Chapter 23
Fu Jingyuan stayed at the Rong family's house for three days until his family in Xi'an came and forcibly took him back.
He arrived very secretly, causing his family great anxiety when they found out, fearing he had gone to challenge Rong Xiang to a duel. However, upon meeting, they discovered the two had a very close relationship, and judging from Fu Jingyuan's reluctant departure, they had no idea he had come with the hatred of someone who had stolen his wife.
Before leaving, he had a long private talk with Rongxiang.
"I really don't want to leave you." He hugged Rongxiang tightly and said affectionately, imitating a scene from a Western movie.
Rongxiang was almost having trouble breathing because of the tightness in his neck. Seeing that the man was moving closer again, he quickly turned his head away and warned in a low voice, "Don't kiss me!"
Fu Jingyuan completely ignored him and decisively pressed his lips heavily against his.
It was a wild and ferocious kiss, a chaotic and endless affair, with both parties displaying a fiery passion, their bodies pressed so tightly together they seemed to want to meld into each other. Instead of showing any affection, it was more like they wanted to devour each other.
After a long time, the two finally parted ways.
Rongxiang raised his hand, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, then looked down and, while straightening his shirt, asked teasingly, "How am I?"
Fu Jingyuan sat hunched over on the sofa beside him, taking deep breaths and trying to calm himself down as quickly as possible. Otherwise, with an erection, he really couldn't go out and face anyone. Hearing Rong Xiang's question, he looked up at him, puzzled, and said, "You're fine."
Rongxiang sat down next to him, smiling slightly, and asked, "If I let you kiss and hug me, will I become a good person?"
Fu Jingyuan then realized what he meant and hurriedly tried to explain, "No... that's not what I meant..."
"What does that mean?"
Fu Jingyuan was speechless for a while: "Anyway... I like you whether you are good or not."
Rong Xiang scoffed coldly: "Who cares! There are plenty of people who like me. I don't need Fu Jingyuan."
"Hmph... Apart from Guanglin, there's no decent person who would like you... They're only interested in your money. Everyone knows that you, Third Master Rong, don't have money to pay your subordinates, but you have money to buy clothes and jewelry for Wen Tingxiang, and you even buy diamond jewelry for that girl who sings drum ballads. Sigh, don't worry, with the way you spend money, even if it's sixty years from now when you're over eighty, countless people will still be vying to like you."
"Hmph, you know my affairs better than anyone else."
"You don't need to ask about your affairs. Just go to the street and buy a small newspaper and you'll know."
Why do you want to see my messages again?
"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated!"
"Is that so? But you still lost to me. The woman you liked is now my wife."
Fu Jingyuan frowned: "But... who was it that my kiss made your legs go weak yesterday?" He deliberately shook his head and sighed: "Sigh... this trip to Tongguan, with all the food, lodging, touching and hugging you gave me, I guess I got my money's worth!"
Rongxiang's expression froze for a moment, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks, quickly turning his face completely red. His beautiful, petal-like lips pursed slightly. He finally blurted out a curse, utterly devoid of any poetry: "You fucking bastard! Get the hell out of here!"
"Tsk tsk, why are you so angry? I thought I was the only one who was getting agitated these past few days!" After saying this, Fu Jingyuan looked closely at Rong Xiang's face and suddenly couldn't help but laugh. He hugged Rong Xiang tightly: "Hey? Are you really angry?"
Rong Xiang rolled his eyes at him: "Are you going to get out of here or not?"
Fu Jingyuan glanced at his watch: "According to the time, I should be leaving now. But I'll come back to see you in a couple of days."
“No need for you to come here. You should just focus on being your police chief!” Rongxiang said as he broke free and stood up. “Besides, my wife gets a headache just hearing your name. She’s too scared to even leave the room with you here. So, please don’t come here unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Mentioning Yan Guanglin, Fu Jingyuan's expression turned serious: "Be nice to her. She's really a good girl."
Rong Xiang's expression suddenly changed, and he impatiently waved his hand away: "My family matters are none of your business!"
