Chapter 100: Blood Brothers

Qiu Yinuo thought for a moment and then said, “Some people might get jealous of you. Don’t let it get to you, and don’t argue too much. If anything happens, just push it onto me.”

After all, she was a technical staff member, and no one dared to challenge her directly.

Qiu Qianjin hurriedly nodded, “I’ve got it all down, don’t worry.”

Qiu Yinuo split the remaining peach preserves into two portions—she kept two for Uncle Cai and packed the other three with some wood ear mushrooms, pine nuts, and dried mushrooms to send to her husband’s teacher.

When she went to mail the package, the post office charged her extra because the peach preserves were in glass jars. The shipping fees made her wince.

In an era when the transport industry wasn’t very developed, she could understand the high shipping costs.

The transport industry…

She had never been involved with it and didn’t know if it was difficult or not. But for long-distance transport, glass jars certainly had their drawbacks.

Qiu Yinuo started to think about the possibility of using tin cans instead.

Eight days later.

In the office of the 19th Division, Navy, in Dazhong City, East Sea Province, two men in military uniforms were sitting across from each other.

One was wearing a Navy uniform, and the other, an Army uniform.

Zhou Anbang was excitedly slapping the table as he looked at the man opposite him, whose expression was cold and stern. He eagerly asked, “Is the news reliable?”

“It’s reliable.”

“No, I need to write a report and reverse Ah Yuan’s death…”

Zhou Ting waved his hand. “Not yet.”

Zhou Anbang and Zhou Ting were from the same family, but Zhou Anbang’s branch was a more distant one, not as direct or influential as Zhou Ting’s main line.

The Zhou family’s position in the capital could be said to be one of power and influence, with every younger member serving in the military. Previously, their Army and Navy had worked together by chance.

Zhou Ting, who was always proud and dismissive of others, was particularly respectful of Shao Chengyuan, who came from a humble background.

In just three years, their bond had grown stronger than that of brothers.

When Shao Chengyuan had fallen into trouble, Zhou Ting had been carrying out a secret mission. He had only just returned when he learned of his good brother’s death, a piece of news that he could hardly accept.

To investigate the matter, Zhou Ting had used a lot of his family’s influence, which had angered the old patriarch of the Zhou family.

He had been stripped of his power but had continued his investigation on his own. Finally, last month, he had discovered some clues, and shortly thereafter, Shao Chengyuan had managed to contact him through special channels.

He learned that before his “death,” his sworn brother had carried out a mission with many flaws, and this case was tied to key figures from their previous joint operation.

After discussing it, the two decided to work together again, but this time, they agreed that the fewer people who knew, the better.

Zhou Anbang was confused. “Why?”

“The enemy might have noticed something unusual. They’re now checking the list of navy soldiers who died in that operation. If the truth about Ah Yuan still being alive gets out, it could endanger his wife and kids.”

Zhou Anbang felt a chill run down his spine. “Ah Yuan’s sons are still young. We definitely can’t act rashly.”

“I came to see you today to tell you this. Ah Yuan even suspects there might be a traitor in your unit, which is why he asked me to come to you. He wants us to find the traitor behind this, which is also why he didn’t approach you directly.”

“You don’t suspect that I might be the traitor?”

Zhou Ting, who was always calm and composed, had indeed suspected everyone when Ah Yuan mentioned the possibility of a traitor, including his distant nephew, Zhou Anbang.

It was a bit awkward considering their positions. Zhou Ting, at twenty-five, was actually the paternal uncle of Zhou Anbang, who was already in his forties. And Zhou Anbang, in turn, was the teacher of his sworn brother, Shao Chengyuan.

“I did suspect, but Ah Yuan trusts you one hundred percent, so I trust you too,” Zhou Ting said, though it was only after his investigation that he decided to believe.

Zhou Anbang’s gaze flickered, and his eyes nearly filled with tears. “I never taught Shao Chengyuan in vain. Alright, I’ll fully cooperate with you on this matter.”

Zhou Ting paused, then added, “As for Ah Yuan’s wife, it’s best not to tell her for now. She doesn’t know anything, and that might be for the best. Moreover, this mission is dangerous, and no one can guarantee what will happen in the future, so we shouldn’t get our hopes up.”

Zhou Anbang understood. If it came to a critical moment, Ah Yuan would likely still choose to sacrifice himself for the country. That was the duty of a soldier.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Zhou Ting’s subordinate entered.

“A delivery slip for Commander Zhou.”

Zhou Anbang accepted the slip and stared at the unfamiliar sender’s address. He was stunned for a moment, then muttered under his breath, “I’ve never seen this address before. Where is this?”

Who had sent this to him? It was strange.

Zhou Ting glanced casually at the address, and when he saw it, he leaned in closer, his eyes widening. “This is from Ah Yuan’s wife.”

When Ah Yuan had gotten married, to save time and quickly transfer his household registration, he had asked Zhou Ting to personally help him. So, Zhou Ting was very familiar with this address.

Zhou Anbang remembered the mountain goods Ah Yuan’s wife had sent earlier that year. “Maybe it’s the mountain goods she sent. Last time, I sent the clothes and shoes for the children you gave me, so maybe she felt a bit embarrassed.”

Zhou Ting gave him a sidelong glance, his eyes clearly saying: “I provided those things, and in the end, you’re the one who got the benefit?”

Zhou Anbang: … It wasn’t hard to get that.

Why is this little uncle of mine so petty?

“Why don’t you come with me to the post office later and pick up the package?”

Without thinking, Zhou Ting agreed, “Sure!”

At noon, the two of them had lunch together in the military canteen. Zhou Anbang introduced Zhou Ting to everyone as his uncle.

Considering Zhou Ting might visit frequently in the future, it was useful to have an explanation for his presence.

Soon, word spread around the base about their uncle-nephew relationship. With Zhou Ting’s cool demeanor, sharp features, and outstanding looks, someone even approached Zhou Anbang, hoping for an introduction to his “nephew.”

Zhou Anbang quickly waved his hands. “That’s my uncle—I wouldn’t dare meddle in his marriage.”

In the afternoon, they went to the post office to pick up the package from Qiu Yinuo. Looking at the mountain goods inside, Zhou Anbang was once again touched. “Ah Yuan’s wife might be a bit chubby, but she’s really a nice person. I’ve only been there once, and she always thinks of me when she has something good.”

Zhou Ting cleared his throat. “My dad loves wood ear mushrooms, my mom loves pine mushrooms, and my grandfather loves pine nuts. As for the canned peaches… I love them.”

Zhou Anbang twitched his lips. “Fine, I’ll share a bit of everything with you, alright?”

“Deal. I want two cans of the peach preserves!”

“You may be my uncle, but you’re pushing it now.”

Zhou Ting then opened the trunk of the military vehicle and took out four or five cans of baby formula, along with nutritional supplements and children’s clothing.

“Send all this in your name,” he instructed. “And pass along a message—if she has time, ask her to take the kids for a photo.”

Since he couldn’t visit them himself, this was the least he could do: quietly sending supplies, helping where he could, and doing what he could to lighten their burden.