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

Who’s daring to sell things privately these days?

Those old women in the city with red armbands of security patrol around, and when their eyes spot strangers, it’s like they’re seeing an enemy. If something seems off, they focus right in.

And if some heartless person reports it, wouldn’t it claim Lao Han’s life? Even if Lao Han made a fuss in the village, folks couldn’t favor him excessively!

Others might play deaf and mute, but Zhang Tiezhu couldn’t!

Isn’t this causing trouble for an old brother? Ever since he was young, his own mother didn’t care for him, and when problems arose, his brothers fled far away. Who could be like Lao Han? Treating him more sincerely than a brother, even bringing piglets for him.

"Honey, what do you think we should do?"

Zhang Tiezhu said with a smile: "Leave Lao Han’s share alone! This meat is for his brother-in-law. His nephew achieved great merit in the army, and the county is celebrating at home, just waiting for this meat to hold a banquet."

"Oh, I completely forgot about that. The Liu family is planning to find a bride for this promising grandson. If anyone has a suitable daughter at home, they can try their luck; success means they get fine grains. It’s a good match!"

The speaker was an old lady in the village, a well-known matchmaker in the vicinity. Warm-hearted, articulate, and honest in her deeds. In matchmaking, she never acted against her conscience for a bribe, consistently speaking truthfully. Yet, this love-hate relationship with the matchmaker left folks willing to ask her for marriage proposals.

Nine out of ten young men and women of Zhang Family Village were brought together by her, even families who already agreed wanted her as their matchmaker.

Like the marriages of Zhang Guoqing and his brothers were arranged by Aunt Zhang.

For Aunt Zhang’s character, not just locals, even Zhou Jiao trusted her information as genuine and credible. You should know she’s her mother-in-law’s best friend!

So now, anyone with an eligible girl at home was intrigued, probing about the Liu family’s young guy. Like how old is he this year? Is he handsome enough? What’s his monthly salary...

At this moment, who still cares about pork? Even if there’s no eligible girl at home, isn’t there the maternal family? The elder folks think of their granddaughters, and young women like Qingshan’s wife think of their nieces.

People didn’t discuss too blatantly in front of everyone, fearing if it doesn’t work out, reputation might be harmed. So they asked discreetly, bit by bit.

Aunt Zhang, having been a matchmaker for so many years, how could she not know the intricacies here? Hence she volunteered all her known information without waiting for more questions.

Zhang Tiezhu watched and smiled satisfyingly. With this explosive news, who would remember the earlier events? To prevent these old women from gossiping indiscriminately, in the end, he offered ten pounds of meat.

Don’t underestimate ten pounds of meat; in the city, even with meat coupons, it’s over eighty cents a pound. In the village, besides not getting labeled and criticized, the friendly price is one yuan a pound, and he generously offered fatty pork belly, truly paining Zhang Tiezhu this old man!

Don’t be fooled by these old women and young wives yelling to let Aunt Tiezhu share some. Yet when it comes to truly buying, they timidly only buy about half a pound, stretching it for several meals to please their family.

Without a special guest, not during major festivals, who would buy more? Even if you grit your teeth to buy, rumors would spread she’s a spendthrift. Many families only get twenty yuan as year-end bonuses.

Imagine a woman buying a few pounds at such a price; which family can afford it? Worse, in the future, her children might be shunned for having a greedy elder. People fear their daughters being married to generous husbands catering to their family’s habit.

Zhou Jiao understood this, so she didn’t plan to buy meat, just joined for fun. Thus, when Aunt Tiezhu tied a whole pound of fatty pork with straw, handing it directly to her, it was no less than a time bomb, shocking her deeply.

Could it be she’s taking her mother’s mantle, becoming a spendthrift wife?

Facing Aunt Tiezhu’s continued cheerful face, persistently tying the straw to her finger, Zhou Jiao silently accepted, taking out one yuan to hand over.

Aunt Tiezhu slapped away her right hand, feigning anger: "Do you look down on Auntie? If I took your money, what kind of person would I be?"

Zhou Jiao hurriedly said, looking helpless: "Auntie, please don’t say that. How much hard work goes into raising such a pig? If it were the vegetables from your garden, I might shamelessly accept it."

As she spoke, she pushed money into the other’s pocket. Oh dear, it’s patched; would pushing and pulling tear the clothes? Seeing refusal, she was on the verge of tears, realizing some happenings are better left untouched!

"Don’t push! How much game did we eat thanks to Xiao Wu’s hunting? Years ago, had you two not given numerous food stamps to the canteen, would Old Zhang Family still live well today? You’re embarrassing Auntie!"

"Yeah, from Xiao Wu’s family, take your money back! Don’t hesitate with Aunt Tiezhu! We haven’t recovered yet, otherwise, we’d have definitely treated you two young ones."

"Exactly, all thanks to those kids! Had it not been for Xiao Wu organizing the village’s clinic, who knows how many people we would’ve lost over the years? Thanks to the brown sugar, I didn’t miss counting my grandkids."

"Sigh...don’t even mention those years, anxiety-ridden. Take it, kid. It’s not Auntie being polite, your brother’s wedding cloth tickets were Xiao Wu’s effort. If I take your money, could I still face living in this village?"

Seeing the famous stingy old lady refuse firmly, Zhou Jiao put away the money, chuckling: "If Auntie says so, I won’t be reserved."

"That’s right! Love your straightforwardness! Bring the kids early tomorrow, Auntie will save meatballs for you!"

Zhou Jiao nodded happily, but the weight of the pound of pork belly was overwhelming. To Aunt Tiezhu who even cried over wasted pig’s blood, how deep was this affection?

To the villagers, it’s a couple who have given so much, always looking for peace of mind, without expecting returns. Yet this return emerges right before their eyes...

Who said uneducated old farmers are less than intellectuals?