Chapter 18: The Indian Girl (Part 2)

She had seen this man once before, back in Anyang County at the bus station. He was Qi Cailing’s husband, and also the male protagonist in the book. She knew his name: Zhang Songtao.

“Hello, comrade. Let me introduce myself. I’m from the military logistics department—my name is Zhang Songtao.” He was quite friendly. “Are you interested in renting this restaurant?”

“I just wanted to ask about the rental fees,” Chen Yufeng replied.

Zhang Songtao smiled. “This property belongs to the military district. For external leases, there’s a 10,000-yuan deposit. Sounds steep, right? But actually, it’s not that bad—because as long as you run the business for over two years, the deposit is refunded. Plus, the rent is only 30 yuan a month, and the contract can last up to 20 years. The military district also arranges official receptions here. As long as you satisfy the guests and get good reviews, the military district will provide a 20-yuan subsidy per order.”

Chen Yufeng immediately recalled something—according to the book, when Qi Cailing first arrived at the military district, Zhang Songtao had wanted to set her up with a business. He had suggested she take over a restaurant, but she found it too dirty and exhausting, thinking it was unworthy of her title as the “most beautiful stepmother.” Instead, she chose the more lucrative clothing business.

But Chen Yufeng wasn’t afraid of hard work. Neither was Wang Guoguo nor Zhou Yafang—two women who genuinely loved cooking.

So why shouldn’t she take over this restaurant?

“If I want to lease the restaurant, where can I find you?” she asked.

Zhang Songtao smiled. “Just go to the logistics department at headquarters and ask for Zhang Songtao.”

As he turned to leave, she noticed a few grains of rice stuck to his back—along with a dried-up streak of what was clearly a child’s snot.

This puzzled her.

The book had described Qi Cailing as a virtuous and capable woman—flawless in every aspect. She was supposedly great at keeping the house spotless, taking care of the children, and running a business. She was portrayed as someone who could do it all, effortlessly.

Yet, Zhang Songtao’s dirty clothes seemed to suggest otherwise.

Before she knew it, Saturday had arrived. The two little girls had already completed their first week at the preschool program.

That morning, the military district officially issued a disciplinary notice against Zhang Yanli.

Before experiencing a public reprimand firsthand, Chen Yufeng had only heard about it in passing and didn’t know what it actually entailed. At 8:30 AM, during the usual leadership address, the loudspeakers in the residential compound crackled to life.

Whether you wanted to listen or not, you had no choice.

Typically, they broadcast strategic military news and commendations of outstanding soldiers. But today’s announcement focused solely on the scandal of Qin Xiong and Zhang Yanli—their unauthorized second child and their attempt to sell the baby.

“The organization has decided to expel Qin Xiong from the military and revoke his retirement and resettlement benefits.

“As for Zhang Yanli, while the attempted sale of the child did not materialize and does not constitute a criminal offense, the nature of her actions remains exceptionally vile.

“Her behavior not only tarnishes the image of our military but also reveals significant moral flaws.

“It is clear that Comrade Zhang Yanli has demonstrated questionable ethics and ideological shortcomings. Therefore, effective immediately, her subsidy payments will be suspended. She must undergo thorough self-reflection and show genuine improvement in her moral conduct before any reconsideration.”

Mrs. Bao hadn’t left for work yet. Upon hearing this, she spat on the ground. “Tch! Listen to that. A child trafficker, yet as long as she ‘corrects her mistakes,’ the military will still pay her a subsidy!”

“She has to write a self-criticism. That’s already humiliating,” Mrs. Wu commented.

Mrs. Bao was blunt. “These days, society only mocks the poor, not the shameless. What’s a little humiliation compared to that?”

Regardless of whether her subsidies were revoked, the fact that even people like Mrs. Bao and Mrs. Wu—who had once thought highly of Zhang Yanli—were now spitting at her name meant she had lost all standing.

At least within the military district, her reputation was utterly ruined.

Meanwhile, Chen Yufeng’s patience with her father was wearing thin.

She had been waiting, but he never came.

She was about to go confront him herself when, finally, that night, he arrived—with his son, Chen Yuhuang, in tow.

Han Chao had been working overtime all week, sleeping at the base. Since it was Saturday, he had told her he’d be coming home. Chen Yufeng had already arranged with Mrs. Bao to leave the children in her care while she went to deal with Chen Fanshi. By the time Han Chao returned, he could take over bedtime duties.

But just after dinner, Tiantian clung to her, insisting on performing a dance she had learned in kindergarten—“The Indian Girl.”

Chen Yufeng was in a hurry to leave but didn’t want to disappoint the child. She turned on the radio, set the music, and planned to sneak out while Tiantian was dancing.

But as soon as the music started, she found herself unwilling to go.

Tiantian had fair skin and delicate features. Though she usually appeared clumsy and naive, Chen Yufeng had assumed her dancing would be just as unpolished—like a bear awkwardly swaying its limbs. But the moment she started dancing, she came alive. Normally timid and slow, she moved with an unexpected agility.

