Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 372 - 284: Secret Letter Between Father and Daughter

Chapter 372: Chapter 284: Secret Letter Between Father and Daughter

The next day, Jiao Jiao wrote a letter, sealed it inside a sweater. She solemnly handed it to Zhang Guoqing, watching him drive away.

In the letter, besides the usual greetings, there was a secret code agreed upon with her father. Jiao Jiao wondered whether her dad, Zhou Xiaozheng, was only sharing the good news, hiding any worries? Every letter from him claimed he was doing well, causing her mounting anxiety.

She had been observing for a while and found no strangers approaching her nor any suspicious individuals, which made her think: could they both be overthinking the situation?

All this time, could her dad have already found some clues from back then? Would the Gu Family’s issue affect her mom? At this moment, watching the car drive away, Jiao Jiao wished she could turn into a package sent to Beijing.

Even though the expenses were enormous this time, Jiao Jiao was happy. Of course, not just for these sea products, but more so hoping her dad, Zhou Xiaozheng, would see that she’s living well and wouldn’t have to constantly worry. More importantly, she hoped she could help her dad a bit. He had been away from the public eye for too long and should reconnect, improving interpersonal relationships.

At the Beijing Military District Courtyard, at the Zhou Family house, Zhou Xiaozheng got out of the car, holding a package, and directly entered the house.

The guards and driver behind him looked at the secretary, but saw him already beginning to carry the package into the Zhou residence—they exchanged smiles and hurried to follow with the package.

Lin Lishan was waiting at home right after work. Earlier, Mr. Lin had asked her to come over, but she declined, just to hear news from Jiao Jiao sooner.

Thinking of her mother at her parents’ home, Lin Lishan immediately pulled a long face.

Recently, her mother had wanted to invite relatives and friends to a banquet to celebrate the glorious return of her son and son-in-law. She claimed she would go to a grand restaurant to celebrate, but was severely reprimanded by Lin Lishan, which finally made her abandon the idea.

Celebrate what? It’s all fuss!

Has she had an easy time recently? Others might say she’s not fit to be a mother, but she feels she’s much better than her mother. How can a granny secretly use her granddaughter’s money?

She is still holding on to Jiao Jiao’s dowry, claiming that she wants to personally hand it over to Zhou Xiaozheng and his daughter to ensure nothing is lost to her daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Lin Lishan suspects her mom must have sold it again.

The sound of a car outside interrupted Lin Lishan’s thoughts. She immediately stood up, and when she saw Zhou Xiaozheng approaching quickly, she happily ran forward.

"Brother Zheng, you’re back? How come you’re late again? Did the train conductor say anything about Jiao Jiao? Is he Liu Ming? If he isn’t Liu Ming, then there’s big trouble. Xiao Wu wouldn’t have to rush to find someone. Next time don’t let the child send things over, it’s such a hassle. You said..."

Zhou Xiaozheng couldn’t get a word in edgewise to answer his wife’s string of questions, and said, "You take them to sort out the package first. Let’s talk later." Then he immediately entered the study, shutting the door behind him.

Lin Lishan glared at the door, mumbling to herself, "Really. How can this be? Jiao Jiao is not just your daughter. You secretly hide inside to be happy, and don’t let me read the letter. Stingy man, see if I let you see the letter next time I get one from Jiao Jiao? Just to tempt you."

Turning around, Lin Lishan saw the maid Aunt Chen, and said happily, "Aunt Chen, my daughter sent things over, please come and help. My Jiao Jiao is just silly. Even entrusted the train conductor to bring them home. How much can her dad and I eat? This child always thinks of her dad when she has something."

"That’s a filial child, you should be happy. Tell me how to sort it out, there’s quite a lot," Aunt Chen quickly stepped forward to take a look.

In the study, Zhou Xiaozheng sat on the chair looking at two sets of wool sweaters and pants, and a few pairs of wool socks, gently touching them. After a while, he took a letter out of the sweater.

At first glance, it was in Jiao Jiao’s handwriting, and Zhou Xiaozheng’s mouth curved into a smile. He contentedly scrutinized the handwriting, opened the letter, and found the secret code—it indeed showed she was worried about his safety.

