Compared to Zhangjia Village and the county seat, the atmosphere in Beijing was much more tense. Many comrades wearing red armbands were strolling around the streets and alleys. The train station square was especially crowded.

There were some similar people in my hometown, but they were both well-known, so who wouldn't recognize the one with the red armband? Either they had a drink together, or they had dinner together.

Even if Zhang Guoqing drove the ox cart back and forth, no one would be so ignorant as to rummage through the baskets. Instead, Zhang Guoqing would open the baskets on his own and grab a handful of wild vegetables to give out.

It felt like all the residents of the county were his relatives! Awesome!

After getting off the train and taking the car back to the compound, everything was normal, and the couple hadn't yet fully grasped the reality. It wasn't until the next day, on the way to the department store with nearly expired bills from home, that they finally understood the comfort and ease of their hometown.

If you act suspiciously on the street, someone wearing a red armband will soon appear and ask you where you live and what you're doing around here. If you can't answer your birthdate, hehe...excuse me, come with me to the police station.

If you were wandering around the alleys carrying a bamboo basket, looking like an old farmer, a few stern-looking men in red armbands would soon appear and question you sternly and righteously, looking you over with suspicion. Of course, they would carefully check the contents of the bamboo basket.

If you meet a timid person, you'll tremble and look uneasy. Haha... Come with us! It's easy to go, but it's hard to get out. I don't know anyone in the city, so I contacted the production team in my hometown.

It would have been better if it was closer. I came in an ox cart, brought my certificate, and was criticized like a grandson. Then the other party waved goodbye, and I bowed and left with tears of gratitude.

This also makes those outsiders who come from afar protect the letter of introduction on their body first. There is a momentum of "letter of introduction is there, but it is forgotten after death".

Zhou Jiao encountered two such incidents along the way, and her eyebrows twitched. Luckily, her parents-in-law weren't around, or they'd be terrified! She'd spent a night in the provincial capital before returning to Beijing, and even when she went out with her godmother during the day, she hadn't encountered anything so bizarre. She couldn't imagine what had happened.

National Day is still a month away, and all the other holidays are over. Could it be enemy spies? But judging by the city dwellers walking around with their chins held high and their pride in their shoulders, it seems unlikely!

Forget it, just take things as they come.

Zhou Jiao didn't dare to pull Zhang Guoqing's arm in public, so she could only imitate a girl passing by and glanced at him to hurry up.

That young lady doesn't know what there is to be so proud of?

Zhou Jiao really wanted to ask, "Isn't covering your nose a class-based behavior? You look down on rural people, but do you want to lick the butt of a chimpanzee?"

Unexpectedly, the man turned his head, looked her over, rolled his eyes, and snorted coldly. Was he looking down on her? Zhou Jiao's rage flared up, and she took two quick steps. As she closed in, she flicked her finger, sending a gust of wind scattering the powder toward the man's neck.

When she raised her hand to touch her hair, Zhang Guoqing was already standing behind her, blocking her view from behind, and even blew a breath to help his wife.

The couple finished their work and walked to the right as if nothing had happened.

Zhou Jiao never considered herself magnanimous. She'd never talk when she could use her hands, and never show her face when she could play dirty. That "best friend" from her past life stabbed her before graduation. What happened next?

Just by taking advantage of a weakness, the so-called beast and white lotus were targeted by his wife and became famous all over the Internet.

Just like her father said, an ambush is always more likely to succeed than a head-on charge!

What if I gave you some face? It was a pity that I couldn't enjoy the grand spectacle half an hour later. Zhou Jiao looked back and smiled, then shook her head at the receding figure.

"Don't bother with this vulgar person!" Zhang Guoqing frowned as he looked at the queue in front of him. "For a pound or two of sugar and some incredibly salty pickles, is it really necessary to queue up outside the compound in such hot weather?"

"Forget it, let's just take it as a stroll and enjoy the scenery." Zhou Jiao fanned her hands. There was really no need! The cool weather in Beijing was a world of difference compared to the Northeast.

