Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space

When Zhang Guoqing came over, he didn’t need to search much and went straight to the direction of the old book stalls. Sure enough, not far away, he saw this mother and son duo flipping through books. Especially his son, who was bending over, choosing book by book.

"How’s the selection?"

Ping’an quickly turned around, saw his dad, happily put down the book in his hand, and rushed over, "Dad, there are a lot of comic books here. I can collect a complete set."

Zhang Guoqing glanced at the book stall and nodded knowingly. Now is not like a few years ago, besides children’s publications and some professional books, those so-called miscellaneous books have become increasingly rare. Nearby book stalls, in order to make money, can only collect more comic books and children’s pictorials to sell.

Ping’an leaned forward and whispered in his ear: "Five cents a book."

Zhang Guoqing got the hint in his son’s words, patted him, and also whispered, "Pick more."

Ping’an was so happy that his eyes turned into crescents. The small book stall outside the Big Courtyard alley charges a cent every time you borrow a book to read, and three cents to take home.

Now he only needs to spend five cents to take it home, and the book is his own, it’s really wonderful. If it weren’t a bad influence, he could set up a book stall in the Big Courtyard to make money.

Thinking of this, Ping’an rolled his eyes, "Dad, help me pick more. I’ll take them back to the Big Courtyard and lend them to my little friends to read. Aren’t I generous? Aren’t I loyal?"

Zhou Jiao chuckled after hearing this. No one understands her son’s thoughts better than she does. It seems that her words from that day sunk in and prompted the child to take action.

Zhang Guoqing felt gratified that his son was starting to understand interpersonal relationships, and quickly nodded. Compared to giving so-called small gifts, these comic books and pictorials would better help children enhance their feelings through interaction.

"Wife, choose more. When we get back, let’s convert the remaining room in the west wing into Ping’an’s reading room, and also place some chessboards."

"Okay." Zhou Jiao nodded. The child has grown up and has visiting friends. It’s not convenient to let them into his room, especially since some things in the child’s room should not be seen by others.

With a reading room, when Ping’an brings friends back, it gives a reason to avoid going to the bedroom. Her family would open the doors wide for anyone to see, what secrets are there to hide? Is there anything they wouldn’t dare to show others?

Human nature is a strange thing! As the saying goes, a gentleman is open-minded, and a petty person is narrow-minded. The more you try to hide, the more you might provoke suspicion from those who pay attention. Instead, if you go the opposite way, it makes people think you are straightforward and forthright.

Zhang Guoqing didn’t think that much. For his son, he tries to make the child comfortable as long as it’s within a safe range. Except under these circumstances, what does his son lack?

Once in the silly dad mode, the nearby book stall owners were delighted, paying no attention to other customers, rushing forward to help, and even having their own kids go home to look for more.

At five cents a book, spending over a hundred yuan, plus some that were not in good condition at a discounted price, along with some children’s publications, roughly three thousand books were packed into two large burlap bags.

Zhang Guoqing was very satisfied with these books. Compared to precious medicinal herbs he acquired, these were his favorites. After returning to Beijing, he would remove the sensitive books, arrange the rest in the west wing, add a simple sand table, and make a large table for military chess.

He didn’t believe those old men, eager for their grandsons to become dragons, wouldn’t be pleased when they saw it!

Zhang Guoqing hoped that before a wave of change arrives in the future, his son could experience the good and evil of human nature through these relationships and have his own social circle.

Late at night, while the child was asleep, Zhou Jiao finally softly asked how the investigation results were.

Zhang Guoqing sighed.

"What?"

"Wife, regardless of the background, she truly has her eyes set on Eldest Zhang. Among her suitors, there are those with higher status, but she rejected them too."

Zhou Jiao pursed her lips upon hearing this. She caught the unfinished meaning in her husband’s words, but so what? A person’s worth in this world is determined by having a clear conscience. Besides love, there’s principle and responsibility.

