Fu Yang's expression improved slightly as he walked over.
Just as he got close and was about to speak,
"Whoosh—" a car sped past, grazing his face.
Fu Yang's expression froze on his face, his raised hand unsure whether to lower it or not.
His face instantly darkened.
Was the driver blind?
Couldn't he see someone standing this close?
The guard beside him was also stunned, snapping back to reality and hurriedly chasing after the car.
"Hey! We're here, wait! Stop!"
As soon as his words fell, with a screech of brakes, the off-road vehicle came to a halt.
The guard breathed a sigh of relief and walked over. Seeing Zhou Yueshen, he politely nodded towards him.
He saluted the person inside the car and said with full vigor, "Hello, sir. I am Little Li, sent from the Central South District."
The middle-aged man smoking inside the car glanced at him upon hearing this.
"Central South Military District? What brings you all the way to the Northwest?"
The middle-aged man had disheveled hair, a square face with stern features, very dark skin, some scars on his face—a rugged appearance.
The cigarette pinched in his fingers was as rough as the man himself.
A single look from him made Little Li feel immense pressure.
This man was none other than the famous one of the Three Heroes of the Northwest District, Brigade Commander Wang Jianguo.
The driver, also a guard, said, "Sir, you forgot. Our district specially invited a regiment commander from the Central South District to participate in training at our unit. The old division commander just mentioned it today."
Wang Jianguo took a drag of his cigarette, seeming to remember. "Oh, that matter. I recall. But what do you need from me?"
After saying this, ignoring the other's sweat-drenched forehead, he called out to Zhou Yueshen, who was carrying luggage behind Little Li, "Old Zhou, what are you standing there for? I came personally to pick you up. Do you need me to get out and help you up?"
Little Li: "Huh? My surname isn't..."
Before he could finish, he realized the man wasn't calling him.
Because the man's gaze had landed behind him.
Little Li stiffly turned his head with a series of creaking sounds and saw the man standing behind him, who was a full head taller.
Zhou Yueshen glanced at him, his voice calm. "Please step aside."
Little Li: "......"
Zhou Yueshen got into the car.
Little Li was still in a daze.
It was the driver who spoke up, "No need to worry. I heard the military district arranged for someone to pick you up."
Little Li swallowed hard with difficulty, looking at Zhou Yueshen in the back seat with disbelief.
Wait, wasn't he here to work as a laborer?
Why is a military vehicle picking him up?
What status does he have to warrant Wang Jianguo personally receiving him?
Could he be someone even more formidable than Regiment Commander Fu?
No wonder the regiment commander harbored such hostility towards him. Did the regiment commander already know?
He turned his head. Fu Yang stood rooted to the spot.
His expression was uglier than if he'd swallowed a fly, yet beyond the gloom, there was even more shock.
Zhou Yueshen, what exactly is his relationship with the Northwest Military District?
If he remembered correctly, at his own wedding, Zhou Yueshen seemed to know Director Li and others.
He originally thought it was because of the Si family, and coupled with the chaos at the time, he didn't think much of it.
But now he sensed something was off.
Indeed, if the Si family truly knew Director Li and the others, he shouldn't be unaware.
Moreover, the Si family had previously avoided Si Nian like the plague and looked down on the man she married.
Yet that day, they invited both of them to the wedding.
Something flashed through Fu Yang's mind.
So, the Si family asking Zhou Yueshen to come wasn't to show off.
It was just to invite Director Li and the others?
Fu Yang remembered his father saying that Director Li had previously served in the Northwest Military District.
He was transferred later.
Zhou Yueshen came to the Northwest, clearly on good terms with Brigade Commander Wang.
And Brigade Commander Wang and Director Li were from the same cohort.
Fu Yang's hand clenched tightly.
Little Li thought he was just feeling defeated and hurriedly comforted him, "Regiment Commander, don't be too upset. The guard just now said the military district sent a car to pick us up, it's just been delayed a bit."
After saying this, he couldn't contain his curiosity. "Regiment Commander, what status do you think that comrade has? At first, I thought he came here to work as a laborer. I never expected he'd have the clout for Brigade Commander Wang to personally pick him up. It's really enviable."
He had been thinking that if the regiment commander and that guy really came to blows, he would definitely stand by the regiment commander's side unto death.
He patted his chest and said, "Good thing I didn't laugh at him for being a laborer."
Fu Yang: "......"
...
Not long after the car drove off, Brigade Commander Wang, cigarette dangling from his mouth, started rummaging through Zhou Yueshen's luggage.
"Brought so much stuff, let me see."
“Well, well, you brought me so many local specialties.” He pulled out a large flatbread and said in surprise, “You’ve got a bit of a conscience after all.”
"Do southerners like flatbread too?"
Zhou Yueshen snatched it back. "Don't get the wrong idea. This is my rations for the road."
Brigade Commander Wang's hand now empty, he sprawled back. Even though it was a relatively spacious off-road vehicle, the two of them made it feel cramped and oppressive.
It has to be said, the genes here in the Northwest are good, everyone tall and big.
When Zhou Yueshen first arrived those couple of years, he was the shortest.
Thin and small, everyone mocked him like he was a woman.
Who knew a man changes greatly at eighteen, and he shot up to be as tall as them.
