Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 741 - 616: Want to Buy Your Courtyard

As soon as Zhang Guoqing and his family entered the house, having been there for less than half an hour, a group of young boys and girls ran into the yard, joyously shouting at the sight of Little Ping’an.

Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang, seeing the string of grandchildren before them, smiled so broadly that their eyes squinted and their mouths couldn’t close.

Zhou Jiao watched them gathered together, laughing and joking, and pulled on Zhang Guoqing’s sleeve. The two quietly slipped away to the west wing to see what was missing in the kitchen.

There wasn’t a bit of leftover food in the two large pots in the kitchen. Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guoqing weren’t surprised at all; knowing Mother Zhang’s nature, she wouldn’t waste a single grain of food.

Zhang Guoqing opened the cellar door and left Zhou Jiao outside to keep watch. Inside, he found only about ten pounds of flour and rice, along with two hundred-some pounds of coarse grain, and a few pitiful dried wild rabbits hanging there. He opened a box in the corner and saw there wasn’t much brown sugar left either, and sighed in his heart.

Zhou Jiao saw him come out, "How is it?"

"Almost nothing left."

Zhou Jiao nodded. She wasn’t worried about her mother-in-law giving it away to others, likely having exchanged it for money vouchers. As long as they were happy, preparations had to be made regardless.

"Don’t worry, we’ll find an opportunity to replenish this time."

Zhang Guoqing smiled helplessly, took some flour and rice out of the bag, and placed it in the rice jar in the kitchen. The couple didn’t dare to put much, only discreetly leaving a few items in plain sight.

Mother Zhang, after resting in the house for a while, thought of her youngest son and came to the kitchen. Seeing the empty bags on the ground, she hastily pulled open the cupboard and lifted the lid of the rice jar, glaring at them with a "disappointed iron not turning into steel" expression.

She glanced towards the outside of the kitchen and lowered her voice, "Didn’t I tell you not to bring things back? Your father and I have never been hungry, and more would only attract unwanted attention. The grain inspection team came to the village the year before last, and I was so scared I couldn’t sleep for several nights. Let’s forget it this time, but don’t buy any next time. If you buy it and your father sells it again, what’s the point of all that fuss!"

Zhang Guoqing nodded upon hearing her words.

"Be good. Mother still has plenty of grain tickets and wants to send you some. Your father earns so much he can’t sleep, and don’t even mention how expensive big cities like Beijing are, so don’t go buying high-priced grain."

"Alright. I won’t buy."

"Jiao Jiao, watch him, don’t give him any money."

Zhou Jiao quickly answered obediently, "Okay."

"The east room is all clean. You go tidy up your clothes first, leave this to me." Mother Zhang pushed Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guoqing out the door, waited until they were far away before closing the kitchen door.

In no time, Mother Zhang was busy, moving each of the things that Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao had put out back into the cellar. These foolish kids were still so careless. With so many things left out, even if outsiders didn’t notice, wouldn’t the two sisters-in-law among the family think something of it?

After finishing, Mother Zhang quickly cooked two bowls of noodles, specially placed two eggs at the bottom. She covered them, took them to the east room, and seeing only Zhang Guoqing there, said, "Jiao Jiao’s bathing? You eat first."

"Mom, did you and dad eat?"

"We ate not long ago. You two have something to pad your stomach. I’ll prepare dinner soon."

Zhang Guoqing teased, "Mom, are you reluctant to eat it?"

"Who said so? There’s everything at home," Mother Zhang wouldn’t admit, "I’ve already stewed eggs for Ping’an, he’ll eat it soon."

Zhang Guoqing laughed and shook his head as he watched her leave. When he picked up his chopsticks and found the egg at the bottom, he couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. His old mother still showed favoritism to her youngest.

When Zhou Jiao came out from her bath, he quickly handed her the chopsticks, "Eat quickly, it’s full of love."

"What’s up? Didn’t they get any?"

"Hmm."

Zhou Jiao grinned upon flipping to the egg, giving him a smile.

Zhang Guoqing ate the noodles in quick bites, drank up the soup, grabbed his change of clothes nearby, and rushed off to bathe. They still had several close elder relatives to visit next, so he was going to be busy.

On Zhou Jiao’s end, after finishing her meal, she carried the bowl out of the room. Hearing her son’s giggles, she felt reassured at how well he was adapting, and headed to the kitchen.

Mother Zhang, looking at her daughter-in-law with a smile, asked, "Why not rest first?"

"It’s been so long since I chatted with mom, I must catch up with you."

Mother Zhang took the bowl from her and placed it on the table, "Then sit down. Just in time, I have something to discuss with you."

"What are we discussing? Just tell me what to do."

"Haha... your eldest aunt and them want to buy the yard in your village."

Zhou Jiao, observing her expression, asked softly, "Did they bring it up with you? That’s the heritage you and dad left for us; besides, our family isn’t short on money, how could we possibly sell it."

Mother Zhang smiled, "I knew you wouldn’t agree. Your eldest uncle probably brought it up with your dad, and he can’t hide it from me. Your eldest aunt and cousin-in-law were also singing the same tune in front of me, saying they had many children while the empty yard was a shame to waste. I didn’t respond. If they bring it up in front of you, do you know how to handle it?"

Zhou Jiao laughed, "Is Old Yougong and the couple still living in the house now?"

"Yes. They are living in the west wing. It was your eldest uncle who arranged for them to move in."

Zhou Jiao nodded. She knew about this. She laughed, "If my eldest aunt brings it up, I’ll just say that family heritage can’t be lost. Without the yard, it’s like losing our roots."

Mother Zhang, thinking she shouldn’t let her daughter-in-law get into disputes, shook her head, "Forget it; I’ll talk to them a little. If you stay a few nights when you return, she won’t dare bring it up."

"Mom, would it make things difficult for you? Should we consider lending them money?"

Mother Zhang gave her a fierce look, "Don’t bring that up. Where would you get money? I’ve told others you’re studying with no income; you’d better not contradict me."

Zhou Jiao quickly gave an ingratiating smile.

Mother Zhang laughingly scolded, "You silly child. We can’t open that pandora’s box. Lend to one relative, and your uncle’s house and your aunt’s house will surely be endless."

"As they say, having an elder in the family is like having a treasure. I’ll listen to you!"

Mother Zhang was amused by her and began teaching her how to get along with people when she returned to the village. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law talked enthusiastically, chatting away for a long time.

When Lin Juhua and her sister-in-law Huang Cuilan came over and saw this scene, they exchanged smiles.

"Eldest sister-in-law, second sister-in-law is here. Come over and sit." Zhou Jiao quickly pulled a long bench forward to invite them to sit. If it were up to her to live, she would never buy such a rustic bench. But now, she found it especially harmonious in the house, especially with the chickens clucking in the yard, making the small courtyard feel more lively.

"Jiao Jiao, you and your husband have really raised Ping’an well. He’s fair, tender, and so polite."

Huang Cuilan echoed, "Also so clean. Though he’s just a little kid, he’s already as sensible as a little adult, able to chat along with Xi Zi and the others."

"It’s not so exaggerated. We’re family, of course we love our own kid. We can praise at home, but not anywhere else, or else people will laugh. It’s been so long, and the kids have really grown fast."

Mother Zhang sighed, "Exactly! Time flies so fast. In the past, working in the fields daily, it felt like time dragged on. Now, it passes in the blink of an eye."

Lin Juhua laughed, "Mom, what are you worrying about? Others say you look younger and younger."

Zhou Jiao watched them with a smile. And indeed, Mother Zhang did look younger and younger. It seemed her two cousins took after their aunt in appearance.