Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 743 - 618: His Old Man Is Getting Crafty!

After the gathering, Lin Juhua hurriedly stopped her mother-in-law from working, suggesting the three in-laws chat. She wanted the women to chat while they worked together.

Mother Zhang noticed this and smiled, nodding her approval. Guiding Mrs. Liu, the three in-law mothers went to the west room, while the men had already set up stools in the courtyard for a chat.

In the courtyard, Zhang Guoqing watched Zhou Jiao carrying a stack of bowls, momentarily unsure of how to react. Over the years, apart from cooking a few dishes, his wife hadn’t done these kinds of chores with Aunt Chen around.

"Jiao Jiao, Ping’an should take a bath."

Zhou Jiao glanced at him speechlessly. Does he take her for a fool? She smiled, "Your son is having fun right now, it’s fine to wait a bit. Do you want to go to Uncle Dashan’s place?" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Zhang Guoqing quickly said, "I went earlier, they’ll come over later."

"Alright, you go do your thing."

Lin Juhua happily watched him leave and said to Zhou Jiao, "You should have another kid; Ping’an is too lonely by himself. He’s with Little Six now."

Zhou Jiao just smiled without speaking.

As they neared the kitchen, Lin Juhua leaned in closer and said softly, "There’s something off between the eldest sister-in-law’s couple. If she asks you anything later, don’t be surprised."

Zhou Jiao chuckled, "Second sister-in-law, are you curious if I noticed anything unusual today?"

"Oh, I knew you were smart. I have so much to say that I can’t tell outsiders. Let’s chat tonight before bed, or it’ll drive me crazy."

Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile.

After arranging that, Lin Juhua remembered something and said as she walked, "Is your female friend still in the provincial city? Have you met her?"

"I was in a hurry to come back, so I didn’t visit her. I’ll contact her in a few days." Zhou Jiao knew she was talking about Zhao Yuanyuan. She didn’t ask why Yuanyuan didn’t come back during the summer holidays. Zhang Yuntao must be strange if he can let Wen Yu return to the county town.

"Your friend is something else. Whenever the young couple comes back to the county, they’ll visit and chat about what you wrote in your letters to her."

"Childhood friends are just different." Zhou Jiao assumed this was Zhang Yuntao’s idea. With Zhao Yuanyuan’s easygoing nature, she wouldn’t care about such details. Simple people have simple fortunes; Zhao Yuanyuan got lucky.

In the kitchen, Zhang Meili took the bowls from her sisters-in-law, "You both go aside, I’ll clean up here."

Zhou Jiao gave a sideways glance at the second sister-in-law who was busy fetching water and laughed, "Didn’t they say being a wife means you can’t offend the nun or the little sister-in-law? Big sister, come on, let us join the fun."

"Who said that? The little sister-in-law is an enemy, take and leave." Zhang Meihao laughed beside her.

"That depends on whose family it is. Second sister-in-law, you’re doing hard work, I won’t interfere, be careful not to hurt your back. Is my nephew still breastfeeding?"

"He still is. Second sister-in-law, let me take over; you’ve been cooking all day, take a rest."

"What rest, it’s just a bit of work. Tomorrow is still the early shift?"

Zhou Jiao squeezed beside Zhang Meili to rinse the bowls she had washed once more. When Huang Cuilan came back after cleaning the table, the sisters-in-law quickly finished cleaning the kitchen.

Once the work was done, the gossip-loving Lin Juhua swiftly moved two long benches to the doorway, "It’s cool here, let’s sit here for a while."

Zhang Meihao glanced at her big sister and smiled, "You all sit first, I’ll be back after checking on the children."

As she left, the remaining people sat on the benches, listening to Lin Juhua chat about neighborhood gossip.

Zhou Jiao sat there, glancing at the group of men gathered not far away, swatting two mosquitoes with a slap. Seeing the three of them engrossed in conversation, she worried about the bench tipping over if she stood up, and nudged Huang Cuilan to sit further inside, quietly leaving.

