Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 486

Chapter 486: Chapter 372: Volunteer Work

With the increasingly frequent letters from Zhou Xiaozheng, a new autumn finally arrived.

The azure sky, red maple trees, falling pine leaves, and white birch forests were all picture-perfect.

Zhou Jiao loved autumn.

Autumn is a season of harvest. The wild fruits spread across the mountains are especially delightful surprises.

Zhang Guoqing carried his son on his shoulders, standing by her side.

"Son, call Mom to go home."

"Mom..."

Zhou Jiao smiled brightly at the father and son, "Let’s go."

The autumn scenery is best savored slowly and carefully.

For Zhou Jiao’s words, the love-struck Zhang Guoqing gave up riding his bike and strolled with her from the county town to their old home.

Zhang Guoqing didn’t find the autumn scenery fascinating. To him, the most beautiful view was his wife’s radiant smile and his son’s laughter.

Before reaching home, Aunt Wang saw their family and quickly approached.

"Jiao Jiao, you’re back? I have good news. From now on, we won’t have to line up to collect food, nor cook daily. We can directly eat in the street communal dining hall."

Zhou Jiao looked at Zhang Guoqing incredulously and laughed, "Aunt, is this news accurate? Where is the communal dining hall on the street?"

Aunt Wang glanced around and whispered, "Absolutely true. Today, Aunt Wang’s daughter-in-law mentioned finding a place to convert into a dining hall. Starting soon, we won’t be allowed to cook at home. Remember to hide cured meat and such."

Zhou Jiao thanked the helpful Aunt Wang and watched her enter the courtyard, exchanging a knowing glance with her husband.

Earlier today, the Old Captain mentioned a reorganization, turning small communes into larger ones, and their Zhang Family Village became the Third Battalion. It seems the county town has already started taking action.

Returning to the living room, Zhou Jiao thought carefully; their own family had no issues, but Zhang the Second needed to move early. Lin Juhua and the two children weren’t suited for village life anymore. Moving back to the county town early, given Lin Juhua’s culinary skills, she might have an opportunity to help in the dining hall.

Zhang Guoqing also considered this. At this moment, he thought about Zhang the Second, currently on duty, and decided he needed to ring the bell. Regarding the parents and the eldest family’s situation, he’d have to consult his parents.

Arriving at the office, Zhang Guoqing chatted briefly with those on duty, and he and Zhang the Second went outside, seeking a secluded spot.

He explained the news he heard and his own thoughts in detail.

"Since food rations can’t be collected, you should not rely on the village’s surplus. What’s there to think about? I’ll move immediately."

After hearing, Zhang the Second swiftly decided to take a day off tomorrow and begin the move right away.

"That’s good, move early. I think you should discuss with Aunt Wang whether the second sister-in-law can help in the dining hall. As for the eldest brother, you should discuss with our parents."

"Since no rations will be distributed, will the eldest brother transfer his job?"

"No. The grain will still be sent to various street communal dining halls and workplace dining halls."

"This time, the three of us brothers moving to the county town truly leaves the courtyard behind, just as our parents suggested."

Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily at this, "Our parents should be happy, almost being left behind by us three brothers. The courtyard is nothing."

"Tomorrow you have work, and I need to go out too. If you see Mom and Dad, remember to explain to them. The second sister-in-law’s affair, leave it to Aunt Wang and me. I estimate the next few days I’ll also go to the street to write some large characters."

Zhang Guoqing patted her, "Let nature take its course. Go to bed early."

Through the night into the next day, both entered their busy work mode during daylight hours, occasionally visiting Zhang the Second’s house to check on Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang.

Zhou Jiao declined her mother-in-law’s offer to take care of their son. Having the child nearby, she could avoid joining in aimless wandering around the street.

It wasn’t until Thursday that she went with Aunt Wang to the street office and saw the legendary street communal dining hall.

Four rooms connected, a kitchen with several stoves. Nowadays, two of the tables inside the room already had some elderly people writing big characters on red paper, and quite a few were doing woodwork in the courtyard.

After greeting several elders, Zhou Jiao was assigned to work on posters outside the wall.

Among the old men praising young Zhou Jiao, there she stood outside a mysterious big courtyard, face full of smiles but feeling sad inside.

Silently sighed, efficiently pulling the cart from Aunt Wang’s hand, settled her son, and started happily working. She worked hard over two days exhausted, to ensure promptness and aesthetics, finally completing by the next afternoon.

"Jiao Jiao, what skillful work! Take a look, don’t the children on the murals resemble real ones? With this painting, the courtyard is truly magnificent."

"Clever layout, reasonable arrangement..."

"Indeed, it’s important to cherish food and prevent waste. This painting can be reported."

Hearing this, Zhou Jiao hastily stopped them. She was done being in the spotlight, having an extra skill is utterly exhausting. She would cry if the provincial newspaper asked for contributions again.

After speaking, Zhou Jiao had no more interest in further visits, hastily bidding farewell to several elderly people, carrying her son home. Tonight, she felt she needed a proper rest, otherwise her arms certainly wouldn’t lift tomorrow.