"Shumei, Yaoyao, are you alright?"
When Wu Lihong saw Xie Yuyao and the others, she quickly walked a few steps to them, took their hands, and asked them with concern.
The two smiled and shook their heads. Xie Yuyao asked softly, "Has everyone bought their tickets?"
“We’ve bought it. If we can’t find you, we’ll contact the police.” Wu Lihong said, then looked at the two police officers.
Master Zheng greeted them with a smile: "Officer, I would like to invite the two young ladies over for tea."
"Really?" A tall policeman looked at Xie Yuyao and Yang Shumei, wanting to hear what they had to say.
Xie Yuyao and Yang Shumei exchanged a glance and nodded to the police.
The policeman then looked at Ye Xingchang and Hei Zi, nodded to them, and clearly knew them.
Seeing the bag Ye Xingchang was carrying, he realized they had resolved the matter first, so he turned to Master Zheng and said, "Old Zheng, never do anything illegal or criminal."
"Definitely not."
The police officer then said to the educated youth, "Now that the person has been found, we'll be leaving."
"Thank you, officers, you've gone to so much trouble!" Li Weidong and several other educated youths quickly thanked the two officers and watched them leave.
Now that they had reconciled, Ye Xingchang didn't make things difficult for Master Zheng any further and left with everyone.
Once outside the alley, Li Weidong walked up to Ye Xingchang and said, "Comrade, thank you for rescuing us two educated youths."
"Are you also an educated youth sent to the countryside?" Ye Xingchang asked, turning his head to the side.
"yes."
"Brother Xingchang, this is Li Weidong, the captain of our educated youth team." Yang Shumei introduced the two with a smile. "Brother Li, this is my brother Ye Xingchang."
After shaking hands and exchanging a few pleasantries, Ye Xingchang took out two tea canisters and distributed them to Zhao Dayong and Arong: "Go to the hospital and get checked out."
"Please accept this. I haven't thanked you for your help yet," Zhao Dayong declined.
Ye Xingchang simply handed them the bags, saying, "You're welcome, take them."
Zhao Dayong and Arong thanked them again and turned to leave.
Ye Xingchang looked at the group and said, "Why don't you all come over there and I'll sit down?"
The educated youth exchanged glances, and finally Li Weidong declined, saying, "Thank you! We still need to buy some things, so we won't go. Shumei, you haven't seen Comrade Ye for so long, have a good chat."
Yang Shumei smiled and nodded, then looked at Xie Yuyao, "Yaoyao, what about you?"
She was very curious about how Ye Xingchang and Yao Yao met.
"Let's go together." Before Xie Yuyao could respond, Ye Xingchang invited her.
Xie Yuyao said "okay," and the other educated youths, knowing that the two of them were inseparable, were not surprised by Xie Yuyao's response.
Before leaving, Wu Lihong gave Yang Shumei her train ticket and the remaining money.
Ye Xingchang then learned that Yang Shumei was going home to visit her family this year. "Is it a hard seat? I'll have someone change it for you to a sleeper."
Yang Shumei didn't stand on ceremony and handed the ticket to Ye Xingchang.
A short while later, a familiar military green jeep pulled up beside them. Ye Xingchang opened the back door and let the two girls get in. Then, he got into the passenger seat, while the rest of them walked back.
The car moved slowly, and Xie Yuyao listened quietly to Ye Xingchang and Yang Shumei chatting.
Only then did she realize that Ye Xingchang seemed to be a good friend of her cousin. The reason why she hadn't known Yang Shumei was in Qingshantun for so long was because no one knew where she was.
Fearing that someone might target their daughter, her father hid Yang Shumei from the public eye. Apart from her family and the person in charge, no one knew her whereabouts.
Ye Xingchang comforted him, saying, "The situation in Beijing is becoming clearer. If we just hang in there a little longer, we'll be able to go back in a few years."
"Yes, I'm doing very well now. The brigade leader and the other educated youths take good care of me, and so does Yao Yao." Yang Shumei leaned back comfortably in the car seat, her eyes smiling, and looked at Xie Yuyao. "By the way, Xingchang, you were originally going to rescue Yao Yao, right? How did you two meet?"
“Zhao Honghui is my brother. As for what happened just now, Heizi happened to be running errands near the train station when he saw some educated youths looking for someone. When he learned that it was the two of you who were missing, he told me.” After Ye Xingchang finished speaking, he turned to Xie Yuyao and said, “I have already had someone contact Honghui. He is on his way.”
Xie Yuyao politely replied, "Thank you!"
The jeep drove through the streets and soon arrived at Ye Xingchang's stronghold.
As soon as Xie Yuyao got out of the car, she was hugged tightly.
"Yaoyao, are you hurt?" Zhao Honghui asked urgently, releasing the person in his arms and scanning her up and down for any abnormalities.
Xie Yuyao patted his hand reassuringly, "I'm fine, don't worry. You got here so quickly?"
"I came in the company car, it's good that you're alright." Zhao Honghui then turned around, looked at Ye Xingchang, and said with a smile, "Thanks!"
Ye Xingchang chuckled: "Why be so polite? Let's go inside and talk."
Zhao Honghui looked at Yang Shumei beside him, a warning bell ringing: "You two know each other?"
"Yes, my family and Shumei's uncle's family are old friends. I've watched Shumei grow up since she was a child." Ye Xingchang's voice was gentle and warm, revealing a familiar affection.
Zhao Honghui didn't say anything more and they went inside together.
After everyone was seated, Ye Xingchang poured water and made tea, while Xie Yuyao recounted the incident to Zhao Honghui.
"Zuo Jun," Zhao Honghui gritted his teeth and stood up, "I'm going to the Public Security Bureau. You all have a seat."
Ye Xingchang gestured for him to stop, saying, "Don't worry, I'll handle this. I'll make him regret ever being born."
Zhao Honghui thought for a moment, then sat down again.
“That’s Master Zheng’s apology. You two take a look.” Ye Xingchang pointed to the bag he had brought back on the table.
Xie Yuyao took it over and gave one can to Yang Shumei.
Upon opening it, I chuckled softly.
There were five "reunion" photos inside, which was quite a generous gesture.
Yang Shumei smiled and said, "Perfect timing, we wanted to go shopping at the department store, now we have the money."
"What's wrong? Are you short of money?" Ye Xingchang frowned. That shouldn't be the case. Uncle Yang wouldn't really let her support herself.
"Just kidding! Not to mention that my dad sends money every month, the braised meat business that Yao Yao and I run together has already made quite a bit of money."
Ye Xingchang asked curiously, "Oh? How did you do that?"
Yang Shumei then told him the relevant information. They had just mentioned Qi Tai, so Xingchang must know Qi Tai too. There was nothing she couldn't say.
"Oh! So you guys had this business with Qi Tai? I had no idea." Ye Xingchang pointed at Zhao Honghui after hearing this, feigning anger.
Zhao Honghui laughed and said, "It's just a small business, nothing to brag about."
"What, you have another big business deal?" Yang Shumei asked in surprise.
Ye Xingchang smiled and said, "Don't worry about it. What do you want to eat for lunch? I'll have someone get some takeout from the state-run restaurant."
Yang Shumei pursed her lips at his abrupt change of topic and started discussing dishes with Xie Yuyao.
After lunch, the four of them went to the department store together.
When they came out, Zhao Honghui and Ye Xingchang were carrying large bags and small packages of various items. They were chatting and laughing with Xie Yuyao and Yang Shumei, looking just like two couples.
This scene was witnessed by Liu Dazui from Qingshantun. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
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