Chapter 42.2

After the call, Wei Yongyi immediately launched an investigation. Within an hour, all the facts lay clearly on his desk. Seeing the evidence in black and white, he called his old comrade, Gao Jianyu.

Gao Jianyu was visibly shocked when he picked up the phone.

“How could this be?” he exclaimed. Yefang and Huang Wanqing were close cousins, always on good terms. How could Yefang do something like this? But then he remembered the disdain Yefang had shown about the rural assignment, and any wishful thinking evaporated completely.

“Lao Gao, if Yefang had reservations about Wei Ling’s conditions on the border, she could have just said so. By doing things this way, she’s put me in a terrible position. I have no grudge against the Huang family, and it’s fortunate that nothing happened to Wanqing. Had there been any serious incident, even with a hundred explanations, our Wei family couldn’t have cleared our name.” Wei Yongyi said, letting his frustration show.

Wei Yongyi couldn’t help but feel a bit of disappointment toward his friend.

What kind of values had he instilled in his daughter? She was miles apart in character from the Huang family’s own Huang Wanqing.

It was a shame that his son, Wei Ling, and the Huang family’s daughter had no fate to be together.

Gao Jianyu sensed his friend’s discontent and quickly apologized, vowing to make it right for both the Wei and Huang families.

Wei Yongyi trusted his old comrade—after all, the foundation of their friendship was the ability to rely on each other in times of need.

After hanging up, both men felt a lingering sense of regret. Gao Jianyu, especially, took the investigative report Wei Yongyi had sent him and personally headed to the Huang household.

If there was anyone innocent in this entire matter, it was certainly the Huang family.

When the Huang family learned the truth, their household was immediately thrown into an uproar. Huang Wanqing’s eldest brother didn’t waste any time; he immediately set off from the capital for Baicheng.

—o—o—o—

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the XXX division, Wei Ling had barely hung up the phone before noticing the many pairs of eyes fixed on him.

In those days, phones didn’t come with the soundproofing we take for granted now, so practically everything Wei Yongyi and Wei Ling had discussed was heard clearly by everyone in the office.

Qin Qingman hadn’t expected that Wei Ling’s father would not only not oppose his marriage to Wei Ling but would also encourage them to come to the capital to visit the family when they had time. This seemed to be an acknowledgment of their union.

Their marriage had received formal recognition.

Qin Qingman felt a surge of relief, and deep down, Huang Wanqing also felt a strong sense of ease. She had been listening intently, and seeing that the situation didn’t involve her childhood friend, she felt even more resolved to stay.

Brother Wei Ying was definitely in Baicheng. As long as she stayed there, she would be able to find him.

Seeing that the matter was resolved smoothly, Wang Chengping decided not to introduce any of the young men from his division to Huang Wanqing. Although Qin Qingman hadn’t explicitly stated it, Wang Chengping, being the leader of the division, could tell that Huang Wanqing’s heart was already set on someone.

Since the young woman already had someone in mind, he wouldn’t interfere.

In matchmaking, if things worked out, the people involved would be grateful for life; but if the marriage turned out unhappy, he would be blamed forever. He had no intention of creating unnecessary trouble.

“Comrade Huang Wanqing, rest assured, our XXX division will certainly oversee that the Baicheng Public Security Bureau thoroughly investigates the case. Justice will be served for the victim, and for you as well. We will also urge the county public security to strengthen inspections across towns and villages to ensure that such incidents of forced human trafficking do not happen again.”

Wang Chengping solemnly assured Huang Wanqing.

Stability in the region was crucial for their forces, and if necessary, the division would deploy soldiers to assist.

“Thank you, Comrade Commander.” Huang Wanqing felt the care and protection of the people’s soldiers.

“If Comrade Huang has any requests for assistance, feel free to ask. Our division will make every effort to fulfill them.” Although Huang Wanqing was not Wei Ling’s match in marriage, since she had come to Baicheng and entered their division, she was now under their division’s care, and Wang Chengping would do his best to meet her needs.

Safety also needed to be ensured.

Wang Chengping was already considering how to arrange for Huang Wanqing to stay in the division.

The infirmary had dormitories for female comrades; perhaps Huang Wanqing could be temporarily housed there.

Huang Wanqing understood Wang Chengping’s words, but she had no desire to stay. Her gaze immediately turned to Qin Qingman.

Wei Ling clenched his fists.

He only had a few days of leave. If Huang Wanqing stayed at the Qin household every day, how would he get any time to spend with his wife!

“Colonel, Comrade Huang Wanqing is a ‘zhiqing’ (educated youth), and her grain and oil relations have already been transferred to Baicheng. Whether she stays or leaves, she will need to go through the necessary formalities in a timely manner.” Wei Ling thought carefully, finding a reason to politely suggest that Huang Wanqing leave.

Upon hearing Wei Ling’s words, Huang Wanqing did not feel rejected by him; instead, she felt grateful.

“Comrade Commander, I’d like to take care of the transfer procedures. Could you arrange a vehicle to take me there?”

Huang Wanqing sincerely sought Wang Chengping’s help. It was bitterly cold outside, with snow covering everything, making it difficult to walk even a single step without a vehicle.

However, Wang Chengping hesitated. If Huang Wanqing formally registered her grain and oil rations in Baicheng, she would certainly be stationed there, potentially for five or six years, or even a decade. After such a serious incident, the Huang family would likely send someone to intervene, and if they found out he had helped facilitate her stay, they might resent him for it.

