Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 427 - 324: Return to Beijing

Zhang Guoqing’s family and Old Mrs. Cheng’s group met up, discussing where to eat. Just then, a group of Old Mrs. Cheng’s old friends arrived, all accompanied by their spouses. So finally, they decided to stay at the restaurant for a meal together.

After eating, Old Mrs. Cheng handed a note to Cheng Ruzhu, asking her to buy something on her behalf. She stayed in the room to chat and reminisce with her old friends.

This time, even the aunties and security guards went out shopping. As Old Mrs. Cheng said, this would be the last shopping trip, so everyone should enjoy their time out shopping.

Zhang Guoqing saw that there was still plenty of time before they needed to board the train and, since Ping’an had gotten used to Old Mrs. Cheng and wasn’t fussy, he didn’t delay. He said a few words to the elders and got up to bid them farewell.

A group of people followed Old Mrs. Cheng’s list and headed to the city department store.

This time, Zhou Jiao quickly bought a large amount of Harry Oil and face cream. Ignoring the questioning look in Zhang Guoqing’s eyes and due to the crowd, she only whispered about the emulsion, and the couple cooperated fiercely in sweeping up the stock.

Initially, Zhang Guoqing felt that there was an ample supply of imported baby products in their own space, and there was no need to buy these domestic products for their son. Now he realized they were certainly preparing for their son?

He also helped Zhou Jiao explain to the others that his relatives and friends back home entrusted him to bring these back. Zhang Guoqing had no choice; many people looked at the couple with teasing glances.

The couple didn’t mind, but many people around them joined in the frenzy to buy.

After leaving the counter, Zhang Guoqing could still hear someone saying from afar that the face cream here must be better than elsewhere, or why would everyone be scrambling for it?

He found it quite amusing.

This time, without lingering inside, they left as soon as they got what they needed, not spending too much time. Standing on the street outside the store, everyone realized they had bought almost everything needed, with no particular place left to go.

Seeing this, Zhou Jiao said, "I still want to go to Xuzhongdao National Medicine Store to buy some medicinal materials. How about everyone go their own way?"

Lin Lishan looked at Cheng Ruzhu, who nodded, and said, "Then we’ll go inside first. Xiao Chen and the aunties can stroll around some more. Remember to catch up in time, everyone."

After the group split up, Zhang Guoqing and his wife immediately headed to Huaihai Road.

Upon reaching Huaihai Road, Zhou Jiao entered the pharmacy while Zhang Guoqing went alone to Hongxing Hall on Huaihai Road to order some dim sum, like pan-fried buns and crab shell pastries.

He knew Zhou Jiao liked these snacks, especially the stir-fried noodles here. Since he didn’t understand the medicinal materials, he decided to line up first and meet Zhou Jiao as soon as she was done buying medicines.

Xuzhongdao National Medicine Store had been converted into a state-run pharmacy. Inside, in addition to selling precious traditional Chinese medicines, ginseng and deer antler supplements, they offered special decoction formulas, low-priced pills, powders, pastes, and pellets.

Zhou Jiao came here mainly for the special medicines.

Along the way, whenever she saw children’s herbal medicines or adult tonic supplements, she would make a purchase. Living with her family in a small town in the Northeast where transportation is inconvenient, she had been frightened by the child’s fever last time. Traveling through several cities, whenever she recalled renowned special medicines, she would buy some to store. Especially for the children’s medications, she spent generously.

Quickly, Zhou Jiao made a list and handed it to the salesperson, who carefully looked at it, realizing she was from out of town, and kindly recommended some affordable and effective summer heat remedies. Zhou Jiao gratefully thanked them, selected two kinds, and began paying and waiting for them to pack up.

After buying the medicines, Zhou Jiao hurried to find Zhang Guoqing with her two bags.

In front of Hongxing Hall, a long queue had formed. Zhou Jiao didn’t bother looking for Zhang Guoqing inside. Given her understanding of him, he would surely be inside ordering food, eating while getting things packed.

