My Mother-in-Law is Reborn [Seventies]

Zhuang Zhixi was born in New China.

Although life was tough and at times poor, it was not as chaotic as it had been in the old society. He grew up healthy and happy, graduating from high school. If it weren't for the policies at the time, he would have likely gone on to a good university to continue his studies.

However, even though he didn’t attend university, he joined a machinery factory right after high school, just in time to miss the "Down to the Countryside" movement. His life continued smoothly. Among the children in his family, both in his parents' and his own generation, Zhuang Zhixi was the only one who happened to be the right age to avoid being sent to the countryside. The others were either too old or too young to be affected.

It could be said that the three children of the Zhuang family were quite fortunate and lived well during their time.

If he had been sent to the countryside, Zhao Guihua would have been worried sick.

Fortunately, it didn’t happen.

The morning sun was particularly bright, and the cicadas were chirping loudly. Despite the thick blackout curtains, a few rays of sunlight managed to "sneak" into the room, bringing a touch of warmth. When Zhao Guihua woke up, she felt a bit disoriented, but she quickly regained her composure.

It turned out she had been dreaming.

She didn’t know why, but she had dreamed of the old days, of the time when she and Old Man Zhuang had just met. Back then, people were so simple. A little mutual support was enough to spark feelings that lasted for decades, remaining as strong as ever. It was quite different from the way young people today approached relationships.

She rubbed her eyes and sat up. It was summer, and even though the air conditioning was on, she still felt a bit warm. She stretched her legs and got up to pour herself a glass of water, gulping it down in one go. After that, she went to the bathroom to freshen up and changed into a cotton T-shirt. Nowadays, there were so many types of fabrics—silk, chiffon, linen—but Zhao Guihua still preferred cotton T-shirts. No matter how nice other materials were, she just didn’t like them.

Deep down, she was a very nostalgic person. Zhao Guihua put on a pair of loose cotton pants before opening the door and muttering, "Where has that old man gone off to again?"

Her family lived in an old quadrangle courtyard, which was said to have been the residence of a prince during the Qing dynasty. The courtyard had five sections, with a small garden in the middle, covering a large area. It was spacious and comfortable, making it a very pleasant place to live.

This courtyard had been bought by her youngest son, Zhuang Zhixi, in the 1980s. He used the money he made from selling orchids, spending nearly 100,000 yuan.

Although this amount might sound like a joke now, in the early 1980s, it was a huge sum of money. Not everyone could afford it, and even if they could, many wouldn’t be willing to spend it. Back then, buying property wasn’t common, so Zhuang Zhixi had gotten a great deal. What was even more remarkable was that the courtyard had been well-preserved. Although it had undergone some minor renovations and modifications over the years to make it more livable, it still retained its ancient charm. Zhao Guihua absolutely loved it.

Nowadays, this kind of property would cost hundreds of millions, which was almost unimaginable.

Zhao Guihua and her family had originally lived in a large compound in Xinghua Lane, but it had been demolished over a decade ago. All the old neighbors had moved into apartment buildings, and Zhao Guihua had lived in one for a few years as well. However, having spent her entire life in a courtyard, she found it hard to adjust to apartment living.

Her husband, Old Man Zhuang, felt the same way.

Of course, living in an apartment had its advantages, especially in terms of comfort, but as they got older, they preferred a more grounded lifestyle, with a courtyard. Seeing that his parents were feeling a bit stifled, Zhuang Zhixi decided to renovate the quadrangle courtyard, and the whole family moved in.

For this, Aunt Zhou and others teased Zhao Guihua and her husband, saying they didn’t know how to enjoy life. After all, living in an apartment was so much better.

But Zhao Guihua thought they just didn’t understand. As people age, they crave a life that feels more connected to the earth, more grounded. After moving into the quadrangle courtyard with their son’s family, the old couple immediately perked up. Despite their age, they wasted no time in turning part of the courtyard into a vegetable garden.

If it weren’t for the fact that the grandchildren still loved flowers, Zhao Guihua and her husband would have long since replaced the flower beds with more vegetables.

In their opinion, growing vegetables was far superior to growing flowers.

In short, growing vegetables was the way to go.

