Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 727 - 602: Alley Courtyard

Zhang Guoqing, who was worried by Mr. Zhang and Mother Zhang about having too much money and getting harmed, once again stepped into the small courtyard alley with his wife. A cool breeze blew through the night, making the courtyard refreshingly cool, tempting one to spend the night, of course, as long as there weren’t any mosquitoes buzzing in the ears.

As Zhou Jiao entered from the alley entrance, she observed that this area was again occupied by the wealthy and powerful. In a regular alley during a summer night, the old men and women would be sitting on small stools, waving fans, and chatting outside. But here, although the courtyard gates were open, each family stayed in their own yard to enjoy the breeze, with occasional musical sounds drifting out.

This is simply a suicidal alley!

Zhou Jiao decided with a twinge of anxiety that she would obediently stay in the big courtyard. She wouldn’t even consider living in this small courtyard until the danger was eliminated.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, Zhang Guoqing immediately embraced her to look at the "Lotus Pond Moonlight," gazing into the distance, where there were still a few people walking in the park.

"So, what do you think? This place is beautiful, right? The scenery is even better than that five-entry big courtyard. In the summer, you can enjoy the breeze, watch the fallen leaves in the autumn, and admire the remaining snow in the winter. How about it?"

Zhou Jiao smiled gently after listening. Not bad for this science student!

"I’ve already planned it out. Later, I’ll use Dad’s military vehicle to greet the street, just saying we usually live at the school and only come back occasionally to rest for a few nights."

Seeing his rare childlike demeanor, Zhou Jiao knew that he genuinely liked this place. So she decided to satisfy him, but still, what needed to be reminded must be reminded. This was Zhou Jiao!

"Okay. But we can’t live here often. Also, let Dad take a look at who else lives around here; safety comes first."

Zhang Guoqing smiled and nodded.

He didn’t mention to his wife that his father-in-law had said that when the two of them went to work, if he moved to the new big courtyard, this would be their foothold in the city.

Just during this short conversation, mosquitoes had already gathered around the light bulb. Zhou Jiao frowned at the sight and immediately looked away. With so many flowers and plants near the water, it was indeed a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

"Getting to work?"

Talking about the proper business, Zhang Guoqing restrained his smile, closed the windows, looked around, and said to her, "I’ll stay outside. You hurry."

Zhou Jiao nodded with a smile. With her man safeguarding the door, she felt more assured than anyone. She was already well-versed in the mechanisms the Gu Family commonly used, especially since this was the simplest version.

After only a few steps, a clicking sound automatically came from the corner of the wall, blending harmoniously with the sounds of cicadas and frogs outside in the night.

Who knows how Old Mrs. Cheng knew about this mechanism and could use it to hide things. Thinking about it being old Mrs. Cheng’s dowry made it somewhat understandable.

Soon, two half-meter-long slender wooden boxes emerged from the blue bricks in the corner.

Zhou Jiao put them directly into her storage space, looked at the empty area, restored it to its original state, and left the room without a speck of dust. She looked at Zhang Guoqing, who turned his head towards her, and she nodded with a smile.

Standing in the courtyard, to avoid being overheard over the wall, the couple didn’t communicate about the matter, merely exchanging a tacit look before joining hands and entering the main room of the north house.

Zhou Jiao put the two slender boxes on the kang.

The 15-watt light made Zhang Guoqing see that the two boxes were made of extremely precious agarwood. He leaned closer in surprise and took a sniff; it was truly extravagant!

Zhou Jiao smiled silently at him, nodding softly at his gaze. As soon as she opened the sealed space, she had already smelled the unique fragrance of the agarwood; it wasn’t anything surprising.

"Haven’t you seen those things before?"

Zhang Guoqing thought for a moment; indeed, these two boxes should be Gu Family’s dowry to Old Mrs. Cheng. He suggested, "While there are still those old skillful craftsmen alive, how about having these two boxes transformed into ornaments and bracelets?"

Zhou Jiao immediately understood: "Alright! We’ll send them to Auntie as a love token, and she can pass them on to the next generation."

Zhang Guoqing nodded with a smile. Both understood that the value of these two boxes in the future would definitely exceed the contents inside. Even before opening them, this was their belief.

However, things often come with surprises. A true lady of a noble family can’t be underestimated.

Looking at the opened boxes, Zhang Guoqing sighed with a headache. What’s a debt of gratitude? This is it! He would’ve preferred Old Mrs. Cheng to have left some gold rather than seeing calligraphy and paintings or antiques.

Zhou Jiao thoughtfully said, "Don’t worry! Growing up by my grandmother’s side means she has a discerning eye. She probably went through a lot of trouble to have half gold and half antiques. For now, it’s safer to keep them with us, and later we can gradually give them as wedding gifts to several cousins when they get married."

How could Zhang Guoqing not have thought of these methods? However, anyone else can give away paintings and antiques, just not his family! Even in the next twenty years, their home couldn’t have a single ancient painting, otherwise, it would stir up controversy about the Gu Family’s inheritance.

After Zhou Jiao finished speaking, seeing Zhang Guoqing’s disapproving look, she suddenly realized and awkwardly smiled.

Seeing this, Zhang Guoqing laughed, rubbed her head, and said with a smile, "Forget it. If the mountain won’t turn, the water will. There will always be times when the Cheng family needs our help. We’ll remember this favor and repay it later."

Zhou Jiao raised her fist and waved it, "In the future, whoever wants to give me something, I won’t accept it. I really don’t lack things, why doesn’t anyone believe me?"

Zhang Guoqing held her fist with a laugh, "Auntie doesn’t have much private money for you anymore. She worried when she saw you donate all the gold without leaving a piece behind, fearing you had no foundation."

"Pff," Zhou Jiao couldn’t help but laugh.

There’s no other way around it. That old woman Gu Ruyi gave her gold in front of so many people; if she hadn’t donated it, she’d be left open for manipulation in the future! Even her own dowry had been almost sorted out by her family. To avoid crises, you have to act in advance.

Seeing nothing further to handle here, she tidied up things, took out a can of meat, and raised an eyebrow at Zhang Guoqing. Though she intended to take coal, unfortunately, it was just too dirty.

But Zhou Jiao knew her husband would understand. The next step was how to clear out those coal supplies from the space, otherwise, how could she collect items from the other two secret rooms?

Glancing at her playful expression, Zhang Guoqing hugged her and gave a series of kisses until she was panting before reluctantly letting go.

"Were you acting wild every day when I wasn’t home?"

"Yes, in my dreams every day towards you..."

Blushing, Zhou Jiao covered his mouth, regretting this silly joke.

Zhang Guoqing kissed her hand, blinked at her, scaring her into quickly releasing her hold and raising the wine bottle in her other hand to show her defiance. She was genuinely afraid of this man’s tendency to be inappropriate regardless of the occasion!

Zhang Guoqing’s eyes flickered with a dark light, smiling. Without her move, he might not have thought of such things, but now?

Zhang Guoqing cleared his throat, changing the topic to distract her, "We need to alter our previous plans. The trip to the South will be postponed. This time, the stockpile can only be safely handled in the Northeast black market."

Listening to this, Zhou Jiao calmed herself and nodded in agreement. Yes, indeed. After all, the Northeast is closer to Su Country, and those strong liquors and coals might not even sell well in the South.