Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 1174

Chapter 1174: Chapter 1047: Debts That Can’t Be Repaid

Under the lamplight, Zhang Guoqing was smiling at this moment, but his eyes were fixed tightly on Zhou Jiao’s every move.

What are children?

They’re debts you can never pay off!

The reason he suggested Renmin University of China,

was the result of his repeated deliberation. If he wanted to keep his eldest son from taking the road of a soldier,

then this was the best and only choice.

Serving in the army is serving the country; when has going into politics ever not been?

Combining the information he’d gotten with his own memories, the conclusion he came to was—

Renmin University of China is about to reopen. This time it will first enroll students in Beijing under the name of Beijing Normal University, taking in majors in philosophy, political economy, and the history of the Communist Party.

But contrary to the original plan, when the semester began, students of these three majors immediately separated from the normal university and returned to the original campus, and the following year regular enrollment resumed.

With that outcome, the slots for national defense students would be extremely few.

As a father, he couldn’t bear to let his sons go onto the battlefield. If possible, he’d rather take their place himself. If something happened to a child, how could his wife bear that kind of crushing pain?

Zhou Jiao had said she respected the children’s wishes; she would offer opinions, but their lives still had to be chosen by themselves.

There was a sentence She hadn’t spoken aloud, but he understood.

Parents in this world have never truly been able to suppress their children. However hard you force them, if the kids really decide to go into the army, no one will be able to hold back their steps.

But as the person on the pillow beside her, how could he possibly ignore the worry in her eyes—just like how Liu Yi’s answer just now had made her clench her fists in an instant.

Anyway, tonight he’d figured out the children’s initial plans, so Zhang Guoqing didn’t bring it up again. With the kids under his nose, if there really were changes, there’d still be time to correct them.

As for that five-courtyard siheyuan under the roots of the Imperial City, once this summer passed, repairs there were already completed; it was time to go have a look.

The reason it was delayed till now for the whole family to come over was also because his father-in-law had been busy spinning in circles, and the three children hadn’t been idle either.

This weekend, Zhou Xiaozheng had also made up his mind: no matter what, he didn’t want to think about work; he had to take the family out to relax.

Last year, the military families living inside had gradually moved back to the family compound. He had thought about moving the whole family back into their own big courtyard, but plans never keep up with changes.

Taking one step forward in that direction would also mean losing a lot of freedom.

With the college entrance examination restored, a large influx of outsiders would inevitably follow. With their whole family living outside, leaving aside safety, even every time he went out it would disturb the neighbors—that in itself was a problem.

Especially that whole conversation his son-in-law had brought up with him; he couldn’t help but ponder it deeply.

Since that silly kid had already thought about how there would inevitably be people coming to the old home in the future, and was even guarded against endless trouble down the line, naturally he’d go along with his thinking.

Living inside did indeed have its advantages.

Just like that silly kid said, if a relative came to their house they’d have to register and be checked about six times. It was awe-inspiring, but also a hassle—probably no one could stand it!

He didn’t mind giving the grandchildren of Old Zhang’s family a bit of financial help, but when it came to the interests of his own three grandsons, that was out of the question!

He never underestimated anyone; often it’s just an insignificant little person who’s enough to ruin everything.

Besides, why should he promote outsiders and let outsiders enjoy his family’s resources?

His son-in-law being able to think so clearly made him very pleased. Between people, it’s better to keep some distance.

What satisfied him most in particular were the toilets in each courtyard.

He knew that many siheyuan inside the city, especially the big mixed-compound courtyards, reportedly had nothing but chamber pots at night, and for "number two" in broad daylight, everyone had to go to the public toilets outside. In the early morning they’d grab a fistful of paper and run out...

They said the line was ridiculously long, and in summer, once a little breeze blew, the smell from the public toilets spread everywhere—just imagining it made you feel life was worse than death.

Not to mention the sour chill of wintertime...

This had always been why he was hesitant, unable to make up his mind whether to move back.

Now it was good: those annoying people who ought to step down had stepped down, and his courtyard had returned to normal. Sure enough, once things shifted a bit, everyone’s days got much better.

"Grandpa, I think this place looks very safe too. The guards nearby are strict. If I raise a few retired military dogs, we can come stay here for a few days whenever we have time."

Looking at his little grandson’s eyes full of delight, how could Zhou Xiaozheng refuse? But he still couldn’t help teasing, "You’re sure it’s not just because you want military dogs?"

"I really can’t hide anything from my wisest, most brilliant grandpa. But I do like this place. It’s big enough that I can run however I want."

Hearing that, Zhou Xiaozheng laughed and laughed. Hadn’t he had the exact same thought back then?

After finishing the tour, no matter how good this place was, it still didn’t have anything in it...

"Dad, we’ll go back with Grandpa first. You keep Mom company and stroll around the streets, and buy her a present. Uncle Da Yi bought Auntie a gold necklace."

Ping’an’s words made Zhou Xiaozheng and Miao Lishan look teasingly at their son-in-law as a couple. Of course they knew full well that their Jiao Jiao didn’t like these little trinkets at all.

Not to mention that from very early on, aside from the portion of his wages reimbursed to him in cash, all of his salary had been handed over to Jiao Jiao to manage.

Even that portion at first this silly boy had wanted to give to Jiao Jiao as well. It was their daughter who’d said that a man needed to have some money on him, so he wouldn’t make a huge fool of himself at a critical moment.