Chapter 48.2

In the kitchen, Grandma Chen had already started preparing breakfast. On the coal stove, a pot was simmering with something inside and a rich, milky aroma wafted from the pot.

Upon seeing them arrive, Grandma Chen looked at the children with great affection and chattered with Xie Ying for a while.

She then directed Su Dong, who was busy chopping vegetables on the side, “Dong Dong, Xixi is up. Put the lamb milk from the stove onto the table, and then go for a run. We’re quite busy here.”

Su Dong responded with a light “Hmm,” wrapped the pot in a cloth, placed it on the nearby table, and nudged it a bit to ensure it was out of reach of the small children.

He then turned to Xie Ying and warmly greeted her, “Sister Ying, good morning. The lamb milk is for the kids. There are bowls in the cabinet; please pour the milk for them. Also, help Grandma Chen with the milk. Xixi and I are going for a morning run.”

Su Dong’s casual manner made Xie Ying feel as if she had been living in this unfamiliar home for a long time. Especially when Su Dong asked her to help Grandma Chen, she naturally relaxed and smiled at him, nodding to show her understanding.

After Su Xi and Su Dong left, Xie Ying used a spoon to ladle the lamb milk from the pot into two empty bowls for the children.

Taking advantage of the time while the milk cooled, Xie Ying took the children to get cleaned up.

After they were done and back in the kitchen, she checked the temperature of the lamb milk. Once she confirmed it was just right, she placed the two little ones on stools and let them drink from their bowls by themselves.

Meanwhile, she helped Grandma Chen prepare breakfast.

Despite her outward calm, Xie Ying’s heart was far from tranquil. She had not expected that the Su family would not only accept her trouble with genuine warmth but also prepare lamb milk carefully for the children.

Since her husband’s accident, apart from her family, she had not received kindness from anyone else. Even friends who had once been cheerful had avoided her like she was a plague after Wen Yuan’s incident. They were unwilling to look at her and her children with anything but disdain.

It was as if they carried a contagious disease.

She was grateful to have come here. She could clearly see the Su family’s kindness, which filled her with renewed energy.

Xie Ying had never been one to complain about fate. After so much wandering and unease, she felt it was enough time to adjust herself.

She thought that life might not get worse and would eventually improve. After all, things would get better, wouldn’t they?

She resolved to look forward and start by learning something as basic as cooking.

When the day came for her to reunite with Wen Yuan, she vowed she would be a remarkable woman who could excel both in social settings and in the kitchen.

—o—o—o—

 

As time passed day by day, a week soon flew by, and Xie Ying became increasingly comfortable at the Su family’s home.

The residents of the family compound were naturally curious about the sudden appearance of Xie Ying. However, after Grandma Chen and Sister-in-law Wu provided some explanations, within a day, everyone in the compound knew about her situation.

The new arrival, Xie Ying, was introduced as the Cousin of Commander Xie. The men in her family were involved in geological surveys, often away from home and venturing into deep mountains and forests.

Given the current turmoil outside and the lack of people at home, Commander Xie had brought her to the island for a short stay.

Although they did not specify the reasons for her seclusion, everyone privately speculated that it was because Commander Xie’s cousin was exceptionally beautiful, and that was cause for concern.

This narrative was approved after Su Xi discussed it with Director He and obtained Captain Zhang’s agreement. Instead of hiding the truth and inviting curiosity, they decided to be straightforward from the beginning.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to arrange a different identity, but Xie Ying’s face bore such a striking resemblance to Tang Siyun’s that no one would believe they weren’t related.

Many people in the family compound had seen Tang Siyun before. They would be skeptical of any claim that Xie Ying wasn’t related to her.

So, they concocted a story that Xie Ying was the child of Tang Siyun’s sister’s family, explaining the resemblance by saying Tang Siyun and her sister were twins.

