Chapter 98: The Enthusiasm of the Zhao Family
Shen Yuchuan's arms around her tightened slightly, almost imperceptibly, but he didn't turn around immediately.
He just calmly adjusted the way he held the child, and when he turned his head, his eyes quickly swept in the direction Fubao pointed.
Sure enough, next to a pillar near the exit, a figure wearing a baseball cap with the brim pulled down low seemed to be reading a newspaper, but his posture was a little stiff.
Haha, it seems that the people on the train really have accomplices in Chang'an?
Shen Yuchuan's eyes turned colder instantly, but his expression did not change.
He patted Fubao's back gently and whispered, "Well, uncle knows. Fubao, don't be afraid."
He quickened his pace, walking side by side with Zhao Xiangdong, and whispered in a very natural voice, "Comrade Zhao, there are a lot of people standing at the entrance. Keep an eye on Lingning and don't let them get separated."
Zhao Xiangdong was stunned and immediately became alert. Although he didn't understand why, he still tacitly protected Shen Lingning on the other side.
The three of them walked out of the station smoothly and got into the jeep driven by Zhao Xiangdong.
The jeep was driving on the streets of Chang'an City.
Outside the car window, the ancient bell tower passed by in the field of vision. The walls were mottled, but they were filled with the weight of history.
The streets were not as spacious as those in later generations. The road surface was made of cement and even some parts were tarmac, but they were kept clean.
The most common thing is bicycles, the ringing of their bells merges into a flowing river.
Occasionally, a mule cart would rumble by, pulling heavy cargo. The driver would be wearing a white turban, his face weathered.
What surprised her even more was that on the towering ancient city wall in the distance, she could vaguely see a few small black figures moving, and there seemed to be a few sheep following them - they were nearby farmers grazing.
This is Chang'an in the 1970s.
Fubao was clinging to the car window, his little face pressed against the glass, his big black eyes looking at this strange world curiously.
Fubao felt emotional. There were no tall buildings, no flashing neon lights. Everything seemed old, rustic, even a little shabby. However, there was a solemnity and tranquility that was difficult to achieve in later generations. It was as if time went slower here.
"Mom, there are few big cars and many ding-ding cars."
She muttered in a petty voice, comparing the vague long line of cars in her memory with the stream of bicycles in front of her.
Zhao Xiangdong, who was driving, introduced enthusiastically: "Lingning, look, this is the bell tower in Chang'an. It was built during the Ming Dynasty. Isn't it magnificent?
Turning around, you'll find East Street, the busiest street...and then two more intersections, and you'll reach the government compound."
Shen Lingning smiled and nodded in agreement, but half of his mind was on Shen Yuchuan beside him and the suspicious figure at the station just now.
She could feel that although Shen Yuchuan seemed to be leaning back in the seat and holding Fubao in his arms, his muscles were not completely relaxed. His eyes occasionally glanced at the rearview mirror and out the window with a professional alertness.
Shen Yuchuan certainly didn't relax. The man in the baseball cap at the station made him sure that he was probably being watched.
Is the other party coming for him, or will it implicate his cousin and niece who have just met and have no ability to protect themselves?
He had to sort out the situation quickly.
The Zhao family is safe, but risks cannot be completely ruled out.
The car drove into a heavily guarded courtyard with green trees and mostly three or four-story Soviet-style red brick buildings. It looked quiet and solemn.
Zhao Xiangdong stopped in front of a building and got out first to help with the luggage.
"We're here, Lingning, Comrade Yuchuan, this is home. Mom and Dad must be waiting anxiously."
Zhao Xiangdong smiled and led them upstairs.
Wang Xiulan had indeed been waiting at the door for a long time. When she saw Shen Lingning and Fubao, she stepped forward and hugged Shen Lingning, her voice full of surprise: "Good boy, you are finally here! You were wronged on the way! This is Fubao, right? Oh, grandma's darling baby!"
She held Fubao in her arms again and loved him so much that she didn't know what to do.
Zhao Changhe was also standing at the door. Although he wasn't as outspoken as his wife, his eyes were also filled with a kind smile. "I'm glad you're here. Come in and have a rest."
Faced with the Zhao family's sincere enthusiasm, Shen Lingning's uneasiness and restraint along the way mostly dissipated, and his heart was warm.
She quickly introduced Shen Yuchuan: "Godfather, godmother, this is Comrade Shen Yuchuan. Thanks to him for helping us on the way."
Shen Yuchuan took a step forward and greeted respectfully but graciously, "Uncle Zhao, Aunt Zhao, sorry to bother you."
Zhao Changhe looked at Shen Yuchuan with a sharp gaze. His heart moved slightly, but he did not show it on his face. He smiled and nodded: "Comrade Shen, thank you so much! Please come in. We are all family. Don't be polite."
After entering the house, Wang Xiulan was busy pouring water to wash the fruits, while Zhao Xiangdong put the luggage away.
Shen Yuchuan carefully placed the precious wooden box in a corner where it would be conspicuous but out of the way.
While Wang Xiulan was taking Fubao to look at the candy box, Shen Yuchuan winked at Zhao Changhe, and the two of them walked to the balcony tacitly.
"Uncle Zhao."
Shen Yuchuan lowered his voice and said solemnly, "Something's going on at the station. I might be targeted. Ling Ning and the child are with me, and I'm afraid they'll be implicated."
Zhao Changhe's brows knitted together instantly, his expression darkening. "Are you sure? Who is it?"
"I'm not completely sure, but it's pretty close. They're old rivals."
Shen Yuchuan said: "The other party has seen Ling Ning and the child, and may be looking for a breakthrough from them. Although the security of the compound is good, daily in and out is inevitable..."
Zhao Changhe pondered for a moment and said decisively, "I understand. I'll take care of this. You guys stay here and try not to go out alone these few days. Lingning and the child's affairs are my family's affairs, and I will never let them get into any trouble."
His words carried the majesty and unquestionable power of someone who had long held a high position.
Shen Yuchuan felt relieved: "Thank you, Uncle Zhao."
"Family members should keep their own opinions."
Zhao Changhe patted his shoulder, his eyes complicated. "You have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders, so you must be more careful. If you need any support, just tell me directly."
After a brief exchange, the two returned to the living room as usual.
The Zhao family courtyard was brightly lit and filled with the aroma of food.
In order to welcome Shen Lingning and Fubao, Wang Xiulan tried her best, stewed chicken soup, cooked braised pork, fried seasonal vegetables, and specially steamed big white and plump steamed buns, filling the table.
Except for the second brother Zhao Xiangnan who was guarding the border far away in the southwest, Zhao Changhe, Wang Xiulan, and the eldest brother Zhao Xiangdong's family gathered together.
During the meal, Zhao Changhe looked at Shen Lingning with a kind look: "Lingning, it's like being at home here. Don't be restrained. Your godmother has been talking about you for a long time."
Wang Xiulan kept picking up food for Shen Lingning and Fubao, and said distressedly: "You have lost weight and worked hard at the grassroots level. Eat more to replenish your body."
Fubao quickly became the happy pill of the family. He was not shy at all and called "Grandpa", "Grandma", "Uncle" and "Auntie" with his sweet mouth. Wang Xiulan was so happy with him that she couldn't stop smiling. She said that he was much more considerate than those naughty boys at home.
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