Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 381 - 291: Setting Out on the Journey

Zhou Jiao looked at Zhao Chuan Guang and Huang Hui Min outside the train window, feeling deeply moved.

This trip was meticulously arranged with great attention to detail. From the moment she boarded the soft-sleeper compartment, she knew that saying thank you was unnecessary; she would just keep it in her heart.

As the train slowly started, Zhou Jiao waved vigorously, shouting to the couple running quickly on the platform, "Wait for us to come back." Yes, wait for her family to return. They treated her as their own daughter, so she would show them filial respect.

Zhang Guoqing sighed, "Dad’s judgment is spot on! Godfather and godmother truly treat us as their children."

Yesterday noon, when they arrived at the military district’s family quarters, they were greeted by two adorable and clever younger brothers. The 15-year-old Zhao Liyang was steady and smart, while the 13-year-old Zhao Lihui was lively and cheerful. They warmly welcomed the newly arrived sister and her family of three.

Zhou Jiao genuinely liked the two brothers—they were generous, steady, and smart. Watching them happily accept the jade pendants, wearing them personally and cherishing them, she felt pleased.

She realized she didn’t feel any pang of regret over the grand gifts she gave away. She appreciated straightforwardness. Seeing them treat her without any reserve made her all the more satisfied.

"Yes. Last night, godmother took out a box of jewelry and pushed it into my hands, which scared me. Fortunately, her temperament is very much like mine. I said it wasn’t safe to carry them around. She simply said she’ll give them to me when I come back.

Hehe, I quite like her way of handling things. Her character is also very straightforward; her words carry no hidden meanings. The first time we met, maybe there were other intentions, but now she really treats me well."

Zhang Guoqing, seeing that his son was well-adjusted, felt reassured. Hearing Zhou Jiao talk about Huang Hui Min, he couldn’t help but laugh. What temperament is similar? They’re exactly alike.

His father-in-law always had a precise eye for people. Just as he said, Huang Hui Min and Jiao Jiao both disliked socializing with others. The two of them had a shared understanding, leaving a group of men behind to go shopping.

If it weren’t for their son, they probably wouldn’t have even come back for dinner. As Zhao’s older brother said—they’re like mother and daughter for sure.

"Where did you and godmother go shopping yesterday? Why didn’t you buy anything?" Zhang Guoqing asked curiously—he had been kicked out of the room last night, while they stayed with Ping’an. He hadn’t had a chance to ask.

"We didn’t plan to buy anything. Wasn’t it that after those four aunts came over, many women also arrived? Godmother sneaked a pinch on my hand, and we seized the chance to slip away.

She knows how to drive and took me to look for the Four Treasures of the Study, saying that last time when she visited our study, she saw that the ones we used were too shabby. She has good connections and writes beautiful calligraphy. Yesterday she paid for everything, and when I wanted to pay, she got angry.

Remember to remind me to bring her a gift when we come back. Later, she took me to Friendship Mall. Apart from fabric, there wasn’t much that caught our eye. The more you get to know her, the more you realize she’s quite childlike."

Zhang Guoqing listened as she spoke, his hands not idle. The temperature in the train carriage was high, and some food needed to be taken out. Besides Zhao Chuan Guang and his wife, four additional uncles and aunts also prepared a lot of things for this trip to the provincial city. Apparently, they were unaware of Zhao Chuan Guang’s arrangements, as they prepared a variety of food and other items.

The train continuously moved forward slowly, occasionally stopping at small stations along the way for other trains to pass. They passed through several stations, with some small stations having villagers selling local specialties by the windows. Perhaps the carriage they were in was somewhat special, as it was always kept at a distance and not permitted to come close.

Whenever Zhang Guoqing saw Zhou Jiao interested in the various snacks sold at stations, he would get off the train to the rear carriages to look for them. However, after being repeatedly asked by the enthusiastic staff to buy on behalf of others, he lost interest. He didn’t forget that he had come through the back door, so it was best not to add to others’ burdens.

As the year-end approached, the number of people boarding and alighting at each stop increased, appearing quite crowded. He noticed several carriages with people sitting on the floor, leaning against bamboo baskets to rest.

Reassuringly, there was an elder and child carriage. Along the way, it was common to see staff helping the elderly and those with children, assisting passengers with lots of luggage to get on and off.

