Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13 - 3: New Home and Family

Big Sister-in-law's elder brother Huang Yaozong works at the county supply and marketing cooperative, while her second brother Huang Yaoguo drives at the county textile factory, often traveling for work and frequently bringing flawed products and snacks. If anyone crosses Lin Juhua, even if there's an argument, her mother would always side with the Big Sister-in-law. It's only because Big Sister-in-law is afraid that conflicts between sisters-in-law might affect the relationship between her husband and his brothers that she tolerates her.

Her Big Sister-in-law Huang Cuilan has given birth to three sons and a daughter, which is a significant status in the village, especially in Old Zhang's family. The two elder brothers of the Huang Family live in the city and have jobs. The parents of the Huang Family refuse to move to the city, insisting that the city is too crowded. The eldest brother's three sons often stay at their maternal grandparents' home. Although children are young, they can discern affection, knowing that their maternal family loves them. Occasionally they visit and stay over a few days along with their cousins their age. The elderly couple enjoys the quiet and are happy for the kids to visit. The clothes for these kids are all provided by their maternal family, with claims that there are many defective products from the textile factory, which are conveniently made into clothes for them. During these times of national material scarcity, especially regarding fabric, nothing is truly surplus.

Zhang Guoqing is 12 years younger than his Big Brother, having been raised by him since childhood. His Big Brother always says that being the eldest son, he should be steady and kind-hearted. It was his good character, combined with the strong genes of the Zhang family, which consist of handsome men and beautiful women, that caught the attention of the Yue Family.

He has always been close with his Big Brother since childhood. As for his Second Brother, he has been hostile towards him from a young age. During the lifetime of their grandparents, apart from the eldest cousin from his Big Uncle's family, he was the most pampered. Needless to say, since he was born late, his parents doted on him immensely. Fortunately, Zhang Guoqing was obedient and sensible since childhood, not growing astray.

When Zhang Guoqing was born, the morning his Grandpa Zhang returned from the county, he had just heard about the victory of the Battle of Taierzhuang. People were celebrating joyously, and Grandpa Zhang named him Zhang Guoqing on the spot, saying that this child was lucky to be born to the sound of great news.

His Big Brother is Zhang Guofu, his Second Brother is Zhang Guoqiang, he is Zhang Guoqing, and he has two older sisters, Eldest Sister Zhang Meili and Second Sister Zhang Meihao. These two sisters were known as the village beauties and married into good families.

The Eldest Sister directly married the village party secretary's youngest son, who grew up with her in the village. Now, the couple works at the county textile factory and has three children, two boys and a girl.

As for the Second Sister, who is four years older than Zhang Guoqing, her relationship with her husband is quite amusing. The Second Sister often brings things to the Eldest Sister's home. Her husband must have fallen in love at first sight and, after going through many connections, found her brother's friend. It was Big Sister-in-law's second brother, Huang Yaoguo, who played the matchmaker. At the time, he felt shy asking the Eldest Sister himself. It wasn't until they drunkingly revealed the truth after marriage that everyone found out.

The Second Sister-in-law's family is an only son, and her parents also work at the textile factory. After marrying, the Second Sister found an opportunity to work there as a temporary worker. Now, the whole family works at the factory, and they only have one son. Luckily, this is the 1950s; if it were the 1990s, they would probably face unemployment together.

Overall, the Zhang Family's life is really good, being one of the top in the village. However, the second son lacking good sense insisted on marrying Lin Juhua. Lin Juhua is idle and lazy, enjoys gossiping, has a loose tongue, and often offends people. She frequently excuses herself from fieldwork, and her family often comes to take advantage of the Old Zhang's family. Lin Juhua loves her maternal family, and the couple frequently argues over trivial matters, disturbing the whole family's peace.

The whole family originally planned to separate once Xiao Wu got married, but when Zhou Jiao got pregnant, Mother Zhang was worried about the young couple and decided to wait until after the baby's hundredth day, planning the separation in the spring.

This is what Zhang Guoqing remembers of the Zhang Family. The parents are open-minded, and aside from the Second Brother and his wife, the family is harmonious. He never experienced this growing up in a welfare institute, and now thinking about having parents, brothers, and sisters makes him quite happy. Aside from some images in his memory, he realizes many things and people he still needs to observe and understand, as the former Zhang Guoqing might have had some biases. For instance, the former Zhang Guoqing secretly saved private money himself; why did he think his Second Brother was selfish for not handing in his earnings?

No matter the reason they ended up here, it is a blessing to be alive. They do not miss their previous life, except for the vast wealth they left behind. The grandfather has passed, and the Zhang Family holds no significance for him, though he does think of the old steward.

Moreover, there's even less emotional attachment to Zhou Jiao's family. Toward the end, they cried, shouted, and demanded money, secretly transferring 500,000 to them, explicitly stating future exemptions from filial duties. Thankfully, they came here; otherwise, he feared Zhou Jiao would be heartbroken once she found out.

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