Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Chapter 33: Family Time (Part 1)

"Big sister-in-law, did you hear Jiao Jiao and her group? I wonder what can be so interesting to chat about with that girl Mai Sui." Lin Juhua treaded the sewing machine, the machine’s noise was very low, vaguely hearing their voices and laughter.

Huang Cuilan didn’t even lift her head, "Jiao Jiao is still a child herself, don’t think that just because she’s a mom now, she’s all grown up. She’s just playing with the little kids." She laughed after she spoke.

Lin Juhua laughed along, "When they first got married, they still played with Shi Tou and the others. Either they’d go up the mountain to pick wild fruits or go to the river to catch fish; they were really just big kids. Dad said he’ll pick up the kids tomorrow, who’ll go, you or big brother? Make sure to send my regards to the elder brother and sister-in-law, my Shi Tou always causes them trouble when he visits."

"It’s no problem; taking care of one sheep is the same as a flock, and the old folks love having the kids around. I’ll go myself tomorrow and take the chance to see my parents." The big sister-in-law handed her the cut fabric, "I’m all done, anything else that needs to be done?"

"There’s not much else to do, just need to rush tonight, finish sewing the buttons tomorrow, this machine works better than Meili’s. Where are you going? Keep me company and let’s chat."

The big sister-in-law tidied up the scissors and fabric scraps on the kang, clapped her hands, looked satisfied at the clothes taking shape, "Okay, let’s hear what’s been going on in the village these days. Hold on a sec, I’ll go get some stuff to make shoes and bring Xiao Miaomiao over."

The big sister-in-law walked out of the west wing, noticed the kitchen was dark and empty, and headed towards the main room. Before she reached the door, she could hear people chatting and joking inside.

"I’d bet it was second brother who did it, putting something in their drink to give them diarrhea, it had to be second brother. That night, I heard the courtyard gate moving." Zhang Guoqing’s voice.

"What do you mean it had to be me, I’m not admitting to anything, who saw me do it, haha, those bastards probably had it all come out." The second brother’s smug and innocent voice.

The eldest of the Zhang family said carefully, "I think it’s best to let it go, they can’t afford any compensation anyway, and there were so many of them too. Xiao Wu knocked them down; when I saw them, they were black and blue with two having broken arms or legs. If someone hadn’t ambushed Xiao Wu, they’d probably all be in the county hospital now."

Old Zhang chuckled, "It’s good like this, if we insisted on pressing them, they’re from the neighboring village after all; considering their parents, we’ll let it be."

Huang Cuilan entered the main room, surprised that they were still drinking, though there wasn’t much alcohol. On the kang, Mother Zhang sat next to the light, stitching a shoe sole, saw her and waved her over, "Already finished with the cutting? Why don’t you rest, I’ll clean up here later, it’s rare to see them having such a warm chat."

"Second brother’s wife is still working on the machine over there. I came back to grab some things to do the shoemaking. Mom, you should come too; it’s brighter over there. Xiao Miaomiao, let’s go to your aunt’s, Mai Sui is there too."

Mother Zhang picked up the small winnowing basket and walked out with them, telling Old Zhang, "Haha, take your time chatting, we ladies are off to have a chat too."

Mother Zhang directly led Xiao Miaomiao to the west wing, while the big sister-in-law, Huang Cuilan, feeling her way in the dark, grabbed a small winnowing basket from the East Wing. The three of them entered the small living room, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law laid out their tools, the one stitching shoes continued stitching, while the other worked on making shoes. The sound of the machine seemed especially cozy in the quiet night, occasionally interspersed with conversations and laughter.

The four-year-old Xiao Mai Miao was a smart, cheerful little girl who loved to laugh. Her formal name, Zhang Miao, was specially chosen by Old Zhang based on the five elements, lacking water. After having three grandsons, the Zhang family was especially fond of her arrival. This sensible little girl often took care of her cousin, who was two years younger.

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