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The soldiers immediately stepped forward and subdued the three kidnappers. After a preliminary interrogation, it was confirmed that they were the remnants of Ren Changlin's forces, and that the kidnapping was for revenge and blackmail.
Jiang Renzhou immediately arranged for his soldiers to take the kidnappers back to the unit for further interrogation, determined to completely eliminate this remaining force.
Jiang Renzhou left and did not return for many years. He was involved with foreign forces, and the organization only informed him that he was carrying out a mission.
Jiang Wanzhou was pondering how to repay the debt of gratitude.
Looking at the old man's tattered clothes, she felt a pang of sadness and said softly, "Grandpa, please come home with us. We'll prepare a room for you, and you can stay here. You won't have to wander here anymore."
Shen Xinglian quickly chimed in, "Yes, sir, our whole family will take good care of you."
The old man smiled and shook his head: "No, I'm used to a free and easy life. I appreciate your kindness, but I'm just happy that the children are safe and sound."
He paused, then glanced at Mingyuan again, his eyes filled with approval. "This child is very brave; he's a promising talent."
After saying that, he turned to leave.
Zhou Qingyu quickly stepped forward, took out some money from his pocket, and stuffed it into the old man's hand: "Grandma, even if you don't want to come with us, take this money and buy some food and clothes. Don't deprive yourself."
The old man couldn't refuse, so he accepted the gift. He glanced at the three children one last time before turning and walking deeper into the park, quickly disappearing into the woods.
Watching the old man's departing figure, Mingyuan whispered, "Auntie, Grandpa is really amazing. He's a hero too, isn't he?"
Jiang Wanzhou squatted down, patted Mingyuan's head, and nodded seriously: "Yes, Grandpa is also a hero, and a hero who keeps a low profile. There are many heroes like Grandpa in this world who silently protect us."
Jiang Wanzhou gazed in the direction where the old man had disappeared, feeling a sense of emptiness in her heart.
This life-saving grace is too great to be repaid with a few words of thanks or a little money.
“We need to think of a way to repay the old man properly.” Jiang Wanzhou turned to Zhou Qingyu and said earnestly, “He saved the lives of three children and is a great benefactor to our family.”
Zhou Qingyu nodded, her brows furrowing slightly: "But he likes to be free and doesn't want to go home with us. Forcing him to stay would be bad. How about this, we come to the park often in the future and bring some food and supplies. Even if he's not here, we can still help out the stray cats and dogs in the park. It's a way of doing our part for him."
Shen Xinglian chimed in, "Yes, if all else fails, we can help out at the homeless shelter so that more people can have a place to stay."
Mingyuan clenched his little fists and nodded vigorously: "I want to come too! I want to learn kung fu so I can protect my little sister and Mianmian in the future!"
These words made everyone laugh. Jiang Wanzhou ruffled his hair and said, "Okay, when we see the old man again, we'll tell him."
From that day on, the Jiang family became frequent visitors to the park.
Every time Zhou Qingyu came, she would bring some dry food and clean old clothes, which she would quietly place under the bench where the old man often sat.
Days passed, and the old man never appeared again, but the things under the bench would always be quietly taken away.
Jiang Wanzhou knew that the old man must have come, which brought her some comfort.
Meanwhile, there was still no news from Jiang Renzhou.
Every so often, the organization would send someone back with a short letter, simply saying that he was doing well and was carrying out an important mission, so that his family wouldn't worry.
Every time she received a letter, Jiang Wanzhou would read it aloud to the children.
Mingyuan would always look up at her and ask, "Auntie, when is Daddy coming back? Did he go off to be a great hero and fight the bad guys?"
Jiang Wanzhou stroked his head, her eyes slightly red, but she smiled and said, "Yes, Dad is doing something amazing. He'll be back after he drives all the bad guys away."
Seeing her trying to appear calm, Zhou Qingyu would always silently tighten her grip on her hand.
Knowing her worries, he took the initiative to shoulder the burden of the family.
No matter how busy he was with the lab, he would still pick up and drop off the children at the daycare on time, accompany Jiang Wanzhou to the park, and help Shen Xinglian tend to the flowers and plants in the yard.
Good news also came from Shen Xinglian's design competition: her parent-child courtyard design won the first prize at the municipal level.
On the day she received the award, she made a special trip with Mingyuan and Mingmei.
Standing on the podium, holding the trophy, she looked at the two cheering children below, her eyes welling up with tears.
