Chapter 118
It was delayed for such a long time that when Chu Shao came back, it was already the end of August. If he had come back a few days later, Chu Jiujiu would have started school.
When he went there before, only Chu Jiujiu and Han Shengyi came to see him off, but this time when he came back, the whole family was there and stood at the pick-up point. There were five of them, plus Nie Bai's family of five, all ten of them were looking forward to it. When they saw Chu Shao coming out, Chu Liqiang's eyes obviously fluctuated violently, but when Chu Shao walked in front of him, he calmed down.
Patting Chu Shao on the back, he only hummed when he heard Chu Shao calling him, and then said, "As long as you are safe, as long as you are safe."
When they couldn't contact Chu Shao no matter what, everyone was worried. Chu Liqiang was under the greatest pressure, no one could compare to him, but he was an adult and a father of children, he couldn't show his true emotions. Because of this, he didn't even go home once, and he slept in the office every day, contacting people from all walks of life.
If possible, he really wanted to go to the local area himself, but the road was washed away. If he wanted to go, he could only use military aircraft. Outsiders didn't know how serious the situation there was, but Chu Liqiang knew that almost all the military aircraft that could be mobilized had been transferred away. The military region he was in charge of still had a few, but they were all used for emergencies.
His son is important, and other people's sons are equally important. Millions of people are waiting for rescue. Even Chu Liqiang cannot use his privileges at that time.
Having thought of all the terrible scenarios in his mind, Chu Liqiang closed his eyes in the middle of the night. He did not believe in ghosts or gods, but at this moment, he was praying, praying to his deceased wife, hoping that she could bless their son and future daughter-in-law, and that they would be safe and sound.
Regardless of whether the prayer worked or not, he finally got a good ending.
Back home, Grandma Han happily prepared another large table of food. After eating and drinking, everyone went home. Chu Liqiang didn't even enter the Chu family's door, and followed Nie Bai back to the military area. Chu Shao and Chu Jiujiu returned home and turned on the wall lamp. Chu Jiujiu asked Chu Shao, "Do you want to go to bed?"
Chu Shao shook his head. "I slept on the train, but I'm not sleepy yet."
Chu Jiujiu wasn't sleepy either, so she ran to the TV and turned on the switch. It turned on the CCTV channel directly, which was playing the news. Chu Jiujiu took a look and then walked to Chu Shao. "The news hasn't reported it, but I heard from Grandpa Han that the situation is very bad."
Chu Shao sat on the sofa and nodded. "Natural disasters are always terrible."
Chu Jiujiu sighed, "Now I see, you were right not to let me go with you. If you had taken me with you, you and Weiwei would have had to divide your energy to take care of me. I'm not a good swimmer and I have little physical strength. Even if I were there, I wouldn't be able to help anyone."
After she finished speaking, Chu Jiujiu laughed, "You're amazing! Not only did you protect Weiwei, you also saved so many people. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. This time, you should have even built the Big Wild Goose Pagoda."
Chu Shao: “…”
Is that how it’s calculated?
After a moment of silence, Chu Shao said, "It's not just me who's rescuing them; everyone is doing the same. At that point, no one thinks about anything else. They all try to help if they can."
He paused for a second. "It's not always possible to rescue them. Some people were already floating on the water when I saw them. There was one girl, about your age, with a very pale face. I knew she was beyond saving, but I still tried to pull her out. However, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't reach her."
Chu Shao fell silent.
Truly facing life and death can make a person think through many things in an instant, but it can also leave a shadow that will be indelible for a lifetime. When he was there, Chu Shao was too busy to think about these things. Now that he was home, everything around him was quiet, and the previous scenes began to play over and over in his mind, especially the girl's face.
No one else had the same impact on Chu Shao as she did. Firstly, she was very similar in age to Chu Jiujiu, and secondly, her age represented so much.
I haven't experienced the colorful life, the ups and downs of society, I haven't worn the little skirt I've always dreamed of, and I haven't used the vanishing cream that every mother and aunt has.
