Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 759 - 634: Who Am I, Punk?

"...It’s all because of poverty, otherwise why would he hit his wife? He said he was saving those two pounds of flour for his parents to nourish themselves. As for his wife, it’s not easy for her either. Their newborn son was only a bit over four pounds and still hasn’t reached ten pounds after several months. If it weren’t for the team’s health center helping out, this child might have died early..."

"...His wife wouldn’t even take a bite herself, putting everything into her three sons’ mouths. His eldest niece is no good either. Today, when she went back to her parents’ house and heard her niece say something, she ran to scold Big Neck for being heartless and neglecting his parents, continuously encouraging her own brother to hit his wife.

Big Neck is a filial son, and when he thought his wife was stealing food, he hit her. Then when he found out the truth, he hugged his head and cried. Such a big man, crying almost to the point of choking. Sigh..."

Zhou Jiao asked curiously, "Niece? Is Big Neck’s girl? I remember all his brothers’ daughters are married off."

"She’s not his biological daughter. This child holds a grudge seeing her mother cook secretly for her younger brothers. This ungrateful brat doesn’t even check if her mother has eaten."

Zhou Jiao really didn’t know how to comment on this matter.

"When I was there, Big Neck’s wife, after getting hit and knowing it was her own daughter who caused trouble, hit the child again. And that kid, at fourteen or fifteen, still went against her mother. Just like that, what daughter? Worse than an enemy. She grabbed her mother’s broom and said fiercely that if she got hit again, she would fight back...

We old folks couldn’t stand it at the time. It was your Aunt who said a few words, and the child sat on the ground crying heartbrokenly, saying she never had enough to eat since she was little, never touched a book, begging your Aunt to take her home, or she’d be sold to an old bachelor..."

Zhou Jiao’s mouth hung open in shock. Is this child planning to cling on?

Mother Zhang saw this and laughed, patting her, "Your Aunt was quite scared and quickly found an excuse to pull your little aunt and me away. How could she fancy such a girl."

"Wouldn’t Big Neck and his wife die of anger?"

Mother Zhang said irritably, "They can’t wait for it. Your Aunt has been obsessed these days, trying to find a match for Tie Dan. Who doesn’t know? It’s brave of them to even think about it!"

Zhang Guoqing frowned and shook his head, "Grandpa already said to let the children choose themselves. Tie Dan is still studying, why rush? The elder cousins all found their own matches before."

"That’s exactly the issue. She’s dissatisfied with your eldest cousin-in-law now. This time she’s planning to look for a few families for Tie Dan to get engaged first because she’s worried that the child will find a girl himself and end up with a granddaughter-in-law like her daughter-in-law."

"So, they plan for Tie Dan to stay in the team?"

Mother Zhang laughed and shook her head, "What else? At the end of the year, your uncle even asked your dad, planning to let Tie Dan work in the factory after middle school graduation. But now that the policy has changed, he knows it’s not going to happen. Tie Dan’s studies are not working out either, so if he returns to the team, he can still arrange an easier job."

At this point, Mother Zhang suddenly remembered something and slapped her thigh, "By the way, did you know that Ziwen applied for a technical secondary school this year?"

Zhang Guoqing nodded with a smile. The kid had specially written to him about his concerns. He’s really grown up, knowing to lighten his parents’ load.

"I don’t know if he can get in or not. Xi Zi said that technical secondary school is harder than high school, is it true? This child didn’t say a word but seems to have a plan, just like your older brother-in-law. He told your dad he’d work first, and if he does well, there might be an opportunity for further study."

Zhang Guoqing had planned to deliver the good news on his mom’s birthday. Now that it was brought up, he didn’t intend to hide it any longer. He had inquired about it the day he returned.

"He’s already been accepted into a provincial city college, and the admission notice should be on the way. He did well and will be studying accounting, following in his grandfather’s footsteps. But don’t tell them yet; let my sister be really happy when the notice arrives."

Mother Zhang laughed heartily and nodded repeatedly. Her eldest daughter has finally made it.

As soon as Mr. Zhang entered the yard, he heard his wife’s laughter, and it made him laugh too. Entering inside, he teased, "Seeing your son-in-law makes you this happy?"

Mother Zhang couldn’t bother with her husband’s jokes, quickly sharing the good news. In three years, her grandson will have a stable job; how capable!

