Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 497 - 382: Words at the Table

Truly, times have changed.

At the provincial military district guesthouse, Zhang Guoqing visited again, but the feeling was no longer the same.

Xiao Zhou was gone, and Fang Fei was not around either.

Mr. Lin had retired; although there were still people welcoming him, the grand reception from the previous visit was gone.

He didn’t know how the old man felt at this moment; an inexplicable thought arose in his heart: ultimately, the hero ages.

Thankfully, the treatment hadn’t changed, and he still stayed in the same room. Otherwise, he really worried the old man would feel the gap and get mentally disturbed.

Before dinner, as the old man sent notices, more and more people gradually arrived.

For a time, several elders were seated in the room.

Zhang Guoqing exchanged a glance with Zhou Jiao, just as they expected; the old man indeed had a plan.

The couple was just about to leave to visit Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang when the old man stopped them.

"You all know our Xiao Wu, but you old folks haven’t met my own granddaughter yet, have you? How is she? Beautiful, right?"

Zhou Jiao stepped forward again with a smile to greet the elders.

"It’s still our Northeast Tiger who raises great offspring. Child, why didn’t your father come this time?"

"Zhou Xiaozheng must be busy. It’s good to be busy, it makes us proud. When you see your dad, remember to tell him to come back often, just say Old Wang is craving wine. Your dad will know."

Zhou Jiao quickly nodded with a smile.

She listened to Zhang Guoqing’s conversations with everyone while responding to the elders’ questions.

Soon, Zhou Jiao understood.

Even Mr. Zhao from Luocheng was invited; Mr. Lin was planning to take action in one sweep.

Whether retired or in office, basically all the influential elders were invited by Mr. Lin for this gathering half a month ago.

Unfortunately, two ultimate figures still didn’t appear.

One of them was her father Zhou Xiaozheng’s old leader, who was said to be in a meeting.

She listened carefully to everyone’s discussions, hoping to discern some clues.

Regrettably, with so many people in the provincial city, she couldn’t place them.

She glanced at Zhang Guoqing, seeing him engage respectfully and freely with the elders. She planned to thoroughly question him later on what he might be hiding from her.

Mr. Zhao of Luocheng smiled amiably as he dealt with Mr. Lin, occasionally glancing at the people present. These old fellows had lived such long lives, they’ve seen it all. When they heard Mr. Lin would come to the Northeast, wanting to gather, they all knew each other’s minds. So they avoided official matters and talked about home life.

He pondered that Zhou Xiaozheng’s young ones might have realized too. Recalling his youngest son’s words before he left, he wished he could go back and strike his son—worried that the young couple would be trapped, his foolish son was the one getting ensnared.

It seems now Zhou Xiaozheng had already let go, allowing his daughter and son-in-law to gain experience. The Cheng Family and Zhou Family were like family; Mr. Lin must be anxious—he played a poor move here.

In his view, it would have been better to directly tell the young couple the purpose, which would have been better. Smart people hate being utilized, especially Zhou Xiaozheng who despises others using him to gain backdoor entry.

"I think you should come with me to Beijing for a few days this time. Old Cheng couldn’t make it to the Northeast and missed you. How about it? Want to go? Just the right time to visit old friends."

Mr. Zhao was taken aback by Mr. Lin’s suggestion. What was he thinking, still drilling to Beijing? Just by moving around with Mr. Lin, his eldest son Chuanyao would suffer.

"Alas... my spouse’s health isn’t good; let’s talk about it later. Old Lin, you called us old guys over, you won’t not serve us wine, will you?"

Mr. Lin clapped his hands, "If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten the time. Come, let’s go eat folks. Xiao Wu, go call your dad and mom to join us."

Seeing this, Zhou Jiao quickly smiled, "Grandpa, I’ll go with them. You and the elders, please don’t blame the younger ones for being impolite."

"You’re a girl who doesn’t drink, no need for you to accompany us. Let your Xiao Wu drink with us old men. Bring your children over for us to see later," one elder laughed.

