Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 564 - 445: Lin Laoyao Returns to Beijing

Time ticked by, and in the blink of an eye, the first snow arrived.

Some of the students lacking adequate clothing and food received school notifications to pick up quilts, cotton-padded jackets, and pants at designated locations. Besides this, daily life seemed unchanged.

The campus still teemed with crowds rushing to various classrooms during breaks, accompanied by the broadcaster blaring the sports march and radio calisthenics.

Laboratory classes, public lectures, ideology courses, and voluntary labor remained as they were.

If anything had changed, what struck Zhou Jiao most was the decline in food quality, the dwindling number of students participating in physical exercise, and the fact she couldn’t always return home.

Zhang Guoqing fetched the meal, declined his classmates’ invitation for a dinner gathering downstairs, and upon returning to his room, he found Zhou Jiao engrossed in her books again. He was curious how Zhou Jiao managed to maintain good eyesight.

"Jiao Jiao, let’s eat first."

Hearing his voice, Zhou Jiao looked at him blankly for a while before snapping back to reality, "When did you get back? Is everything alright at home? Did you see Ping’an?"

Zhang Guoqing had taken advantage of going into the city with classmates in the afternoon to come home. Having checked on his son, he hurried back, worried she wasn’t eating on time.

"Let’s talk while eating." He handed her chopsticks, "I went to the daycare and saw our son. He’s doing well and was playing happily. I even stayed for a chat with him. The auntie there said he’s fine and told me not to worry."

"What did you talk about?"

"Haha... Yesterday, Mom took him to Dong An for lamb hotpot. The little guy is living even better than us. He proudly asked me to tell you that his grandpa let him touch the real thing."

Zhou Jiao laughed and nodded, "That’s good. I was worried he might not adapt to the weather. Did you hand over the stuff to Auntie?"

Zhang Guoqing gestured for her to eat, watching her take a bite, and nodded with satisfaction, "Yes, I gave it to her. I also asked her to use the nutritional supplements. Ping’an’s clothes were handed over to Aunt Chen in her presence."

Zhou Jiao told him to eat first and talk later. If there were no meetings or teaching sessions in the evenings these days, she’d decide to go home once.

After dinner, seeing that he stopped her from doing the dishes and made two cups of tea on the table, Zhou Jiao wondered if he wanted a long talk.

"The Lin Family moved back to the Big Courtyard the day before yesterday, and Lin Laoyao also returned from the South. According to Auntie’s report, Lin Lao’er seems to want to retire before the New Year and return to Beijing. These past two days, Mr. Lin has been seeking people for the procedures."

Zhou Jiao never had a good impression of the Lin Family, as long as they stayed out of her way it was fine.

"You see, there’s always a distinction between who is favored and who isn’t. As long as their last name is Lin, Mr. Lin gives it his all."

Zhang Guoqing chuckled and nodded. He understood Zhou Jiao meant that simply because her last name was Zhou, she wasn’t under Mr. Lin’s protection. Many things can’t be compared; human nature is inherently selfish.

"That useless Lin Lao’er can sure pick a family! I thought he’d stay at least another three to five years, but he couldn’t hold out. Where’s the integrity? He’s even a Party member."

Zhang Guoqing secretly contemplated whether to interfere. Didn’t Gu Ruyi always dote on her youngest son? If her precious boy couldn’t return, would it worsen her condition till she breathed her last? That wouldn’t do; he wanted the old woman to live well to see this wonderful world.

Zhou Jiao glanced at his expression and quietly advised him, "Watch from the sidelines, don’t intervene. What’s the Lin Family to us? We should stay far away. Now they still want to play tricks, but who in Beijing is foolish? Let’s see if they settle accounts after Autumn."

While Zhou Jiao was advising Zhang Guoqing, at the same moment, Mr. Lin was also advising his old partner.

In the bedroom, Mr. Lin was secretly glad his partner’s hearing was normal. He whispered in Gu Ruyi’s ear, "The better the unit, the more people are envious. My plan isn’t wrong. Let Lao’er’s family live in the suburbs for a few years first, and then slowly plan."

