Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space novel Chapter 687

Chapter 687: Chapter 562: The Little Beggar

After seeing off Old Mrs. Jiang and eating the funeral meal, by the third day, Zhang Guoqing had finally handled all the funeral matters smoothly. Next, he considered the old man’s remaining years.

In the room, the old man rubbed Ping’an’s head with satisfaction, holding the child tightly, and shook his head at Zhang Guoqing.

"Grandpa, if you come back with me, you can often take Ping’an for walks. My dad can also see you frequently, and if you ever feel unwell, we can be there by your side."

"Here, I still have childhood friends to chat with, share some drinks, and I can sit by your grandma’s grave. You’ve seen it yourself these days, the villagers are nice and would come to help if there’s any issue. So, you should go back without worries. I couldn’t even stay in Hai City, how would I get used to Beijing? Don’t try to persuade me, it’s really a no."

Faced with this stubborn old man, Zhang Guoqing felt helpless. However, he understood. Compared to the distant Beijing, familiar rural people and land brought more comfort to the elderly.

Ping’an blinked, "Dad, let the little beggar brother stay with great-grandfather. He’s nice."

Zhang Guoqing seized the chance and suggested, "Grandpa, how about adopting that child? I’ve seen that he doesn’t have parents and seems quite pitiable. If no one guides a ten-year-old child, it’s easy for him to go astray."

The ten-year-old beggar they were talking about was Fan Lin, a local village boy. However, unlike the predominantly Jiang-surnamed villagers, Fan Lin’s family was not of the Jiang lineage.

Being from a different lineage, without the dense branches of kinship, this child had suffered greatly in times where even one’s own family struggled to have enough.

Fortunately, the child had a good nature, never stealing or committing petty crimes. During the mourning days, he was the most sincere one, kneeling in the funeral hall for two consecutive nights.

Since having the idea of letting the old man adopt an orphan, Zhang Guoqing inquired about the child’s situation from his third uncle, who was the convenient team leader, and after learning the details, decided to support the child even more.

Seeing the old man hesitated, Zhang Guoqing asked, "Aren’t you worried he might be unlucky?"

Mr. Jiang shook his head, "I am just an old bachelor; how could he affect me? Your grandma once thought of adopting him, but then we wondered how much longer we have left to live. Better not adopt him only to burden him later with ill reputations. It was fortunate we didn’t adopt him; otherwise, it would’ve been unfair to that child."

"The child has a strong character and wouldn’t mind those rumors."

Mr. Jiang thought for a while, then shook his head again, "Forget it, I’ll continue looking after him as I usually do. Adoption could lead to many future problems. People’s hearts change, and who knows what happens when he builds a family or career. I don’t want to worry that my old age will bring trouble to you all."

Zhang Guoqing chuckled at this. Just from the fact that this house was registered under Zhou Jiao’s name, he could tell what the old man was worried about. However, he chose not to persuade further; as long as the old man was happy, that was fine. If one path doesn’t work, then find another.

Before leaving, Zhang Guoqing went to find the ten-year-old child, bringing along with him thirty yuan earned from black market dealings and thirty kilograms’ worth of national grain coupons.

The broken table was cleanly tidied up, and the smooth surface held a sum of money that took Fan Lin by surprise.

"I don’t need these things. I’ll take care of Grandpa Jiang even without them. I know city wages aren’t much better than those in the village. Take them back; I don’t need them."

Zhang Guoqing didn’t rush to respond but instead scrutinized the main room of this old thatched cottage. There was a big bed with neatly stitched patches on the bedspread, old books by the headboard, and the only wardrobe, despite losing its red paint, still shone brightly.

Zhang Guoqing continued to observe the child, realizing he had truly underestimated him. The little beggar before him seemed to wear messy hay-like hair, clothes full of patches, but not a speck of dirt under his fingernails. Despite the hot weather, unlike other village children who roamed barefoot, he wore cloth shoes so patched they were hardly recognizable.

He reached out to ruffle the messy hair on the child’s head. It was indeed clean, without any grease.

This child is precocious!

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