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

Zhou Jiao didn’t say anything to discourage them and followed Qingshan’s wife’s lead, going with several of her cousins to the middle of the village, to Zhang Tiezhu’s house.

Before they even got close, the courtyard enclosed by bamboo fences was already filled with village elders and children, each buzzing with their own words, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

"There’s really no way around it. The old Han next door had long agreed with me to borrow half a pig with him, he’ll repay us after they slaughter their pig at year-end. Everyone can come over for a drink tomorrow, sorry about that."

Zhou Jiao glanced at Zhang Tiezhu, who was about her father-in-law’s age. With a smile on his face, he clasped his hands apologetically to everyone. He looked like a true head of the household!

"That’s what you said, how much wine is prepared for tomorrow?"

Those present followed along in good-natured teasing.

Zhang Tiezhu, seeing this, responded with a beaming smile, "Not much, not much. How about we treat water as wine?"

Those present understood these chops and all laughed and joked a few times.

Qingfeng’s wife looked disappointedly at the pig on the door plank, "Even half a pound would do."

Zhou Jiao knew it was pointless, tugged at a few of them, planning to leave.

"Look again, isn’t there still half a pig left? Uncle Zhuzi’s family can’t use that much."

Oh dear, this is relentless.

Zhou Jiao smiled and halted her steps that were ready to leave, standing quietly in place, observing everyone around her.

"Aunt, could you spare some meat?"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Tiezhu looked eagerly at her old partner. She feels that the old man shouldn’t have agreed to Old Han next door so soon. Pay back the pig at year-end? How could that be the same? Would the team lack pigs for the year?

Surrounded by family members, there’s always mutual support in times of need, no favors should go to those with different surnames. If it weren’t for Old Han saving him when he was young, she would have slammed the table back then!

Nearby, a few households hollered for the fathers and kids to eat, except for some genuinely wanting to buy a bit of meat to satisfy family cravings, the crowd gradually began to disperse.

"Aunt, tomorrow is the big day, if you need help just say a word. You’ll cover the change ceremony fee, right? Where’s the groom? Why isn’t he here?"

"The kid went to fetch his grandmother. Come early tomorrow..." With this event done, the old couple can consider it a major task completed.

Nearby, a clan aunt puffed on her pipe, exhaling smoke from her nose, and asked mysteriously, "What does the new bride’s dowry include?"

Talking about dowry, Aunt Tiezhu’s been holding back lately. She wanted to chat with someone these days but upon seeing the other busy daughters-in-law, she smiled slightly and shook her head, "I didn’t ask, heard the in-laws had the kids bring back the bride price. As long as the two kids fancy each other, it doesn’t matter if there’s no dowry."

The women familiar with each other’s temperaments estimated in their hearts that the new bride’s dowry must be good, otherwise Aunt Tiezhu wouldn’t be so pleased.

"Old sister, once the youngest’s done, should there be a separation?"

Aunt Tiezhu spit on the ground, "What nonsense, the person hasn’t even entered yet."

"Alright, for the separation, it’s important to think it through, best to wait a few years." A lady nearby held a large bowl and drinked her corn porridge with enthusiasm, intervening in the conversation.

No sense at all! Didn’t you see Aunt Tiezhu’s daughters-in-law eagerly hoping for the separation?

"With a new bride entering, there’s not much family foundation, it’s impossible to provide the kids with enough to build their own houses. The kids’ father says to talk about separation after a few years when things are better financially."

Zhang Tiezhu watched his eldest son cut meat nearby, angered upon hearing this. This foolish woman babbling everything! He quickly gestured, "Mother of my children, you arrange the leftovers accordingly."

Aunt Tiezhu noticed her partner finished speaking, their old sisters gave her a look, silently calculating how much to spare for the wedding feast.

"Dear, can we spare less meat for Old Han? His family doesn’t have any big happy event, twenty or thirty pounds of meat is enough. What do you think?"

Zhang Tiezhu’s smile froze upon hearing this. Foolish woman! He already discussed with the brother last night about selling it to his daughter in the city, $2 per pound! Why else would he raise pigs through hardship? It’s all about seizing this moment while the son’s getting married to sell at a high price.

"That’s right, the little sister makes sense! I wonder why they need so much?" A big aunt spoke, then seeing the room fall silent, quickly clapping herself on the mouth and forced a laugh, "Look at my loose talk!"

The village folks, being kind-hearted, all pretended not to have heard and immediately shifted the topic. This talk cannot spread, otherwise Old Han will cause a scene here.

Why does everyone call the old fellow Old Han?

That’s because he’s simple-minded, doesn’t care about consequences. If you damage his reputation, doesn’t he just grab his sons and come fight!