Late autumn in Beijing, the weather has already begun to chill. A strong wind whips by, sending sand flying into your mouth. The streets and alleys are filled with the aroma of Beijing. It's rush hour, and the crowds surge. As the crowds disperse, casual acquaintances chat for a few moments before hurriedly saying goodbye. Bicyclists also pedal quickly home, all busy preparing dinner and picking up children at home.
Near the main road, passersby, some in factory work clothes, some in work uniforms, and many in patched coats and padded jackets, walked quickly, hands clasped together, occasionally greeting acquaintances with a smile. Amidst the crowd, a man and woman in military uniforms stood out. Not only were they pushing two shiny bicycles, but the man was handsome and the woman pretty. The two of them, walking together, were a sight to behold.
After the couple walked away, the woman could still be heard complaining faintly, "Mom, what a jerk! She didn't even explain clearly when she sent someone to pass on the message. Isn't it just that my dad is coming home today? Why did she make us all go back?"
The man comforted her, "Don't worry, she probably wants to see if the eldest sister's child has something to say. Aren't you curious? We haven't even seen your niece, and we don't know how she's doing in the countryside for so long."
"What's the matter? That's her family, she's from the Zhou family. Her family must be doting on her. I'm very optimistic about her. My eldest sister alone gives her a lot of money every month. They must be treating her like a little princess."
"Hehe, I don't think so. Rural areas tend to favor boys over girls. Who knows? Something must have happened. Let's hurry. My sister-in-law and the others are probably here."
The couple followed the crowd toward the military compound. "There are so many people here! I wouldn't have come here by bike. Do you have your pass?"
The couple, the woman being Zhou Jiao's aunt Lin Liying and her husband Li Jianjun, had received a message from the elderly woman at noon, telling them to return home that day. The couple had left their children at home and hurried over.
At the gate of the military compound, some soldiers were guarding the sentry post with wooden magazines in their hands, patrolling from time to time, and some soldiers were watching the people coming in and out.
After Lin Liying showed her pass, the couple pushed their bikes to the innermost part. It was the end of the working day, and there were many more soldiers and their families on the road.
The compound itself is vast and well-equipped with amenities. Entering through the main gate, you'll find the service center and health center. Just across the wall are a large nursery, elementary school, and a comprehensive middle school for children. Not to mention the cinema, swimming pool, and other recreational facilities. Living in the compound is much more convenient than living outside.
"Liying is back, your dad just got home. He must be here to see that old guy, hurry up and bring your partner in." The old man met them on the way and saw them, and smiled and told them to go in quickly.
Lin Liying stopped and said with a smile, "Uncle Chen, you didn't go to the retirement home to play chess today? My dad is back and it's just right for him to come over to my house and stay."
The old man waved his hand and said, "Forget it today. Old man Lin just came back. Let him rest for a night and we'll find him tomorrow." After that, he walked towards home.
Lin Liying and her husband pushed their cart around a corner—before them lay a dozen or so charming little courtyards, scattered across the landscape. The Lin family's residence sat in the middle. Mrs. Lin hadn't planted any vegetables in the courtyard like the others. There were only two flower beds in the corners, but they were neglected, and the flowers and plants there had withered.
The courtyard is small, a traditional quadrangle courtyard. Currently, the main house is occupied by Mr. Lin and his wife, while the two sisters, Lin Lishan, each have a room in the right wing. The three rooms in the east wing are occupied by the eldest son, Lin Aiguo, his wife, Chen Jingru, and their two children. The west wing is where the second son's family, who live in the northwest, stay when they return to Beijing.
"Haha, this is definitely a telegram from Xiaowu. He's worried that no one will answer his mother-in-law's call. That family is very warm and simple, with a very good family tradition. They are well-known locally. I guess they prepared a lot of things to bring back for Shanshan this time."
From the living room came the sound of old man Lin's hearty laughter. Lin Liying and her husband smiled at each other and went into the living room. They saw that everyone who could go home had returned, and everyone was gathered together to listen to the old man's words.
"Dad, you're back. My eldest sister will be home tomorrow. Why don't you wait a day longer and come back together?" Lin Liying looked at him curiously and asked.
Old Master Lin waved for Li Jianjun to sit down and said to her, "I have a mission and can't delay. She didn't say she would be back in a day. I guess she saw Jiaojiao was fine, so she was relieved and rushed back to see your brother-in-law."
Lin Liying shouted, "What? My brother-in-law? Who is he?"
Seeing her lose her composure, Old Master Lin didn't get angry. He looked at his wife with a smile and said, "It's okay. Now everyone knows everything they need to know. Even Jiaojiao and her husband guessed that her father was still alive and would be back soon."
Old Mrs. Lin looked at him in surprise, somewhat incredulous. Seeing the old man nod at her, she came to her senses and asked, "Are you saying that Zhou Jiao and his wife had long guessed that Zhou Xiaozheng was still alive? Did Zhou Xiaozheng secretly see her? Or did Zhou Xiaozheng secretly ask someone to visit her? Impossible. Our Shanshan is going crazy looking for him so much. Zhou Xiaozheng might as well give Shanshan a hint if he has the chance."
Old Master Lin sighed and said solemnly, "It's a long story. The child suffered a lot. Well, let's not talk about it anymore. She only knew that Zhou Xiaozheng was alive a few days ago, and she guessed it a while ago. The child looks like Zhou Xiaozheng, very outstanding, not an ordinary person. No one in our family can compare to him."
Lin Liying looked at her sister-in-law and the others, and from their expressions she knew that they had already received news that Zhou Xiaozheng was still alive. What about her eldest brother? Lin Liying cautiously probed, "Sister-in-law, is my eldest brother still alive?"
Chen Jingru nodded at her, "They're alive, both of them are alive, and no one else knows. The boss said you can go home at the end of the month. We asked for confidentiality before, but it shouldn't be necessary now. But you'd better be careful and don't tell anyone else." After saying that, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes, and he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw his daughter lowering her head.
Lin Liying said to the old man, "Dad, tell everyone, how is everything going there? How is the eldest sister and her daughter getting along? Is everything okay?"
Old Master Lin glanced at her, shook his head, and said nothing. He picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea. It tasted better than the tea Zhou Jiao had given him, and he sighed regretfully.
Old Master Lin looked up and saw everyone staring at him, waiting for him to speak, but he remained silent. He smiled meaningfully; he wanted to see who had more determination than Jiaojiao. If Zhou Jiao were here, she would have stopped asking and would have just lowered her head to think, instead of staring at him eagerly, waiting for him to make a move.
Seeing that even his son-in-law was ready to make a move, Mr. Lin rolled his eyes and started counting in his mind...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
