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

Chapter 1124: Chapter 997: Around the New Year (Part 1)

Not mentioning everyone’s individual thoughts, these tactics have long been mastered by the Ping’an Brothers, used with ease and familiarity.

After a nap, facing everyone again, the trio seemed as usual, without any changes.

If it weren’t for the returning Xiao Wang and Xiao Zheng standing there upright.

Perhaps everyone would really think they had just had a dream.

But some things have silently changed, like Huang Cuilan now facing the Ping’an brothers, she would force out a smile anyway.

As Liu Yi said, this is what is meant by being given face but not appreciating it!

But this also works, as the brothers said, as long as things calm down, no need to go on about their second grandfather coming forward, or retiring...

Wasn’t it that simple, just a few days ago Wu Yi had secretly considered whether to append a bullet as a warning before leaving.

When Zhao Chuan Guang came with a car full of supplies, hearing this farce, he nodded approvingly at the children and said with a smile: Long overdue.

Zhao Dashan was even more interesting. Upon hearing the news and arriving, he patted Mr. Zhang on the shoulder: One generation surpasses the previous one, we can now rest assured in our old age. Implying they shouldn’t meddle too much now that they’re old.

People are strange like that. If Zhang Guoqing had personally stepped in, Uncle Zhang, including Mr. Zhang, would have thought the child had forgotten his roots.

But it was precisely the Ping’an brothers, who left them speechless.

These trivial matters don’t affect the mood of the Ping’an brothers. The trio would take a car around town each day before visiting other households, living quite comfortably.

Early on New Year’s Eve, Huang Xiaomi and her sister came together to Zhang Family Village, bringing a lot of things. Besides fine grains and snacks, there were three sets of new cotton-padded jackets and pants.

In their words, it’s much colder here than in Beijing.

Touching the army green cotton jacket, it’s impossible not to be moved. Maybe they remember the parents’ past help, but to still keep it in mind all these years is rare.

This winter wasn’t cold at all, even with snow up to the knees and the northern wind cutting the face, with Huang Hui Min as their grandmother, Zhao Yuanyuan as their aunt, and the sisters...

These layers of new clothes and pants made the Ping’an brothers feel warmth.

By midday, Lin Juhua took out three wool sweaters, and the brothers couldn’t help but smile together.

Lin Juhua jokingly said: "What? Feeling disdain?"

Wu Yi hurriedly waved his hand, "How could we? We get to wear new clothes made by you, Second Auntie, every year for the new year. Do Brother Shitou and the others have this?"

"Yes, everyone gets one."

"Thank you, Second Auntie."

Lin Juhua shook her head with a smile: "What’s to thank? I’m going to help out at the old yard, you should go early to keep your grandparents company."

Once everyone left, Liu Yi thoughtfully felt the sweater, "In a few days when I go to the provincial city, I’ll take care of Shi Tou’s matters too. He needs some movement."

Wu Yi frowned slightly, "Can’t a grown man take care of his own future? Better arrange it for Second Sister. She should be seventeen, right? Arrange a good job, so she can help Second Uncle like Aunt does."

"Alright, where do you want her to go?"

"We’ll see what she thinks first."

Ping’an chuckled without commenting.

Even though the younger brother is only eight, they have keen eyes. Why not mention Mai Miao and Yaya, it’s because it was Mai Sui who washed their clothes and tidied up the house each time they returned home.

Helping others depends on their character. They don’t want to face ungrateful ingrates anymore.

Is Shitou good? He really treats the brothers well.

But boys and girls are different; without long-term hardening, no matter how much they’re pushed, they won’t come of age.

Just like cousins Zhang Mingyou and Zhang Ziwu.

Compared to comrades who enlisted together that winter, they didn’t go to the Northwest Border, nor to the far south, but were lucky to guard close to home, just a few days’ journey north.

But the result? With their second grandfather’s protection, such family advantages, they still chose to leave the military. So, when pushing someone to progress, you must look at who it is.

Speak of Cao Cao, and he arrives.

Before even eating New Year’s Eve dumplings, Zhang Mingyou, the third child of Eldest Zhang’s family, stumbled back to Zhang Family Village with his luggage against the big northern wind, stepping on snow.

Perhaps there is truly a heartstring between mother and son. Huang Cuilan, who was making dumplings in the kitchen, hurried to the courtyard upon seeing her son and burst into tears.

He indeed looked thinner. Being in a disarray is natural after walking for several hours. But what’s startling for the soldier Zhang Mingyou was actually shedding tears.

Scaring the always believing manliness should bleed but not shed tears, Brother Liu Yi, the two brothers glanced at each other and quickly withdrew to the main room. No amount of fireworks could attract them.

Mr. Zhang cleared his throat, "Just you, where’s Ziwu?"

Zhang Mingyou wiped his tears and grinned, "Grandpa, I missed you all terribly. He wasn’t in the same unit as me, he’ll probably be back in a few days too."

In the warm spring weather of the main room, Zhang Mingyou, now changed into a new set of clothes, was gulping down dumplings, making Huang Cuilan cry again, and Mother Zhang felt tender-hearted.

Ping’an vaguely remembered every time he returned from the barracks during school holidays, his mother would greet him at the door, eyes worried yet with a wide smile.

Perhaps, behind it all, she too shed tears and, like grandmother, worried day and night, but chose to hold on, chose to face it...

Thinking of family far away, Ping’an felt somewhat melancholic. He wondered if the telegram sent yesterday had reached them, and if the items sent had been placed on the table.

"Are you not leaving this time?"

Zhang Mingyou looked at Mother Zhang, nodded, and then, as if explaining, said: "I see I can’t join the Party, can’t even get promoted to a squad leader, it’s better to retire early."

Ping’an couldn’t tolerate this reasoning, sharply retorting: "It looks like it’s not allowed to retire this year."

Zhang Mingyou gave him a surprised look and chuckled: "Is this Ping’an? You’ve really grown. I’m just a common soldier, no additional requirements from above."

This explanation is better left unsaid. In September, a notice was issued for all military districts to enter Level 1 combat readiness.

What does Level 1 combat readiness entail? It means halting all construction and training, resting at the station, with the entire regiment on Level 1 combat readiness, allowing no leave, no outings, no home visits. Especially in a quasi-war state, guns stay at your side, bullets in the chamber, sleeping without undressing. Ready to go to the battlefield at a moment’s notice.

And you say there aren’t additional requirements above?

Who are you trying to fool?

Ping’an didn’t argue further, giving him a deep glance.

Despite new recruits boasting about "protecting the country" and "liberating all mankind," they’d likely get cramps at the mention of actual war. He had seen this type, with faces stern seemingly with murderous aura, but they were not playing cool; they were scared witless.