Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 763 - 638: The Aunts Visit

On their way down the mountain, it was already dusk. The western sky was as red as blood, tinting the horizon with a flush of evening clouds. In the distance, the vast farmland and the crops in the dry fields were full of life, with a mix of yellow and green. In the golden wheat fields, members of the commune were still bustling with the harvest.

Standing halfway up the mountain and looking out, the view was magnificent! This beautiful scene made Zhou Jiao unable to resist taking out her camera, adjusting the focus, and capturing a series of landscapes.

After taking the photos, Zhou Jiao regrettably said, "It’s a pity there’s no color option."

Zhang Guoqing comforted her, "The camera can’t capture the shock in your heart right now. You could try painting it. When we get old, I’ll organize an art exhibition for you. At that time, we’ll include calligraphy and embroidery for a talent showcase."

Zhou Jiao turned back with a smile, playfully scolding, "What are you talking about? You’d make people laugh their heads off."

Ping’an unconditionally supported his dad, quickly saying, "Who would dare? Watch me teach them a lesson! My grandpa said if my mom used all her skills, no talented woman would dare show her face."

Zhang Guoqing burst into laughter upon hearing this. Such words could indeed only come from a doting father-in-law. If not limited by circumstances, he figured his father-in-law would have wanted to announce it to the world through a newspaper.

Zhou Jiao, frightened by their talk, quickened her pace. Luckily, there was no one around to hear; otherwise, it would have been such an embarrassment. Like the old saying, "the melon vendor bragging about their own melons."

She didn’t yet know. Back at the old courtyard, Mother Zhang welcomed two prominent visitors—her elder sister-in-law and younger sister-in-law, each carrying a bamboo basket, arrived hand in hand.

Mother Zhang, overjoyed, pulled them inside, "Sister-in-law, younger sister-in-law, how come you have time to visit? If there’s anything, just send a message, and I’ll come over."

Zhang Guoqing’s eldest aunt teased, "What? Are we not welcome to visit?"

"Oh, you’re more than welcome."

His second aunt smiled, "We heard in the morning that Xiao Wu and his wife brought the child back to the village, so we wanted to come and see the child and also say thank you."

Mother Zhang knew they rushed over as soon as they got the news.

She lamented, "He’s your own nephew; there’s no need for formalities. Xiao Wu mentioned just today that he plans to visit his two uncles in the coming days."

The eldest aunt couldn’t stop smiling, "How considerate is this child? Da Niu, you’ve raised three good sons, making the whole family well-off."

The second aunt nodded, looking around, "Big sister, where are brother-in-law and the children?"

Mother Zhang smiled wryly, "Your brother-in-law just can’t sit still. As soon as Xiao Wu left with Jiao Jiao and the child in the morning, he rushed off to the team to help."

"Xiao Wu is also worried about his father overextending himself, you should persuade him more."

"There’s no point, no matter how much I say. Xiao Wu has already discussed with Jiao Jiao that if his father gets too tired, they’ll drag him to Beijing and won’t let him come back."

The two aunts laughed heartily at this.

The eldest aunt stopped laughing, exclaiming, "Xiao Wu married the right woman. Back then, some people felt sorry for him, thinking he married a young wife who couldn’t work."

The second aunt calmly remarked, "Those old women have nothing nice to say. What’s the use of marrying a rough woman who can work if Xiao Wu doesn’t like her? Marriage is about fate, and Jiao Jiao has a wonderful personality."

Mother Zhang beamed upon hearing this, nodding repeatedly, "Exactly. I’ve watched her grow up speaking softly and gently, just the right match for Xiao Wu’s stubborn temper.

They’ve been married this long and have never even had an argument. Our Jiao Jiao never acts out no matter how upset she gets."

Eldest aunt: "You’re really blessed with a child like that."

The second aunt, seeing Mother Zhang’s delighted face and taking a glance at her clothes, teased, "Big sister, I bet these clothes are made by Jiao Jiao again?"

Mother Zhang chuckled and nodded, "They truly are. Ever since Jiao Jiao married in, she’s prepared clothes for me and your brother-in-law every season. I asked your brother-in-law to write to her, telling her not to make so many clothes since it draws too much attention. In return, she sent clothes and added patches on new ones, making our whole family laugh."

After saying that, Mother Zhang got up quickly, "Wait a moment..." she rushed into the bedroom and came out with a few boxes of pastries, offering them excitedly.

"These are from Jiao Jiao’s business trip, quite tasty. Give them a try."

The two aunts, delighted, laughed, knowing their sister-in-law’s temperament, helped themselves to a small bite.

Mother Zhang said proudly, "See? It’s delicious, isn’t it?"

The eldest aunt playfully patted her, laughing uproariously. Oh my, how satisfied she must be with her daughter-in-law, to be so giddy like this, just like a child.

Zhang Guoqing entered from the backyard with a sack on his back, hearing laughter in the main room, exchanged a smile with Zhou Jiao. His mom was so joyful, chatting with someone.

He stood there listening and softly said, "It seems to be my two aunts."

"Let’s go over; Ping’an is uncomfortable like this."

Zhang Guoqing smacked his forehead and quickly put down his son, "Take a few steps slowly, alright?"

"No problem. I’m going to find Grandma."

Zhang Guoqing watched his son run off, and with his things, gestured for Zhou Jiao to follow.

As the couple entered the front courtyard, Mother Zhang and the others heard the news from Ping’an and greeted them with smiles.

Zhang Guoqing hurriedly greeted them, "Aunties, when did you get here? Had I known, I wouldn’t have gone out today. I was planning to visit you in the next couple of days, come inside and sit."

Zhou Jiao followed with her greetings, and seeing the lively atmosphere in the main room, she realized she’d better go and make noodles for the guests.

She didn’t take a seat and noting how happily everyone was chatting, signaled to Mother Zhang about the kitchen. Seeing her smile and nod, she quietly exited.

Thinking about how her mother-in-law likes to keep good stuff in the cellar, Zhou Jiao didn’t rush to the kitchen. Instead, she quickly returned to their own courtyard, surveyed briefly, and came back to the old house with a wooden washbasin.

Unexpectedly, Mother Zhang was in the kitchen taking things out. Zhou Jiao hurried over and lifted the towel. Inside were already rolled-out noodles and a few eggs.

Mother Zhang thought it must have been from when her youngest son ate noodles last night and Jiao Jiao made extra. It saved the time needed, just needing to be boiled, but looking at the pure white, unadulterated noodles, she hesitated a little.

Zhou Jiao knew her mother-in-law was being frugal. But this was her mother-in-law’s family, after all. Since marrying in, except for social interactions, her family hadn’t really visited much, making them rare guests.

She blinked her eyes, "Mom, my brother sent a roe deer to the canteen for an extra meal tonight."

Mother Zhang’s heart ached, but thought, quite a lot of meat from her youngest son, could she really save a bowl of noodles for her family?

Zhou Jiao, seeing her decisive nod, thought to herself how clever she was.

But she needed to be even more perceptive. Smiling sweetly, she continued, "The sack just now was filled with wild boar meat, Mom, feel free to use it as you like."

Mother Zhang chuckled, nodding at her, "Mischievous girl, teasing your mom, are you?"

Zhou Jiao grinned foolishly along, seeing her starting, quickly nudging her out, "Mom, hurry and keep the two aunts company. Give me a chance to shine, alright?"

Mother Zhang, pushed outside, laughed heartily, "Alright, alright. I’m going out!"