Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 646 - 523: Mentally Exhausted

After seeing off her husband and daughter, Huang Cuilan rushed to the factory to ask for leave and hurried to her parents’ home.

"Daughter, you’re back? Why aren’t you at work today? How’s the thing I asked you to do? Your niece is waiting for your news; I heard it’s about thirty yuan a month."

Huang Cuilan looked at her mother and said, "Mom, I’m going through a tough time. I can’t stay at my husband’s house anymore. Can I come back home to stay with you and dad?"

Mrs. Huang’s eyes widened as she slammed the table and shouted, "Is your in-laws looking down on you? Oh, Old Zhang’s family has become prosperous and now they look down on people, don’t they? Trying to drive you away! That bastard has forgotten how my sons and nephews took care of him, eating and drinking at my place. Heartless..."

Huang Cuilan silently watched her.

Mrs. Huang cursed for a while and then took a breath, "Tell me, is that bastard seeing someone else outside? I’ve told you countless times to take control of the man’s money. Great, isn’t it? You didn’t listen, and now it’s all gone to hell. Is it some slut? I’ll tear her apart, make her learn her lesson for stealing someone else’s man."

Huang Cuilan held onto Mrs. Huang, "Don’t make a fuss over nothing. The kids’ dad doesn’t have anyone else right now, but it might be soon. Brother told me a lot of people have their eyes on him now. Mom, I want to live well with him."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Huang sighed in relief. "Yes, yes. You have to keep an eye on your own man, don’t let someone else take advantage. Your brother also mentioned this to me before, don’t listen to him blab. No decent girl is willing to become a stepmother to someone else’s kids. Those little vixens wouldn’t be allowed through your in-laws’ doors. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Daughter, don’t be afraid, with the three sons you gave birth to, no one can make you leave. Remember to keep a tight grip on the man’s wallet. If you hold the money, he won’t have any to please other women; who would want to follow him then..."

Huang Cuilan shook her head with a bitter smile. Keep an eye on the money? For the past two years, her salary has been supplementing her family, and all the household expenses come from him. Could she even make a peep?

Listening to her mother, Huang Cuilan thought more. Her brother was right. With her husband’s looks and job, plenty of women would throw themselves at him. City girls are not the same as village girls; she can’t be naive anymore.

"Mom, stop it. I’ve come back this time to tell you that I can’t send money or food back anymore. You and dad won’t go without food in the village, so I’m not worried. I can’t take care of Brother’s family anymore. I need to save money for Xi Zi and the three brothers, now that they’re getting older."

"But don’t they have their grandparents? Your brother’s family has it hard; if you don’t help, what will they do?"

Huang Cuilan stood up, shaking her head, "Brother’s family has dual incomes, much better off than people in the village. I’m barely scraping by myself; I can’t take care of others. I’m just here to tell you from now on I can only look after myself."

Seeing her about to leave, Mrs. Huang quickly stepped forward to pull her back, "Okay, okay, Mother knows. Just sit for a while; your dad will be back soon."

Huang Cuilan shook her head again, "No, thanks. Tomorrow, the kids’ dad is heading to the provincial city to study, for almost a whole year. I have to go back and pack."

Mrs. Huang frowned at hearing this but didn’t stop her. She walked her to the village entrance, unable to resist asking, "Is there really no hope for your niece’s issue?"

Huang Cuilan looked at her amusingly, "I’m leaving."

Mrs. Huang watched her daughter leave until she disappeared, then returned home, worried. Near noon, when Father Huang came back, she immediately perked up and recounted Huang Cuilan’s visit and words.

Father Huang puffed on his pipe, and when he heard their son-in-law was going to the provincial city for a whole year, a glint of concern flashed in his eyes. "If you don’t want your daughter to be sent back home, embarrassing you, don’t make any fuss."

"How did I make a fuss?"

Father Huang tapped his pipe, "Fine, you didn’t make a fuss. I can’t argue with you, but don’t forget the daughter you gave birth to is as much your own as your eldest son. I haven’t dared to visit the in-laws these past two years, do you know why?"

Mrs. Huang scoffed.

Father Huang glanced at the new clothes on his wife’s body and shook his head, "Our daughter spoke like that, something must be off. She’s upset. For her sake, don’t push her too much."

After speaking, Father Huang stood up and went to the yard. Looking toward the county’s direction, he was deeply worried. With the son-in-law going to the provincial city for such a long time, the daughter not being by his side, who knows what might happen.

Before, he hoped for the son-in-law to succeed, but now he’s worried. Every pot has its lid; the status gap between these two isn’t a good thing.

Meanwhile, having voiced her thoughts, Huang Cuilan felt as if a heavy burden was lifted from her heart. Oblivious to her father’s worries, she returned to the county with a lighter step.

Around noon, as Zhang Guofu entered the living room, he caught the aroma of meat and dishes wafting through the air. Listening to the joyful laughter of his wife and children from the kitchen startled him.

Xi Zi carried a dish over, smiling at him, "Mom went to school to pick us up for lunch. I called Grandma and Grandpa, and they told us to eat by ourselves and visit them tonight."

Mai Miao ran over to Zhang Guofu cheerfully, "Dad, Mom made the dishes you like, and she’s prepared a lot of fried noodles for you to take to the provincial city."

Zhang Guofu ruffled her short hair with a smile, pulling her to the table.

Xiao Zuo and Xiao You came over with bowls and chopsticks, "Dad, there’s good food. Do you want a drink?"

Zhang Guofu laughed, "I’m not your grandpa, why would I want a drink? I’m going to the provincial city this time, so you all need to behave at home. No wandering around, understand?"

"No problem."

"Dad, be careful out there alone."

"Dad, when the weekend comes, let’s visit you in the provincial city for fun."

Xi Zi knocked Xiao Zuo on the head, "All you think about is play. Dad is going to study; you’d better be good at school. If you score only eighty-something this semester, do you think Uncle will bring you anything when he comes back?"

Xiao Zuo’s eyes lit up, "Bro, is Uncle really coming back this summer?"

Xi Zi gave him a sideways glance, speaking slowly, "Last year they didn’t come back. This year, Grandma isn’t going to Beijing, they’ll definitely return."

"Right, that’s how it is. I should write a letter to Uncle, asking him to bring Ping’an back."

Xiao You interjected, "Second brother, mention in the letter to Uncle that Second Uncle said Ping’an is ranked fifth. His name as Xiao Wu should be given up."

"Then who will respond when they’re called Xiao Wu from now on?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone at the table burst into laughter.

At the table, Zhang Guofu smiled while giving the children food. Looking at his wife, he redirected his chopsticks to also put a piece of meat in her bowl.

Happily eating, Huang Cuilan burst into laughter.

Seeing this, Zhang Guofu’s gaze dimmed, and he sighed to himself. His wife was difficult to handle either way, and he wasn’t sure how best to treat her.

Pampering her leads to chaos at home, while treating her coldly makes her appear wronged, as if she’s suffered greatly.

All this made Zhang Guofu feel mentally exhausted at times. What should a marriage be? In his mind, it should be like his parents’, where they consult each other, working together for the family and children. When he’s tired, there should be someone to accompany him, not someone to constantly please and appease.

Thinking about leaving tomorrow, he felt relieved. Perhaps the separation would be good; he also wanted to take this opportunity to breathe some fresh air.