Chapter 38 Parents’ Rehabilitation

Xie Shiyu stood quietly by the side, silently picking up Gu Qiuhan's luggage that fell on the ground. His tall figure invisibly blocked the curious or well-intentioned gazes around him, and carved out a world that belonged only to the brother and sister who reunited after the disaster.

It wasn't until Gu Qiuyue's sobs gradually subsided that he spoke at the right time. His voice was calm and gentle, dispelling the pervasive sadness: "Brother, you've had a hard time on the way. The car is outside. Let's go home first."

In the car, Gu Qiuyue snuggled up to her brother, her emotions calmed down a little, with traces of tears still on her face, but her eyes were already filled with the genuine joy of regaining what she had lost. She couldn't help but softly ask about Gu Qiuhan's every detail over the years, her voice trembling with the slightest tremor of surviving a disaster.

Gu Qiuhan responded patiently, but his eyes, like a searchlight, swept sharply across Xie Shiyu's upright back in the driver's seat, with the natural protective desire and scrutiny of an older brother.

"Yueyue," Gu Qiuhan spoke casually, his voice steady, his eyes still fixed on Xie Shiyu's profile in the rearview mirror. "Are you getting used to living here? How is Deputy Commander Xie treating you?"

Gu Qiuyue nodded immediately, a bright smile blooming on her face. That smile was pure and dependent, and instantly brightened her eyes: "Brother, Shi Yu is very good and takes special care of me." She added subconsciously, as if eager to prove her choice to the person closest to her.

Xie Shiyu's hands holding the steering wheel did not move, and his steady voice came through the rearview mirror: "Don't worry, brother, Qiuyue is fine, everything is fine at home." He did not use too many flattering words, but only stated the facts, but he had a reassuring power.

Gu Qiuhan hummed softly from his throat, his eyes wandering for a moment between Xie Shiyu's steady back and his sister's trusting smile. For a moment, the only sound in the car was the low roar of the engine, and the pressure of his brother's scrutiny quietly spread.

The door of the courtyard closed behind him, isolating himself from the outside world. Gu Qiuhan's eyes, like the most precise probe, silently swept over every corner of this small home: the wild flowers basking in the sunshine on the windowsill, full of vitality; the tables, chairs and floors that were spotlessly tidy; the natural peace of mind and ease on his sister's face, which was not a forced smile... All of this made Gu Qiuhan's tense heartstrings and picky eyes relax a little imperceptibly.

Xie Shiyu put the luggage away neatly, turned around and walked towards the kitchen, washing the cups and pouring water with familiar movements, and even accurately took out Gu Qiuyue's favorite enamel cup with a red plum print on it from the second layer of the cupboard. His familiarity with this home and his understanding of his sister's living habits all fell silently into Gu Qiuhan's eyes.

Taking advantage of the brief break when Gu Qiuyue went to the kitchen to wash fruit, the air in the living room suddenly became tense. Gu Qiuhan turned his tall body towards Xie Shiyu, and the gentle expression on his face faded, leaving only the sharpness unique to a soldier and the unquestionable desire to protect as an older brother.

"Thank you, Deputy Captain," Gu Qiuhan said straight to the point. His voice was low, but every word was as strong as iron. "Yueyue is the only thing I care about in this world. I haven't been by her side these years. Thank you for protecting her." He paused slightly, his eyes suddenly sharp as a knife. "I heard that you were injured a while ago and recuperating, and it was all thanks to my sister that you took care of me. I'm not one to hold back on favors, but since this concerns Yueyue, I have to say something. If you feel her status will affect your promotion, please set her free."

Xie Shiyu stood straight as a pine tree, facing Gu Qiuhan's scrutinizing gaze without dodging at all.

His eyes were frank and firm, and his voice was steady and powerful, like a rock falling to the ground: “Don’t worry, brother, I already knew Yueyue’s identity when we first met, and a man’s path to promotion depends on himself, and has nothing to do with women.

Besides, I was promoted from battalion commander to deputy regiment commander after marrying Yueyue. If the organization really felt that there was something wrong with Yueyue's background, I would not have been able to get the promotion this time, and they wouldn't even approve my original marriage application. So you can rest assured about this, big brother."

Gu Qiuhan stared at Xie Shiyu's eyes. There was no hesitation or flicker in those deep eyes, and they were firm as if he was swearing to join the party.

Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds, and Gu Qiuhan's tense jawline finally relaxed slightly.

Just at this moment, Gu Qiuyue came back with washed fruits with a bright smile on her face.

Gu Qiuhan took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind. When he turned his gaze to his sister, a huge, uncontrollable smile of excitement suddenly bloomed on his face, and even his voice trembled slightly: "Yueyue, before coming to your place, I went to see my parents first..."

"Brother..." Gu Qiuyue was shocked. Was this cheap brother going to visit the relocated personnel so openly? How could he be so reckless? When she went to visit the two elders before, she was still very secretive!

Gu Qiuhan saw through Gu Qiuyue's thoughts and said with a smile, "You probably don't know yet, but I heard from Grandpa Tang that the higher-ups have already issued a red-headed document rehabilitating my parents. It won't be long before they can return to Beijing and resume their jobs, and all their previous benefits can be restored."

The huge surprise was like a raging tsunami, instantly drowning Gu Qiuyue. The fruit plate in her hand almost fell out of her hand. She suddenly covered her mouth, and tears burst out again. This time, it was pure ecstasy that was enough to drown everything.

"Really? Brother! Really? Dad! Mom!" She babbled incoherently, threw herself over and hugged Gu Qiuhan tightly, then turned around and threw herself into Xie Shiyu's already open arms, "That's great! Shiyu! That's great! Mom and Dad are coming back!"

Xie Shiyu hugged his wife back tightly, feeling her body trembling with ecstasy, his eyes filled with sincere relief and excitement.

Gu Qiuhan watched his sister weep with joy in Xie Shiyu's arms, and the unreserved joy and support in Xie Shiyu's eyes. The brotherly scrutiny he felt finally melted away like ice on a spring day. He walked over to Xie Shiyu, extended his broad, strong hand, and said solemnly, "Shiyu, I'm relieved to leave Yueyue to you."

Xie Shiyu immediately reached out and shook hands firmly. The two men's palms overlapped tightly, conveying trust and entrustment without words: "Brother!" At this moment, all words seemed redundant.

However, the great joy was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake. The ripples it caused had not yet subsided, and a cold undercurrent had quietly grown in the corner of the family compound.

Soon, whispers like those crawling out of the gutter began to spread secretly by the well and under the clotheslines in the family compound:

"Humph, so what if he's a brother? He's stinky to the core!"

"Have you heard? That Gu Qiuyue, her parents are real 'stinking ninths', sent down to the countryside for reform! This stigma can never be washed away!"

"Tsk tsk, Deputy Captain Xie is in big trouble this time. With a father-in-law like this, his future is completely ruined..."