With the vegetable garden to tend to, the old couple became full of energy. Even in their eighties, they were in great health, often more spirited than their own children. Zhao Guihua walked along the covered corridor to the central courtyard, where Old Man Zhuang was playing chess with their eldest son, Zhuang Zhiyuan. After retiring, Zhuang Zhiyuan came over every day. He lived in the same neighborhood as Aunt Wang and Aunt Zhou, just a fifteen-minute walk away.

Zhuang Zhixi had actually invited his older brother and sister to move in as well. The courtyard was large enough to accommodate everyone, but both had declined, not wanting to take advantage of their younger brother.

Besides, everyone had their own living habits.

Even though they didn’t move in, they visited almost every day. As their parents aged, the children naturally wanted to spend more time with them, especially Zhuang Zhixin. She had married young and followed her husband to a military base on an island, meaning she hadn’t been able to care for her parents much over the years. She only returned home every two or three years, and even then, only for a few days. Most of the responsibility for their parents had fallen on her brothers. Even the fact that her two sons owned homes in the capital was thanks to her mother’s support. Zhuang Zhixin felt deeply guilty about this. Now that she and her husband had retired, they had returned to the capital. Even though they had spent most of their lives on the island, they felt that this was where their roots were.

They were both natives of the capital, and as they grew older, they longed to return to their hometown. Besides, their family was here.

The couple had their own house in the city, bought with the money from the demolition of their old home. The hundred-square-meter apartment was just right for the two of them. Zhuang Zhixin lived in the same building as her older brother, Zhuang Zhiyuan, and they would come over together every morning to visit.

Zhuang Zhiyuan came without fail, rain or shine, and Zhuang Zhixin was no different.

When Zhao Guihua pushed the door open and walked in, Zhuang Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Mom, you’re up late today."

Zhao Guihua retorted, "At my age, can’t I sleep in a little?"

She snorted and added, "I dreamed about the time when your dad and I were young."

At this, Old Man Zhuang chuckled and said, "I was quite the dashing young man back then."

Zhao Guihua smiled and said, "If you hadn’t been, I wouldn’t have looked twice at you."

"Who wouldn’t you have looked at?"

Zhuang Zhixi and his wife had also arrived. The couple had aged well. Even though they were almost sixty, they could easily pass for forty. They looked much younger than their actual age.

Having lived a life free of hardship, it showed in their faces. Time had left almost no trace on them.

Ming Mei had already retired. She retired at the normal age of fifty-five. Actually, the school had wanted to rehire her, but she herself declined. She had worked her whole life, and now that she had reached retirement age, it was time to enjoy life rather than forcing herself to prove her worth.

Besides, one’s worth isn’t measured by whether or not they’re working.

However, since retiring, Ming Mei had been spending more time with Zhao Guihua. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo had been causing quite a stir, to the point where Zhuang Zhixin often wondered if Ming Mei was actually Zhao Guihua’s biological daughter. The two of them really got along like a house on fire.

With Ming Mei, a "mastermind," backing her up, Zhao Guihua now walked around like a crab—sideways and full of confidence.

Fortunately, the old lady was still somewhat reasonable, or else things would have been unbearable.

Zhuang Zhixin followed behind her younger brother and sister-in-law, carrying breakfast in her hands—a traditional breakfast from old Beijing, the kind you never get tired of. The family sat down, and for the moment, they didn’t continue the earlier topic. Zhao Guihua looked around and asked, “Where are the little ones?”

Ming Mei replied, “With the Olympics coming up, the little one has a performance and went to practice early in the morning.”

Yes, it was 2008, the year of the Olympics.

Zhuang Zhixin nodded. Both Tuantuan and Yuanyuan were married, and the “little ones” Zhao Guihua was referring to were their children. Tuantuan had married at thirty, tying the knot with a university junior he met abroad. The girl was also from Beijing. She had come to intern at Tuantuan’s company after graduating, and over time, the two had gotten together. They had twins in the same year they married, and now the kids were six years old, about to start first grade in two months.

Yuanyuan, on the other hand, had married Ye Siyuan, which had been quite a shock to everyone. After all, growing up, the two had never shown any signs of being more than ordinary friends. Among their group of childhood companions, their relationship had always been very proper—like affectionate siblings.

