Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 719 - 594: Wanting to Return to the Old Home

Chapter 719: Chapter 594: Wanting to Return to the Old Home

The morning courtyard was shrouded in morning mist, with a gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers from the corners of the walls, instantly making one feel refreshed and exhilarated.

Zhou Jiao came down the steps and smiled softly as she watched the little figure practicing horseback stance in the yard. She didn’t care much whether or not her child was intelligent, but she placed great importance on his character.

There are plenty of precocious children, but why do they often fade into the ordinary? It’s because they rely too much on clever tricks and lack the perseverance of that old tale of unwavering effort to move mountains.

The fact that Ping’an could persist for so long made Zhou Jiao gratified. Her son’s future path would require a long period of patience and modesty and learning to enjoy solitude, all relying on perseverance.

Zhou Jiao stood for a while, seeing that he was as usual, did not disturb him, and went alone into the kitchen, smiling gratefully at Aunt Chen, who was sweating profusely inside.

Technically, she shouldn’t have to work so hard. With her father’s position, the family could have a cook, and Aunt Chen would only need to handle household chores.

Outsiders, not knowing the backstory, thought her father refused due to the small number of family members, believing him to be upright and disliking wasteful extravagance, but they didn’t know he was annoyed by having an outsider at home.

This made Aunt Chen somewhat more burdened. Consequently, Zhou Jiao would help in the kitchen whenever she was available and never allowed Aunt Chen to help wash her underclothes. She genuinely liked this aunt and wished to lighten her load, hoping she would enjoy staying around.

When Aunt Chen saw her come in, her face lit up with a warm smile, and she glanced at the sky outside, "Why didn’t you rest a bit more? Would some morning porridge be alright?"

"Sure. I miss your cooking the most when I’m away, Auntie."

Aunt Chen laughed heartily, "Nowhere is as comfortable as at home. You’ve lost weight since you left, I’ll cook your favorite dishes at noon and give you a good meal."

Zhou Jiao smiled and nodded warmly.

"I’m almost done here, hurry out, it’s quite hot."

"No, I’ll keep you company for a while. Auntie, have you been home recently? Now that I’m back, do you want to go and visit?"

"I went with your mother and them to Hai City to buy a bunch of things before coming home. You should go accompany the child, or he’ll slip out again soon."

Zhou Jiao smiled helplessly upon hearing this. She had heard that her son had recently become skilled at collecting branches and leaves outside each day to bring home, and she didn’t know how to express her feelings about it.

Standing at the kitchen door, watching her child practicing punches in a somewhat mannered way, Zhou Jiao had a flicker of bright emotion in her eyes as she stared at the child in daze.

Ping’an finished his punches and slowly exhaled, his usually stern little face broke into a happy smile when he saw Zhou Jiao standing not far away and rushed towards her.

Zhou Jiao squatted down to embrace him and asked, "Baby, aren’t you too tired doing this?"

Ping’an looked at the sweat on himself, shook his head, and smiled, "Mom, I’m dirty, take me to shower. I’m not tired at all, my archery has improved too, but it’s a pity I can’t practice outside."

Zhou Jiao caught the underlying meaning in his words and looked at him amusedly.

"Mom, if you’re busy, it’s okay."

Oh wow, he’s learned how to retreat to advance. Zhou Jiao chuckled and shook her head, "Is there anywhere you want to go?"

Ping’an leaned over and whispered, "Grandpa said I haven’t been back home in a long time, suggesting we go back for the New Year. It’s too cold then, I don’t want to go, can we go now instead?"

Faced with the child’s expectant eyes, Zhou Jiao felt the pressure, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded. Seeing his wide smile, she quickly added, "Don’t be too happy just yet. I still have to discuss it with your grandpa and dad."

Ping’an patted his chest and said, "No problem! I also know mom has work to handle, we’ll leave when grandpa is on a business trip in a few days."

Zhou Jiao playfully patted his head, laughing as she joked, "You’ve got it all planned out. Alright, mom will try to work with you. But did you inform your grandpa in advance?"

Feeling shy, Ping’an smiled, "Mom, you’re so smart. Grandpa said he and grandma miss me, so I slipped him a little note while dad wasn’t paying attention, but I didn’t say when we were going back, just asked grandpa to wait for me."

"You’re a good kid, a filial one too; your grandparents will definitely be very happy to see you."

"I also think I’m a good kid!"

The sound of laughter between the mother and child echoed in the courtyard, causing Zhou Xiaozheng, returning from morning exercise outside, and his son-in-law to share an understanding smile.

****

Meanwhile, in the Northeast County a thousand miles away, Mr. Zhang, who had just finished Tai Chi in the small square, waved goodbye to his old friends as the trio of in-laws chatted leisurely while walking.

Zhang Meihao’s father-in-law, Uncle Chen, had already noticed that his in-law was so happy today that he couldn’t stop smiling, and now that only he and Accountant Zhang remained, he finally voiced his curiosity, "You look so happy, is there some great news?"

Mr. Zhang thought to himself, finally someone asked, otherwise, it would be embarrassing to boast. He chuckled broadly at them.

Accountant Zhang had a sudden realization, "Has Xiao Wu come back?"

Mr. Zhang didn’t say a word, just smiled and shook his head, carefully taking a small handkerchief out of his pocket, then a note from inside to hand to them, reminding them to be careful too.

Uncle Chen gestured for Accountant Zhang to take a look first, curious to see what made his in-law value it so highly.

Accountant Zhang took a look and laughed heartily, handing it to Uncle Chen, "Look at the signature."

Mr. Zhang asked him, "How about that? My family Ping’an wrote it. How old is he, you say? Yet he writes so well, isn’t his handwriting beautiful? His grandma says it’s even better than that in the textbooks."

Accountant Zhang recognized that Zhang the Second was waiting for praise, nodding with delight.

"Xiao Wu told me the kid is even practicing archery now, the Old Zhang family’s skills aren’t lost after all. I’m planning to go back today to burn some incense for my father, let him be happy that there’s a descendant."

Uncle Chen calculated the child’s age and asked uncertainly, "Will he be five years old after October this year?" Seeing Mr. Zhang nod, he said, "Just like his dad. Xiao Wu could hunt at eight, this one won’t fall behind. No, he’ll surpass his dad. This handwriting, clearly practiced for a while. In the old days, big families started education at three, your grandson must have too, he’ll definitely excel both academically and in skills."

Accountant Zhang chimed in quickly, "That’s right, like father, like son. So, are you saying they plan to come back at the end of the year? Are you visiting Beijing these days?"

He heard from his oldest that Xiao Wu had wrote two letters urging the parents to bring the younger family members over. Now if they go, they’ll really stay till the end of the year.

Mr. Zhang shook his head, smiling, "I’m not going. It’s scorching hot in Beijing right now."

"You sly old man!" Accountant Zhang shook his head, laughing as he heard this.

Uncle Chen advised, "If the kid wants you to go, you should stay a while. I heard from Zuo Lin that Xiao Wu and his wife have plenty of space, you don’t need to stay with your in-laws, what’s there to fuss about?"

Mr. Zhang didn’t answer, simply smiled. He never worried about having no place to stay in Beijing, with his son’s capabilities; they would never let the old couple suffer. But what would they do there? The kids are busy with school, going there would only bother them. Besides, there are still two sons left at home; he needs to keep watch.