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◎The Fiftyth Day of the King of Scrolls◎
Jiang Wanzhou was stunned.
In Shen Xinglian's eyes, there was an undeniable determination.
"Xingxing, don't be impulsive." Jiang Wanzhou lowered her voice. "We haven't confirmed if it's the Ren family. We haven't confirmed your background either. Even if it is, it doesn't mean Mingyuan will repeat the same mistakes."
“We have already changed our destiny, and perhaps we can change Mingyuan’s destiny.”
Shen Xinglian smiled bitterly, her gaze fixed on the view outside the window.
Mingyuan was chasing after the butterflies, his laughter ringing out like a string of wind chimes.
But that laughter only made her heart ache more.
“Wanzhou, you don’t understand.” Her voice was so low it was almost carried away by the wind. “I can’t just stand by and watch Mingyuan get hurt. If Jiang Renzhou really is from the Ren family, and the main storyline can’t be changed, I’d rather take Mingyuan away than let him step into that vortex.”
Jiang Wanzhou remained silent.
Shen Xinglian was not joking.
This is a mother's bottom line, and also her fear.
“Then let’s find out the truth first,” Jiang Wanzhou said slowly. “Before my brother comes back, let’s find out the details of the Ren family. If it really is that Ren family, then we’ll find a way to protect Mingyuan. Maybe we can avoid Su Xiaomei and prevent her from contacting Mingyuan.”
Shen Xinglian's gaze softened slightly, but quickly hardened again: "I will keep an eye on it."
The next day, Zhou Qingyu and Jiang Wanzhou went to the security department.
"Comrade Ren," Zhou Qingyu said bluntly, "we need more details. When and where did your uncle leave the child at the small mountain temple? Were there any special markings?"
Ren Fu'an thought for a moment and then took out an old cloth bag from his pocket.
Inside was half a silver lock engraved with the character "舟" (boat).
“This was given to the child by my uncle, but I can only show it to you.” He held it carefully. “My uncle said that the child was wearing a blue cotton-padded jacket with plum blossoms embroidered on the cuffs.”
Jiang Wanzhou's pupils contracted slightly.
She did see such a cotton-padded jacket when she was a child, but it was later torn and turned into a vest by Jiang's mother.
It was worn by Jiang Tiezhu.
“There’s one more thing,” Ren Fu’an hesitated for a moment, “My uncle said there’s a small fleshy lump behind the child’s left ear.”
Jiang Wanzhou and Zhou Qingyu exchanged a glance.
They had never noticed this detail.
But if it's true, then Jiang Renzhou's identity can be almost confirmed.
Back home, Jiang Wanzhou told Shen Xinglian about her discovery that day.
“Sister-in-law,” her voice was somewhat heavy, “except for the one behind the ear, the rest match up.”
Shen Xinglian gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white: "I understand. Wanzhou, I've made up my mind. If my brother really is a member of the Ren family, I will take Mingyuan away from the island, and at least until Mingyuan grows up, I will not return to the Ren family's circle."
Jiang Wanzhou thought for a moment and nodded: "I support you. But we need to tell my brother first, we can't keep it from him."
Shen Xinglian took a deep breath: "Okay. We'll tell him together when he gets back."
In the evening, Chen Liye came again.
His expression was grave: "Qingyu, Comrade Jiang, I've found out. The Ren family does indeed have a missing child."
The day Jiang Renzhou returned, a light rain was falling on the island.
The wind, carrying raindrops, pattered against the military uniform.
My clothes were wet and felt heavy against my shoulders.
He was carrying an old canvas bag containing a wooden carving for Mingyuan.
Carved during a break in the mission.
The courtyard gate creaked.
Mingyuan was playing with building blocks under the eaves when he looked up and saw him. He jumped up instantly and exclaimed, "Dad! You're back!"
Jiang Renzhou bent down, caught his son, and lifted him high in the air.
"Do you miss Dad? Dad misses you."
