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

In the kitchen, Zhou Jiao prepared several hot dishes her dad likes, and just as she finished, she happily ran outside: "Aunt, I’m going to pick up my dad."

"Slow down! Don’t fall."

Before Zhou Xiaozheng even stepped through the door, he saw his beloved daughter sprinting over, "Cooking again? What delicious dishes do we have today? Are they going to be warm?"

Zhou Jiao playfully blew her bangs, holding her dad’s arm, "All dishes we both like, but unfortunately, we have guests, so we can’t cook too much."

"I heard from your mom that the Miao family is coming?"

"Yeah." Zhou Jiao showed no interest in mentioning outsiders, "Dad, which way did you come from? Is brother going to pick up Ping’an again and perhaps you too?"

"I still took the old route. Maybe the kindergarten had some delays." Zhou Xiaozheng sniffed the aroma as he walked, "My daughter is impressive, just smelling it makes me want to eat."

Zhou Jiao laughed heartily.

"Tomorrow’s the registration day?" Zhou Xiaozheng saw her nod, "Really tough. If you truly don’t want to go, just take a leave. Anyway, studying this major won’t be useful. A few units specifically called to have you work for them recently, but I pushed it to after graduation."

Zhou Jiao softly laughed, "Dad, is this okay? You should encourage me to strive forward, take bold steps."

Zhou Xiaozheng patted her head, "Dad only wishes for you to be safe all your life, and to be happy. The more outstanding you are, the harder life gets, with bigger responsibilities."

Zhou Jiao wrinkled her nose, "Seems like you want me in that department? Spending all day with data, aren’t you afraid I’ll go bald?"

"Even if my daughter is bald, she’s still the prettiest bald-headed girl!"

The father and daughter entered the living room.

Lin Lishan had already prepared a change of clothes, saw the father and daughter, and said with a smile, "Chat more, tomorrow when you return to school your dad will be gloomy again."

"If Ping’an is here, he’d surely say why don’t you think about me? You don’t love me anymore, mom."

Lin Lishan patted her forehead, "Silly!"

When Zhou Xiaozheng finished showering and came out, Zhang Guoqing held his son and came back together with Miao Zhicheng.

Feeling a chill down his spine from Zhou Xiaozheng’s glance, Miao Zhicheng gritted his teeth and shouted "Uncle," then returned to the nervous unease he had when he first entered the house.

"Mm, drop by whenever you have time."

Miao Zhicheng controlled his trembling legs, glanced at him quickly, and indeed didn’t see wrong. So his cousin takes after her father; it would be better if he didn’t keep a stern face.

Zhou Jiao found it amusing watching the two of them. Her dad’s mischievous side came out, and no one could stop that.

"Alright."

Zhou Xiaozheng worried this child might faint, seeing him mixing up his movements. He smirked and spoke gently, "If you encounter difficulties at school, discuss with Xiao Wu."

Better not smile; why does it make me feel uneasy? Bravely, Miao Zhicheng really wanted to say ’Uncle, please stop smiling,’ but instead, he said, "Uncle, I understand."

Zhang Guoqing reckoned this child got scared, pulled him toward the table, "Don’t worry, my dad is easy to get along with." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Miao Zhicheng seized the moment when Zhou Xiaozheng chatted quietly with Zhou Jiao to mumble to himself, "Xiao Wu, my mom’s a worrywart. When Uncle keeps a stern face back home, none of those old ladies dare approach, right? This is authority, isn’t it?"

Zhang Guoqing jokingly replied, "Ask him yourself, you might as well close your eyes and ask."

"You’re just teasing me!"

Zhou Xiaozheng glanced at the two, realizing the child truly matches the investigation results, which was reassuring. Spending some money wasn’t a concern; if it dragged with lots of trouble, he wouldn’t hesitate to resolve it.

Thinking of the dead Miao Junfa, a gleaming aura flickered in his eyes. Those three or four older brothers are still at sea, posting notices as mentioned in the will to find his sister again. Even in death, they wouldn’t let him have peace!

Must treat this lineage as real! Yes, it’s real! If even he doesn’t believe it, how could others trust it?

"Grandfather."

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded slightly, "Just like your grandma said, when there’s time at the end of the year, our whole family will go pay respects."

Ping’an blinked with puzzlement and glanced at the goofy uncle. He didn’t quite understand why his grandfather agreed with his grandmother; his grandfather is busiest during the New Year.

"Come to the study after dinner."

Ping’an smiled and nodded. His grandpa implied they would talk once in the room, and he has many private questions to ask. Today, he heard his buddies mention preparing for imminent battles.

"Shanshan, pack a set of living essentials for boarding after dinner for Zhicheng to take to school tomorrow."

Miao Zhicheng quickly waved his hand, "No need. Uncle, I brought luggage."

Zhou Xiaozheng slightly frowned: "Eat before you speak. Besides, in this house, don’t be polite, tell your aunt if you need anything. You’re the only grandson for your grandparents; who else would your aunt help if not you?"

"Uncle, I’ll adjust."

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded, speaking warmly, "Come back for a few days whenever there’s a school break. In the Big Courtyard, speaking your local dialect won’t draw laughter; instead, it’ll make others feel more familiar and friendly."

Miao Zhicheng, despite being initially overwhelmed by his aunt’s family’s background, wasn’t lacking smarts. He quickly grasped his uncle’s implicit guidance.

Seeing him understand, Zhou Xiaozheng intentionally guided him a bit, "At school, speak less and observe more. Consult Xiao Wu for anything unclear."

Miao Zhicheng noticed as he talked, he was also serving his cousin; suddenly his uncle seemed less intimidating. A cold exterior with a warm heart matched his uncle’s type, so he boldly mentioned, "I understand. Even at work, I rarely speak much. The bigger the city, the more one needs to mind their words."

Zhou Xiaozheng grinned, nodding approvingly.

At heart, Miao Zhicheng happily chuckled. He sensed his uncle was actually praising him this time!

"Dad, there are several acquaintances at the Agricultural University, I’ll ask them to look after Brother Zhicheng."

"Very good. Tomorrow, take him to send a telegram reporting safety." Zhou Xiaozheng understood his son-in-law got his meaning; such relatives are worth publicizing.

He said to Miao Zhicheng, "Don’t put down your chopsticks, eat more of what you like."

Zhou Jiao stared at her dad speechlessly, serving him some food, urging him to eat quickly. If they kept talking, the dishes would be cold!

After dinner, Zhang Guoqing took Miao Zhicheng out to familiarize him with the area, introducing some buddies, listening to their grievances, and amusing these children.

The gang, everyone had plans for the summer, whether training at military camps or returning to hometowns. Gathering now, they chatted endlessly about various topics.

Yi Jiefang had a miserable time at the tail end of summer, dragged by his dad to the army, suffering unbearably. Finally waiting for school, now back he couldn’t wait to tell his buddies!

"Buddies, come back to the countryside with me this winter!"

This suggestion, once spoken, sparked laughter among those present.

Everyone teased, "Xiao Wu isn’t your wife, stop disgracing us guys!"

"This kid isn’t a girl sneaked into the people’s squad, is he?"

"Stop spouting nonsense, dare to jump onto a military train with us guys by year-end?"

Zhang Guoqing beamed watching them play around, while timing internally. A Southern trip was inevitable, and today’s topic wouldn’t stand out anymore.

Year sixty-three was coming soon, certain matters needed preparation! But, buddy, have you asked your wife yet?