Chapter 68: A New Family (Completed)
It happened both quickly and slowly; a month and a half had passed since He Changyi and Yan Zhengchuan parted ways.
At first, He Changyi would occasionally think of him; but later she was so busy that she almost forgot about this suspected older brother.
These days, DNA testing in China is just starting out. The technology is primitive and lacks fully automated analysis instruments. Technicians need to manually compare each DNA strand between different samples, which is entirely manual and quite cumbersome.
Moreover, DNA testing technology was not widespread at the time, and there were very few specialized forensic institutions in China; only some universities and research institutions could conduct the tests.
Six weeks passed in the blink of an eye. Just when He Changyi was about to put the matter of recognizing her relatives behind her, she received a call from Yan Zhengchuan.
Perhaps due to the interference of cross-border communication signals, Yan Zhengchuan's voice sounded somewhat distorted in the microphone, almost unlike his own.
"Changyi..."
He Changyi subconsciously held her breath and walked to the side with the phone.
"Captain Yan, what is it?"
Yan Zhengchuan seemed to be trying his best to suppress the trembling caused by his overly excited vocal cords.
"The DNA test results are in, you..."
His voice was almost choked with emotion, and he took a deep breath before finally uttering those words.
"You are my sister."
He Changyi wasn't surprised, nor was he as excited as Yan Zhengchuan; he simply sighed silently in his heart.
—Original owner, did you see that? Outside of the original storyline, your family has finally found you.
—You can go home now.
He Changyi lowered his voice and said gently, "Captain Yan, I understand. I will arrange to return to China immediately."
Zheng Xiaowei, who had been eavesdropping nearby, couldn't help but ask, "Boss, are you going back to China again?"
Geng Zhi slapped him and yelled, "Does the boss have to report to you when he goes back to China?"
Zheng Xiaowei retorted, unconvinced, "I'm just asking, is that not allowed?"
He Changyi walked over and placed one hand on each of their shoulders.
"You two have been abroad for a while now. Since the new store hasn't opened yet, how about we give you a break and you two go back to China to visit your families?"
Zheng Xiaowei was overjoyed at first, then asked, "Will the travel expenses be reimbursed? Will I still get paid during my leave?"
He Changyi generously said, "Yes, I'll report them all. Paid leave!"
Geng Zhi was both happy and embarrassed, and could only chuckle foolishly.
That's great! He's going to send all the wages he's saved up to his mom. That's a lot of money!
With this money in hand, his mother no longer needed to take odd jobs such as cutting thread and pasting cardboard boxes, nor did she need to worry about him suffering in Oros.
Her son has grown up, and from now on, she and her son will no longer need to live at the mercy of anyone!
Chen Yue and Zhang Jin had just returned from outside and overheard the end of the conversation. They eagerly approached He Changyi and asked:
"Boss, are we included in this holiday?"
He Changyi said in a friendly tone, "Of course, everyone will take a plane back to China for ten days of rest."
Everyone cheered, and Geng Zhi was the most excited. He had never been on an airplane before, and this was his first time ever!
Amidst the jubilation, Zheng Xiaowei suddenly blurted out, "Boss, what are we going to do about getting back? It'll take six or seven days by train..."
The guy's eyes darted around, clearly indicating that he had ulterior motives and was waiting for He Changyi to offer to reimburse his airfare abroad.
Geng Zhi was about to retort as usual, but Chen Yue beat him to it.
“Xiao Zheng, what’s so difficult about that? You can just leave earlier. You can stay at home for three or four days, see your relatives and friends, and then set off. Including the travel time, you’ll be back in Fushi right when your ten-day holiday is over. It won’t cause any problems.”
Zhang Jin chimed in, adding, "That's exactly the point."
Zheng Xiaowei was dumbfounded: "Huh? But, but..."
Chen Yue walked up and patted Zheng Xiaowei on the shoulder in a serious manner.
"No buts, I could tell as soon as I arrived in Fu City that you're a good guy."
Zhang Jin also came over and patted him on the shoulder.
"It's a good one."
Geng Zhi couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Serves you right!
After settling things in Fuzhou, He Changyi began making intensive preparations for returning to China to reunite with his relatives.
Before setting off, He Changyi went to Grandma Vitalie's house, entrusted the little black dog to Alexei, and told Grandma Vitalie that she was going back to China to reunite with her family, and that she would not be able to visit her often during this period.
Grandma Vitalie spent more and more time in bed, but she was in good spirits. When she heard that He Changyi's family had found her, the old lady smiled broadly, happy for her.