"Yes!" Mingyuan hugged his neck and kissed him on the cheek. "Mom and Auntie haven't been very happy these past few days."
What happened at home?
Jiang Renzhou put the person down.
Shen Xinglian came out of the kitchen, still clutching a spatula in her hand, her eyes reddening: "You're back, dinner will be ready soon."
Jiang Renzhou saw the spatula in her hand and smiled: "Don't rush, I'll do it. You play with Mingyuan for a while first."
He glanced outside the courtyard; Zhou Qingyu and Jiang Wanzhou were following behind.
Dinner was eaten quietly.
Mingyuan held the wooden airplane carving, chattering incessantly. Jiang Renzhou occasionally responded, but his hands slowed down as he ate his rice, his eyes darting around, always landing on the three of them.
After dinner, Shen Xinglian coaxed Mingyuan to sleep.
When I returned, I saw Jiang Renzhou sitting on the porch smoking.
Zhou Qingyu and Jiang Wanzhou sat opposite each other, drinking water.
"My sister-in-law is here."
"Brother, there's something I need to tell you." Jiang Wanzhou clutched the hem of her clothes.
Jiang Renzhou stubbed out his cigarette, tossed the butt into the rain, looked up at her, and asked calmly, "Is it related to my background?"
All three of them were stunned.
"How did you know?" Jiang Wanzhou blurted out.
"Uncle Chen mentioned on the phone that someone surnamed Ren was looking for me."
Jiang Renzhou smiled wryly and rubbed his knees.
Zhou Qingyu handed over the photo and the silver lock.
Jiang Renzhou picked up the photo, his fingers rubbing the edge of the paper, not even noticing that the corner of the paper was curled up.
The young woman holding the baby had features that resembled his.
"There's a small fleshy lump behind my left ear, and the blue cotton-padded jacket I wore when I was little..." Shen Xinglian added softly.
“The small fleshy bumps can be removed with a thin thread when the child is young,” Zhou Qingyu said.
The rain was falling heavily, making a "whoosh" sound as it hit the tiles.
Jiang Renzhou remained silent for a long time, so long that Jiang Wanzhou thought he was about to collapse.
He spoke, his voice a little hoarse: "Wanzhou, you will always be my sister. For the rest of my life."
Jiang Wanzhou's tears fell instantly: "Brother..."
"I need to go see the Ren family." Jiang Renzhou looked up, his eyes resolute.
He paused, then looked at Shen Xinglian.
"I assure you that it will not affect our lives."
Shen Xinglian felt a warmth in her heart, followed by a tightening: "How much do you know about the Ren family?"
"Uncle Chen didn't go into details, only saying that his background is not simple." Jiang Renzhou shook his head. "What's wrong?"
Zhou Qingyu revealed the relationship between Su Xiaomei and the Ren family.
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a knock came from outside the courtyard gate.
A woman in a blue cotton shirt stood in the rain, holding a black umbrella.
It's Su Xiaomei.
"Commander Jiang, I heard you're back?" She smiled and walked inside, her gaze sweeping across the corridor before finally settling on the inner room. "I've come to visit my cousin, Ren Fu'an."
Jiang Renzhou didn't get up, staring at her umbrella: "Ren Fu'an isn't here."
"He's not here?" Su Xiaomei was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "Then I'll wait a bit? Or you can tell me the address, and I'll go find him."
“No need.” Jiang Renzhou’s tone hardened. “He’s staying at the place arranged by the security department. Go there and ask.”
Su Xiaomei's smile froze, and she stood motionless in the rain.
Jiang Renzhou looked at her, his eyes hardening: "If you have nothing else, please leave."
Shen Xinglian immediately stood up and blocked the doorway to the inner room, her tone turning cold: "Comrade Ren's accommodation is arranged by the security department, not here. If you want to find him, go over there."