Surprisingly, people believed it. Firstly, they felt there was no need to lie about this. Secondly, everyone who came to the island was thoroughly vetted, and anyone with a real problem would never make it onto the island.

Su Xi had also carefully considered why it was a “short stay.” From Xie Ying’s hints, she seemed intent on finding her husband. Therefore, Su Xi decided to leave some flexibility, claiming it was a short stay. If Xie Ying ended up staying longer, she would come up with another reasonable explanation.

That day, after work, Su Xi was instructed by Grandma Chen to go to the field to pick some cilantro for seasoning.

Reluctant to go alone, Su Xi decided to bring Xie Ying along. Since Xie Ying had to bring her two little ones, they all set off together for a few sprigs of cilantro.

This left Grandma Chen both amused and helpless.

—o—o—o—

On the other side, Xie Zhen, who had just returned from a long and arduous mission, rushed to the communications room without even reporting to Captain Zhang first.

His mission had lasted over two months, and during his absence, the outside world had changed drastically.

As he made his way back, he saw red slogans everywhere and red armbands signifying people being detained.

After a bit of inquiry, his heart sank. He was always quick-witted, and after connecting the dots, he realized that his brother-in-law, who had overseas connections, must have become a target. It was even possible that…

The thought made him anxious.

Upon reaching the island, his first priority was to rush to the communications room. However, halfway there, he worried that directly making a call might cause trouble for his father.

With this in mind, Xie Zhen’s expression turned cold. He quickly changed direction and headed toward Captain Zhang’s office.

“Knock! Knock! Knock!” Xie Zhen knocked on the door of Captain Zhang’s office.

“Come in!” Captain Zhang’s familiar loud voice came from inside.

Xie Zhen pushed open the door and entered.

Captain Zhang put down the documents he was reading and looked up to see Xie Zhen. A smile spread across his face as he gestured for him to come closer. “You’re back? Come and sit. How did the mission go?”

Xie Zhen saluted Captain Zhang and then, with a serious expression, sat down in front of him, his posture rigid and his hands resting on his legs.

Captain Zhang immediately understood the gravity of the situation. He knew that Xie Zhen’s serious demeanor meant that the mission was completed successfully, but he suspected there was something more urgent to discuss.

As expected, Xie Zhen spoke up directly, “Uncle, how is my family?”

Captain Zhang pointed at him and said, “When you need something from me, I’m ‘Uncle,’ but how come I never hear you call me that otherwise?”

Xie Zhen, with a stern expression, replied, “That’s not according to the rules.”

However, his tense demeanor relaxed slightly. Captain Zhang’s joking manner indicated that his family was likely okay.

Captain Zhang, feeling exasperated, grumbled, “Is it now appropriate to call me ‘Uncle’?”

Xie Zhen remained silent, staring at him.

Captain Zhang was frustrated, commenting, “I don’t know what Su Xi saw in you, you are always so reserved and tight-lipped.”

Xie Zhen continued to stare at Captain Zhang, but his gaze was now much colder, clearly displeased with Captain Zhang’s comments about Su Xi.

“Alright, alright, let’s get back to the point. I shouldn’t have called you. ‘Uncle’ just wants to chat. I wanted to catch up on a few things,” Captain Zhang said, standing up to pour a cup of water and handing it to Xie Zhen.

Using this time to think of what to say, Captain Zhang explained, “Your family has encountered some issues.”

Xie Zhen’s body tensed up, his eyes sharp and focused on Captain Zhang.

Understanding that Xie Zhen was anxious, Captain Zhang straightforwardly detailed the situation regarding the Xie family.

In the end, Captain Zhang looked at Xie Zhen with a hint of approval and remarked, “You have good judgment. Su Xi is a great person. I heard from He Qiong that Su Xi, upon learning about Xiao Ying’s situation, didn’t hesitate for a moment. She immediately left the island to bring her back, even went out of her way to ensure they were well settled, and bought goat’s milk from the logistics department for the children’s health. She not only has courage but also a kind heart. You’re quite lucky to have her…”

When Xie Zhen first heard about his brother-in-law’s accident, he felt an icy chill spreading through his entire body. Later, when his fiancée resolutely brought his sister back home, his emotions swung dramatically within the span of a minute, from freezing cold to blazing heat, such a vast change nearly left him reeling.