Even little Si Tian knew to cling to Tuantuan and ask for candy, but Ye Siyuan and Yuanyuan had never been particularly close. It was as if they were just loving siblings.

But sometimes life takes unexpected turns. Despite there being no obvious signs, the two had ended up together. If there was one person who wasn’t surprised, it was Tuantuan. Maybe others found it hard to understand, but Tuantuan could see it clearly. After graduating high school, the three of them had gone abroad to study, and in a way, they had relied on each other for support.

That might be an exaggeration, but the three of them had lived together, and everything they did, they did together. Some relationships are love at first sight, but theirs was more of a slow-burning affection. Others might not have seen it coming, but Tuantuan wasn’t surprised at all.

When they first arrived abroad, they were all quite young. Though they appeared bold, deep down they were all a bit nervous. It was the same for both men and women—they weren’t as tough as they thought they were.

Sometimes, they were a bit fragile.

Yuanyuan was beautiful and had quite a few suitors. Ye Siyuan had helped her fend off a lot of trouble, and in turn, Yuanyuan had helped him avoid some unwanted attention.

So, it was only natural that the two developed feelings for each other under such circumstances. They had spent years together, from university to graduate school, and naturally, they had grown close. They had started dating before returning to China, though neither of them had said anything about it. It wasn’t until Ye Siyuan returned to China a year later that they made their relationship public.

After going public, they dated for another two years. Yuanyuan ended up marrying earlier than her brother, but her child was the same age as Tuantuan’s. Now, Yuanyuan and Ye Siyuan also lived nearby.

Yuanyuan was very attached to her family. Since there was plenty of space at home, her grandparents, parents, and brother were all more than happy to have her stay. Yuanyuan didn’t hesitate at all, and Ye Siyuan went along with her wishes.

It had to be said that the women in their family, while appearing gentle, had a certain strength in their bones.

Zhuang Zhixin was a bit of a romantic, but her husband had risen to a high position, and she was still the one calling the shots at home. The same went for Little Swallow and Si Tian. Zhao Guihua felt quite pleased. Being a romantic wasn’t a bad thing—what was dangerous was being completely devoid of thought and reason.

Her children had both.

Zhuang Zhixin: “Since they’re not here, let’s eat.”

Zhao Guihua, munching on a fried dough stick, asked, “Where’s your husband?”

Liang Meifen didn’t come every day, but Zhuang Zhixin’s husband visited quite frequently.

Zhuang Zhixin: “He was called away early this morning. His old comrades wanted to get together.” She smiled helplessly. “He took all the liquor from the house with him. At his age, he really shouldn’t be drinking like that. It’s worrying.”

After a pause, she added, “Oh, by the way, on my way over this morning, I saw some foreigners taking pictures outside. Is that okay?”

With the Olympics going on, Beijing was more crowded than ever. Historic places like their old courtyard house, with its traditional charm, were attracting a lot of attention, and many people were coming by to take photos.

Zhao Guihua: “It should be fine. I’ll go out and take a look later.”

Zhuang Zhixin: “Alright.”

With the Olympics in full swing, the city was bustling with activity. There were crowds of people and volunteers everywhere, and the neighborhood committees were busier than ever. Many of the local aunties who knew the area well were also pitching in. Zhao Guihua and her friends wanted to join in, but they were considered too old, and the neighborhood committee didn’t dare to use them. It really frustrated the old lady.

They wanted to contribute to the Olympics too.

Even though the neighborhood committee didn’t enlist them, they were still quite capable. They organized themselves into a spontaneous team.

Zhao Guihua, Aunt Zhou, Aunt Wang, Luo Xiaohe, Old Man Zhuang, Li the Cook—none of them were left out. Jiang Lu and the others who had retired also joined in. Though they had been laid off over a decade ago, they had managed to transition smoothly because they owned their own businesses. Now, they were getting on in years and had passed their shops on to their children. Jiang Lu and her husband, Bai Fendou and his wife, Wang Zizhen and her husband, Li Fang and her husband, as well as the Zhuang family members—even Little Sister Yu, Wang Xiangxiu, and others—all joined the impromptu squad. They roamed the neighborhood, ready to help anyone who needed directions or information. After all, as long-time residents of old Beijing, they knew the area like the back of their hands.

