Having received her father's promise, Zhang Meiling went directly to see Liu Zhiqiang.
Inside the detention center.
"Liu Zhiqiang's family?"
A uniformed policeman pushed open the iron gate, his voice serious.
"Yes, I am his wife."
Zhang Meiling quickly stood up.
The police officer looked her up and down, and his lips twitched slightly as he remembered the special instructions given to him by his superiors.
"Follow me. Remember, the meeting is only twenty minutes long and will be monitored the entire time. Do not attempt to pass any items or information."
Zhang Meiling nodded and followed the police through the long corridor.
The shouts of prisoners could be heard from time to time from the cells on both sides, and the air was filled with the smell of sweat and disinfectant.
Her stomach cramped, and she almost vomited.
She had never been to a place like this before, from childhood to adulthood.
Finally, they stopped in front of a small meeting room.
Through the iron bars, she saw Liu Zhiqiang already sitting inside, his hands cuffed to the table.
In just half a day, her husband seemed like a completely different person.
His face was utterly dejected, his eyes sunken, and he seemed to have lost all his energy.
"Meiling..."
Liu Zhiqiang looked up and saw his wife, his face filled with surprise and joy.
The policeman stood at the door, arms crossed over his chest, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's.
"Start the timer."
Zhang Meiling took a deep breath and sat down opposite Liu Zhiqiang.
"Zhiqiang, are you... alright?"
She asked softly, secretly making a "three" gesture with her finger under the table.
This was the secret code they agreed upon when they got married, meaning "the father has made arrangements."
Liu Zhiqiang's eyes lit up for a moment, then dimmed again.
"It's okay, I just can't sleep well."
He licked his chapped lips.
"Are the children...are the children alright?"
This was their agreed-upon code.
"The children" refers to key evidence in the case.
"Everything is fine."
Zhang Meiling leaned forward slightly and whispered.
"My father went to see them specifically and said they were both healthy, they just needed...some rest for a while."
She deliberately emphasized the word "rest".
Liu Zhiqiang's Adam's apple bobbed.
He understood his wife's hint.
Zhang Erhe has already made the necessary arrangements; he just needs to hold out for a while before he can leave.
"What about the school?"
He asked, his eyes fixed on his wife's fingers.
She was drawing a semicircle on the table with her fingertip, which was another of their secret codes, representing "half a year".
"Vice Principal Wang has temporarily taken over the work."
As Zhang Meiling spoke, she took a book out of her bag.
"I brought you a copy of the Analects. I remember your favorite part was 'A gentleman is magnanimous and open-minded.'"
The policeman suddenly coughed and came over to check the books.
He roughly flipped through the pages, making sure there was nothing tucked inside before tossing it back onto the table.
"Thanks."
Liu Zhiqiang forced a smile.
"Tell my father that I will remember his teachings and be an upright person."
Zhang Meiling's eyes reddened.
She knew her husband was promising to keep quiet.
"Everything is fine at home, you don't need to worry."
As she spoke, she secretly made an "OK" gesture with her finger under the table.
"The peonies in the garden are in full bloom. We're waiting for you to come back... so we can admire them together."
Liu Zhiqiang's eyes welled up with tears.
He understood what his wife meant.
He should be free in six months at most.
This promise gave him the courage to persevere.
"Time is up."
The police announced coldly.
Zhang Meiling stood up and suddenly raised her voice.
"Oh, by the way, my uncle asked me to tell you that he's going to Hainan for a recuperation trip next week and might not be back for six months."
This is the last line of defense.
This implies that Zhang Erhe will personally oversee the implementation of this promise.
Liu Zhiqiang nodded and watched his wife leave.
The moment the iron gate closed, he slumped into his chair, both relieved by the good news and terrified by the long prison sentence he was about to face.
But he knew that as long as he persevered and didn't betray the Zhang family, he would eventually see the light of day again.
at the same time.
Zhang Erhe's home.
Zhang Erhe sat in the study with a gloomy expression.
There was no change in the situation even though her son-in-law took all the blame.
Suddenly, a cry came from the nursery.
Zhang Erhe got up and walked towards the nursery.
Pushing open the door, I saw the nanny frantically trying to soothe a baby boy who was about six months old.
"Give me."
Zhang Erhe stretched out his hand, his voice leaving no room for doubt.
The nanny nervously handed the child over.
Strangely enough, the baby, who had been crying incessantly just moments before, immediately quieted down in Zhang Erhe's arms, staring at the old man with wide, curious eyes.
"Tianyi, my dear grandson."
Zhang Erhe gently coaxed the baby, his fingers lightly stroking the baby's delicate cheek.
"Grandpa's here, don't be afraid."
Zhang Tianyi.
This is the name Zhang Erhe gave to his grandson, meaning "the best in the world".
This child was his last hope, the continuation of the Zhang family bloodline.
The eldest son, Zhang Haishan, had three daughters, as did the second son, Zhang Haiyang.
Now, the child who was snatched from Li Jinhua has become the only male heir in the Zhang family.
"Sir, the milk powder is ready."
The nanny whispered and handed over a baby bottle.
Zhang Erhe tested the temperature and personally fed his grandson.
Watching the child greedily suckle, the wrinkles on his face smoothed out, revealing a rare expression of tenderness.
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