Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 304

Chapter 304: Chapter 233:

Zhang Ziwen touched the ticket and looked at his two younger brothers expectantly watching him. He thought for a moment and said, "We have to talk to Mother first before we can use it. Once Mother agrees, I’ll take you to eat buns tomorrow morning."

Zhang Guoqing watched them cheerfully jumping around. He left the room, walked slowly to the kitchen, and immediately saw the corn cakes his sister had prepared, sighing.

Zhang Meili saw her brother and happily pulled him over, "Sit down quickly. Mother said Uncle Zhou and the others will leave tomorrow. You should sit for a while, then go back to see if there’s anything you can help with. Mother will stay here with me, and we’ll chat."

Zhang Guoqing swallowed back his words, finally remembering the warm house, "Sister, how’s the preparation for the warm house coming along?"

"There’s nothing to prepare, let’s talk about it next week."

Zhang Guoqing looked around and asked her suspiciously, "Where’s your coal stove?"

Zhang Meili glared at him, "We have firewood to burn; why buy coal? I moved it to the new courtyard’s warehouse. We couldn’t burn it in the hallway before because there was no place to store firewood. Now we can burn it on the first floor. Why would I be silly enough to buy coal?"

"What about your supply vouchers for this half year? How much did you get?" Zhang Guoqing asked with a frown.

Zhang Meili shook her head, "I gave them all to Mei Hao, it’s not much. Depending on that is not enough. Firewood is better as it doesn’t cost money. Do you need tickets? I’ll ask around later to see if anyone has some we can use first."

Suddenly, Zhang Meili’s eyes widened, and she shouted, "Wait a minute, I just saw lots of coal piled up at your place. What are you planning?"

Zhang Guoqing looked at his mother and laughed, "Mom, look at big sister’s face. Don’t worry, I’m not up to anything, just asking."

"Don’t think about helping me out. Big sister has money, just afraid of wasting it." Zhang Meili looked at him suspiciously.

Zhang Guoqing was defeated by her attitude, "Alright... I know, you have money. We’re siblings, what’s there we can’t talk about? Don’t worry. Sister, buy the ingredients for the banquet a little later, I’ll prepare a few dishes for you. Ah, don’t get mad, I’m going to the mountains to catch some wild chickens and rabbits."

Zhang Guoqing thought to himself about preparing a few dishes, figuring it would be enough, and quickly said, "You need to prepare the vegetables yourself. I’ll take care of the meat and fish, don’t compete with me. I’ll catch them in the mountains myself; it won’t cost a thing. Really, ask Mother, Daqing Mountain is like our backyard."

Mother Zhang and her daughter laughed heartily, "Little Wu, you talk big. Alright, don’t worry about it, big sister has it all arranged. Just show up that day."

Zhang Ziwen brought his younger brothers, hiding far away to watch the scene.

As soon as they heard their mom laugh, they came in with money in their hands and approached her, "Mom, it’s a reward from Uncle, he praised my good studies."

Zhang Guoqing checked his watch, it was getting late, "Mom, let’s head back, they’re probably waiting for us to go out for dinner together. Sister, don’t prepare anything, we’ll head back first."

Saying this, Zhang Guoqing led Mother Zhang out.

Mother Zhang turned and called to Zhang Meili, "I’ll come see you in a few days, think about what else you need. I’ll ask your dad to bring it over. Don’t see us off, just prepare dinner early for the kids."

Saying goodbye to Zhang Meili, Mother Zhang pulled him along, walking briskly home.

Zhang Guoqing supported her, quickly saying, "Mom, don’t rush, it’s close. Talk to big sister privately, I’m not in a rush for those hundreds. They won’t grow smaller at home. I noticed that Ziwen and the others’ quilts are thin and narrow, and their clothes are light. They have bought a house without even eating buns. Let her focus on the kids first, don’t shortchange them."

Mother Zhang heard this and felt stifled, looking at the passersby wearing patched clothes, their faces not much better, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at her son in brand new clothes, his complexion rosy, he really could be mistaken for a city person. It dawned on her that he was comparing their family to others.

"Alright, I get it. Your sister’s doing okay, she’s just buying a house and paying off debts, not struggling with living expenses. You should take care not to give too much money. Other than helping out, don’t offer without being asked. Among your four older siblings, if you started supporting them, it’s a bottomless pit. I saw you gave quite a sum today, how much are you earning in a month at your job? Save something for our Ping’an later."

Zhang Guoqing nodded, understanding her intention.