Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space

Chapter 1035 - 908: Why Didn’t You Act Sooner?

Huang Cuilan partly misunderstood her children. They haven’t returned yet not because they don’t care about the family, but because the situation at hand is extraordinary.The issues that Zhang Guofu considered, how could Zhang Mingzuo and the others not have thought of them? Otherwise, Zhang the Second wouldn’t have learned about the rumors in the Old Huang Family so quickly.

False accusations, reports, framing, setting people up—once such dirty tricks are employed, it’s often impossible to clear your name even if you jump into the Huangpu River.

If they’re not out there keeping an eye out, not monitoring closely, not sending a few unfamiliar faces to inquire about the news, how can they tell if someone is using this as an opportunity to cause trouble, or if they’re trying to drag their family into it?

"So, is it really a feud between women?"

Zhang Ziwen shook his head after hearing his brother’s words, "We still need to stay alert all the time. You two brothers go to your grandfather’s house tonight, and we’ll cover for you."

Zhang Mingzuo understood what he meant. If their whole family doesn’t show up, it might be too disheartening. And since his father isn’t suitable to step out and the eldest brother is not home, only the two brothers can go.

"You guys finish up here first and go back. Keep a close eye on that position in the county’s propaganda office, Xiao Zuo. Your calligraphy is good, and barring any accidents, you can probably start working there after you graduate."

"Alright, the three of us will keep a close watch."

"That anti-smuggling office is unofficial; don’t get too close, it’s easy to offend people."

The brothers whispered a few words, and Zhang Mingzuo gave him a knowing look. The corner of the wall is not a safe place, and some things are better left unsaid until they get home.

Zhang Ziwen, seeing his understanding, smiled at everyone and walked ahead, carrying his briefcase.

The last rays of the sunset in the west reflected a string of shadows, as several young men, each carrying red paint buckets, newspapers, and other promotional items, gradually made their way back home.

In Zhang Guoqing’s small courtyard, Mr. Zhang frowned while smoking, watching his uneasy wife pacing back and forth. He waved his hand, "Let’s not mention these things to Xiao Wu; he already has enough to worry about outside."

"Should we go see our in-laws?"

Mr. Zhang shook his head, "We wouldn’t be of help going there, and it might make their family feel like we’re just going to join the crowd. Forget it, let the eldest handle it themselves."

"Husband, I thought they would come to see you first, but they were surprisingly quick on their feet."

Mr. Zhang gave her a meaningful look, shook his head, stood up, and went out to the courtyard. Abandoning a pawn to save the king has been a tactic repeated often lately, and Old Huang isn’t foolish; for the sake of his entire family, he can’t afford not to cut through the mess swiftly.

"That old man is at it with his mysterious airs again," Mother Zhang grumbled discontentedly and shook her head, heading to the kitchen to check if her eldest granddaughter had prepared dinner.

By the time Zhang the Second came over after dinner, Mr. Zhang had already taken a bath and was relaxing in a rocking chair in the courtyard, enjoying a gentle shake with his eyes closed.

"Dad, have you eaten yet?"

Recognizing the footsteps as his second son’s, Mr. Zhang didn’t open his eyes, just pointed at the bench beside him, "Why are you here? Where are the kids?"

Zhang the Second, envious of his father, smiled and said, "Shi Tou and the others went to our elder sister’s house; it seems this gang of wild kids wants to catch loaches in the countryside tonight or something."

"These wild kids." Mr. Zhang chuckled, "I was also thinking about taking your mother back to the village for a few days; it feels secure with the local folks watching over.

"What’s up? Did someone say something?"

Mr. Zhang opened his eyes and glared at him, "With you three around, who dared to stir things up? There are a few old crones on the street who watch the neighbors like hawks every day. What would it be if a big man like me got involved with them?"

"Women hold up half the sky, don’t say that outside." Zhang the Second thought about it and said, "Dad, if you don’t feel like working anymore, just take a rest. The three of us brothers can support you and Mom."

Zhang the Second guessed that the recent series of door-smashing incidents had soured his father’s mood. Even though getting a position on the street was quite an achievement, seeing such incidents might make one feel the sorrow of restraint. If Dad didn’t want to continue wearing that red armband every day, then he shouldn’t have to.

Mr. Zhang, of course, understood his son’s sentiments, but he just couldn’t stop. Like Brother Dashan said, if there were grievances or people they knew needed help, he could still lend a small helping hand.

"Enough about that, did you see your elder brother tonight?"

Zhang the Second smiled, "Just got back from his place. They have guests over, and otherwise, he would have come too. He told me to let you know he’s aware and not to worry."

"Sigh..." Mr. Zhang sighed, "That’s good, then. Last time his brother-in-law got into trouble in the countryside; if it hadn’t been for you two helping, their whole family might have already faced punishment publicly. Now with the situation involving his eldest daughter, we really can’t help, or we’d also get dragged in. Your Uncle Huang has been strong all his life, but his descendants let him down."

Zhang the Second sneered coldly. If it weren’t for his elder brother speaking up last time, he wouldn’t have bothered with those trivial matters concerning the Huang Family.

"How’s your brother-in-law? Has he stayed away from the black market? Find some time to have your wife visit and talk to him properly. One or two encounters with me, and I can save him, but luck won’t always be there. If he gets caught for speculation, nobody can save him. And if he’s caught, don’t say our family lacks loyalty."

Zhang the Second nodded, "Shi Tou’s mother just went to her parents’ house this afternoon and warned them. I heard my father-in-law is scared out of his wits. Someone in their village was caught at the beginning of spring and sentenced to twenty years."

"I was thinking of taking them to a sentencing rally in the city in a few days, but since they understand the gravity, I’ll forget it. Dad, this time five people were publicly executed."

"I heard."

"One more thing. Did you know? The clan leader of Old Zhou’s family wrote a letter to Uncle Zhou, and he replied."

Mr. Zhang immediately sat up straight, surprised, "Who told you that?"

"Today the Zhou Clan Leader came with Zhou Lidong to see me, and they showed me Uncle Zhou’s reply. Zhou Lidong is quite smart; he knew the old clan leader had shown kindness to Uncle Zhou, so he went to plead with the old clan leader’s grandson and asked if, since the elders of their branch have passed and they have no relatives outside, they could return to the village to live?"

Mr. Zhang immediately caught the key point, "Uncle Zhou agreed, and they came to you to change their household registration?"

"Yes." Zhang the Second smiled, "I reckon he mentioned something about closest kin in the letter. Uncle Zhou said he has a daughter and grandsons and asked whether they should be accepted into the clan. He implied it was an issue within the Northeast Zhou Family, and as an outsider, he shouldn’t interfere, so he left it to the Zhou Clan Leader."

Mr. Zhang squinted, "And the Zhou Clan Leader agreed, doesn’t it sound contradictory? Uncle Zhou’s meaning is clear enough—they don’t belong to the Northeast branch."

Zhang the Second nonchalantly laughed, "The old guy probably wants the two bloodlines to reconnect after generations when old grudges have faded away.

Who knows what they’re thinking. But they did ask for the names and birth dates of Liu Yi and May 1st. I suspect they want to include the twins in the secondary branch’s genealogy, so I told them to ask Uncle Zhou directly.

If I remember correctly, I recall Xiao Wu once said his father-in-law didn’t want the legitimate side to mix with the secondary branches, right?

Mr. Zhang nodded, "They don’t dare ask Uncle Zhou directly, trying to take a roundabout route by getting you to convey this to Uncle Zhou. Just ignore them."

At this point, still bringing this up, what were they doing earlier?