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

Zhou Jiao handed him a cup of tea. This honest man had been talking for so long, wasn’t he afraid of getting thirsty? 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Thank you, little sister." Miao Zhicheng happily smiled at her and then turned his gaze to Lin Lishan. Wow! How did his aunt give birth to such a beautiful sister?

"It’s okay to talk later. Are you hungry?"

Miao Zhicheng shook his head, "I just had a bowl of noodles earlier, so I’m fine."

"You silly child!"

"Aunt, I have to talk to you about serious matters first."

Lin Lishan smiled and nodded. This nephew was nothing like Lin Dingsheng and the others, but she still found this kid likable.

"Aunt, it’s fortunate you didn’t go back first. The last time people from the county came with gongs and drums making a fuss, it was unbelievable. They said my grandfather was a martyr and wanted to posthumously honor him. But it’s not ancient times. My father and I went to the county the next day to refuse.

Later, a retired old cadre hinted to my father to stay home and farm honestly, and not to mess around with those people. But the two elder uncles at home didn’t think so, they came to our house and made a scene, and their wives grabbed my mother, insisting she was causing trouble. It was my second sister who rushed home with a broom to chase them away."

Zhang Guoqing listened silently, contemplating a thought: could it be that after sending off the baby girl back then, this family had no girls except in the house of the adopted son?

For instance, not hearing about any aunt or anything.

"My mom said if you’re doing well in the city, then don’t come back. Those people dream every day about you coming back to help. What if they kneel and beg you, crying?

Oh, she said this by the way, ’The eldest family has five sons, the second one has three, each getting only five work points a day, can’t even compare to the old women in the team. All the wives they married are lazy. The house is so messy you can’t even step in. Tell your aunt not to be soft-hearted, those are all bottomless pits.’ Aunt, do you know what five work points mean?"

The room burst into laughter.

Zhang Guoqing pointed at himself, "I came from the village. Ten work points are nothing."

"I often visit grassroots, know them well."

Miao Zhicheng nodded, "That’s good. As long as you understand! My father thinks if grandma were still alive, outsiders might remember the past and stop those two families from pretending insanity. But if you come back in glory, they’ll think we’re all family and need to help each other. So before I came, my mom asked me to take a look, if you’re doing well, then don’t come back."

Lin Lishan playfully teased, "So, do you think your aunt is doing well or not?"

Miao Zhicheng stared at her speechlessly, "Aunt, I graduated high school! I’m about to be a college student! This is my first time in Beijing, I’m just not used to it. In our county, I’m a big shot."

Oh my, hearing this honest kid say such a thing really made them laugh.

Stopping his laughter, Zhang Guoqing picked up the luggage from the floor, "Let’s go, big shot. I’ll take you for a bath and find you a place to stay."

"Brother-in-law Xiao Wu..."

"Xiao Wu!"

"Alright, Xiao Wu. I haven’t finished talking to my aunt."

Zhang Guoqing, holding the luggage, looked at him amused and signaled him to hurry up.

"Aunt, here’s the thing. Would my university admission affect you and uncle? At the time, the agricultural station had me and two other aspirants, later someone brought up grandpa, and I got the place in Beijing, another colleague got the provincial city spot, the remaining one has to wait until next year. My mom wanted me to ask if without this policy, should I still go back to work?"

Lin Lishan smiled and waved, "This is the result of your hard work, don’t overthink. Quickly go with Xiao Wu for a bath and talk more when you’re back."

"Really doesn’t matter? Shouldn’t you ask uncle first to see what he thinks?"

Zhang Guoqing dragged him away, "Stop wasting time, talk later tonight." Some things he really couldn’t explain clearly. Not to mention whether it matters, even if it involves reputation, it’s not a big deal!

Our country is really strange now!

If officials send their kids to university, it’s seeking progress, contributing better to the country, this condition can be fulfilled without obstacles.

But if personal conduct leads to accepting some gifts, even a pack of cigarettes, you’re done for! Once reported, at best, demotion to some remote place like Lin Aidang, at worst, you’ll be publicly criticized, family’s life turned upside down overnight.

This is why those seniors appreciate this couple’s approach. With his and Zhou Jiao’s status, they could easily bypass exams to enter university.

Damn, they’re just that awesome!

Back then Zhang Guoqing didn’t understand this unspoken rule, foolishly dragging his wife through the "ambitious" path. Even when his father-in-law repeatedly mentioned he could directly let them enter university, Zhou Jiao worried it’d affect her dad’s reputation, responding firmly.

Reflecting on it brings tears! Fortunately, they both really got in, otherwise, nicely put, they’d be said to have ambition. While viciously taunted, it’d be said they’re crazy! Just making a fuss!

Going round in circles really presents strange situations. Now Zhang Guoqing’s still confused, who knows what’s happening!

"You’ll sleep in this room tonight, I’m across from you, just call if you need anything."

Miao Zhicheng stood at the door of the first room in the west wing, pointing inside at the cards and chess board, "Isn’t someone living here? Would it be inappropriate for me to stay?"

"It doesn’t matter." Zhang Guoqing didn’t explain further. They’ll stay just a few days, with his father-in-law and wife’s protective nature, they’d rather guests stay at a guest house.

The father-daughter duo has a strong territorial sense, dislikes outsiders in their domain. For instance, his father-in-law’s study, even Secretary Chen isn’t welcome.

Similarly, his wife, whenever someone visits the east wing study, when they leave, she cleans frantically, fearing traces of outsiders.

Now there’s another son in the family. This little guy is even more territorial! His bedroom, only family can enter without his consent.

Even if the child fabricates excuses like practicing his writing or reading secretly, it still doesn’t escape the essence. Truly worried about his future wife search.

"Jiao Jiao, don’t move heavy stuff, wait for me to return."

"Got it."

In the living room, Zhou Jiao responded loudly, then looked at Lin Lishan, leaned over, and whispered, "Mom, are you planning to just go along with it? He just mentioned there are quite a few bad people in the Miao family."

Lin Lishan felt helpless too. This identity must be confirmed, in case one day someone randomly speaks nonsense, she’d need her maternal family.

As for those riffraff, she scoffed, "In the short term, with Miao Zhicheng, there’s no need to visit over there. When the New Year comes, your dad can bring service soldiers, who dares to mess around? Though not blood-related, even if so, they’d still be cousins, the blood of enemies, how close could they get? But this young man is good! Raising such a kid, seems family morals are decent enough."

Zhou Jiao shook her head, "All kinds of people exist, who knows what they’re thinking? To avoid future trouble, it’s better to keep a distance."

Human thoughts are unpredictable, Lin Lishan, thinking of the Lin Family, fell into silence...