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

In the Cheng Family courtyard, several elderly gentlemen from nearby were enjoying the cool air, while a group of children, whose parents were on duty, gathered in the courtyard, playing a game.

Ever since learning of Ping’an’s return date, Wen Yu had been staying at his grandfather’s house early, waiting with a change of clothes. Last night, Zhang Guoqing and his family arrived home, and if anyone was the happiest about it, he would probably be one of them.

Compared to his grandfather’s house, Yu preferred his grandfather’s place. The Big Courtyard was wonderful! There were many playmates there, the space was large, and one could play however one liked—there was even a chance to watch movies and play in the swimming pool.

Once Little Ping’an came back, it got even better! He had so much meat that he almost cried. It seemed like without the Lin Family, he could eat more braised pork.

Yu glanced at the well-behaved little figure beside him and stuffed the paper packet he’d won into his small hand. "Hold on to it! Tomorrow I’ll win you a glass marble."

With a big smile on his face, Ping’an nodded, took one, and returned the rest to him. "No need, my mom doesn’t let me play with glass marbles."

"It’s okay. I’ll seal it with a bag, my sister won’t mind. But you must remember not to put the marbles in your mouth. Last year a little kid accidentally swallowed them and ended up in the hospital."

A nearby child, not impressed by his nagging, said, "Hurry up. We don’t have any fools in our courtyard!"

"You’re the fool! You lost a lot and still won’t admit it."

"Little master is letting you win. Let’s go again!"

The kids gathered around laughed. Go again, and he’d get spanked at home for tearing up the books!

Nearby, Ping’an boredly watched the adults drinking tea and playing chess from a distance, then looked at the women at the living room entrance. Sigh, he really wanted to go home!

Just then, two figures appeared, and Ping’an’s eyes lit up. He quickly stood up from the small stool and dashed toward the main door.

Without hesitation, Zhou Jiao picked him up, asking, "Had fun, right? Feeling hot?"

Fun would be a lie! A bunch of fools playing tear-the-book, and slapping it hard against rocks, how painful.

Seeing her son silent, Zhou Jiao chuckled and refrained from asking more questions. After her father went to the elderly men’s side, she carried her son to the women’s circle.

Old Mrs. Cheng beckoned her over to sit beside her, asking, "Xiao Wu took that kid out and hasn’t come back yet?"

Zhou Jiao greeted everyone softly and, after sitting down, joked, "You know you’re being biased against me."

"You bad girl!" the old lady patted her hand and chuckled.

"Went out after dinner, they must have gone elsewhere. My aunt didn’t come tonight?"

Beside her, Liu Ting reached out to hold Ping’an, "Your mom was just asking the same thing when she came over. No wonder you’re mother and daughter. Your aunt was here last night, she must be busy tonight."

The old lady inquired softly, "Need your aunt for something? I can call her over for you."

"No need. Just miss my aunt; I’ll go over myself."

"A little girl tanning doesn’t look good. If you miss her, give her a call, say I’m looking for her."

Such favoritism, there’s no one else! Zhou Jiao laughed happily.

Lin Lishan patted her, "Is Aunt Chen home? Xiao Wu didn’t bring a key."

"It’s okay, if we’re not home he’ll come here to look." Zhou Jiao glanced over at her father, saw him chatting with Cheng Sijin and others, so she smiled.

Earlier outside the courtyard, she and her father regretted coming over. Who would have thought so many people were at the Cheng Family’s place? On such a great night, if they went to socialize, it would be better for father and daughter to go home and play chess.

"...Has Ru Zhu decided when to head South?"

"It’s not yet time for the trade fair, should be soon. I heard this time she’s flying over, won’t be leaving so quickly. Why, want to bring something?"

Lin Lishan slightly shook her head.

Liu Ting knowingly smiled. This sister-in-law really lacked nothing; having a capable son-in-law was indeed good. Fortunately, they hadn’t handed Jiao Jiao over to the Lin Family for upbringing back then, or else...

"I heard when Mr. Lin appeared on stage, he fainted from anger, and upon waking, said he didn’t have this granddaughter. What a terrible disease! Some things can be covered up slightly, but this time it’s hard. Now there’s a lot of noise over there, saying all kinds of things."