The letter described no abnormalities on her side, and he exhaled a long breath. Continuing to read, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Zhou Xiaozheng never expected his own daughter to clearly instruct him that the Lin Family gave less, let her mom distribute them among the elders in the Big Courtyard. Regardless of their positions, she insisted her mom personally deliver them, and the rest let him take to the canteen for a free meal for everyone—she really thought of everything.

At the end of the letter, in formal script—Mom, I often hear grandpa mention that his old friends in the courtyard are all happy about dad’s return, please personally thank these elders for me, these are humble gifts as a token of appreciation.

Switching fonts in a letter, only his Jiao Jiao could do something like that.

The parts for her mom to see specifically—is she worried he wouldn’t follow her wishes? How could Zhou Xiaozheng, who fathered such a clever daughter, not understand these interpersonal matters? 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Zhou Xiaozheng once again carefully reviewed the letter. On the surface, there was not the slightest hint of anything unusual; the choice of words was very appropriate. He smiled and nodded, quickly folding the sweater, pants, and socks neatly on the desk.

After tidying up, he happily patted the top layer of the sweater, took the letter, and left the study.

"Shanshan, our Jiao Jiao sent a letter, come take a look first."

Lin Lishan quickly put down what she was holding and ran over to grab it, "I knew there’d be a letter. Did Jiao Jiao knit another sweater for you? This child must think my knitting skills are poor, afraid you’d lose face."

Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head, thinking to himself, luckily she has some self-awareness.

Lin Lishan quickly read the letter, and smiled, "As long as she’s doing well, I can rest easy. This child really likes to fuss, sending things from so far away must be so tiring! Brother Zheng, come and see what’s suitable for the elders?"

Having finished, she folded the letter and handed it to Zhou Xiaozheng, pulling him toward the kitchen.

Zhou Xiaozheng raised an eyebrow, glanced at the scattered packages in the living room. By now, the guards had left, only Aunt Chen was still organizing.

"Aunt Chen, later you can send some to Xiao Wang and the others, tell them there’s no need to come over today," Zhou Xiaozheng said, then followed his wife into the kitchen.

The Xiao Wang he mentioned was the guard. Later he’d be going out to visit his elders, not planning to take them along. He always felt constrained with a group of people following him everywhere. If it weren’t for the logistics department’s assignment, besides Aunt Chen, he would have gladly let them all go.

Aunt Chen chuckled and shook her head when she saw him already heading to the kitchen. It appeared Xiao Wang and the others would be unhappy again. Never had she seen such a carefree superior.

In the kitchen, Zhou Xiaozheng noticed there were still many live crabs. He raised an eyebrow and touched the wood shavings in the box, sniffing the seawater temperature within the shavings.

He chuckled contentedly, his Jiao Jiao truly was smart! Worth being his daughter.

"To see live crabs in the winter is rare enough. These are perfect for gifting! Give each elder three live crabs and two yellow croakers for them to taste. While everyone’s at home now, deliver them early. If they ask, just explain as per Jiao Jiao’s letter. I’ll handle the rest."

"Brother Zheng, what if in some homes both elders are still there, while others only have a lonely one. How should they be divided?" Lin Lishan looked at him eagerly, awaiting his guidance.

"Remember—Jiao Jiao said the gratitude is for grandpa’s mentioned elders, not grandma’s."

After watching his wife happily carrying the basket out, Zhou Xiaozheng chuckled softly and shook his head.

He began packing things himself. Since the elders in the big courtyard were receiving, those who had looked after him should definitely receive some. Especially that elderly man, he had to be the first. It wasn’t about the value of the items, but sincerity.

As for rumors? His daughter went to such lengths to send gifts to the elders from afar, who dared say he was ungrateful? Better to maintain unity!

Driving alone, Zhou Xiaozheng delivered gifts to a round of homes, returning with a wide smile.

Did his Jiao Jiao still want to keep a low profile? Previously, when her grandparents’ old acquaintances heard he had a daughter like an old friend, they all urged him to bring the child to Beijing. Especially now?