If they spotted anyone suspicious or up to no good, they were quick to act.

Heh, these were people who had seen it all. They could spot trouble a mile away and deal with it in no time. No petty thief stood a chance in Xinghua Lane.

Trying to slip through the net?

Not a chance.

Oh, right, this was still Xinghua Lane. Though it was a bit of a distance from where they used to live, it just so happened that this area still fell under Xinghua Lane. Even before the Olympics, they had spent a lot of time roaming around here.

They had taken down two theft rings, caught three robbers, and reported four drug users.

Yeah, they were pretty well-known.

As a native of the old Beijing city, you might not love the taste of fermented bean juice, but you can't not know how impressive Aunt Zhou from Xing'er Lane is—she's just that remarkable.

The public security in their neighborhood is truly top-notch.

Just as Zhao Guihua and her family finished breakfast, the doorbell rang. It was Aunt Wang and the others arriving. The elderly ladies had made matching outfits for themselves and were wearing little red hats, which were quite necessary for sun protection.

Though their little group had quite a few members, not everyone could make it every day. For instance, He Lan wasn't there today. Zhao Guihua peeked out, and Jiang Lu explained, "He Lan went to the school. Linlin got into a fight and knocked out someone's tooth."

Linlin is the child of Qijin and Bai Qingqing. The two got married the year Ye Siyuan returned to the country, making them the first among their peers to tie the knot. They had a child the following year, and now the little one is in elementary school, mischievous enough to cause chaos.

The kid is also quite loyal. Sometimes, even when it’s not his fault, he gets into fights for his classmates or friends. As a result, his parents have had to visit the teacher more times than they can count.

Every year during festivals, Bai Qingqing and her husband bring gifts to the teacher. It’s not that they hope for special treatment, but they genuinely feel bad for causing the teacher so much trouble.

They feel that being a teacher for their child must have added a few more gray hairs to the teacher’s head, and they can't help but feel helpless about it.

Now that the little rascal has caused trouble at school again, they take turns going to get scolded. It’s not always Linlin’s fault, but he always seems to come out on top in fights, which leaves his parents feeling awkward.

Luckily, they only have one child, so they can take turns dealing with the embarrassment.

Today, it was He Lan’s turn, and Jiang Lu visibly sighed in relief, saying, "I don’t remember Qijin being like this when he was a kid."

Zhao Guihua replied, "It’s not the same. Back then, kids were raised more roughly. Now, with only one child per family, they’re raised with so much care. Kids are treated like treasures."

"Linlin is just at that mischievous age. It’s nothing. I’ve seen plenty of kids, and many are even more mischievous than him. My great-grandson is doing just fine. Mischievous kids are smart," Aunt Zhou said, clearly protective.

Everyone laughed.

Zhao Guihua rolled her eyes, "You’re really something…"

Aunt Zhou shot back, "Aren’t you the same? Back in your younger days, you’d stand up for your kids too."

Zhao Guihua thought about it and realized it was true, but she didn’t falter. "I was on the side of justice. If my child wasn’t in the wrong, of course I’d defend them."

"See, see?"

Everyone laughed again.

Bringing up the past, they couldn’t help but reminisce. As people age, they tend to look back on old times. Aunt Zhou said, "You always have to be right, don’t you?"

Zhao Guihua replied, "I am right."

"I’m on Zhao Guihua’s side. She’s the best," Bai Fendou chimed in, his tone dripping with flattery.

"Tsk tsk," Zhou Qun expressed his disdain for his in-law, but he also added, "Zhao Guihua really is impressive."

They all genuinely believed that Zhao Guihua had foresight, especially when it came to two major events: Bai Qingqing and the relocation ten years ago.

The story of Bai Qingqing is a long one.

The reason Bai Fendou was so obsequious was because of Zhao Guihua’s planning back in the day, which had truly paid off. Bai Fendou never expected things to turn out this way. He Lan’s ex-husband, Fan Jianguo, actually came back to claim his daughter.

Back then, Fan Jianguo was arrested for robbery, and another robbery he was involved in had resulted in a death. Combined with his gambling habits, he was sentenced harshly during the crackdown the following year. He was initially facing a death sentence, but because he exposed details about the gambling ring and helped arrest several people, he was given a life sentence instead.

