0159 168 Family Reunion
Zhou Xiye took Li Ling back to the hospital. Before leaving, Li Ling instructed Zhou Xiye, "I received orders that, in addition to the results of my on-site investigation, there are two more documents: one confirming your innocence, and the other..."
Li Ling said seriously, "The other document requires you to suspend your duties and return to Beijing for investigation. Right now, we don't know which document will be released."
"What if it's the result of your investigation?"
"Receive education and write a self-criticism."
Zhou Xiye nodded, then thought for a moment, "Isn't there still a two-thirds chance of surviving unscathed?" After saying that, she smiled and patted Li Ling's shoulder, "Don't be so serious and tense. This is a special time, and you can only break through the encirclement if you keep a good mindset."
Li Ling rolled her eyes and sighed, "You didn't have this good attitude when you were in the car accident."
"Isn't it because I was afraid you'd die?"
Li Ling was completely speechless. She waved her hand and said, "I'm leaving in two weeks. Take care of yourself."
After leaving the hospital, Zhou Xiye arrived home. As soon as he entered, the aroma of food wafted out. Pei Zhiyu came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of soup. Seeing Zhou Xiye return, she put down the soup bowl and casually wiped her hand on her apron. "You're back? Are you tired today?"
Zhou Xiye changed his shoes, took off his clothes, and walked to the dining table wearing a pearl-colored shirt and black suit pants. He sat down with his black hair blowing down his back. "It's alright. I dealt with the situation in northern Myanmar."
"Northern Myanmar?" Pei Zhiyu asked, frowning. "Is it a scam?"
"Not only that, there's also trafficking of children and women," Zhou Xiye picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, chewed it a couple of times, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he straightened his back. "It's delicious!"
Pei Zhiyu smiled modestly and picked up her chopsticks as well. "I hired a cook in Hangzhou to teach me how to cook... I'm glad you like it..."
Under Zhou Xiye's gaze and praise, his face involuntarily turned red. She smiled, turned her head away, and began to eat heartily.
Pei Zhiyu and Zhou Xiye rarely had such warm moments. Before, he had kept things from her and schemed against her, while Zhou Xiye didn't care about him and resented him. Now, the two of them, who were at the center of the storm, were living the normal life of an ordinary couple.
True friendship is revealed in times of adversity; the waves crashing on the beach reveal the most beautiful gems—Pei Zhiyu's persistent expression at this moment is truly touching.
After dinner, Pei Zhiyu and Zhou Xiye washed the dishes together, while the sound of the evening news broadcast came from the television in the living room. Zhou Xiye rolled up his sleeves, his movements quick and efficient, but his ears and mind were completely absorbed in the evening news, and his hair sometimes rolled up to his chest.
Pei Zhiyu dried her hands, found the leather sheath, and helped her tie it on.
"The Asian Games were a great success. What's the significance of that?" Zhou Xiye suddenly asked.
"It doesn't mean anything special... Actually, the former mayor and provincial party secretary were already busy with the Asian Games. I was just a Cheng Yaojin, who suddenly appeared and took all their credit. That's not fair."
Zhou Xiye shook the water off his hands. "That's pretty unfair," he said, taking a piece of paper to wipe his hands. The two of them then went to the kitchen together.
“So now, it’s better if I relax a bit…” Pei Zhiyu put her arm around Zhou Xiye’s waist and looked at her sideways. “You don’t mind if I stay here a few more days, do you?”
Zhou Xiye knew exactly what his intentions were. "You..."
Pei Zhiyu pushed Zhou Xiye into the bathroom. "We haven't had marital relations in a long time. Work is work, but it shouldn't affect our private lives..." As soon as Zhou Xiye went in, he closed the bathroom door.
After the hot water was ready, Zhou Xiye took off her clothes and sat in the bathtub. The feeling of being soaked in the hot water was wonderful, and her tense muscles gradually relaxed. On the other side, Pei Zhiyu also took off his clothes. From behind, he was tall and slender, with a youthful air about him.
Before Zhou Xiye could react, Pei Zhiyu suddenly turned around, swaying her lower body. At this moment, Pei Zhiyu was completely naked, and her lower body was quite eye-catching. Zhou Xiye looked over.
