Chapter 213: Returning with a Mission
Chapter 213: Chapter 213: Returning with a Mission
It was clear Hua Yusen had feelings for Zhao Nuanyue. Maybe they really would end up together someday.
"Heh, no, that’s Zhao Nuanyue, one of the youths sent down to our village. That’s her younger brother, Zhao Nuan Yang, and her little sister, Little Red Carp," Director Li explained. "Mr. Zhao had already arrived by the time you left for the city. How could you not know them?"
"Oh, I see. I didn’t recognize her," Li Shan said with a smile, not saying anything more. But his gaze still drifted unconsciously toward Zhao Nuanyue, lost in thought.
They finally made it back to Nianqiao Village just before dusk. Zhao Nuanyue quickly picked up Little Red Carp, and Zhao Nuan Yang grabbed their many bags as they hurried to the Dragon King Temple, feeling a little unsettled.
Meanwhile, when Li Shan returned home, Li Siming and Liu Lanhua were stunned. ’Judging by the time, this shouldn’t be happening, should it?’
"Son? You... why are you back? Did you get in trouble?" Liu Lanhua was so anxious she was on the verge of tears. The only reason she could still hold her head high in the village was because she had a son working in the city. If her son also got in trouble and lost his job, she would truly be too ashamed to face anyone ever again.
Hearing his mother’s words, Li Shan laughed. "Of course not. I was commended for meritorious service, so my superiors approved a vacation for me to come home and visit. I’ll go back in a month."
"Ah?" Liu Lanhua froze, then began patting her son all over. "Commended? Then were you injured?"
Li Shan took his mother’s hands. "Mom, your son wasn’t injured. I’m just on leave to come visit. Don’t overthink it."
Li Siming, who was standing to the side, didn’t step forward, but hearing his son’s words, he also felt a sense of relief.
’If their son had gotten into trouble too, they would have truly lost all hope.’
Seeing that his parents had aged considerably, that their home had fallen into disrepair, and that his younger sister, Yingzi, had become timid and afraid to approach, Li Shan asked, "Dad, Mom, have you been okay these past two years since I left?"
At their son’s question, Li Siming and Liu Lanhua exchanged a glance and couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
Before their son left for his post, their family had been one of the more well-off households in the village. But after a few incidents, things had come to this. They hadn’t wanted to tell their son, but considering how the villagers gossiped, they figured he would eventually hear bits and pieces anyway. It was better if he heard it from them.
"Ai, a lot has happened to our family since you left." Li Siming sighed, his face grim. "You understand, Wang Dadan was the one who got you your position, so we had to do things for him. And you know the kind of person Wang Dadan is... he took a liking to one of the educated youths in the village..."
Li Siming and Liu Lanhua took turns explaining to Li Shan.
Listening to his parents, Li Shan could completely imagine how difficult the past two years must have been for them.
He was heartbroken and furious, but when he thought about the mission he had for this trip home, he knew he couldn’t be rash. Otherwise, he would end up like his parents—trying to get ahead only to have it backfire spectacularly.
When his parents finished speaking, Li Shan got off the stool, knelt directly before them, and kowtowed. "Dad, Mom, I’ve made you suffer. From now on, your son will work hard and strive to get ahead. I will bring honor to you."
Tears streamed down Li Siming and Liu Lanhua’s faces when they heard their son’s words. Liu Lanhua quickly helped him up, saying, "Son, the Li family is counting on you. You have no idea how much that Zhao Nuanyue has bullied us. Last time, up on the mountain, she actually pushed me into a fast-flowing stream. If your Aunt Cuihua hadn’t pulled me out, I would have either drowned or been bashed to death on the rocks."
Hearing his wife say this, Li Siming worried his son would get worked up and go looking for trouble with Zhao Nuanyue directly. If that happened, even with his commendation, he’d be in for it. After all, Nianqiao Village wasn’t the same as it used to be. Because of her basket weaving, Zhao Nuanyue had become a VIP in Nianqiao Village. Everyone treated her with the utmost respect. Anyone who crossed Zhao Nuanyue would naturally be crossing the entire village.
When Li Shan heard this, his already small eyes narrowed into slits, emitting a chilling glint.
"Mom, I will definitely get revenge for you," Li Shan declared. ’Before, I thought Zhao Nuanyue was quite pretty and it would be a shame. But now... heh... she can’t blame me for being ruthless.’
Seeing his son like this, Li Siming quickly said, "Son, for a gentleman, ten years is not too long to wait for revenge. Our family is in a weak position right now, but with you here, we won’t be weak forever. When you’ve grown stronger, then we can get our revenge."
Hearing his father’s words, Li Shan paused for a moment, took a few deep breaths, and then nodded. "Dad, you’re right. I can’t act on impulse and throw away my bright future. Don’t worry, I’ll work hard at my post, try to earn more commendations, and bring you honor."
"Son, as your parents, even though we hope you’ll earn honors and bring us glory, we hope even more that you’ll stay safe," Liu Lanhua reminded him, worried he would work himself to the bone at his post and sacrifice himself. If that happened, they would have nothing. "You must remember, if a person is dead, what’s the use of even the greatest commendations!"
Li Shan nodded. "Mom, I know. I won’t joke around with my own life."
Li Ying heard her brother’s words and slowly raised her head. "Brother, you’ve worked hard."
Li Shan patted his sister’s head and said with a chuckle, "It’s not hard work. My unit is starting to recruit workers. I’ll pull some strings for Yingzi. If possible, I’ll get Yingzi a spot in the city."
"Ah?" Liu Lanhua and Li Siming were both stunned, not reacting for a moment.
"Big Brother, can I really go to the city?" Li Ying’s eyes widened as she looked at her brother in disbelief. She remembered how much effort their parents had put into getting him a position in the city.
Li Shan nodded, smiling as he patted his sister’s head again. "Of course, you can. My little sister is so pretty and has such a nice voice. You can sing and dance. A position in an art troupe would be perfect. Then you can marry into a good family and live a good life forever."
Hearing her brother’s praise, Li Ying grew shy. Her face flushed red with embarrassment, and she lowered her head.
"Brother, I’m not as good as you say. You shouldn’t praise me like that," Li Ying said, shaking her head. "Dad, Mom, you two chat with Brother. I’ll go make dinner for him."
Liu Lanhua was, of course, overjoyed to hear her son’s words. She then looked at her daughter and nodded. "Oh dear, I was so busy talking since your brother got back that I completely forgot he hasn’t eaten yet! Go on, hurry and make your brother something nice to eat. We have eggs in the house, use a few extra."
"Okay, I know, Mom. I’ll make Brother a bowl of egg noodles," Li Ying said with a smile, then headed to the kitchen.
Li Siming turned to his son, Li Shan, his gaze intense. "Shanzi, what you said just now about your sister being able to go to the city... is that true? You’re not just saying that to make your sister happy, are you?"