Although Alexei was also smiling, when He Changyi was about to leave, he saw him to the door and asked in a low voice:
"Are you sure the other person is really your family? I don't mean to spoil your good mood, but I hope you understand that your current wealth is enough to attract a tailor-made scam."
He Changyi didn't feel offended, nor was she angry; he was doing it for her own good.
"Don't worry, there won't be any problems."
She said, "The family member I'm related to happens to be someone you also know. He's Officer Yan from Zhong Guo's special task force during the train robbery case."
Alexei looked even more worried.
"He may be a good cop, but he may not be a good person, let alone a good cop."
He Changyi sighed loudly: "Alexei, don't be like that. Not all Chinese police officers are like yours."
Alexei remained noncommittal: "Perhaps."
He seemed genuinely eager to accompany He Changyi to Zhongguo. If Yan Zhengchuan was a fraud, he would pull out a shotgun from under his leather jacket and shoot him on the spot.
However, even if he himself could not go, he suggested that He Changyi bring bodyguards back to China with him.
He Changyi: ...
"You want me to lead a group of Emei veterans around the capital of China? Maybe the swindlers will avoid it, but this will definitely attract the attention of the public security and national security authorities. I don't want to be called in for questioning by customs and border control every time I return to China."
She firmly rejected Alexei's offer, but promised to call him every day to let him know she was still alive.
Alexei still didn't seem very satisfied.
“Take the gun,” he said. “If he’s lying to you, kill him.”
He Changyi: "...I really thank you. Are you really afraid that I won't become an international fugitive?"
When the plane landed in Beijing, He Changyi dragged her suitcase out of the airport and saw Yan Zhengchuan holding a giant sign in the distance, as well as the man next to him who was dressed in casual clothes and stood with an exceptionally upright posture.
The sign reads, "He Changyi, welcome home."
He Changyi couldn't help but smile and quickened her pace to walk over. Before she could greet him, Yan Zhengchuan threw the sign on the ground and strode over to her, raising his hand as if to hug her, but then seemed hesitant and timid, as if he were about to return home.
He Changyi then released her suitcase, stepped forward, and took the initiative to give the hug.
"Captain Yan." She paused, then corrected herself, "Yan Zhengchuan."
Something still didn't seem right, so He Changyi tentatively called out, "Brother Yan?"
Yan Zhengchuan tried his best to sound relaxed, saying, "Just call me 'brother,' no need to be so formal with us, 'Brother Yan.'"
He tried to say something more, but the man next to him pulled him away.
"We've finally found you."
He Changyi looked at the stranger with some curiosity. He looked to be in his forties and looked very much like Yan Zhengchuan, but he was more serious and had an air of authority. Even when he was excited, he restrained himself and did not show too much emotion.
"And you are?"
Just as Yan Zhengchuan was about to introduce them, He Changyi exclaimed as if suddenly realizing something, "You're my biological father, aren't you?"
Yan Zhengchuan almost tripped and fell to the ground.
The man's lips twitched: "My biological father?"
Seeing their inappropriate reactions, He Changyi immediately corrected them, "If he's not your biological father, then he must be your uncle, right?"
Judging from his appearance, if he married and had children early and looks young, it's not impossible for him to have a daughter as old as He Changyi; but since he isn't, he should at least be an uncle or elder.
I just don't know why the original owner's biological parents didn't come to pick her up at the airport. Could they have already passed away?
He Changyi was in the middle of a brainstorming session when she heard Yan Zhengchuan suddenly burst into wild laughter.
"Hahahaha! Dad! Uncle! How come I didn't realize that you look so old now, eldest brother! Hahahaha!"
The man, unable to bear the laughter, suddenly attacked Yan Zhengchuan with such speed that it was almost impossible to see, and Yan Zhengchuan was already knocked to the ground.
He turned his head and said to He Changyi as calmly as possible, "I'm not your uncle, I'm your older brother, my name is Yan Zhengshan."
He Changyi: !!!
She said somewhat awkwardly, "I'm so sorry, I've never been able to tell a man's age..."
Yan Zhengchuan had already nimbly gotten up from the ground, still grinning from ear to ear.
"It's none of your business. The eldest brother works hard every day, getting tanned and looking old. If he hadn't managed to get a wife when he was still a pretty boy, he would still be a bachelor now."
Yan Zhengshan glared at his younger brother as if issuing a warning, and then explained to He Changyi:
“Your sister-in-law’s unit is on combat readiness duty and she can’t come, so she asked me to give her regards to you.”
He Changyi quickly said understandingly, "Defending the country is the most important thing. Now that I'm back, we'll keep in touch."
