Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 1166

Chapter 1166: Chapter 1039: Worry Not About Scarcity, but About Inequality

"Grandma, it’s happening, she’s about to give birth..."

Mother Zhang, hesitating in the living room, hadn’t yet come up with an ideal plan when she was startled by Zhang Mingzuo’s shout, jumping up from her chair.

Mr. Zhang quickly supported her, jokingly saying, "Look, we’ll have one more to give New Year’s money to."

Mother Zhang glared at him and pushed him aside, walking quickly outside while responding loudly, "I’m coming, why didn’t you go to the hospital first?"

As soon as Zhang Mingzuo ran into the yard, he grabbed Mother Zhang and rushed outside. "Mom’s got a midwife at home already. Grandma, hurry, I’m scared without you there."

Mother Zhang didn’t have time to say more to her husband, hurriedly following her grandson outside. She nearly slipped but, after stumbling, was carried on Zhang Mingzuo’s back, running home.

"Grandma, she’s shouting really loud, do you think something’s wrong? Last time when she gave birth to Zhuang Zhuang, she wasn’t in this much pain..."

Listening to her grandson’s worried voice, what could Mother Zhang say? She patted his shoulder lovingly, "Don’t be scared. If it really seems wrong, we’ll send her to the hospital."

"Okay."

By the time grandmother and grandson arrived at Zhang Guofu’s yard, no one was outside the west wing. Even Huang Cuilan had gone inside with the midwife, judging by the noise coming from inside.

Mother Zhang got off her grandson’s back and rushed inside. Seeing even her eldest daughter there, all three women crowded in the room, she frowned and asked, "What’s going on?"

"Mom, it’s not that fast, we still have to wait."

Mother Zhang didn’t respond to her eldest daughter-in-law but looked at the midwife. "Sister, can you estimate how long it’ll be?"

"At least until it’s dark."

When it came to Mother Zhang’s thoughts, the only reassuring midwife she trusted was the village’s old sister-in-law, who was even called to Beijing by her youngest son for her expertise.

But she couldn’t speak out loud about this now. The woman grew old, taught her granddaughter-in-law midwifery, and didn’t like going outdoors anymore, not to mention in this cold weather.

"Old elder daughter-in-law, don’t just stand here. You should go boil water, make some noodles, and get busy," she said, leading Zhang Meili out the door.

"Mom?"

"Go call Mai Sui to come and keep her sister-in-law company."

Hearing this, Zhang Mingzuo slapped his forehead, realizing he’d forgotten his second sister. He immediately chimed in, "Grandma, I’ll go. I’m quick!"

Mother Zhang watched her grandson sprint outside once he finished speaking, so she didn’t stop him, letting her eldest daughter go into the inner room to accompany her granddaughter-in-law. Meanwhile, she headed to the kitchen, mentioning if there’s any ginseng left.

Though Huang Cuilan was usually frugal, with matters concerning her daughter-in-law and grandson, she wasn’t stingy about the expensive ginseng slices. Whenever any of her daughters-in-law gave birth, she’d carry a few slices in case of emergency. Hearing her mother-in-law’s request, she immediately took out some ginseng slices from her pocket.

"Xiao You’s wife is about four months along now, right?"

"Yes, once we finish this, we’ll need to buy some more."

"In the future, let the kids find it themselves. You and the eldest should save some money," Mother Zhang advised briefly and dropped the subject.

Wild ginseng? She had it, a gift from her dutiful youngest son, but she wouldn’t say it out loud. The younger couples each had jobs, so they could afford it.

The young generation is truly different; they can’t be compared with her own generation. Despite having plenty of milk after childbirth, they still buy formula. Do they really think money grows on trees?

Look at Jiao Jiao in her family: she gave birth to twins and still prioritized breastfeeding. Only when she couldn’t fill them did she give a bit of formula to supplement.

At this moment, Mother Zhang had completely forgotten how when Ping’an was first born, she thought the young daughter-in-law was good at everything, but too wasteful, suggesting rice porridge instead of formula.

However, Mother Zhang had a very good quality: no matter how dissatisfied she was inside, she merely grumbled a little in private but never showed it openly.

Mr. Zhang wasn’t as pitiful as his eldest daughter imagined.

Upon learning from his son about the new grandson, Zhang Guofu was so happy he went directly to his father’s place after work.

With Zhang the Second’s wife away, the three sat cross-legged on the warm kang, chatting and sipping some spirits while outside the wind roared.

"Wow, I was worried you old men wouldn’t have dinner, turns out you three are doing just fine."

Zhang the Second saw his mother come in and replied happily, "We’re celebrating. Haha... Who would’ve thought our Old Zhang family would be so thriving."

"Why didn’t I see your wife today?"

"She went to a friend’s place for a banquet, should be back soon."

Mother Zhang then remembered her daughter-in-law mentioned this to her a few days ago. Oh, was she really aging? But the ginseng pills gifted by Jiao Jiao have been consistently taken by her.

"Mom, you and my sister should have some to warm up."

Zhang Guofu looked at his father beside him, smiling, "Dad, how about giving this child a name?"

Mr. Zhang laughed in silence, shaking his head. At the great-grandson generation, it’s best he didn’t meddle. His youngest son mentioned it: don’t worry about scarcity, but rather about fairness.

Now he ensures to treat them equally, avoiding letting the younger ones feel he’s biased. Didn’t his in-law get criticized by three grandsons for extreme favoritism?

But how could children understand the heart of an elder? Both palms are made of flesh, wishing all five fingers were equally long.

Were it not for all the descendants being well-off, he might have asked his youngest to help. Old people don’t become muddled but their hearts soften.