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

Zhou Jiao sent people off, her steps light as she walked back. Lovers finally becoming a couple is one of life’s great blessings, and she counts this as a good deed.

Qiao Na saw Zhou Jiao approaching and ran a few steps forward, "What’s making you so happy? Come quickly, let’s go see the excitement at the school next door."

Hear about excitement! Zhou Jiao quickly retracted the hand she was grabbed by, "What’s happening now? Little stars in the sky blinking endlessly because of my longing?"

Qiao Na let out a light laugh, rolling her eyes at Zhou Jiao, "As if I don’t know you? This time it’s about current affairs commentary. Several school students are giving speeches over in the small woods. I heard they’re top students in literature. How about it, is this worth a trip for you?"

Zhou Jiao looked at the other person with a headache. Compared to current affairs speeches, she’d rather listen to those harmless songs of praise, at least they cleverly flattered those in power aside from expressing longing.

"Hurry up, stop procrastinating, a lot of people have already gone."

Zhou Jiao quickly grabbed her hand, "We have class soon, and we’re setting off in a few days. Isn’t it better to seize the moment for a few experimental questions? When else?"

Qiao Na anxiously stretched her neck to look outside, hurriedly saying, "That’s not urgent, even if we’re late we won’t miss it."

Zhou Jiao immediately knew she was planning to skip class in the afternoon, making it more reasonable.

In a gentle tone, she persuaded, "They’ll surely discuss it when they return, there’s no need to go on-site. Let’s prioritize our studies now, we’ll have another chance to listen in next time."

Qiao Na rolled her eyes, "Fine! Then I’ll first go to the bathroom."

Zhou Jiao smiled and nodded, not bothering to persuade further. When someone’s stubborn, it’s like rain or a bride who wants out. She had done her part, but she wasn’t their parent and couldn’t control everything.

Along the route back to the dormitory building, Zhou Jiao indeed saw some people heading out of the campus. She gave a mocking smile, thinking how unaware they were of the bigger world, even her cousin knows students should study instead of being drawn to nonsense.

At the end, she found Zhang Guoqing waving at her, but she didn’t bring up the matter, fearing that his enthusiastic nature might make him step in and stop them.

"Have they left already? What’s the story?"

With a slight smile, Zhou Jiao nodded slightly, "She’s having trouble letting go of Lin Zi and said she’d go to Hai City."

"That’s great! I’ll inform Lin Zi not to leave school for a short period."

"Remember who that girl is, she has her ways of finding Lin Zi. Just let nature take its course."

As soon as Zhang Guoqing heard, he knew she didn’t favor too much interference, and quickly repeated Yi Jiefang’s words. He also expressed his concerns.

After hearing, Zhou Jiao nodded, "Alright then, give him a tip but don’t let him give random advice. Lin Zi has to find a solution himself. Things easily gained aren’t cherished!"

"Makes sense. Then shall we go upstairs and write a letter?"

Zhou Jiao was looking forward to it, "I’m just about to take a break, call me when it’s class time."

Thinking about recent sleepless nights, Zhang Guoqing sheepishly rubbed his nose. Seeing his wife’s face, aside from a bit of tiredness, everything else was fine, he quickly led the way diligently up front.

In the room, Zhang Guoqing poured hot water for her to wash her face and feet, urging her to get some sleep. Seeing her quietly close her eyes lying there, he finally sat down at the desk to write a letter.

The sound of footsteps in the corridor outside, and voices from downstairs, gathered to make it difficult for Zhou Jiao to fall asleep. Especially before lying down for a bit, downstairs came the yelling voice of Yi Jiefang.

She opened her eyes and looked at Zhang Guoqing gesturing outside the window, laughed heartily, "You go downstairs first, by the way, post the letter. When class time comes, I’ll head straight to the classroom."

Zhang Guoqing hesitated for a moment, then shouted at his mates downstairs, "Wait for me!" His voice probably could be heard even at the school gate.

"Then lie down a bit more, if you fall asleep don’t go to class, I’ll excuse you at the time. If you’re bored, eat some fruit, flip through some casual books."

Zhou Jiao waved to send him off. If he kept nagging, class time would come sooner.

Once Zhang Guoqing left, listening to the commotion outside, she was too lazy to lie down any longer, got up to sit at the desk, pulled out a dish of grapes, eating while looking out the window, noticing the two of them shoulder to shoulder heading towards the small post office, she smiled assuredly.

Now there was no chance for him to leave the campus!

In a good mood, Zhou Jiao picked a small grape from a bunch and put it in her mouth. The small black-purple grapes might not be as satisfying as large grapes, but they’re very sweet, and very refreshing.

The leisurely time passed quickly, in the blink of an eye, several days went by and it was time for Zhou Jiao to set off.

A day before, she specifically went home for a detailed talk with her son.

Ping’an listened, blinking his eyes, "Dad doesn’t need to accompany you, he stays in Beijing, right?"

"Yes, starting tomorrow he won’t go to school, and will come home whenever he’s free. Mom won’t be away for long either, will call you when there’s a chance."

"Mom, you’re fooling me again, calling from outside is troublesome. I have to go to kindergarten during the day, and at night you can’t find a post office."

Zhou Jiao gave him a silent look sideways. She indeed couldn’t guarantee being able to call at any time, but could he not poke holes?

Ping’an giggled, "Mom, you can send me a telegram, nobody ever sent me one specifically."

Nonsense! You’re just a little kid! Who would spend money for such fun?

Of course, Zhou Jiao wouldn’t say these words to hit the child.

She smiled, "Alright! Will call when there’s a chance, if not, will send you a telegram, writing letters won’t do, by the time it arrives, I’ll be back."

"What? I wanted to write you a letter too."

Not wanting to see her son’s forlorn face, Zhou Jiao offered help, "You can write it and wait for me to read when I return. Isn’t it the same as mom receiving your letter? You could even save postal costs."

Ping’an pouted as he watched her open the two wooden trunks in his room. How is that the same?

She packed snacks like bean cakes and ox tongue cookies into the trunk, followed by canned meat, various canned fruits, and then ensured to pack various ready-to-eat meat strips for security.

In the last trunk, she specially added pears, apples, and oranges. These would last a month at most without drying out. When she returns from the South, her son won’t lack fresh fruit.

"Mom, put less in, I can’t eat them all."

"It’s not much, sweetie, don’t hold back on eating. Mom will bring more from the South this time. If you crave dumplings or anything, ask Grandma Chen to make them for you." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Ping’an obediently nodded on the surface, but in his heart, he thought he shouldn’t follow his mom’s words. She worked hard to accumulate these things.

Why does Uncle Yu, like the kids in the Big Courtyard, always wish to get sick? Many kids usually rarely get fruit cans unless they fall ill when their family would buy them.

His grandaunt has plenty of money but doesn’t buy fruit cans to keep at home.

According to Uncle Yu, only when he has a cold or fever and no appetite would his grandaunt generously buy the most expensive peach cans, even letting the three little uncles share.

"Mom, you don’t need to bring anything home, just come back early."

Zhou Jiao hugged her son tightly and gave him a kiss, touched beyond words! Who said daughters are the little comforting cotton jackets, her son is just as caring.