Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12 - 2: Newly Joined the Zhang Family

Mr. Zhang pulled Doctor Zhou towards the main hall, instructing Mother Zhang as they walked, "The children's mother, have the eldest daughter-in-law make a couple of dishes, I'll have a drink with Brother Zhou."

Doctor Zhou quickly declined, noting that everyone was busy with the childbirth. He understood he was there just in case anything happened during the delivery. Since he was already there, he might as well chat for a bit.

Mr. Zhang ignored his refusal. It was rare to have someone join him for a drink, and he hadn't had any for several days—it was making his heart itch. With everyone waiting around, he also needed a little liquor, not only to relieve his craving but to calm his nerves.

Before long, the two were drinking. Mr. Zhang quietly asked, "Brother Zhou, you're well-informed and always about the countryside, you've helped everyone in the neighboring villages. Do you know if there are any new policies coming out lately?"

Doctor Zhou took a small sip of wine, picked up a peanut, and said, "No new policies have come out, it's still the same old stuff. The village cadres are quite anxious, I heard they have to carry out orders passed down from above."

In the main hall, the two old men were leisurely drinking and chatting...

Outside the west wing, Zhang Guoqing leaned against the wall. He remembered holding his wife when he was dying, only to open his eyes and find her still in his arms. But at that moment, he was so shocked that before he could utter a word to Jiao Jiao, the midwives had surrounded her with eager hands. However, judging from Jiao Jiao's expression, she seemed to have guessed it was him.

His wife was still his wife, even with such a large belly, but why did no one tell him? Why was his wife looking even smaller than during their university days, dressed in patched clothes? And her face was sallow and thin, which made him feel heartbroken. Ever since he met Zhou Jiao, he had worked hard to nurse her back to health, curing her stomach issues and malnutrition. So what's going on now?

As soon as he woke up, it was the time for Zhou Jiao to give birth. Women all around were busy, and before he could react, she was taken to the west wing to await the birth. It took him a moment to gather his thoughts through the dull ache in his head, then he realized that he and his wife had time-traveled with their child. Indeed, if they hadn't time-traveled, Jiao Jiao would have been due for labor anyway.

His wife was already calling out, curse this place for having no hospital—who would have known they'd end up in 1957? Thinking about the future, he sighed. Fortunately, the family he ended up with was poverty-stricken for eight generations, having no choice but to take it one step at a time.

Zhang Guoqing couldn't help but stand under the window of the west wing. He feared his wife might get confused. Unknown to her that he was also here, he shouted loudly, "Jiao Jiao, I'm waiting outside for you. We agreed that after our son, we'll have a princess, you can't leave me behind, I can't live without you."

Mother Zhang immediately stepped forward to cover his mouth, scolding quietly, "Are you trying to die? Now is the time to end feudal superstitions, and the people run the country—don't let anyone hear about a 'little princess.'"

"Mom, I know, I won't say it again, I was just blabbering because I was worried."

"Even if you're worried, you shouldn't say that. Luckily, not many heard you. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, it would be trouble. Don't worry, childbirth isn't fast, you'll have to wait at least two more hours."

"Mom, another two hours? It's agonizing, please think of something."

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