Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 751 - 626: So-Called Morning Exercise

Thirty minutes can feel neither long nor short. Thanks to the quick rotation of the four wheels, the young couple took a spin around the city.

With a radiant expression, Zhou Jiao skillfully gripped the steering wheel, occasionally glancing out the window, and regretfully discovered that the whole city had seemingly fallen asleep.

Seeing this, she lost interest; initially, she wanted to drive to the small train stop, but then considered that driving around at this late hour might be too conspicuous. So she decided to turn around and head towards the transaction point in the suburbs.

Before the car got close, three people were already waiting there. Judging by the cigarettes in their hands, they must have been waiting for a while.

Having dealt before, the middle-aged man didn’t say much this time. He tallied the number of goods inside the car and tossed a black cloth bag to Zhang Guoqing. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Zhang Guoqing opened the bag, checked the authenticity of the cash and grain coupons without counting them, and tossed it to the front seat.

The middle-aged man chuckled, showed him a thumbs up. He’s been around this business for years, encountered all sorts of people. Though he had seen wealthy individuals, such grandiosity was rare.

Before parting, the middle-aged man told Zhang Guoqing to contact him directly if he had any goods next time. If he couldn’t find him, simply draw the secret code he mentioned at the foot of the wall at the tunnel entrance, and he would show up the next day.

On the way back, Zhang Guoqing absolutely wouldn’t let his wife drive. Now it’s nearly half past one in the morning, and they needed to reach home before dawn. The journey that would typically take over three hours, with his wife’s driving skills, even the best car couldn’t make it to the village entrance before dawn.

On the way, Zhou Jiao dozed off in a daze, while he was fully focused on driving, rushing all the way and arriving in the county town at a quarter to four.

Zhang Guoqing didn’t dare drive further to their village since in Northeast, daylight breaks shortly after four.

Driving into a narrow path, the two got out of the car, under the cover of the forest, put away the small car, and sneaked along a stretch until they reached a riverside.

The couple wasn’t in a hurry then. Using special liquid, they slowly removed their disguise, washed up in clean water, and sat on a large stone used as a washing board, quietly waiting for dawn to watch the sunrise.

"We didn’t go back, will Mom be worried?"

Zhang Guoqing confidently said, "No. She saw our courtyard gate closed and would certainly think we’re still sleeping. Don’t feel embarrassed, we’ll bring breakfast back later, tell her we went to the county town, at most, she’ll just say we’re crazy from being idle."

Zhou Jiao gave him a sideways glance, "Being crazy from idleness is better than being lazy."

"Now that it’s dawn, should we start walking slowly?" Zhang Guoqing saw a woman in the village carrying a wooden tray coming this way and asked softly.

"Humph," Zhou Jiao haughtily lifted her chin, stood up, and walked ahead.

"What does that mean? Can I get a clue?"

Zhou Jiao laughed, "Such a beauty like me letting you follow, doesn’t that make you feel honored?"

"More than honored, I’m overwhelmed, with my heart pounding. Want to feel it?"

The couple bantered, occasionally laughing, caught a cart heading towards the rural area, got off midway, and hurried towards Zhang Family Village.

When they reached the old courtyard, it was almost six o’clock. As expected, Mother Zhang saw the gate closed and didn’t knock. Seeing them sweaty with a bag of buns, knowing they went all the way to the county town for idleness, she indeed scorned them.

Mother Zhang specifically advised her daughter-in-law, "Jiao Jiao, don’t listen to Xiao Wu. He’s as strong as a bull, but you shouldn’t join him in exercising recklessly. What if you faint halfway?"

Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily.

Mother Zhang scolded laughingly, "You rascal are still so mischievous. Can your wife be troubled like a wild boy? If you wanted buns, why didn’t you tell me? Now that you bought them, it’s fine; I’ll see if I can buy some meat these days. Then you can eat as much as you want. It’s too expensive outside, not worth it."

This made Zhou Jiao laugh uncontrollably. Her mother-in-law was just too cute!