The countryside outside the windows was all white and snowy, leaving little scenery to admire. Apart from staff, they saw no passengers in the carriage, but there was chatter coming from nearby carriages. For safety reasons, the couple didn’t overly engage with strangers. After dinner, they washed up and rested early.

Three days later, the train’s broadcast announced the approach to the station.

Zhang Guoqing and his wife breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t easy, but they finally arrived.

Hearing the cheers around them and thinking about meeting Zhou Xiaozheng soon, Zhou Jiao’s heart surged with excitement.

After arriving at the station, in the midst of winter, opening windows was not an option. Zhang Guoqing asked Zhou Jiao to stay in the carriage with the child while he disembarked to find people. Today, his father-in-law was certain to personally come over. With the train delayed by two hours, he was probably anxious.

As he got off the train, he immediately saw Zhou Xiaozheng and his wife, accompanied by a guard, waving at him.

"Where’s Jiao Jiao? Is everything alright on the train?" Zhou Xiaozheng asked as he approached and quickly boarded the carriage.

Zhang Guoqing repeatedly assured him that everything was fine. He knew his father-in-law’s attention was entirely focused on his beloved daughter. Seeing that Zhou Xiaozheng and his wife had already boarded, he himself, with the help of the guard, unloaded the luggage.

Zhou Xiaozheng immediately embraced his daughter as she rushed over, laughing heartily. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Soon, he realized his coat was cold as ice, afraid of the chill affecting her. He released Zhou Jiao, patted her head, and said with a smile, "Hurry home with Dad, it’s warm at home."

Lin Lishan watched with a laugh, shaking her head. She knew this father-daughter pair couldn’t get enough of each other. Leaving them, she rushed to the small bed and saw the child lying there obediently, with good measures taken to keep him warm.

She dared not casually pick up the child, worried about accidentally exposing him to the cold. Anxiously, she called out, "Xiao Wu, take care of Ping’an first. Don’t worry about the luggage."

As Zhang Guoqing, the guard, and some staff members helping had just finished putting the luggage on the trolley. Even without his mother-in-law’s reminder, he knew that once again his son was left behind.

"Mom, I’ll take care of it. You lead the way."

Seeing Zhang Guoqing wrap Ping’an in his large coat and tuck him into a warm water bag, Lin Lishan checked and felt relieved.

Although Zhou Xiaozheng was chatting with his daughter, his eyes were sharp. Seeing the child being carried off the train, he quickly pulled Zhou Jiao to follow closely. Once off the train, he wrapped Zhang Guoqing in the military blanket he brought, gathering father and son onto a nearby car on the platform.

Seated inside the car, Zhang Guoqing opened a small gap, and as soon as the child, now awake, started blowing bubbles, he couldn’t help but laugh heartily. He didn’t expect his son to adapt so well.

Zhou Xiaozheng carefully examined the child for a moment, nodding with satisfaction, "We’re not far from home, won’t take long to get there. Dad has prepared everything, so the child won’t fear the cold at home. Your godfather did a good job this time."

Zhou Jiao, finally pulled into the car by Lin Lishan, heard her father praising Zhao Chuan Guang. She glanced at the guard driving at the front but didn’t mention not taking soft sleepers next time.

She worried about the impact. Even though Zhao Chuan Guang had plenty of reasons, she couldn’t enjoy privileges without reason. She had always reminded herself that she wasn’t the child of a high-ranking official. Wasn’t it true that many children of officials were contributing in the frontier regions? Besides, a lot of things could catch the eye of those with ulterior motives, settling accounts later.

Zhou Xiaozheng was well aware of his daughter’s nature. He didn’t explain, choosing to protect his Jiao Jiao like armor, allowing her to act as she pleased.

Having stepped into this complex society at fifteen, he understood human nature well. If he couldn’t protect his daughter, then he would have truly lived in vain.

At this moment, Zhou Xiaozheng couldn’t have imagined that his precious daughter was also busy layering armor for him, ensuring his well-being in the years to come.

This father and daughter pair deeply cared for one another, making every effort to plan for each other’s well-being. Undoubtedly, it was Zhou Jiao’s blessing and Zhou Xiaozheng’s fortune.