Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 740 - 615: Dad, You Sure Have a Lot of Relatives
The bus from the provincial city arrived at the county town with frequent stops along the way, and it was already past two in the afternoon.
As soon as the bus door opened, Zhou Jiao was the first to get off. Staying far away, she took a deep breath. She deeply regretted not waiting for her godfather to bring her back in the evening, or driving back herself at night.
She had been too naive in her thinking.
Taking this rickety bus in the sweltering summer was worse than being a pig. The driver had no sense of load limits; he stopped whenever anyone was roadside, and the conductor shouted loudly, "Squeeze in, squeeze in..."
The further they got from the provincial city, the more people got on. Whatever baskets, chicken coops, bamboo baskets, and shoulder poles, all pushed inside haphazardly, and passengers were constantly getting on and off halfway.
And that wasn’t all. Their family of three could sit inside without being hit, but the mixed odors of chicken droppings, excrement, and sweat assaulted their senses, making her feel hopeless even with the windows wide open.
Zhou Jiao patted her clothes, feeling there was a smell on her. Her cured obsession with cleanliness flared up again; she urgently needed a shower now.
Ping’an, with a small backpack, bounced up to her and handed her a water bottle, "Mom, have a drink and you won’t feel like throwing up."
"Baby, where’s your dad?"
"Dad told me to watch after you first; he himself ran to show kindness and help the old grandpa carry things. Look, he’s over there."
Zhou Jiao followed the direction he pointed and indeed saw Zhang Guoqing carrying a bamboo basket. Seeing this, she shook her head with a smile. Did that silly man throw away their luggage too?
Zhang Guoqing seemed to sense his wife and son’s gaze, waving at them, helping the old man carry things to the ox cart on the roadside, and hurried back to get two bags of luggage off the bus.
As he approached, Zhou Jiao teased, "Which familiar household’s old man is it this time?"
Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily, knowing she had secretly laughed at him many times for chatting and making connections with fellow passengers all the way. Here’s the payback right now.
Ping’an followed up immediately, "Dad, you really have a lot of relatives."
"So you have a lot of relatives too. Son, hang in there! Aim for the whole nation to be our relatives."
Ping’an giggled gleefully.
Zhou Jiao picked him up, gave Zhang Guoqing a sideways glance, and quickly walked ahead. Her son should not be so overly kind, like this silly man!
"Wife, let me carry him."
"No need, let’s hurry, I’m feeling itchy all over."
Zhang Guoqing followed closely, teasing, "You know, I saw lice crawling all over that lady’s head in front of you earlier."
"Zhang Guoqing! You’re dead meat!"
"Haha... We’ll shower when we get back. Wife, smell me, do I smell like chicken droppings?"
"Get lost!"
"Son, your mom is swearing."
Ping’an resolutely stayed out of their quarrel, looking at the roadside and pointing not far ahead, "Dad, just past the supply and marketing cooperative and a turn, that’s our house."
"My son’s got a great memory."
Before they had walked far, a person approached, smiling happily, "Hey, isn’t this Xiao Wu? Finally heading home?"
Zhang Guoqing grinned, "Uncle, long time no see, how have you been?"
"All good, all good. Hurry home, your dad will be overjoyed."
"I’ll be on my way then; drop by our place when you have time."
"Will do, will do."
Zhang Guoqing walked a bit, slung the luggage over his shoulder, and quickly whispered, "Jiao Jiao, quickly give me our son, or I won’t be able to move soon."
Zhou Jiao glanced at the restaurant entrance not far away and handed her son to him.
"Dad, what’s up?"
"Shh... you’ll find out soon."
At the restaurant entrance, Chef and Wang Dasheng were smiling, waiting for the family of three to come over.
"Wow, who’s this?"
Zhang Guoqing greeted them one by one.
"This must be Little Ping’an, looking so spirited. Does your grandpa have any books now?"