"Alright, hurry and wash up to have breakfast." Mother Zhang watched the couple walk fast and hurriedly called, "No rush, your father took the children out and hasn’t returned yet."

"Okay, got it."

When Aunt Zhang came out, hearing the hearty laughter of Zhang Guoqing and his wife, she entered the old courtyard, calling for her second brother’s wife... not even reaching the kitchen door, saw her sister-in-law coming out in response.

She couldn’t help but ask, "What’s making you and your daughter laugh so loudly this early?"

Mother Zhang had already hidden the buns when she heard noises outside. If outsiders saw her family eating white flour meat buns in the morning, it’d be inappropriate. Naturally, she wouldn’t tell the truth.

She laughed, "It’s just Xiao Wu being a rascal. He decided to run around for exercise but ended up dragging Jiao Jiao with him, running to the city. Isn’t it funny seeing them sweat coming back? Just too idle."

"This young couple truly gets along well, still the same even after all this time since they married."

Mother Zhang nodded with a smile, explaining, "Mainly because our Jiao Jiao has a good temper. Whatever Xiao Wu says, she just nods with laughter without caring about right or wrong. Her temperament is good; she wouldn’t utter a bad word, and they never quarrel."

"True. So when matchmakers came over, I requested for Tie Dan a girl who must be literate and cultured, stable and refined. Sadly, such girls are few."

"No worry. Isn’t the child still in school? Let him choose on his own desire."

Aunt Zhang laughed and shook her head, "My eldest daughter-in-law’s family isn’t steady. For the eldest grandson, I must screen first, otherwise marrying a troublemaker would be disastrous."

"Don’t worry; Tie Dan is clever." After saying that, Mother Zhang didn’t intend to discuss this topic further. If it were for their own child, Xi Zi, would his maternal family interfere in his eldest grandson’s marriage?

She changed the topic asking, "Have you had breakfast?"

"Not yet. Tie Dan and a few others left with Xi Zi early in the morning and haven’t returned yet. I should go look for them today; during holidays, I need to find the children for meals every day."

Mother Zhang cheerfully walked out the courtyard with her, stood at the gate watching her leave. She looked at the sky, wouldn’t be long before her husband should return with the children.

When Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao went out, seeing her standing there, he let Zhou Jiao accompany his mother in the old courtyard while he went to find his father. Along the way, he encountered a group of boys and girls surrounding the three brothers, led by Mr. Zhang, a dark crowd needing no identification.

Upon approaching, Zhang Guoqing greeted Mr. Zhang and his brothers, laughingly said, "My grandpa says with a single call, a dozen grandchildren appear. You three are even more impressive!"

Uncle Zhang laughed, "Isn’t it true? Just as we came over, your third grandpa said our family prospers with numerous descendants. If it were the past, eating at the ancestral hall, our branch wouldn’t fit in fewer than ten tables."

Zhang Guoqing nodded repeatedly, "Let’s find a time for a big family photo with our three families."

"Will it fit?"

Zhang Guoqing nodded and smiled, "It will!"

"Then choose a good day, let’s take a photo by the ancestral hall, at the old house, and facing Daqing Mountain. Xiao Wu, you arrange it for us."

"Sure, no problem, count on me, the old son. I’ll take a photo for you three brothers too."

Mr. Zhang smiled at his elder and younger brothers, "Pity us three brothers don’t have childhood photos."

Uncle Zhang jokingly scolded, "Wishful thinking! Back then, cameras weren’t even around. Even if there were, suggesting a photo would likely make others think you were crazy."

Uncle Zhang immediately laughed, "Brother, do you remember when we were young and saw the magazine at the provincial city?"

Mr. Zhang laughed loudly.

Uncle Zhang, out of annoyance, tapped his brother’s head with a pipe, "What nonsense! Quickly take the children home for breakfast."

Uncle Zhang quickly stepped back and called, "Second brother, you remember, right?"

"Alright, watch out for the elder brother wanting to beat you."

Mr. Zhang shook his head smiling. In their youth, seeing big stars on the posters in the streets, didn’t they all swear to find such a spouse in the future? But compared to others, the eldest was more excited, and a bit loud!