After Chu Shao came back, Chu Jiujiu never cried, and was even very happy. But now, seeing Chu Shao falling silent, Chu Jiujiu's eyes became wet again. It was not because she felt sorry for Chu Shao, but because she felt confused and sad about life.
Chu Jiujiu lowered her head, tears not falling, but her expression was extremely sad. Chu Shao was lost in his own emotions, but after a while, he recovered. Turning around, seeing Chu Jiujiu like this, he paused, and his tone became softer: "Okay, it's all in the past. According to probability, a person will only encounter one major disaster in their lifetime. Wen Xiuwei and I have used up our quota in this lifetime, so everything will go smoothly in the future."
Chu Jiujiu burst into laughter when she heard this. She wiped the corners of her eyes and said, "What about me? I haven't experienced it yet. Is it still dangerous?"
"You?" Chu Shao recalled for a moment and said firmly, "You've been through it too. Do you remember that guy named Xu Jie? That bastard was your quota. He died a long time ago and has taken your quota to hell with him."
Chu Jiujiu giggled. She was more clingy today. It was so hot sitting together in the middle of summer, but she still stuck to Chu Shao. Chu Shao did not stop her. The summer night was long. The cicadas outside the window kept chirping at the top of their lungs. In the room, apart from the host's loud voice, there was the sound of the two of them talking in a low voice.
Chu Jiujiu leaned her head against the back of the sofa, facing Chu Shao: "If Weiwei stays there, will we encounter this situation again? The weather forecast is so unreliable. Every time it rains, it says it will be sunny."
It was a technical problem, and there was nothing that could be done about it. However, before leaving, Chu Shao also asked a professional about this issue.
"No, I heard from the comrades at the weather station that this heavy rain is due to the typhoon. The typhoon will not return once it passes. Besides, isn't it already the end of August? Luoyang is also in the north, and in the north, it rains less in September."
Chu Jiujiu nodded, not quite understanding. After a while, she leaned her head on Chu Shao's shoulder again and said stickyly, "I start school next Monday. I don't want to go. I want to stay at home."
It has been many years since Chu Jiujiu acted like a spoiled child. When she did this occasionally, Chu Shao still felt that he missed her quite a bit. However, no matter how much he missed her, he had to go to school.
"How can you get a diploma if you don't go to school?"
Chu Jiujiu raised her head and said unconvincedly, "Just fail in school. I'll just take the final exam. Look, who else in our family is as idle as me now?"
She counted on her fingers: "Weiwei is filming, Shengyi is working as a secretary assistant, and you're about to go to the army for internship. And me! I've been facing the blackboard every day. I already know everything the teacher teaches. Why do you still want me to learn?"
She agreed to go to school because Chu Shao and Han Shengyi would be together. Now that they have graduated, Chu Jiujiu immediately felt lonely and cold. She didn't want to go to school anymore. She might as well go to work in the research institute directly. At least this way she could make money.
Chu Shao gently nudged her head. "Who doesn't know it? Han Shengyi and I know what's in the book, but did you see us complaining? I asked you to play around a bit more, but you refused. It's only one year. Just hold on for another year, and after graduation, you can do whatever you want. No one's stopping you."
At this point, Chu Shao remembered what Chu Liqiang had told him. At home, he lowered his voice and said, "My dad told me that some intellectuals have been released. He thinks the country might want to focus on education again. Maybe in two years, we'll be able to take the college entrance exam. Without a high school diploma, what can you use to take the exam? Listen to me and study hard. Then, we'll take the college entrance exam together."
When Chu Jiujiu heard this, her eyes lit up immediately, "Where's Weiwei?"
Chu Shao wasn't sure. After thinking for a moment, he said, "She...should be able to take the exam, right? It would be good to have a diploma."
"What about Brother Shengyi?"
Chu Shao sneered, "Don't worry about him. He will definitely take the exam. He's very smart and will take advantage of any good opportunity."