Mrs. Lin didn’t see it that way. She might have had a stroke, but her mind was still there. She believed herself no less intelligent than others. In a few years, when people move on and situations change, who will help? Better to strike while the iron is hot.

Seeing her unconvinced, Mr. Lin reluctantly disclosed the truth, "My dear, times have changed. To get Lao’er to retire, I’ve spent a lot of favors. To put it bluntly, he’s currently not in the transfer range; do you understand what that means?"

Mrs. Lin stared blankly at her partner. Deep inside, she regretted terribly. If only she had encouraged her child’s transfer two years ago; now she’s stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"There’s also Lao’er’s wife. She has a blemish on her file, and neither units nor streets in Capital City would accept her back. I still need to get the eldest’s family to help with this matter. So stop dreaming of reaching the sky in one step. Many things have to be approached gradually. Rushing won’t help, focus on recuperating, there’s a long way to go."

Mrs. Lin grabbed a pen and quickly scribbled two words.

Mr. Lin took a long time to recognize the scribbled words—’divorce.’ He stared at his partner in shock, couldn’t have imagined he was wrong?

He sighed, "Dear, we can’t do this. Last time, Old Jiang helped us a lot. At the start, it was easier, but now it’s too late. Plus, did you forget Lao’er’s family has given us Lin descendants, they’re indebted to us. Never bring this up again. Our Lao’er wouldn’t want to leave his wife."

Mrs. Lin didn’t object this time, after hesitating a bit, she scribbled—have the eldest and his wife come over.

"You don’t have to say it; I’ve already planned to have them over tonight. Please remember not to vent your anger at them. The daughter-in-law is quite nice; don’t let the child become estranged from us."

Mrs. Lin scoffed at her partner and closed her eyes.

"Her eldest brother just got promoted to factory director." After saying this, Mr. Lin left the room. Since persuasion failed, he’d let her figure it out herself.

Watching his retreating back, Mrs. Lin was stunned. The more she thought about it, the gloomier she felt! Why is it always those despicable beasts who rise to power and wealth? Heaven must be blind.

Lin Xuezhen saw Mr. Lin come out and quickly stood up, anxiously looking at him.

"Good child, sit down quickly. Don’t be anxious at home, keep grandpa company." Mr. Lin didn’t know how much injustice this child had suffered. Such a lively young girl had become a frightened bird.

Lin Xuezhen stole a glance at him and lowered her head.

"You’ve suffered a lot out there, haven’t you? Do you remember what Grandpa told you? People should strive for higher places, why would a fool abandon a good life to suffer in the countryside?"

"Grandpa, I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. If I hadn’t played a prank that day, you wouldn’t have collapsed. Without that, nothing else would have happened."

The old man smiled, "Silly child, things were bound to come to light; it has nothing to do with you. Grandpa should thank you, my little granddaughter, otherwise my health issues would’ve gone unnoticed."

Lin Xuezhen’s tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Adult matters have nothing to do with you children. Just make sure to visit your aunt Jiao Jiao at your aunt’s house."

Lin Xuezhen wiped her face with both hands, "I... I don’t dare to go."

Mr. Lin chuckled at this, "What’s there to fear? It’s your real aunt’s house, not outsiders. Jiao Jiao has a good nature; she wouldn’t ignore you."

Remembering how Zhou Jiao hadn’t replied to any letters, Lin Xuezhen lowered her head, silent. Listening to Mr. Lin’s advice made her hesitate about revealing the truth; what if he collapsed again?

The Lin family’s grandfather and granddaughter each had their own thoughts. Unfortunately, they were unaware Zhou Xiaozheng had already issued an eviction order against the Lin Family. The Zhou Family was not a place to enter at will.

Idealistic as it may be, the Zhou family, envisioned as a welcoming maternal family—soon taught them a harsh lesson. Once things are exposed, some things are irretrievable.

Proud and aloof like Zhou Xiaozheng and Zhou Jiao, how could this father and daughter dance with wolves? Lost is lost; how can it ever be retrieved.