Chapter 131

Yan Lei received a letter from Beijing, and his expression changed as soon as he opened it. He went directly to find Captain Pan.

CaptainPan also received a letter from his wife.

Seeing Yan Lei, Captain Pan said, “You’ve come at the right time.”

He made a call and summoned Captain Zhao, Captain Ma, and several other core members of their faction, and held a meeting.

Finally, Yan Lei said, “I’ll go.”

Captain Pan agreed.

Yan Lei went home and packed his things, telling Qiao Wei, “I’m going to Beijing.”

During this hectic period, what was he going to Beijing for?

Qiao Wei’s mind quickly turned, and she asked directly, “Is it because something happened to the Lu family, or is it Captain Pan’s wife… no, is it the Lu family?”

If something had happened to Captain Pan’s wife, Captain Pan wouldn’t just sit idly by and send Yan Lei alone.

It could only be the Lu family.

Yan Lei’s old leader’s surname was Lu.

The Lu family and the Pan family had a good relationship, with deep backgrounds.

The youngest brother of that old leader had been comrades-in-arms with Yan Lei, Captain Zhao, and the others. After the old leader sacrificed himself, he was forced to leave the military and return home as the last son of the family.

His name was Lu Tianze. He had been sending some books from Beijing sporadically before. He stopped last year when the situation became more tense.

Yan Lei liked how Qiao Wei didn’t need any explanation. Her reaction was faster than anyone else’s.

She didn’t stop him or complain. Instead, she immediately helped Yan Lei pack his things.

“How many food ration coupons do we have left? Let me check.”

“Take these snacks with you for the journey.”

“Are you going alone?”

Yan Lei said, “I’m taking four people with me. Don’t worry, there are people there, and the commander is arranging everything.”

Qiao Wei had been in the area for four years, a time period that had already exceeded the original text’s timeline but had not reached the time frame of the extra story.

This was a period of information vacuum. She didn’t know what Yan Lei had been doing during these years.

Beijing and Shanghai were both centers of turmoil, and the Lu family’s background was deep, so this trip wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

She reminded him to be careful and she suppressed her own worries. She lifted her eyes and gently said, “Take care of yourself. If anything happens, prioritize your safety.”

At that moment, Yan Lei looked into her eyes and suddenly realized that beyond national duty and friendship, he was the most important person in the world to his wife and child.

To Qiao Wei and Yan Xiang, he was the most important person in the world.

This sudden realization, which should have been clear but came unexpectedly, filled him with strength.

He couldn’t help but bend down and kiss Qiao Wei’s lips, telling her, “Don’t worry.”

Qiao Wei nodded and saw him off.

Captain Zhao was waiting outside the courtyard, and the jeep was parked outside as well.

Captain Zhao also said, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry.”

Yan Lei nodded to Qiao Wei, then got into the car with Captain Zhao and left.

On the way, Captain Zhao sighed, “I like this about you, sister-in-law. You’re always calm in the face of adversity, never panicking.”

Yan Lei smiled faintly.

Yan Xiang asked her mother, “Where did Dad go?”

Qiao Wei said, “Dad’s friend in Beijing encountered some difficulties, so he went to help.”

Yan Xiang said confidently, “Oh! Dad went, so he’ll definitely be able to help.”

He had a lot of confidence in his parents.

Yan Xiang had confidence in both his father and mother. They always kept their promises to him and solved any difficulties they encountered.

Qiao Wei smiled and patted his head.

Sister Yang came over specifically to ask Qiao Wei if she needed someone to accompany her to sleep.

Qiao Wei said, “I’m fine.”

The area of Xiahekou had been under military control from the beginning. The local government and residents all knew that this was a military settlement area, and no one dared to cause trouble.

The public security in Xiahekou was envied by people from other areas.

Seeing that Qiao Wei was fine, Sister Yang left with peace of mind.

Qiao Wei stayed at home alone with Yan Xiang, going to work, cooking meals, and sometimes eating at the canteen to save trouble. Life went on as usual.

Yan Xiang had asked before, “When will Dad come back?”

Qiao Wei replied, “He’ll come back when the matter is resolved.”

Yan Lei had been away for eleven days and returned on the twelfth day.

Qiao Wei brought Yan Xiang back home after work and saw that the lock on the courtyard gate was gone. She had a premonition, and sure enough, as soon as she entered, she saw Yan Lei.

“Dad–!” Yan Xiang ran over and threw himself into his father’s arms.

Yan Lei smiled and lifted him up with his left arm.

Qiao Wei immediately noticed that something was wrong. She hurried over and said, “Yan Xiang, come down.”

Yan Xiang quickly climbed down.

Qiao Wei asked, “What happened to your right arm?”

Yan Lei said, “It’s nothing.”

Qiao Wei raised an eyebrow and said, “Take off your clothes and let me see.”

Yan Lei had no choice but to take off his coat, revealing bandages on his arm.

“What kind of injury is this?” Qiao Wei asked.

“Gunshot,” Yan Lei said.

Qiao Wei furrowed her brows. “Fighting has been banned since last year!”

“The situation over there is a bit complicated, but fortunately, everything turned out fine,” Yan Lei said. “I brought Tianze back with me.”

He turned his head. “Tianze! Come over and meet your younger siblings.”

A man smiled and emerged from the living room. “Hello, Qiao Wei.”

He extended his hand.

Qiao Wei shook hands with him. “Tianze, nice to finally meet you.”

