Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 299

Chapter 299: Chapter 230: First Time in the New Home

Zhou Xiaozheng led Zhou Jiao to the courtyard and pointed at the flower bed, saying, "This belongs to that old man. Before leaving, he asked Xiao Wu to take good care of it. Jiao Jiao, don’t overthink it. We plant flowers for fun; if they become a burden, it’s not worth the effort."

Seeing his daughter nod obediently, Zhou Xiaozheng smiled contentedly and led her to the kitchen, pointing inside, "The kitchen is big enough, right? It has a soil stove and a modified coal stove. Don’t use the soil stove; you might jab your hand with the firewood. The coal stove is better; we have plenty of coal tickets, just put the coal on it, no need to watch the fire. Let Xiao Wu change the coal; be careful not to get burned."

Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile. She knew she was like a little baby in her dad’s eyes. Her dad wished he could even feed her.

Zhou Xiaozheng led her to the entrance of the cellar, whispering, "This is the basement. Inside, Dad stored 400 pounds of rice and flour. Eat up, don’t give it away, keep some for yourself. These boxes are all good shrimp and yellow croaker. Remember to keep it inside, don’t let anyone in. Originally, if Dad weren’t leaving tomorrow, I planned to buy some more seafood and grains for you to eat slowly. If you don’t want to cook, just make vermicelli. There are big fish dried for you to eat gradually in the warehouse. The small ones left are bony without meat; decide whether to give them away or deal with it yourself."

"Dad, it’s enough to eat, no need to buy more. You can take the shrimp this time; it looks good as a gift." Zhou Jiao quickly said.

Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head, "No, keep these for you to eat whenever you want. Dad doesn’t need to give gifts. Don’t move the things in this basement to the village, and don’t spread the word. Xiao Wu is aware; just listen to him."

After the father and daughter left the basement and locked the entrance, Zhou Xiaozheng took her to the warehouse. He opened the door and smelled the fishy odor. After a while, when the smell dissipated a bit, Zhou Xiaozheng pointed at the large fish dried, saying, "Keep these for yourself to eat. The seafood on the ground still needs to be given to a few uncles in the provincial city."

"Then when you return, do you need to prepare something for Aunt Grandma? Can’t go empty-handed, right? I think you should prepare some to take back. I still have some tea leaves; you can take them back too."

Zhou Xiaozheng glanced outside and whispered, "We still need to bring some back for your grandma too. Too many people, not enough to share; better not to give. The last time you prepared so much, it was significant enough.

When you return to Beijing, remember not to bring anything. Just because they mail a few packets doesn’t mean a lot, our family’s interest income alone is enough for them to mail hundreds of times.

The gift they gave Ping’an for the full moon ceremony, you also returned those gifts. Our family owes them nothing. It’s not that dad is stingy but if we keep taking large bundles to the Lin Family, the Gu Family might think we are clueless and easy to bully."

Zhou Jiao nodded in agreement, "Okay, I’ll listen to you. Then prepare a few nice tea boxes that don’t stand out and bring them to Aunt Grandma. I reckon Uncle Grandma likes tea. I was considering giving Aunt Grandma some Ah Jiao, but let’s leave it, the days are long."

Hearing this, Zhou Xiaozheng lightly tapped her head, "Haha, my girl is smart indeed. Alright, let’s step outside, and I’ll show you your study and bedroom in the main house. Let’s not use the hidden compartments on Professor Liu’s drawings for now. When there are fewer people, we’ll design our own to store things."

Zhou Jiao followed him to the main house and softly said, "Dad, let’s not arrange hidden compartments yet; it’s not necessary. When there’s time, I’ll make a small hidden compartment in the cellar."

Seeing the busy living room, Zhou Xiaozheng changed the topic, "The study has some nice books that are worth reading. Professor Liu’s family has even more books; it would be great if he wants to sell them."

"Slowly collect them. Right now, old books are quite cheap; nobody reads them."

The living room was lively with the crowd listening to Mr. Lin and others talk about battlefield stories.

The father and daughter quietly avoided them and entered the study.

Once inside, Zhou Jiao’s eyes lit up, excitedly looking at the books in the bookshelf, running to the desk, gently touching the surface, and surveying the entire study.

Her face was flushed with excitement, eyes curved with a smile as she ran to the books, looking through the catalog and exclaiming, "Worth it, totally worth it, just this study makes it worth it. Dad, you’re amazing to have found this."

Seeing her rarely lose composure, Zhou Xiaozheng cheerfully said, "There are still a few things missing; can you think of what they are?"

Zhou Jiao nodded happily, "Missing the four treasures of the study, and good paper. I’ll look for these when I return to Beijing; no rush. Oh dear, this old man really should have left more masterpieces. This big desk makes me want to write."

"Place embroidery tools on the Kang, almost complete. The courtyard is too small, no choice, we’ll make do for now. Later, Dad will set up a beautiful study for you."

Zhou Jiao shook her head with excitement, "It’s not small, it’s enough. No hurry to set up embroidery tools. These past two years I haven’t been interested in embroidery; enough with the women’s work. I plan to follow your advice and start practicing calligraphy and playing chess."

"Good idea, Dad will buy a set of four treasures of the study and chess to mail to you when I return."

Zhou Jiao quickly declined, "Please don’t, these things break easily. I’ll buy them in the provincial city; I’m afraid you’ll buy expensive ones. When I return to Beijing, Dad, you accompany me to pick them."

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