"Wait outside for a moment while I go buy some toilet paper. A few months ago, when you weren't home, the toilet paper Aunt Chen bought was really toilet paper. She was kind, but it was hard to explain. I had no choice but to go back to the service center to buy more. But guess what? Every time that long-necked aunt saw me, she'd ask, 'Is it thin paper?'" During that time, Zhang Guoqing wanted to curse the hell out loud! He couldn't just run out and buy toilet paper every time with just a few dollars' worth of toilet paper bills.

Zhou Jiao covered her mouth with her hands and laughed, then waved her hand at him, "You know a lot of people. See if there are any acquaintances outside and give them the ticket. It's up to you whether you give anything or not. It's a shame if it expires!"

Zhang Guoqing thought about it and it made sense. This was the department store closest to the compound, and the service center was out of stock these days. The tickets were expiring at the end of the month, so perhaps all the nearby compounds would flock here.

It's not like he's been hanging around in the compound for a few years in vain; he actually has a few acquaintances there. Although they're old ladies or nannies, it's better than wasting money.

The nannies here aren't as cute as Aunt Chen, they're all gossipy. It's a good opportunity to let everyone know that my family is also in dire need of something!

"Xiao Wuzi, why haven't you reported to school yet? My granddaughter went back to school yesterday."

"My dearest grandma, please be kind. I'm Xiaowu, not Xiaowuzi. I'll be reporting to school later, and I won't be back with my wife until tomorrow afternoon." Zhang Guoqing hurriedly explained. He had nothing to do with the other woman's granddaughter, and he didn't want to spread the word and cause misunderstandings.

"Xiao Wu? Xiao Wuzi? Same! Okay, I'll buy it and take it home for you two, and you kids can go play by yourselves. Oh, and where's the Zhou girl?"

Facing the teasing looks from the people in line, Zhang Guoqing smiled at them and said, "She went inside to see if there were any defective items."

The silver-haired old lady smiled and praised: "You are a good child for managing the household frugally!"

"Grandma, I'll go in first. Let me know if you need anything."

"Go!"

"Is this Zhou family the same Zhou family?"

"Haha... what's that? That kid is the son-in-law of the Northeast Tiger family. The couple got admitted to Huaqing University. Many children in your courtyard often play with them."

"Yes, I'm talking about his family. I didn't expect this family to buy defective goods themselves. I heard they donated a lot of things. They are very honest people."

"Haha... Our compound has always been kind and compassionate. Last time, we donated the most food coupons, and..."

Zhang Guoqing, who was retreating, wiped his sweat upon hearing this and hurried off to find his wife. Gossip is everywhere! If I remember correctly, these old ladies are still the ones with the most pensions.

I didn’t expect it, I didn’t expect it…

Meanwhile, Zhou Jiao also encountered an "acquaintance" upon entering. She couldn't help but sigh that the capital city was truly small! Wasn't this the grandmother of Hu Chunsheng's maid?

How did Zhou Jiao know that?

She didn't take it seriously at first, but when the other party saw her lose composure, he took several steps back and even dropped the pastries in his hands to the ground. If she couldn't figure it out, she would be a fool.

The pair of bound feet, the dress of an old rural woman, and the portrait that was once on paper, all make it clear at a glance!

Zhou Jiao narrowed her eyes and stepped forward: "You know my grandma!"

Looking at the other person's face, which was suppressing panic and trying to remain calm, Zhou Jiao smiled and said, "Let's talk about the past when we have a chance!"

Old Mrs. Hu was so frightened that she shook her hands repeatedly and muttered, "I'm just a servant. I don't know anything."

Zhou Jiao looked at the customers around her who turned their heads in surprise, then glanced at the middle-aged woman supporting Old Mrs. Hu, smiled, and turned to leave.

Why did the other party lose his composure? Besides this old woman's mistress, is there something else that was not investigated at the time? Haha... Don't worry! Whether it is a human or a ghost, its tail will be revealed.