Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 385 - 294: The Incident Occurs

In the early morning, Zhang Guoqing woke up to the sound of the bugle, ran a lap around the Big Courtyard, and joined the old men for some boxing in the park. Introduced by Mr. Cheng and others, he met some elders of the previous generation. Whenever he arrives at a new place, his habit is to first familiarize himself with the area, understanding the everyday lives of locals through passersby.

After meeting with Fang Fei and the others last night, he returned to the bedroom and learned from Zhou Jiao that someone had bribed the doctor to worsen Gu Mingzhu’s father’s illness back in the day, resolving a lingering puzzle in his heart.

Perhaps back then, Zhou Jinyu had already sensed something amiss. It’s easy to dodge a visible spear but hard to guard against an unseen arrow. That’s why he resolutely took Gu Mingzhu and her sister away.

He deeply understood Zhou Xiaozheng and his daughter’s actions. Since Zhou Jiao is his beloved, even if it involves innocent people, he wouldn’t hesitate to add fuel to the fire. A storm is brewing; its scale will depend on his father-in-law’s resolve.

After breakfast, Zhou Xiaozheng, avoiding others, advised the young couple on whom to stay away from before heading to work confidently. He knew his children’s abilities well; a hint was enough for them to understand. Especially his son-in-law, who, after having a drink last night and a morning run, already mastered the dynamics among the Big Courtyard’s several factions.

After breakfast, Old Mrs. Cheng, not bothered about family members going to work or school, came to the Zhou Family with her eldest grandson, Cheng Yongxian. She took over caring for Ping’an and let the grandson take Zhang Guoqing and his wife out for a walk.

With Cheng **’s exams approaching, Zhou Jiao quickly declined. Just kidding, with the holidays approaching in a couple of days, why disrupt his studies?

After seeing Cheng Yongxian off, Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but laugh at the detailed map Old Mrs. Cheng drew. Aunt was worried her grandson might not guide well, so she meticulously marked restaurants and malls on several streets, detailing which places were best and which to avoid. It wasn’t just a map; it was life education.

Mrs. Cheng, being meticulous, pulled Zhou Jiao back into the room, gave her a few new handkerchiefs to carry with her. Zhou Jiao knew it was in case she leaked or stained her clothes while out.

After carefully checking the couple’s clothing thickness and whether they had their access passes, Mrs. Cheng pushed them out the door.

Zhang Guoqing solved the issue with their son and took Zhou Jiao out of the Big Courtyard.

The two didn’t take a vehicle, instead walking along Changping Street.

This morning, their plan was to look at modern Beijing, observe the lives of the people in Beijing, and they honestly didn’t plan to not return by noon. In the afternoon, they still wanted Mrs. Cheng to take Zhou Jiao shopping for some things.

Once tired, Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao hired a carriage, arranging with the driver to take them around several main streets for a tour.

The couple sat in the carriage, observing the surroundings, occasionally getting off to visit ancient buildings not yet demolished, mingling in the crowded atmosphere.

Nearing noon, the couple returned to the Big Courtyard, entering the living room to see Old Mrs. Cheng with an uncontainable glee on her face.

Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao exchanged glances, both realizing something had happened.

"Had fun? Why did you come back so early? With Aunt here, you can play without worry," said Old Mrs. Cheng, watching Zhou Jiao’s expression.

She figured the newspaper likely involved her father and herself, but she couldn’t guess why it was in the news from last night to this morning. Is it her nephew’s doing alone? Impossible! From what she knows, it doesn’t seem his style, especially since the couple returned by noon, clearly to see what followed. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

If Zhou Jiao knew why they mistakenly returned at noon, she would definitely protest. She genuinely planned for Mrs. Cheng to take her shopping that afternoon to buy offerings for ancestor worship.

"We hired a carriage and toured around. Brother will take care of the child in the afternoon, and Aunt, will you accompany me for shopping?" Zhou Jiao glanced at the newspaper on the coffee table but didn’t mention it first.

Old Mrs. Cheng hesitated and looked at Zhang Guoqing. She wasn’t assured he could care for a child alone, but seeing his firm approval, knowing he usually took care of the child, she nodded.

"Let’s hurry and return when the child sleeps. He really needs feeding every three hours, easy to manage. Leave him with Aunt in the future, you can rest assured. By the way, should Aunt take the child tonight? I’ll stay here tonight, then, and have someone send over a quilt later."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jiao felt startled. Not only was she unwilling to separate from the child, but she also didn’t feel comfortable letting an elderly person personally take care, especially when Aunt had just been discharged from the hospital last time.

