Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 506 - 390: The Road Ahead

Entering the living room, a group of people took off their coats and sat down. After a while, a round little figure trotted out on its tiny legs. At this moment, standing in front of the study door, it curiously sized up everyone.

Everyone remained silent, all smilingly watching Ping’an.

Ping’an once again trotted forward, arriving in front of Zhou Jiao, craning his neck to look at Zhou Xiaozheng.

Suddenly, he giggled and grabbed Zhou Xiaozheng’s pants, quickly climbing up, "Grandpa, Ping’an Grandpa."

For a moment, everyone was stunned, their mouths agape, staring incredulously at this pair of grandparent and grandchild.

Zhou Xiaozheng’s pupils contracted slightly, quickly hugging him, gazing at the small, innocent smiling face, "How do you know I’m your grandpa?"

"There are lots and lots of Ping’an’s grandpas in the photo." Saying this, Ping’an gave Zhou Xiaozheng a loud kiss on the face.

"Grandpa wants to kiss the baby too."

Zhou Xiaozheng chuckled, planting kisses on the sides of his cheeks, watching him giggle and wanting to get down. He hurriedly put the nearby cotton coat on the child.

Beside them, Zhou Jiao saw the child twisting to get down and knew he wanted to fetch the photo album to show off. She quickly said, "Mom will get the photo, you stay with grandpa."

"Thank you, mom."

At this moment, Zhao Chuan Guang snapped back to reality, pointing at Ping’an, "Little one, do you know who I am?"

"Second Grandpa"

"Ping’an, what about me?"

"Baby, who am I?"

"Third Grandpa, Fourth Grandpa...."

With tears in his eyes, Zhao Chuan Guang finally remembered he was Second Grandpa. Just as he burst into laughter, halfway through, he hurriedly stopped everyone, looking at the child, "You recognized Second Grandpa? Why didn’t you say anything last time?"

"Didn’t know."

Ping’an’s unwavering answer provoked a burst of laughter from everyone.

Madman pointed at everyone laughing, "Tonight we finally sorted the ranking. Do you think those two who didn’t come will find out and cry tonight?"

"It’s possible. Baby, I’m Third Grandpa, I’m older than him."

Madman stood up, nudged him with a leg, "Don’t start. Quickly call me Third Brother."

"Don’t argue, you’re lucky enough to be ahead. Da Wei in Beijing would cry himself dead; he’s at least seventh."

Zhou Xiaozheng saw Ping’an clinging tightly to his neck, not afraid at all, watching everyone’s commotion, laughing gleefully.

He patted the child’s head; the child was still too young, revealing too much when happy. Thinking about it, he extended a finger to place on the child’s lips and indeed saw the child nod obediently.

At this moment, Zhou Xiaozheng finally understood his daughter’s worry. This child’s intelligence was startling; it absolutely couldn’t be exposed. He squeezed the child’s little hand; this strength could only be shown one-third outside.

Zhou Xiaozheng could easily imagine if his grandson returned to Beijing now, joined the nursery class, within a week, rumors of him being a genius would spread everywhere.

Zhou Xiaozheng secretly sighed, giving up the idea of having Zhou Jiao and her family return to Beijing early.

After having the noodles Zhou Jiao prepared, everyone squeezed into the two rooms in the west house to continue catching up on sleep, leaving Zhou Xiaozheng to take his daughter’s family back to the study room.

The family leaned against the kang, watching Ping’an snoring away on the kang, exchanging smiles.

Zhou Jiao frowned and said, "Dad, did you see? Now he’s only one year and two months old, already able to speak in long sentences and recite many nursery rhymes. I’m a bit worried."

"Worried about what? Only worry if a child’s dumb. In another half year, with his intelligence, he’ll definitely know how to hide his own strengths. By then, outsiders at best would say the child is as smart as his parents. Even if Ping’an is a genius, so what? Are we afraid we can’t protect him? We just want the child to attract less attention. Normally pay attention to tone and attitude, don’t hinder the child’s positivity."

Having said this, he laughed self-deprecatingly, "When you were just born, Dad worried just like you, always thinking you’re so obedient and pretty; how could you not get bullied later on? Embarrassed to say to others, I told your mom by the time you’re three, I’d secretly teach you to handle a gun and martial arts."

Zhang Guoqing heard the regret in his father-in-law’s tone. In the end, he still had unresolved concerns, still feeling his daughter was bullied growing up.

"Dad, turns out you expected me to become a heroine. Haha... I’m decent in skill now and have a sedative. By the way, have you tried its effect? Dad, let me tell you some funny things."

Zhou Jiao worried he’d overthink, began talking about her mishaps with fish and sedatives. These things couldn’t be written in letters, using codes was inconvenient, now she spoke of them, making Zhou Xiaozheng smile widely.

Until dawn, except for the child on the kang, no one in the family could sleep.

Learning that his daughter was doing well, Zhou Xiaozheng felt much reassured.

At this moment, he finally took the time to ask his son-in-law how his work was coming along.

Zhang Guoqing frowned slightly, "The man’s ability is sufficient, and he is tactful in all directions, but he is deliberately sloppy and procrastinating at work. He is overly enthusiastic to everyone, but not sincere enough. I can’t figure out if he is an enemy or a friend."

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded slightly, "I asked you to pay attention to his intentions, do you know what the purpose is?"

