Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 677 - 551: Drinking Pesticide Like Soda

After a busy spell, when Zhang Guoqing returned to the hospital ward, Ping’an was already lying asleep on the bed outside, while Lin Lishan had also hung up medicine and fallen asleep.

He walked softly over to the sofa and whispered to Zhou Xiaozheng, who was resting with his eyes closed, "Dad, while Mom’s asleep, you should stay with Ping’an for a while. I’ve already asked Aunt Chen to come over early tomorrow morning."

"Mhm, you should also go back to rest early. There’s nothing more to worry about here; you need to rush back to school. Work and study shouldn’t be delayed."

Zhang Guoqing nodded and left the room. He didn’t go back home, instead leaning against the corridor, looking at the stars in the sky and listening to the sounds within. He knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep even if he were home.

Fortunately, his wife wasn’t home, otherwise she would have been really upset. Zhang Guoqing imagined what Zhou Jiao would do if she were at the hospital right now.

... She would definitely start by scolding fiercely, then frowning with that little face of hers as she hands her mother a knife, telling her to go ahead and continue the suicide drama. She would keep offering advice on how to quickly relieve herself.

Once the fright was over, she would still need to let treatments proceed as prescribed, and she would pull her dad to be with the child for sleep. Then she herself would go to sleep too.

To her, those who desecrate life are not deserving of sympathy.

Still inside the ward, Zhou Xiaozheng had no thoughts of sleep. At the moment, he found it more absurdly amusing. He didn’t know if other women would do the same, but his wife’s intelligence was immature, even less than that of a five-year-old.

Earlier, when he saw her wearing that familiar dress and heard the incident location was a peach orchard in the county outskirts, he almost couldn’t help but laugh out loud. How does this brain grow?

If you’re going to die, it’s just like the kids say, one swipe and it’s over. What kind of fool with a peculiar mind goes to reminisce about a place where emotions were pledged, especially for someone who doesn’t value life?

This kind of bourgeois thought must be seriously dealt with, completely re-educated. From now on, she mustn’t be allowed to flip through those chaotic books anymore. What kind of rubbish are those!

Early the next morning, after sending the father-in-law to work, Zhang Guoqing went to the nurses to get information on some care workers, choosing a middle-aged woman who spoke less and was clean and efficient.

With this Aunt Wang, plus Aunt Chen, Lin Lishan’s hospitalization issue was finally settled. Having few family members was exactly this problem—when something happened, there wasn’t even a helping hand.

Just as Zhang Guoqing was feeling emotional, Old Mrs. Cheng arrived at the ward with the family maid carrying a lunch box.

"Auntie Grandma, you’re here?" Zhang Guoqing quickly welcomed her inside, glancing at the inner room, but hesitated to ask if the courtyard had widely spread rumors about his mother-in-law’s suicide attempt.

Old Mrs. Cheng didn’t hurry to go in, standing outside, she immediately smiled seeing Zhang Guoqing, "In the morning I went to your house, asked your dad and only then knew about the incident...

Were you frightened last night? Hurry and get some rest. Leave this to me, there’s nothing more; go back soon for school. It’s inconvenient here for children these days, not good air and all that."

Seeing Zhang Guoqing about to speak, she waved her hand, "Listen! It isn’t convenient here for you. With me here, your mom will be alright."

Zhang Guoqing hurriedly opened his mouth, but the old lady had already gone inside.

Lin Lishan looked at her uneasily, "Auntie..."

Old Mrs. Cheng stepped forward to grab her hand, "Silly child, what words can’t be said that made you go down this path. You see, once you’re down, the house turns into chaos.

Our Jiao Jiao is outside, if she returns and finds no mom, think how heartbroken she’d be. Take another look at little Ping’an, how terrified he would be, and look at Xiao Wu, unable to even attend school. Do you realize your wrongs?"

Zhang Guoqing looked at the old lady astonishingly. Her display seemed a bit off, clearly the father-in-law told her about the wife’s background.

Ping’an pointed to the lunchbox at the bedside, "Grandma, my grandma only drank water, didn’t eat."

"That’s not okay, the doctor said to have some white porridge at least..."

Seeing them start chatting, Zhang Guoqing quietly left. Standing in the corridor, he finally exhaled a breath of relief. The house really can’t do without elders.

By afternoon, news of Lin Lishan’s suicide had indeed spread.

Facing a third wave of visitors, Zhang Guoqing had a splitting headache. What kind of people were these? This wasn’t a serious illness, what were they visiting for? His mother-in-law had already pretended to be asleep for hours.

Some were genuinely concerned, some were mere gawkers, some were probing. Within one afternoon, Zhang Guoqing met all sorts of people. Amongst them were some clever and intentional, as well as some arrogant and foolish.

Lin Lishan kept waiting, kept hoping, and finally waited until Zhou Xiaozheng arrived after work.

On seeing him, she immediately sat up quickly, blushing, sneaking a glance at him, then lowered her head and said, "Brother Zheng, I want to recuperate at home."

Zhou Xiaozheng looked at her complexion and nodded, "Let’s wait and see what the doctor says."

"No problem, I can drip at home."

"You’re amazing, drinking pesticide like it’s soda."

"I will never do it again."

Outside, Old Mrs. Cheng smirked, indicating Aunt Chen to pack belongings. Staying in the hospital wasn’t right, she had already arranged for drips to be brought home and have the courtyard’s sanitary workers deliver them, thus avoiding visitors, and allowing the children to do what they should.

As night fell, another busy period began; two cars carried people and belongings back to the Zhou Family.

Zhang Guoqing, while helping his son with washing, kept an eye on the father-in-law’s movements, waiting until the child was settled into bed, and knocked on the study room door.

"Come in."

"Dad, aren’t you resting early?"

Zhou Xiaozheng gestured for him to sit down, "I’ll sleep soon. I still have some things to instruct you."

Zhang Guoqing listened attentively, seriously looking at him.

"The office here has contacted the Northeast, discovered that last week Old Man Zhou had already passed away. With his passing, he’s relieved. Zhou Xiaocun, that bastard, is using his old trick again. He insists that he didn’t know anything about the timing of those two letters inside, only claiming to collect debts from Gu Ruyi on behalf of the father, completely unaware of the details.

Gu Ruyi, terrified, hid at the retirement home overnight, with Old Lin protecting her, claiming serious illness. Currently, office staff are still negotiating with Old Lin. One side says it’s a pre-liberation issue, can’t verify authenticity, and another says they won’t let a bad guy go. The two sides have differing views, so let them argue.

Old Lin had already telegraphed a couple of days ago for Lin Lao’er to bring the family and return on leave, saying to see Gu Ruyi one last time. Even summoned the two granddaughters stationed with the army, except for not contacting your mom and me."

These circumstances, Zhang Guoqing had broadly learned from Yang Qun and others in the afternoon, though not as detailed. He also knew that Lin Liyin was forcibly retained by her husband back home, still hadn’t returned.

He had just heard about Old Man Zhou’s passing, that pesky old man actually died like this? Truly unbelievable. A curse of a thousand years, had thought he would live another ten years.

"The ensuing events will keep many eyes on us, and you’ll need to return to school for classes tomorrow, go do what an excellent student should. Out there, no matter who from the Lin Family seeks you, find excuses to avoid them. If unavoidable, deal with it casually."

"Shall I take Ping’an with me?"

"For now, it isn’t necessary. This child understands what’s needed; you go to school with peace of mind."

Zhang Guoqing seriously nodded. He indeed needed to leave, otherwise, with daily visits from the Lin Family, it would be terribly bothersome.