Chapter 64: Persuading Mother

After listening, Zhou Jiao smiled and said to the old man, “Grandpa, I’m really happy too. I grew up on your stories. It’s because I have such a good grandpa that I’ve received so much kindness and care—and most importantly, I’ve always had someone backing me up, so I could stand tall. We’re real family, so there’s no need to be so polite. I’ve heard everything you said, and I won’t blame my mother. She’s had a hard time. Now that I’m a mother myself, I can understand her. So many things just happened to separate us for all these years. But my mom is still my mom—she gave birth to me, raised me, and spent seventeen years searching for my dad, waiting for him all alone. That’s more than enough for me to respect her and be moved by her.

There are many kinds of motherly love in this world. Just because my mom couldn’t take care of me herself doesn’t mean she failed as a mother. If my dad had been by her side, she could have stayed with me and with him in peace. She wouldn’t have had to wander all over, searching for my dad’s tracks. She couldn’t come see me herself—maybe other people would judge her for that, but I understand. Aside from the chaos of war and difficult travel, her heart was always with my dad. He was her reason to keep going. She cares so much about my dad, and for me, that’s enough. For her to keep my dad in her heart—she’s already an amazing wife and mother in my eyes.

Grandpa, you shouldn’t feel guilty either. Even though I didn’t get all those things over the years, I still want to thank you and all our relatives. Having those things let me live safely in that home. Alright, let’s not get too sentimental. Grandpa, how many days can you stay this time?”

Lin Xinsheng burst out laughing, feeling delighted by his granddaughter’s praise. This granddaughter, who looked so much like her grandmother, spoke so warmly—unlike the other girls in the family, who acted like they’d seen a ghost when they saw him and just wanted to hide. See, his Jiaojiao was a smart child, proud to have him as her grandpa. He always said it wasn’t his fault; it was just that the other kids didn’t get along with him.

“Good, good. You really are your grandmother’s granddaughter—so good with words, and you look the most like her too. Your grandmother always says she misses you when she sees your photo. When you and Guoqing have time, bring the child to visit her. She can’t stay in the north; her health can’t take it. I have to head back to the military district tomorrow night—orders are orders. I won’t be able to come back for a while. As for how your mother will return, you all can discuss it.”

After speaking, he looked around and signaled Xiao Zhou and his men to check the perimeter and keep outsiders away. Mother Zhang took the hint and sent her two daughters-in-law to the kitchen to prepare dinner, taking the children outside. The two brothers looked at Zhang Guoqing, asking with their eyes if they should leave too. Zhang Guoqing shook his head, telling them to stay put; there was nothing here that couldn’t be said in front of them, and they weren’t the talkative type anyway.

Once Xiao Zhou returned and nodded slightly before leaving, Lin Xinsheng finally spoke: “Don’t be nervous. Guoqing, you and your brothers stay. Guoqing’s father, this is about Zhou Jiao’s father—my son-in-law, Zhou Xiaozheng. Didn’t I just say something big happened when Jiao’s mother came over? That’s it. Around that time, someone from above sent me word that my son-in-law and eldest son were still alive and had returned from a mission.

Actually, besides Old Master Zhou deliberately not letting Zhou Jiao return to Beijing, do you know why I never came to see her either? Why didn’t her father’s friends show up? Jiao must have wondered about that. Before my eldest son left for his mission, he let slip a little, so I always suspected that he and my son-in-law hadn’t had an accident, but were on a secret mission. Unfortunately, no matter how much I investigated in secret, I couldn’t find any leads. But someone was watching my eldest son’s children from the shadows, so I had a feeling. Plus, Jiao’s mother always insisted her husband was alive. Others said she was crazy, but I know my own daughter—she must have had some reason to believe it.

The situation was complicated at the time. Someone quietly told me to protect Zhou Xiaozheng’s daughter. The two of them disappeared without a trace, and for people like them, if anything happened on the way, the family would never be notified—unless they were still alive. I couldn’t tell anyone, not even my wife.

I had Jiao’s mother keep working, afraid that if she left the army, she’d be in danger. I didn’t dare bring Jiao back either. Before liberation, I risked my life every day—back then, just surviving was enough. At least Jiao was safe in the village. After liberation, I planned to bring her back, but her grandmother’s health was bad. Still, there was a nanny, and her mother came back to Beijing from time to time, so she wasn’t lacking care. Besides, the military compound was safe.

But I hesitated. I didn’t know if they were still alive, or if they were still in hiding. If Zhou Xiaozheng had the highest rank among those people, would Jiao be in the most danger? So I secretly decided that as long as Jiao was safe in the countryside, I’d let her stay there—at least until she was old enough to understand danger. Then I’d see about bringing her back. Zhou Xiaozheng had several good friends who came to ask me about him, but I never dared tell anyone where Jiao was. That’s how, through all these twists of fate, this child suffered a lot and endured many hardships.

I wanted to let you all know first. You didn’t know about Zhou Xiaozheng’s return, but I figure Guoqing and Jiao might have guessed. In a month or so, her father will be back. They completed their mission very well this time, reporting directly to the top. A few months ago, I got word from above that her father and uncle were alive. It’s still confidential. Just keep it in mind and don’t spread it. When he comes back, the whole family will know.”

Zhou Jiao gripped her mother’s hand tightly, looking at her in disbelief. When she saw her mother smiling and nodding, she couldn’t hold back her tears anymore. Before, they’d only guessed he was alive, but now it was certain.

Tears streaming down her face, she turned to Zhang Guoqing and cheered, “Brother, my dad is really alive! He’s really, truly alive! I’ve been so worried these past few days, but now I can finally relax—he’s safe!”

Zhang Guoqing smiled and nodded. “That’s right. I told you he’d be fine. He’s always thinking of you.”

Lin Lishan looked at her daughter and son-in-law, then at Old Master Lin in disbelief. Her father had guessed right—they’d already suspected Zhou Xiaozheng was alive.

Lin Xinsheng smiled at the young couple. He’d only suspected because his eldest son had let something slip, and only got confirmation a year ago. How had they figured it out? He’d never told anyone, not even his wife, just in case.

“You two, tell me how you guessed. Right now, only a few people at the top know about this. How did you figure it out?”

Zhou Jiao silently scolded herself for letting her guard down and giving herself away after just a few words. She grinned sheepishly at Old Master Lin and stuck out her tongue. “Grandpa, it’s a long story. Why don’t you tell us more about my dad first? Let Guoqing tell you himself—he just came back with the good news yesterday and guessed it then. I only found out yesterday too.”"