Pei Zhiyu smiled, her face slightly flushed, and quickly walked to the edge of the bathtub. She stepped into the water, sat behind Zhou Xiye, and embraced her.
“We’ve been married for so long… what’s so interesting about this…” Pei Zhiyu hugged Zhou Xiye, resting her chin on her shoulder, and glanced down at the wound still wrapped in white bandages. “Does it hurt?”
Zhou Xiye shook his head, gradually relaxed, put his weight on him, and nodded again, "It really hurt back then, but it doesn't hurt now."
Pei Zhiyu stretched out her finger and gently touched it. "I've never seen a gunshot wound before, not even as a child."
Zhou Xiye closed his eyes and hummed in agreement.
"Shall I change your dressing in a bit?"
"good."
He turned his head and kissed Zhou Xiye's lips.
I've been longing for this for so long.
The bathroom was filled with steam, and the temperature was rising. The toilet door, which wasn't closed properly, had a crack in it, allowing the loud noise from the television to escape, along with soft moans and groans.
When applying the medicine, Pei Zhiyu was very careful. Looking at the hideous wound, with red scabs crawling across his skin, he frowned as he applied the medicine.
Zhou Xiye noticed that Pei Zhiyu had finished applying the medicine, but his gaze lingered on him. She turned to him and asked, "What's wrong?"
Pei Zhiyu shook her head, her delicate features showing no interest. She tilted her head, leaned in and kissed her shoulder, then helped her put her clothes back on, and gently hugged her again. "It's nothing... I'm just worried about you."
Zhou Xiye chuckled, his grip tightening even more. A suppressed emotion spread between them; every moment was precious.
Pei Zhiyu stayed in Kunming for three months, and he didn't leave until the eve of the Lunar New Year.
Zhou Xiye subtly hinted at something, but Pei Zhiyu pretended not to understand. Even when Pei Zhiyu's secretary and the deputy mayor came to talk to him, Pei Zhiyu simply worked from home. He even declared, "Hangzhou will function just fine without me; don't come to me for everything."
The mayor of Hangzhou became Zhou Xiye's concubine.
Ling Xingzhi was aware of this, and whenever he heard Zhou Xiye decline social engagements to go home and have dinner with her husband, he could only smile. The situation seemed to be developing in a positive direction, but undercurrents were brewing.
Ling Xingzhi recalled the events in Panama, Zhou Xiye's vulnerable state during the car accident, and his desperate, unyielding demeanor in the subway case. He lit a cigarette in melancholy, sat in the courtyard, and watched the smoke swirl and disappear into the night, like a scholar from ancient times sleeping against a wall. A moment later, unable to distinguish between dream and reality, a beautiful fox spirit appeared. After a tender and passionate encounter, she made a vow to him for eternity.
Startled awake, Ling Xingzhi remained dazed for a long time, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat. It wasn't until he got off the recliner that he remembered the face of the succubus in his dream was exactly the same as Zhou Xiye's.
Not long after, Li Ling also left. The warlords in northern Myanmar became much more subdued, and as their years approached, they were able to have a good New Year. Although many of them said that those who went to northern Myanmar did so voluntarily, driven by greed and the desire to make a lot of money. It is true that one can make a lot of money in northern Myanmar, but it's a life-threatening one.
The newly appointed provincial party secretary, Wu Qiong, also met with the party secretaries of various cities at the meeting and expressed her expectations and outlook for the new year, as well as the current situation in Yunnan. Her promise to Zhou Xiye to visit the Taoist temple had long since vanished.
In such matters, one must adapt to the situation; Zhou Xiye could only follow Wu Qiong's arrangements.
At the New Year's Eve meeting, everyone wore smiles. During the Spring Festival, no major incidents were allowed—that was the basic rule. People quickly forgot their pain and looked forward to the New Year, a time of peace and excitement. But not everyone's joy was genuine; beneath the calm lay a huge void, like a volcano beneath the sea, restless and ready to erupt.