"Miao Yi is a warm-hearted person, seemingly righteous. You want me to find the differences between us and learn from his strengths. But aside from knowing he is good at Tai Chi and skilled at pretending, I haven’t found anything else about him worth learning."

Zhou Xiaozheng lowered his voice, "Like Dad, he has two identities. His main job is still in the intelligence department. Besides Dad, his superior, Old Yi, and a few seniors, not many people know this. Just you knowing this is enough; make sure not to show any signs. Xiao Wu, you haven’t figured him out yet. His individual ability is enough to ensure the Yi Family remains unshaken for fifty years."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoqing immediately looked at Zhou Xiaozheng. He knew that the Yi Family would indeed remain untouched in the future and would later become a prestigious family.

"Yes. Otherwise, why do you think I asked you to pay attention to him. Northeast Tiger, Smiling Fox, those are the nicknames others gave us. On the surface, the two of us are like water and fire, constantly competing. It seems like I always win, but in fact, he hasn’t lost much, and since I haven’t been in the court for over ten years, he is now as steady as Mount Tai.

Back then, we appreciated each other in private and had a very good friendship. When I just returned, he also contacted me, but I had reservations. With his abilities, there’s no way he wouldn’t know my daughter was under his nose, yet he didn’t help out. Your job seemed to be a move by Mr. Lin, but actually, it was Yi Ming who, after knowing I was alive, did me a favor. I became his superior, he must be unconvinced. Seventeen years can change anything, what does friendship count for?"

Zhang Guoqing nodded knowingly. No wonder the other party’s attitude seemed a bit strange.

"Now, secretly, the two of us are considered allies, but the relationship cannot return to what it was. He understands this, so Old Yi wants a marriage alliance. What a joke, who is worthy of our family, Ping’an?"

Zhou Jiao looked at him worriedly, "Refusing Old Yi, could it affect you?"

Zhou Xiaozheng patted her and laughed, "Affect what? Do you think your dad is easy to deal with? If he can protect the Yi Family for fifty years, can’t I protect you all?"

Zhou Jiao nodded repeatedly, she was confident in her father.

"Dad, how come I’ve never seen the Yi Family children in the Big Courtyard?"

Zhou Xiaozheng pointed at Zhang Guoqing. No one knows better than this son-in-law. Which family hasn’t been thoroughly investigated by him? That skill is quite rare.

Zhang Guoqing chuckled, "You should know Mrs. Yi is recovering with the Old Russians, right? The youngest is studying there, the eldest is serving in the South, now a company commander."

When he said this, Zhou Jiao suddenly realized and finally recalled the Yi Family history Zhang Guoqing discussed with her.

Zhou Xiaozheng nonchalantly said, "The Yi Family juniors are just like that, don’t pay them any mind. The Yi Family’s power is in the South, now just a company commander, nothing to be amazed at. The Yi Family only produced a freak like Yi Ming, if Old Yi didn’t have him as a strategist, the Yi Family would still be in the South feeding mosquitoes."

Zhang Guoqing quietly chuckled. His father-in-law’s insights are as sharp as ever.

"Don’t concern yourselves with outside matters now, with Dad around, no one will dare to touch you. Don’t skimp on food, just watch your safety."

With that, Zhou Xiaozheng suddenly remembered he had good news he hadn’t shared.

He chuckled playfully, "Jiao Jiao, let me tell you some unfortunate news. I heard your grandma had a stroke a few days ago. Ah... truly unlucky for the family, your eldest cousin is too outrageous, actually disregarding everything to marry the grandson of her personal maid. Your grandma really can’t figure it out, even your mom says they’re quite suitable."

Zhou Jiao stifled a laugh, "It is rather unfortunate. Is it serious? It’s a pity I’m too far away here, terribly sorry I couldn’t visit the elderly."

Zhou Xiaozheng glanced at his son-in-law with interest, "Not serious, just severe facial paralysis. I heard back in Beijing years ago, those two had issues. Your grandma despised the guy for being a mud leg, and his grandmother was her personal maid. The two were forcibly separated.

This time your eldest cousin went to the Northwest, the man left his wife and kids to follow, and they even got married locally. Your grandma got so worked up she ran to the countryside to curse at her personal maid and then fainted, waking up like this. How the situation progresses is still unknown, truly outrageous."

Zhou Jiao looked at Zhang Guoqing and shook her head laughing. So that’s how it was done.

Zhang Guoqing laughed, "With love, one can live on water alone. It’s hard enough for lovers to finally become family, why can’t the old lady see it? If back then she took the same path to marry Grandpa, why can’t she empathize with the granddaughter she loves most."

Zhou Xiaozheng shot him a sideways glance, "Did you clean up properly?"

"I personally handled it, without involving outsiders. I made no contact and arranged everything thoroughly without any omissions."

Zhou Xiaozheng had great confidence in his son-in-law’s abilities, besides, what difference would it make if evidence was found?

He nodded slightly and said, "Do you know why I didn’t inform you about Mr. Lin’s purpose for visiting?"

"Yes. You wanted us to analyze it ourselves, also because the Lin Family is not a concern anymore. Mainly to make me think deeper about the future. Dad, I’ll consider it carefully."

Zhou Xiaozheng didn’t comment this time, just smiled.

His son-in-law guessed correctly. He looked at his daughter; it’s best to let the kids make their own choices. There’s a long road ahead, who knows what the future holds.