Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 262

Chapter 262: Chapter 196: The Zhou Family’s Schemes

Zhang Guoqing drove the car towards the Zhou Family Village, getting close to the Zhou Family Courtyard. As soon as the car approached, the eldest and second granddaughters-in-law of the Old Zhou Family, who were chatting quietly at the gate, hurriedly ran inside.

Was it because they were worried about his father-in-law coming to settle accounts or to pass a message inside? Zhang Guoqing sneered to himself. It must be to avoid them. If it was to send a message, one person would be enough; they had the cunning but not the courage to carry it out.

Sure enough, after he parked the car, not a single soul emerged.

The aunty from the neighboring courtyard peeked outside, and upon realizing it was Zhang Guoqing and not Zhou Xiaozheng, she immediately came out smiling.

Zhang Guoqing raised an eyebrow. What was the meaning of this? It seemed everyone was just afraid of his father-in-law coming over.

The aunty greeted him with a smile, sizing up Zhang Guoqing while glancing at the Zhou Family’s front gate. Finding no one there, she whispered, "So it’s Xiao Wu, where’s your father-in-law? How come you’re here? The eldest son of the Zhou Family came out, hiding inside not daring to come out. Old Man Zhou is worried your father-in-law will come over to teach his eldest son a lesson. The whole family has been staying indoors all day. Even the eldest grandchild took a leave from work to stay home. You aren’t here to deliver something to the Zhou Family, are you? Otherwise, they’d be smug as can be, you’d better head back."

Zhang Guoqing smiled helplessly, "This is for Mrs. Zhou. My father-in-law didn’t want to come by, so he sent me instead. Mrs. Zhou raised Jiao Jiao, and Jiao Jiao is worried about her grandma’s health, so they had me bring this over."

The aunty chuckled and patted him, "That’s how it should be. Hurry up and see Mrs. Zhou; she’s been looking towards the gate since early morning, only going back after Old Zhou scolded her."

"Oh dear, my dad’s busy. He went to another province today and works tirelessly every single day. Since Mrs. Zhou wants to see my dad, I’ll take her to him. He should be back by now, just the perfect timing to accompany Jiao Jiao, she keeps missing her grandma. Aunty, I’ll head in to get grandma now, thank you."

"Go ahead, Mrs. Zhou will be glad you’re taking her to visit. She’s been thinking about that youngest son, often looking out from the gate these days. I told her to visit your place, but she wouldn’t go, I didn’t know what to say. There’s just a river between you, it’s a perfect chance to see Jiao Jiao, Ah Zheng’s bound to come home at night, isn’t it good to meet up for a chat?" The aunty remarked with a slight huff.

Zhang Guoqing bade the aunty farewell, watched her go inside, and after glancing at the bamboo basket inside the car, quickly shut the car door.

He approached empty-handed and pushed open the gate. Once inside the courtyard, silence prevailed; he had no idea in which room Old Zhou Xiaocun was. He directly entered the main hall, calling a few times for grandma, but neither Old Sir nor the others appeared. He vaguely heard Mrs. Zhou’s voice, knowing his hearing was superior to most.

Zhang Guoqing frowned, swiftly stepping to Mrs. Zhou’s room, quickly pushing open the door, just in time to see Old Sir firmly restraining Mrs. Zhou from getting up from the kang. They intended to force her to feign illness. Seeing Zhang Guoqing enter, both of them froze.

Zhang Guoqing pretended not to notice, smiling, "Grandpa, Grandma, you’re home! Grandma, in this freezing weather, how’s your health? My dad’s been busy these days, going out in the day and only returning around eight or nine at night. He even went to another province today, always worrying about you. I thought, given the cold night, it’s not good for you to go out. So today, I’ll take you to see Jiao Jiao.

She misses you a lot, wondering why you haven’t gone to see her. My dad will be back tonight, you can chat for a while. In a few days, he’ll be back to work; the holiday’s too short. Coming here, you can ask how he’s been these years, if he’s hurt in any way, I asked him but he keeps saying he’s fine, not taking care of himself at all."

Old Sir powerlessly waved his hand, saying in a low voice, "It’s useless, he’s completely severed ties with your branch of the family. If he still acknowledged you, he’d have come and beaten you up today. Now, he doesn’t even step foot in the house, he even hates me. Just live your lives properly; don’t think of useless things."

Zhou Xiaocun softly called to Old Man Zhou, "Dad, you’re his father. He doesn’t recognize me, his brother, but he’ll listen to you, won’t he? Will he dare not to listen? Dad, I beg you, once he’s gone, nobody will help our branch. You saw for yourself the nature of that Zhou Jiao girl, disowning kin. I treated her like my niece, and she turned out heartless."

Old Sir shook his head continuously at him, finally sighing again, "You coming out was suggested by Zhang Guoqing. Ah Zheng even said he didn’t want to spare you; it was Jiao Jiao and her husband who proposed it. If you keep talking like this, it’s clear I did a poor job raising you. Ah Zheng and his wife have provided for the family quite enough. Jiao Jiao is his only daughter. When she was born, he sent an urgent message asking if you forgot its contents? Elated over the birth of a daughter, she was named Zhou Jiao on the genealogy. Do you understand what Jiao means? He planned to spoil her to no end, fearless. Upon returning and seeing himself alive, how much grievance his only daughter suffered at your hands made him likely wish to kill you.

He reflects on me and your mother being here; if you weren’t his eldest brother, he’d be ruthless. You know your own brother’s nature, do you not? Do you believe, if you pull some antics, Zhang Guoqing won’t even need to lift a finger before Ah Zheng deals with you imperceptibly?

Your wife is foolish too, she was caught red-handed trying to scheme that girl. Her guts are indeed sizable to plot her marriage into the Huang Family. Even if Zhou Xiaozheng truly died, the Lin Family wouldn’t let you off.

I misjudged, underestimated even a little girl. Indeed worthy of being Zhou Xiaozheng’s offspring! Ruthless, capable, silently making a blood-drawing move. If you couldn’t suppress her before, you’ll never handle her in the future, abandon such thoughts early. If more troubles arise, don’t blame me for not warning you. Zhou Xiaozheng and Zhou Jiao can finish you without lifting a finger, leaving no trace."

Finishing his words, Old Sir, hands clasped behind his back, slowly returned to his room. No one noticed the tears at the corner of his eyes or the full face of dismay.