Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 383 - 292: Arrival in Beijing (Part 2)

Zhang Guoqing came in and pointed outside, saying, "Dad is having dinner. Let’s talk after they leave."

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded, telling them to wash their faces first and come out since he still needed to check on the children.

After pouring water, Zhang Guoqing, feeling uneasy, reminded, "Be wary of your cousin. That woman is a bit off. She knows you were having a father-daughter talk yet still wanted to come in saying she needed to see the room, but Auntie stopped her."

After tidying up, Zhou Jiao pulled him outside, whispering, "Don’t worry. I know what’s going on. Some things can wait until they leave to be discussed."

Two tables were set in the living room, squeezed together. Zhou Xiaozheng sat with his daughter beside him, responding while continuously picking up food and placing it in Zhou Jiao’s bowl.

Cheng Sijin was used to this kind of scene and found nothing peculiar. However, Lin Aiguo and Li Jianjun looked teasingly at Zhou Xiaozheng as he picked fish bones.

At the dining table, everyone was deliberately avoiding the topic of Mrs. Lin, instead discussing Beijing’s famous landmarks and cheerful things.

Zhou Jiao knew she had to bring up the topic. Others could avoid it, consciously or unconsciously, but she couldn’t let herself be criticized for lack of etiquette. How she felt inside was her business.

In such a short time, she noticed Mr. Lin wasn’t fully present, and her uncle Lin Aiguo frequently glanced at her with an appraising look, while the rest of the Lin Family constantly stole glances at her.

Seeing this, Zhou Jiao pretended not to notice. She thought, "First, eat to your fill before dealing with anything. Since you’re already here, there’s no rush for some things. There’s plenty of time."

As it was about to end, Zhou Jiao smiled warmly, saying, "Grandpa, isn’t Grandma’s health not so good in this winter? See if she is free in a few days; I will visit her."

Mr. Lin perked up, chuckling, saying, "Alright. Your Grandma has been thinking about you for a long time. Good child, wait until her health improves and then visit her. The hospital is not a good place to go."

"I’ll listen to you, Grandpa. See if Grandma can come back in a few days; if it’s too late, Brother Xiao Wu and I will visit her. You too, take care of your health," Zhou Jiao said while looking at the noticeably haggard old man.

Everyone knew what was going on, and the old man probably had figured it out too.

After seeing them off, Lin Lishan took the opportunity to pull Zhou Jiao into the bedroom of the East Wing.

Zhou Jiao sighed inwardly, poured a cup of hot water, and handed it to her.

"Jiao Jiao, your Grandma really frustrates me. Don’t go see her."

After Lin Lishan spoke, she saw her daughter’s puzzled look and patted her own head. She was upset to the point of forgetting that her daughter didn’t know what had happened.

The Gu family’s Gu Changqing has a grandson who got into trouble with a female student at school. Initially, the divorce and remarriage wouldn’t have mattered, but the incident blew up in the newspapers, making it impossible to conceal. Now he has been arrested for hooliganism.

Mrs. Lin used all means to get him out but in the end asked Lin Lishan to consult Zhou Xiaozheng, implying that as long as Zhou Xiaozheng agreed, it would be fine.

Lin Lishan felt that her husband wouldn’t even get involved and refused. Moreover, her mother’s words insinuated that her husband was behind this, so how could she discuss it with her husband?

Hooliganism, what a peculiar crime—misfortune for whoever gets involved!

Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but burst into laughter, "So because of this, the old lady went to the hospital?"

"Jiao Jiao, do you think your dad had a hand in it? I’m afraid to tell your dad that your Grandma suspects him. Your dad didn’t even visit your Grandma’s house this time, let alone go to the sanatorium to see her. I think she’s overthinking it."

Zhou Jiao replied with a serious face, "My dad wouldn’t do such a thing. Ask the old lady what reason she thinks he has to do it? My dad is in the military camp every day; what time does he have to poke into other people’s trivial matters? If my dad had any grudges, he would’ve already dealt with them directly—who wants to get involved with such things? Is the old lady becoming senile, starting to suspect and doubt everything?"