Chu Jiujiu: "Then the four of us can go to college together! Have you asked when the exam is?"
Chu Shao: “…”
When he asked who was going, didn't Chu Liqiang guess it himself?
After a moment of silence, he said vaguely, "In the next few years, it won't be too far away."
Chu Jiujiu blinked, looked up at the ceiling, searched her memory, and nodded affirmatively: "Yes, I remember reading an encyclopedia about a celebrity before. She graduated from the Beijing Film Academy in the 1980s. That means that she could have taken the exam in the 1980s."
"I've made up my mind!"
Chu Jiujiu stood up in an instant and clenched her fists excitedly: "I want to go to university and become a doctor!"
Chu Shao stared at her blankly, wondering why she was suddenly so motivated, when he saw Chu Jiujiu sitting down again and happily asking himself, "PhDs are high-end talents. Can they get free tickets to tourist attractions and zoos, just like soldiers?"
Speaking of this, Chu Jiujiu looked envious: "I heard that the zoo has received a few new ostriches. I really want to see them, but the ticket is too expensive. If I could get a free ticket with my doctorate certificate, I could go and see them every day."
Chu Shao: “…”
Looking at Chu Jiujiu numbly, after a while, Chu Shao silently hummed, "Yes, doctoral certificates are free of charge. Good work, if you pass the exam, you can enter and exit major attractions for free."
Chu Jiujiu was even happier. "Really? Don't worry, I'll definitely get my doctorate so I don't have to pay for tickets anymore!"
Chu Shao: “…”
It's a matter of course. Chu Jiujiu used to deceive Chu Shao, and now it's Chu Shao's turn to deceive Chu Jiujiu. Although I don't understand where Chu Jiujiu heard the rumor that those with a PhD certificate get free tickets, but who cares? As long as it can motivate Chu Jiujiu to get a PhD, then this rumor has done something good.
…
The two of them had a good discussion, but no one knew when the college entrance examination would be resumed, so their lives would remain the same. Chu Liqiang found a job suitable for Chu Shao in the army, which was to assist those weapons experts. The experts lived and worked in the military area, but in the deepest military area, Chu Shao could only come out for two days a month. The rest of the time, once he went in, he couldn't get out.
It's so strict, but the experts who work with him are not researching new weapons at all, they are just improving old weapons. It is conceivable that if they really research new weapons, they will probably be locked up for three to five years before they can be released.
Talking about Chu Shao's new job, Grandma Han joked with Grandpa Han, saying that all the children in their family are assistants. Chu Jiujiu is an assistant in the research institute, assisting the researchers. Han Shengyi is an assistant in the secretariat, assisting the secretaries. And Wen Xiuwei has never been the leading actress, but always the second or third female lead, serving as a foil to the leading actress. In other words, she is almost like an assistant.
Without any contact, he became a big shot in the industry as soon as he entered. That kind of situation may only appear once in thousands of years. Admittedly, these people are all very powerful geniuses, but geniuses also need a process of familiarization. It is impossible to suppress those old people who have been in the circle for decades right away.
Chu Jiujiu sometimes went to the military area to play and wanted to meet Chu Shao, but the area was heavily guarded. Even though she was the daughter of the division political commissar, she could not use the back door. Chu Jiujiu had no choice but to go back obediently and meet him again when he was on vacation.
Chu Jiujiu didn't know what Chu Shao was doing in there. After all, everything inside was confidential, and Chu Shao couldn't say a word to anyone else. Not only to Chu Jiujiu, but he couldn't even say it to Chu Liqiang. There were some things that Chu Liqiang didn't know, and only the commander knew them.
Therefore, everyone could only see that every time they saw Chu Shao, he was thinner than the last time, and his complexion was not very good-looking. The strong and robust character he used to have was no longer there, and he could only be barely called healthy.
