Chapter 60: Returning to An County for Investigation

After Chen Feng left, Mu Nanhe and Yang Qingyan took a stroll in the yard.

Mu Nanhe stopped walking, turned to Yang Qingyan, and said, “Qingyan, I can walk now and don’t need to return to the unit just yet. Let’s go to An County first to investigate the incident. There are so many matters that need to be resolved.”

Yang Qingyan responded without hesitation, “Sure! Let’s call my parents and see if they have time to join us.”

With that, Yang Qingyan immediately dialed the number for Xia Hai and Xia Qiming, briefly explaining the situation. On the other end of the line, both Xia Hai and Xia Qiming expressed strong support and stated that they would come along. “We’ll take the train from Beijing and meet you at the An County train station,” Xia Hai said.

After hanging up, Yang Qingyan excitedly told Mu Nanhe, “Mom and Dad are coming with us! They’ll take the train from Beijing as well. We should buy our tickets too!”

The next morning, Mu Nanhe and Yang Qingyan brought their luggage to the train station. The ticket hall was bustling with people as they sat in the waiting area, quietly awaiting their train.

“Do you think we’ll be able to uncover the truth about the incident in An County this time?” Yang Qingyan asked softly.

Mu Nanhe held her hand firmly and said, “We will. After all this time, it’s about time to reveal the truth behind it all.”

When the train arrived, they boarded with the crowd. Settling down in their seats, they watched as the scenery gradually retreated outside the window.

Meanwhile, at the Beijing train station, Xia Hai and Xia Qiming arrived early at the waiting hall. Xia Qiming was pulling a suitcase while Xia Hai checked the train schedule.

“I hope we can clarify those matters in An County this time,” Xia Qiming remarked.

“Don’t worry, as long as the kids are here, everything will be fine,” Xia Hai replied confidently.

Once they boarded the train, Xia Hai and Xia Qiming found their seats. Along the way, Xia Qiming gazed out the window, reminiscing. “I wonder if the people involved in that incident are still in An County.”

“We’ll definitely find some clues,” Xia Hai reassured her.

After several hours of travel, Mu Nanhe and Yang Qingyan’s train arrived first at the An County train station. They stood at the exit, waiting for Xia Hai and Xia Qiming.

Before long, they saw Xia Hai and Xia Qiming’s train arrive as well. When both families met, smiles spread across their faces.

“Mom, Dad, it’s been a long trip,” Yang Qingyan said as she rushed to hug Xia Qiming.

“It’s not a hassle at all. Being able to work together to unravel the mystery is worth every moment,” Xia Qiming responded with a smile.

After reuniting at the An County train station, the group headed to a guesthouse near the hospital. After checking in and resting briefly, they set off for the An County People’s Hospital to begin their investigation.

The hospital was crowded with people, and the smell of disinfectant filled the air. Mu Nanhe, Yang Qingyan, Xia Hai, and Xia Qiming went to the records room, where they explained their intentions to the staff, hoping to access records related to Xia Qiming’s delivery.

A young female staff member furrowed her brows, looking somewhat troubled. “These records are quite old, and searching for them may take some time. Some information may also be incomplete.”

Mu Nanhe sincerely replied, “Thank you for your help; this is very important to us. Please do your best to find the information.”

The staff member nodded and turned to search through the extensive file cabinets. After nearly an hour, she finally found the records of the mothers who delivered around the time in question.

However, when they inquired further about the nurse who assisted in Xia Qiming’s delivery, they discovered that the nurse had long since left the hospital and there was no way to contact her. This news left everyone feeling disheartened.

“Is this where our lead ends?” Yang Qingyan said anxiously.

Xia Hai quickly offered comfort, “Don’t lose heart. Let’s look through the information again. There might be other discoveries.”

Just then, Mu Nanhe’s gaze landed on a line in the records: “Wait, it states here that Zhu Li and another mother were in the same room and delivered on the same day.”

This discovery instantly lifted everyone’s spirits. Xia Qiming recalled, “I do remember that there were just the two of us in the room at that time. However, with everything that happened afterward, I didn’t think much about her.”

Yang Qingyan pondered for a moment and said, “Since they were in the same room, something unusual may have occurred during the birth. Perhaps it’s related to what we’re investigating.”

Consequently, they decided to follow the lead on Zhu Li. The next day, they would head to Shengli Brigade’s Mu Village to inquire further.

The following morning, sunlight streamed through the windows of the guesthouse, casting warm rays on Mu Nanhe, Yang Qingyan, Xia Hai, and Xia Qiming’s faces. After a simple breakfast, they prepared gifts and set out for Mu Village.

As they traveled, the scenery outside the window changed constantly, fields, mountains, and villages flashing by. Mu Nanhe’s attention remained fixed outside, his thoughts drifting back to his childhood. The tough days he had experienced and the warmth given by his uncle and aunt played like a movie in his mind.

After some time on the road, they finally arrived at Mu Village. The village retained its simplicity and tranquility, but it bore the marks of time compared to Mu Nanhe’s memories.

Instead of heading directly to Zhu Li’s house, Mu Nanhe led everyone to his uncle’s house. Along the way, his steps quickened unconsciously, and his eyes shone with anticipation.

When they arrived at his uncle’s house, Mu Nanhe took a deep breath, raised his hand, and knocked on the door.

With a creak, the door opened, revealing an elderly man with graying hair—it was Mu Nanhe’s uncle.

“Uncle!” Mu Nanhe exclaimed excitedly.

His uncle was momentarily taken aback, but then his eyes filled with moisture as he grasped Mu Nanhe’s hand tightly. “Nanhe! It’s really you! You’re finally back!”

The group entered the house, and Yang Qingyan and Xia Hai placed the gifts aside. As Mu Nanhe’s uncle glanced at the gifts, he quickly said, “You’re back, so no need for all this. You’re too kind.”