Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 323 - 250: Farewell

Zhou Xiaozheng and the other two strolled towards the guesthouse. Before they reached the lobby, a server hurriedly came forward and led them to the county canteen’s private room.

In the private room, two full tables were set up. Li Aiguo, accompanied by Zuo Lin, Zhao Dashan, and others, were chatting with the elderly gentlemen. Seeing the three come in, they quickly ordered for the dishes to be served.

Mr. Cheng and the others hurriedly called for them to stop when they saw the dishes coming up one after another.

Li Aiguo quickly signaled the staff to leave, and said to the two elder gentlemen, "That’s it, just this much. Rest assured, chiefs. We chipped in ourselves, so it doesn’t put any strain on public funds."

Zhou Xiaozheng gave Zhang Guoqing a look, and seeing him nod in understanding, he slightly nodded to the two elder gentlemen, "Let’s eat first. Everyone must be hungry."

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhou Xiaozheng slightly curled his lips, handling the toasts from everyone. He was secretly worried, it was almost two o’clock, and he still wished to spend some quality time with his daughter before leaving. He also needed to meet with the old chiefs in the provincial city; time was pressing. Seeing his son-in-law step out for a moment and come back in, nodding at him, he immediately stood up and proposed to leave.

The staff whispered a few words to Li Aiguo before leaving the room.

Li Aiguo immediately complained to Zhang Guoqing, "Xiao Wu, I have to scold you. What’s the rush? Are you worried I can’t pay for this meal? If you do this again, we’ll just turn around and leave when we see you."

Zhang Guoqing clasped his hands in apology with a smile, "I apologize to you, uncles. I’m the youngest here, so I should treat everyone. I’ll cover this meal, and from now on, I’ll have the excuse to visit each of your houses for meals. You better not shut the door on me."

As he finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter.

Li Aiguo and the others understood; the old gentlemen were upright in conduct. They probably hadn’t planned on letting them host, hence Zhang Guoqing’s intervention.

Declining the invitations to stay from Li Aiguo and others, Zhou Xiaozheng took the group back to the small courtyard.

With a whoosh, a group of people entered the courtyard.

Zhou Xiaozheng quickly led the way to the main house. Before reaching the living room, he saw Jiao Jiao standing there with a bright smile. Thinking about leaving soon, he couldn’t help but feel his eyes welling up.

Jiao Jiao nodded to the people behind him, greeting them. She took Zhou Xiaozheng’s arm, pulling him back to the bedroom.

She personally handed him a cup of honey water, "Dad, drink this first to ease the drink. Our father-daughter duo doesn’t feel sad. This parting is for a better reunion next time.

We don’t have to wait until the end of the year. As soon as I finish my exams, I’ll immediately buy a ticket home with Uncle Guang’s help. We can visit grandma and grandpa to make them happy. You should be careful in Beijing on your own, and remember to eat well and keep warm. Don’t bottle up your worries, write to your little ’cotton jacket’ and talk about it. We both should take care of ourselves.

If it’s troublesome there, come back to the Northeast, and I’ll apply to a university in the provincial city. Don’t stay in Beijing for my sake. Your safety is more important than anything."

Zhou Xiaozheng looked at his daughter squatting before him, gently stroking her hair, and earnestly promised, "Dad will be fine! Waiting for you to come home. Our father and daughter duo will both be fine."

After a pause, he couldn’t help but instruct her, "You also need to be safe here. If you encounter difficulties, send a telegram to Dad, and I’ll solve them for you. If you run into danger, flee to Beijing, and Dad will pick you up. Don’t wrong yourself in life, live how you like. If you don’t want to deal with others, then don’t. If you don’t want to smile, then don’t smile. It’s okay if you’re willful, Dad has got your back. Even if you poke a hole in the sky, Dad is still behind you." Thinking about how sensible and well-behaved his daughter is, he couldn’t continue.

Zhou Xiaozheng looked up at the ceiling and closed his eyes. After a moment, he looked down at Jiao Jiao resting on his knee, gently patting her back.

For a while, the father and daughter remained silent.

