Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 370

Chapter 370: Chapter 282: Reflections

In the Zhang Family’s kitchen, Zhou Jiao finished eating and cleaning up, then said, "Mom, handle the rest as you see fit. I’m waiting for your instructions."

Mother Zhang said, "Your big sister will be home soon; I need her help to tidy up. I’ll deliver things to the two houses next door first. We’re making quite a noise, and they probably heard us. Better to send it over early."

As soon as Zhou Jiao saw Mother Zhang carry things out, she quickly ran inside to grab the ginseng and small Lingzhi and handed them to Mr. Zhang.

She winked at Zhang Meili, who was holding her mouth as she chuckled, and said to Mr. Zhang, "Dad, let’s bring the jar of sorghum liquor to the living room. If we soak it early, we can drink it early."

"Don’t waste it. It’s useful later on."

"Oh come on, Dad, help me out. It’s okay if I just toss it into the liquor jar, right?"

Mr. Zhang laughed heartily; this silly girl can’t keep anything to herself. That century-old ginseng is still with Old Wang awaiting its mixture, yet she’s already tossing out what’s freshly brewed.

Zhang Meili picked up a jar of sorghum liquor and headed for the living room, "Dad, come in quickly. I can’t carry it anymore."

"Be careful. Don’t drop it." Mr. Zhang saw her wobble as she moved with the jar and quickly stepped forward to help lift one side.

Zhou Jiao hurried to the living room, lifted the curtain, and ran outside after dropping the ginseng and Lingzhi.

Zhang Meili watched Zhou Jiao slip away and couldn’t help but remark, "Dad, you and Mom won’t have to worry in your later years. With Xiao Wu and Jiao Jiao, you have great fortune. Just thinking about it makes me happy. Ah... it’s wonderful."

Mr. Zhang grinned without responding. Even without his eldest daughter’s comment, he knew firsthand. What daughter-in-law buys a house and gives a full set of keys to the father-in-law and mother-in-law? Such a complete set of keys, indeed.

Before going out today, she woke up at dawn to prepare breakfast and kept some dishes warm in the pot. Once everything was ready, she pulled her mom into the bedroom to inform her where the money and tickets were, fearing they might skimp and save instead of enjoying them. What other daughter-in-law is as thoughtful as she?

Zhou Jiao mimicked Zhang Guoqing’s method, dragged out two bamboo baskets, and started putting things inside. Not much was placed before they were filled. She pulled out two more baskets and methodically arranged things according to space proportion.

As soon as Mother Zhang came in, she saw Zhou Jiao squatting in the yard, packing things into the bamboo baskets, and hurriedly pulled her up.

Noticing no one was in the warehouse or yard, she whispered, "Don’t pack too much; conserve a bit." Then quickly she tucked things back to their original spots. Glancing at Zhou Jiao, she instructed, "Learn a bit. Don’t give everything away."

Uneasy, Zhou Jiao glanced at the living room, prompting Mother Zhang to give her a glare.

"I know you consider your sister family and want to give her more, but her husband is an outsider. Give too much, and he’ll send it to his own parents’ house. Showing filial piety to in-laws is right, but where’s the reasoning in being filial to his brother-in-law? If you give less, your sister can maintain good relations and the food she sends can actually reach the old folks’ mouths.

Giving more would mean her sister-in-law would send it to her own family, causing jealousy among other sisters-in-law. Your big sister doesn’t understand these nuances, somewhat naive."

"Mom, the things we send to the second sister and the big sister are different, the two brothers-in-law might think too much."

Mother Zhang asked her, "You’ve been here for so long, what has your second sister ever sent you?"

Seeing Zhou Jiao shake her head, she continued asking, "Do you remember what I’ve told you about social reciprocity?"

Zhou Jiao smiled at her, understanding the implication.

"This time, I’ll handle it, and you can do the same next time. If you feel sorry for the kids, let them eat something nice when they visit. As for your second sister, stop sending things over later on.

Your second sister’s in-laws have good standing and upright character. Giving too much may complicate future familial interactions." After speaking, Mother Zhang pointed at the items in her hand and gestured towards the neighboring yards.

Zhou Jiao nodded, grasping Mother Zhang’s meaning. It was about maintaining neighborly relations, sending two fish along with a big bowl of seafood as a standard gesture.

As for distant front and back yard neighbors, there’s nothing left. Her mother-in-law is frugal, saving a lifetime for her and her husband, so she didn’t stop her. Finding excuses to send Aunt Wang something is better; they often send whole bowls of meat and fresh food to her home, can’t take her mother-in-law’s words literally.

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