Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Chapter 22: Ni Duan Dispels Doubts (Part 1)

Just as I stepped out of the west wing, the village’s loudspeaker whistle started blaring, signaling the start of the afternoon work shift. The village is large, so announcements are made over the loudspeakers. Besides broadcasting documents required by the township, they often play revolutionary songs. The whistle sounds every morning and also at the start of the afternoon work shift.

The family members all emerged, and Zhang Guoqing hurried to the main room; he needed to ask for leave, and it had to be quick. Otherwise, he’d face criticism, though building a house served as a fitting excuse.

"Dad, I want you to ask for leave this afternoon. We can’t figure out some matters on our own, so we need your and Mom’s input. It’s quite important, and we may even have guests tonight," Zhang Guoqing quickly got in his words first.

Mr. Zhang looked at him and went out to ask the eldest to help request a leave for him. In the afternoon, he needed to go to the township to settle the materials for building the house and find a craftsman.

The eldest nodded, neither he nor the second brother asked what was going on. Since their father wouldn’t ask for leave for trivial matters, they knew he’d tell them if it was significant, so there was no need to ask.

Once everyone had left, Zhang Guoqing personally shut the main gate; with nobody home, it wouldn’t be good if someone found out about their discussion. He especially didn’t want the Zhou Family to catch wind of it; he’d never admit his secret amusement. Let them worry, and once the Lin Family arrives, it’ll be even more interesting.

Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang noticed him closing even the main gate and realized this was a matter not to be overheard. They became slightly nervous.

Zhang Guoqing approached his parents, "Dad, Mom, let’s go to my little parlor. I’ve already placed her and the baby there. This is quite a long story, and I want you both to hear it."

Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang followed him to the little parlor. Zhang Guoqing also noticed his father wasn’t at ease; in Northeast rural areas, fathers-in-law don’t usually enter their son’s house, but given that Jiao Jiao grew up before him, it was different. Moreover, seeing how mysterious his son was being, they knew this was not something to be shared publicly. Jiao Jiao, in her postpartum period, wasn’t to go out; otherwise, she wouldn’t have come in. Zhou Jiao quickly greeted Mr. and Mrs. Zhang.

He noticed his father eagerly looking at his son and quickly handed him over.

"Dad, look at your grandson, isn’t he adorable? You haven’t seen him yet, have you? Mom says he looks like me, take a look and see if that’s true. Also, Dad and Mom, I plan to give the baby the nickname ’Ping’an’. What do you think? Jiao Jiao and I just want him to be safe and sound. Whatever he accomplishes in the future will be up to him."

I burst out laughing at that point, astonished to see someone so shameless. I pushed her aside and told her those were debts my eldest sister had prepared for Jiao Jiao. She paled in fear upon hearing that it was my eldest sister’s doing.

I kept an eye on the elderly couple, worried they might become too upset. Grandpa Zhou remained unresponsive, as if he expected me to hand over the gifts until I clarified they were from my eldest sister. His face then dropped. Meanwhile, Grandma Zhou was trembling with anger, speechless. The shrew seemed unwilling to concede on the unreceived items and continued her blabber, with Grandpa Zhou making no attempts to interrupt, seemingly using this chance to let me hear them. How could I not understand? It was clear they were reluctant to let go of the Lin Family’s belongings.

Originally, I hadn’t planned to expose their schemes, but just as I entered to share the good news, Grandma Zhou apologized for Grandma not making cotton clothes for the child. I realized she was unaware of many of their actions. I then asked the shrew if everything from the Lin Family wasn’t enough? Aren’t they afraid that the Lin Family might come to check on Jiao Jiao and ask questions? I wasn’t aware of previous gifts sent over.

I told her that her eldest son’s and youngest son’s watches belonged to my grandfather and uncle, her daughter-in-laws’ military coats were gifts from my little aunt, and her eldest daughter’s three-wheelers and radios were for Jiao Jiao from my mother-in-law. The sewing machine and bicycle in her parents’ home were sent over from Beijing by Grandma and Grandpa. Even the cashmere coat and watch her eldest daughter was wearing came from my mother-in-law. Her eldest daughter’s child’s new cotton clothes and pants were all handcrafted by my mother-in-law.

Since Jiao Jiao got pregnant this year, within less than a year, 28 packages were sent over, all signed for by Uncle Zhou at the post office. I then asked if she knew what military mail was? I told her to go and find out, see if her family, the Huang family, could even enter the gate. All of them might be taken down in one swoop.