Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space

Chapter 1260 - 1133: Longing for Return

Time passes day by day in the agonizing wait.Waiting for that uncertain day.

Zhou Jiao finally sees Zhou Xiaozheng leisurely making tea in the living room.

She smiles, and tears come with the smile.

Zhou Xiaozheng walks up to her, wipes her tears with a handkerchief, and pats her head: "It’s okay, it’s all over now."

With tear-streaked cheeks, Zhou Jiao looks up at him, "Dad, when are they coming back?"

"The kids are now resting. Once the news of victory is announced to the world tomorrow, they’ll be back soon. Xiao Wu will be a few days late; he has to finish handing over his work."

Zhou Jiao snatches the handkerchief from him and wipes her eyes fiercely, "This time when the kids come back, don’t stop me, I’m going to give them a good beating."

Zhou Xiaozheng laughs out loud at this: "Okay! Who told those brats to make my Jiao Jiao sad."

Zhou Jiao links her arm with his, "Dad, you said it, you better not feel sorry for them. Does mom know the news? I have to tell her early."

"She’ll be back soon."

"Dad, you don’t know Mom fainted once..."

Zhou Xiaozheng pulls her into a seat, listening to her rambling on about the little things that happened during this time, nodding occasionally in agreement.

He feels incredibly grateful that the kids are safe, even more thankful that he can keep his daughter’s laughter and joy.

For the country, he has no bitterness. Who but his family can send three grandsons to the battlefield, rushing to the most dangerous places?

For the family, he feels guilty; selfishly, he wants his three grandsons to be truly strong, yet he feels sorry for his family for the suffering they’ve endured for so long.

But now it’s fine, the storm has passed, and the home is finally filled with laughter again.

That night, whether it was Zhou Jiao or Miao Lishan, who received the good news a bit later, they both finally were able to sleep peacefully and soundly.

Also through that night’s simple recounting by Zhou Xiaozheng, Zhou Jiao learned that things were somewhat different from history.

Firstly, with prior preparation, the casualties of our army were greatly reduced. Secondly, they didn’t even face a strong resistance once.

Credit goes to the dozen or so small squads that included the Ping’an Brothers, who successfully gathered enemy intelligence, playing a significant role.

Later, Zhou Jiao only learned from the back-in-Beijing Zhang Guoqing about the team known as the "Bayonet" and the role they played. Otherwise, despite again tracking corruption and urging the lab to develop new weapons early on, it would be meaningless, at most reducing casualties.

The enemy launched this war heavily backed by S Country, not only providing weapons but also helping train a large number of spies and special forces.

Before the war began, both sides’ elite troops had already fought several skirmishes; otherwise, history wouldn’t have changed, and our army’s casualties would have increased significantly.

This counteroffensive did not end on March 5 as history recorded, but instead concluded earlier on February 28.

As the news of victory spread, the newspapers began to be flooded with post-war reports for several consecutive days.

Although Zhou Jiao never saw any report mentioning the "Bayonet," when she saw the newspaper listing the series of enemy high-ranking officers’ death notices...

She reconsidered, recalling Zhang Guoqing’s revealing hints.

Comparing these things, Zhou Jiao naturally realized that most of the credit belongs to the "Bayonet," and she understood the nature of her boys’ service.

However, these matters will have to wait until the kids graduate from military school, especially with her Wu Yi who needs to go back to Jing University, which doesn’t worry her much.

The Ping’an Brothers returned that night.

Amidst Zhou Jiao and her mother’s eager anticipation, the dishes were reheated twice.

Finally, after reporting their work to the military committee, they followed Zhou Xiaozheng into the house.

It’s said that ten people from their group had gone to the conference hall.

As for the content of that crucial confidential meeting, it hadn’t been made public for a long time.

Zhou Jiao pretended not to know; as a soldier, the first rule is to keep secrets, and she didn’t want to make it hard for the children.

But she did know a bit, except for Wu Yi who is still required to finish his studies at Jing University, the other seven were sent to military school for further education.

In the early morning, when sending the children off, Zhou Jiao, filled with sadness, had a smiling face. Seeing the three children again, her face filled with tears.

"Mom."

"Mom, we’re home."

"Mom, I missed you so much."

If you ask Zhou Jiao about her feelings at this moment,

— It feels like living again.

She finally sees her children. No longer unreachable in dreams or phantom shadows in imagination. Her sons are truly standing lively in front of her.

Wrapped tightly by her three sons, Zhou Jiao frees her hand to wipe her tears, showing a joyful smile, choked with emotion: "Good, I’m just glad you’re back."

Back in the living room, Zhou Jiao watched her children act spoiled with their grandmother and grandfather with a bright smile, a thought flashed in her mind suddenly woke her up: "Wu Yi, come here."

"Hey, Mom, my dad will be back in a few days."

Zhou Jiao, half smiling, half stern, watched him walk over, "Take off your clothes, the inspection starts with you."

Wu Yi quickly crossed his arms protectively over his chest, awkwardly looking at her, "Mom, please don’t, I’m grown up now, it’s embarrassing."

Zhou Jiao’s expression turned stern, "Cut the nonsense!"

If this brat didn’t have that particular demeanor, she might not have taken notice, but what is this if not covering up?

"Hehe... Mom, I’ll take it off, I’ll take it off, isn’t that okay?" Wu Yi said as he rubbed his nose with his fingers, glanced at her, shuffled his feet, and began to slowly remove his jacket.

"Don’t move your feet! Trying to use a blind spot?" Zhou Jiao pointed to his still-moving feet, giving him a slanted look, "Forgetting who taught you?"

Wu Yi smiled obsequiously at her, scratched the back of his neck, and as he undressed, explained: "Mom, I’m really not hurt, it’s just those bugs love biting me."

Zhou Jiao squinted her eyes, catching sight of Ping’an trying to sneak away with Liu Yi’s help, immediately shouting: "Where are you going? I’m talking to you, big brother!"

Ping’an turned quickly, patting his stomach, "Mom, I’m starving."

Zhou Jiao gave him a sidelong glance, deciding to let them off for now, reached out to grab her youngest son, and lifted his still-clad undershirt, spotting several bullet grazes on his back.

It’s okay! Although it’s a bit ugly, it’s not serious.

She glanced sideways at Wu Yi again, adjusting his clothes properly.

Liu Yi seized the opportunity, hugging Miao Lishan, "Grandma, what’s for dinner today? Grandpa and I haven’t had a bite all night, we’re so hungry."

Miao Lishan blinked and quickly grabbed a child in each hand, leading them outside, "Oh dear, it’s so late, can’t be starving, let’s go, your mom cooked up a big spread just for you."

Wu Yi, while pushing Zhou Jiao towards the outside, winked at Zhou Xiaozheng who had been watching the scene with amusement, "Mom, you’re amazing, I knew there’d be anything I want to eat at home, I’ll never leave you again, a child without a mom is so pitiful, almost had to eat dirt..."

Suppressing her laughter, Zhou Jiao looked at her dad, walked up to him and tugged at his arm, leading him outside together, "Dad, once we’ve eaten, when I beat them up, you have to help."

Zhou Xiaozheng: "..."