Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space

In the department store, Mother Zhang inquired about any blemishes, and truly started guiding her three daughters-in-law around to look at one counter after another, asking about prices but not buying anything.

Occasionally, Mother Zhang asked the shop assistants to take something out for her to look at.

Indeed, just to look...

Zhou Jiao followed behind her mother-in-law, ready to buy, buy, buy.

Thus, an interesting scene unfolded.

With Mother Zhang flanked by two generals, the trio of daughter and daughters-in-law touched the goods, chatted warmly, and occasionally asked for the opinion of the youngest daughter-in-law behind them.

Zhou Jiao responded, while indicating to the shop assistant at the counter they just passed to secretly make a slip for the item her mother-in-law was reluctant to part with.

To avoid misunderstanding, she even deliberately spread open a pile of receipts in her palm.

Luckily, Mother Zhang is well-off now, without a strong desire to shop, or who knows how much Zhou Jiao would spend today.

The mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law circled the mall for a tour and then concluded their shopping trip.

Lin Juhua sighed, "Big cities are great, even the service is better than ours. If it were back home, no buying and still allowing us to touch? They would’ve cursed us ages ago."

Zhou Jiao resisted the urge to laugh. Halfway through shopping, several shop assistants had seen through them; who would dare speak ill?

"What nonsense, our service is also good at home. Every time I go there, those lady comrades always smile at me. They never said anything unpleasant."

"Mom, only you have that face. Last time I went, that braided girl who looked all dark didn’t pay me any attention. I was so angry I nearly scolded her." Huang Cuilan disagreed, shaking her head.

"Maybe the girl was caught up with something and didn’t hear. Alright, let’s head back."

Zhou Jiao stood by with a smile, listening to their conversation, without expressing herself.

Upon hearing it was time to go back, she quickly said, "Mom, you should go next door to the grocery store, I remembered I still need to buy something."

"Then we’ll wait for you next door, take your time, no rush."

Zhou Jiao nodded happily, waiting for them to leave before she went to each counter to express her gratitude and pick up the slips to go settle the payment.

Items that Mother Zhang favored are practical and cost-effective. If they were truly expensive, she wouldn’t bother the shop assistants.

Consequently, Zhou Jiao didn’t spend much money. Of course, that’s from her perspective, with a full fifty or more, plus bills and industrial coupons. For shop assistants earning twenty or thirty a month, it’s quite an extravagance.

"Was that woman your mother? You’re truly a filial daughter. Looking at your two sisters-in-law, they wouldn’t dare, it’s the close-knit daughter that’s attentive, no matter how good the daughter-in-law is."

Zhou Jiao smiled at the shop assistant without explaining that was her mother-in-law. Buying for her mother-in-law, she was willing. Whether daughter or daughter-in-law, it doesn’t matter!

If it weren’t for Friendship Mall’s strict management now, Zhou Jiao would have pulled Mother Zhang to take a stroll inside, buying some good stuff for her.

Mother Zhang, watching the shop assistants helping with moving things along with her own little Jiao, realized this silly child was up to something again. Who knows how much Brother Zhou gave them, that they would make such a fuss, fearing they might not spend it all?

"Mom, I bought everything according to your taste, it should last you a while."

Mother Zhang looked at the pile of things, nodded speechlessly. She guessed all the items she touched earlier were bought by this child. She should be happy, but why does she feel like crying?

She endured a lifetime of hardship, thinking that being able to eat well and stay warm in her old age would be a blessing. But this child lets her live better than a wealthy landlady.

Mother Zhang glared at her, "Next time, don’t be so impulsive."

Zhou Jiao chuckled foolishly.

Don’t think she couldn’t see how happy her mother-in-law was! Rarely visiting her hometown once a year, she essentially stole her mother-in-law’s favorite youngest son, so she had to show appreciation!

When the four family members returned to the guest house, Mother Zhang looked at the three little girls flaunting their new cloaks, feeling extremely worried. These spendthrift children, is this how money should be spent?

If it weren’t for the two daughters-in-law present, she would’ve scolded them heartily, letting these two silly kids learn the value of money! All these expenses came from her youngest son’s savings. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Next, they visited the night market, sights around the provincial city the following day. After repeated selections, Mother Zhang found out that her own Jiao Jiao cared least about money. Why do you ask?

Who else would spend thirty or more, add a bunch of cloth tickets to buy cloaks for nieces, and the women at home still say what was bought was good?

Thus, Mother Zhang chose to stay close to her eldest daughter-in-law besides necessities, resolutely preventing her from wasting.

Such behavior left Zhou Jiao amused yet exasperated, and she couldn’t deny that her mother-in-law favored her. But she wasn’t purely generous.

After touring the provincial city, Mother Zhang insisted on returning home, Zhang Guoqing laughed happily hearing his mother say the chickens at home were almost starving and they had to go back.

In such good weather, wasting precious time for a few chickens, even heaven wouldn’t approve. If the chickens die, so be it, they can make chicken soup later.

They rented two horse carts, one and a half per day; Zhang Guoqing decisively paid six bucks, and two days should be enough for the whole family round-trip.

The owners driving the carts were an old man and a middle-aged uncle, who were supposedly related to some extent, their appearances and attire were pretty decent. Of course, getting this plum job at the production team requires some skill and connections.

But Zhang Guoqing didn’t pay much attention. Ultimately, these six dollars were handed over to two production teams, and they were just taking the opportunity to bring back some extra goods, making some side income.

After packing the purchases, along with a letter entrusted to the bus driver back to the county to be forwarded to Zhang the Second, on the last night before leaving, Zhang Guoqing took everyone to the cinema, which his mother was always curious about but too embarrassed to enter.

Strangely, Mother Zhang heard somewhere that cinemas were where young folks courted, yet in and out of several theaters, she didn’t find anything unusual.

Zhang Guoqing didn’t believe his mother hadn’t noticed some middle-aged folks who were together and not necessarily couples either? Later, Zhou Jiao casually mentioned that movies were shown in the dark, only then did the realization dawn.

Recalling his mother’s eager face rushing to catch the movie when the film unit played movies near a few villages, skipping dinner, Zhang Guoqing regretted he couldn’t brag about buying a TV. Despite only one channel now, seeing her kind face smile is worth it.

In the cinema, watching his mother laugh heartily and endlessly discuss the plot, Zhang Guoqing vowed once things improve, - he’ll get ten or eight televisions for sure.

Fortunately, Zhou Jiao hadn’t heard this idea, or she’d worry this young man went mad. Social absurdities aside, one shouldn’t forget the essence and historical trends.

"Xiao Wu, where are you planning to take us?" Mother Zhang regretted it as soon as she got on the cart, lamenting why she catered to her youngest son.