Mr. Zhao chimed in, "Leave the women to Jiao Jiao, Xiao Wu, quickly go invite your dad to come."

Zhang Guoqing nodded with a smile, "Why don’t the elders go to the cafeteria first, I’ll send Jiao Jiao back and join you right after."

After he finished, everyone urged him to invite Mr. Zhang first and then join the rest soon after.

The room of Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang was filled with women.

Everyone was discussing the itinerary for the next few days with Huang Hui Min.

Zhang Guoqing entered and learned his dad had already been taken out for drinks by Zhao Chuan Guang and four uncles.

He chuckled—this arrangement was indeed the best.

After greeting everyone, Zhang Guoqing turned to leave, patting Zhou Jiao’s shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Fortify when the army comes, cover with earth when waters overwhelm."

What’s there to fear? Even if a little soldier gets transferred, so what?

At the dining table, Zhang Guoqing busied himself helping pour drinks for the elders.

He constantly reminded himself to speak less and listen more, trying to minimize his presence.

This grand feast today, with so many seasoned elders performing, he hoped to learn a few tricks. This was not the straightforward tactics of the clan leaders of old.

As his father-in-law described, this involved different strata’s ways of dealing with matters. He currently lacked this kind of insight, these experiences.

Midway through the drinking, no one talked about their children or public matters. The elders freely reminisced about the past, laughing over old jokes, everyone tacitly continued.

Zhang Guoqing saw that Mr. Lin was not in a rush and continued urging drinks. He really worried that these elders might drink too much and end up in the hospital.

Gradually, Mr. Lin’s conversation awkwardly shifted to friendships of the past, especially partners who were no longer among them. Several drunk old men even had tears in their eyes.

For a moment, everyone was enveloped in sorrow.

Zhang Guoqing had to admit, the tactic of appealing to emotion was well played by Mr. Lin. However, the others weren’t like him and Zhou Jiao, who were novice younglings.

Soon, everyone reined in their emotions, starting to tease about embarrassing tales from their youth, even strangers’ curious incidents. Before long, they broke into groups for various conversations.

Zhang Guoqing remembered his father-in-law’s words that patience is the key in a game of strategy. Indeed, the night was still young, take it slowly. If nothing else, there was plenty of time tonight.

He cast a few amused glances at Mr. Zhao. What a talker... bringing up romantic escapades from his younger days. Tomorrow he’d surely tell Grandma Zhao and see how he managed that.

Indeed, reading more and expanding one’s knowledge base has its benefits.

Look at the old men at the table. Those with education clearly had the upper hand, beginning to engage in narratives about the present and antiquity. However, the old uncles from rough backgrounds weren’t bad either, seizing opportunities to ask questions and share views.

In no time, the topics veered all over the place, and no one felt they could interrupt. You could see several elders appearing to want more.

Zhang Guoqing had to admit, these elders were indeed wily foxes. Those who reached high positions were indeed not simple! They excelled in maneuvering subtly and chatting casually.

Mr. Lin’s several undetectable topic shifts also earned Zhang Guoqing’s silent admiration. Observing his smile and eyes showing only joy at seeing old friends, devoid of displeasure.

If not for several instances of seeing Mr. Lin subconsciously clenching his fists, he’d have truly thought he was judging a virtuous man with a petty heart.

Looking at the smile resembling Grandpa Zhang’s, Zhang Guoqing felt a deep pain and envy. Lin Dingsheng at this moment made him envious, yet made him loathe.

He wondered when the old man would understand "Descendants have their own fortune, don’t work oneself to the bone for them," or say, when to give up hope.

Until drinks circled thrice, people left, and the dinner ended. The old man never brought up other topics again, only spoke of future visits.

"No flower blooms for a hundred days, no one remains good for a thousand."

Zhang Guoqing recalled the scenes from his first trip with the old man to the provincial city; how long ago was that? There were factors of many people and mingling tongues tonight, but the reality of fading ties was vividly clear.