Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space

Chapter 1069 - 942: Crackling Zhao Yuanyuan

"Jiao Jiao, I’ve missed you to death. Are you home? I’m here.""Slow down, be careful not to fall." Zhang Yuntao cautiously followed behind Zhao Yuanyuan, holding their son.

Zhang Guoqing couldn’t help but laugh when he heard this voice. It had been years since he heard this "rival’s" voice, and he truly missed it.

Zhao Yuanyuan spotted him first and rolled her eyes disdainfully, "Is it you who keeps Zhou Jiao from going to the provincial city? I heard you even won’t let her go to the county town?"

"Taozi, your wife wrongs your buddy like this, and you don’t reprimand her? Where’s your backbone as a husband? Why are you grinning like a fool?"

"Learned it from you." Zhang Yuntao lifted his son up as a greeting to Zhang Guoqing, "Quick, call him Second Uncle, where’s the gift?"

Zhang Guoqing hugged the child and jokingly cursed, "You’re the second one. Is this our little dumpling? Come, call him Uncle, and I’ll buy you candy."

"You should be grateful we put you second; I’m third after Lin Zi." Zhang Yuntao shook his arms, exhausted, "Why didn’t you call before passing through the provincial city?"

Zhang Guoqing nodded towards Zhao Yuanyuan, who was whispering with Zhou Jiao, "Didn’t you see? With a wife like yours, would I dare?"

Zhang Yuntao turned his head, laughing heartily, "You’re something else, getting jealous even when a woman hugs your wife. Did you see Lin Zi before you came back; when is he coming back?"

"Called his workplace, they said he’s on a business trip."

"Jiao Jiao, where’s Ping’an and the others? You two are really heartless, leaving the kids like that. Have you seen their little faces? If you don’t come back in a few days, I’ll drag them back myself."

After a brief chat about missing them, Zhao Yuanyuan began to rant, "Do you have too many sons and just like to trouble the kids? I need to write Aunt Shan about this; kids shouldn’t be left with Xiao Wu. I knew this guy had bad intentions, always trying to monopolize you all to himself..."

Zhang Guoqing rolled his eyes. He knew this troublesome girl loved tossing all the blame on him.

Zhang Yuntao laughed and patted his shoulder, "How many days are you staying? Some of our old high school friends want to catch up. Interested?"

It’s been years since they’ve kept in touch; it’s worth meeting and chatting. Relationships, after all, are built this way, and who can have too many friends?

Zhang Guoqing pinched the little guy’s cheek, thinking for a moment, "Leaving next week. If you can arrange something in these days, let me know."

"Everyone’s working, so it’ll have to be this weekend. I’ll notify them. Once they know you’re back, no one will skip."

Zhang Guoqing glanced at him, smiling, "Brother, after not seeing you for a while, you’ve really grown up."

"Been working at the unit for several years now. Compared to those colleagues, these old classmates, no matter the intentions, are more reliable."

"Times change, and meeting more people can’t be wrong. By the sound of it, you’re not happy at your job?"

Zhang Yuntao took his son, who was reaching for him, "It’s the same everywhere now. Heard from Lin Zi you’re doing well, when’s your next promotion?"

"Just biding my time in the military service," Zhang Guoqing wasn’t interested in work talk, "Ping’an says you come by every few days to check on them, thank you."

"He’s my nephew, what’s there to be tired about? When my son goes to Beijing, won’t you have to look after him? My father-in-law made me come immediately when I came here, haha^"

That’s not the case at all. Zhang Guoqing knew well the trouble of traveling between the provincial city and Zhang Family Village, especially with work every day. The depth of this friendship was clear to him, and even he couldn’t do it.

But some things are best kept in the heart. He nodded with a smile, "If I don’t go, Uncle Dashan will come for me; let’s go together when you head back."

"Let’s go. Where are Ping’an and the others? They didn’t wander off to help again, did they?"

"Rest a while first," Zhang Guoqing gave Zhou Jiao a look, signaling they should at least eat before leaving, "The kids went out to play and should be back soon."

Zhou Jiao pulled Zhao Yuanyuan toward the kitchen, "How much is your monthly supply? How could you send all the good stuff here, and not care for the kids at home?"

Zhao Yuanyuan shook her head with an indifferent smile, "It’s not much. You know Taozi’s grandfather is in the provincial city. Let me tell you, Little Liu’s husband now works at the provincial government committee."

"Oh," Zhou Jiao blinked, suddenly realizing this should be a high school classmate. She remembered someone by this name on the university admission list.

"Have you forgotten her? Not just you, even I wouldn’t recognize her if she didn’t greet me. She works as a cashier in a department store."

It was true that during this era, as long as the background checks were okay, university graduates had secure jobs.

Apparently, Zhao Yuanyuan thought of this too. She looked around and whispered, "Luckily, we could take the university entrance exams. My second brother is so grateful to Xiao Wu now."

"It’s because your second brother worked hard."

"Have you met my sister-in-law yet? If he hadn’t gone to college, acting like a hooligan every day, how could he marry such a beauty?"

Zhou Jiao pursed her lips and laughed quietly. She hadn’t met, but she knew the general situation. After all, Zhao Dashan and his wife were good friends with her parents. Even if they couldn’t attend the wedding, they would send a gift through her godfather.

"Earlier, I hesitated about going to university, but now I finally understand what you meant. It’s a pity we can’t take the university exams now. What will we do when our kids grow up?"

Zhou Jiao gave her a sideways glance. Truly worrying for nothing.

She remembered that from next year until 1976, except 1971 when there were no enrollments, universities would open their doors again, introducing a new batch of worker, peasant, and soldier students.

Besides, how young were the next generation under them? By the time these children grew up, it would be the best era.

"Jiao Jiao, analyze this for me..." Zhao Yuanyuan pointed to the sky, "Will things just go on like this?"

Zhou Jiao glared at her playfully, "I’m timid; don’t talk to me about this topic. Relax, the sky won’t fall."

"Hehe, it’s just worry. I don’t dare mention these in letters, so when I finally see you, I just have to ask a few more questions."

"Even if you ask, it’s pointless. Why bother with so many things? We’re ordinary folks, just manage our own business. So, rice or what for dinner? Your choice."

No matter how good the friend, Zhou Jiao didn’t intend to discuss current affairs. Often, a careless comment might bring unimaginable disaster. Ironically, the other party often mentioned it unintentionally. You couldn’t even blame anyone or vent your frustrations.

Holding onto her principles, being grateful to those who’ve helped her, and assisting them at the right time was enough to keep her occupied.

"I brought noodles, that’s simple. Jiao Jiao, make that mixed cold noodle dish, I can’t replicate the taste with my mom."

"No problem, just watch and learn."