Over the years, Fan Jianguo had behaved well in prison, earning repeated sentence reductions. After serving twenty-five years, he was released early at the end of last year. By the time he got out, his parents had long passed away. Some of his brothers had moved south and lost contact, while the rest were struggling and resented his return.

Fan Jianguo was now old. His early release was partly due to his good behavior but also because of his age. He was only a few years younger than Bai Fendou and the others, now in his sixties and approaching seventy.

With no home, no money, and poor health, he turned his attention to the daughter he had left behind. He knew he had nothing to offer and couldn’t find He Lan on his own, so he sought help from the media. Unfortunately, there are always those who will do anything for a story.

After some back-and-forth, he actually managed to track down He Lan. Of course, finding her didn’t do him much good. They had never officially registered their marriage, and all he really wanted was to find his daughter and have her support him in his old age.

She was his child, and even if he hadn’t raised her for a single day, she owed him that much.

When Fan Jianguo finally found He Lan and learned about Bai Qingqing, he was overjoyed. Bai Qingqing was wealthy, and he immediately brought the media along to confront her, infuriating He Lan. Looking back, it was a good thing Zhao Guihua had warned them. Seeing Fan Jianguo’s face, He Lan couldn’t help but think that even after twenty-five years in prison, a scoundrel remained a scoundrel.

Some people might have done bad things because they were poor or because of the times, but Fan Jianguo was just plain despicable.

She almost spat in his face in front of everyone, saying, "How dare you come looking for me? That child died right after leaving the Fan family. If it weren’t for the abuse we suffered at your hands, my daughter might have lived. And now you have the audacity to show up…"

He Lan looked at the man, now aged beyond recognition, and felt no fear. She raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face. "This slap is for my father, who trusted you and was swindled by your family for money!"

Without hesitation, she delivered another slap. "This one is for me. I endured your family’s abuse back then, and now I’m giving it back to you."

A third slap followed. "And this is for my daughter, who your family tried to kill just because she was a girl. You succeeded, didn’t you? How dare you come looking for a daughter now? Have you forgotten how you threw us out in the freezing cold while she was sick? Did she even stand a chance?"

Bai Qingqing stepped out from behind He Lan, her face pale. She supported her mother and said, "Mom, let’s not waste our breath on them."

She had actually heard such rumors when she was a child, but her friends had always been kind to her and encouraged her, so she didn’t take it to heart. However, she never expected that this person would come looking for her. She had heard a bit about her mother’s past and had developed a deep dislike for the Fan family.

Fan Jianguo’s eyes lit up when he saw Bai Qingqing. “My daughter, I’m your father! I…”

This He Lan, still trying to lie?

Isn’t the child right here?

She must take care of him in his old age.

He Lan laughed and said, “Qingqing was born after I remarried. I know you’re desperate to find someone to take care of you in your old age, so you’re claiming she’s your daughter. But you can investigate this. Go to the police station and check the original records. Qingqing was born after I married my husband; she’s a legitimate child. Maybe because I had a daughter before and then gave birth to another in the same year, some people assumed Qingqing was the child I brought from the Fan family. But that’s not the case. I don’t need to say much; you can go check the records yourself. You’ll see the truth.”

Bai Qingqing looked at her mother in shock. She had always thought she wasn’t her father’s biological child, but it turned out to be a misunderstanding. Her heart leapt with joy.

He Lan remained calm. She knew very well that she had been careful when registering the household at the time. It wasn’t something that was changed later; it had been that way from the start, so there was no need to worry. She said bluntly, “When I left the Fan family, it was still cold, just around early spring. But my daughter was born at the end of the year. Are you still trying to force a connection?”

Fan Jianguo stammered, “Impossible, this can’t be…”

He Lan sneered, “Go investigate then.”

At this point, even the journalist accompanying Fan Jianguo was speechless. Although he knew Fan Jianguo had exaggerated and added many lies, he never expected the situation to be completely different. Since He Lan was so confident, it was likely that Bai Qingqing and Fan Jianguo truly had no connection.

