Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 633 - 510: Little Douding Practicing Horse Stance
The military bugle sounded in the early morning, and Zhou Jiao opened her eyes to look at Zhao Yuanyuan and Ping’an sleeping soundly beside her. She saw the two were undisturbed like a thunderstorm, and shook her head with a smile.
Despite this, Zhou Jiao quietly climbed down from the kang, careful not to disturb their good dreams. After washing up, she stepped out the door, greeted immediately by the biting cold.
Winter is not a pleasant season. As such, Zhang Guoqing and his two friends were walking on campus, braving the cold wind and trudging through thick snow, which was truly uncomfortable.
Upon entering the living room, Zhou Jiao noticed a pair of her father’s shoes missing. Seeing that he had already gone out to exercise, Zhou Jiao shrugged regrettably and turned to the kitchen.
"Auntie, please heat up more steamed buns and mantou. Xiao Wu might bring classmates back later."
"Sure, I’ll also make some porridge."
After giving her instructions, Zhou Jiao hesitated before going to the storage room. Busy as she had been recently, she wasn’t sure how much inventory was left at home. With visitors coming and the approaching New Year, it seemed more trips to the "Black Market" were necessary.
She didn’t go down to the cellar, as the cabbages and radishes were piled into a mountain thanks to regular supplies and her own "procurements" in the fall, so there was no worry.
After unlocking the door and letting air circulate, Zhou Jiao entered the storage. Apart from three big jars near the entrance being used, and some dumplings missing, everything else was in its original state.
Leaving the room, Zhou Jiao patted her clothes and returned to the kitchen to lend a hand.
Aunt Chen curiously asked, "Why aren’t you going to practice martial arts?"
"Later. There are many people today, so I’ll help out first. Has my dad’s appetite been good lately? Eating the same two dishes every day can’t be good, has he mentioned anything he wants to eat?"
Aunt Chen paused with the platter in her hands. Just the dumplings came in five flavors—how could this not be enough? Could his appetite be for dragon meat? This child...
She frowned, thinking, "Besides adding two more dishes when you return home, the Chief doesn’t have any special requests. He eats the meals I prepare under your instructions just fine."
Zhou Jiao smiled. She must have been half-asleep; her father would never let outsiders see through him.
"Thank you, Auntie."
Aunt Chen shook her head with a smile, "It’s my duty. Go practice, I can handle things here alone."
Zhou Jiao glanced at her watch; she had already delayed quite a bit. Checking the stove, she nodded and headed to the courtyard.
The sky was overcast, with gusts of wind making the leaves outside rustle furiously. It seemed like another snowy day.
Zhou Jiao stretched her limbs, her thoughts wandering with the happenings outside as she worried about her husband Zhang Guoqing. With his personality, he should already be on his way home, but she didn’t know how things were turning out.
At seven in the morning, Ping’an opened his eyes and groggily glanced at Zhao Yuanyuan beside him before quickly waking up. Feeling the warmth of his sweater and woolen pants under the quilt, he grinned.
— He’s so smart! 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Putting on the sweater and fastening the button on his neck, he disdainfully looked at the woolen pants. He hated wearing them the most, always too small to fit properly.
Thinking about this, Ping’an, wearing his thermal pants, threw off the quilt, slid down along the edge of the kang, grabbed the cotton pants from the warming rack, slipped them on, and smiled triumphantly after putting on the cotton jacket.
Turning back to glance at Zhao Yuanyuan curled up in the quilt, he cautiously pushed the door open and closed it softly. After taking a few steps, he ran clattering to the living room.
"Mom, why didn’t you wake me? I still need to practice my horse stance."
Zhou Jiao was chatting with her dad, turned at the sound, and waved him over with a smile, "It’s not time yet, you get some more sleep. Didn’t wear your woolen pants again, did you?"
"Mom, you’re not cute. I’m not cold."
Zhou Xiaozheng curled his lips. His grandson had taken after him in this regard. However, "Doing the horse stance can freeze your legs, hurry and let your mom help you wear them."
Ping’an rolled his eyes, shot his grandpa a cunning smile, stretched his little legs, twisted his body, and took up the horse stance, staring at him with bright eyes.
Zhou Xiaozheng laughed silently, "Clever little rascal! I’ll let it slide this time, can’t be showing off cleverness tomorrow." After saying this, he shook his head towards Zhou Jiao.
"The child is still young, don’t let him lose interest. Think of a way to modify the thermal pants so that when he puts on the wool pants, they don’t all bunch up at the top."
Zhou Jiao nodded.
Ping’an glanced at his grandpa, pursed his lips. He wanted to explain... None of the other kids wore little underpants or thermals underneath, they were all wearing cotton pants directly.
After overcoming countless hardships, Zhang Guoqing and his two friends finally arrived at the Big Courtyard, registered, and went to the Zhou Family.
As soon as they entered the living room, they saw Little Douding with a stern face squatting in a horse stance, with Zhou Xiaozheng, his wife, and Zhou Jiao sitting on the other side watching.
Zhang Yuntao stepped in first and immediately called out, "Uncle Zhou, Aunt Zhou, we’ve come to see you. What’s up with Little Ping’an? Is he being naughty and getting punished?"
Ping’an looked at the three of them with surprise in his eyes, but upon hearing this, his face flushed. He fiercely glared at him. If it weren’t for it not being time yet, he would surely beat this silly uncle, what kind of eyes were those!
Zhou Xiaozheng nodded towards them, "The child’s practicing his horse stance. Breakfast is ready, warm up with some food first."
Zhang Guoqing glanced at the clock, "Dad, it’s time for you to go to work. Leave Ping’an to me, how much time does he have left?"
"Alright, less than a quarter of an hour left. Ping’an, grandpa has to go to work first, remember to move around after your stance." Considering that he was there, making the kids reserved, Zhou Xiaozheng stood up taking advantage of his son-in-law’s words.
"Don’t be restrained once you’re here, feel free to go anywhere, let Xiao Wu show you around."
"We know, Uncle Zhou."
Secretary Chen at the door immediately picked up the briefcase and followed him out.
Once they were far enough, Zhou Jiao approached them and looked meaningfully at Zhang Yuntao, with a smile, "I’ll go call Yuanyuan, let’s eat together."
"Jiao Jiao, about Yuanyuan..." Zhang Yuntao hadn’t finished before being pinched by his two friends, swallowing the question he had on his lips.
Zhang Guoqing smiled at Lin Lishan, who was helping serve breakfast, "Mom, have you eaten?"
"Your dad and I ate first. Jiao Jiao said you’d come to eat together. That girl Yuanyuan is probably still not awake, you all sit and eat first."
Li Qinglin stepped on Zhang Yuntao’s foot, grinding it down hard, warning him in a low voice, "Behave."
Zhang Yuntao quickly nodded, craning his neck to look outside, saying, "Why don’t we wait for them, and just eat with Little Ping’an."
Lin Lishan smiled, "Sure, you make yourselves at home. Xiao Wu, I’m off to work too. Keep an eye on Ping’an’s time, don’t let him squat for too long. I don’t understand why such a young child needs to do horse stances. Ping’an, see, Grandpa has left, why don’t we finish up, okay?"
Seeing that the child remained motionless despite her words, she helplessly shook her head. Stubborn little one!
Seeing that it was getting late, Lin Lishan went back to the room to get her bag, and worryingly went to check on Ping’an, "Can your body handle this? Want to go with Grandma to the troupe?"
Ping’an, holding his breath, was greatly tempted by her offer. He was so tired, but he promised Grandpa. Hmm, don’t hear it, don’t hear it...
