Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 387 - 296: Divination Signs

After lunch, once Jian Ping’an fell asleep, Old Mrs. Cheng took Lin Lishan and her daughter out. On the way, the old lady didn’t say where they were going first. She just had Zhou Jiao and her mother follow her.

After taking the bus for over half an hour, finally Old Mrs. Cheng took the mother and daughter through alleys, twisting and turning into a big courtyard.

The area outside the big courtyard was a mess, and the passageways were piled with clutter, even emitting an acrid smell of urine.

Inside the courtyard, Zhou Jiao counted the coal piles under the eaves and windows, concluding at least seven or eight families lived there. She carefully watched her step, following behind Old Mrs. Cheng, all the way to the door of a family at the deepest part.

Old Mrs. Cheng knocked on the door; soon a head peeked out, the body hidden behind the door. Seeing it was someone familiar, they opened a small gap barely wide enough for one person to pass sideways.

Inside, the two rooms weren’t large. Once inside, the person lifted the quilt, took out two packages, handed them to Old Mrs. Cheng, and after receiving the grain coupons she offered, opened the door for them to leave.

The entire exchange was wordless, shrouded in mystery.

After leaving the big courtyard and getting some distance away, Old Mrs. Cheng shared stories about the household.

This family also had the surname Cheng, but they had no relation to the Jiangnan Cheng Family.

The person who opened the door was Master Cheng’s only son. Speaking of this unseen Master Cheng, he was a pitiable man.

In his early years, he was famous for his tailoring skills, painstakingly buying this big courtyard, and with his wife, had five sons and two daughters. Following the chaos of war and disasters, only one son and one daughter survived. After liberation, he worked as a pattern maker at a garment factory. It was hard-earned peace for his family.

Yet he was reported for making clothes for GMD officers and little devils during those years. Although he was eventually proven to have been forced into it, he was already a frightened man.

The neighborhood committee notified that his courtyard was too large and needed to house others. Without a word, he gave up the space, keeping only two rooms for himself. He accepted work but never dared ask for money, only grain coupons.

Zhou Jiao thought this person wasn’t worried, but rather, cautious. If he dared take private jobs, how could he be timid? Asking for grain coupons instead of money was just an excuse.

Having heard his business was excellent, she smiled faintly. Cats have cat paths, mice have mouse ways. It’s also a survival tactic, seeing her aunt’s tone was full of sympathy.

Immediately after, Zhou Jiao and her mother joined Old Mrs. Cheng in a rickshaw, arriving in front of another home.

Unlike the crowded courtyard, this household was singular and the front door’s paint was weathered, yet the floor was meticulously clean.

After knocking, an old lady emerged, and the two ladies over fifty avoided Zhou Jiao and her mother, whispering in a corner.

Glancing through the slightly ajar door, Zhou Jiao noted the very tidy yard inside. Looking back at the weathered door, she silently sighed, she encountered too many smart people today.

She vowed silently that if she encountered more families like this, when she returned to Beijing, she would hide away in the Big Courtyard, and with her family, firmly refuse to live outside.

She never underestimated others. Too many savvy people in Beijing, she had money but felt dull, and would soon be cannon fodder. Listening to her real mother muttering in her ear, she planned to head to Friendship Mall next.

Oh dear... she realized her whole family was flush with money, but not so smart!

Finally, Old Mrs. Cheng wrapped things up, smilingly bid goodbye, and took the mother and daughter out. After walking a bit, she seemed unable to hold back, frequently glancing at Zhou Jiao, hesitating.

"Aunt, just say what you want. Your granddaughter is bold, she can handle it!"

Zhou Jiao couldn’t take it anymore. She had noticed the old lady was constantly eyeing her, pinching her fingers secretly. Her aunt looked solemnly at the other woman—superstition had supposedly been broken, but this old Party member lacked real awareness.

Old Mrs. Cheng smiled and looked at her, "You noticed? I knew I couldn’t fool you."

"Notice what? I’m clueless about what Aunt is hiding," Lin Lishan, puzzled, looked at them.

Old Mrs. Cheng urgently tugged the mother and daughter into a corner, checking around for people, she whispered, "Don’t make a fuss. Don’t tell anyone else. I’m only telling you."