"This award is for my family, and also for a hero I've never met. He made me realize that protection and love are the warmest foundation of a home."
Jiang Wanzhou's internship has come to a successful end, and the Foreign Languages Press has extended an offer to her, hoping that she can stay and work at the press after graduation.
Jiang Wanzhou took the civil service exam in the 1980s. Back then, a letter of recommendation was required, but luckily, Sister Hongying guaranteed her admission.
Everyone is looking forward to Jiang Renzhou's early return so they can share in this joy.
That day, the family went to the park as usual.
Mingyuan and Mingmei were squatting under a tree feeding the cats when they suddenly heard a familiar meow coming from not far away.
Mingyuan looked up and saw the skinny cat running towards the depths of the woods, its tail held high as if it were leading the way.
"Auntie! Look! It's Grandpa's cat!" Mingyuan shouted excitedly and ran after it.
Jiang Wanzhou and Zhou Qingyu exchanged a glance and quickly followed.
After passing through a grove of trees, the view suddenly opened up, and there sat the homeless old man, dressed in a brand-new Zhongshan suit, sitting on a rock by the stream, holding a twig in his hand and gesturing something on the ground.
Hearing footsteps, the old man turned around and saw them. A gentle smile appeared on his face.
"Grandpa!" Mingyuan rushed over like a cannonball and threw himself at the old man's side. "I've finally met you! I want to learn kung fu from you!"
The old man laughed heartily and reached out to pat Mingyuan's head: "Good lad, you have ambition!"
Jiang Wanzhou stepped forward and looked at the old man's still simple clothes, her eyes slightly reddening.
Zhou Qingyu stepped forward and handed over the package in her hand: "These are some things we prepared for you, please accept them."
The old man did not refuse, took the package, opened it and looked inside. There were several clean cotton clothes, some dry food and medicine.
He looked at Jiang Wanzhou and the others with a gentle gaze: "You've been very thoughtful."
Mianmian quickly took out the portrait she had drawn and handed it over: "Grandpa, this is a portrait of you. My older brother and sister like you very much, and Mianmian likes you too."
The old man took the portrait, looked at himself in the painting, and the little cat and bird nestled beside him, and his smile deepened: "It's really well drawn, thank you, little girl, you didn't like to talk when you were little."
Mingyuan tugged at the old man's sleeve, his eyes full of expectation: "Grandpa, please teach me kung fu! I want to protect my little sister and Mianmian, and also my aunt and uncle!"
Looking into his determined eyes, the old man pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, but your parents need to agree to this as well."
Mingyuan nodded vigorously: "I've got it!"
The old man had stopped what he was doing and looked at Mingyuan with an approving nod: "Not bad, not bad, you have perseverance, you're a good candidate to learn kung fu."
He paused, then turned his gaze to Jiang Wanzhou and Zhou Qingyu, his expression becoming serious. "I have a favor to ask: I wish to take Mingyuan as my disciple and pass on my skills to him."
"I have been invited to international martial arts competitions these days, and my record is verifiable."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wanzhou and Zhou Qingyu were both stunned.
Mingyuan's eyes lit up, and he excitedly grabbed the old man's hand: "Really? Grandpa! You're willing to take me as your apprentice? But these are my aunt and uncle. I can't contact my dad right now. I'll ask him when my mom gets off work."
The old man smiled and nodded, then added, "However, I've been sent to the Northwest, where conditions are harsh and far from the hustle and bustle, making it a good place to focus on martial arts. If you agree, Mingyuan will come with me to the Northwest for a few years to learn from me."
"Go to the Northwest?" Jiang Wanzhou's heart sank, and the smile on her face faded.
She looked at Mingyuan's small figure, her heart filled with reluctance.
Mingyuan is so young. How could she and Xingxing feel at ease sending him to such a far and difficult place?
Zhou Qingyu frowned and said softly, "Old man, thank you for valuing Mingyuan. However, he is still young, and conditions in the Northwest are harsh. Letting him leave home at such a young age needs further discussion."
"More importantly, children's interests develop gradually. If they give up after a few days, it will cause you trouble."
"Uncle! I don't have the short attention span that my sister has!"
Mingmei retorted without holding back: "Silly brother! Aunt and Uncle are worried that Mom thinks it's too far!"
Mianmian said, "The Northwest is very, very far away."