Mr. Zhang laughed so hard he couldn’t close his mouth. This matter has always been on his mind, though he wasn’t worried. If he didn’t get in, he would just go to high school, but getting in is different.

"The kids’ dad, wait until Xi Zi gets into college next year. The two oldest ones set a good example, and you won’t have to worry about the rest."

"No worries, no worries..."

Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao exchanged a look. Sigh... The younger ones might not catch such a good time; the future can only take care of itself.

The family chatted a bit more until it was time to rest, and a group of kids, big and small, ran into the yard, shouting loudly.

As soon as Ping’an saw his mom, he immediately got off Xi Zi and ran towards her, giggling happily as he jumped into her arms.

Zhou Jiao hugged him, discreetly checking him all over. Seeing he wasn’t injured, she let out a sigh of relief.

"Mom, the wheat we roasted tasted so good. Have a taste." As he spoke, Ping’an cautiously pulled out ten or so blackened wheat grains from the big pocket in front.

Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but laugh, quickly taking them, rubbing them clean, blowing off the outer layer, and putting a few into his mouth, tasting them herself as she nodded to her grinning son.

"Mom, isn’t it tasty? In a few days, after they finish cutting wheat, I’ll go gather some wheat ears and roast them for you."

Next to them, Mai Sui immediately turned her head, "Fifth Brother, what’s up?"

Ping’an giggled, "Second sister, I said I’d gather wheat ears."

"Oh, I’ll help you gather in a few days, and bring back enough for you to eat."

Ping’an nodded happily. He had to give his grandparents some to taste, but not too much. He knew the kids here didn’t have it easy.

"Mom, I’m sleepy."

Seeing this, Zhang Guoqing got up to pick him up and said goodbye to his parents.

On the way back, Zhang Guoqing couldn’t help but ask, "Why don’t you want to sleep with your brothers?"

"I want you to take me up the mountain tomorrow. They’re too many and too noisy, scaring all the animals away on the mountain."

Zhang Guoqing listened and didn’t promise right away, looking at Zhou Jiao, "What do you think?"

"Other things can wait; our son comes first."

Ping’an blinked his eyes, "Don’t you both have important things to do? You can go handle your business first; I don’t mind."

"Whose son is this? So considerate and understanding. Come, give daddy a kiss."

Ping’an giggled as he was kissed. He knew it; he is a good child. So smart and filial, how can he not be the best child?

"Mom, I was careful; you see, my clothes are all clean."

Zhou Jiao ignored the black handprints on his belly pocket, smiling as she praised, "Ping’an is mom’s good son. It doesn’t matter if it’s dirty, mom will wash it. If it’s torn, mom will sew a little tiger for you. Just be safe; it’s okay if the clothes get torn or dirty."

Once they got home, Ping’an frowned and said softly, "Mom, can you dress me in old clothes tomorrow? Lots of people call me a city kid; those adults not only touch my clothes but also want to pinch my cheeks. If I don’t run fast, my cheeks will be swollen from their pinching."

Isn’t that dreadful?

Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao quickly checked the child’s cheeks.

"I didn’t let them get close to me. Some adults in the nearby team are very mean, thinking I don’t understand. They’re adults but still have the bad idea of letting their kids come home with me to mooch food and drink."

Zhang Guoqing asked expressionlessly, "Where were Brother Xi Zi and them? Didn’t they stay with you?"

Ping’an immediately frowned, "They foolishly wanted Young Master to play with those snotty-nosed kids. Who is Young Master? If not for giving them face, Young Master would have turned around and left."

Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao exchanged helpless looks. They couldn’t really blame Xi Zi and his group; a five-year-old not wanting to play with other kids—such peculiar thinking probably couldn’t be comprehended by these young men.

"So what happened then? Who did you play with?"

Little Ping’an grinned, "My grandfather said, if I can’t compete with them because I’m young, then I’ll crush them with intelligence. If those people still don’t understand or see it, cut the nonsense and directly use force to conquer."

He looked proud as he raised his chin, "Tonight, I got those babies divided into two teams and told them to fight hard, with the prize being a piece of candy for the winner. Humph, let their parents scheme against Young Master! Xi Zi and them got scared, snatched me up as soon as I handed out the candy, and ran off. Humph, see if they leave me behind next time."