Indeed, upon entering, she saw Zhang Guoqing at an obvious spot, facing the entrance. When he saw Zhou Jiao, he laughed heartily and waved for her to come over. He knew Zhou Jiao would definitely know how to find him quickly.

Zhou Jiao noticed there were other customers around him, so she didn’t sit down, and instead asked him, "How much longer?"

"Sit first. It should be soon." Zhang Guoqing pulled her to sit. He knew his wife’s hygienic quirks were acting up, not liking crowded tables. But it was not even one o’clock yet and the place was packed. The spot he held was the only one available after some trouble.

After a few minutes, amidst the couple’s eager wait, several packed bamboo baskets and boxes were finally delivered by a waiter.

The couple didn’t linger any longer and went straight back to the hotel.

Around three in the afternoon, Old Cheng personally drove over to take Old Mrs. Cheng and the group to the North Station.

In the room, Old Mrs. Cheng refused her old friends to accompany her to the station, fearing so many people going would cause a commotion. After repeatedly explaining, she waved goodbye to everyone.

A group of people boarded the train with luggage.

Upon reaching the station and boarding the train’s compartment, Old Mrs. Cheng discovered her old friends had indeed prepared gifts for her, though fortunately none were valuable. She merely smiled without saying much.

Old Cheng only got off the train reluctantly once it started, repeatedly asking them to let him know next time they visit.

As the train moved, the conductor approached Old Mrs. Cheng, informing her someone had given him two baskets. Due to the high temperature inside the train, he had placed the baskets of Chinese knife fish and prawns outside.

The train was already moving, so refusal was impossible. Old Mrs. Cheng smiled, shook her head, and thanked the conductor. After the conductor left, everyone realized the old Mr. Cheng was actually an upper-level officer in the command district—never judging by appearances.

Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao exchanged glances and avoided the topic.

Previously, they went to two places with the old seniors; Old Mrs. Cheng always had Zhang Guoqing by her side, introducing him to those people. Since she hadn’t mentioned the matters concerning Old Cheng before, there must be reasons.

During this trip to S City, after sending a telegram to receive Zhou Xiaozheng’s reply, they didn’t meet Wang Dong.

Perhaps Old Cheng’s position in the Cheng Family was such as Wang Dong’s, operating in the shadows, but this time, Old Cheng inadvertently exposed himself.

They weren’t considering this matter further, since sensitive issues shouldn’t be broached regardless of how close the relationship is—a matter of principle.

During the journey, with the conductor’s attentive care, everyone traveled quite comfortably.

Since there were many people this time and several stops along the way, Zhang Guoqing would take Zhou Jiao to the platform to buy some local specialties. Sometimes, when passing small stations, they would see vendors selling roasted chicken and simmered pig heads, to their great surprise. Were it not for their young child, they would want to get off at every stop.

This S City to Beijing train was generally packed all year. Halfway through the journey, the broadcaster called for assistance.

It turned out a child got hurt, hitting his head during play, bleeding, and the broadcaster requested any doctors among the passengers to assist in the **carriage staff rest area.

Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guoqing rushed with hemostatic medicine towards the **carriage, only to see crowded paths, with passengers packed along the corridors, uniting to leave a narrow passage for people to access the rest area.

"Quick, someone has brought medicine! Everyone pass the message. How’s the child doing?" Someone shouted from the crowd, followed by voices echoing inside.

A moment later, cheers and laughter erupted from inside. Soon, news spread out, prompting everyone to spontaneously applaud, watching a middle-aged doctor leave.

Zhou Jiao held the medicine bottle tightly, her face radiating a joyful smile amid the discussions. She showed Zhang Guoqing the bottle, and they both tacitly exited the carriage.

Back in their corner, Zhou Jiao took a roasted chicken and a box of pastries from her bag and handed them to Zhang Guoqing.

Watching him walk in with raised hands along the way, he cleared a path as people intuitively moved aside for him. Zhou Jiao instinctively greeted the watching crowd with a bright smile.

How long had it been since she experienced such a heartwarming scene?