Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 587 - 466: Yi Zhe’s Thoughts

A young girl, dressed in a black cashmere coat, with straight black pants, half of her face covered by a bright red scarf. Her long, beautiful hair was lazily tied up, with a few strands playfully dancing in the wind, occasionally covering half of her jade-like face. It made passersby wish they could help her tuck her hair back.

Yi Zhe, after finishing his errands, squeezed onto the bus and was greeted by this beautiful picture. He instinctively got off the bus, fearing that he might wake Zhou Jiao, and followed her from a distance.

Tiny snowflakes fell from the sky, carried by the wind, landing on Yi Zhe’s eyelashes. He slipped one hand into his pocket and gently brushed them away with the other.

He looked up at the sky, then at the figure walking unhurriedly in front of him. Yi Zhe suddenly noticed that Zhou Jiao was carrying a large black cloth bag across her body. The most charming thing was the bag had an embroidered image of a mighty tiger and a delicate little white rabbit facing each other.

Seeing this, Yi Zhe covered his mouth with a fist, hiding his smile. This girl’s thoughts are truly unique! Shouldn’t girls embroider flowers and grasses?

But strangely enough, he felt this was truly Zhou Jiao’s sincere thought. The same Zhou Jiao who could command a crowd with a word, and who grew up gracefully through adversity, unafraid of honor or disgrace.

Isn’t this mysterious girl exactly like the delicate little white rabbit, standing firm facing the fierce tiger, always keeping her dignity?

Following Zhou Jiao for two streets, Yi Zhe saw her calmly lining up, leaning against a corner of the wall, lit a cigarette, and watched her from a distance through the smoke rings.

After some time, the figure in his eyes had already entered the mall. As he finished his last cigarette, Yi Zhe sighed regretfully.

With both hands in his pockets, looking up at the sky in front of him, Yi Zhe couldn’t quite explain why he didn’t want to leave. He consoled himself that he was just worried about a beautiful young girl being out alone. In the end, he silently reprimanded himself that his character must match the military uniform he wore.

When Zhou Jiao came out of the mall dejectedly, that lonely figure made Yi Zhe instinctively step forward with his right foot. Then instantly realizing it was inappropriate, he resolutely stood in his place.

After a moment, Yi Zhe deeply gazed at her back, and once again followed her from a distance. Seeing she was heading home, he couldn’t quite explain his feelings—part relief, part loss.

Too late...

Their fate ended when his father did not reach out to the helpless Zhou Jiao, taking the little wife he secretly admired far away.

No matter how many times he awoke from dreams at midnight, filled with discontent, Yi Zhe knew better than anyone. Such a girl couldn’t tolerate betrayal, and even if Zhang Guoqing wasn’t with her, it wouldn’t necessarily be him instead.

Watching Zhou Jiao enter the Big Courtyard, watching her leave.

Yi Zhe glanced at the red star above the gate, paused, adjusted his military uniform, collected his emotions, and resolutely stepped through the gate.

In the Yi Family courtyard, a middle-aged woman bringing her daughter was sitting and chatting with Mrs. Yi in the living room. Anyone observing carefully would notice that this woman was frequently glancing towards the door during the conversation.

Mrs. Yi was well aware that the woman visiting with her daughter today was somehow interested in her eldest grandson.

The old lady’s heart was happy yet sad. Her eldest grandson was undoubtedly outstanding, and it was no surprise that someone had their eyes on him, but what could she do if the child wouldn’t listen? She too wished for a soft, sweet-talking little treasure.

When Yi Zhe entered the courtyard, hearing the exaggerated laughter from inside, he instinctively frowned and turned towards the East Wing. After a moment of hesitation, he decided to go back to the living room.

"Xiao Zhe, come to grandma. Have you finished your business? Is the northern weather too cold for you?"

Before Yi Zhe could reply, the middle-aged woman laughed, "Aunt Yi, so this is Xiao Zhe, you’re indeed fortunate, this child turned out so well, truly like father like son."

Mrs. Yi smiled and introduced to her grandson, "This is your Aunt Wang, and that’s her daughter."