Su Xiaomei's smile froze for a moment, then she turned to Mingyuan's room: "I heard Mingyuan is here, so I brought some candy for the child to try."
"No need." Jiang Renzhou stood up and moved closer to Shen Xinglian. "The child needs to sleep, sister-in-law, please go back."
Su Xiaomei's expression changed, but she didn't say anything more. She turned and walked into the rain, the edge of her umbrella pulled low, so her expression couldn't be seen.
The moment the door closed, Shen Xinglian's hands were still trembling.
Jiang Renzhou held her hand, the warmth of his palm making her feel more at ease: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
The rain was still falling, and the lights under the eaves cast a warm glow.
The next morning, Ren Fu'an came looking for Jiang Renzhou.
Jiang Renzhou didn't agree immediately, but said he needed to call his parents first, and specifically instructed, "It's okay to recognize relatives, but don't let the Ren family come to the island."
Ren Fu'an hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "I understand, don't worry."
After Ren Fu'an left, Jiang Renzhou went into the kitchen.
Shen Xinglian was chopping vegetables, and the potato shreds on the cutting board were cut unevenly.
He leaned closer and took the kitchen knife from her hand: "I'll do it, you take a break."
Shen Xinglian didn't let go: "You just got back, you must be tired."
"Not tired." Jiang Renzhou took the knife and clumsily started cutting, breaking the potato shreds into small pieces like sticks. "I'll take care of the phone call with Mom at the team headquarters this afternoon."
Shen Xinglian looked at his hands, noticing the calluses on his knuckles from missions, and her heart softened.
"If things aren't going well with Mom, I'll handle it."
"I know." Jiang Renzhou nodded, the kitchen knife clattering against the cutting board. "It's just a formality with the Ren family."
In the afternoon, Jiang Renzhou had just hung up when Zhou Qingyu rushed over: "Big brother, something bad has happened, Su Xiaomei went to find Ren Fu'an."
Jiang Renzhou's heart tightened: "What does she want with Ren Fu'an?"
"I heard from the security department that Su Xiaomei advised Ren Fu'an to urge you to go to the Ren family, and said that the Ren family could help you transfer to the government office so you wouldn't have to suffer on the island."
Jiang Renzhou's face darkened immediately. He strode towards the security office, his steps large and hurried: "What right does she have to make decisions for me?"
Outside the security office's small hut, Su Xiaomei was talking to Ren Fu'an, clutching a cloth bag in her hand, the contents of which were unclear. Ren Fu'an frowned, as if he was in a dilemma.
“Comrade Su, I can’t force him on this.” Ren Fu’an’s voice was a little hoarse. “Whether he acknowledges his relatives or not depends on his willingness.”
"Cousin, why are you so stubborn?" Su Xiaomei's voice rose a little. "What kind of family is the Ren family? Wouldn't he get plenty of benefits if he went there? It's much better than being a small-time battalion commander on the island!"
Jiang Renzhou pushed open the door and entered, his voice curt: "My affairs are none of your business."
Su Xiaomei turned around, saw him, and immediately smiled broadly: "Commander Jiang, you're here? I was just talking to my cousin about having you visit the Ren family; we're all family..."
“I’m not family with you.” Jiang Renzhou interrupted her and walked to Ren Fu’an’s side. “What I said still stands. We can acknowledge our kinship, but I won’t go to the Ren family, and I don’t need them to help me transfer jobs. I’m fine on the island.”
Ren Fu'an breathed a sigh of relief and nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to you."
Su Xiaomei's smile froze on her face, her hands clutching the cloth bag, her knuckles turning white: "Commander Jiang, how can you be so ungrateful? So many people would kill for an opportunity like this with the Ren family..."
"I don't need it."
Jiang Renzhou looked at her and said, "I have never become the commander of this regiment without relying on connections. Comrade Su, this is my family matter, please don't interfere in the future."
Su Xiaomei bit her lip, glared at him fiercely, turned around and left, her cloth bag swishing loudly.
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