In the living room, Ping’an brightened up when he saw her enter, running over quickly, "Mom, I want to take a bath."

Xi Zi, who was beside him, laughed, "Little aunt, Ping’an seems a bit tired."

Zhou Jiao smiled, "He usually takes a nap, and he’s tired from playing today. You guys keep playing, I’ll take him for a bath first."

"Need any help?"

Ping’an shook his head, "I can do it myself. Goodnight, brothers."

Zhou Jiao smiled, carrying him back to the bedroom, went directly into the side room, and found the thermos full. She guessed Zhang Guoqing had prepared it in advance.

As she helped him bathe, Zhou Jiao asked softly, "Did you have fun?"

"It was alright."

Zhou Jiao paused her hand, "Did someone say something?"

"No."

"Are you worried that they ate a lot today?"

Ping’an giggled. After a while, he said, "Mom, I’m not stingy! I know grandma is happy we’re home. I was thinking about going uphill."

At this, Zhou Jiao understood he had heard the table talk, "Ignore the rumors. Wait for your dad to check it out himself to see what’s going on. Since your dad plans to take you to practice, he’ll definitely find a way."

Ping’an’s eyes brightened as he nodded with a smile.

Seeing this, Zhou Jiao gently reminded him, "Besides hunting, I have an assignment for you. Pay more attention to the words and actions of the relatives here during this period, and analyze it for me when we return."

"Can I let Dad know?"

Zhou Jiao tapped his nose, "There’s never been a secret between your dad and me."

When the gathering ended, Zhang Guoqing returned to his room to find Zhou Jiao already peacefully asleep with their son. Worried that showering in the side room might wake them, he grabbed a change of clothes and went to the courtyard.

In the courtyard, Mr. Zhang hadn’t rested yet, seemingly anticipating that his youngest son would come out. He pointed him to fetch hot water from the pot. After a while, estimating it had nearly finished, he paced the courtyard with a long pipe.

Zhang Guoqing checked the time, "Dad, why aren’t you resting? Is something on your mind?"

"Are you tired? If not, keep me company for a while."

Zhang Guoqing quickly pulled over a stool for him, laughing, "I slept plenty on the train. Now that no one is around, we can have a chat just between us."

Mr. Zhang gestured for him to sit too, "That’s what I was thinking. It’s hard to talk openly with so many eyes around during the day. There are things I can’t let your mom know yet."

Zhang Guoqing comforted him, "Tell me. If there’s something I can’t solve, I’m here, right?"

Mr. Zhang smiled, speaking softly, "You’ve probably noticed. I’m worried about your elder brother."

Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing’s brow twitched.

"I know my son. I can tell what he’s planning from just a twitch. He tells me he hasn’t considered divorce; I believe that. But he rarely comes home, and the more I think about it, the less right it feels."

"Dad, my brother’s just worried about the cost of the trip."

Mr. Zhang sighed, shaking his head, "Did you notice something? Normally you would have been talking to your mom about your eldest brother after visiting him, but this time you said just a thing or two and changed subjects, especially with your sister-in-law, you acted very courteous, too much so. I know exactly what kind of behavior my three sons have."

Zhang Guoqing broke into a cold sweat. His father was astute!

Thinking his father might be probing for information, Zhang Guoqing quickly pulled himself together, responding half-truthfully, "My brother and I didn’t exchange much; I just came back. Everything seemed fine there; saying more might worry mom."

"Fine? Of course he’s fine. I’ve visited a few times, and he always wears a white shirt. I see your brother’s learned to dress up. When a woman suddenly changes and dresses flamboyantly, it’s not a good sign. Similarly, if a man starts to take care of his appearance, it’s not a good sign either."

Zhang Guoqing laughed, "Dad, that’s just the environment he’s in. Colleagues and classmates around him dress like that, he’s influenced. My brother is very honest; he wouldn’t dare mess around."

Seeing that he couldn’t get any more information he called upon his second son, who could not hide anything from him, to step in. That one would definitely succeed in getting more information out.