Zhou Xiye counted down the days, her life becoming peaceful and safe, which was extremely dangerous for her. Even more hopeless was the fact that she didn't know when they would arrive; the countdown seemed endless. The desk lamp in the study emitted an orange glow, and steam rose from the teacup beneath it.
She tore off a page from the calendar and threw it in the trash.
You have to be patient at this time.
Even if she wanted to take the initiative, she was overestimating herself. Like an egg hitting a rock, face to face, Zhou Xiye had no chance of winning. Only when the egg becomes a chicken, and crashes into the wall, can it fly away and save its life. Outside the study, the television hummed softly. Zhou Xiye turned off the desk lamp and stood up.
"Aren't you going home for Chinese New Year this year?" Zhou Xiye came out of the study and saw Pei Zhiyu sitting on the sofa watching a football match with a tablet. Hearing Zhou Xiye's voice, he paused the video, looked up, and said, "I'll spend it with you."
Zhou Xiye sat down, looked at Pei Zhiyu, and thought for a moment before saying, "I think it would be better for you to go home for the New Year."
"I want to live with you. If you want to go back, I will go back."
Pei Zhiyu said calmly, "The calmer you are, the more obsessive you are." Zhou Xiye nodded, looked away, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "My investigation results haven't come out yet. If I have to be suspended from my post and return to Beijing to write a self-criticism, will you come with me?"
"You can't return to the capital. The power dynamics in the capital are complex and intertwined. How can you restrain them?"
Zhou Xiye nodded, then shook his head. "I have to go. There's no new beginning without destruction. If I'm going to die, I want to die knowing why."
"I won't let anything happen to you!" Pei Zhiyu said hurriedly, unable to understand. "Zhou Xiye, we're in this together. Your life is tied to mine. Before you make a decision, please consider my situation."
"Then you shouldn't be staying at my house and refusing to leave, instead of going back to your office. What are you planning now? Did you install another camera in my house? Pei Zhiyu, you're a real pervert!"
Pei Zhiyu suddenly stood up. "I didn't, Zhou Xiye! You can't frame me without evidence!"
Zhou Xiye chuckled and stood up as well. "Fine, what if I find out? You can get out of my house then, right?"
Pei Zhiyu frowned, her rationality returning, and said in a calm voice, "You did this on purpose, and your provocation won't work. Zhou Xiye, don't even think about dying! If it really comes down to it, the two of us will run away, go abroad, leave the country! Go anywhere!"
"I won't run away, I haven't done anything wrong! Even if I die because of political infighting, I will die honorably in China. You want me to be a cowardly runaway? No way!"
Enraged, Pei Zhiyu took a deep breath and slumped heavily onto the sofa. "Fine, I'll die with you!"
Zhou Xiye didn't think that way at all; she was determined not to let anyone interfere in her affairs. It wasn't that she was some kind of saint, but if she were the only one involved, there would be far fewer factors to control. The more people involved, the more unexpected things could happen, and she didn't want any complications.
Pei Zhiyu had been in Kunming for almost three months, and this was the only way Zhou Xiye could get rid of him. Even if Zhou Xiye changed the locks while Pei Zhiyu was at the supermarket, he could still get someone to knock on the door within half an hour, and then sit calmly in the doorless room wearing a coat, waiting for Zhou Xiye to come home from work.
"Honey, the door lock isn't working properly, so I've changed it. Here's the key, please keep it safe."
Such a trivial matter couldn't drive him away. Zhou Xiye watched his stubborn back, her heart unmoved. This cold winter, the home became warmer because of his presence. She was even more grateful, selfishly thinking, that it was fortunate Zhou Pei wasn't there, and hadn't been affected by her affairs.
Pei Zhiyu filled the void of warmth that was missing. The hole was huge, yet not that big.
The two lived a very happy life. As the Spring Festival approached, Pei Zhiyu invited Zhou Xiye to go to the supermarket to buy New Year's goods. She rushed there after work, as she had many meetings before the holiday. When they arrived at the supermarket, Pei Zhiyu sat on a bench, looking at the children's section where children were running around.
Zhou Xiye sat down next to him, and Pei Zhiyu turned his head to look at him, smiled, and asked, "Are you done with your work?" He reached out and took Zhou Xiye's hand, putting it in his pocket, where it felt very warm.
