CHAPTER 399: CHAPTER 304: SENSING THE SPACE

Zhou Xiaozheng, who was on vacation at home, was playing chess with Zhang Guoqing, occasionally glancing outside. Upon seeing Zhou Jiao return with another bamboo basket filled with items, covered by a layer of black cloth, he became a bit curious.

Zhou Xiaozheng slightly focused and looked deeply at his son-in-law across from him.

Zhang Guoqing nodded slightly and smiled at him, understanding that his father-in-law had sensed something.

Regarding Zhou Xiaozheng as his father-in-law, he and Zhou Jiao had discussed repeatedly and felt that they couldn’t keep the secret space hidden from him anymore, nor did they want to.

It’s been 58 years, and seeing the bleak prospects ahead, they were far away in the Northeast, making communication difficult. What if, in the future, his father-in-law got overly worried and depleted his own provisions for the sake of his daughter, thus harming his own health? What if his father-in-law made mistakes thinking too much for his daughter?

The most severe aspect was that in a few years, some items would become original sins, or handles. Their large sum of savings and the valuable items were difficult to preserve openly.

His father-in-law was well aware of these things. They must make him understand that the couple has a fallback plan. No one should try to exploit his father-in-law’s soft spot — Zhou Jiao — to falsely accuse him.

His father-in-law cherished his daughter as his life, and in times of crisis, would do anything for Zhou Jiao. As for whether he would change his heart after having a son, he and Zhou Jiao strongly believed in her father’s profound love for his daughter.

The couple didn’t reveal it. The topic of space was too fantastical and had to be accepted by him slowly.

Zhou Xiaozheng looked at the child in front of him, feeling complicated. He felt grateful for the unwavering trust his son-in-law had in him, yet also guilty for having doubts about his son-in-law’s character.

What did Zhou Jiao mean to Zhang Guoqing? Zhou Xiaozheng was very clear about the status of his daughter in Zhang Guoqing’s heart. Although Zhang Guoqing was not entirely thorough in handling things, he was shrewd and wouldn’t overlook the consequences of exposing certain matters.

This time back in Beijing, the young couple had discreetly invited him for a private conversation, avoiding his wife. Initially, he was immersed in the exciting atmosphere of family reunion and didn’t notice anything unusual. But as the two youngsters acted openly before him and secretly brought fresh game and fruits, he wasn’t foolish enough not to notice.

Following a philosophy of ’the less the better,’ he decided not to expose it. Having wandered outside for so many years, he had witnessed many extraordinary people and events — some involving mythical magic or obtaining rare treasures. Years ago, he had heard of people experiencing strange encounters; it seemed the couple had hit upon a fortuitous opportunity. That’s good, as long as his Jiao Jiao lived a life free from worries.

"Don’t pull so hard! Jiao Jiao’s been yanked down by you." Upon hearing this, Lin Xuezhen let go immediately. She feared no one but her uncle-in-law when he showed a stern face.

Lin Xuezhen vigorously patted her forehead, flashing a fawning smile towards Zhou Xiaozheng.

"Why are you anxious? If I said you could choose freely, you’d be the first to pick." Zhou Jiao was both amused and tickled by her antics. She was truly a treasure, just like Zhao Yuanyuan.

Zhang Guoqing helped Zhou Jiao up and took over the bamboo basket. He didn’t lift the black cloth, knowing that some good items had long been secretly stashed away by her. His wife was like a hamster, stashing away good things she saw.

"Quickly tell me what’s got you so worked up?" Zhou Xiaozheng softened his expression and spoke to Lin Xuezhen gently. Finding someone who could converse with his own daughter was rare, so he refrained from venting his dissatisfaction with the Lin Family on the young girl.

"Uncle, have a look at these wooden hairpins. I suspect Jiao Jiao must have found a treasure. I couldn’t tell what’s good about them — they were dirty and grimy, abandoned in a corner. Jiao Jiao, who’s usually neat, even bought them, showing there’s something unusual..." Lin Xuezhen started to explain when prompted.

Without waiting for her to finish, Zhou Xiaozheng took the basket handed to him by Zhang Guoqing and took a peek. His lips curled into a smile, and he looked at Zhou Jiao with a grin.

Zhou Jiao returned a smug smile.

"Uncle, have you figured it out? Was two yuan too much for Jiao Jiao to spend?" Lin Xuezhen, desperate for an answer, dared not urge him and was pacing anxiously.

Zhou Xiaozheng laid out a wooden tray, fiddling with the hairpins. After a moment, he nodded appreciatively at Zhou Jiao. His usual teachings to the child had truly paid off.

The ebony and agarwood were untreated, even fooled experienced hands. Now, discovered by a fledgling young girl, it clearly demonstrated his Jiao Jiao’s keen intuition.

