Chapter 26

Militia captain Feng Zhijun and Wei Yanzhen had joined forces and finally captured the spy hiding in the brigade.

That person turned out to be Luo Laogen, a vagrant in the village. Usually inconspicuous, he was actually the one behind the collapse of the dam.

“Wei brother, you stay and help the educated youth set up camp. I’ll take Luo Laogen to the militia headquarters,” Feng Zhijun said, binding the man tightly and shoving him toward Wei Yanzhen.

At first glance, Luo Laogen still looked unremarkable, but Wei Yanzhen had encountered many spies before.

People like him always had a certain ferocity and ruthlessness hidden in their eyes, if one looked closely.

“Don’t take him back to the militia station. Drive through the night and send him straight to the city’s Security Department. Let the national security bureau interrogate him,” Wei Yanzhen instructed.

Feng Zhijun broke out in a cold sweat.

He had really underestimated the situation. This was someone capable of being a spy—if he escaped from the militia headquarters, it would be a disaster.

“You’re right,” he agreed. “I’ll get the car and head out now.”

Once Feng Zhijun was gone, Wei Yanzhen continued helping the educated youth build tents.

Meanwhile, Zhu Qinghan, who had been sitting with Sun Fangfang, felt a complicated mix of emotions.

Just like that, “Comrade Wei” had become “Brother Wei” in Feng Zhijun’s mouth.

Wei Yanzhen really was capable.

But things weren’t supposed to turn out this way. In her dreams, it had just been a rainstorm, a dam collapse, and the educated youth camp being flooded.

There was no spy, no gunfire.

Only Wei Yanzhen’s presence had remained the same.

“All because you wouldn’t let me go help fix the dam. And now look—everyone’s fine, and Zhenzhen even got a sack of grain and three fat fish. But we’re left hungry,” Sun Fangfang complained irritably.

“Fangfang, anything could’ve happened. This time we were lucky to survive—but what about next time? I was trying to protect you. I was doing it for your sake.”

But to Sun Fangfang, Zhu Qinghan was just timid and useless—a complete coward.

“You can sleep in the tent by yourself tonight. I’m going to stay with Zhenzhen!”

Zhu Qinghan was speechless. Her good intentions were taken for granted. But at least now, she could get some peace and maybe even dream again—and see another premonition.

As Wei Yanzhen and the male educated youth hammered in stakes and erected tents, a disturbance nearby caught his attention just as he was about to leave.

“Are you two crazy? I was sleeping fine—why did you throw water on me?”

Wei Yanzhen instinctively paused.

He felt as if something unseen was tugging at him.

He walked over to check and saw a newly set-up tent surrounded by a crowd of youth.

“What’s going on?”

“Oh, Comrade Wei, there used to be only a few rooms at the camp, so six people shared one room. Now tents are limited too, and roommates are squeezed together. Some of the girls are fighting!”

So, it was just a quarrel.

This was beyond his responsibility.

Wei Yanzhen suppressed his curiosity and decisively turned to leave.

Luckily, he did.

Because right after he left, inside the tent, Zhu Qinghan was attacked by Li Zhenzhen and Sun Fangfang. They tore her clothes and forced her out.

She stood there, barely covered, looking utterly pitiful.

“You selfish thing! Hogging that whole bed by yourself—where are Fangfang and I supposed to sleep?”

“And you stopped me from going to fix the dam. What now? Jealous because I got food and fish?”

Some male youth couldn’t stand it and took off his jacket to cover Zhu Qinghan. Female youth also stepped in to help, scolding Li Zhenzhen:

“Comrade Li, what kind of talk is that?”

“The camp just went through a disaster. Stirring up trouble like this only brings shame.”

But Li Zhenzhen wasn’t finished. She and Sun Fangfang went back inside and threw Zhu Qinghan’s belongings out, hitting her head.

“We don’t want to share a tent with you! Go find somewhere else!”

Zhu Qinghan picked up her clothes. Everyone thought she would leave, but instead, she did the opposite.

“Why should I leave the tent? If anyone should go, it’s the two of you!”

She pushed back fiercely.

The others realized they were meddling in something personal and gradually dispersed.

…

It was already late at night. The dam repair team had indeed returned. Luo Yisen had already gone home.

But Wei Yanzhen was still not back.

In the narrow alley in front of the Wei house, two people were sitting on small stools, waiting.

“Sis-in-law, maybe we should go inside and sleep. Big Brother might not come back tonight.”

“Didn’t Captain Luo say he was staying behind to handle things?”

Deng Zhilan glanced at the oil lamp—it was burning low, its flame dim.

And she was pregnant. She really should rest.

“All right…”

She had just stood up when a tall, dark figure appeared at the end of the alley. For a moment, Deng Zhilan froze.

“Yanzhen… is that you?”

“It’s me.”

Wei Yanzhen’s voice was low and familiar, tinged with exhaustion.

Yet his mood was uplifted.

He quickened his pace and came to stand before them, looking at his little sister and wife. His gaze filled with concern.

“It’s so late—why are you waiting for me outside?”

Deng Zhilan’s eyes grew hot. She stepped forward and grabbed his hand. His clothes were torn, muddy, and his arms marked with red scrapes. Her heart ached.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to get in if you came back late.”

Wei Yanzhen gently patted her hand. “I’m fine. Everything’s mostly settled now. But you—you’re pregnant. Don’t stay outside waiting so long anymore.”

His sister also stood up. “Brother, I’m just glad you’re back. Sister-in-law kept talking about you all night.”

He looked at her gratefully. “Thank you for staying with her.”

Then the three of them went inside.

After washing up, Wei Yanzhen sat at the table and briefly updated Wei Xiaotian on the camp’s situation.

When everything was settled, Qin Ping, Wei Xiaotian, and Wei Jinyue sensibly went to their rooms.

Deng Zhilan leaned against Wei Yanzhen’s chest, comforted by his warmth. Her heart finally felt at peace.

“They all came back—except you.”

“I was ready for the worst. But luckily… luckily, you’re safe.”

But Wei Yanzhen still felt an emptiness that even her embrace couldn’t fill. He pulled her into his lap and gently kissed her forehead.

“I’m fine. Really fine.”

He’d been through missions far more dangerous than repairing a dam, yet never had Deng Zhilan worried for him like this.

She’d even gone to find him—ran to him.

“Even if something really does happen to me one day, with Mom and Dad around, they’ll take care of you. All my property is already in your name. I wrote a will a long time ago…”

Deng Zhilan pressed her fingers to his lips, shaking her head, signaling him not to say more.

Wei Yanzhen chuckled softly, his chest rumbling with laughter. She could hear his steady heartbeat.

“All right, I won’t say it.”

He stood up and scooped her into his arms.

Suddenly elevated, Deng Zhilan wrapped her arms around his neck in fright. Then she heard him continue:

“I asked Mom while washing my face just now—”