"I should have given up sooner."
Zhou Xiye was puzzled, "Give up what?"
Pei Zhiyu smiled gently, "I've only recently come to realize that being together is the most important thing. Whether I can give you a home or protect you, those things don't matter. You'll fight for them yourself. Even if you're tired, I'll love to hear you complain to me when you come home."
Zhou Xiye was stunned for a moment, then his body went limp and he leaned against Pei Zhiyu.
"...I should have done this sooner, then there would be no barrier between us...and perhaps our child could go to kindergarten then."
Zhou Xiye smiled and shook his head, "We've been married for less than a year, how could we have a child in kindergarten?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Pei Zhiyu's face showed a hint of loneliness. "Yes, we've been married for less than a year..." He turned to look at Zhou Xiye, "It's our first wedding anniversary. Where do you want to go? I'll go with you."
Putting aside all other thoughts, Zhou Xiye was actually thinking about where would be a good place to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. "Civil servants can't go abroad, right..."
"Could we celebrate by going out for an exchange program?"
Zhou Xiye shook his head, "Forget it, I've come to Yunnan and haven't been to Shangri-La yet, we can go there."
"Drive there? I heard from them that the scenery along the way is beautiful."
"Okay, let's drive there then..."
"Then we don't need to wait until the anniversary, right? I'm afraid you won't be able to get away then. Let's go during the Lunar New Year... On the anniversary, I'll cook you a Manchu Han Imperial Feast..."
"Really? You can cook so many dishes?"
"Learning one lesson a day, no problem..."
As they talked, they unconsciously stood up and walked into the supermarket. Andy Lau's "Gong Xi Fa Cai" was playing, and many people were buying New Year's goods. Pei Zhiyu was seeing this scene for the first time and was somewhat excited, "So this is what it feels like to start a family..."
"How does it feel?"
"Having the right to freely shop at the supermarket."
Zhou Xiye smiled, and the two pushed the cart toward the drinks area.
This is fine, isn't it? While waiting in line to pay, Zhou Xiye looked at the crowd and thought of Zhou Pei again. She wondered how he would spend this year, who he would spend it with, and whether he would think of her, his sister who liked to "stir up trouble".
Zhou Xiye was given a day off to stay home the day before Lunar New Year's Eve.
The Spring Festival couplets were distributed by their work units; the Municipal Commission of Urban Management gave them one set, and the Municipal Government gave them another. After a serious discussion, Pei Zhiyu and Zhou Xiye decided to buy a new set from a street vendor near the building entrance. After pasting up the couplets, Pei Zhiyu found a pile of red paper somewhere and quickly folded it into a lifelike little frog.
“My grandfather taught me this. When I was a child, during the Spring Festival, the children in the compound would fold frogs and have frog competitions to see whose frog could jump the farthest,” Pei Zhiyu said with a smile, her eyes full of youthful energy.
Zhou Xiye was quite surprised, as it was rare to see Pei Zhiyu like this.
"Then who wins?"
Pei Zhiyu sighed, "Ling Xingzhi, he's a few years older than us. He won the competition by folding frogs and then took all of everyone's frogs. Later I found out that the frogs he used were folded by my maternal grandfather."
Zhou Xiye laughed heartily, "That's exactly what he would do."
"Would you like to fold a frog? I'll teach you."
Zhou Xiye hesitated for a moment, "Okay then..."
Just as she was about to fold frogs, Zhou Xiye's phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, her expression changed. Pei Zhiyu noticed and, after a pause, asked, "Is it a work call?"
"……yes."
"Then you go pick it up first, there's no rush."
Zhou Xiye took her phone and went into the study. She watched the phone screen go dark and then light up again, but she couldn't bring herself to answer the call.
On New Year's Eve, the two woke up at noon. The TV was showing a video of the Spring Festival Gala backstage. Neither Zhou Xiye nor Pei Zhiyu knew how to make dumplings, so they watched the video and tried to learn by putting on aprons. Anyway, they didn't look very pretty, but as long as they were edible, it was fine.