Chu Jiujiu was worried that he was too tired in there, so after returning, she sat in her room, rummaging through the drawers, and took out the childhood coat that was in the deepest part of the closet.
She had long outgrown this coat, and the edges were starting to pill. Chu Jiujiu carefully opened it and took out the necklace and bracelet inside.
The bracelet remained the same as it had been ten years ago, and she hadn't seen the necklace for over a year. She rubbed the notch on the pendant, washed it, and brewed a pot of boiled water.
Chu Liqiang had told her not to wear the necklace anymore. Chu Jiujiu remembered his serious tone clearly. She had been a good boy all these years and had never taken out the necklace again. If she hadn't been worried about Chu Shao's health, she wouldn't have done that.
The next time they met, Chu Jiujiu gave Chu Shao some snacks she had made and some health tea she had brewed, and repeatedly told him to drink them. Chu Shao agreed at the time, but it was not known whether he did as she asked.
But soon, Chu Jiujiu no longer cared about this problem.
Because Wen Xiuwei is coming back.
Originally, they had agreed to stay for only eight months, but torrential rain delayed their visit, so it was postponed for a month. By the time Wen Xiuwei finally returned, December was almost here. She had gone there wearing a winter coat, and now she was coming back wearing a winter coat again.
When Chu Jiujiu went to pick up Wen Xiuwei, Guan Yuelong was also there to pick up his sister. He noticed that Chu Jiujiu had been staring at a man not far away. Grandma Han asked her, "Jiujiu, what are you looking at?"
Chu Jiujiu quietly pointed at Guan Yuelong and said, "That man is Sister Qiaoqiao's brother, Guan Yuelong."
At this point, she lowered her voice: "He is interested in Weiwei."
Grandma Han: "...Girl, you still know all this?"
Chu Jiujiu looked unconvinced. "What are you talking about? Of course I know all this. I'm already fifteen, and my eyes are sharper than a pair of glasses. I can tell who's up to something with just one look."
Grandma Han chuckled, "Look at how capable you are! You've walked fewer roads than I have walked across bridges. Stop showing off your skills."
Han Shengyi next to him: "..."
This is the legendary fight between two noobs.
If Lu Ban really had the same skills as Grandma Han, he would have been expelled from the carpentry industry long ago.
…
Everyone else was busy, so they were the only ones who came. The train didn't arrive until 8pm, so they were waiting here a little after 7pm. Trains at this time of year are usually late. Secretary Lin saw that it was already 8:30pm, so he came over and asked Grandma Han to go back to the car and wait. It was cold at night, and there was still wind in the train station. Grandma Han hesitated for a moment, and seeing that the train was indeed not going to arrive, she followed Secretary Lin and left.
Chu Jiujiu and Han Shengyi were still standing there.
There were people waiting to pick her up at the station all around. She yawned and was just about to lean on Han Shengyi to rest for a while when Guan Yuelong came over.
He stood a meter away from Chu Jiujiu, his hands in his trouser pockets, and smiled silently, "Why didn't I see your brother today?"
Ever since she knew that Wen Xiuwei and Chu Shao were together, Chu Jiujiu no longer had any hostility towards Guan Yuelong, but she still couldn't like him.
Chu Jiujiu leaned closer to Han Shengyi and replied, "He's busy. The army won't give us leave, so they sent us here to take Weiwei home."
As Chu Jiujiu spoke, she glanced at him with her eyes. Her expression showed what she was thinking. Guan Yuelong found it funny, but didn't say anything.
He had indeed had that kind of thought about Wen Xiuwei before, and he had introduced her to a job in the hope of winning her favor. However, not long after she arrived in Luoyang, Guan Yuelong learned from Guan Jinqiao that she was dating her brother. Even then, he had actually wanted to snatch Wen Xiuwei away from Chu Shao. Later, when something happened in Luoyang, Guan Jinqiao called him after she was safe, crying. She said that thanks to Chu Shao, otherwise, they wouldn't even know where to take refuge.