Fan Jianguo muttered, “How is this possible? How…”

The journalist suggested, “We could do a DNA test…”

He was hoping for a bigger news story.

Bai Qingqing scoffed, “Why should I do a DNA test with some strange old man? Just because he says we’re related, we are? My parents were married for nearly a year before I was born. Are you implying my mother was unfaithful? Who do you think you are?”

“Get out of here! If you come back, I’ll call security…”

Bai Fendou was itching to come out and punch someone, but He Lan had stopped him earlier, forbidding him from getting involved.

He Lan raised her chin and said, “If you’re here to create a news story or take advantage of us, forget it. We’ve never had any connection with you.”

Fan Jianguo and the journalist didn’t get the result they wanted. They even used their connections to investigate, only to find that Bai Qingqing was indeed born at the end of that year. No matter how you looked at it, she couldn’t possibly be Fan Jianguo’s child.

Not only was she not the child from earlier, but even the claim that He Lan was pregnant before marrying Bai Fendou didn’t hold up because the timeline didn’t match.

Fan Jianguo was at a loss, utterly dejected.

Similarly, the journalist, who had failed to create a sensational story, was also disappointed. Bai Qingqing was a somewhat well-known entrepreneur, and he had hoped to make a big splash with this story. As for whether Bai Qingqing would be harassed by a leech, that wasn’t his concern.

However, he didn’t fare well either. A few days later, he was inexplicably fired.

On his way back, still fuming, he got into a fight over a seat on the bus and ended up having his arm broken by an irate old man. Then, while his arm was still healing, he got caught in a fight between some young men, who pushed him down the stairs and broke his leg.

Although he received compensation each time, he knew deep down that someone was teaching him a lesson.

When the third “accident” happened, he finally understood: if you have no principles, others won’t show you any either. He went to apologize sincerely, and after that, the “accidents” stopped. He realized what was going on and blamed Fan Jianguo for dragging him into this mess. In retaliation, he beat Fan Jianguo up!

That’s the kind of person he was.

As for Fan Jianguo, no matter how you looked at it, Bai Qingqing had nothing to do with him.

His daughter, who could have taken care of him in his old age, had passed away. Now he had to scavenge to make a living, following the same path as his unscrupulous mother before her death.

He did consider trying to extort money from He Lan or cling to Bai Qingqing, but without any proof of a biological connection, he was detained for three months for harassment. After his release, the journalist, who now hated him, beat him up.

Fan Jianguo looked at this completely changed society and finally gave up.

Times were different now.

He disappeared completely from the lives of He Lan and Bai Qingqing.

Although Bai Qingqing and her family had encountered a nasty situation, they dealt with it quickly and efficiently. Bai Fendou was extremely grateful to Zhao Guihua, feeling that Aunt Zhao was truly far-sighted. Decades ago, she had foreseen this day.

If they hadn’t delayed registering the household back then, they might have been entangled in this mess.

But now, thanks to the confusion over the birth date, the problem was completely avoided.

Bai Fendou now looked at Zhao Guihua with admiration, thinking, “Aunt Zhao is amazing!”

Absolutely amazing!

Moreover, they had another profound realization: during the relocation eleven years ago, instead of choosing to move back, they had taken the money and left. Because they had multiple properties and stuck together, they received a substantial amount.

Usually, those who took the money instead of relocating got less, but they managed to get an equal deal.

After receiving the money, most of them bought properties in the development recommended by Zhuang Zhixi. Almost everyone from their old neighborhood, young and old alike, ended up in the same community. As property prices soared like a rocket, they all felt incredibly fortunate.

What’s more, they were glad they hadn’t chosen to relocate. The real estate developer from Hong Kong turned out to be untrustworthy. From the start of the demolition to the official move-in, it took nearly nine years. Those who chose to relocate only moved back at the beginning of last year, which was utterly ridiculous.

Over the years, they had truly benefited greatly.

Now, whenever they thought about it, they wanted to shout: “Follow Aunt Zhao, and you’ll have meat to eat! Follow Aunt Zhao, and you’ll never lose out! Follow Aunt Zhao, and you’ll never go wrong… Howl! Just follow Aunt Zhao, and you’ll be right!”

Recalling the recent events, Bai Fendou sighed with admiration, “Aunt Zhao, how are you so amazing?”