Yan Zhengchuan stepped forward, took He Changyi's suitcase, and led the way out of the airport.
"This isn't the place to talk, let's go outside."
The group left the airport and arrived at a luxury car. A head wearing sunglasses popped out of the driver's side window and grinned at He Changyi.
"Hey, this is our little sister! She's so pretty!"
Yan Zhengchuan retorted rudely, "What do you mean by 'pretty' or 'not pretty'? Is it your place to comment on my sister? Focus on being your driver!"
The man in sunglasses shouted angrily, "You weren't like this when you came to me for the import license!"
Import license?
He Changyi's eyes lit up.
At this time, China's import and export controls are quite strict. Not all companies have independent import and export rights, especially for scrap steel, which requires a special import license to enter the country.
He Changyi asked Yan Zhengchuan to help him find a foreign trade company to operate under and obtain an import license, all for the purpose of his future scrap steel import business.
Now that he had met the person who had helped him with the certificate, He Changyi smiled and said to Yan Zhengchuan:
"Second brother, aren't you going to introduce your friend?"
Second brother?
Originally, Yan Zhengchuan felt a little awkward at their first meeting after recognizing each other as family, but He Changyi's address of "Second Brother" made him feel a bit more familiar.
"What's there to introduce? He's just a driver. Just pretend he doesn't exist."
The driver yelled, "Yan Zhengchuan, have you no shame? My family and yours are even related by marriage, and this is how you treat me?!"
He Changyi: "A childhood betrothal?"
Yan Zhengchuan quickly explained, "My family used to joke around, they weren't serious, just treat it like they were talking nonsense."
Yan Zhengshan glared at him sternly and warned, "Shao Qian!"
Shao Qian made a gesture of zipping up his mouth and pulled his head back into the car window.
As if afraid that He Changyi would run away, Yan Zhengchuan quickly put the suitcase in the trunk, opened the car door, and gestured for her to get in.
He Changyi looked at this, then at that, and said half-jokingly:
"You're not really going to take me to get married, are you? Let me make it clear beforehand: I don't agree to this marriage, not even a childhood betrothal."
Shao Qian burst out laughing, while Yan Zhengchuan was so angry he wanted to twist the head off this bastard.
Yan Zhengshan acted even faster.
He yanked open the driver's side door, pulled Shao Qian, who was grinning and laughing, out of the car, and got into the driver's seat himself, then closed the door behind him.
Shao Qian was completely bewildered when Yan Zhengshan rolled down the car window and tossed the wallet from the passenger seat into his arms.
"You've worked hard. Take a taxi home."
Seeing this, Yan Zhengchuan immediately pushed He Changyi into the car, then climbed into the passenger seat himself, and shouted to Shao Qian:
"I'll park my car downstairs at your place later."
The car sped away, and only then did Shao Qian realize that he had been abandoned by the Yan brothers. He was so angry that he jumped up and down on the roadside.
"Give me back my car!!!"
Yan Zhengshan drove very steadily, and the car quickly entered the ring road. He Changyi asked, "Are you sure you can leave him at the airport?"
Yan Zhengchuan chuckled and said, "I'm just afraid you'll think we're going to marry you off to an idiot. Don't worry, the new China has been established for over forty years, and arranged marriages are no longer fashionable."
He Changyi calmly retorted, "Actually, I'm not too worried. After all, I still have you. Who says that a marriage between children has to be between a boy and a girl? Two men can also be a good match. Two men coming together is a great thing!"
Yan Zhengchuan: ...
That's such a familiar tone. No wonder he's Boss He; he never suffers a loss.
Yan Zhengshan was somewhat surprised, not expecting his found sister to have such a sharp style.
However, considering the Yang family's situation, it's not impossible to understand her current personality. If she were any weaker, she wouldn't have lived to see them find her.
On the way home, Yan Zhengchuan gave He Changyi a brief introduction to his family situation.
Yan's mother was in poor health, suffering from tuberculosis and residing in a sanatorium for a long time; Yan's father was a military region commander, with a busy work schedule, spending most of his time at the military region. Yan Zhengshan and his wife were also military personnel, the former being a regimental commander in a field army and the latter a military doctor, so they rarely saw each other.
Yan Zhengshan was driving, occasionally adding brief supplementary information that Yan Zhengchuan had not mentioned.
When it was mentioned that Yan's father was the military region commander, Yan Zhengshan looked in the rearview mirror and saw that He Changyi's expression was calm, without a trace of elation.
He couldn't help but admire in his heart that few people could maintain a calm mind when they learned of their biological family's prominence after being treated unfairly by their adoptive family.
She is a good girl.