For those books, she had written him a thank-you letter by hand. Lü Tianze had also replied to her.

Although they hadn’t had much contact, they weren’t total strangers.

Lü Tianze was two years older than Yan Lei, making him thirty-two this year.

Yan Xiang called him “Big Lü.”

They sat down together and had tea.

Yan Lei said, “The empty courtyard at the northwest end is prepared for Tianze to stay in. The commander has arranged it.”

That courtyard was a bit remote and run-down. But it wasn’t suitable for Lü Tianze, who came here for refuge, to draw attention to himself.

Qiao Wei didn’t ask about the situation of his family in Beijing. She had seen enough over the years; it was always the same. Besides, Lü Tianze was so thin, almost skin and bones, like those people in the backyards of the Health Bureau.

She only served him the best tea and arranged dinner.

Captain Zhao brought over two bowls of hard dishes.

Captain Ma did too.

They all drank together.

They had all been under Lü Tianze’s big brother before, and later followed Captain Pan together.

Captain Pan and Lü Tianze’s big brother were from the same school and had enlisted together.

It was a bond and a network.

In the evening, several men accompanied Lü Tianze to his place.

Qiao Wei packed some snacks and fruits into a basin and brought them over with Yan Lei.

And so, Lü Tianze was brought out of the complicated situation in Beijing by Captain Pan and settled in Xiahekou.

That night, Yan Lei told Qiao Wei, “His father passed away, and his mother, nephew, and several sisters can only distance themselves from him for now. His wife also divorced him and took the child away.”

These divorces and distancing didn’t mean the relationships were truly severed.

At least Qiao Wei knew that Meng Zuoyi and the others who had distanced themselves from him were secretly working for him.

Yan Lei asked her, “What do you think of Tianze?”

Qiao Wei said, “He’s alright.”

“Hmm?”

“You can tell he’s from a cadre family.”

“Yes, there’s a bit of a spoiled air about him.”

Actually, Qiao Wei’s impression of Lü Tianze wasn’t just of someone spoiled.

Being spoiled required financial support, and Lü Tianze had been tortured to this extent.

But some aspects of a person’s nature couldn’t be changed; you could tell just by looking into their eyes.

Lü Tianze’s eyes immediately made Qiao Wei think of a “scumbag.”

“Some men, even in their decline, still have that charm in their eyes, and they can’t change,” Qiao Wei thought.

It wasn’t about how he treated her; it was about his nature, unconsciously revealed in the corners of his eyes and brows.

However, at this juncture, it wasn’t appropriate to bring it up.

Yan Lei remarked, “This kid isn’t a good one. He comes from a good background, and apart from a few years in the military, he hasn’t endured any hardships in his life. So, in life, the hardships and blessings one receives are predetermined.”

Some people have enjoyed too many blessings in their half of life, so now they have to endure hardships.

He sighed, “When we went there, his nephew had already gone to the northwest. My leader’s wife had already remarried. From now on, the old lady will live alone in Beijing.”

But the old lady was very calm, shaking his hand, “I know you. Tian’en mentioned you before; you were just a teenager back then.”

“Tianze…is entrusted to you and Xiaopan.”

Qiao Wei worried, “Can the old lady manage on her own?”

Yan Lei said, “It’s fine. Tianze’s uncles are also not simple characters. When we went there, they were the ones who received us. And there are his sisters and their husbands.”

Qiao Wei understood.

In fact, the circles of the upper class and elite were very small. Who’s wife was whose daughter, who was related to whom by marriage, was like a network. People of the same class marry each other and help each other. It’s just that in special times, they had to act low-key.

Yan Lei didn’t say it, but he had strangely thought of Qiao Wei when dealing with Lü Tianze’s mother.

Lü Tianze’s mother was very elegant, although she was old, her eyes were bright, calm, and composed, never flustered.

Yan Lei felt that if Qiao Wei grew old, she might be like this.

Yan Lei joked about the joy of reunion, making Qiao Wei annoyed, “You’re injured!”

Yan Lei said, “The injury to my arm doesn’t affect anything else.”

He made Qiao Wei laugh out of anger.

But she really missed him.

These days seemed calm and composed, but when she was alone at night, she felt the bed was empty.

Humans are strange creatures. They can stand alone in the world, yet there are people they cannot bear to lose.

Unconsciously, Qiao Wei had someone she couldn’t bear to lose in this world.

She kissed him again and again, wanting to melt each other into their bodies.

While the world was in chaos, the small courtyard was a peaceful haven.

In another courtyard, Captain Zhao was discussing matters with Sister Yang.

“Tianze can’t move around outside easily, and he can’t cook either. He needs someone to cook for him.”

“Hmm, what to do. Let him come to our house to eat.”

“He’s unwilling, thinks it’s bothering him. He’s different from us. How different? You’ll know after a while.”

“Alright, let’s cook for him and take it over.”

“Better make a separate meal; our taste isn’t something he’s used to.”

“…Why is he so difficult to serve?”

“I’ve said he’s different from us; you wouldn’t understand.”

Captain Zhao said, “We need to find someone reliable. I thought about it, and in a reliable family like ours, we have two women, so I volunteered. The commander said to give the cook ten yuan a month, excluding the cost of vegetables, just for cooking.”

Sister Yang became excited, “Why didn’t you say so earlier! We’ll make a separate meal! Whatever he wants to eat, let him choose!”

“With me and Xixi here, we’ll make sure he eats well and plenty!”