Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 541 - 424: This Prodigal Son!

After sending off Li Qinglin, Zhou Xiaozheng’s second urgent telegram arrived again.

Mother Zhang finally picked an auspicious day for the journey.

They attended a farewell banquet organized by friends and relatives.

The night before their departure, the couple took gifts and personally visited the old principal.

The old principal’s home was simply furnished. For years, this elder had supported impoverished students, and now he was eating throat-scratching cornbread and a plate of pickled vegetables.

"Why haven’t you returned to Beijing yet? Don’t miss the registration deadline."

Zhang Guoqing hurriedly stopped him when he was about to get up, "Please, continue eating first. We’re leaving tomorrow, and we wanted to say goodbye before we go."

The old principal’s wife was a refined old lady who wore cheongsams for many years, only changing her attire in the last couple of years. At this moment, she had her grandson serve two cups of warm water.

"Let’s eat first and then talk. Xiao Wu, you’re like family, no need for formalities."

"It’s Mistress who says it best. Slowly enjoy your meal, there’s no rush. We’d like to sit for a while too. If you’re gulping down your food, does it mean you don’t want to entertain guests?"

The old principal laughed, "You, young man, are always so witty, making everything sound reasonable. This time when you two return to Beijing, study hard and strive to contribute more to the country, achieve significant accomplishments, and benefit the people."

Zhang Guoqing waved his hand, "Please don’t pressure me. I’m just an ordinary citizen, doing my duty is enough. Those goals are too lofty and hard to reach. Spare me from that."

The old principal jestingly scolded, "Such lack of ambition. I want to live a few more years to see your future achievements. Retreating before the battle is not like you."

"Wandering through life, one inevitably gets hurt. Weather changes unpredictably; stability is best. Honestly, I haven’t thought of accomplishing anything major. Keeping my family safe is enough of a wish for me."

The old principal and his family laughed heartily.

"You’re due to retire this year, aren’t you?"

After finishing his meal, the old principal returned to his chair, took a sip of tea, and shook his head, "I can’t let go of the school. Currently considering."

Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao exchanged a glance, then laughed, "If you don’t retire, how will other teachers get a chance? Retire early, enjoy family life, and accompany Mistress on some outings."

The old principal looked at him skeptically, then turned to Zhou Jiao, who had been smiling, "Do you agree with Xiao Wu’s view?"

Zhou Jiao nodded, "Companionship in old age is essential. You’re always busy working; you should spend the remaining years with Mistress. Detached from mundane affairs, peacefully enjoying old age and calmly observing the changes in the world would be wonderful."

The old principal’s hand holding the cup trembled a bit as he smiled at his wife beside him, "It seems these young ones are standing up for you. How did you recruit them?"

"Haha, with warm water."

The old principal laughed heartily, not every time with just warm water.

After discussing this topic, the couple began to share amusing anecdotes in unison.

After sitting for over half an hour, Zhou Jiao discreetly left the gift behind, stood up to bid farewell with Zhang Guoqing, and left.

After they left, the old principal silently held his tea, and no one knew what he contemplated. The only difference from the usual was that when the new semester began, he was never seen at the school again.

Early the next morning, Zhao Chuan Guang came to the county again in his car.

Before getting in, Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao took a deep look at their parents, siblings, mentors, and friends like Zhao Dashan and Zuo Lin, and a tearful Zhao Yuanyuan.

"Xiao Wu, look after Jiao Jiao outside. Discuss issues between the two of you and take care of the child." — This was Mr. Zhang’s advice.

"Remember to eat well and stay warm outside, return home early for New Year. Your mother will be waiting at home for your return." — This was Mother Zhang’s cheerful words.

Many people’s reminders and cheerful words were deeply etched in their minds. They were truly reluctant to part with these friends and relatives who had shown them kindness and care. Fortunately, they still had time to reunite.

Zhang Guoqing looked at his parents, suppressing his emotions, and solemnly told Zhang Guofu and his sibling, "Brother, second brother, I’m entrusting our parents to you. Once I’m settled there, you guys escort them onto the train."

"Don’t worry! We brothers will take good care of our parents. You focus on your studies over there, and if anything comes up, I’ll write to you."

"If our parents lose even a hair, you can beat me up, and I won’t fight back, alright? Get in the car quickly, don’t keep Uncle waiting."