He Changyi, however, thought of something else.
"Captain Yan..."
Yan Zhengchuan sensitively corrected, "Still Captain Yan?"
He Changyi readily changed his address to "Second Brother".
Then she said, "If I import tanks from abroad, won't your family be suspected of buying and selling arms?"
Yan Zhengchuan's first reaction was to correct him: "What do you mean 'your family'? That's called 'our family'."
The next second he realized what He Changyi had said.
"tank?!"
He Changyi's tone was as if she had picked out a particularly fresh and plump cabbage at the market.
"Ah, it's tanks. The Oros military factory can't pay wages, so they're dismantling retired tanks and selling the armor as scrap metal. T-54s, T-55s, and T-62s... I can't even tell the models, but they're all being sold at scrap metal prices. These armors have already been loaded onto ships and will arrive in port in about two weeks. It won't affect your dad, ah, I mean our dad, right?"
Yan Zhengshan's fingers gripping the steering wheel stiffened.
His younger sister is really too capable...
This can't be blamed on He Changyi. Ever since she started buying up scrap steel in Vladimir, the news spread like wildfire.
First, factories in the city rushed to dismantle their outdated production lines, stockpiled inventory, and scrap rails to sell as scrap steel; gradually, the news spread to the neighboring city of Kovrov.
The military factories in Kovrov couldn't sit still any longer.
They can't pay wages either, and they have mountains of scrap steel piled up!
He Changyi did not actively expand her business in Kovrov, but these military factories approached her.
He Changyi was hesitant at first. After all, the military industry is a sensitive area for a country. She just wanted to be a businesswoman who made a lot of money quietly and did not want to attract the attention of the former KGB and now the Federal Security Service.
But these military factories are giving away way too much!
One shouldn't turn down money, especially not millions of dollars.
Think about it, the army of E'guo is selling off active-duty weapons, while she is only buying scrap steel from the dismantling of retired equipment, and even old antiques from World War II. And her accomplices are a group of senior red factory directors.
Since the alliance era, from the canned goods case to the skin case and then to the diamond case, a deeply entrenched interest group has formed within Emirates, forming an impenetrable monolith from top to bottom, which even the president cannot easily pry open.
If anyone wants to investigate where the scrap steel in the military factory goes, they'd better first explain why the workers' wages aren't even enough to buy them a decent meal.
Under the management of these "red" factory directors, the scrap steel trading process was completely legal and compliant, without a single loophole. After all, the factory directors couldn't just think about making a living for themselves; they had to find a way for their workers to survive.
In this way, the tank armor became scrap metal on the customs declaration and sailed towards Zhongguo on a large ship.
Of course, it wasn't just tanks; there were also armored personnel carriers, artillery tractors, and more...
The only surprise was that He Changyi didn't expect that among the new family members she was reunited with would be a military commander.
Hmm, if she says that importing the Emei tanks was purely her personal decision and had nothing to do with the Yan family, let alone Commander Yan, I wonder if outsiders would believe her.
After all, her original intention was really just to sell scrap metal!
It's just that some of the scrap metal looks a bit like tanks...
Don't let intelligence agencies from other countries send urgent coded messages to their home countries, spreading false information such as "China's military is purchasing large quantities of E-type weapons, suspected of preparing for foreign war, and the peaceful development is just a smokescreen."
That would be a terrible blow to the Yan family; their entire military careers would be ruined.
He Changyi was a little embarrassed and said to the Yan brothers:
"Just to be safe, how about we don't admit to it for now?"
Yan Zhengchuan hadn't recovered from the shock of his younger sister importing tanks from Emei Mountain when he heard the devastating news that "there's a spy, terminate the family reunion." Before he could react, Yan Zhengshan in the driver's seat had already said decisively:
"Admit it! We must admit it!"
If the family hadn't lost their child back then, my sister wouldn't have ended up in the arms business. Although smuggling tanks into China sounds a bit scary, they are still our own children, and there's no reason for her to run away when trouble comes.
Yan Zhengshan even tried his best to speak to He Changyi in a friendly manner:
"Don't be afraid. At worst, I'll just go back and file for retirement. Whatever happens, I'll stand by you."
He Changyi: ...
I was a little touched, but his understanding seemed a bit off.
Yan Zhengchuan also came to his senses and said with extreme seriousness:
"If you should turn yourself in, then turn yourself in; if you should accept punishment, then accept punishment. If you've done something wrong, we'll face it together."
He Changyi: "...Brothers, I really do sell scrap metal, not weapons."
So stop driving towards the police station; she can see the reflection of the police badge on the rooftop!
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