Guan Jinqiao was afraid of Guan Yuelong, but she also relied on him very much and told him almost everything. From her, she learned that Chu Shao was her sister's savior and that he went back for Wen Xiuwei. After that day, Guan Yuelong's thoughts about Wen Xiuwei completely disappeared.
But Chu Jiujiu didn't know all these things, and she still believed that Guan Yuelong was one of the potential enemies of their Chu family.
…
Chu Jiujiu didn't want to pay attention to him, and Guan Yuelong wouldn't bother with a little girl like her. His gaze turned to the man behind her, and Guan Yuelong raised his eyebrows slightly.
Guan Yuelong saw them when Grandma Han was still here just now, but he didn't come over at that time.
After watching for a while, he recognized that Grandma Han should be the wife of Minister Han mentioned by Guan Jinqiao, and the man he had never seen was Minister Han’s grandson.
But this was not the reason why Guan Yuelong raised his eyebrows. He felt that Han Shengyi had a good temperament and was very similar to him, so he liked him.
…
While they were waiting for the train, Guan Yuelong started chatting with Han Shengyi. He spoke in a generous manner, without any shyness or pretense, and the information revealed in his few words also made Han Shengyi feel appreciative. Soon, they confirmed to each other that they were all kindred spirits.
Then, they chatted more enthusiastically.
Chu Jiujiu: “…”
If you can't kidnap Wen Xiuwei from her family, then kidnap Han Shengyi from her family.
A thief never leaves empty-handed.
Her legs were tired from standing, and finally, a large number of footsteps were heard from the entrance. Chu Jiujiu was suddenly awakened from her drowsy state. She was not short, she was 166 cm tall now, but there were too many big men in front of her craning their necks to look for their relatives. Even if she stood on tiptoe, she could not see who was coming out.
Wen Xiuwei was carrying her luggage, surrounded by colleagues from the crew. When she came out, she was also looking at the people at the pick-up point. After searching for a long time, she couldn't find any familiar faces. When Wen Xiuwei was at a loss, Guan Jinqiao next to her locked onto her tall and mighty brother at a glance.
"Brother! I'm here!"
Guan Jinqiao shouted, and there were many people shouting around her, but her voice was so penetrating that Guan Yuelong raised his hand high in response after hearing it.
Wen Xiuwei looked over. Han Shengyi's face was so recognizable that she smiled happily. Just as she was wondering where Chu Jiujiu was, she saw Chu Jiujiu emerge from among the people in the front and waved desperately at her: "Weiwei! Here, here!"
Not seeing each other for eleven months is no different from not seeing each other for a year. Chu Jiujiu has changed again. She has grown bigger and cut her bangs. Last year she liked blue, and this year she started to like red.
Chu Jiujiu wore a bright red sleeveless wool skirt with a thin milky white sweater on top. She looked more mature and festive than last year.
When she was in the car, Wen Xiuwei actually didn't feel much, but at this moment, she suddenly realized clearly that she had returned home.
Like everyone else, Wen Xiuwei quickened her pace. After running out, she threw away her luggage and excitedly hugged Chu Jiujiu. Then she let her go and touched her bangs. "You've lost weight and grown taller."
Chu Jiujiu told her very honestly, "No, I'm still 166cm tall. I ate a lot in the winter and gained two kilograms."
Wen Xiuwei: “…”
Still smiling, Wen Xiuwei pretended not to hear her words and turned to look at Han Shengyi. She said, "Thank you for your hard work, Shengyi. You are so busy during the day, but you still come to pick me up. Let's go home. I bought some local specialties for you all. Let's share them when we get back."
After saying that, she said goodbye to the crew. Everyone was busy meeting their relatives, so they just waved to each other and arrived at the parking lot outside. Grandma Han received the news and wanted to get out, but Secretary Lin persuaded her to stay in the car. She had no choice but to roll down the window and look outside eagerly.
Soon, three dark shadows walked towards them quickly.
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