Chapter 97 : Farewell

The next morning, Han Zhenyu and Su Xieqiu woke up very early.

The two of them tiptoed into the kitchen, one kneading the dough while the other mixed the filling.

Gu Fangxun was leaving today, and the couple had decided to make dumplings for him as a farewell gift.

Gu Fangxun heard the door open in the room. Just as he was about to get up, Chenchen beside him woke up, “Uncle, are you leaving?”

“It will take a while.” Gu Fangxun gently patted his back, “Chenchen, it’s still early, you should sleep a little longer.”

Chenchen shook his head, immediately got up from the kang, and followed his uncle to the kitchen.

Gu Fangxun saw that they were busy making dumplings and realized they were preparing breakfast for him, which made him feel very grateful.

The newly married couple, with no relatives or friends in his family, not only agreed to help raise their child but were also so kind to him. He really didn’t know how to repay their kindness.

He asked, “Why are you two up so early?”

Han Zhenyu smiled and said, “I just woke up and wanted you to sleep a little longer, but I didn’t expect to wake you up.”

Su Xieqiu looked at Jiang Lichen, whose eyes were a little swollen, and gently said, “Chenchen, are you up too? Go wash up with your uncle first, and you can have breakfast in a little while.”

“Okay, Aunt Su.”

Jiang Lichen smiled and nodded, then followed his uncle to the bathroom in the back.

The family had breakfast before dawn.

Gu Fangxun had to go to the city to catch the afternoon train, so he had to leave early.

Before he left, he took one last look at An An, who was still sleeping, and said to Chenchen, who was following him, “Chenchen, remember what your uncle said last night.”

“I got it, uncle.” Chenchen suddenly hugged his legs, his shoulders twitching.

Gu Fangxun held him and coaxed him for a while, then Su Xieqiu smiled and called out, “Chenchen, it’s getting late, your uncle still has to catch the train, let’s not delay him.”

Chenchen hugged his uncle’s legs and lingered for a while, then reluctantly stepped back.

Su Xieqiu went over to wipe his tears, “Don’t cry, didn’t your uncle say he would come to see you in the future? Uncle Han and Aunt Su will also treat you and An An very well.”

Gu Fangxun said a few more words to Su Xieqiu, then picked up his luggage and left with Han Zhenyu.

Su Xieqiu took Chenchen’s hand and sent them to the main road. After the two of them rode off on their bikes, Chenchen burst into tears, shouting, “Uncle…Uncle…”

Seeing how sad he was, Su Xieqiu quickly hugged him in her arms, and her eyes became moist.

“Chenchen, stop crying. Let’s go home and see if your sister is awake.”

Chenchen nodded and followed Su Xieqiu back home, looking back every step of the way.

When Han Zhenyu and Gu Fangxun arrived in the city, it was just dawn.

The two went to the station to buy tickets first. After checking the time, they found there was still an hour before departure.

Gu Fangxun said, “Zhenyu, please wait here for me. I’m going to the military department’s family compound.”

Han Zhenyu asked, “Is it convenient for you to go? How about I call Director Wu out for you?”

“No, I can go by myself.” Gu Fangxun whispered, “He should have heard about my brother-in-law’s family. I’ll go and test his attitude.”

“Okay, then go quickly, there’s not much time left.”

Gu Fangxun nodded and rode his bicycle to the staff quarters of the armed forces department.

Wu Heping was just about to have breakfast when he heard the security guard downstairs calling him, “Director Wu, someone is looking for you.”

Li Lanjuan asked in confusion, “Who is it? So early?”

“You guys eat first, I’ll go downstairs to take a look.” Wu Heping put down his chopsticks, opened the door, and went downstairs.

When he saw that the person coming was Gu Fangxun, he hurried over and asked anxiously, “Fangxun, why are you here? How is my second aunt’s family doing now?”

Gu Fangxun first glanced at him secretly, and seeing that he was genuinely anxious, he said quietly, “Before I came here, I heard that it was decided he would go to the farm for labor reform.”

“What about Shao Wen and Shao Ting?” Wu Heping asked again.

“The whole family will go together.”

Wu Heping sighed heavily upon hearing this. He had heard that his second uncle had an accident two days ago. He had been secretly inquiring for information, and although there was no definite news, he knew the situation was not optimistic. He didn’t expect that his whole family would be implicated.

He looked at the silent Gu Fangxun and sighed, “Let’s go and talk about it when we get home.”

“Brother Heping, I won’t go home with you. I’ve been transferred to the Northwest Military Region and will be taking a train to report soon. I came here just to tell you so you can be prepared.”

Wu Heping was shocked. “Why were you transferred there?”

Gu Fangxun smiled bitterly, “My family also had an accident. Although it’s not as serious as my brother-in-law’s family, the situation is not optimistic either.”

Wu Heping opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say to comfort him.

“What time does your bus leave? You should have time for a meal, right?”

“I’ve already eaten.” Gu Fangxun looked at his watch. “The train will leave in half an hour. I have to leave now.”

“Then wait a minute, I’ll go home to get something.” Wu Heping said and turned around to walk back.

Gu Fangxun quickly pulled him, “Brother Heping, no need, I brought my luggage.”

Wu Heping said, “I’ll get you some food. It’ll take several days to get to the northwest.”

“I brought food too.”

Gu Fangxun told him what had happened in Beijing during this period and then rode away on his bicycle.

He did not mention that the two children were fostered in Han Zhenyu’s home, nor did he intend to tell anyone about it.

Although he could feel Wu Heping’s sincerity, the matter was too big, and he didn’t dare to take the risk.

Besides, even if he told him, it wouldn’t be of much use. At most, he would just visit occasionally.

This would only increase the risk for the two children, and if discovered, it would also implicate Han Zhenyu and his wife.

When Gu Fangxun arrived at the station, the bus to the city was almost full, and Han Zhenyu was sitting by the bus waiting for him.

Gu Fangxun stopped his bike and whispered to him, “I didn’t tell him about the child, and you don’t have to mention it in the future, but you can continue to make friends with him. If there’s anything you can’t handle, you can go to him. He should be able to help.”

“Okay, I understand.”

Gu Fangxun took out a letter from his pocket. “Time is too urgent. I won’t go to Bai Shanhe. You can give this letter to him. He is my father’s subordinate and can be trusted. You can go to him if you have any problem.”

Han Zhenyu took the letter and said, “The train is about to leave, hurry up and get on.”

Gu Fangxun stood there motionless. After a moment of silence, he whispered, “I don’t know how my trip to the northwest will turn out. Our profession is quite dangerous. If I lose contact one day, the two children will be in the hands of you and your wife…”

Han Zhenyu’s nose became sore when he heard this, and he said solemnly, “Don’t worry, since I promised you, I will definitely raise them as my own children.”

Gu Fangxun’s eyes turned red after hearing this, and he whispered, “Thank you.”