Zhou Jiao stifled her laughter. She suspected the old lady couldn’t hold back any longer. She never imagined the dignified, educated maiden would believe in such ghost and spirit talk.

The old lady, seeing Lin Lishan nod repeatedly, looked satisfied. She whispered, "That person earlier is a witch, and very accurate. I once gave her Brother Zheng’s birth details for divination.

She said this child’s parents are both deceased, yet the child is still alive in this world. The child will endure hardships in the first half of their life, will face great difficulty between thirty and forty, but after forty, once the opportunity arises, they’ll soar in success.

Do you not find it accurate? She doesn’t divine for people now. I’m an old acquaintance; I bought plenty of gold and silver offerings every year. She just divined a fortune for Jiao Jiao."

"Aunt, how much gold does she ask for divination?"

"She doesn’t divine for others anymore and doesn’t charge."

Zhou Jiao saw her looking smugly, secretly laughing. Her aunt must have been enchanted by the other. She never believed in these things, believing the person deduced from clues overheard from the old lady.

Regarding the brink of life and death during that era, danger lurked every day. To deduce such from a birth date, how absurd. Numerous babies were born simultaneously all over the country—should they all share the same fate?

"Jiao Jiao, did you ever encounter a life-threatening incident in the past few years? She said you’d face significant adversity between 15-17, a mortal crisis. She said you’ve already overcome it, and your life will be smooth from now on."

Zhou Jiao furrowed her brows; could such chaotic affairs truly occur? She instinctively glanced in the direction of that courtyard. The life-and-death crisis should be when she crossed over this time.

"Aunt, what else did she say?"

Old Mrs. Cheng, seeing her expression, realized it had been validated again.

She gazed in admiration at the distant place and said, "She said now you are at the return of your soul. Having passed through the brink of life and death, your life will be smooth, and whatever you wish for will come before you.

I wasn’t at ease without handing your dad’s birth details to her again; she confirmed your dad’s great difficulty was resolved. Your dad is already forty-one and past the difficulty. My heart can be at rest.

She said your dad’s difficulty was dissolved following your life-and-death crisis. I must ensure your dad remembers this, and take good care of our Jiao Jiao."

Return of the soul, Zhou Jiao pondered these four words carefully. Then she burst into laughter internally. How foolish she was, truly believing her life would be smooth. Future crises awaited in waves. Who could say, who dared say there wouldn’t be any changes ahead?

"Aunt, does this mean Brother Zheng won’t face danger anymore, right? And Jiao Jiao has no more troubles, right? She didn’t say anything else, did she?"

Lin Lishan saw the old lady nodding and smilingly said no more, and she couldn’t stop her silly grin. After a while, she furrowed her brow and continued gazing at Zhou Jiao steadfastly.

"Alright. I’ve told you, okay? Let’s talk as we walk. Staying here isn’t good." Zhou Jiao pulled them forward, whispering, "If I’m guessing right, what that person mentioned about the life-and-death ordeal should be the day Ping’an was born. At that time, it was relying on my in-laws and a half piece of century-old ginseng to make it through. Oh, and by the way, this ginseng was picked by Xiao Wu when he went up the mountain."

Old Mrs. Cheng nodded and said kindly, "Henceforth, we should cherish Xiao Wu’s parents. Whether Xiao Wu prepared it or not, the heart of your in-laws is there. They’ll be our saviors in the future."

"Luckily married Xiao Wu. Aunt, I’ll prepare a few chickens to stew for my son-in-law, also buy presents to send to the Northeast. You help me pick what to buy."

Zhou Jiao watched Old Mrs. Cheng chat warmly with her mom, secretly pleased. She had long noticed Old Mrs. Cheng disapproved of her mom, but she was her mom.

She hoped her dad wouldn’t be caught between them. Having a Gu Ruyi, the family was already in crisis, coupled with external comments, she understood her dad well. He’d soon logically make a decision!

For the sixteen years of waiting, she must protect Lin Lishan. Besides, her dad had divorced, and given his character, finding another is unlikely. Even if someone above arranged a partner, would a new child inform their father or wife report their husband? Who could love her dad like her mom?