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

Chapter 1013 - 886: A Wasteland

As soon as Zhang Guoqing left Aunt Chen’s line of sight, he immediately sped up his pace. He already had a hunch, but still held onto a sliver of hope.Going upstairs, he saw Ping’an, "Are you reading, baby? Is your mom asleep?"

Ping’an widened his eyes, "My mom isn’t downstairs?"

Zhang Guoqing’s heart sank, she really ran away. Worried about scaring his son, he kept a smile as he pulled the child into the room, "She’s not downstairs, she should’ve gone to the Cheng Family’s."

Ping’an looked dejected, "No wonder, no wonder, I’m so foolish, fell for it."

"Son, if your mom is using a trick, it’s enough to fool your grandpa, there’s no need to overthink it. First, tell dad, is she headed to the city?"

Ping’an nodded.

Zhang Guoqing laughed at that, "I’ll go chase her back."

Seeing him about to leave, Ping’an grabbed him, "Dad, you can’t go! I’ll do it."

Zhang Guoqing didn’t think his eldest son wanted to run out and play. The key issue was his son’s worry about his mom, and if his wife made their son worried, she definitely revealed part of the plan.

Now, he wasn’t in a hurry to leave. Sitting down again, he restrained his smile, "Tell daddy what your mom said to you?"

Repeating the exact words was impossible for Ping’an. He recounted in detail the conversation he had with his mom, including the discussion on knitting sweaters.

"Your mom even left a backup plan for me." Zhang Guoqing was so angry he was grinding his teeth, wishing he could tie up her legs with a rope.

Ping’an felt equally aggrieved, "Exactly. My mom deliberately said those things in front of me, just to use me as a messenger."

"When your mom first said you’d help steady me, you should’ve told me right away. Silly son, your mom is cunning."

After speaking, Zhang Guoqing stood up again, "Now, even if your mom wants to act, it won’t be that quick, I’ll bring her back first. You watch over your brothers, don’t run out to find us."

"Dad, wait. My mom said my task is to keep you steady. Think about it, she must have known you’d come after her. Won’t it ruin her plan if you go?"

Of course, it would!

His wife was definitely looking for an opportunity, and if she got the chance, she’d certainly act. If he started entering and leaving the Big Courtyard, those logs would become suspicions and evidence.

And with all those cheats to help her, who would believe that with him and his father-in-law at home, she could pull this off alone?

Zhang Guoqing anxiously scratched his head. Damn it, he really couldn’t go! Nor could he notify outsiders for help! He actually had to count on his wife to make a move!

"Dad, let me go! I’m small, less noticeable."

"No way! We should have confidence in your mom. Do you think she’s the type to act recklessly? Without careful planning or having an escape route, she’d never make a move!"

Zhang Guoqing patted his son, "Don’t worry! We have to trust your mom; she’ll definitely be safe. Now you need to coordinate with dad."

Ping’an didn’t believe his dad wasn’t worried, but decided not to point it out.

Meanwhile, Zhou Jiao went out, just as she said, she truly went to the courtyard to visit her mentor, checked the household supplies, and left with their supply booklets.

She definitely wouldn’t squeeze into the long queues, instead she circled the nearby department store and supply point, roughly understanding the situation, then casually threw the supply booklets into her space.

After wandering around for an hour, near a small two-story building, an eighteen-year-old female student appeared, looking malnourished with freckles, wrapped in an oversized old military coat, wearing a badge on her chest, a red armband, and a winter hat and scarf covering most of her head.

Teammates dressed similarly to her came and went at the main entrance. Speaking with a thick Lingnan-accented Mandarin, the female student communicated with a small victorious returning team before heading inside together.

"Are you staying in the Capital to meet **?"

"Yes."

"We have a lot of teammates like you here. You can relax, we’ll definitely get to meet."

"Yes, it’s just a matter of days."

Inside a big room set up like an auditorium with benches, after a short while, as the heat rose, many people started removing their hats.

The female student, just like everyone else, took off her hat then nervously rubbed her hands, looking enviously at the chatty young comrades nearby.

If Zhang Guoqing was here now, he probably couldn’t confirm if this rustic-looking woman was his wife. An actor, absolutely!

On the way, Zhou Jiao had imagined many scenarios. Student teachers coming to Beijing rode trains for free, with reportedly twenty thousand at peak in a day.

During this time, Zhou Jiao also visited the exhibition mentioned by her son. There were indeed many items, with one room reportedly filled to the brim, awaiting upper-level processing.

Taking a chance, Zhou Jiao teamed up with the transport crew heading to the Liang Family’s courtyard.

Upon arrival, the place had already concentrated most manpower.

Zhou Jiao recognized many familiar faces but dared not approach the innermost area. The harsh cold weather was the best disguise, allowing her to quietly observe everything with only her eyes exposed.

The front courtyard, middle courtyard, both were burning fiercely for warmth, with doors and windows smashed everywhere in the side rooms, hallways.

In front of the desolate Liang Mansion, Zhou Jiao suddenly felt a pang of sadness at the misfortunes, not sympathizing with enemies but questioning what sins these old mansions could have committed.

Zhou Jiao, since when did you learn to be soft-hearted?

The virtuous are manipulated by righteous, and villains repay grievances with virtue.

’Repaying grievances with virtue, why?’

Confucius said: "How can virtue be repaid? Repay grievances with justice, and repay virtue with virtue."

—So, she came.

Once action is taken, there’s no turning back. Since she already came, what’s there to hesitate about? Zhou Jiao introspected and found no reason. Besides, why would she need a reason!

With this determination, Zhou Jiao began creating every opportunity, closely observing all traces inside and outside the house. Didn’t the Liang Family always covet the Gu Family’s treasures?