“Who is it that brings you to my side? Is it the bright, round moon…” The song played from the radio, and Tiantian danced along.

Mimi, swaying her arms and bobbing her head, chimed in, “Mom, look! My sister looks just like the Jade Rabbit Spirit from Journey to the West!”

Chen Yufeng had never seen the Jade Rabbit Spirit, but she could see the light in Tiantian’s eyes as she danced.

If talent truly existed, then Tiantian’s gift was undoubtedly dance. When the song ended, Chen Yufeng found herself wanting more. She rewound the tape and played it again, urging her daughter to dance once more.

At that moment, seeing Chen Fanshi no longer mattered—watching her daughter dance was far more important!

…

Originally, Han Chao was supposed to return home in the evenings. The reason he’d been working overtime all week was due to an incident in the battalion he managed—a platoon leader had been injured during training when his gun accidentally discharged. The officer had been hospitalized, and only today had he been declared out of danger, allowing Han Chao to finally go home.

As for Chen Fanshi, it wasn’t that he had deliberately avoided seeing Chen Yufeng.

The truth was that Zhang Yanli had fallen ill. After being handcuffed by Han Chao, she had been overwhelmed with frustration, humiliation, and anxiety. Already suffering from a weak heart, the stress had triggered an episode that very night.

For the past few days, Chen Fanshi had been at the hospital, taking care of her.

And since Zhang Yanli had lost her ex-husband’s military benefits and was no longer entitled to a high-ranking officer’s hospital suite, she had to stay in a general ward.

So, when Chen Fanshi left the hospital, he happened to be on the same path as Han Chao.

Because of his close ties with military leadership, Chen Fanshi knew a fair bit about Han Chao’s career.

Three years ago, when Han Chao had returned to the military district for a debriefing, his face had been covered in frostbite, and he was so emaciated he looked like a bag of bones—like a stray dog.

But later, according to certain hints from his superiors, it seemed he had spent time undercover in Vietnam.

Going undercover was no easy task, especially among the inherently ruthless and suspicious Vietnamese. Language barriers alone made it a life-threatening mission. For a Chinese soldier to infiltrate them was as good as playing with death.

Even though Han Chao had once beaten him up, and he had always looked down on him, seeing him now—tall, handsome, clean-shaven, and refined—left Chen Fanshi with an uneasy feeling.

Zhang Yanli had a son from her previous marriage, a 22-year-old who had just enlisted as a new recruit.

Meanwhile, her son with Chen Fanshi, Chen Yuhuang, had dropped out of school at a young age. He spent his days racing motorcycles and was now little more than a delinquent. But Chen Fanshi adored his son and firmly believed that if even a wild mutt like Han Chao could succeed, then his son was destined for greatness.

Still, discipline was necessary. He had to guide his son onto the right path. So, he said, “Yuhuang, Han Chao used to be nothing but a stray dog—a thug. But look at him now! If he could turn his life around by enlisting, so can you. I’ll pull some strings with my contacts. Why don’t you join the army too?”

“Dad, what’s wrong with you? I’m only 16—I’m still a kid! Why would I join the army?” Chen Yuhuang scoffed. “By the way, Dad, give me some pocket money. I’m short on cash lately.”

The boy bore little resemblance to his father; he took after his grandfather instead. Tall and broad-shouldered, he had a rough face, dark skin, and a prominent mole on his chin. He had even given himself the nickname “Jade Emperor.”

He had the perfect look for a street thug.

At home, he was just a kid, but the moment he stepped outside, he carried himself like a mob boss.

Seeing his bear-like son acting spoiled and asking for money, Chen Fanshi grew furious. “Nonsense! You were born in 1972. You’re already 18! How can an 18-year-old still be so immature, always begging for pocket money? I’ve wasted my efforts raising you!”

Han Chao, walking a short distance behind the father and son, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

With his hands in his pockets, he watched them from afar.

Chen Fanshi was quite good-looking—always dressed in a suit, wearing glasses, and carrying himself like a gentleman.

Many high-ranking military officials, including Xu Yongyi, Chief of Staff Wu Aiqian, and Minister Wang Ming, all had a good relationship with him. Most military men were rough and direct, so they enjoyed associating with a cultured and refined man like Chen Fanshi. In the military district, he was known by the nickname “Big Shot.”

The term “Big Shot” was a relatively new phrase. Unlike “nouveau riche,” which carried a derogatory connotation, “Big Shot” was a term of respect—used to describe someone who was not only wealthy but also educated, knowledgeable, and morally upright.

But there was something that didn’t add up.

Chen Fanshi had divorced Zhou Yafang in 1974.

If Chen Yuhuang was truly only 16, that meant he had been born in 1974—the same year as the divorce.

But if he was actually 18, that meant he was born in 1972—two years before the divorce.

Which meant that Chen Fanshi had an affair, had a child, and then returned to Guihua Town to divorce Zhou Yafang?