"I don’t think it’s like your dad did it either. Even if he did, he must have his reasons. You must not go visit your Grandma; the Gu Family members often go there."

Zhou Jiao figured internally that it was indeed possible her dad did it. But she couldn’t admit it. It seems someone did interfere back then when her grandparents got into trouble.

"Let’s see. It’s not reasonable if I don’t go to see her. Besides, aren’t you the one asking for some dowry? Haha... Mom, don’t worry. If I go, what will the Gu Family do, hit me? Last time you came back, did Dad mention those two sums of money?"

Lin Lishan sighed, "Your dad didn’t bring it up, but I did. He said forget it, similar to what you suggested. I asked your Grandma, and she didn’t make a sound. I inquired about the dowry for you, and she said it’s all intact. This morning I went to get the key, and tonight when no one’s around, we’ll move it back home."

Zhou Jiao disapprovingly frowned, then thought it might be better to attract less attention. She then asked about other trivial matters after her dad’s return and, seeing nothing significant, pulled Lin Lishan back to the living room.

In the house, apart from an aunt taking care of Ping’an, there was no one else. Knowing that Zhou Xiaozheng had taken Zhang Guoqing to send a telegram back to the Northeast, Zhou Jiao began to unpack, organizing gifts for others.

When Zhou Xiaozheng came in, Zhou Jiao looked up to find he was alone, casting a curious glance at him.

"Xiao Wu was dragged away by the Fang family boys. Don’t rush to pack. Get some rest first. Tell Dad how the exams went this time? Was Zhao Dashan’s recommendation reliable? Did Xiao Wu’s family give you a hard time?"

Zhou Jiao looked up with a proud smile and said, "Still first. Dad, your daughter scored 595 out of 600. Next time, I’ll aim for a complete sweep. Xiao Wu and I caught up on our first-year marks and are now in the second year. He did well too. We’re still first and second."

"It’s good enough. Don’t exhaust yourself chasing perfection."

Seeing him waiting for a reply, Zhou Jiao continued, "Uncle Dashan’s recommendation is currently fine. Since she came, Xiao Wu’s parents haven’t stayed in the county."

"Godparents visit every three to five days, always bringing something. The other four uncles occasionally come to see us with them. In a few days, they’ll send a package for you. Brother Xiao Wu wanted to personally deliver the year gift to Grandma Zhou and the old clan leader’s grandson, but his father stopped him, worried about Old Zhou Family noticing; he said he’d handle it."

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded in satisfaction. Having someone take care of daily life was enough; the rest were minor issues. Noticing the time was late, he urged her to rest early.

"Don’t rush to pack these, leave it for tomorrow during the day. First, come with Dad to the study; I’ll give you and your husband the entry and exit documents. Tomorrow, your mom and I have to go to work. Will you guys be alright alone at home?"

Zhou Jiao knew they took a day off today, "There’s Aunt Chen and Auntie taking care of things at home, so you both can go to work with peace of mind. We won’t get lost, and if there’s anything, we’ll call your office number."

Lin Lishan saw his hesitation, "I’ll arrange things at the regiment tomorrow and come back. Don’t worry, Brother Zheng."

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded and led Zhou Jiao into the study.

Aunt Chen, seeing him go in, whispered, "The chief usually has a stern face; I didn’t expect him to spoil his child this much." She hadn’t worked here long and was a bit scared of Zhou Xiaozheng’s stern face.

"Haha, our Jiao Jiao is very sensible. You’ll know more after interacting more with her. Not only her dad, but even her in-laws cherish her, and my dad often talks about her."

"She’s indeed a good child, just one look and you can tell," Aunt Chen nodded in agreement.

For the past few days, Zhou Xiaozheng had been instructing her to prepare more dishes, having genuinely feared the arrival of some unreasonable and rude rural girl, or an overly spoiled young lady.