However, even from the brief account provided by Captain Zhang, Xie Zhen was able to discern the passive situation the Xie family had been in for the past month or so.

Fortunately, during such a sensitive time, his delicate fiancée, along with his Grandma Chen and older brother, had bravely brought his sister home, taking care of her with thoughtful attention.

Xie Zhen was deeply moved, feeling as though he was immersed in a warm spring, with both his body and heart enveloped in warmth.

He smiled faintly and once again felt grateful for having met his Xixi.

Xie Zhen closed his eyes, gathered his turbulent emotions, and looked at Captain Zhang, saying, “Uncle, I’d like to ask for a favor.”

Captain Zhang, being called “uncle” again, twitched his lips in annoyance, cursing the brat inwardly, but replied, “What favor?”

Xie Zhen said, “I need to borrow your phone.”

Captain Zhang was surprised. “Just for that?”

Xie Zhen replied seriously, “Please keep an eye on things outside for me.”

Captain Zhang was taken aback for a moment, then got up with a chuckle and a scold, “Alright, alright. If you have any secrets, be careful when you speak.”

Xie Zhen nodded in understanding.

Once Captain Zhang had left, he dialed his childhood friend’s home.

The call was quickly answered by his friend’s mother. After asking her to call his friend, Xie Zhen patiently waited.

Soon, his friend’s familiar voice came over the line: “You brat, you’re finally back? I couldn’t reach you before when I called.”

Xie Zhen curved his lips into a slight smile. “Do you need something?”

“Is there something? The alcohol you sent me earlier, where did it come from? That’s good stuff. Do you still have any? If so, get me some.”

Xie Zhen replied, “I can get you some alcohol, but that’s not urgent. Junzi, when you have time, find a way to let my family know without disturbing anyone. Just tell them I’ve returned to the island.”

Junzi, or Zheng Jun, didn’t understand what his friend meant, but he didn’t ask further and agreed readily.

Since his brother had come to him, he must be concerned about something. Zheng Jun didn’t have many skills, but he had numerous friends from all walks of life. Delivering a message was a simple task for him.

“Is there anything else you need my help with?” Zheng Jun, who had been close with Xie Zhen since they were little, had grown up together with him. Their bond was strong.

Zheng Jun also considered Xie Zhen’s sister, Xie Ying, as his own sister. When Xie Ying left J City, Zheng Jun had been the one to help and escort her.

Xie Zhen thought about his missing brother-in-law. Although his friend seemed unreliable, he was quite capable, so Xie Zhen directly said, “Help me find out where he is.”

Zheng Jun immediately understood. He smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll have news soon. I’ll call you when I have it.”

With the assurance, Xie Zhen sighed in relief and unusually softened his tone, “Thanks, Junzi.”

Zheng Jun shivered slightly and said, “Get lost, get lost, get lost! You scared me to death. If you really want to thank me, be sincere. I’m not picky; just bring that medicinal wine from last time as thanks.”

Xie Zhen’s expression hardened, and he coldly refused, “Pay for it if you want it.”

Zheng Jun’s eyes widened, and he immediately exploded, “Didn’t you just say you wanted to thank me?”

Xie Zhen said, “I’ve already thanked you on the phone.”

Zheng Jun, incredulous, shouted, “That’s it? That’s your thanks?”

Xie Zhen remained unmoved, “Hang up and get me the news as soon as possible.”

Zheng Jun, still in disbelief, heard the dial tone on the other end. After a while, the entire Zheng family heard Zheng Jun’s roar:

“Xie Zhen, you son of a bitch, I’m not done talking yet!”