Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 550 - 432: Dormitory Alumni

The affairs of the Lin Family did not stir any ripples in the Zhou Family. Life went on as usual; no one paid attention, and no one brought it up.

Only Zhou Jiao knew. Her mom would definitely sneak back to the retirement home the next day; otherwise, she wouldn’t have kept a stony face, emitting an icy ’stranger beware’ aura on the way.

She didn’t intend to uncover the truth nor wanted to know what happened in the Lin Family that day to make her mom never mention her maiden family again.

"Ignorance is bliss"—watching her mom return to normal, laughing heartily without a care after just two days. Zhou Jiao was even more reluctant to bring up the Lin Family.

Ping’an woke up every morning, carrying his modified military backpack to the daycare, and returned in the evening to mimic the expressions and dialogues of the aunties and playmates like a little adult, amusing the entire family.

Zhou Jiao knew that Ping’an was truly adapting to the new environment, which gradually eased her mind. From every angle, she realized that she and Zhang Guoqing were overly worried. With her auntie, her parents, how could the child possibly suffer? But a parent’s heart can never let go of their child.

The day before the school opening ceremony, when Ping’an successfully defeated all the children in his class and became the little tyrant, the irresponsible parents finally relaxed and happily celebrated for him.

Early the next morning, unable to send Ping’an to daycare, they knew they had to go to school. They packed their luggage stealthily and slipped out, returning to campus in the dark.

The dormitory hadn’t been cleaned yet; they came early to prepare for settling in. Zhou Jiao blocked Zhou Xiaozheng’s suggestion to have the maid clean, so now she could only do it herself. Luckily, she had a versatile husband by her side.

Each floor of the dormitory had two toilets and two washrooms. The washrooms had several rows of taps and sinks about as high as a table.

The couple quietly sprinkled water, cleaned, hung mosquito nets, and laid out the mats. With their joint efforts, the room quickly looked new. Only then did they hear footsteps in the corridor.

Zhang Guoqing looked at the mats, the coarse cloth bedding, the empty room, the face wash basin, the foot basin all under the bed, and a luggage case for both their clothes, the desk piled with books. He felt sorry for his wife; it was too shabby. She had never lived in such a rundown place.

Zhou Jiao didn’t feel the same, satisfied, she clapped her hands, placing a thermos and two enamel cups down. She got them from Huaihai Old. She smiled sweetly and winked at Zhang Guoqing.

"Silly wife! Let’s go for an early stroll around the campus."

Zhang Guoqing’s plan was great, but the timing was off.

Just as they went down two floors, someone sharp-eyed pointed at them, "Well, well. Refused to leave together yesterday, turns out you slipped back in the dead of night."

"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding... We sneaked in at four in the morning, exhausted."

As they spoke, more people joined in the conversation, both familiar and unfamiliar faces.

"Xiao Wu, call him senior. Surely above a generation..."

Before the person finished, everyone burst into laughter.

"Buddy, a generation older as a senior? Where does that come from? I’ll chat with the boss back home to consider swapping ranks." Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily upon hearing this.

"Right, say it wrong and you’ll have to treat us."

"Treat... treat... treat..."

Upon hearing that someone would have to cough up money, everyone cheered excitedly. There was a high-end restaurant in the district’s department store still serving meat dishes, which everyone was eager to try.

At this time, a male classmate leaning against the right wall, arms crossed, constantly tapping his right toe as he studied the couple, smirked, "Why doesn’t anyone from your office introduce us to them?"

Greeted by Zhang Guoqing’s friendly approach, which drew attention when the man stood properly, Zhang Guoqing extended his hand, "Zhang Guoqing, everyone calls me Xiao Wu."

The other reached out to shake his hand, "Nice to meet you. I’m Yi Jiefang, known as Da Yi to friends. We’re in the same department, possibly even the same class."

Zhang Guoqing smirked at everyone, "Notice how this guy’s taking advantage of me? He’s Da Yi, and I’m Xiao Wu. He’s the one who should treat us."

With his words, laughter erupted in the corridor again.

Someone roused up, "Brother Yi, treat us, hurry up!"

Yi Jiefang waved his hand, "Alright. Come over to my place this weekend. Remember the old rule and bring the necessary equipment."

Fang Dayong stood nearby, smiling and explaining to Zhang Guoqing, "Everyone at their office brings fishing rods and nets for fishing with him; we’ll go over the weekend too."

Zhang Guoqing glanced at Zhou Jiao, nodded with a smile. This office, that office — who knows what office. But this guy seemed interesting.

"Xiao Wu, definitely bring your wife over this weekend. Brother will prepare fish belly for you."

Zhang Guoqing playfully kicked at him, "My son’s old enough for errands, and you’re still calling yourself brother? Don’t try ranking me. I’ll come over the weekend, make sure the booze is ready."

Yi Jiefang laughed heartily, putting his arm around Zhang Guoqing’s neck, "Interesting! We won’t stop until we’re drunk that day."

"Could you stop setting traps when you talk? You really gonna say no to leaving until drunk in your home? Okay, should we all head downstairs?"

"Take your wife over first. I need to wash up."

Zhang Guoqing pretended to be disgusted, threw off his arm, "Go wash up, presentable to meet people. Like this, can you even find a wife later?"

Finished speaking, he joked to everyone, "This is my wife Zhou Jiao. Get to know each other so when you call out Xiao Wu’s wife on the street, we won’t have the whole street respond."

Everyone laughed uproariously at his words.

Coming down the stairs were three girls, one in military uniform, smiling, "Well said. We, female comrades, have names and surnames too."

Zhang Guoqing couldn’t be bothered, making excuses to chat with Yi Jiefang and others. These young ladies always turned out to be feminists.

"Hello! I’ve heard so much about you, good to finally see you. I’m Wang Huihui; this is Zhang Zhiying, and this is Gu Xiwen. We’ll all be under the same roof, please take care of us."

Seeing her extend a hand, Zhou Jiao smiled and shook it. This one was obviously a strong personality, especially the "heard so much" phrase, making her not want to get too involved. Those who love the spotlight easily bring trouble to innocents around them. She thought it best to keep it as a gentle acquaintance.

"Pleasure to meet you. Are you going to the classroom?"

Not letting the girls next to her reply first, Wang Huihui laughed heartily, "Who’s going to the classroom this early? We’re heading to the cafeteria; the notice came last night to eat breakfast and get our meal tickets. You probably didn’t know, right?"

Oh, this airheaded sister. Zhou Jiao had no interest in chatting further. The mocking look from the other only left her speechless.

Not knowing them well, she refrained from saying much, barely smiling, "Excuse me then, I’ll take a look around first." Finished, she glanced at the other two girls, nodding slightly.

Zhang Guoqing, although chatting with everyone, actually kept his attention on his wife, grinning at the moment, "You all hurry; I’ll take Zhou Jiao for a look around first."

"Go on. Later, directly up the cafeteria, remember no need to carry dishes, they’ll be issued today."

Waving with his hand behind him, Zhang Guoqing said, "Thanks."

Yi Jiefang tapped Fang Dayong’s shoulder, smirked, cocking his mouth as he reclined into the room, arms crossed, whistling with swagger.

Fang Dayong glanced at the three girls descending the staircase, rolled his eyes, picked up his washbasin, and followed the others to wash up.