Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 777 - 652: See, That’s the Difference!

Under the scorching sun, Mother Zhang did not, as outsiders expected, bring her daughters-in-law to the village for a chat; everyone was busy earning work points in the field, who has time for leisure during the day?

Under the guidance of Xi Zi and a group of children, a group from Old Zhang’s family appeared near the mountainside. As Zhang Guoqing stepped out of the village, the men on the mountain were busy chopping wood, while the women and children were picking various wild vegetables.

The resources of wild vegetables in Daqing Mountain are very rich, not only in variety but also in abundant yield. Hearing there’s no danger nearby, Mother Zhang asked her husband to take everyone up the mountain to have a look.

Compared to spring, there are still many wild vegetables available for picking now, such as dandelion, small shepherd’s purse, wintergreen, wild spinach, wild garlic, mustard green, etc.

These can be pickled or dried, and they can be served as dishes in winter. For Mother Zhang, who manages her household frugally, it’s better to do something practical with her time than to idle chat.

The women in the forest were busy harvesting, while the men near the outer edge chopped dry branches and watched the commotion. Of course, what they found amusing was that little fellow.

Little Ping’an carried his own bow and arrows, and whenever there’s any movement, he swiftly reacts. Apart from the occasional escaping wild rabbit, he hits the target nine times out of ten.

That’s not all, he often fishes out small stones from his shoulder bag, throwing them to hit snakes and insects on branches or in grass. His series of actions made Mr. Zhang next to him smile broadly.

Zhang the Second chopped off a dry branch, took a breath, and shouted loudly, "Ping’an, do you want to take a break?"

"I’m not tired."

"Then come help Second Uncle chop some wood. Second Uncle will make you a nice box."

Ping’an scurried over to him, shook his head with a smile, "Second Uncle, you have to work too, making a box is too tiring. Besides, my dad won’t let me chop trees, do you know why?"

Several people around Zhang the Second paused in curiosity, "Oh?"

"My dad says that because the soil under the mountain is different, the direction in which a big tree falls can be off, and someone could get hit. He doesn’t allow me to chop trees before the age of ten."

Zhang Guofu asked with interest, "Apart from this, what else did your dad teach you?"

"That’s all. He said that when I grow up and learn the knowledge from books, I’ll understand many things at a glance," Ping’an replied with a smile, thinking that was the right answer. His dad did say that, but other matters are family secrets, and he didn’t intend to tell the truth.

Zhang Guofu nodded repeatedly when he heard this, "He’s right. It also involves calculations of the distance and angle between trees. Don’t think chopping trees is simple; there are incidents of people getting hurt in the forest every year."

Ping’an blinked his big eyes and nodded obediently. His dad had explained all this to him in detail, including how to calculate. But that’s a secret!

"Big Uncle, why don’t we set up a forest here?" Ping’an pointed to a distance, "There’s a large birch forest over there on that hillside and also larches over there."

Zhang Guofu shook his head, "That’s a no-man’s land. Further on is the neighboring county, and behind us is the neighboring province. There’s a big farm under the mountain in that neighboring province."

Upon hearing this, a flash of light passed through Ping’an’s eyes, but his face showed a confused expression. He’s still young; how could he understand?

"Big Brother, he can’t understand when you say it like that. What your big uncle means is that to set up a forest here, the two provinces need to discuss it. But there are plenty of mountains in the Northeast, and nobody wants to mess with these things."

With a chuckle, Ping’an nodded towards Zhang the Second and ran off, "I’m going to play."

When Mr. Zhang saw him coming over, he said cheerfully, "Go play with your brothers."

"No, I’m trying to catch a few more rabbits for Granny. Dad says Granny likes to dry and store them for later, best if she can fill the small warehouse."

Mr. Zhang laughed heartily when he heard this and pinched his little arm, asking worriedly, "Does it hurt? We caught a lot of game the other day, enough to fill her warehouse."

Ping’an shook his head with a smile, "It doesn’t hurt. Grandpa, wait for a couple of days, I’ll have Dad take me up the mountain, I’ll hunt deer and mountain goats for you to enjoy hotpot in winter. A sip of wine, a piece of meat, warm and cosy, it’ll be so blissful."

Mother Zhang, who was digging wild garlic, heard her husband’s laughter from afar and shook her head with a smile. She had no idea what treasure that old man found to make him laugh so happily.

She glanced at her eldest daughter-in-law picking wild vegetables with her bottom up and suddenly her heart tightened at the words she heard in the kitchen that morning, it seems this matter needs urgent attention.

Mother Zhang pretended not to know and slowly approached her eldest daughter-in-law, "Don’t overdo it, take it slow."

Huang Cuilan shook her head with a smile, "Mom, I’m not tired. You take a break first."

"Your hair looks so lively today. I have three pieces of floral fabric at home; I’ll make a cover-up jacket for you three sisters-in-law each. The fabric is breathable..."

"Mom, I don’t want it, you give it to the other daughters-in-law. I’m going to be a grandma soon, the colors are too bright, I can’t wear them." Huang Cuilan cut her off and declined hurriedly.

"Isn’t Huang Juan older than you? She wore it! The light flowers are not flashy, matching your hair style. Wear it while you’re still young, look at me, now I’m old, no matter how much I like it, I can’t wear it, what a pity."

Lin Juhua, who noticed their discussion, quickly joined Mother Zhang, "Mom, you’re not old. I think the white shirt with blue prints Jiao Jiao sent last time suits you well. You should wear it!"

Her words made Mother Zhang feel distressed. Such good material, it would be a shame not to wear it, but wearing it outside feels like being an old witch. Her eldest daughter didn’t want it, and she would be reluctant to give it to someone else. As for giving it to the two daughters-in-law? Forget it! That was Jiao Jiao’s filial piety to her youngest child, she wasn’t confused enough to ruin her child’s filial piety.

She clearly understands Jiao Jiao’s nature. That child is genuinely devoted to her eldest sister, without feeling she’s given too much, while for this eldest sister-in-law, it’s just superficial courtesy.

Thinking of how her eldest daughter-in-law is stingy with her two sisters-in-law, but loves to favor her own maternal family, Mother Zhang lost interest momentarily. Nobody is a fool; only the second son’s family was habitually carefree, and Jiao Jiao didn’t pay this person much mind. Otherwise, given the temperament of the eldest son’s family, even the best sisters-in-law would end up resentful.

"Mom, the two aunts gave so many eggs; what gift should I return? We still have two one-pound sugar tickets, plus some pastries, is that okay?"

See, that’s the difference!

Last night, the eldest son’s family came back early, clearly heard about this, but he didn’t mention returning a gift, whereas the sister-in-law who just returned today brought it up.

If it weren’t for the many years of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship, Mother Zhang would really want to give up. Every time, you only receive without reciprocating favors, when her eldest son has more social interactions in the future, can this woman manage these affairs well?

Mother Zhang’s eyes noticed her eldest daughter-in-law’s hand paused a bit while digging for wild vegetables, and she sighed secretly. This child’s temper needs correcting, or else the couple will have more friction in the future.