Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 324 - 251: The Cheng Family Welcomes at the Airport

Beijing Military Airport, inside the departure lounge, two couples in their thirties, accompanied by several children, were waiting anxiously. As the time approached, they kept glancing at their watches. Since receiving the call from Cheng Family’s eldest, Cheng Sijin, the siblings had been planning to personally greet their elder cousin’s return.

The tall woman dressed in Lenin attire, whose features resembled Old Mrs. Cheng, was Cheng Ruzhu. She was sharing the hardships her parents faced while searching for the elder cousin. Once she finished telling her story, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders, and she exchanged a relieved smile with her second brother, Cheng Siyu.

Cheng Family’s second daughter-in-law, Li Xiulan, was smiling joyfully, secretly delighted in her heart. Every year, there were some days in the Cheng Family, especially after her mother-in-law returned from Qingming Festival worship, when the whole family’s atmosphere became melancholy. She sensed there was a story within. She hadn’t expected that there was a missing child involved. Her parents-in-law had secretly been searching all along for this lost child. No wonder she always felt that the Cheng Family, especially her mother-in-law, showed special love towards children.

But now, it’s all good, they have finally found him. Recalling her husband’s excitement as he hugged her and spun around after receiving the phone call, she realized how important this person was to the Cheng Family.

Cheng Siyu said cheerfully to his sister with pride, "Little sister, from now on you have to call me Third Brother. Don’t purposely be mischievous and keep calling me Second Brother or Little Second Brother."

"Alright, I’ll call you Little Brother then, okay? Brother, how could Zhou Xiaozheng turn out to be our eldest brother? I always thought that the offspring of Aunt and Uncle would have to be a scholar. Oh my, thinking that I actually have a brother who happens to be Zhou Xiaozheng. Hehe..."

Cheng Ruzhu’s husband, Wen Congwen, looked at his wife with doting eyes, amused by her child-like mischief, and smiled slightly. Ever since receiving the news, his wife was so excited that she pulled him through the night, continuously recounting the stories of the other party. Even now, the illusion of her murmuring remained in his ears.

He really admired his father-in-law and mother-in-law for their integrity. Decades had passed, yet they kept searching covertly, finding someone based on just a hint. They even disregarded their frail health and traveled to the Northeast just after being discharged from the hospital. Such emotional and righteous old couple, worthy of his lifelong respect.

As for Zhou Xiaozheng, he didn’t know him personally, only through his wife’s accounts. Accompanying her here was courteous; more so, it was out of curiosity to meet the only living descendant of Mr. Yu.

Every era has individuals who lead the pack. Mr. Yu, he was a tragic figure of his time. From the Daqing Dynasty to the Republic era, there were many accomplished scholars in strategy, review, classical poetry, lyrics, and even vast epics, but none could compare to Mr. Yu. It was especially regrettable that Mr. Yu, who emulated both Eastern and Western cultures and was proficient in various international literatures and languages.

This brilliant star dimmed in youth. Apart from a few anonymously circulated works, all his writings, paintings, and poetry were completely destroyed by the Eight-Nation Alliance. Undoubtedly, this remains a source of regret and sorrow for the literati.

With the sound of planes roaring overhead, the group quickly ran outside, eagerly waiting for the plane to land as Mr. Cheng and the others disembarked.

Spotting Zhou Xiaozheng among the crowd, Cheng Siyu and his siblings shouted loudly, "Welcome home, eldest brother."—The siblings rushed forward to embrace Zhou Xiaozheng, together with Cheng Family’s eldest, Cheng Sijin, and the four of them held each other tightly.

Old Mrs. Cheng, tears streaming down her face, stepped forward and lightly patted them. Mr. Cheng and the airport staff watched this scene, moved. Someone started clapping, and applause filled the scene.

Mr. Cheng quickly wiped his eyes with his hand, looked up with a broad smile, and shouted loudly, "Alright. Let’s discuss further at home without wasting any more time."

Several cars formed a line heading toward the Big Courtyard. In one car, Zhou Xiaozheng sat with the three siblings of the Cheng Family. Cheng Ruzhu exaggeratedly gesticulated, narrating continuously, as Zhou Xiaozheng nodded with a smile.

Having just recuperated from the pain of separation, he was instantly overwhelmed by the enthusiastic welcome of his brother and sister. His emotions were mixed. He now eagerly wished for his own Jiao Jiao to be by his side so she could truly feel—actually, they, father and daughter, still have relatives, and the Zhou Family still has someone who cares about them. He no longer felt alone.