Recalling the unspeakable things her sister-in-law mentioned, she glanced at Lin Lishan’s smiling face, hesitating but choosing not to speak.

Her husband should discuss with her elder brother, and letting their cousin know the details would suffice. Moreover, Lin Lishan was no longer part of the Lin Family, and she had no in-laws above her to show her hassle.

What a pity for Lin Family’s children! If they found out that child contracted venereal disease, wouldn’t they be despised by their spouse’s family?

Unexpectedly, that girl herself was originally in healthcare but failed to wipe clean after stealing a bite. As expected, what good could come from Gu Ruyi’s teachings?

Jealous to the core, scheming against lives, coupled with loose behavior. Truly got them all!

Over there, Cheng Sijin was indeed predicted by his wife. After some idle chat, he found an excuse to pull Zhou Xiaozheng into his study.

After Zhou Xiaozheng sat down, he silently stared at him.

"Brother, my dear brother, don’t look at me like this. Relax! This time it’s not our family’s matter, it’s the Lin Family’s! That damned girl who hurt our Jiao Jiao is in trouble."

Zhou Xiaozheng responded nonchalantly with an "Oh," then fell silent again.

"Aren’t you happy? Or have you heard the news?"

Zhou Xiaozheng glanced at him from the corner of his eyes, "What has the Lin Family to do with me, why care about them? That fool will find a dead end even without intervention, isn’t that normal?"

Cheng Sijin pondered over his words and found them quite reasonable. He nodded, "This time it’s a pity for Lin Aiguo! He escaped the first time, but he won’t this time."

Zhou Xiaozheng raised his eyebrows, waiting for him to continue.

"Foolishly, he got involved in a factional dispute and was caught in the act. The most severe point is contracting a venereal disease. Upon investigation, two or three people he interacted with also contracted it. With the Northwest in preparation, the military morale cannot be shaken. Even if the Lin Family announces separation now, it will likely be ineffective."

Zhou Xiaozheng listened silently. He didn’t consider how the Lin Family would be affected; instead, he pondered how much his son-in-law was involved in this matter? The kid seemed to be in a particularly good mood for a while, happy every day, even jokingly inviting him to watch a show.

"...Brother, will Mr. Lin ask for your help?"

Zhou Xiaozheng laughed, amusingly looking at him, "Help how? Introduce a doctor?" After a pause, "Earlier, there might have been quite a few bandages on telegraph poles, wonder if there are any left."

Cheng Sijin laughed softly, clearing his throat, "My little brother may be troubled over there; he’s likely to return to Beijing these days."

Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head, "Mr. Lin isn’t an ordinary person. About this granddaughter, he should have left a backup plan. If I’m not mistaken, he should’ve already manipulated the internal files. Lin Aiguo will be fine; he only has one son."

"How is that possible? I haven’t heard a single rumor."

Zhou Xiaozheng reminded, "The treatment of retired cadres and retired officials is different. He’s now under local management; we don’t know what he did, that’s quite normal."

After speaking, he glanced at Cheng Sijin, who had come to realization, and lowered his eyes.

Zhou Xiaozheng was very familiar with this former father-in-law. People say he was a reckless general, no scheming. Could he have survived and become a general, to have not a trace of luck, without some brain?

Even if Gu Ruyi had been handling external relations all along, others needed to see tangible results, or how would they promote Lin Xinsheng and not other people?

With such a troublemaker, if not for the eldest son, it’s likely Old Lin would have long since contemplated murder for silence. Secretly swap fostering a war orphan or something, if done well, could even bring sympathy to the Lin Family.

If nothing happens, it’s not exposed, as such a person becomes a discarded piece. But when trouble arises, throw them away; would Lin Aiguo and his wife disagree for the sake of benefits?

Hehe...Zhou Xiaozheng never held the Lin Family in high regard.

Cheng Sijin frowned, "So you mean the old man fainted upon hearing the news as an act?"

This question, Zhou Xiaozheng couldn’t answer. Fainting to elicit external sympathy is sometimes a strategy too.

He laughed, "Want to know what happens next? Tune in for the next episode."