Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 774 - 649: This Is Wonderful!

A growing mix of the aroma of fried fish, stewed meat, mushrooms, and the scent of wheat gradually wafted from the kitchen, floating in the courtyard.

Before the team whistle sounded for the end of work, Zhang the Second’s voice came from outside the courtyard: "Mom, we’re back."

As his voice fell, the two sisters Zhang Meili were the first to enter the courtyard and saw Mother Zhang coming out to greet them, so they hurriedly approached. The eldest, Zhang Meili, said with a smile: "Mom, may you live a long life."

"Mom, I wish you and Dad happier days ahead, always smiling, healthy, and everything goes well..."

Before her youngest daughter finished speaking, Mother Zhang beamed with joy, nodding repeatedly.

Following them were Zhang Guofu and his brother, Zhang Chunming and Chen Xiaobin, the two brothers-in-law, each of them came in smiling and carrying gifts, seeing Mother Zhang, they joyfully wished her a happy birthday.

"Isn’t this weather terribly hot? Come inside and sit down. This isn’t some big day, don’t buy gifts next time, people coming is better than anything."

Zhang Guoqing stood at the main house door, greeting them and waving them over. Behind him stood Mr. Zhang, with a long pipe in his hand, smiling as he watched his children.

Zhang Meili looked at the open kitchen door and said with a smile, "We sisters came to eat what’s ready. Mom, why don’t you and Brother go in first, I’ll go check on sisters-in-law."

"Go ahead. Tell the three of them not to fuss, we’re all family. Just arrange something quickly for the meal."

"Alright, I know." Zhang Meili pulled her sister along and they quickly headed to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, the three sisters-in-law had been busy until now, nearing the end. At this moment, Lin Juhua had just finished preparing the last dish of stewed meat, while noodles in another iron pot were boiling.

Zhou Jiao handed each rough bowl to Lin Juhua, who then took it to fill small bowls with noodles and passed them to Huang Cuilan, who scooped in soup and meat slices. Soon, rows of rough bowls were arranged on the dining table.

When the Zhang Meili sisters arrived, seeing the three sisters-in-law busy circling around, they wanted to help but didn’t know where to start.

"Are all the people here, First Sister and Second Sister?"

"All have returned. Is the table in the main house set up? Want me to bring them out first?"

Lin Juhua took the remaining bowls from Zhou Jiao’s hands and put them on the stove, "Jiao Jiao, why don’t you take First Sister and them inside. We’re done here."

Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile, and followed Zhang Meili sisters with a few wine dishes to the main house. Upon returning, she noticed Huang Cuilan had served the soup and placed two bowls of noodles on a tray, handing it to her, "Big Sister-in-law, these are for Mom and Dad, you take them over first. Leave the rest to us."

This was clearly an opportunity to please the in-laws, how could Huang Cuilan not understand? She joked with a smile: "If Mom asks, I’ll just say I prepared it myself."

Everyone laughed heartily, nodding repeatedly.

With Huang Cuilan carrying the two bowls of noodles outside, the remaining people also carried bowls of noodles on wooden trays and boards to the main house.

"Dad, Mom, please eat first. Wishing you a long life and smooth sailing in everything."

Mother Zhang smiled and said, "This is my eldest daughter-in-law’s filial piety, your dad and I must have a good taste. We have been busy since early this morning, thank you, three of you."

"We’re not tired, it’s what we should do."

Mother Zhang handed a bowl to her husband, glancing at her eldest son, and laughed: "These three silly kids are busy as can be. I’ve never seen sisters-in-law so close like blood sisters. This is good! Family harmony brings prosperity."

Beside them, Mr. Zhang saw that two tables in the room were already filled with wine and dishes and, with noodles just brought in, he reckoned it was about complete, so he invited his two sons-in-law to take a seat.

Soon, two tables in the main house were full of people. Looking at the four meat dishes, four stir-fried vegetable dishes, and four cold plates on the table, Zhang the Second joked: "I have to go close the door first."

Everyone laughed heartily. Indeed? It’s not even this plentiful during New Year’s.

These past few days, with Zhang Guoqing and his father going up the mountain every day, they were never short on game, and fresh fish and shrimp were in abundance. From wild chicken stew mushrooms, braised pork knuckle, to steamed carp, all were available, even though cooked less than possible; if not for limited conditions, they could easily make a full Man Han Feast.

Now they hadn’t even tasted the main dish in the middle of the table, otherwise they’d be even more delighted. That unassuming dark pot contained many mountain delicacies, stewed for a full two days.

At this moment, each person held a large rough bowl with blue lines at the rim, filled with a small portion of white noodles, yellow egg shreds, green scallions, and thinly sliced meat, all beautifully arranged. Of course, it was delicious but unfortunately, it was gone in a few bites.

Usually, kids would clamor for more, but now they’re perceptive and all look towards Mr. and Mother Zhang, waiting for them to start picking dishes with their chopsticks first.

Mr. Zhang, seeing this, chuckled happily and said to his wife, "You go first today."

"Isn’t that formal? Haha..." Saying this, Mother Zhang picked a dish and placed it in her husband’s bowl, then smiled at everyone: "Quick, taste it, eat more of whatever you like."

Seeing the kids start using chopsticks, Mr. Zhang himself also surreptitiously picked a piece of food and placed it in his wife’s bowl.

The actions of the elderly couple didn’t escape the watchful eyes of Zhang Guoqing, always attentive to his parents and wife, he happily winked at Zhou Jiao, and the couple shared a smile. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

If one looked closely at the seating arrangement on the two tables today, they’d see Mother Zhang’s intentions. Unlike before, when men and women were seated separately, today, the dozen or so grandchildren sat at one table, while everyone else surrounded Mr. and Mother Zhang.

Zhang Guoqing and his five siblings, along with their spouses, made up just enough to fill the big round table, sitting breath to breath as pairs. This showed that Mother Zhang’s thinking was long free from typical rural woman constraints; truly, she’s witnessed grand occasions.

Zhang Guoqing sat at the lower right of Mother Zhang, first picking some dishes for his parents, then his wife, and smiled: "Mom, won’t you say a few words with Dad?"

As Mother Zhang ate the dishes picked by her husband and eldest son, her face beamed with joy. Hearing this, she swallowed the food and said with a smile: "Haha... Kids’ Dad, why don’t you say a few words?"

The noisy and laughing kids, hearing Mother Zhang’s words, all put down their chopsticks together, sitting upright and looking at the top table.

Mr. Zhang, seeing this, smiled: "There are no outsiders, continue eating." He looked at the five pairs of couples, "You all are great kids. Every time I think of you, I wake up laughing."

Mother Zhang urged them to use chopsticks, and continued with a laugh: "Hmm, never thought we’d live like this, we’re satisfied for this lifetime."

Zhang Guoqing stood up, pouring wine for his parents, "Is that enough satisfaction? Your eldest grandson has been admitted to the provincial college, securing an iron rice bowl; the next lot of kids will follow suit, your good days with Dad are yet to come."

He glanced over at his brothers and brothers-in-law, "Let’s all fill up, wishing Dad and Mom long life, worry-free, and wishing everyone’s wishes come true, happiness and bliss."

"Uncle, wait, we’ll also fill up."

Zhang Guoqing nodded with a smile.

Looking at his parents’ radiant smiles, his heart was very comforted. No matter how much he’s given, to let them happily enjoy their later years, all of it has been worth it.