"After eating dumplings, we'll head to Shangri-La. I've already booked the hotel."
Pei Zhiyu took a bite of the dumpling; the meat filling was a bit salty.
Zhou Xiye nodded, and ate ten dumplings in one go. Pei Zhiyu looked at her, "They're not good, why did you eat so many..."
"I'm from the North, and I love dumplings..."
"I'm from the North too..."
"I'll drive in a bit!" Zhou Xiye argued, glancing at his watch. "Let's go, or we'll get stuck in traffic."
Pei Zhiyu didn't want to move. He sat at the dining table and watched Zhou Xiye get up, put on his clothes and shoes, without moving an inch.
Zhou Xiye turned around and asked, "Why aren't you leaving?"
Pei Zhiyu shook her head, tears falling unexpectedly. "Zhou Xiye, I have a feeling you don't want me anymore."
In that instant, the room fell silent, except for the incredibly loud television.
The two looked at each other, and Pei Zhiyu's tears flowed uncontrollably.
“I’ve been trying so hard, haven’t you seen the changes in me? Am I still not trying hard enough, not good enough, so I’m not qualified to face all the troubles we’re facing together?”
These words struck Zhou Xiye like a blow; she lost her balance, shrugged, and sat down on the ground.
She opened her mouth, trying to come up with a reason, a perfect reason.
But to her surprise, Zhou Xiye looked up at Pei Zhiyu and said very calmly, "Pei Zhiyu, we have no other choice."
“If you weren’t a child of the Pei family, I wouldn’t have such great ambitions. We would have been a very happy couple, really.”
“I can give up everything. I want to quit. Zhou Xiye, I can quit the princeling party. I... I'm tired too.”
Zhou Xiye shook her head and lowered her head. She had no strength left and leaned against the wall.
“We can’t get out, Pei Zhiyu, they’ve surrounded the entire neighborhood.”
“You told them,” Pei Zhiyu stood up, walked to Zhou Xiye, and squatted down. “Why?”
Zhou Xiye didn't know either.
She shook her head.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, startling both of them.
Pei Zhiyu cupped Zhou Xiye's face in her hands, and the two looked into each other's eyes. "I can give up everything for you, can you give up everything for me?"
Zhou Xiye pursed his lips, unable to speak.
Pei Zhiyu shook her head. "I can't lose you. You only gave me this one chance... Zhou Xiye, if we break up, you will never come back. There is no possibility between us."
A knock came at the door, and Pei Zhiyu suddenly laughed, "Let's die together? Let's die together, okay?" He pressed his face against Zhou Xiye's cheek, gently rubbing it, his tears sticking to her face.
Zhou Xiye closed his eyes. "Pei Zhiyu, calm down."
Pei Zhiyu suddenly pulled Zhou Xiye into his arms with all his might, saying, "Since we can't be together in life, then let's die together!" With that, he pulled Zhou Xiye toward the balcony.
"Pei Zhiyu!" Zhou Xiye shouted, "Wake up!"
Pei Zhiyu had gone mad; he couldn't hear anything. He opened the window, the wind blew in, and he felt free.
"Let's die together. I told you, I'm willing to die with you."
He took Zhou Xiye's hand.
Zhou Xiye shook his head and tried to pull Pei Zhiyu back. But his strength was greater than Zhou Xiye's. Just as he hugged Zhou Xiye, someone broke down the door and two or three people subdued Pei Zhiyu and pinned him to the side.
Zhou Xiye stumbled back a few steps and fell to the ground because he suddenly let go.
She didn't rush to get up, but looked at the ceiling as a cold wind blew in.
A howl, like that of a wild beast, rang out; it was Pei Zhiyu's voice.
Zhou Xiye knew that she wanted to get up and comfort her, but she was too tired and had no strength left.
Footsteps sounded. "Let me go! Zhou Xiye! Zhou Xiye!"
The shouting suddenly stopped, then the footsteps faded into the distance, the door slammed shut, and the room returned to normal.
A cold, clear sound came from the television.
"...The Spring Festival is a time for family reunions..."
Zhou Xiye closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face.
She couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears.
In the end, she couldn't hold onto anything.
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