Jiao Jiao calmed her emotions, discreetly wiping her tears. She looked up, smiling at him, "Dad, I have a gift for you. You’ll definitely like it. Let me show you."

Zhou Xiaozheng watched as she ran to the wardrobe and brought out a set of clothes. He immediately knew she had rushed to finish it in secret. He suddenly felt angry but, seeing her smiling face, he sighed inside.

Jiao Jiao tried to create a cheerful atmosphere, deliberately raising her chin proudly, "Dad, don’t be mad. I didn’t tire myself out, did a bit each day, just finished in time. Try it on, my dad is absolutely this."

Zhou Xiaozheng swatted away her thumbs and proudly said, "Even in a burlap sack, your dad would look the best." As he said this, he put on the coat, feasting his eyes on it before carefully wrapping it back and putting it in the suitcase.

"Dad, don’t be reluctant to wear it. Wear it when you’re not working. From now on, your little ’cotton jacket’ will handle all your clothes. Making clothes is too easy for your daughter. Just a few snips with the scissors, and it’s done."

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded repeatedly, looking around the room holding the suitcase, casting a longing glance before looking at her, "Let’s go before your aunties have to wait any longer."

As soon as Zhou Xiaozheng and his daughter came out, they saw Zhang Guoqing waiting in the study.

Thinking about how he couldn’t bring back his Jiao Jiao because of him, Zhou Xiaozheng rolled his eyes at him, warning him sternly, "You better take good care of Jiao Jiao. If I know you made her cry, I’ll take her far away, and you’ll never see her again."

Zhang Guoqing could only nod helplessly, listening to his rant while agreeing with him.

After more than ten minutes, seeing Zhang Guoqing’s attitude was decent, Zhou Xiaozheng relaxed a bit and didn’t forget to praise him, "Dad knows you’re a good kid, so I trust you with Jiao Jiao. If she makes a mistake, tell Dad, and I’ll educate her. You must not raise a hand, a man who hits a woman isn’t a man. My Jiao Jiao has you in her heart, so treat her well."

Jiao Jiao hurriedly pulled her dad out, saying that after ten minutes, her dad was probably thirsty. Oh, she didn’t expect her dad to recite the tight sutra so extensively.

Zhang Guoqing giggled quietly behind, carrying the suitcase. His father-in-law was really interesting; not just anyone would dare to marry his daughter. Thinking about the instructions given all day today, it seems it really is necessary to find a good aunt.

Everyone in the living room burst into laughter when they saw them coming out. Zhou Xiaozheng moved slowly, not forgetting to bend down to instruct Jiao Jiao. Meanwhile, Jiao Jiao nodded repeatedly like a pecking chicken. Zhang Guoqing, smiling all over, slowly followed behind carrying the bag. Were the three of them walking?

Zhao Chuan Guang came up and pulled him, "Finally, we’ve been waiting for you to come out. Have you finished instructing? You can rest assured going back. Brother promises not to let our Jiao Jiao lose a strand of hair. You can wait at home with peace of mind. I’ll arrange everything. We’ll buy tickets and send them off before the end of the year."

Zhou Xiaozheng gratefully patted him, pondering whether there was a chance to take time off to come and pick them up.

Mr. Cheng, seeing they were all out, stood up and said, "It’s getting late, let’s all go. You’ll see each other again at the end of the year, when you father and daughter can talk properly."

Jiao Jiao held her dad’s hand, letting go only when they reached the car, smiling as she watched the car start. As the car quickly disappeared from view, her tears finally flowed uncontrollably.

Zhang Guoqing quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe them, joking, "Careful, if your dad turns back and sees you crying, hugging you and bawling, insisting on taking you back."

Mr. Zhang shook his head at his eldest daughter who was about to speak, gesturing inside, hurriedly taking his wife and others in. The matters of the young couple are best left for them to resolve themselves.

Seeing her eyes still filled with tears, Zhang Guoqing comforted her, "Be good, don’t cry. Shall I take you to the market?"

Jiao Jiao smiled through tears, rolled her eyes at him, and said softly, "There’s no car now, I won’t walk that far. All right, I’m fine. Let’s go inside."

Next, she would begin to live well and wait for the next reunion.