Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 592 - 471: Summer Madness

New semester, Zhou Jiao diligently goes about her work, conducting herself with propriety.

The more undercurrent brews beneath, the more she spends a lot of time in the student department serving everyone, always smiling and not speaking in school.

Zhou Jiao understands better than anyone that the most trying times have arrived.

After multiple returns between the Big Courtyard and school, one accidental weekend before seeing the school had no events, they all agreed to go home together.

On the way back, a few people passed by a large mall, astonished to find the length of the queue beyond imagination.

Even the carefree Wan Dayong shouted, "What’s going on? It’s been half a month since I went home, and suddenly there are so many people. Is there some major event recently?"

"We came in and out along with you, who knows."

"Listen, there are quite a few regional dialects."

Zhang Guoqing glanced at them, shook his head silently.

"What’s up? Do you know? Right, you two often go home and must know the inside story."

Seeing many glowing eyes gazing at him, Zhang Guoqing felt pressured, looking around and whispered, "Residents from nearby cities and counties."

After speaking, seeing they were still puzzled, he didn’t say more, pointing to the high-priced restaurant not far away where there were even more people, and several could be seen hastily covering their stomachs.

Yi Jiefang nodded in understanding, "No wonder my mother said recent relatives came to visit, let me go see them. Seems they’re here for pickpocketing."

Wan Dayong asked nervously, "What relatives? Not distant ones, right? You better not be careless about it."

Several people including Ding Datou stared at Yi Jiefang.

"What? Can they be chased away once here? Seems like it’s my mother’s cousin. I don’t know the exact situation."

"Our courtyard guesthouse is fully booked." Zhang Guoqing interrupted coolly, making Wan Dayong and the others shiver instinctively.

"Oh no, so many outsiders flooding in, my uncle is going to be incredibly busy."

Zhou Jiao noted Geng Daguo’s straightforwardness, surprised he exclaimed loudly, drawing cold glares from nearby listeners. This foolish child!

"Let’s go, talk when we get home."

Seeing Zhou Jiao signaling with her eyes, everyone quickened their pace in understanding.

Upon leaving the intersection, Ding Datou suddenly slapped his head. The resounding smack startled the others into glaring.

He chuckled seeing them, whispering, "With more people, would criminals sneak in to cause trouble? Thankfully, there’s a sentinel at the courtyard gate."

Zhou Jiao’s heart skipped a beat, finally understanding why she’d been feeling anxious. Influenced by past instincts, she thought warmer weather attracted more tourists. How could she forget about the roles affluent people play, ensuring no wicked minds would exploit the chaos?

Earlier this year, the provincial city department store already lacked goods; why should Beijing ensure a steady supply? Unsatisfied hearts exist, and what acts would they take?

Zhou Jiao scanned the surroundings, seeing the buses driving down the street, with large airbags attached—her skin crawled with goosebumps.

Lowering her gaze to hide her panic, she lost interest in their murmured conversations, quickening her pace back to the Big Courtyard. Along the way, she pondered repeatedly about prevention.

Walking in the home, Zhou Jiao disregarded everything else, seeing the chubby Ping’an joyfully emerge from the living room, anxiously hugging him.

"You’re back? I’ll go add a dish."

Before Zhang Guoqing could reply, he noticed his wife’s solemn expression towards Aunt Chen. Startled, no one knew Zhou Jiao better than him, realizing she suspected even Aunt Chen now.

Thankfully, Zhou Jiao spoke up, otherwise he’d stop it.

"Auntie, has anyone suspicious inquired about our family lately, seen any strangers around us?" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Aunt Chen was startled, hastily asking, "Did something happen? Without a pass, not even the small gate outside is accessible, let alone the courtyard."

Listening, Zhou Jiao smiled. Scaring herself, forgetting the environment. Still, certain matters must be stressed, even carelessness might leave her son in peril.

"Nothing happened yet, I’m just worried. There’s an influx of outsiders in the city, you know?"

Aunt Chen certainly knew. Even her hometown’s people with some extra money came to Beijing consecutively. Without grain or meat coupons, just money for high-priced restaurants, who wouldn’t come?

"The courtyard also has many strangers, right?"

Noticing Zhou Jiao clutching the child tightly, Aunt Chen understood, whispering, "You’re afraid someone might abduct the child, aren’t you?"

Seeing Zhou Jiao nodding, she chuckled, "Relax! Except for the chief and you all, I personally escort the child, returning promptly upon picking him up."

Throughout, Zhou Xiaozheng entered silently, signaling Zhang Guoqing to stay quiet.

Now listening to Aunt Chen, he said seriously, "No matter what happens, just watch the child closely. Remember not to let him leave the courtyard."

Aunt Chen felt a chill from his intense gaze, promptly responding.

Feeling embarrassed, Zhou Jiao rubbed her nose, "Dad, heard that? Was I exaggerating?"

Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head, "Prepare for every contingency, you’ve done well. Regardless of how clever, he is still too young. Spare time must raise his awareness of danger."

Once he mentioned it, Zhou Jiao fully explained kidnappers, deceptive tricks, trafficking, and abductions—every detail she could conceive to teach the child.

After discussing the inherent risks until Ping’an agreed not to leave the courtyard without grandfather or parents’ consent, Zhou Jiao finally relaxed.

Truth be told, the courtyard isn’t completely secure; the guesthouse next door is fully occupied, and multiple families have nearby relatives seeking refuge.

Zhou Xiaozheng had deeper thoughts than his daughter. No matter how disguised Little Ping’an’s talent, he stood out among his peers. Besides Gu Ruyi’s sinister intentions, many adversaries linger and might exploit chaotic circumstances.

Despite the minuscule possibility, Zhou Xiaozheng followed up with security, appointing Secretary Chen to inform the nursery school the next day—not permitting anyone outside their foursome, including Aunt Chen, to collect the child.

Even Old Mrs. Cheng concerned Zhou Xiaozheng, given her frailty. Therefore, he went especially to the Cheng Family to explain.

Zhang Guoqing spent an entire day and night carving a little gourd, packing it with sedative, and experimenting with a dog alongside Ping’an. After succeeding, he hung it around his son’s neck warning him not to reveal it to anyone except himself, his wife, and father-in-law—considering it the child’s trump card.

The family seriously strategized, even early-witted Ping’an, ordinary children grasped the gravity of it. Henceforth, beyond nursery, Ping’an developed a good routine, learning to read children’s books alone at home, view pictorials, and listen to radio programs.

Gain and loss, after all, such is a good thing.

Soon Qingming arrived, the family went up the mountain for Zhou Family’s ancestral grave, Zhou Jinyu, and Gu Mingzhu couple’s tomb visits before returning to the city considering dining out.

They found each high-priced restaurant completely packed, with lines stretching outside numerous places.

Observing, Zhang Guoqing ventured around, quickly gathering information.

Initially, food could be purchased downtown, but quantities rapidly declined with quietly soaring prices. Within just a week, peach crisps rose from one yuan and six per pound to two yuan and four, yet people queued continuously.

In the study, Zhou Xiaozheng and his daughter maintained calm expressions hearing this news. They were aware of the consequences—no rescuing anyone else.

Soon, as expected, major malls and supply cooperatives couldn’t sustain, with non-essential foods, candies, and pastries nearly vanishing save for empty boxes and display items.