Chapter 22: Su Yuanyuan: Your Dad Is Absolutely the Most Handsome Man in the World

The previous stop had been a major station; many people disembarked, leaving fewer passengers in the sleeper car.

The train chugged onward. Lu Mingzhu and Lu Siyuan clung to Su Yuanyuan, anxiously watching their surroundings.

“Mommy, did they really catch the traffickers?” Lu Siyuan was still scared.

Lu Mingzhu buried her head in Su Yuanyuan’s arms. “Even from far away, we could hear the commotion.  Someone got hurt. Why are they so bad?”

The children didn’t fully understand what traffickers were; they were just scared by the commotion.

“Because they’re bad people who steal children, kidnapping or stealing other people’s children or family members.  They’re terrifying, so if you encounter strange people, stay far away.”

Su Yuanyuan felt it was time to explain the seriousness of human trafficking, using this as a teachable moment.

The children were shocked by the traffickers’ cruelty.  Hearing that some victims had their limbs broken and became beggars, they turned pale.

“How did Mommy know they were traffickers?” they asked in unison.

“Because of all the noise in the carriage.  Their child didn’t wake up, even with all the commotion. That’s unusual.  This is the second thing I want to teach you: learn to observe details.”

Su Yuanyuan pinched their cheeks.  It might be difficult for them to understand now, but they would eventually learn.

The children nodded, their eyes shining.

“Mommy is so amazing!”

This trip had shown Lu Siyuan and Lu Mingzhu that their mother wasn’t as helpless as they thought.

Before, she only cried, making them feel sorry for her.

“So, the handsome soldier uncle helped catch the traffickers?”

Lu Siyuan liked the soldier uncle; he couldn’t explain why, but he did.

“Yes,” Su Yuanyuan smiled, remembering the man’s immediate willingness to help.

“The soldier uncle was so handsome. Mommy, is Daddy handsome too?”

Lu Siyuan’s tone was excited and expectant. People said soldiers were good people; Daddy must be good too. He couldn’t wait to meet him.

Lu Mingzhu also looked at Su Yuanyuan, her large eyes resembling her mother’s.

Su Yuanyuan felt a pang of awkwardness; she didn’t know. She’d never met Lu Zhengan.

However, in the original book, Lu Zhengan was the male lead, described as having deep eyes, a high nose bridge, broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a tall, muscular build.

In short, a handsome man.

The soldier had similar features; Lu Zhengan should look quite similar.

Su Yuanyuan couldn’t admit her unfamiliarity with her husband in front of her children.  She decided to reassure them.

“Your father is a good man. He’s gentle and kind, a very upright soldier.”

Su Yuanyuan didn’t feel like she was lying; the original book described the male lead that way.

“Is Daddy handsome?”

Su Yuanyuan didn’t know why they were so focused on Lu Zhengan’s appearance. She smiled and ruffled their hair. “Handsome.  Super handsome. Your father is the most handsome man in the world.”

He was the male lead, after all; his looks were undeniable.

The children’s eyes lit up, their curiosity about their father piqued.

They had no pictures of their father and had never met him.

They seemed to sense each other’s thoughts and fell silent.

Su Yuanyuan raised an eyebrow. “Daddy’s handsome, and you’re not happy?”

Lu Mingzhu tightened her grip on Su Yuanyuan’s sleeve, timidly lifting her head from her embrace. “Mommy, will Daddy dislike me and Brother?”

Lu Siyuan pouted, clearly thinking the same thing. Su Yuanyuan was surprised by their question.

“Why would you think that?” Su Yuanyuan chuckled. “Your father has been very busy these past few years, so he hasn’t been able to come home.  Your grandparents hid your birth from him; he doesn’t know about you.  He’ll be thrilled to know he has you.”

Su Yuanyuan spoke with conviction.

Lu Zhengan wouldn’t have stayed away for three years if he’d known about the children.

Su Yuanyuan wasn’t sure about the male lead’s feelings for his wife; the original book glossed over Su Yuanyuan’s life.

His feelings were likely shallow, mostly a sense of responsibility.  His heavy workload was true, but if he cared, he would have visited.

However, he knew she was unwell.  He sent money every month. When the old Lu couple mentioned her poor health, he immediately sent more money for tonics.

In short, he was a good man, but he didn’t love her.

Su Yuanyuan’s description of Lu Zhengan eased the children’s worries.

They were tired from the long journey and fell asleep next to Su Yuanyuan.

Meanwhile,

Lu Zhengan had just finished giving his statement at the police station.

He was back in his uniform, which fit him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs.

After finishing his statement, Lu Zhengan checked the time.

He should have enough time to catch the last train back to Beijing.

It was evening. The police station was next to the train station; he could walk.

As a soldier who had acted bravely on the train, the police station had called his unit to report his actions; a commendation would likely follow.

With his statement complete, Lu Zhengan was free to leave.

As he left the hall, a communications officer ran out to stop him.

“Comrade Lu! Your unit wants you to call them after your statement.”

Lu Zhengan had just finished a mission and was returning to Beijing by train.  His unit wouldn’t usually contact him urgently.

Lu Zhengan remained composed, nodding. “I understand.”

The police station had dedicated lines, so Lu Zhengan didn’t use their phone but went to a public phone booth outside.

He answered the call, “Reporting to headquarters, this is Lu Zhengan.  What are your orders?”

“Comrade Lu, there’s an urgent mission.  We can’t discuss it over the phone.  You need to return to Beijing immediately.  Someone will explain later.  Buy the next available train ticket.”

“Yes, sir.”

Lu Zhengan hung up, frowning, remembering the woman with the two children on the train.

She looked thin and unwell, reminding him of his wife whom he hadn’t seen in three years.

He’d been called back to duty soon after marrying Su Yuanyuan and hadn’t seen her since.

She was illiterate, so they hadn’t corresponded. 

After three years, he barely remembered her face, wondering about her health.