Zhao Guihua replied, “What do you mean? Can your brain compare to mine? My brain is for deep thinking and planning, while yours is just for decoration.”

Bai Fendou scratched his head and chuckled, not taking it to heart.

Everyone laughed along with him.

Zhao Guihua also laughed heartily. She never expected that her advice from years ago would come in handy now, but she was genuinely happy that her efforts hadn’t gone to waste. Now, Bai Qingqing was always cheerful and carefree.

She had once harbored some doubts, but now, because of the birthday incident, she was completely reassured. At the same time, she felt like a fool—how could she have believed the rumors? She had never even considered that she was born nearly a year after her parents got married. Naturally, she couldn’t possibly be a child brought in from outside.

What a shame for her prestigious education—she didn’t even think about the timeline. Truly, when emotions are involved, logic goes out the window.

Her father treated her so well; how could she possibly be a child of the Fan family?

Bai Fendou was incredibly doting on his daughter.

So Bai Qingqing no longer had any doubts. This secret was kept for a lifetime—Bai Qingqing never found out that Bai Fendou wasn’t her real father. Similarly, Zhou Qun and Qijin, father and son, were also kept in the dark for their entire lives.

Jiang Lu, having shed her romantic naivety, became extremely shrewd. Over the years, she never slipped up. She always felt that the heavens were on her side—Qijin was born prematurely, so the timing wasn’t suspicious.

Similarly, Qijin’s blood type wasn’t an issue either.

Qijin shared her blood type and resembled her, so no one ever questioned his parentage.

She kept this secret tightly under wraps.

Both Qijin and Bai Qingqing had doting parents and lived very happy lives. Although they were part of the post-70s generation, their lives were prosperous and fulfilling.

The two of them got married, while Li Zhenzhen married her colleague. Sijia and Si Tian, Xing’er and Erlin—all of them found their own paths to happiness.

Now, they still gathered regularly, usually at the Zhuang family home. Just like when they were kids, huddled together in Tuantuan and Yuanyuan’s room, they now brought their own children to the courtyard and let them run wild. The place was spacious enough for the little ones to play to their hearts’ content. They played cards, chatted about work and life, or shared gossip—it was a relaxing and enjoyable way to unwind.

They also loved gathering around Grandma Zhao and Aunt Ming Mei. Even though they were retired, their lives were full of amusing stories. Recently, the elders had been patrolling the neighborhood and came across quite a few bizarre incidents.

There was no shortage of entertainment.

The Zhao Guihua squad was always on the move.

To keep up with the times and showcase the positive spirit of the Chinese people, as well as the warm hospitality unique to Beijingers, Zhao Guihua even organized a small English class for everyone.

That way, if foreign tourists asked for directions, they wouldn’t be at a loss.

Every day, they went out with great enthusiasm, full of energy.

Zhao Guihua led her squad on patrols around Xinghua Lane, covering both the old courtyard houses and the residential area across the street—everything fell under the jurisdiction of Xinghua Lane.

They had lived and worked here their entire lives, and even after the relocation, they never left Xinghua Lane.

“Excuse me, how far is the Forbidden City if we walk from here?”

Zhao Guihua replied, “You should take the bus…”

“Hello, could you tell me which bus to take to get to the Great Wall?”

Zhao Guihua explained, “First, you’ll need to take a bus to… and then transfer to a direct bus from there…”

“Granny, you look so youthful! Do you live around here?”

Zhao Guihua smiled and said, “No need to admire me. When it comes to skincare, if I dare say I’m second, no one would dare claim first place…”

Old Man Zhuang chuckled beside her, while Aunt Wang and the others pouted. Ming Mei held back her laughter, enjoying the scene.

Perhaps because they were all wearing matching uniforms, many people approached them for directions, even foreigners. A young blond man with a camera came over and asked eagerly, “Hello~ I was wondering, is there a haunted toilet around here? In Xinghua Lane? A haunted toilet?”

He looked at them with wide-eyed curiosity, gesturing dramatically. “A haunted one! Boo! Ghosts!”

Zhao Guihua: “…”

Everyone ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‍around them froze for a moment.

Then, unable to hold it in any longer, they burst into laughter…