Zhou Jiao refused repeatedly, giving all sorts of reasons, finally managing to persuade her.

Old Mrs. Cheng gave up, picking up the newspaper to talk about matters involving Gu Ruyi’s family. Seeing the puzzled expressions on Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guoqing’s faces, she hesitated, contemplating whether to share her views.

After a moment, considering that the Lin Family was Zhou Jiao’s maternal family, she decided not to say anything that would make the child overthink. Surely, this child should have some understanding of Gu Ruyi’s family.

Pretend she knew nothing. Her husband already mentioned last night that something was bound to occur.

While listening to Old Mrs. Cheng, Zhou Jiao was already considering when to appear in front of Gu Ruyi. She hadn’t forgotten her mother mentioning last night how the Gu Family frequently visited Mrs. Lin in the hospital.

"Aunt, let’s not talk about their matters anymore. We’re just acquaintances, like strangers. Can you help me pick out some clothes this afternoon? I heard several of my grandfather and grandmother’s old friends want to meet me. Can you dress me up like my grandmother to scare them?" Zhou Jiao chuckled amusedly.

Old Mrs. Cheng nodded with a smile and said, "I have some qipao and western dresses from your grandmother. Your father said to keep them for you. You’ll look great in them."

After saying this, Old Mrs. Cheng pulled Zhou Jiao along, calling Zhang Guoqing as they headed out. If it hadn’t been so crowded last night, she’d have given them to the child long ago. Upon returning last time, she packed her sister’s gifted jewelry and the box of jewelry from her godmother with the clothes in a suitcase, waiting for the child’s return to hand it over.

Aunt Chen saw Zhang Guoqing hesitate, smiling as she reassured him. She didn’t start preparing meals, focusing instead on looking after the child until they returned. She saw clearly that this young couple was dear to their respective families.

The Cheng Family wasn’t far. Upon returning, Old Mrs. Cheng instructed the housemaid to carry on with her tasks, taking the couple into the bedroom and closing the door.

Inside, she opened the wardrobe, pointed to two suitcases, and directed Zhang Guoqing to place them on the bed.

Zhou Jiao stopped Zhang Guoqing, recognizing the dowry chest, knowing instantly Old Mrs. Cheng’s intentions.

"Xiao Wu, listen to me, don’t mind her. The clothes are in the chest; take them out and see. Jiao Jiao, these were worn by your grandmother, a keepsake for you. Your father agreed to give them to you. Aunt won’t deceive you, will she?"

Seeing Zhou Jiao no longer obstructing, Zhang Guoqing moved the wooden chest onto the bed. Judging its weight, he guessed one of the chests contained clothes.

When Old Mrs. Cheng opened the chest, she pointed to the clothes for Zhou Jiao, then quickly closed it, opening another one, and this time, she elaborated, pointing out the origins of the jewelry inside.

She instructed Zhou Jiao to take them back but not to tell Lin Lishan, advising her to secretly hide them. Afterward, covering it with a cloth, she instructed Zhang Guoqing to carry them back.

Zhou Jiao tugged the cloth, stopping Old Mrs. Cheng. Knowing her father wouldn’t agree, she doubted he consented to such valuable items. Seeing Old Mrs. Cheng’s determined face, she pondered for a moment and took out two inconspicuous, sentimental jewelry pieces.

"Aunt, these are enough. I’ll take the clothes, and my brother will help me store the other chest back in the wardrobe. Don’t give them to me. Listen first. Inside are the heartfelt affections from Grandma Gu and my grandmother’s sisterly love. You must keep them as mementos."

After saying this, Zhou Jiao held her, watching Zhang Guoqing set the chest back. She didn’t let go of Old Mrs. Cheng, firmly gripping her as they walked out. She refused to accept such valuable items.

The Cheng Family had two daughters-in-law and a daughter, along with numerous grandchildren. The further the relationship extended beyond generations, she didn’t want her father to owe more favor debts.

Old Mrs. Cheng worried Zhou Jiao would do this, but she figured there’d be more opportunities in the future. The Gu Family’s items must reach Zhou Jiao hands as agreed between the elderly couple.

She didn’t press further, turning to see Zhang Guoqing using a military blanket to wrap the chest, breaking into laughter. This kid was more meticulous than she was. She overlooked the cloth, being so thin, barely serving a purpose.

Upon returning to the Zhou Family living room, Old Mrs. Cheng deliberately opened the chest in front of Aunt Chen, taking out the topmost qipao to measure against Zhou Jiao. She quickly covered the other clothes with a box, fearing Zhou Jiao’s refusal and the presence of outsiders. Haha, she had planned for this.