Ping’an remembered this old grandpa bought grain from him before and shouted loudly, "Hello, Grandpa Gu."
Zhang Guoqing beamed at everyone, "Expecting some good stuff tonight?"
The chef nodded with a smile, "They’re waiting for beef."
Zhang Guoqing understood immediately. It seemed another production team’s cow had an accident, drawing these people here upon hearing the news.
"Chef, save me some. Everyone, I’ll take the kid home first."
"Go ahead. Your dad will be thrilled."
Zhang Guoqing bid them farewell with his son in his arms; before walking far, Ping’an whispered in his ear, "Dad, I get it now. You’re afraid they’ll keep you waiting."
"That’s about right. Look at the gate, isn’t that your grandma?"
Looking ahead, indeed, it was his grandma. He quickly waved his hand, "Dad, let me down. I can run fast!"
"No rush, your grandma is going to run over here."
Mother Zhang, hardly believing her eyes, shouted loudly, "Kid’s dad, Xiao Wu is back!" Finishing, she dashed off running.
The chickens in the yard were startled, jumping all around. Mr. Zhang bounced up from the bed, slipped on his shoes, and hurried outside. Sure enough, he guessed right; his youngest son really came back!
The Little Genius beamed a bright smile, darting into Mother Zhang’s embrace, "Grandma, I think of you every day, why didn’t you come to see me?"
Mother Zhang picked up her grandson, running home joyously, her heart full of excitement, babying him all over. Even her favorite youngest son had to step back.
"Grandma, I’m heavy now, can you carry me? Are you tired? Where’s Grandpa?"
Mother Zhang held him tightly, "Grandma’s good grandson. So considerate. Grandma’s not tired; holding you gives Grandma strength. Hungry?"
"I’ve eaten. We even went to see my Uncle. My Uncle told you not to worry, he’ll be home this weekend. Grandma, why are you so thin? Is the food not enough?"
Mother Zhang’s heart was warmed by her grandson’s caring words. This is what a real grandson is. Even when he’s not by her side, he still remembers his grandma.
"Grandma, if you don’t have enough food, just tell me. I have rations. I’m small and don’t eat much, enough for you." The little trickster said, his eyes brightening, shouting towards the approaching Mr. Zhang, "Grandpa, I’m Ping’an, I missed you so much. Why didn’t you and Grandma come see me? I’ve stashed lots of things waiting for you..."
Mr. Zhang was so happy he couldn’t keep his mouth shut, snatching his grandson from his wife’s arms, lifting him up, smiling joyfully, "Great, my grandson’s grown again."
Ping’an hugged Mr. Zhang tightly, touching his face, "Grandpa, you’ve lost weight too. Come back to Beijing with us. We have a new courtyard; my dad’s fixed it up."
The sidelined onlookers, Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao, looked at each other and silently smiled. This little rascal was putting on a show again.
Once inside the yard, Ping’an turned his head, waved at Zhang Guoqing, "Dad, bring in the bags." Then he whispered to Mr. Zhang, "Grandpa, inside are all good things; my mom said they’re for you and Grandma to recuperate. Don’t hold back, eat them to live long and healthy; I’ll have sons for you to play with in the future."
Mr. Zhang laughed heartily all the way. This little guy was even better at talking than his youngest son. He nodded continuously, "Okay, Grandpa will wait for your sons."
Mr. Zhang placed him on the kang, Ping’an pulled Mother Zhang to sit, "Grandpa and Grandma, didn’t I tell you in the letter I learned martial arts? Let me show you, I’m really good now."
The little one performed a series of punches on the kang, eyes shining as he looked at Mr. and Mother Zhang, "What do you think? Isn’t your grandson amazing? My grandpa says I’m a genius."
Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang nodded joyfully.
"Very impressive! You’re unmatched nationwide."
"Even better than a genius. Was it tough training?"
Ping’an shook his head, "Not at all. When I grow a bit older, I’ll be even better then."
