"It’s getting late. We’ll head home too, have to get up before dawn to work."

"Let’s head off, wonder if my boy’s back yet?"

"If he’s tired, he’d have come back."

Mother Zhang and her two sisters-in-law chatted with their old neighbors with a smile. Seeing her older son and younger daughter-in-law approach, she smiled, "Did Lin Zi leave?"

Zhang Guoqing nodded while greeting the old ladies who hadn’t dispersed yet.

Walking down the road, near Aunt Zhang’s house, seeing the two sisters-in-law enter their home, and noticing there were no outsiders around, Mother Zhang asked about Zhou Jiao.

"Why didn’t you let him stay? The boy is so polite, came and even brought gifts. Over the years, quite a few of Xiao Wu’s friends who get along well have come to visit me and your dad."

"It’s nothing. I’ll have my brother invite them for a drink later."

"That’s right. I’ll lend you a hand that day, daughter. Friends are better few but good. Brother Xiao Wu’s friends are all honest folks."

"Don’t worry, mom. I’ll handle it."

Zhang Guoqing, hearing the mother-in-law chat, chimed in, "No need. I’ll just gather with a few of them outside in a few days; they’ll feel more comfortable that way."

For this decision, Mother Zhang didn’t object. Her son was grown now, and she can’t fuss over saving a little like before. He’s a father now; how can she manage things the way she used to?

At the house entrance, seeing her husband and kids weren’t back yet, Mother Zhang waved to the son and daughter-in-law, "You two go to sleep. I’ll wait for the kids to return. Let Ping’an sleep in the older part of the house tonight."

Zhou Jiao shook her head, "How can it be okay with just you at home? I napped this afternoon, so I’m not tired at all. We can chat. Mom, didn’t you go check out some excitement tonight? What was it about?"

"Let’s talk inside; it’s not good for others to hear. Did Xiao Wu have dinner?"

"He did."

Entering the main room, Mother Zhang lit an oil lamp, trimmed the wick with scissors, and the fire brightened a bit.

Zhou Jiao immediately realized she had indeed overlooked this in the past few days. Given her mother-in-law’s thriftiness, she must have been reluctant to light it, not to mention whether the electric lamps in the county were even being used. She said annoyed, "Mom, where’s the gas lamp? Is it out of oil? I’ll bring you some tomorrow."

"No need, we can make do."

Zhang Guoqing laughed, "Mom, you’re not also reluctant to use electricity in the county, right?"

As it happens, the couple was indeed in sync. Zhang Guoqing also realized he only left edible oil for his parents and hadn’t looked into other bits and bobs.

"How could that be? The electric bill each month is over half a yuan."

Zhang Guoqing looked at his mom, who was frowning in distress, speechless. Over two cents per kilowatt-hour, and they barely use two kilowatts a month, and that’s divided up. It’s shocking how frugal they are.

"Mom, don’t save this little bit; if it’s dim and you fall, what then?" Zhang Guoqing quickly added before she could protest, "If anything happens to you and dad, the travel expenses we’d use back and forth are enough to light a whole lot of lamps."

Zhou Jiao shot him a glance, "Don’t listen to brother, mom. But we should use the electric lights more. Imagine how much we use them at school without spending much, isn’t that taking advantage of the state? Light them up more at home, and it’s like we’re not taking advantage of the state."

Mother Zhang chuckled, nodding, "Alright. I won’t save that money anymore. Jiao Jiao, I’ve figured it out. Electric lights are bright, but they’re not as cost-effective as kerosene lamps..."

Zhang Guoqing stared bewilderedly at the happily chatting in-laws. Does that make sense? Fine, just as long as they’re happy.