Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 419

Chapter 419: Chapter 316: Shikumen

Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guoqing walked for quite a while before finding a public restroom. They changed clothes inside and then came out to board a tricycle.

They stood before the alleyway twenty minutes later.

Looking at the street in front of them, the couple hesitated for a moment, and after confirming the address was correct, they slowly stepped inside.

Shikumen in the French Concession.

In Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guoqing’s imagination, this should have been a terribly messy alleyway. But what lay before them were rows of houses, clean grounds, the laughter and greetings of neighbors, and children at a small book stall at the entrance of the alley.

All of this made Zhou Jiao’s mood exceptionally complicated at the moment.

Everywhere she looked, at any moment, she could perceive Zhou Xiaozheng’s meticulous care and efforts.

The house was small, the neighbors lived in harmony, and the environment was serene—these were preparations he made out of concern she might vanish from the world and become an orphan, unaccompanied by anyone.

At that time, what kind of feelings drove him to prepare all this?

Zhou Jiao wiped away her tears and carefully surveyed her surroundings, hoping to quickly find the home her father had painstakingly built for her.

Soon, a middle-aged woman noticed Zhou Jiao, who wore a sorrowful expression and had reddened eyes. Seeing this, she paused, took several glances at the tall Zhang Guoqing, and then immediately shouted, "Zhou Jiao? You’re Jiao Jiao, aren’t you? Zhou Jiao back from the Northeast, Jiang Family’s granddaughter!"

Seeing Zhou Jiao nodding continuously, the woman was overjoyed and laughed heartily, clasping her hands in front of her mouth and loudly proclaiming, "The Jiang Family’s Nannan has returned from the Northeast."

As her words fell, several elders and children came rushing out of the alleyway.

Though their accents differed, they all asked the same questions simultaneously.

They warmly greeted the couple, pointing the way ahead, escorting Zhou Jiao and Zhang Guoqing forward, joyfully shouting for Grandma Jiang and Grandpa Jiang to come out and see their granddaughter.

Some children up ahead already ran inside, shouting along the way.

Before the black door stood two elderly people with white hair, appearing to be around seventy years old. Supporting each other, they stumbled forward.

"It’s Jiao Jiao, our own Jiao Jiao..."

Grandma Jiang held Zhou Jiao’s hands, her lips trembling, eyes welling with tears as she looked at her expectantly. As Zhou Jiao and her partner called out "Grandpa" and "Grandma," tears kept flowing down.

Grandpa Jiang came forward, took Zhang Guoqing’s hand, and urged his wife and Zhou Jiao inside, excitedly shouting, "Home, let’s go home, let’s get home quickly."

Zhang Guoqing saw how excitedly the elders ignored the neighbors’ greetings, so he quickly invited everyone to come in and sit.

These old neighbors were very understanding. Laughing and pulling their curious grandkids, they politely declined, repeatedly saying to let the family reunite and chat comfortably, reminding Zhang Guoqing to be sure to bring Zhou Jiao over as a guest.

Watching the hospitable neighbors leave, Grandpa Jiang leaned against the courtyard gate. With a contented smile, he kept nodding and said happily to Zhou Jiao, "Looks just like, exactly like your dad, just like your dad!"

Grandma Jiang, pulling Zhou Jiao inside, said, "Much better looking than his dad. Child, when did you arrive? Shall Grandma cook you some noodles? We can talk after eating."

With a cheerful grin, Zhou Jiao said, "Grandma, we just came after eating. Please, don’t trouble yourself. Let me first introduce you—this is my partner, Zhang Guoqing, his nickname is Xiao Wu. We can’t stay here long, a lot of people are at the hotel. We came this time just to see you and Grandpa. My dad couldn’t get time off, he asked me to tell you to hurry up and come to Shangjing City."

Disappointed, Grandma Jiang said, "Not staying the night? The room on the second floor is all clean, you must go take a look."

"Child, go back and tell your dad. Tell him to work with peace of mind; no need to always want us to go over. Now that you two have reunited, we old couple don’t need to keep our jobs just for you. We’re planning to go back to our hometown in these days to return to our roots. Did your dad discuss with you how to handle this house?"

"My dad just wants you to be with him. Why go back to your hometown? Come to Beijing or go with us to the Northeast, both are better than staying at home. My dad said you can’t agree to go back to the hometown."

Zhang Guoqing immediately followed and said, "Grandpa, Grandma, please come back to the Northeast with us."

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