Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 222

Chapter 222: Chapter 158: Mr. Liu (Part 3)

Old Lady Liu got up upon hearing this and explained to Lin Lishan, "This girl Liu is very nimble and usually takes care of the two of us. She has a steady personality and there’s not much work. She lives in the large courtyard in front. Please sit for a while and wait for a moment."

Mr. Liu watched his wife leave and refilled the tea for everyone, "This girl Liu and her mother are honest, don’t talk much, and are considered part of our clan. Normally, it’s her looking after us old couple, cooking meals, washing clothes, and tidying up the yard. She works quickly, and over time has learned how to maintain furniture. She doesn’t ask for money, usually we just give them some rations. There are too many kids in her family, and just relying on the two men in the family working can’t even cover basic needs. Once they’re done with their work, giving them 2-3 pounds of food coupons is enough."

Lin Lishan nodded after listening and asked him, "Old mister, do you usually buy your firewood from the market or does someone deliver it?"

Mr. Liu laughed and said, "You can ask Liu when she comes over later. She’s more familiar with it than I am, you can ask her about all the details of daily life. All the supplies from my household’s ration book are collected by her. For example, she even knows how to use the earth stove in the living room. It just so happens she can show you around."

Zhao Dashan saw Zhou Xiaozheng examining the tables and chairs in the living room and curiously asked, "Brother Zheng, have you figured out anything special?"

Zhou Xiaozheng looked at Mr. Liu and, seeing that he wasn’t stopping him, said, "Can’t tell in detail, just know these are from the Ming Dynasty, all made of rosewood, very rare, and well-maintained. Old Mister, was your ancestry from the South?"

Mr. Liu stroked the armrest, reminiscing, "Yes, our ancestors were from the South. It wasn’t until my grandfather’s generation that we started to spend time in Beijing. Slowly, all our clansmen moved within the pass, and generations later we ended up in the Northeast. The younger generations have forgotten that their ancestral home is in the picturesque and charming Water Country Jiangnan. We have gotten old and have all relocated here, probably even our ancestors can’t find their resting place. My wife is also from Suzhou and gradually moved north when she was in Beijing. Now, only a few people are left in the ancestral land."

He laughed to himself after speaking, "Your ancestors weren’t really from the Northeast either. Many migrated outside the pass. Especially your Zhou Family Village’s old clan leader, he often claimed to be from Beijing. He said he wanted to go back for a visit, but he left before he could."

Zhou Xiaozheng knew the old clan leader he mentioned was the same person who often sighed and patted his head when he was young. Thinking of the old man, he hesitated for a moment, "Old gentleman, were you and our clan leader old acquaintances? I still remember him; he was a good man, a good elder. Pity he didn’t leave any words behind when he left. Now it’s hard to know his preferences."

"He often came to ask about news from Beijing, that’s how we got to know each other. He was indeed a good man. His hobby was listening to gossip. Haha, he loved hearing gossip from all over the place."

Zhou Xiaozheng lowered his head thoughtfully for a moment, then raised his head to see the old man smiling, but still showing nostalgia in his weathered eyes. Worried the old man might be saddened, he abruptly changed the topic, "Old Sir, back then was it popular for a girl’s family to have canopy beds as part of the dowry?"

Mr. Liu laughed and said, "Yes, just like how bicycles, sewing machines, and watches are popular now. Back then, as long as the family could afford it, they would make a bed for the daughter’s dowry. Wealthier families would go all out on materials and craftsmanship. Are you wondering why my wife’s dowry didn’t have a canopy bed? When we went back to the Northeast, adapted to sleeping on a heated brick bed, the bed wasn’t maintained and got ruined. Now my grandson is getting married; forget about canopy beds, just those few old boxes on the brick bed look good enough."

Mr. Liu expressed with a sigh, "You all probably don’t know, young people nowadays just focus on simplicity and convenience. Marriage today is like child’s play. Back in our day, it was three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts, everything couldn’t be missing, otherwise, you’d end up as a concubine. Who would want that?"

His words made everyone burst into laughter. Zhou Xiaozheng showed a slight smile, this old man truly was interesting. If he loved to tinker, he couldn’t maintain things well.

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