At the Zhang family in Northeast China, Zhang's father also received the belated reply. He opened it and took out a few pieces of paper. "Mother, where are the reading glasses that Jiaojiao bought for me?"

Zhang's mother opened the drawer under the kangqin and complained, "It's right next to you, why are you so anxious? What did Xiaowu say? Is he okay?"

"No, didn't Brother Guang say they might be on a business trip?" Father Zhang took the glasses from his wife's hand. "Here's the letter too, don't worry."

"Why should I worry? My son can handle it."

Zhang Dad understood his wife's inconsistency. He laughed and said, "You're right. Let me read you what my son said."

The afterglow of the setting sun illuminated the window red. Mother Zhang, who was lying on the kang, stared at her husband with wide eyes, wishing she could grab him and take a look at him herself.

"... Dad, the autumn harvest is almost here. Are you too busy to go back to the village? You better take it easy. I hope you and Mom live long...

"...Recently, I've been dreaming about you and my mother eating steamed bread with pickles. Your clothes are patched up. Is my mother still reluctant to eat or use them? Please help me persuade her. The weather is going to get colder soon, so you must keep warm..."

"... Let's not compete with the villagers for the little firewood we have on the mountain. Don't give away your coal briquette tickets this time. Let my brothers buy some for you early and keep them at home..."

"...Tell my mom that Jiaojiao has already started buying wool. She'll be able to knit sweaters for you and me before winter comes, so my mom can do less housework..."

"...The children are all very sensible... We don't have long vacations, so we can't go back home to be with you. When will you and my mother come to Beijing? If there's anything missing, be sure to tell your eldest son..."

As Father Zhang's voice rose and fell, Mother Zhang wiped her tears and grinned.

"Mother, why don't you go over there one of these days?" Father Zhang stopped reading halfway and sighed secretly. His most beloved son was still too far away.

Mother Zhang wiped her face vigorously, shook her head, and said hoarsely, "What else? Come and see what our Xiaowu said."

Father Zhang shook his head helplessly. "If you keep wiping away your tears, I've already told Xiaowu. If you miss your son, go ahead. There's a Xiaomi sports car, so you don't have to worry about anything happening if you go with her."

"You don't understand! Xizi is getting married, and it's for the old family. How can I be at ease? There's also my eldest grandson, I have to keep an eye on him."

Father Zhang thought to himself: You are really busy!

"That's great! May our ancestors bless you. Come and see if our Xiaowu has said anything. Why did he write so late? Did something happen to him?"

Father Zhang was pushed by her and jokingly said, "Why don't you look at it yourself?"

"Aren't you just bullying me because I can't read?"

"You're not illiterate now. You can even write Xiaowu's name. If anyone dares to look down on you, I'll beat him to death. Mother, why don't you write a few words for your son?"

"father?"

Outside came the sound of Zhang Laoer's hurried footsteps and loud shouts.

Father Zhang on the kang climbed to the window in surprise, stretched his neck to look out, "How old are you? Still so irritable, your father is here."

Zhang Laoer ran in without even looking at Zhang's mother, and whispered something in his father's ear.

Father Zhang was so shocked that his eyes widened in disbelief.

Zhang's mother vaguely heard something about escape, airplane, and death of a family member. Seeing her husband standing there in a daze and motionless, she hurriedly reached out and pushed him.

"Oh my god. Second brother, did you hear it wrong? How is it possible? Impossible. Someone said today that he is a good soldier of Koukou."

Zhang Laoer was also terrified. As soon as he heard the news, he ran to find his father. "Uncle Zuo said that when he got the news last night, he didn't believe it just like you. But it's absolutely true."

"Dad, Xiaowu hasn't replied to my letter for a while. Do you think it's related to this? I heard from Uncle Zuo that this time it's going to be a complete upheaval, and a lot of people will be involved."

Father Zhang was still in a daze.

Zhang's mother grabbed the letter and shook it at her son. "Pfft, what are you talking about? Your brother is fine. He just wrote to you."

Zhang Laoer immediately slapped his mouth. "Mom, you misunderstood. Uncle Zuo told me a long time ago that this matter has nothing to do with Uncle Zhou. Maybe our Xiaowu still has a chance to rise up. He didn't explain it clearly, so I don't want to ask any more. Do you think he means that this fool should get involved?"

Father Zhang slapped him on the head, "What nonsense! Where's your brain? Didn't he say that a lot of people would be involved? You don't understand what he said."

Zhang Laoer rubbed his head and asked, "Dad, what does that mean?"

Father Zhang gave him a disdainful look. "With so many people coming down, your brother has a chance to go up, you idiot! If our Xiaowu gets involved, would Zuo Lin dare to tell you the truth?"

Zhang Lao Er heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this, patting his chest. "That's good. I couldn't wait for Xiao Wu's letter. It was something so big that I couldn't react all of a sudden."

Mother Zhang looked suspiciously at her husband, then at her son, and asked in surprise, "Who is so capable that he could cause so many people to get into trouble?"

Father Zhang waved his hand to stop his son from speaking. "You'll know in a few days. Let's not meddle in the affairs of these important people. We should just do what the higher-ups say."

When Zhang Laoer heard what he said, his gaze on his mother suddenly froze. He lowered his head to pick up the letter, rolled his eyes secretly, and said that his mother looked like she had been crying.

Father Zhang stretched out his leg and kicked him, "What else? You don't have to go to work."

"I've already said hello to my colleagues. Dad, how about you and my mom go to the capital in a few days?"

Father Zhang shook his head. "There's no telling what's going on outside. What are you going to do in this chaos? Your mother is still worried about her eldest grandson's marriage. She's busy."

Zhang's mother rolled her eyes at her husband and shook her head at her son. "Xiaowu hasn't been back home for a long time. He should have some time off at the end of the year to attend the wedding. I won't go."

Zhang Laoer frowned upon hearing this. Come back? He didn't want his silly brother to return home at this critical moment, especially not to attend the wedding.

But how do I tell this to my parents?

Oh, so there are so many people trying to get their hands on Xiaowu, your eldest grandson's wedding will be packed? Or is it that many people now turn to Xiaowu whenever they run into trouble?

If I hadn't been holding him back, I'd probably have a lot of trouble with the little things back home. Coming back? No travel expenses, no money!

He suspected that if he said these words, he might get beaten.

"What's wrong?"

Zhang Laoer paused, "My eldest brother discussed with me a few days ago that he wants Xizi's wedding to be simple, and it would be best if we don't even have a banquet."

Zhang's mother immediately shook her head, "No, this won't do..."

Father Zhang patted her and said, "Listen to what the child has to say first." He looked at his son and said, "Your brother didn't even mention it before me. Tell me what he really thinks."