"Xiao Zhe might not remember me, but I’ve held you when you were little. This child was robust even as a child, destined for success, and I wasn’t wrong."

Yi Zhe looked at her playfully, nodded. What nonsense claiming to have held him when young; truly stretching the truth. Yi Zhe’s name was one his father changed after he became an adult.

"Brother Xiao Zhe, I’m Wang Hui..."

Seeing the girl before him blush with shyness, Yi Zhe restrained his urge to storm off, nodded towards the mother and daughter, and promptly told the old lady, "Grandma, I’ll go to the study to handle some things, don’t call me for dinner either."

Mrs. Yi knew her grandson too well and wasn’t surprised when he left before finishing his words. However, this time she wasn’t angry, as she didn’t consider this girl suitable to be the Yi family’s daughter-in-law.

"Please sit down. Once he’s busy, he doesn’t even care about meals."

Over in Yi Zhe’s study, he found his grandfather amusing himself alone.

Without a word, he poured tea for both of them.

"Funiu, you’re not young anymore, it’s time to find a wife. Are there any girls you’re interested in? You’d better tell grandpa quickly, or else your grandma will start arranging matches willy-nilly."

Yi Zhe looked at him expressionlessly.

"Alright, alright, it’s not like there’s anyone, is there, Xiao Zhe? This nickname was chosen for you at the temple by your great-grandmother. Such a happy little name."

Yi Zhe couldn’t be bothered to mock. Being a man, what "niu" (girl), he discarded the childish name long ago.

Old Yi rolled his eyes at him in disinterest.

"Do you have some unspeakable troubles? Grandson, if you have someone, don’t worry we’ll disapprove of family status. As long as she’s a good girl, it’s fine."

Yi Zhe shook his head with a smile, "What defines a good girl, and what are the standards? I’m in no rush to settle down."

Hearing this, Old Yi grew anxious, questioning where the chubby little babies would come from if he continued to remain single at his age. "Did being a soldier make you foolish? Can’t even recognize a good girl?"

"You know? Then point out a girl, and I’ll search for someone based on that model."

Seeing his grandson with legs crossed, sipping tea unhurriedly, Old Yi was so exasperated, "How could I not know? I found your grandma myself. There are plenty of girls in the courtyard. If there’s no standard, look for one like the Zhou family girl..."

Yi Zhe’s heart trembled, the teacup lid he was holding fell to the ground. Realizing his mistake, he stood up and laughed, "Grandpa, since you’re my ’father,’ how should my dad be addressed?"

Old Yi’s eyes glistened, then he softly said, "There are many good girls out there. Would it be alright if I ask your grandma to arrange meetings for you before the new year?"

The image of a beautiful silhouette flashed through Yi Zhe’s mind as he closed his eyes, and after a moment, he looked up with a smile, "Alright. Let grandma choose first, then I’ll meet them."

Old Yi sighed silently, nodded with a smile at his grandson, "You are the eldest grandson of the Yi Family, your grandma will certainly pick a beautiful girl worthy of you. Yi Family people are strong and adaptable, and there’s no hurdle we can’t overcome."

Yi Zhe’s tightly clenched fist tightened further, his expression unchanged as he changed the subject, "Why does my father favor Fang Fei? I’ve investigated some things these days and found the Fang family rather chaotic."

Old Yi chuckled, casting a meaningful glance at him, "Your father doesn’t want the family children to marry into equal wealth, insisting on choosing those beneath us. He wishes you’d all marry orphans. His favored son-in-law candidate is out of town, twenty-three years old this year, and the orphan child of a martyr."

Yi Zhe nodded at this, somewhat understanding his father’s intentions.

"Your grandmother doesn’t want Xiao Min marrying too far away, so I sought out Fang Fei for Xiao Min. After all, among the many in the courtyard, the only young man your father approves of is the Fang family boy, and your sister also wants to marry him."

Yi Zhe heard and chose not to say much. Being with the one you love for a lifetime is a great blessing. Though he couldn’t do anything about his situation, it was at least fortunate his sister could have her wish fulfilled.