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

Zhang Guoqing came to the county town early in the morning. After handling his business, he rode past the textile factory, hesitated for a moment, and decided not to go in.

His mother had a saying, "Help in emergencies, not with poverty." Now that Meili’s family is doing well, there’s no need for him to intervene further. The flour he sent over a few days ago is enough for her family to make do for a while.

He looked at the time and, realizing he had nothing else to do, decided to go back to accompany his wife and son.

He passed by the post office and called home. Fortunately, Aunt Chen was there. He asked about the situation at home, and seeing that everything was fine, he felt much more at ease.

Going back to the Northeast is not easy, it’s good to make more preparations. During the call, Aunt Chen asked several times when he would return. Zhang Guoqing estimated that it would be before the school term started and gave her a rough return date before hurriedly hanging up.

It’s incredibly expensive! The phone bill could have fed his family with cabbages for a year. Originally, he wanted to call his buddies who keep coming over asking when he’s returning, but he abandoned that idea.

Zhang Guoqing suspected that if he called again, people might think he’s crazy, a wasteful lunatic!

On his way back to the village, he luckily ran into Uncle Wang, who was coming to his house. The old man came to repay a debt after work and agreed on a time to go into the mountains.

Zhang Guoqing laughed helplessly, "Isn’t the old man tired?"

Uncle Wang was also quite helpless. His father said they should leave after resting for three days, or else this young man might run off to Beijing, and by then, there wouldn’t be such a reliable helper.

He shook his head, "If it weren’t for my uncle coming over last night, he would have personally gone to your house."

"So, how about the morning after? Uncle, you should tell the old man I can only stay in the mountains for one night; the child is too young, and it makes me uneasy. Besides, once we come down from the mountain, we have to head back."

Uncle Wang smiled and shook his head, "I’ll pass the message for you, and the rest can wait until you two meet."

Zhang Guoqing knew he couldn’t make decisions for the old man. He was just reminding him, lest the old man forgets the time while playing in the mountains.

After parting from Uncle Wang, Zhang Guoqing went directly to the village to find the Old Captain and handed him a note. Later, when he is not home, the Old Captain can take this note to the other party directly.

In the courtyard kitchen, Zhou Jiao saw him return and quickly brought out the dishes.

"Why didn’t you eat first? Where is the boy?"

"He already ate and went to the room to nap. He spent half the morning working with Xi Zi and the others in the back. Watching him run back and forth, he must be quite tired. When I went in earlier, he was already asleep."

Zhang Guoqing nodded and handed her a pair of chopsticks, "Let’s talk while we eat. I’ve handled everything that needed to be done today. The glass bottles are settled for Grandpa. I will go to see Old Man Wu after the feast tomorrow. I also made a call home, Aunt Chen answered, and there’s nothing going on at home."

Zhou Jiao had a mouthful of rice, making it hard to speak, so she nodded slightly.

"Just now, Uncle Wang returned the money and set an early mountain trip for the day after tomorrow. I’ll take the boy there for one night. What will you do at home? Should I find someone to keep you company?"

Zhou Jiao swallowed quickly and sipped some soup, "Promise me you’ll prioritize safety."

"With the boy by my side, you don’t need to say, I’ll be careful. I’m more worried about you. Why don’t you visit Godmother in the provincial city? It’s a pity Zhao Yuanyuan went for an internship, otherwise, she’d be perfect company for you. Oh, Lin Zi came to see us a few days ago, and he asked Uncle Li to tell us he’s returned to school."

"Let’s finish eating first. You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll just stay home with Mai Miao and the others." Going to the provincial city? Kidding! Without Zhang Guoqing at home, she could finally move freely.

After lunch, Zhang Guoqing took over the dishwashing while listening to Zhou Jiao talk about the gifts two sisters-in-law prepared for the big nephew and some of his mother’s arrangements.

"...That’s about it. You can handle the rest yourself."

"There’s not much to prepare. Don’t we have some extra military blankets at home? Wrap up a set in coarse cloth to take over. A set of white shirts and Liberation shoes from Huaihai Old should do. Giving him anything too good wouldn’t be appropriate. This should be enough, right?"

Zhou Jiao looked at him, half-smiling. Enough? It’s more than enough, isn’t it?

"Wife, don’t look at me like that, it’s unsettling. Why don’t you see what’s suitable?"

"Dad and Mom prepared a pen, and with everything else you’re arranging, he’d surely look like a rich kid. It’s not that I’m unwilling to give these things but giving them wouldn’t help the child."

Zhang Guoqing became interested, smilingly clasping his hands, "I’m eager to hear your reasoning."

Zhou Jiao changed the topic, asking about another matter, "What do you think of Accountant Zhang?"

Zhang Guoqing raised his eyebrows.

"He suggests Sister Zhang hold a banquet, inviting the Old Captain and others to drink, even having all his sons celebrate together. Celebrate what? That Sister Zhang’s family has enough grain to eat?"

Zhang Guoqing squinted his eyes.

"He’s lived this long, managed accounts for so many years in the production team, overseeing the mouths of thousands, would he really not know the value of grain? Then what’s his motive? Even Mom knows there’s no need to be so extravagant, so wouldn’t he know? Face? What price does face have?"

Zhou Jiao finished speaking, tapping the table, "You should remind Sister Zhang not to reveal everything to him! It’s exactly those who heal and forget the pain! And inviting his sons to celebrate; honestly, what nonsense is that! If he had a capable wife, would Accountant Zhang dare suggest hosting a banquet? Whose resources are they squandering? They’ve already eaten a free meal and still want to act like they own the place?

She’s your real sister, so I can’t say much. You should warn her not to foolishly fall into a trap! It’s better to pretend to be poor! Don’t let people think we’re generous to a fault, easy to bully."

Zhang Guoqing nodded in agreement with her words. Filial piety to parents is a given, but if elders remain stubborn, there’s no need to treat them sincerely.

Hearing Zhou Jiao’s words, he also decided not to leave the courtyard management to his brother-in-law, and he would remind his parents to be wary of Accountant Zhang.

"There’s a saying about preventing before it happens. Don’t think I’m maliciously guessing human nature. Other people I don’t care about, but it’s different for Sister Zhang. You must tell her what needs to be said! If she doesn’t believe you, ask her, if Ziwen is well-off and Zicong and his brother are too poor to eat, how would she feel as a mother?"

Zhang Guoqing nodded, "Tomorrow I’ll find an opportunity to talk to Sister Zhang, and I’ll have Second Brother keep an eye out. Sister Zhang has had a hard life, and now she can finally catch her breath; she mustn’t let these leeches latch onto her."

"That does it. When you have the time, bring these up with Brother too, so he doesn’t feel left out. Having him shoulder the responsibility as the eldest benefits his growth."

This statement made Zhang Guoqing grin. The usually cold-hearted Zhou Jiao was taking a warmer approach—does that mean his wife’s defense against outsiders is weakening?

Wishful thinking might be great...

Yet...

"Eldest Zhang is the eldest son, and he should assume the responsibility of being the older brother. Once he matures and becomes independent, you won’t be bothered by trivial matters."

Zhou Jiao finished speaking, uninterested in further discussing unrelated topics, "Now you should have an idea of how to handle Ziwen’s gift? Take this opportunity to show Accountant Zhang you’re just the uncle and can’t take on a parent’s role, nor can you provide for all the nephews!"

The henpecked Zhang Guoqing immediately decided to follow his wife’s advice.

No need to prepare anything, just go by his mother’s arrangements. And as for Accountant Zhang and such, let them mind their own business. He’s not their son!