Zhang Guoqing smiled and said goodbye to everyone, picked up the child, and helped Zhou Jiao into the car.

As the car gradually moved away, he saw his mother tearfully covering her mouth with both hands, and his father intently watching the direction he left, gently patting his mother’s shoulder.

Goodbye, my parents! We will reunite soon.

The car ultimately disappeared from sight, and Zhao Dashan and the others offered a few words of comfort before gradually leaving.

Seeing his wife return to their room, Mr. Zhang waved his hand, "All of you go back, let your mother spend some time alone. She’ll be fine, she’ll figure it out soon. If there’s anything we miss, when your mother misses Xiao Wu, we’ll go to Beijing to see them."

Zhang the Second looked worriedly toward the courtyard, "Dad, don’t you need us to stay with you and mom? Or should we leave Xi Zi behind?"

Mr. Zhang turned and walked away, "You all go about your business; come over in the evening if you’re free."

"Then we’ll go to work now and come back in the evening. If anything comes up, just call."

Mr. Zhang waved his hand, "Don’t drag on. You’ll be late and miss the timing." After speaking, he closed the courtyard door.

Zhang Guofu smiled at everyone, "Let’s go. Mom has dad with her, it’s fine. We’ll come over to keep them company in the evening."

Returning to the house, Mr. Zhang sighed, observing his wife’s tears.

His eyes turned, "Dear, what’s that sneaky son hiding that he doesn’t want us to see? What do you say we take a look?"

"I’m not in the mood. In a couple of months, I must go see Xiao Wu."

Mr. Zhang cozied up to her side and laughed, "No need to wait a couple of months. As soon as we get a telegram, we’ll go to Beijing. I’ll accompany you window shopping, what do you think? Come on, there must be some good stuff waiting for us to discover."

Mother Zhang followed her husband’s lead and went with him to the kitchen to unlock the door.

Upon entering the basement, Mother Zhang immediately exclaimed, "Oh my heavens, what a little wastrel!"

Mr. Zhang laughed heartily; now that was his wife. Just a while ago, who was that tearful woman?

At this moment, the basement was filled with three burlap sacks, two large jars, and on the wooden racks were cured meats, dried wild game, fish jerky, and various other dry goods.

Mother Zhang untied the ropes and took a look, inside it was full of vermicelli, and just looking from the side, it was clear it was vermicelli. She couldn’t believe her eyes as she checked the jars, untied several cloth bags inside, and found they were all white flour and cornmeal.

Mr. Zhang opened the large jar, saw a wooden box on top, tucked it under his arm, and peered inside. Even without opening the bags, he guessed it was rice and fine flour.

The couple surveyed everything and found they had everything except coarse grains. In a wooden box were towels, soap, and other daily essentials.

"Dear, hurry... hurry and pack it up to send back to Beijing. When did that little wastrel stash so much here? Goodness, it makes me mad, how much money did this cost? How can the two of us eat all this?"

Mr. Zhang shook his head with a smile, "We can’t send it back, or the kids will keep worrying about us. I knew it, the elder and second said they’d take care of us, and Xiao Wu listens so well. Turns out he’s been hiding a stash already. Dear, besides us knowing this, don’t tell anyone."

"Don’t trust your own son? What’s going on?"

Mr. Zhang glanced around, shaking his head, "It’s not about trust, but the daughter-in-law is an outsider. Besides Jiao Jiao, who could be so considerate? Since Xiao Wu didn’t tell his brothers, we definitely shouldn’t say anything, so as not to plant seeds of discord between the siblings. Also, there’s so much here, if we tell our son, should we share it with them? Would their in-laws that are preoccupied with food think too much?"

Mother Zhang nodded, "I understand what you mean." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Haha... we should also keep an ace up our sleeve. Take a look inside, what do you think? I reckon it’s money and coupons." Mr. Zhang handed the box to his wife, laughing.

"We’ll look once we’re back in the room. Right now, my heart’s still thumping."

The couple sneakily returned to their own room, opened the box, and inside was a thick stack of bills of various denominations along with a bunch of vouchers.

Mr. Zhang made a rough count, estimating at least five hundred. He shook his head with a wry smile. This gesture by the young couple left him feeling both touched and uneasy. He also missed his son.