Chapter 124: The Lin Family of the Capital (1)

Late autumn in the capital had already brought a chill to the air. Strong winds swept through the city, and if you weren’t careful, sand would blow right into your mouth. The streets and alleys were filled with that distinctive Beijing flavor. It was rush hour, and crowds surged everywhere. After work, people scattered in all directions; even when acquaintances bumped into each other, their conversations were hurried before they rushed off. Cyclists pedaled hard, eager to get home. Everyone was busy preparing dinner, and those with children still had to pick them up.

Near the main road, passersby wore all sorts of clothes—some in factory uniforms, some in work unit attire, but most in patched-up coats and cotton jackets, hands tucked in as they hurried along. Occasionally, they’d greet familiar faces with a smile. Among the crowd, a couple in military uniforms stood out. It wasn’t just their shiny bicycles that caught the eye; the man was tall and handsome, the woman pretty and spirited. Together, they were like a scene out of a painting.

As the couple walked further away, you could still faintly hear the woman complaining, “Honestly, Mom is something else. She didn’t even make the message clear. Isn’t it just that my dad’s coming back today? Why does everyone have to go home?”

The man tried to comfort her. “Don’t worry. Maybe there’s something about your eldest sister’s kid she wants to discuss. Aren’t you curious? We haven’t even seen your niece yet. Who knows how she’s been after all that time in the countryside?”

“What do you mean, how? That’s her home, she’s part of the Zhou family. Her family must spoil her. I bet she’s doing just fine. My eldest sister sends plenty of money every month—they must treat her like a little princess.”

“Heh, I wouldn’t be so sure. In the countryside, boys are valued over girls. Who knows what’s really going on? Something must have happened. Let’s hurry, I bet your sister-in-law and the others are already there.”

The couple followed the crowd toward the military compound. “So many people! If I’d known, I wouldn’t have ridden my bike. Did you bring the entry pass?”

This couple was Lin Liying, Zhou Jiao’s aunt, and her husband, Li Jianjun. They had received a message from the family matriarch at noon, telling everyone to come home today. They’d left their child at home and hurried over.

At the entrance to the compound, soldiers stood guard with rifles, patrolling back and forth and keeping a close eye on everyone coming and going.

After showing their passes, Lin Liying and her husband pushed their bikes inside. It was rush hour, so there were plenty of soldiers and family members on the road.

The compound was spacious and well-equipped. From the gate, you could see the commissary and the clinic. Next door, separated by a wall, was a large daycare, as well as elementary and middle schools for the children of the compound. There was even a cinema and a swimming pool—life here was so convenient, you barely needed to go outside.

“Liying, you’re back! Your dad just got home. Here to see the old man, right? Bring your husband in quickly.” An old man they passed greeted them with a smile.

Lin Liying stopped and smiled back. “Uncle Chen, you’re not at the retirees’ club playing chess today? Since my dad’s back, why not come over to our place for a bit?”

The old man waved her off. “Not today. Old Lin just got back—let him rest for a night. I’ll come find him tomorrow.” With that, he headed home.

Lin Liying and her husband turned a corner, pushing their bikes. Up ahead were about a dozen quaint little courtyards, with the Lin family’s house in the middle. Unlike others, Mrs. Lin hadn’t planted vegetables in their yard—just two flowerbeds in the corners, untended, with the plants inside already withered.

The courtyard wasn’t large, just a traditional single-entry siheyuan. The main house was home to Old Mr. and Mrs. Lin. Lin Lishan and her sister each had a room in the right wing. The east wing, with three rooms, housed the eldest son Lin Aiguo, his wife Chen Jingru, and their two children. The west wing was reserved for the second son’s family, who were stationed in the northwest but had returned to Beijing.

“Haha, this must be Xiao Wu’s telegram. He’s worried no one will pick up his mother-in-law. That family is warm and honest, with a great reputation locally. I bet they’ve prepared a lot for Shanshan to bring back this time.”

Old Mr. Lin’s hearty laughter rang out from the living room. Lin Liying and her husband exchanged a smile and entered, finding that everyone who could make it home had already gathered, listening to the old man speak.

“Dad, you’re back! Big Sis will be home tomorrow—why didn’t you wait one more day so you could come back together?” Lin Liying asked curiously.

Old Mr. Lin waved for Li Jianjun to sit and said, “I had duties to attend to, couldn’t delay. She didn’t mention she’d be back a day later. I guess she saw that Jiaojiao was doing well and felt at ease, so she hurried home to see your brother-in-law.”

“What? My brother-in-law? Who?”

Old Mr. Lin wasn’t annoyed by her outburst. He smiled at his wife. “We can talk about it now. Everyone who needs to know already knows. Even Jiaojiao and her husband guessed that her father was still alive and would be coming back soon.”

Mrs. Lin looked at him in shock, unable to believe it. When she saw him nod, she snapped out of it and asked, “You mean Jiaojiao and her husband already guessed that Zhou Xiaozheng is alive? Did Zhou Xiaozheng secretly visit her? Or did he send someone to check on her? That can’t be. Shanshan searched so hard for him, almost went crazy—if Zhou Xiaozheng had the chance, he could have at least sent Shanshan a hint.”

Old Mr. Lin sighed, his face turning serious. “It’s a long story. That child has suffered a lot. Anyway, she only found out Zhou Xiaozheng was alive a few days ago—just recently, really. She’s a lot like Zhou Xiaozheng, very talented, not an ordinary person. No one in our family can compare.”

Lin Liying glanced at her sister-in-law and the others, and from their expressions, she could tell they’d known for a while that Zhou Xiaozheng was alive. What about her eldest brother? Lin Liying cautiously asked, “Sister-in-law, does that mean my eldest brother is still alive too?”

Chen Jingru nodded. “Yes, they’re both alive, but no one else knows. The higher-ups said they can come home by the end of the month. Before, it was all top secret, but now it should be fine. Still, be careful—don’t talk about it outside.” As she spoke, a trace of worry flashed in her eyes. Seeing her daughter lower her head, she finally relaxed.

Lin Liying turned to her father. “Dad, tell us—how was it? How did Big Sis get along with her daughter? Was everything alright?”

Old Mr. Lin glanced at her, shook his head, and stayed silent. He took a sip of tea, smacked his lips, and thought regretfully that it wasn’t as good as the tea Jiaojiao had given him.

He looked up to see everyone staring at him, waiting for him to speak, but he said nothing. He smiled meaningfully, wanting to see who had more patience than Jiaojiao. If Jiaojiao were here, she wouldn’t ask—she’d just quietly think things through instead of staring at him, waiting for him to make a move.

Seeing even his youngest son-in-law getting restless, Old Mr. Lin rolled his eyes and started counting silently in his mind..."