Chapter 22: East Wind

As dusk fell, the Qi family compound remained brightly lit.

Several jeeps drove into the courtyard. The guards, recognizing the license plates, saluted and let them through. The footsteps of the lead figure were firm and steady as he stepped down.

“You’re back.” Zhou Sinan greeted him with a smile and took her husband Qi Wenxun’s coat.

“Mm.” Qi Wenxun nodded, glancing at Qi Jun standing behind her.

“Father,” Qi Jun greeted.

Qi Wenxun stepped forward and patted him on the back. Without another word, the two walked through the hall and headed upstairs.

Everyone in the hall rose to their feet, watching the two ascend.

The old matriarch slowly emerged from her bedroom. “Dinner can be served now.”

“Alright,” Aunt Liu answered and turned into the kitchen.

Xu Yu smiled politely at the old lady. She had just been making tea. The old lady sat on the sofa and glanced at her. “Sit.”

Xu Yu sat down. Moments earlier, she had taken the initiative to break the ice and chatted comfortably with the younger aunt and second aunt.

“How long have you and Qiran been together?” the old lady asked, sipping her tea—it was just the right warmth.

“Almost half a year.”

The old lady nodded. Xu Yu answered every question succinctly and added a few flattering words. The atmosphere in the hall lightened a bit.

---

Upstairs in the study.

Neatly arranged antique rosewood bookshelves lined the wall. The bright windows reflected the silhouettes of two men.

Qi Wenxun stood by the window, lighting a cigarette. The ember glowed faintly in the dark.

Qi Jun sat on the sofa, long legs crossed, watching his father’s back. His expression was handsome but cold.

“Fully recovered?”

“Pretty much.”

Qi Wenxun exhaled a smoke ring. “Those people have mostly been dealt with. It’s only been peaceful for a few days, and already they can’t sit still.”

Qi Jun pondered for a moment but didn’t reply.

“Sending you to the military these past few years was for experience. Now that the east wind is blowing in our favor, your transfer order should be arriving soon.” He flicked the ash off his cigarette. “Some positions are due for a shake-up.”

“Father, I’d like to handle it personally,” Qi Jun said, his voice low and resolute, his dark eyes fixed on his father’s back.

Qi Wenxun stubbed out his cigarette and turned around to face him.

“Alright. Your second uncle will soon be taking his post in the Eastern Province. The handover of responsibilities here in the capital will be yours.”

Qi Jun stood. “I understand, Father.”

Qi Wenxun walked to his desk. “It’s time to consider your marriage, too.” He looked up at Qi Jun. “Let your mother help you find someone.”

Qi Jun frowned, then after a moment, answered, “Alright.”

---

When father and son came downstairs, dinner was already laid out. Everyone was seated properly. Except for Second Uncle Qi Chengheng, who was stationed elsewhere, and Grandfather Qi, who was resting in Jingshan, the entire Qi family was present.

Qi Wenxun took his seat at the table and swept his gaze across the room, his eyes lingering momentarily on Xu Yu, who sat beside Qi Ran.

Qi Ran noticed and quickly spoke, “Father, this is Xu Yu, my girlfriend.”

Qi Wenxun nodded slightly. But when his gaze fell on Qi Ran’s permed hairstyle, his brows creased. Still, he said nothing. Qi Jun sat down next to him, and only the clinking of dishes could be heard at the table.

After dinner, Xu Yu didn’t linger and was escorted home by Qi Ran.

The old matriarch took Qi Jun’s hand and gave him a few words of advice, which he answered patiently. Seeing she was growing tired, he made an excuse to leave.

---

The capital’s night air was cool and refreshing. The jeep cruised down the wide, open roads.

Qi Jun rolled down the window. The breeze brushed his face. In the rearview mirror, a convoy of escort cars followed in formation. Though he didn’t have a smoking habit, he lit a cigarette.

“Commander, shall we return to the military compound?”

“No,” he exhaled a circle of smoke, his mood clearly lifted. “Back to the unit.”