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

Chapter 1044 - 917: Hiding the Little Tail

This separation could mean another ten years, or perhaps they will never meet again in this lifetime. When the sweltering July summer came, Zhang Guoqing not only bid farewell to his companions who either joined the army or went to the countryside, but also to the young 16 or 17-year-olds whom he regarded like younger siblings.Each time he accompanied them to the train station, he would see the young people dressed in blue, green, or gray under the sun. Despite their dull yellowish and tired faces, they were filled with hope for life.

In contrast to them were the parents in the farewell crowd, some helping to carry big bags of luggage, others holding just a single burlap sack containing bedding.

Some mothers brushed away tears, chattering with earnest instructions, and some fathers had red-rimmed eyes, watching their children intently with tears in their eyes.

Of course, there were also those who set off alone, and those who left without looking back.

Having seen this often, Zhang Guoqing could not help but feel waves of emotion. To many, these young people may seem naive and silly, but he was full of admiration and envy.

He admired their passionate enthusiasm and envied that they were moved by ideals and dared to give everything for them.

He, however, no longer felt connected to this era or resonated with it. Even though they experienced moments of disappointment and confusion, speaking of defending the nation would instantly ignite a self-sacrificing brilliance that left him ashamed. Although born under the red flag, there was still a difference.

In April, when the sky became bright and fresh, Zhou Jiao also came to witness this historical scene, capturing moment after moment with her camera...

At this moment, these images were worth commemorating for future generations.

It was no surprise that Jin Lijuan’s second daughter, whom she had never met, quietly appeared in her lens.

She hadn’t specifically searched for this family.

Instead, it was this girl dressed in a well-fitting military uniform, with a matching green military canteen, a slanted military bag, Jiefang shoes, and a hat with a red five-pointed star sewn on it.

Oh, and the tan belt tied around her waist.

This attire, no less, still stood out in the crowd, looking impressive and attracting attention. After all, not every sent-down youth among thousands had such an outfit configuration.

However, it must have cost Jin Lijuan and her husband considerable effort and connections.

The sky in Beijing was still very blue, the air still fresh, and the streets weren’t yet filled with tall buildings typical in later generations, and there weren’t as many buildings and vehicles.

On the street, loudspeakers on the lamp posts were playing stirring and passionate songs everywhere. Trains carrying youths with red flowers on their chests departed, leaving behind heartbroken family members...

Days passed slowly and steadily, and with the departure of these young people, situations on the streets became significantly calmer, and the street fights with bloody results reduced.

Similarly, Jin Lijuan began to frequently exchange tickets with colleagues, her knitted brows never relaxing. The outgoing big sister started evolving into a Lin Daiyu.

Having seen and heard so much, Zhou Jiao didn’t dare ask for details, fearing to hear news of women being insulted or even worse, fatalities.

Ever since the slogan "Prepare for war, prepare for famine, serve the people" emerged, her father became increasingly busy, constantly traveling or attending meetings.

At the year’s end, Zhou Jiao, holding a portion of collected data, approached her father. She thought she couldn’t change the overall trend, but there was still something she could do for all the women in the world.

"What’s this?" Zhou Xiaozheng looked at his daughter in the study with confusion.

"Hehe, take a look first."

After a while, having finished reading, Zhou Xiaozheng contemplated for a long time, and looked at his daughter without speaking.

"Dad, does this make things difficult for you?"

Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head, "Not really. Mainly, this matter isn’t under my jurisdiction. Exposing it would imply usurping authority, besides slapping people’s faces."

Zhou Jiao didn’t wait for him to finish, quickly grabbed the document, tapped her head, and said in frustration, "Ay, Dad, forget it, forget it."

Zhou Xiaozheng, amused, patted her head, thought it over, and then gently hit her forehead, "Is your dad so useless? Leave it, Dad will have someone else handle it."

Zhou Jiao suspiciously scrutinized his face, "Really, no problem?"

"Hide your intentions well; a father surely knows his own daughter. Tell me, how do you want to handle it? I cannot believe my smart and obedient kid would act recklessly."

Zhou Xiaozheng didn’t believe his child had collected all these female sent-down youth documents without meticulous effort and would easily give it up; nor did he believe his daughter hadn’t considered follow-up issues, he knew his child too well.

Zhou Jiao pursed her lips, muttering softly, "Really uninteresting."

"Hmm?" Zhou Xiaozheng raised an eyebrow, smiling at her.

"Dad, what if I anonymously send it to Grandpa Zhou? For this matter, it is definitely not appropriate for our family to take action, but not acting would cross the moral bottom line."

Zhou Xiaozheng considered not these minor matters but was concerned about who initially raised this matter in front of his Jiao Jiao, which raised suspicions of the other party’s motives.

"It started with my colleague Jin Lijuan, whose eldest daughter went to the military unit in Yun Province. She wrote home saying a beautiful female classmate had been assigned to the countryside, and less than half a year later, she was gone."

"After that, I started paying special attention and discovered that, whether they went to military units or rural production teams, these female educated youth were either marrying locally or... "

Zhou Jiao said, frowning and shaking her head, "Too many doubts. Females are inherently a vulnerable group, and these urban female youth placed in remote rural areas are like sheep among wolves, extremely dangerous."

Zhou Xiaozheng gave a noncommittal laugh, pondering over Jin Lijuan’s background and interpersonal relationships. It was impossible for him not to investigate three colleagues who were close to his daughter.

"That person must frequently talk about these things around you, right?"

Zhou Jiao looked at him in surprise, "Dad, do you mean she is using me as a tool?"

Zhou Xiaozheng shook his head, "Not to that extent, with your intelligence, you can see through flaws. My daughter is indeed smart, not easily deceived by ordinary people..."

Hearing that, Zhou Jiao showed a brilliant smile but didn’t get a chance to respond.

"... she wouldn’t dare play tricks on you." Zhou Xiaozheng’s delayed words instantly made her frustrated eyes widen, "Dad, can’t you simply praise me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiaozheng burst into a cheerful laugh, ruffling her short hair. Oh, how fun his well-behaved daughter was.

It seemed he had been too busy recently, missing out on opportunities to interact with his daughter, and losing much fun, perhaps it was necessary to slow down a bit.

"Dad?"

Zhou Xiaozheng quickly comforted, "Alright, alright, Daddy won’t laugh at you. Leave this matter to Dad. I can definitely have these documents placed in front of the right people without implicating ourselves. Satisfied?"

What’s there to say!

Her dad understood her best, and Zhou Jiao nodded with joy. With her dad intervening, even if not directly, it was almost assured to be solved.

Zhou Xiaozheng secretly shook his head upon seeing this, such a silly girl! But this was fine; compared to the young people of today, his Jiao Jiao was cold-hearted yet not cold-blooded, precisely what he had always hoped for.