If he were in their shoes, he might also be reluctant to see his own daughter, as pure as a blank sheet of paper, endure such hardships in a harsh place.

Seeing Wang Chengping’s hesitation, Huang Wanqing quickly explained, “Comrade Commander, we educated youths were sent to the countryside by the Chairman’s directive for training. Baicheng is not the most challenging place. If I can’t survive here, it will be the same anywhere else.”

“As I understand, the rest of your cohort won’t arrive for a few more days, Comrade Huang Wanqing.” Wang Chengping said, still trying to dissuade her. “There’s no need to rush into finalizing your grain and oil rations. You can wait and act when the rest of your comrades arrive.”

But Huang Wanqing turned a pleading gaze toward Qin Qingman.

Qin Qingman thought, *…I really can’t get involved in this.*

“Commander.” Huang Wanqing continued earnestly, “I have someone I love in Baicheng. I won’t marry anyone else in this lifetime. Please, grant me this chance.” Although simple, she was not foolish. Seeing the difficulty on Qin Qingman’s face and recalling her family’s stance, she spoke openly to Wang Chengping.

Regardless of whether he lent her the vehicle, she would find a way to finalize her residence status. Only by securing it would she be free from interference by her family.

Looking into the determination in her eyes, Wang Chengping was reminded of his decades in the military. Their ancestors had risen up in pursuit of freedom. At nearly sixty years old, what did he have to fear? Surely, no one could dictate terms to the XXX division.

“Colonel, have Du Hongyi and a female comrade accompany Comrade Huang Wanqing to complete her registration.” Wei Ling suddenly suggested.

He recalled his own experience, leaving the capital in search of freedom.

“T-thank you.” stammered Huang Wanqing, surprised that Wei Ling spoke up for her. Although she still felt a bit afraid of him, she courageously looked him in the eye and expressed her thanks.

Since Wei Ling had voiced his support, Qin Qingman could no longer stand by. After a moment of thought, she also spoke to Wang Chengping, “Commander, sending educated youths to the countryside is a national movement. The higher-ranking the family, the more they send their children to remote areas. Every action is being closely monitored, and there’s no changing Comrade Huang Wanqing’s registration in Baicheng.”

Wang Chengping knew well the unique nature of this policy.

“All right, I’ll have Du Hongyi escort you for the residency registration.” he agreed.

“Thank you, Comrade Commander.” said Huang Wanqing, her eyes filled with gratitude as she looked at him.

Waving a hand dismissively, Wang Chengping signaled for Wei Ling and the others to leave. This was all the help he could offer; anything more was beyond his reach.

Just before leaving the office, Wei Ling reached into his pocket and pulled out a red candy, pressing it into Wang Chengping’s hand. Then, he picked up little Chuchu, and with Qin Qingman and Huang Wanqing, they left the room.

Looking down at the red candy in his hand and then at the now-empty office, Wang Chengping suddenly laughed to himself.

“This rascal!” Wang Chengping muttered. Though his tone held a touch of helplessness and dissatisfaction, it was mostly filled with a kind of indulgent fondness.

Political Commissar Zhang, who had just opened the door and stepped in, froze at Wang Chengping’s words, then promptly stepped back and closed the door. He had been tricked by Wang Chengping before and wasn’t eager to fall into another trap. The scene this time was all too similar to the previous one.

Watching the door close, Wang Chengping paused, then burst into hearty laughter.

Wei Ling and Qin Qingman personally handed Huang Wanqing over to Du Hongyi. As it was considered inappropriate for an unmarried man and woman to travel alone, Wei Ling arranged for a female medic to accompany them.

The group first went to the Qin residence, where Huang Wanqing loaded her belongings onto the vehicle, casting one last reluctant look back before leaving. She had come to Baicheng as an educated youth to work in border support, so staying long-term at Qin Qingman’s home wasn’t an option.

Moreover, after learning that Qin Qingman and Wei Ling were married, she knew she had intruded on them the previous night. Now, with the division’s assistance, she couldn’t justify imposing on them any longer. Sitting in the car with reddened eyes, she waved vigorously at Qin Qingman.

As he drove, Du Hongyi noticed Huang Wanqing’s tearful face in the rearview mirror and reminded her, “Comrade Huang, don’t stick your head out the window. Even when there’s no wind, driving creates one. If you keep crying, your tears will freeze solid on your face.”

Huang Wanqing tensed, silently pulling her head back inside and quickly wiping away her tears. The cold here was no joke. Just in that short time, she could already feel her tears starting to freeze.

The female medic accompanying them was named Tian Qiuyun. She was an outgoing woman who, noticing Huang Wanqing’s reaction to Du Hongyi’s warning, leaned over to reassure her in a low voice, “Comrade Huang, don’t let Comrade Du scare you. A few minutes outside won’t freeze your tears solid.”

“Yes, I know.” Huang Wanqing nodded, then added, “I understand the protective measures necessary for living here, but I appreciate Comrade Du’s reminder. His intentions were kind.”

Du Hongyi had expected Huang Wanqing to sulk or glare at him, but instead, she responded calmly and clearly. This left him feeling a bit sheepish, so he settled into quietly driving the car without further teasing.

Tian Qiuyun kept the conversation lively, helping to ease the atmosphere and soften Huang Wanqing’s feelings of regret over leaving Qin Qingman’s home.

—o—o—o—