What?
This is absurd.
Father Pei’s face turned livid with rage.
Pei Zhengnian was throwing his future away.
He was the youngest regiment commander in the country.
The former head of the Central Army Corps—even if he had been demoted, it wouldn’t be long before he climbed back up.
Now, voluntarily transferring to this remote military district as a mere company commander? What was this if not recklessness?
Grandpa Pei fell silent for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Good, well done! That’s my Pei family’s child."
"Dad, you’re praising this brat?" Father Pei was beside himself with fury.
This was even more infuriating than his own demotion.
"Laying low, biding his time—even you, his father, don’t see as clearly as he does." Grandpa Pei clasped his hands behind his back, shooting a disdainful look at his eldest son.
Father Pei shut his mouth, stewing in silent anger.
Feng Kangping never expected that a simple task like escorting exiled individuals would involve the military.
But what was so impressive about a lowly company commander?
Feng Kangping snorted through his nose, his face twisted in contempt.
He had the backing of a high-ranking official in the capital.
Why should he fear some insignificant officer?
Letting one person go was no big deal—the important one was the old man.
"Regiment Commander Tian, don’t say our Revolutionary Committee is disregarding the military’s dignity. This man is a designated exile, ideologically problematic. We must follow protocol."
"Of course. However, the others are all military dependents."
Tian Chengyi did his utmost to shield the rest of the Pei family.
"Fine. I’ll do you this favor today, Regiment Commander Tian."
"Take him. Let’s go."
At Feng Kangping’s command, his two lackeys seized Father Pei’s arms.
Pei Zhengnian tensed, but Tian Chengyi clamped a firm hand on his shoulder, shaking his head in warning.
"The vehicles are outside. I’ll escort you to Wang Family Village."
"Thank you, Regiment Commander Tian."
Outside the train station, two tractors and two military-green jeeps were parked.
Clearly, the jeeps were brought by Tian Chengyi to transport Pei Zhengnian and his family.
The tractors, on the other hand, belonged to Feng Kangping’s group.
One of them reeked foully, loaded with cages of chicks and ducklings, their droppings splattered everywhere.
"Our vehicle is full. You’ll ride in the back."
The Red Armband lackeys shoved Father Pei onto the manure-covered tractor—standard treatment for exiles.
Pei’s Mother watched, tears streaming down her face.
"How can you do this? There’s space in the other tractor!"
Pei Yunxi’s eyes reddened, her voice choked with emotion.
The Red Armbands grinned mockingly.
"Oh? My backside’s too big—I need two seats."
"I like to stretch out when I ride."
"I prefer rolling around."
Feng Kangping loved tormenting naive young girls.
"Does it hurt? Uncle here knows just how to heal a broken heart. Guaranteed relief."
"You dare harass my sister?"
Pei Yunzhou lunged, ready to slap Feng Kangping, but Pei Zhengnian yanked him back by the collar.
"Kid, you can eat whatever you want, but watch your words."
"I didn’t say or do anything."
"Accusing a Revolutionary Committee member? That sounds like ideological deviance to me."
Feng Kangping relished the chaos—it gave him an excuse to crush them all.
"Feng Kangping, enough." Tian Chengyi’s voice carried a sharp warning.
Feng Kangping rolled his eyes, utterly unfazed.
"Feng Kangping. Team Leader Feng?"
"I’ll remember you."
Pei Zhengnian’s gaze was like ice, sharp enough to cut.
Feng Kangping shivered involuntarily.
Lately, everyone he met—men and women alike—seemed terrifying.
Must be bad luck. After this, he’d have his mother perform a cleansing ritual.
Pei Zhengnian hauled the twins into the jeep. "Stay put. Don’t cause trouble."
Pei Yunxi and Pei Yunzhou sat rigidly, not daring to breathe.
Second Brother was furious. Terrifying.
---
Yongxiu County Bus Station.
"Comrade, please, just let us board!"
"We’ll bring the fare tomorrow—we swear!"
"We won’t skip out on the payment!"
Jiang Shuyi and Song Qingyang pleaded desperately, but the ticket seller for the Ning’an Town bus refused outright.
"No money? No ride!"
"Got legs? Use them!"
"Expecting a free ride? Dream on."
Before they could protest further, the driver floored the gas, leaving them coughing in a cloud of dust.
Jiang Shuyi and Song Qingyang stood by the roadside, looking even more pitiful than beggars.
When they’d been arrested, they were planting corn in the mountains—pockets emptier than their faces.
With no other choice, they began the long walk.
Fate, however, had a twisted sense of humor.
After an hour of trudging, the familiar sputter of an engine approached.
Feng Kangping’s tractor, packed with Red Armbands, rumbled into view.
Overjoyed, Jiang Shuyi and Song Qingyang waved frantically.
But the sight of Feng Kangping in the passenger seat made Jiang Shuyi’s smile falter—a flash of hatred masked by forced cheer.
"Team Leader Feng, what a coincidence! Mind giving us a lift?"
"What luck, Jiang Shuyi."
Feng Kangping pinched his nose.
He’d planned to ignore them, but remembering Jiang Shuyi’s release had been ordered by Yu Zhen gave him pause.
Even if the evidence was fabricated, if Yu Zhen intervened, there might be connections he couldn’t ignore.
In the end, Feng Kangping agreed—but there was no way he’d share a seat with these two reeking wrecks.
"Fine. But this vehicle’s full. You’ll have to ride the other one."
Full? Impossible.
Jiang Shuyi saw right through his disgust.
But beggars couldn’t be choosers.
When they saw the second tractor’s cargo—chickens, ducks, and their droppings—they froze.
Still, it beat walking.
Jiang Shuyi steeled herself and climbed aboard.
Then she spotted Father Pei among the filth.
Her breath caught.
Why was he here?
Where was Pei Zhengnian?
She turned—and there he was, sitting in the jeep’s passenger seat.
Ah—!
