Qiao Jie sighed, "We don't really understand the affairs of educated people. For now, it seems there shouldn't be any problems. Let's leave it like this for now. If something really happens, we'll help if we can. You know, Old Ning and his wife have always been honest and upright people. Why did they put this on them?"

"Didn't their children come? Their mother is in such a state, shouldn't they come and comfort her?"

Qiao Jie pursed his lips and shook his head. "I didn't see it. I don't know if he's really busy or just pretending?"

Jiang Qiao snorted, "Busy? No matter how busy they are, can they be more important than our parents? Besides, there's still Sunday. It won't make a difference if we take a little longer. That's why Ning Hao looks down on them."

Qiao Jie gave a wry smile. After living in the same courtyard for so many years, there were some things that even if he didn't want to ask, he couldn't help but figure out what was going on in each other's lives over time.

"Your Grandpa Ning was a teacher his whole life, but it's a pity that he only thought about educating other people's children, but he didn't teach his own children well."

Sigh, every family has its own troubles. Sometimes, raising children is like inviting debts. Like me, I'm actually quite fortunate to have a granddaughter like you by my side. Even if I die, someone will help bury me.

Jiang Qiao glared at the old man and said, "Grandpa Qiao, what are you saying? What do you mean by dying? You'll live to be a hundred. I haven't spent enough time with you yet."

I've already thought it through. When we have the means, I'll bring all of you older folks together. It'll be so lively, you can talk to each other, and you'll have company."

Qiao Jie smiled and patted Jiang Qiao's little braid. "Then Grandpa will wait. But given your grandpa's current situation, they definitely can't get out. When we have time, let's go to the countryside and eat quickly. In a little while, we'll go buy some grain."

It's almost the end of the month again. If it weren't for Director Cui and his group taking up time, the old man would have already gone to queue up.

When it comes to meals, the grandfather and grandson are never the type to settle for less. They eat properly, with a great balance of meat and vegetables. The wild vegetables, in particular, are prepared as a cold dish by the grandfather, who drizzles them with sesame oil, and they taste delicious.

While eating, Jiang Qiao discussed with the old man, "Grandpa Qiao, I'd like to leave for a while. I'll wait until I've bought all the cabbages and other things here before I leave."

While Jiang Qiao was busy preparing winter supplies, Gu Hanting unexpectedly ran into his second son in prison.

Neither the father nor the son expected to meet here.

"Father? What brings you here?"

Gu Zhengfeng quickly finished his work and took leave to return home after receiving the message from his daughter.

Although his daughter mentioned her brother's situation in the letter, there were still some things he wanted to talk to him about in person. He was worried that his daughter might really go out alone. No matter how capable a child is, she is still a young girl. If something happens to her, it's no laughing matter.

When Gu Hanting saw his son, his eyes reddened. "Second brother, you've come to see your older brother too?"

Gu Zhengfeng nodded, patted his two nephews who greeted him, and then helped his elderly father sit down. It wasn't time yet, so the two of them could only wait.

However, there are always exceptions. Because of what Jiang Qiao did last time, almost all the staff in the prison now know about Gu Zhengkai. If it weren't for his help, they wouldn't have known that there was a spy lurking in their prison.

So the news that someone wanted to visit Gu Zhengkai immediately reached Ying Boda's side.

"Oh? His father brought his son along? Quickly arrange for them to meet immediately—"

Gu Zhengfeng and his group didn't expect that they would be invited in before the appointed time.

The family didn't know what was going on, but when Gu Zhixuan saw Gu Zhengkai inside, he rushed over to him.

"dad--"

When Gu Zhengkai saw his son, tears were already streaming down his face. Hearing that his father had brought his child and that his younger brother had also come, he could no longer contain his excitement.

Seeing the father and son crying together, Gu Hanting couldn't help but shed tears as well. His son had aged, thinned, and looked much more weathered.

Even though Gu Zhengfeng tried to control his emotions, he couldn't hold back his tears.

"elder brother--"

"father--"

In an instant, the family hugged each other and cried together, and even the prison guard Liu, who was standing at the door, couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

Gu Zhengfeng was the first to control his emotions. He quickly pulled his elderly father and nephew to sit down and hugged Gu Zhihong, trying to comfort him.

"Father, elder brother, please stop crying. There's a time limit now, so let's hurry up and talk."

The prison guard, Liu, kindly reminded them from outside, "Comrade Gu, don't worry, you can all sleep at our house tonight. Jiang Qiao already told me that from now on, anyone who comes to our house should come to our house. You two chat first, and we'll talk more later."

Gu Zhengfeng thanked them outside. Being allowed to be alone together was already a special favor. There were some things his daughter hadn't explained clearly in her letter, and he didn't have time to pay attention to them for the time being.

The men took the opportunity to chat. Gu Hanting was mainly concerned about his son's situation inside, while Gu Zhengfeng was interested in his elder brother's past.

As they chatted, time flew by. While the others had long since finished their meetings, this family was still engrossed in their conversation inside.

Gu Zhengfeng wasn't completely oblivious. While his father was talking to his older brother, he went out for a smoke and chatted with prison guard Liu.

"Comrade Gu, our prison warden wants to see you. Please come with me—"

When the men got out of prison, Gu Zhengfeng was still a little dazed. His daughter had actually done such a big thing behind his back.

This little girl is both bold and meticulous. Even he himself felt a chill for her when he thought about it. If things hadn't gone well, the child could have really fallen into the hands of the enemy.

Thinking about what Ying Boda had said to him, he felt somewhat complicated and heavy-hearted. His elder brother's matter was indeed quite troublesome, no wonder Qiao'er had to go out to find someone.

Not to mention he was in a heavy mood, so were Gu Hanting and the others. Hearing about it and hearing it for yourself are two different things.

Gu Hanting frowned and sighed as he walked, "Second brother, is your eldest brother's matter going to work? Why is this kid so stubborn? If we can't find someone, then so be it. We can just be ordinary people, why do we have to do it this way?"

Gu Hanting truly felt sorry for his son. Back then, his eldest son was such a spirited and ambitious person. Look at him now, he's almost an old man. He even wondered if his son had gone mad.

Gu Zhengkai's younger brother could understand his feelings. "Dad, we are all people of faith. He may feel wronged, but he wants the organization's recognition and approval even more. Otherwise, he will suffer in his heart if he lives such an ordinary life."

I'll think of something else later.

Gu Zhixuan stared at Gu Zhengfeng with his swollen eyes from crying, "Second Uncle, I'm entrusting my father's matter to you. If only I were older, I could go out and find people to testify for my father."

Gu Zhengfeng patted his nephew's still-childish shoulder and said, "Zhixuan, remember, you just need to grow up well. We adults are here to take care of these things. Besides, the prison and the police are also looking for him."