Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 387

Chapter 387: Chapter 296: Divination Signs

After lunch, once Jian Ping’an fell asleep, Old Mrs. Cheng took Lin Lishan and her daughter out. On the way, the old lady didn’t say where they were going first. She just had Zhou Jiao and her mother follow her.

After taking the bus for over half an hour, finally Old Mrs. Cheng took the mother and daughter through alleys, twisting and turning into a big courtyard.

The area outside the big courtyard was a mess, and the passageways were piled with clutter, even emitting an acrid smell of urine.

Inside the courtyard, Zhou Jiao counted the coal piles under the eaves and windows, concluding at least seven or eight families lived there. She carefully watched her step, following behind Old Mrs. Cheng, all the way to the door of a family at the deepest part.

Old Mrs. Cheng knocked on the door; soon a head peeked out, the body hidden behind the door. Seeing it was someone familiar, they opened a small gap barely wide enough for one person to pass sideways.

Inside, the two rooms weren’t large. Once inside, the person lifted the quilt, took out two packages, handed them to Old Mrs. Cheng, and after receiving the grain coupons she offered, opened the door for them to leave.

The entire exchange was wordless, shrouded in mystery.

After leaving the big courtyard and getting some distance away, Old Mrs. Cheng shared stories about the household.

This family also had the surname Cheng, but they had no relation to the Jiangnan Cheng Family.

The person who opened the door was Master Cheng’s only son. Speaking of this unseen Master Cheng, he was a pitiable man.

In his early years, he was famous for his tailoring skills, painstakingly buying this big courtyard, and with his wife, had five sons and two daughters. Following the chaos of war and disasters, only one son and one daughter survived. After liberation, he worked as a pattern maker at a garment factory. It was hard-earned peace for his family.

Yet he was reported for making clothes for GMD officers and little devils during those years. Although he was eventually proven to have been forced into it, he was already a frightened man.

The neighborhood committee notified that his courtyard was too large and needed to house others. Without a word, he gave up the space, keeping only two rooms for himself. He accepted work but never dared ask for money, only grain coupons.

Zhou Jiao thought this person wasn’t worried, but rather, cautious. If he dared take private jobs, how could he be timid? Asking for grain coupons instead of money was just an excuse.

Having heard his business was excellent, she smiled faintly. Cats have cat paths, mice have mouse ways. It’s also a survival tactic, seeing her aunt’s tone was full of sympathy.

Immediately after, Zhou Jiao and her mother joined Old Mrs. Cheng in a rickshaw, arriving in front of another home.

Unlike the crowded courtyard, this household was singular and the front door’s paint was weathered, yet the floor was meticulously clean.

After knocking, an old lady emerged, and the two ladies over fifty avoided Zhou Jiao and her mother, whispering in a corner.

Glancing through the slightly ajar door, Zhou Jiao noted the very tidy yard inside. Looking back at the weathered door, she silently sighed, she encountered too many smart people today.

She vowed silently that if she encountered more families like this, when she returned to Beijing, she would hide away in the Big Courtyard, and with her family, firmly refuse to live outside.

She never underestimated others. Too many savvy people in Beijing, she had money but felt dull, and would soon be cannon fodder. Listening to her real mother muttering in her ear, she planned to head to Friendship Mall next.

Oh dear... she realized her whole family was flush with money, but not so smart!

Finally, Old Mrs. Cheng wrapped things up, smilingly bid goodbye, and took the mother and daughter out. After walking a bit, she seemed unable to hold back, frequently glancing at Zhou Jiao, hesitating.

"Aunt, just say what you want. Your granddaughter is bold, she can handle it!"

Zhou Jiao couldn’t take it anymore. She had noticed the old lady was constantly eyeing her, pinching her fingers secretly. Her aunt looked solemnly at the other woman—superstition had supposedly been broken, but this old Party member lacked real awareness.

Old Mrs. Cheng smiled and looked at her, "You noticed? I knew I couldn’t fool you."

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