"I heard that a few days ago, Big Brother took Sister-in-law back to school, they stayed at the guesthouse for two nights, and their marital relationship was very good." After saying that, Zhang Guoqing laughed.

Zhou Jiao was speechless. What kind of nonsense is this, worthy of him laughing like a fool?

"Jiao Jiao, don’t you find it amusing?"

Zhou Jiao rolled her eyes, "Yes, you’re even more amusing than them."

"You little rascal, don’t think I can’t tell what you’re thinking."

Zhou Jiao patted him, "Since Eldest Zhang can handle his own affairs, you stay out of it. Pitiful people must have something despicable about them; even if that girl truly fell in love, she’s wrong. What is being human? Conducting oneself with principles, understanding shame—those are the most basic rules."

After speaking, seeing him silent, Zhou Jiao’s eyes flashed, "For example: if there’s a girl better than me who silently sacrifices for you, even almost dies for you, would you be so moved you’d give me up?" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"How could that be?"

Zhou Jiao patted him, "Don’t get excited! I said it was hypothetical."

"Even hypothetically, it’s not possible! We are different from others."

"Eldest Zhang and his wife, from newlyweds to having three sons and a daughter, have come this far also with sweetness. But now? Almost let this little girl make him lose his fundamental goodness. As for Huang Cuilan, if it were me, a man like that..." Zhou Jiao laughed, shaking her head.

"He hasn’t had a change of heart."

Zhou Jiao looked at him with a half-smile.

"Honey, don’t go suspecting me. Wouldn’t you say I’m wronged?"

Zhou Jiao nodded, waiting for him to smile, and said softly, "Emotional betrayal is more detestable than physical! Flies won’t pick eggs without cracks; no matter if it’s a man or a woman, as long as you stand upright and usually maintain boundaries with the opposite sex, I don’t believe there are so many crazies willing to be flies."

Zhang Guoqing quickly nodded in agreement. He worried that if he delayed, his wife might think twice, and he might inadvertently become that cracked egg!

"Don’t think I’m just talking nonsense. See if I ever joke around in front of the opposite sex? See if, whether past or present, no man has ever uttered nonsense in front of me. That’s because I’ve always understood the importance of maintaining boundaries between men and women. Those so-called sworn elder brothers and sisters are just scheming philanderers!"

Zhang Guoqing laughed so hard lying on her shoulder that he cried. This silly girl still thinks her solemn demeanor wards off those scoundrels. If it weren’t for himself keeping an eye nearby, how peaceful would her ears be?

He remembers clearly the first time he saw her at school upon her arrival, back then she was skinny but could not hide her chilly aura. If he hadn’t declared that Zhou Jiao was his blood sister, how could she fend off those wolves?

And in this world, if he hadn’t married her early and stayed by her side, did this silly girl think her boundaries could fend off those wild men?

Seeing him laugh quietly all the time, Zhou Jiao angrily hit him a few times, "Stop laughing! Back then you always said I was your blood sister, was that because you had a scheming heart?"

"Oh dear, you finally realized." Zhang Guoqing wiped his tears, shaking his head in delight.

Zhou Jiao thoughtfully examined him, "Seems like, you’re not so proper yourself. No wonder, no wonder you felt sorry for your Big Brother. Tsk tsk..."

Hearing the annoying clicking sounds, Zhang Guoqing quickly sat up, "Wife, don’t slander me like this. Except for you, I don’t have any sworn sisters, I don’t even dare to look at my two cousins. If any little girl approaches, I get anxious fearing you might misunderstand."

"Hahaha," Zhou Jiao laughed, giving him a thumbs up, "My husband excels in this aspect, it’s worth learning for men around the world."

A compliment is merited, be prudent! At night, she just reminded with the phrase that flies won’t pick eggs without cracks. If talked about too much, it might affect the trust between husband and wife.

Her man has a strong sense of dignity and exceptional emotional intelligence. If she exerts her authority and demands him to act a certain way, not only he but she herself would get annoyed with those kind of people.