His fist, as big as a sandbag, could kill a man with one punch.
"Seriously? Just one piece of bread, is it that big a deal?"
Zhou Yueshen couldn't be bothered with him.
“So you’re really planning to come back this time? Have your sister’s kids all settled?” Wang Jianguo gossiped.
Zhou Yueshen frowned. "None of your business."
Wang Jianguo curled his lips, "Fine, your mouth is harder than the old bastard's."
Zhou Yueshen didn't speak, just turned his head to look at the desolate scenery outside, his eyes deep and cold.
...
Si Nian wrote back to Zhou Yueshen, telling him everything at home was fine and not to worry.
She also said the Northwest must have lots of good food and specialties, to remember to bring some back for her when he returns.
She heard the Northwest has deserts and salt lakes, and she'd love to see them with her own eyes too.
The kids are all very well-behaved, her work has stabilized, and no one dares to bully her.
She also planted vegetables in the yard; maybe they'll be ready to eat by the time he gets back.
Of course, it's fine if he takes his time coming back after finishing his business; she won't give him a green hat.
Then she added that in a few days, Mother Lin would come to visit her and could help look after the kids then. Everything at home is fine, don't worry.
After sending the letter, things were quiet at home for a couple of days.
Si Nian received a reply from her mother.
Saying the family had saved up quite a bit of money and wanted to take a break for a while to come to the city to see her and the children.
Si Nian has no mother-in-law; all matters big and small at home are her responsibility. Back in the village, it was fine—she didn't have to work, just cooked at home every day.
But now she has a job and has to look after the kids. Mother Lin worries she's too tired.
Wants to come see if she can help out for a few days.
And her father misses her terribly too.
It works out that her older brother has a delivery to make in the morning, so she can just ride over with him.
Si Nian wrote back saying okay and told them to be careful on the road.
Early March.
The weather was turning warmer.
It wasn't as cold in the city center anymore.
Being a teacher was relatively easy for Si Nian; when the children had holidays, she had holidays too.
Seeing the weather had warmed up, she had the kids gather the clothes to wash.
The quilts and such were also all taken upstairs to sun.
People passing by the tube-shaped apartment building saw her stretching lazily, while the two children were squatting at the doorway washing clothes, looking quite a sight.
During this period, they often passed by here and frequently saw the Zhou family children, either washing dishes in the kitchen or cleaning.
Today was Sunday, everyone was off.
It was quite a bit livelier outside.
A woman passing by teased, "Xiao Han, your mom's got you working again?"
Zhou Zehan was already familiar with the people around.
He had run around the tube-shaped apartments several times, and the kids there all liked playing with him.
With them following him around all day, everyone had gotten to know Zhou Zehan.
Zhou Zehan wiped his sweat, glanced at the person, but couldn't remember who she was.
"You two brothers are boys. How can boys always be doing these household chores? That's something only girls should do. Your mom is too strict."
"Why can only girls do it? Can't I do it?" Zhou Zehan asked, looking bewildered.
The other person said matter-of-factly, "Of course you shouldn't do it. If boys always do housework, they won't amount to much in the future. My Xiao Yu never does this kind of thing. Look how good his grades are."
Hearing this, Zhou Zehan wrinkled his nose in disdain. "Xiao Yu? His grades aren't even as good as mine. He can't even sing an English song."
"My brother's grades are the good ones. My brother is a top student," Zhou Zehan said proudly. "My brother does housework every day and never does homework, but he studies better than anyone."
After saying this, Zhou Zehan also felt he made a good point. That's right, roughly speaking, it meant he didn't need to do homework either; just doing housework could make him as awesome as his brother!
Having said that, he raised his voice to the person outside, "Auntie is so pitiful. Your son doesn't even help you work. Not like me and my brother; we help Mom work every day. Mom isn't tired, but Auntie is tired."
The other person: "......."
Si Nian, hearing this, had originally wanted to mock the woman a bit, but seeing her expression didn't look too good now, she decided to let it go.
Her son's words were hurtful enough; she shouldn't add fuel to the fire.
After all, they were neighbors.
"Mom."
"Hmm?"
Si Nian gathered the clothes her daughter had changed out of and soaked them in a basin nearby. Zhou Zehan, rubbing the clothes as he washed, said, "Auntie is so pitiful, right? Xiao Yu doesn't help her work."
"Xiao Yu is so lazy."
Si Nian smiled and patted his head.
"That's right. Whether you're a boy or a girl, being diligent is very important."
"Do what you want to do, don't care about other people's opinions."
"Right, what Mom says is right." Zhou Zehan nodded repeatedly and said, "Xiao Yu doesn't work every day and can't even sing English songs. I work every day and I can. Not working makes you stupid."
"Mom, I'll wash sister's clothes."
He excitedly took the clothes soaking beside him for his sister and put them into his own grimy basin, scrubbing them vigorously.
Si Nian: "....."
That afternoon, Si Nian went out early to buy a lot of groceries.
Early the next morning, the Lin family arrived at Old East Street.
The car was packed with people.
Besides the Lin family, the others in the car looked left and right along the way, their eyes full of envy. However, they watched as the car twisted and turned, arriving in an old, rundown district.
A young woman among them said to Zhou Suisui, "Sis, your aunt's family lives in here? It doesn't seem much different from our town."
