Time flew by quickly, and after exploring the streets and alleys, sampling local snacks, and returning with loads of finds, the group finally boarded the train home two days later.
As the train started to move, they waved goodbye to Huang Dong and Zhao Wenhui, and soon their figures slowly blurred away.
Yi Jiefang leaned back, slumped onto the small bed, and exclaimed, "I’m exhausted. My legs have gotten skinny from all the walking these last couple of days."
Zhang Guoqing smiled and shook his head at the sight. This guy just complains with his mouth; when he hears about delicious food, he won’t rest until he’s had it. Now that he’s relaxed, of course, his legs are sore.
Recently, the two of them had scored quite a few good deals, and he probably still had a lot of food coupons on him. Before he uses them up, he’ll be lively again looking for fun when they return to Beijing.
Compared to Wan Dayong and the others, Zhang Guoqing preferred hanging out with Yi Jiefang. Although he seemed carefree and cynical, he was actually scrupulous in character and could resist external temptations.
The guy was good-looking, came from a good family, and was often on the receiving end of girls’ affections, yet he stubbornly stuck to his principles, which was truly commendable.
Lin Lishan took a small bottle of medicinal wine out of the luggage and placed it on his bed, "Rub it quickly; otherwise, you won’t be able to rest when you get back to school."
"Aunt Shan, I’ve gained weight, and my lower limbs can’t support the weight."
Lin Lishan chuckled happily.
Zhang Guoqing watched as Aunt Chen made the small bed, placed Ping’an down, and while helping him apply the medicinal wine, joked, "But don’t you still have your upper limbs? Temporarily use all fours."
"You’re the one walking on all fours... Could you take it easy? Don’t retaliate so quickly, alright? Aren’t we good buddies?"
......
During the trip, everyone teased each other for entertainment, often making the passengers on both sides chuckle along with them. Their journey was filled with laughter and joy, yet little did they know that a household in Beijing was in chaos.
When they arrived in Beijing, it was the weekend. At midday, when the weather was at its hottest, Zhou Xiaozheng, dressed in his crisp uniform, stood on the platform, as usual, to welcome them back.
Even knowing his somewhat peripheral position, Zhang Guoqing was deeply moved. It wasn’t easy; he thought only Jiao Jiao had such honor, unexpected that his son was also elevated.
Speaking of which, over the past few years, why didn’t his father-in-law pick up his mother-in-law when she returned from business trips? He couldn’t help but suspect that Comrade Zhou Xiaozheng was secretly quite passionate.
On the way home in the car, Zhang Guoqing kept wanting to remind his father-in-law to undo the collar button, but his attention soon shifted.
"Brother Zheng, what did you say?"
Lin Lishan gasped, startling Xiao Wang, who nearly dropped the steering wheel.
Zhou Xiaozheng focused his gaze on her and slowly said, "Mrs. Lin committed suicide the day before yesterday. The possibility of homicide has been ruled out."
Lin Lishan shook her head, murmuring, "How is that possible? Didn’t they say she was completely paralyzed? How could someone like her commit suicide, not wanting to live..."
Zhang Guoqing glanced at her and asked Zhou Xiaozheng, "Dad, how did she suicide?"
"She swallowed a gold ring and gold earrings at night, along with a lot of sleeping pills. Not a single family member noticed until the maid discovered it the next day."
Yi Jiefang, sitting in the front passenger seat, clicked his tongue, "What an extravagant way to die!"
Hearing this, Zhang Guoqing stifled a laugh, cleared his throat, and changed the topic, "It’s unbelievable! How could a paralyzed person have the ability to get so many things? Also, how come no one stayed by her side in their household?"
Zhou Xiaozheng, his eyes gleaming with amusement, continued, "Their family didn’t believe it either and reported it to the police. Later, the investigator interrogated Jiang Jiangyu, who was with Mrs. Lin that night and ruled out homicide. However..."
He didn’t finish his sentence. Zhou Xiaozheng didn’t care how Gu Ruyi died. If she could be abandoned by her family and manipulated by an idiot, she deserved it! She should’ve been dead long ago, so why live?
Recognizing the implications in Zhou Xiaozheng’s words, Zhang Guoqing didn’t ask further. Whatever led someone to such despair was unlikely to be solely Jiang Jiangyu’s doing, but what did it matter to him? Ultimately, a venomous woman was gone, and the air was clearer.



VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space