Mingyuan was also stunned; he hadn't expected that learning kung fu would require going to such a far place.
He looked at the old man, then at Jiang Wanzhou, his little face full of worry: "Are we going to a very far place? Does that mean I won't be able to see my mom, aunt, uncle, sister, and Mianmian again?"
"It will be tough at first, and you won't be able to see your family." The old man patted Mingyuan's head, his voice gentle yet firm. "But martial arts can not only strengthen your body, but also temper your mind. Once you've mastered it, you can come back to protect your family and become a true hero. And I will take good care of you and won't let you suffer any injustice."
“Martial arts training emphasizes early childhood cultivation and a solid foundation. Mingyuan is a talented and persevering child, and he is at the best age now. I know you are reluctant to let him go, but a towering tree cannot grow in a greenhouse. Only through trials and tribulations can he truly grow.”
When Shen Xinglian found out, the family fell silent.
On one hand, there's Mingyuan's talent and the old man's good intentions; on the other hand, there's the unbreakable bond of family and the worry for their child, making it difficult for them to choose.
Mingyuan lowered his head, his small hands clenched into fists, and he was struggling intensely inside.
He wanted to learn kung fu from the old man and become a hero to protect his family, but he also didn't want to leave them.
After a long while, he raised his head, his eyes filled with determination and reluctance: "I want to learn kung fu from the old man. Once I've mastered it, I'll come back to protect you!"
Jiang Wanzhou looked into his determined eyes, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
She knew that Mingyuan had grown up and had his own ideas and pursuits.
She knelt down and gently hugged Mingyuan: "Mingyuan, have you thought it through? Going to the Northwest will be very tough."
"I've made up my mind!" Mingyuan nodded vigorously. "I'm not afraid of hardship! I want to become a hero!"
Shen Xinglian watched this scene and sighed softly, "Let him go."
A gentle evening breeze, carrying the coolness of late summer, caressed everyone's faces.
The pomegranate tree in the courtyard rustled softly, as if it were singing a gentle hymn for this decision.
The road ahead may be long, but the eyes of these young people shine with light.
With reluctant expectations, the families will eventually transform into a watchful gaze that transcends mountains and seas.
In this era of trials and tribulations yet full of hope, the most resilient growth is nurtured.
Some people are also waiting for the most sincere reunion.
As time goes by, the spirit of heroes lives on, and the spirit of struggle never ends.
Home is always the most secure harbor, waiting for loved ones who have traveled far away to return in glory as promised.
[End of text]
[Author's Note]
"The Legendary Female Teacher's Timid Daughter" will be released in January. Pre-orders are welcome!
Yan Zhengnu devoted her life to studying and admiring Yan Lan, the legendary female teacher who emerged from prison and pioneered women's education.
In an unexpected turn of events, she transmigrated into the body of the legendary female tutor's cowardly yet vicious daughter, who climbed the social ladder by clinging to the powerful and stepping on Consort Li.
The character's initial infamy includes being insulted by his adoptive sister and his mother being wrongfully imprisoned.
Historically, it took the foster sister three years to exonerate the female teacher.
Outside the palace gates, Yan Zhengnu bumped into Xie Hui, the young general who was on the verge of death and was being punished by the emperor to kneel as a form of punishment for Consort Li.
She was also Yan Zhengnu's nemesis, and after Consort Li's death, she made things difficult for her in every way.
The system buzzed with messages: 【Get on his good side! This is the fastest shortcut to power!】
Yan Zhengnu knelt down and massaged him to relieve the intense pain from his old battlefield wounds.
He looked up, his eyes filled with disgust: "What reward do you want?"
Everyone thought she would seek a better future and wealth.
Yan Zhengnu bowed her head, her voice clear:
"General, would you dare to investigate the arson case thoroughly?"
He was stunned.
Yan Zhengnu wanted to personally push Yan Lan onto the path to fame and fortune, making her journey less arduous.
Years later, when Yan Lan was famous throughout the world, she stood on the platform of the academy, pointed to Yan Zhengnu who was smiling below the stage, and declared to the world: "My most outstanding work in my life is my daughter."
Xie Hui silently draped a cloak over Yan Zhengnu's shoulders: "Your Majesty, it's time to go home."
—
Yan Zhengnu:
I know how history will record my infamy, and I also know that it is the only stain on my mother's life.
But this time, I will join forces with my nemesis's blade to cleave this cannibalistic situation open.
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