Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 100

Chapter 100: Chapter 87: Contentment

After Lin Lishan said goodbye and left the family compound, she took a flashlight and led Xi Zi back to the guesthouse. At this hour, there was only one receptionist in the lobby knitting a sweater at the counter. Upon seeing Lin Lishan bringing Xi Zi in, the receptionist immediately stood up to pass on instructions from Mr. Lin, indicating for them to head directly to his room.

After expressing her gratitude to the receptionist, Lin Lishan took Xi Zi to the second floor and went directly to Mr. Lin’s room.

Mr. Lin’s room was used for hosting distinguished guests, with a bedroom and an outer reception area.

In the reception room, only Mr. Lin and Zhang Guoqing were present, discussing various matters. In a low voice, Mr. Lin analyzed the military ranks of today’s accompanying officials and their background influences, elaborating on their rise in history, their personalities, conduct, preferences, and weaknesses.

After finishing his narrative, he listened to Zhang Guoqing’s questions, occasionally revealing a hint of admiration in his eyes. Following their conversation and commentary, Mr. Lin had a full smile on his face and carefully instructed Zhang Guoqing on how to handle interpersonal relationships in the provincial city in the coming days, emphasizing which people to focus on and detailing the situation of certain families’ descendants.

Zhang Guoqing listened intently as Mr. Lin arranged the schedule for the following days, including parties he should attend, having a good sense of the events ahead.

After discussing the situation in the provincial city, Mr. Lin further talked about the current major forces, analyzing the challenges Zhou Xiaozheng would face upon returning to the army, giving a general account of Zhou Xiaozheng’s experiences from the Northeast Military District to Beijing, advising Zhang Guoqing to be observant and cautious in his interactions.

For Mr. Lin, his feelings toward son-in-law Zhou Xiaozheng were a mix of love and frustration.

Upon seeing Lin Lishan bring Xi Zi in, the two paused their topic.

Mr. Lin laughed, asking Lin Lishan, "Why are you back so late? I was planning to send someone to find you. I saw things left in your room and figured you hadn’t seen us go out. Later, Xiao Fei suggested you might have gone to his aunt’s place. As expected, seeing Xi Zi holding that small car confirmed it. How’s it going? Are they doing well here?"

Lin Lishan pulled Xi Zi to sit down, slightly furrowed her brow, glanced at the inner room, and noted the closed door with no one guarding outside, she softly said, "Little Mei Hua asks me to greet you on her behalf, probably too embarrassed to come see you, given all the eyes around."

After a pause, she continued, "It’s certainly not as good as in the Big Courtyard. They, as a couple, live with their two sons in two rooms, it’s quite cramped, and she seems not very accustomed to it. But she said there’s no way the child is so grown without following the army.

Originally, I didn’t plan to go to her place. Although we are from the same unit, we don’t have a deep friendship. Considering Xiao Fei’s part, it didn’t feel right not to visit, and since the remittance coupons were nearly spent, I thought I’d also check if there was a way to find some tickets for Jiao Jiao to have on hand. It turns out she doesn’t have many remittance coupons either, not even ordinary tickets. Fang Jianmei seems to have been here for two years, and in my opinion, they’re not managing well here. Dad, what position is Xiao Fei’s uncle-in-law in?"

Mr. Lin pointed to Zhang Guoqing, who smiled and said quietly to his mother-in-law, "Second Battalion Commander, he wasn’t among the welcoming crowd earlier; Xiao Fei went out with him and hasn’t returned."

After hearing this, Lin Lishan seemed to ponder and said, "Fang Jianmei mentioned our family’s three girls tonight with an ulterior motive. I brushed it off, saying matters of the heart should be decided by themselves, as mismatched pairings would make both parties uncomfortable. You see, that’s what I don’t like about her.

She also entrusted another matter to me, asking me to take care of her niece. She’s already arranged for the little girl to join the Art Troupe next year, can you see her cleverness? Without my consent, it’s unsure if she’ll get in. But now, with just a word of care, it seems assured.

Dad, do you still remember the eldest daughter of the Fang family? The one working in the department store, always raising her chin when looking at people—that’s her daughter."

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