In Mr. Lin’s car, Xiao Zhou was driving, and only Mr. Lin and Lin Lishan were in the back seat. At that moment, seeing that no one else was around, Mr. Lin looked at his elder daughter, secretly worrying. These past few days, he had been restless day and night, with time passing slowly. But looking at his silly daughter, who remained cheerful despite such significant events unfolding, he couldn’t understand what was amiss.

"Shanshan, after Zhou Xiaozheng learned about his heritage, did he treat you differently? Did they, father and daughter, ever discuss your uncle’s family matters with you privately? Did Jiao Jiao ever instruct you to do anything privately? You should have stayed there this time, waiting for Ping’an’s full month celebration before coming back. A woman’s family is more important than work-related matters," Mr. Lin asked her worriedly in a low voice.

Lin Lishan widened her eyes in surprise upon hearing this, saying, "Dad, you’ve been tiptoeing around talking these past two days. Is it just for this?"

Seeing her father nod, she burst into laughter. After a while, she comforted the anxious Mr. Lin, saying, "Dad, don’t worry. I’m not silly. An uncle is an uncle, I am myself—I carry the Lin surname. You know Brother Zheng’s character, don’t you? He wouldn’t take it out on me.

Jiao Jiao is very fond of me. It’s not that I didn’t think about staying—Old Mrs. Cheng had intended for me to stay. Even before she could say a word, Jiao Jiao found a multitude of reasons for me to return to Beijing, holding me back. Later, whenever I mentioned in front of others that I wanted to stay, she would give me signals and find more excuses, especially not letting me mention it in front of her father.

Just before leaving today, I mentioned again wanting to stay. Directly in front of her dad, she said she was worried about her dad. She wanted me to follow her dad back, to assert sovereignty.

Hehe, this girl feared someone would be eyeing her dad. She said if moving happened without a female owner present, gossip might spread, having a negative impact. She insisted on following her dad home. You know how much Brother Zheng dotes on her. He nodded right after hearing it, agreeing that Jiao Jiao made sense. They, father and daughter, didn’t celebrate any full-month or birthday customs, yet they’re doing just fine."

After finishing, she paused to observe him, and then continued, "Jiao Jiao wouldn’t privately instruct me anything. She never even mentioned my uncle’s family, let alone my mom. Her nature is just like her dad’s; better not provoke her, or she’ll act as if people don’t exist.

You should talk to my mom, to keep my uncle and his people from poking around unnecessarily. Dad, I’m not stupid. My mom, well, since she pretends to be unaware, then don’t ask her about it. Brother Zheng and Jiao Jiao must have thought of it. But they, father and daughter, never mentioned it to me. Let’s just assume she’s unaware. Talking too much would just cause trouble."

Xiao Zhou drove the car; it wasn’t like he wanted to eavesdrop, but the duo didn’t keep their voices down, leaving him no choice. Throughout this journey, nobody was more informed than him about the truth of the matter. He agreed with Lin Lishan’s view: it’s best not to poke around unnecessarily. Who would care? If anyone should take advantage and sell it for a gain, thinking of benefits, they’d probably get harshly dealt with.

No need to mention others, just Zhou Jiao is something he is somewhat aware of—she’s especially protective. Anyone provoking Zhou Xiaozheng into discomfort will get handled by year-end when they return to Beijing. Zhou Xiaozheng may consider his wife but Zhou Jiao is merciless, not to mention Gu Family had a side branch that was her mortal enemy, perhaps sharpening knives already. Moving forward would be seeking destruction.

Mr. Lin looked at his daughter but felt even more anxious, yet some words he couldn’t share with her. During these past days, he had been attempting to recall the first meeting with Old Man Zhou and his wife, back when he had just learned of Zhou Xiaozheng and his son’s sacrifice, neglecting many things. But thinking now, perhaps both sides knew. No wonder his wife advised him to let them take the child away.

Reflecting further on his wife’s suspicious nature, she likely had doubts upon noticing Zhou Xiaozheng’s similar appearance about the truth, suspecting maybe she already knew all along. If she already knew, yet doesn’t acknowledge this relative externally, then there must be unresolved matters within the Gu Family.

Shanshan is not foolish; she has figured this much. Could it be that Zhou Xiaozheng and his clever daughter hadn’t considered this? Yet absolutely wouldn’t mention it. How could they, father and daughter, address it upfront with her? Just these past two days, father and daughter frequently conducted private discussions; there might be more elements he hasn’t noticed. Why did Jiao Jiao want her mom to accompany her dad, even agreeing to return to Beijing by year-end?