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

Chapter 1080 - 953: Entering a New Era

The shrill sound of the phone ringing interrupted Zhou Jiao’s moment of reflection, and shortly after she stood up and left the room, Aunt Chen’s voice came from downstairs asking her to answer the phone.Entering a new era, besides the children gradually growing up, what else evokes Zhou Jiao’s sentiments?

It’s her father Zhou Xiaozheng being promoted to member of the Standing Committee.

Even if her father often jokes that he’s just a mute during meetings...

——more and more familiar faces are looking to socialize with her.

The weekend wasn’t spared as several calls came through, with some engagements unavoidable, thanks to Zhang Guoqing who’s handling them up front.

"The director is looking for you."

Zhou Jiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, quickening her pace. She was tired of unfamiliar people rambling on the phone about insignificant topics; if it weren’t for her family’s safety...

She would have quit long ago!

"Dad, it’s me."

"Hmm, I’ll be going out shortly. Tell your mom to stay home and spend more time with you guys, wait until I return."

Zhou Jiao frowned slightly, "Is Secretary Chen coming to pick up luggage?"

"I’m in a rush, there’s change of clothes in the car."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao tightly gripped the phone, took a deep breath, "Okay, Dad, take care of your health while you’re out, wait for your return."

"Hmm, I’ll bring you some lotus powder when I get back."

With that, the call had ended, leaving Zhou Jiao weakly slumped in her chair as the "beep beep" sound echoed.

In just a few words, the father and daughter had already discussed the nature and location of this trip.

Lotus powder? It’s not just a specialty of Jiangnan; the last time Zhou Jiao went to Jiang City she brought back plenty, Zhou Xiaozheng even jokingly suggested Jiang City be renamed Lotus Seed City.

Putting the receiver down, Zhou Jiao rubbed her face hard, exhaled, clenched her fists and left the study.

Upon hearing the noise, Aunt Chen emerged from the kitchen, wiped her hands dry on her apron, "Jiao Jiao, will the director be back for dinner tonight?"

Zhou Jiao smiled and shook her head, "He’s gone to the grassroots again."

"I figured once the phone rings, he’s probably not coming back. Do you have anything you want to eat tonight?"

Zhou Jiao couldn’t be bothered with food preferences, casually mentioned a dish name, and then picked up a newspaper.

Is it dangerous for her dad to go out?

She’s not worried about her dad’s safety; there are so many people guarding him, not to mention his proficient skills.

What she fears is that Beijing will be unsettled again.

No wonder they say there are no true allies in the world; alliances are formed for mutual interest.

A business trip? Leaving is good, staying far away prevents her dad from being dragged into the whirlpool.

Thinking this, Zhou Jiao felt more at ease. She just needed to guard the home and quietly wait for her dad to return safely; what does the rise and fall of others have to do with her family?

If those people learned from Mr. Yi and others, where comes the defeat, where comes the sudden destruction?

This year seventy-one, just stepping into a new era not long ago, looking like waves are about to rise again.

"...I should go to the service station to check if there’s any pork rind. Last night May 1st said he wanted pork jelly; if there are bones, should I get some?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao returned to her senses and shook her head, "Too tired, don’t indulge the kids. Today is the weekend; everywhere is crowded, very packed."

"No worries, you’re home, in the afternoon I’ll take the chance to go for a walk, see if the service station has any new goods arriving in the past days. Luckily we’re in the Big Courtyard, in the city though..."

Aunt Chen’s unfinished words were understood by Zhou Jiao.

During weekends, the city lacks bustling streets but has plenty of crowded department stores, with people jostling about, loudspeakers continuously playing red songs.

Usually, interspersed with broadcasts of new *** products arrivals, what ** deals are on the first floor, *** products are limited per person, *** products sold without tickets...

Nowadays, everything centered around the political movement, naturally letting impractical voices take precedence over the main theme. Therefore, it’s common to see long queues forming before dawn, even before the stores open.

Sometimes there’s nothing for sale inside, yet "unknowing" crowds line up outside. Once the stores open, they realize there’s nothing to buy, and disperse.

The weekend crowding, aside from certain reasons causing shortages again, is also due to intensified crackdowns on black market speculators.

Currently, everything is strictly scrutinized, not just grain and oil management, but class struggle is also inevitable.

Thus, opening a topic with a quotation is essential; otherwise, even if you queue and find desired goods, you can’t buy them. Of course, you can’t shop in bulk either, or there’ll always be "kind-hearted people" approaching you to inquire about your background and work unit.

This notion, Zhou Jiao understood clearly, so unless necessary, she usually avoids department stores. Some of the large package of tickets she has are close to expiration and have already been exchanged with people; there is no rush.

"Luckily, prices haven’t increased." Aunt Chen rummaged through the subsidiary food supply book and tickets, smiling with relief, "Is there anything else that needs buying at home? I can bring it back along the way."

Zhou Jiao amusingly shook her head, "If the queue is too long, come back first; I’ll go check the city in a few days, just make do for now."

There was another sentence she didn’t say. That’s buying too much and storing them is useless, and she can’t stash them in her space as they spoil over time.

What’s good about this era?

It’s that there’s no inflation rate. Apart from newly introduced types of tickets later, the prices of daily necessities have remained stable and unchanged for a decade.

For example, buying a stick of deep-fried dough costs just three cents plus half a liang of grain tickets, one sesame cake is four cents plus a liang of grain tickets, buying a block of tofu is two cents plus one tofu ticket.

At the grain management office, early rice costs thirteen-fourteen cents a jin; late rice is pricier. Of course, the supply quantity has experienced fluctuations.

Aunt Chen waved her hand and said, "Got it, it’s only exhausting to queue, and I can conveniently listen to the gossip. Our family’s Liu Yi and May 1st love to listen."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao immediately chuckled silently. Even Aunt Chen was influenced by the kids!

"I’m off, you take care not to read the newspaper too much, go upstairs to rest."

"Okay, be careful, if you find old friends to chat with, play a while longer, I’ll prepare dinner."

Aunt Chen waved her hand, picked up the basket, and walked briskly outside. Preparing for her? Better forget it, this girl has already used up all the oil at home.

"Heading to the service club? Let’s go together."

Not far from the gate, a slim middle-aged woman carrying a basket waved.

Annoyance flashed in Aunt Chen’s eyes but soon she looked at the approaching opposite party, smiling, "Ah, such a coincidence, are you going to buy something, big sis?"

The opposite party glanced behind her, drooped her shoulders, and weakly complained in a low voice, "Isn’t it just the little masters and mistresses wanting meat, vegetables, and soda. You tell me, it’s not early anymore, where could there be any meat?"

This was a tough answer for Aunt Chen. As a maid, she’s supposed to serve the director’s family, or why else would they hire you every month?