Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 574 - 455: The Zhou Family Seeks Help

Mr. Zhang brought his three sons back to the village to pay respects to Grandpa Zhang and Grandma Zhang, and after returning to the county town, he finally mentioned the main reason for not letting them return to their old home.

He originally didn’t want to say it, to avoid adding another burden to the children’s hearts. But the young couple had just arrived home not long ago, and soon the whole county knew of their return.

To mentally prepare the children, he had to remind the young couple. The people of the Zhou Family aren’t good people.

At lunch, Zhang Guoqing noticed his father looking like he wanted to say something but stopped, and now it wasn’t hard to guess it was something difficult to express, as he finally managed to pull him and his wife into the room to talk.

"Dad, just say it. If there’s anything difficult, leave it to me, I’ll handle it properly."

Zhou Jiao listened and nodded along.

Mr. Zhang shook his head with a smile, "What could a father possibly have? The people from the Old Zhou Family came to find me. Originally, this should have been mentioned in a letter, but Dad was afraid you’d be soft-hearted, so later I thought it’s better to forget it. The Old Zhou Family has already severed ties with you, so why should you know about it?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Hearing this, Zhou Jiao’s eyes flashed. She had already guessed a few things, no more than the Old Zhou Family wanting to ask her father-in-law for food through them. How shameless! How dare they even open their mouths?

Mr. Zhang tapped his pipe, "Isn’t there a saying in a play about something like cutting ties but still tangled? If the ties are cut and still tangled, then if you’ve severed them, there’s no need to connect again. And the Old Zhou Family doesn’t seem like typical rural people heavily lacking grain. Back then, your grandmother gave so much gold, and the old couple still have a retirement salary and rations; they shouldn’t be starving.

Last month, Old Man Zhou came to the door with his young grandson. I didn’t let them in, just talked a bit at the doorstep. It was still midday, and Old Man Zhou cried like a woman, constantly shedding tears, saying he was wrong and wanted to find your father and you."

Zhou Jiao didn’t say a word upon hearing this. She had long expected this day, but it was pity her father-in-law had to deal with these disgusting matters. Didn’t Mrs. Zhou admit it was all her doing last time? That wasn’t long ago, it’s not even the hardest time yet, and they already come running. Are they planning to act shamelessly?

Zhang Guoqing shook his head with a smile, "That old fool is really sick!"

"Whether he’s sick or not, you should have a precaution in your hearts. I’m just worried he’ll kneel at the front door once he hears you’re back. What would you do then?"

Zhou Jiao saw Mr. Zhang looking at her, she shook her head with a smile, "Old Man Zhou won’t see me. He’s just here hoping you’ll sympathize with him and Mother. He deludes himself into thinking if you sympathize with him, you’ll speak for him."

Mr. Zhang asked in surprise, "Really? Has he gotten senile? Why would I sympathize with him and not my own son and daughter-in-law? How does he come up with that?"

Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily, "Dad, Old Man Zhou really dares not see Jiao Jiao. He would rather go to Beijing to see my father-in-law than to see Jiao Jiao. Jiao Jiao lived under his roof, doesn’t he realize it? If he truly wanted to see Jiao Jiao, he’d definitely have Mrs. Zhou personally make the move."

Zhou Jiao thought of yet another aspect. Old Man Zhou knew they were not in the Northeast, so he’s intentionally drawing close to Mr. Zhang. If the two families get close, wouldn’t he be leveraging Mr. Zhang’s influence?

Mr. Zhang is now in the county town, with Zhang Guoqing in Beijing above him, Zhang Guoqiang in the bureau below, and the eldest son in the grain station in the middle. People around him all respect him.

This move means Old Man Zhou underestimated her in-laws. Does he really think her father-in-law, having come from a farming background, is unknowledgeable and easily deceived? Not to mention anything else, just by personality, her father-in-law wouldn’t deal with such people.

A clown as revolting as Gu Ruyi, he overestimates his intelligence and underestimates others, so vulgar it makes people sick. If she doesn’t deal with these people, they’ll stick to her and think of exploiting her.

"Looks like that old fool knows he can’t go through my father-in-law, and unwilling to give up such a good backer, he’s plotting to associate with our Old Zhang Family, putting on a show on purpose."

Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but laugh silently. See! Her father-in-law even guessed the other party’s motives.

Zhang Guoqing said worriedly, "I’ll take care of this. Otherwise, you and Mom won’t have a peaceful life."

Mr. Zhang waved his hand dismissively, saying, "As long as he doesn’t trouble you two, that’s all that matters. If he comes crying again, I’ll just keep him at the gate and ask him, since he knows his mistake, shouldn’t he be returning the gold to your father-in-law? Once that’s said, they’ll probably all run away."

Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

"Alright. Since there’s no issue with this, then we’ll ignore him. When you go back, remember to tell Brother Zhou, so he’s aware. I’m just worried Old Man Zhou will trouble you. Beijing isn’t like other places, there are plenty of people who enjoy seeing drama unfold. When you’re out and about, you’ve got to be careful."

Zhou Jiao nodded earnestly in acknowledgment. It seems Mr. Zhang has been pondering this matter for quite some time. To be safe, she’ll have to plan again.

That afternoon, while Zhang Guoqing had a meeting with Zhao Dashan, Zuo Lin, and Li Aiguo, Zhou Jiao didn’t tell anyone and went alone to the neighboring county.

If she didn’t take this trip, Old Man Zhou might think their family agreed to let the Old Zhang Family approach them. But who gives them the right to harass her family?

Getting off at the neighboring county, Zhou Jiao went directly to the village to find Zhou Xiaocun. She’s not as patient as Zhang Guoqing, and with both families having already torn faces, what’s left to talk about? Maybe she once had concerns for Mrs. Zhou, but ever since the other party avoided seeing her last time, Zhou Jiao had her heart chilled.

Whatever the Old Zhou Family was up to, it was basically Zhou Xiaocun stirring it up. As for Old Man Zhou, after years of dealing with him, she found his shamelessness exhausting.

In the cold weather, Zhou Xiaocun was in the production team field twisting ropes with others. A young girl ran over to tell him someone was looking for him outside. He instinctively asked who it was, but the little girl had already run off.

Just as Zhou Xiaocun stepped outside, he caught sight of a girl standing in the distance talking with the team leader. At a glance, he recognized it was Zhou Jiao.

No matter how she might have gained weight or seems different than before, he easily recognized her. Even if she turned into ashes, he’d remember it was this wretched girl who made his family fall apart.

He had cursed himself countless times for not acting ruthlessly back then. If he’d just discreetly eliminated her, what could Zhou Xiaozheng do upon his return?

No matter how wrong his father might have been to that illegitimate child, they could still have some connection through the kindness of his old lady. Now, everything was destroyed by this wretched girl.

With this thought, he narrowed his pupils and hastened his steps. If he delayed any longer, this worthless girl would probably start embellishing things in front of outsiders again.

The team leader pointed to the approaching Zhou Xiaocun, "There he is, I’ll leave if there’s nothing else. If you need help, just call me."

Zhou Jiao expressed her gratitude with a smile and watched him leave. Turning around, she looked at the so-called "Uncle" — still with that ingratiating and cowardly demeanor. Yet, it was this kind of person who eyed her like a venomous snake.

He must see her as a mortal enemy. No matter how harmless he pretended to be, the hatred he felt toward her was unmasked. Zhou Jiao did not care to defend herself or engage. As long as he remained a bad element, congratulations to him for living forever in hatred.

Seeing Zhou Xiaocun standing on the side with his head down, saying nothing, she glanced at him. In the freezing weather, she had no interest in admiring the snow with him or playing the guessing game.

"You should have guessed the purpose of my visit. You’re a smart person, but smart people often walk the wrong path. Was it your idea for Old Man Zhou to come to my father-in-law and plead for forgiveness?"

Before he could speak, Zhou Jiao waved her hand to stop him.

Then she continued in a cold tone, "I didn’t come here to listen to your excuses. Since both families have fallen out, it’s best we remain distant forever.

Forgiveness? Can you and your father really redeem it? I am not my father, nor Zhang Guoqing. My father can abandon gold just to sever all ties between the families; Zhang Guoqing can spare your life, thinking of Mrs. Zhou.

But I am different. I always remember how I endured in the Zhou family! If you don’t believe me, just see if Huang Zhaodi can survive!

Consider this a warning or a threat, Zhou Xiaocun, live well! And don’t force my hand!"

After finishing, Zhou Jiao sighed, turned, and left.

"Have you forgotten how Mrs. Zhou treated you?"

Zhou Jiao heard his resentful roar, but she didn’t turn her head and left with her head held high.

The cold winds from the north brought one sentence that made Zhou Xiaocun squat down in dismay — "Does your life repay Mrs. Zhou’s kindness?"

Zhou Xiaocun knew this was the final ultimatum from the other party. That wretched girl wasn’t wrong, his idea was indeed to align with the Old Zhang Family. Life was too difficult, and he wasn’t willing!

Why could that illegitimate child live in luxury? Why could that bastard become a general? While he lived cautiously, constantly seeking approval from others.

If only he had left home back then, everything that illegitimate child has now would be his. He hated his own father to death, hated that fool Huang Zhaodi.