Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 498 - 383: Leaving Home to Avoid Trouble

Early the next morning, a group of people boarded the train with Zhao Chuan Guang and his wife.

Outside the window, Mr. Lin waved cheerfully at them to hurry on.

Zhang Guoqing knew that despite repeatedly asking him to join the outing, he was determined not to come. He understood the old man had made up his mind.

"If the sky wants to rain, if the girl wants to marry..." Let him be...

Alas... is his grandfather still alive?

Seeing Zhang Guoqing in a daze, Zhou Jiao gently squeezed his palm.

Zhang Guoqing turned his head and met those worried big eyes, then looked at his son. He immediately shook his head and laughed; he had somehow learned to be sentimental.

At the provincial station, the group bought tickets to go to H City and boarded the train.

Along the way, Mother Zhang held her grandson’s hand and pointed outside the window, "Ping’an, look at those furnaces, aren’t there so many? Last time we took this train, there weren’t any furnaces outside..."

"It’s not just here. Coming from Beijing, last time we saw many desolate places, but now there are quite a few small and large earthen furnaces."

Cheng Ruzhu, hearing her sister-in-law mention it, chuckled, "It’s not surprising. Even our unit’s small courtyard has built an earthen furnace over a meter high."

Passengers near their seats in the carriage began discussing iron smelting upon hearing the topic.

A passenger who had just returned from a business trip talked about the bustling scenes and rumors he had seen outside.

They heard that some places were so short of fuel that locals were even burning coffin boards from graveyards for smelting iron.

Zhou Jiao worriedly looked out the window, unsure if the trees around the Gu Family’s ancestral tomb could be preserved.

Suddenly, thinking of the future, she let out a silent laugh, wondering why she cared about trees — perhaps it was time to talk to Old Mrs. Cheng.

In the afternoon, the group finally arrived at H City. Led by a friend of Zhao Chuan Guang, they checked into the guest house to start a two-day tour.

The friend’s surname was Mu, and Zhao Chuan Guang told Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao to call him Uncle Mu.

Uncle Mu was very talkative and warm-hearted. Upon knowing they were Zhou Xiaozheng’s daughter and son-in-law, his attitude immediately changed. The topics were wildly diverse, almost uncovering even Zhou Xiaozheng’s preference for underwear.

Zhou Jiao immediately recognized him as a fan of her father. Though he wasn’t among her father’s twelve brothers, his relationship seemed quite close with them.

As for her mother, Lin Lishan, he also cordially called her "sister-in-law," just like everyone else.

Zhou Jiao guessed that anyone who had any acquaintance with her father likely knew all about their family affairs.

Having seen too many uncles standing up for her, she was unfazed. As long as there’s no rudeness, it’s fine.

After dinner, Uncle Mu called over his wife and eldest son, Mu Hai.

Amusingly, he suggested Mu Hai also stay at the guest house, expressing he wished their young folks could entertain each other.

After thanking and declining, Zhang Guoqing sat and chatted with Mu Hai. Regardless of his intentions, Zhang Guoqing decided to give in since he wanted to build good relations with the next generation.

It didn’t take long for Zhang Guoqing to figure out the background of Mu Dacheng’s family from this twenty-something youth. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

As Zhao Chuan Guang suggested calling him Uncle Mu, it was indeed not an exaggeration. Though he looked over ten years older than Zhou Xiaozheng, he was just one year older.

Mu Dacheng currently led a fishing company, and his wife was a "second-generation red." This background was no surprise to Zhang Guoqing. Those who mingled with Zhao Chuan Guang were never nobodies.

However, from the conversation between Cheng Ruzhu and Aunt Mu, Zhang Guoqing inadvertently got a piece of news he’d been keeping an eye on. That "smiling fox" finally had its tail showing — it turned out to be Mu Dacheng’s wife’s brother-in-law.

Zhang Guoqing couldn’t help but complain inwardly. This world is damn small.

There’s just one person surnamed Yi among the older generation; that old guy didn’t even tell him last time when they drank together that he’s now working under his son. Really not cool, Zhang Guoqing decided to really drink Old Man Yi under the table next time.

Zhang Guoqing envied a glance at Mu Hai. With Old Yi around, this silly kid would be carefree forever. As long as he doesn’t act recklessly, no major storm would touch him.

He rolled his eyes and passed his son to Mu Hai, "If you like kids, hold him for a while. This year, you’ll certainly have a chubby son. If you don’t believe it, ask these elders."

"Haha... I want to have a daughter. Your son could be my daughter’s fiancé."

Zhang Guoqing hastily shook his head, "That won’t do. My son must find his own later. What if your daughter turns out as rough and burly like you, then my son would be at a huge loss."

After speaking, he couldn’t hold back his laughter. Goodness, he hoped his son would soak up some good fortune from him, not deliver his son on a silver platter. Marriage alliances and such, he certainly wouldn’t go for those.

Mu Dacheng chuckled from the side, "You snatched a bunch of our sons’ brides, and now you’re picky about my son. If you hadn’t acted fast, I’d have certainly brought my second son to Beijing City to propose. My father-in-law already claimed that he reserved the daughter-in-law for your son."

Zhao Chuan Guang quickly remarked, "You better stop. Your second son and my eldest are both fifteen. You expect my Jiao Jiao to babysit?"

Once these words were out, the crowd burst into laughter.

Zhao Chuan Guang glanced at Zhang Guoqing and saw his gesture shaking his head, knowing there was no engagement for Ping’an. He felt relieved immediately. His grandson wasn’t an ordinary child; the choice of granddaughter-in-law mustn’t be careless.

Though Jiao Jiao and her husband always kept it secret, seeing the child often, how could he not know? Every time the child saw him, he surely recognized him, suspecting the child could even understand. Otherwise, why would he always smirk when happy topics were discussed?

"Speaking of which, with the establishment of large collectives, fishing villages are enjoying communal meals now. Our trip here won’t be for nothing, right? Old Mu, what arrangements are next, get them organized quickly."

After Zhao Chuan Guang finished speaking, he stood up and looked at Mu Dacheng. It was better to get out to avoid these topics. Getting accidentally wrapped up in marriage alliances would be disastrous. His Brother Zheng wouldn’t spare him.

Mu Dacheng stood up, laughing, "Since I invited you here, doesn’t mean I haven’t arranged anything well. Let’s go, I assure you’ll have fun and return happily tomorrow."

Zhang Guoqing took his son and followed everyone outside. He glanced beside him at Zhou Jiao and saw the teasing in her eyes. He chuckled—he had been careless, almost selling his son unintentionally.

The men went out to sea with the fishing boats, while the women gathered seafood. When they had their fill of fun, everyone ate a meal cooked by the fishing company. Those delicacies made Zhou Jiao reluctant to leave for work.

Especially Mother Zhang, who told Zhou Jiao beside her, no unit was as good as the fishing company. With this job, she wouldn’t worry about food and clothing for a lifetime; eating from the sea, wearing work clothes, and earning a salary.

These words made Zhou Jiao turn and look back several times before leaving.

This frightened Zhang Guoqing, quickly pulling Zhou Jiao away. If his mother continued, not only would he lose his son, but even his wife would be taken away.

Next morning began, Mu Dacheng accompanied the group as they toured the surrounding attractions with his family. The group finally, satisfied, boarded the train with their large and small bundles.