Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23 - 13: Signs within the Zhou Family

National Day was also in a hurry, riding his bicycle towards Zhou Family Village. It's estimated to be around seven now, and everyone in the village has gone to work. There wasn't anyone in sight along the way, except a few elderly men and women, and some little kids.

The gate to the Zhou Family Courtyard was open, and National Day pushed his bicycle inside, shouting loudly, "Grandpa, Grandma, it's Xiao Wu, are you there?"

Grandma Zhou came out to greet him. "I heard Jiao Jiao gave birth to a big healthy boy last night, is that true? Is she in good health? Your mother will have to take care of her during her postpartum period."

National Day followed Grandma Zhou into the main room where Old Sir Zhou was smoking a pipe. Seeing National Day, he nodded and motioned for him to sit down beside him.

"Grandpa, I'm here today to share the good news. Sorry for the late arrival, I just came back from the city, wanted to buy some pig trotters early to nourish her.

I bought them and came straight here, haven't been back home yet. My mother asked you and grandma to join in the celebration," National Day explained to Old Sir Zhou.

Old Sir Zhou nodded, "Okay, when you go back, take two hens and some eggs back with you. Your grandma specially raised them for Jiao Jiao's postpartum care. We'll help find other things too. Make sure the postpartum care is done well, and it's hard work for your mother this month. In the future, I will make sure Jiao Jiao is dutiful to your mother."

Grandma Zhou continued, "How much did the baby weigh at birth? Did the milk come in last night? Was the baby good at night? Jiao Jiao was very good as a child, never caused trouble at night."

Seeing the two elders' expectant faces, National Day explained to them in detail, "Jiao Jiao went into labor yesterday afternoon and gave birth after four hours, she passed out immediately. She didn't wake up until after 8 p.m., and after waking, she had a big bowl of chicken soup noodles and two eggs. The baby weighed over six pounds at birth. At first, we gave him some warm water to drink and he fell asleep, and around eight or nine when Jiao Jiao's milk came in, the baby ate and went back to sleep. He only woke up once at 2 a.m. for another feed. When I left at around 5 a.m. this morning, the two of them were still sleeping, and my mother took over to care for them."

Grandpa Zhou and Grandma Zhou were all smiles upon hearing this, and Grandma Zhou fondly recalled how good Jiao Jiao was as a child.

The elders asked in detail what had been prepared for the postpartum care, whether the baby had enough winter clothes, which were usually prepared by the maternal grandmother, Mrs. Zhou.

Now, Grandma Zhou seemed a bit embarrassed. National Day understood that it wasn't Mrs. Zhou who hadn't prepared but rather that others had intercepted them, and the two elders seemed to be kept in the dark.

However, he had no intention of bringing this to light. After all, it was the last time, and if they expected more things for his son in the future, they were dreaming. Only then did he remember he'd yet to bring up the main subject.

National Day looked at Grandpa Zhou, scratched his head, and said, "Grandpa, I want to share the good news with my maternal grandparents, mother-in-law, second uncle, and aunt. But I don't have their addresses. I want to send some things to show my appreciation.

Besides, Jiao Jiao's household registration isn't with us; without it, she won't have a ration account, and we haven't received our marriage certificate either. I want to know what Grandpa thinks?"

Before Grandpa Zhou could respond, Grandma Zhou quickly told National Day to wait while she retrieved the addresses. National Day subtly watched Grandpa Zhou's reaction from the corner of his eye.

Sure enough, Grandpa Zhou seemed to want to stop Grandma Zhou but was hesitant, likely unable to refuse in front of National Day. His face turned purplish with suppressed emotion, and he sighed before continuing to smoke his pipe.

Fortunately, Grandma Zhou was quick and soon returned with several envelopes, which she stuffed into National Day's hands. National Day chuckled to himself, thinking Grandma Zhou understood Grandpa Zhou's intentions and left him no way out.

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