Qing Xuanzi waited until Rong Lianhu approached before whispering, "I discovered someone transmitting a message; they might be an enemy agent. I came to tell you right away, so you can decide what to do."

Upon hearing this, Rong Lianhu's expression instantly turned serious: "Where?"

Qing Xuanzi pointed in the direction they had just come from: "It's in a small courtyard outside the town. I've already observed it. That person should be a member of a family, but their exact identity is still unclear."

Rong Lianhu nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "Okay, I'll notify my superiors right away. You wait here for me."

Qing Xuanzi nodded, holding Rong Jiaojiao as he stood there waiting.

Not long after, Rong Lianhu returned with several soldiers. This was the result of a quick discussion among the higher-ups, who ordered them to check the situation first.

"Brother, please wait for us in the car with Jiaojiao. We'll handle the rest."

Rong Lianhu said, his eyes serious, no longer showing the carefree demeanor he used to have in front of Qing Xuanzi.

Qing Xuanzi, however, advised, "That place is only a few dozen meters from the main road. If you park your car there, he might notice."

Rong Lianhu shook his head: "We'll take you and Jiaojiao back first, and then go and confirm your location."

What he didn't say was the instruction from his superiors: to play the long game and catch the big fish.

Qing Xuanzi frowned slightly, but quickly understood what Rong Lianhu meant.

He nodded: "I don't understand these things, you guys be careful."

Rong Lianhu nodded: "Don't worry, we are all well-trained soldiers, this little thing is no problem for us."

He looked at Rong Jiaojiao, wanting to reach out and hug her, but he was radiating coldness and couldn't bear to chill her, so he could only watch her longingly.

The car was driven out quickly, and Qing Xuanzi, carrying Rong Jiaojiao, got into the car with Rong Lianhu and the others.

Inside the car, Rong Jiaojiao was already very sleepy. Her little head rested on Qing Xuanzi's shoulder, her eyes closed, and she mumbled in her sleep, "Father Xi, Youyou..."

Qing Xuanzi chuckled softly, patted her back gently, and said softly, "Good girl, Jiao Bao, Master will stew some meat for you tomorrow."

Rong Lianhu sat in the passenger seat, glanced back at them, his eyes full of guilt: "Brother, I'm so sorry to have troubled you and made Jiaojiao suffer along with you."

Qing Xuanzi smiled and said in a relaxed tone, "I'm fine, it's just that Jiao Bao has had a hard time following me today."

The car quickly arrived outside the town. As they passed the small courtyard, Qing Xuanzi said, "This is it. That man lives in the side room. There is a basement under his bed. The telegraph sound comes from there."

Rong Lianhu nodded: "We understand. Leave the rest to us."

Qing Xuanzi nodded and said nothing more.

Rong Lianhu drove them home, only managing to glance at his daughter briefly before turning back and leaving.

Qing Xuanzi carried Rong Jiaojiao into the house. The house was cold and sterile, and he frowned slightly.

After dusting the kang (a heated brick bed) several times, Qing Xuanzi took out a quilt from the cabinet and laid it out before heating the kang. Soon, the whole room became warm, and Qing Xuanzi then placed Rong Jiaojiao on the kang.

Rong Jiaojiao groggily opened her eyes, saw Qing Xuanzi, and called out in a soft, sweet voice, "Father Xi..."

"Hmm, is Jiaobao hungry? Master will make you some milk powder, let's drink it and then go to sleep."

He quickly made her some formula, and the little girl drank it all with her eyes closed before going back to sleep.

Qing Xuanzi had been busy all day and felt very tired. After tidying himself up, he went straight to sleep.

The next day, the earth was covered in white, and snow was still falling heavily from the sky.

Qing Xuanzi quickly got up and, seeing that Rong Jiaojiao was still asleep, went to cook porridge.

He doesn't know how to make many breakfasts. Besides various kinds of porridge, he usually makes steamed buns and dumplings. So this morning, he made lean meat porridge as usual, and heated up a few steamed buns. He can eat them with meat sauce later.

In the military compound, Fu Ya got up but didn't see Rong Lianhu. She figured he must have gone on an emergency mission.

Seeing that the two brothers in the yard had already spontaneously started practicing their boxing, I heated up some cornbread for them on the small stove, then quickly washed up and went to work.

Before leaving, he instructed: "Aim high and have lofty aspirations. Keep the cornbread warm on the stove, remember to eat it later. After I leave, close the door first, in case someone comes in and asks you all sorts of questions."

Rong Zhigao and Rong Zhiyuan answered in unison, "We know, Mom."

Rong Zhigao hadn't heard Rong Lianhu's voice or seen him, so he asked in confusion, "Mom, where's Dad? I can't see him."

Fu Ya said, "Your dad went on an emergency mission last night. After you finish eating, shovel the snow in the yard."

"knew!"

Fu Ya was wrapped in thick cotton-padded clothes and trousers, and wore a military overcoat before riding her bicycle out.

The soldiers had cleared the roads from the family compound to the hospital and town early in the morning, but the snow on the roads still made it difficult to ride bicycles.

Fu Ya lowered her head, gripped the handlebars tightly, and rode forward with difficulty. The cold wind stung her face like a knife.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Fu Ya quickly parked her bicycle, strode into the outpatient building, and threw herself into her work, completely unaware that her daughter, whom she had missed day and night, had returned.

In the town, the snow continued to fall heavily, covering the whole world in a pure white blanket.

The room was warm and cozy. Qing Xuanzi sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), looking at the snow scene outside the window, waiting for Rong Jiaojiao to wake up.

Not long after, Rong Jiaojiao rubbed her eyes and groggily peeked out from under the covers.

When she saw Qing Xuanzi, she listlessly called out in a soft, sweet voice, "Father Xi..."

The person stopped moving and slumped over there. Qing Xuanzi smiled and leaned over, gently rubbing her hair: "Jiaobao, did you sleep well?"

Rong Jiaojiao nestled her head in her master's palm, looked up at the heavy snow outside the window, and asked in confusion, "Father Xi, bye-bye!"

Qing Xuanzi followed her gaze and saw that the earth outside the window was covered in silver, and the branches were covered with crystal-clear ice flowers, as if it were a fairy tale world.

Qing Xuanzi laughed and said, "That's snow, not white."

"Jiaobao, would you like to go out and play in the snow?"

Upon hearing the word "play," Rong Jiaojiao immediately perked up, her eyes widening instantly, and she nodded vigorously: "Yes!"

Seeing her excited little face, Qing Xuanzi smiled and got up. He took out a thick cotton-padded coat and a cotton hat from the closet and helped Rong Jiaojiao put them on. As he dressed her, he said, "Let's go pee first, then wash our faces and eat. After we eat, your father will take you to build a snowman!"

Rong Jiaojiao nodded obediently: "Okay, sweetie, I'll listen to Father Xi!"

With just a few words, Qing Xuanzi was all smiles. He quickly took care of everything for Rong Jiaojiao, helping her wash up and serving her rice.

Watching her carefully feed the porridge into her mouth spoonful by spoonful, Qing Xuanzi nodded in satisfaction.

It's still necessary to keep practicing limb coordination. After she's had enough playing, get her a pair of chopsticks and let her pick up beans.