From his observations, one of the agarwood hairpins was certainly used by Ming Dynasty scholars. Now they appeared greasy and blackened; likely, these twenty-odd pieces were once heirlooms carelessly ruined by ignorant descendants.

He secretly planned to take Jiao Jiao to the temple fair tomorrow to search for agarwood bracelets that would complement the pins and be beneficial to her health.

"Haha... Did I guess correctly? I knew Jiao Jiao wouldn’t spend two yuan on these broken hairpins without a reason. But they’re really dirty. The shopkeeper must’ve been too lazy; a simple wash would make them sell much better. Wait for me; I’ll go get soap to wash them. Oh dear, whether they can be washed..." Lin Xuezhen chattered on as she prepared to dash off.

Zhou Jiao quickly pulled her back. This silly girl really thought soap could clean them up? If it were that easy, she wouldn’t have scored a bargain.

"Why are you pulling me? Well... I know you prefer cleanliness. Should I wash them then? When Aunt Chen comes back to clean, the cucumbers and veggies will be cold. If you have nothing to do, wait around for me."

Zhou Jiao laughed, gesturing to Zhou Xiaozheng and Zhang Guoqing. "Didn’t you see they’re secretly laughing? Soap won’t work. Let’s hear what Dad has to say first."

Lin Xuezhen instantly felt embarrassed, and gave her a sheepish laugh.

Zhou Xiaozheng pretended to cough, cleared his throat, and said with amusement in his eyes, "Don’t worry, it’ll be fine soon." With that, he retrieved two bottles of solvent from his study and returned to the sofa.

"Uncle, what kind of liquid is it? Will it really clean them well?" Lin Xuezhen had already moved up close to him, realizing her uncle-in-law was indeed a miracle worker, for he seemed to know everything.

Without waiting for Zhou Xiaozheng to reply, she turned her head and looked at Zhou Jiao with a face full of grievance.

Zhou Jiao now had a complete grasp on this young girl. Seeing her antics, she guessed another strange idea had popped up and immediately gave her a cheerful smile.

Zhou Xiaozheng nodded slightly. He casually picked out four hairpins, used a piece of old cloth to apply the prepared solution, and began wiping several wooden hairpins meticulously.

As he gradually unveiled the true appearance of the hairpins, Lin Xuezhen covered her mouth in excitement. She glanced at Zhou Jiao, who nodded in affirmation, prompting her to laugh heartily.

After putting down the last hairpin, Zhou Xiaozheng glanced at the remaining pins and slowly said, "Alright, only these four are worth some money, you divide them up."

He then tidied up the bottles and headed back to the study.

Passing by Zhang Guoqing, seeing his smile, Zhou Xiaozheng gave him a sideways glance and sighed internally; this silly child wasn’t as clever as his Jiao Jiao. The young girl from the Lin Family wasn’t foolish; keep smiling and it’d become obvious.

Returning, Zhou Xiaozheng noticed Lin Xuezhen only taking one hairpin and cast an eye on her. He picked up another from the coffee table and threw it to her, saying, "Take two each to play with. Don’t lose them, and don’t give them away!"

Lin Xuezhen wasn’t foolish, aware those four were valuable. She saw her uncle-in-law pick only four from a pile; the rest of the shabby pins he regarded with disdain.

She quickly placed them on the coffee table, waving her hand, "One is enough. If I take another, it’d be snatched by my big sister; might as well leave them for Jiao Jiao to play."

Her words precisely hit the vital point of Zhou Xiaozheng and his daughter.

Zhou Jiao picked up the hairpins and put them in her hand, smiling, "If I’m giving them to you, take them. No need to be polite."

Zhou Xiaozheng looked playfully at the clueless young girl before him. He hadn’t expected that the typically naive and carefree young lass was still a perceptive person. She didn’t follow the Lin Family but rather seemed like someone from the Jiang Family.

He slowly said, "Hold onto them. Jiao Jiao’s giving them to you, so keep them. These two hairpins should not be given to anyone. All four are Ming Dynasty relics. Keep them for your future dowry."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xuezhen widened her eyes in shock, hastily pushing the two pins back into Zhou Jiao’s hands, firmly refusing.

Zhou Jiao found her amusingly exasperating, stood up, and forced them back to her, guiding her to the door. The girl had vanity but also principles, and Zhou Jiao felt rather fond of her cousin. She had many flaws, but she was fiercely protective of her.

"Be cautious in your actions from now on. See how even a young girl can notice your exceptional skills." Zhou Xiaozheng said to the returning Zhou Jiao. He wasn’t planning to say more, knowing his Jiao Jiao understood.

Zhou Jiao picked up the tray, nodded. Fortunately, her dad was filling in the gaps today. She had overlooked her usual low-key and frugal demeanor; today was unusual. She was too accustomed to Zhang Guoqing stepping in to handle things, that being apart from him led to mishaps. She realized she still couldn’t maintain equanimity regardless of circumstances.