Fu Jingyuan cautiously stood up and peered at his expression: "Are you jealous?"
Rongxiang turned around and pointed to the door: "Get out!"
After getting out of the car, Gu Wenqian did not go straight inside. He first adjusted his collar insignia and hat, then spat out the half-smoked cigarette from his mouth.
He was very tall, and in his crisp military uniform, he looked especially dignified and dashing. His face, which was originally bronze, had become fairer since he came to Tongguan and stayed indoors all the time; his features were very plain, almost to the point of being unremarkable, making him easily forgettable.
"Is Third Master free now?" he asked the orderly at the door perfunctorily, then strode in without waiting for an answer. As Yi Zhongming's prized student, he was a veteran in the army, and he still addressed Rong Xiang as "Third Master" as he had in the past. However, behind his back, because he looked down on Rong Xiang, he called him "Rong Laosan" (Third Brother Rong). As for why he looked down on him, there was no specific reason; he just generally felt that this person was all looks and no substance, but in reality, he was cowardly, greedy, and lustful, not a hero at heart, and certainly not qualified to be a leader. He wondered what Mr. Yi was thinking back then, that he would support him as his successor after Master Rong's death.
The orderly couldn't stop him, so he simply didn't, but ran a few steps to go in and report. Before the orderly could finish speaking, Gu Wenqian had already strode over.
"Third Master, I'm here." He greeted him loudly as he pushed open the door. He ran right into Xiao Meng, who was about to open the door. Xiao Meng quickly stepped aside to make way for him.
"Third Master, I..."
Rongxiang sat on the sofa, looking indifferently at the teacup in his hand, and said, "When will you learn to knock on the door?"
Gu Wenqian was stunned: "I..."
"I'm asking you, when will you be able to learn it?"
"Third Master, I brought you important documents! I was in such a rush... I forgot..."
Rongxiang tilted his chin toward the table: "Put it there."
Gu Wenqian frowned, stepped forward, and threw the documents on the table: "Is there anything else, Third Master?"
"You stand there and wait!"
After saying this, Rong Xiang didn't move. He slowly finished the hot tea in his cup, then slowly stood up, walked to the table, and flipped through the documents.
"How is Fu Yangshan now?"
Gu Wenqian suppressed his anger and tried to keep his tone calm: "He only has a little over ten thousand men left, including the wounded. That's why he urgently asked you for help."
Where is Zhao Zhensheng?
"He's in a better position; he has over 30,000 men. And they've seized a batch of new firearms from Fu Yangshan."
Rong Xiang snorted and continued to intently examine the papers, flipping through them countless times. Finally finishing, he poured himself a cup of tea and returned to the sofa, lost in thought. Since he remained silent, Gu Wenqian could only stand there.
The tea was very hot, and Rongxiang drank it carefully, afraid of burning his mouth. Gu Wenqian, that troublemaker, was becoming increasingly unruly. If he wasn't taught a lesson soon, he might rebel—lacking Yi Zhongming's abilities but possessing his ambition, he didn't even know his place, daring to come here and put on airs. Once this matter was over, he would definitely be dealt with!
As he thought of something ruthless, he unconsciously glanced at Gu Wenqian, who happened to be secretly watching Rong Xiang's expression as well. Their eyes met, and they immediately turned their heads away.
Rongxiang sighed: "You go back to the military headquarters first and have everyone come over. I'm going to a meeting in thirty minutes."
"yes."
Gu Wenqian agreed and turned to leave.
The so-called military headquarters was actually just a local teachers' college that had been slightly converted. Rongxiang walked down the long corridor surrounded by a group of orderly and adjutant. The leather boots of many people made a soft and messy thud on the cement floor.
From afar, the sounds of laughter and conversation could be heard coming from the conference room. When Xiao Meng opened the door for Rong Xiang, the people inside were having a lively discussion about the local prostitutes. When they saw Rong Xiang come in, they all fell silent and sat up straighter, showing that they still had some of the demeanor of soldiers.
The meeting proceeded quickly, and everyone was willing to go and support Fu Yangshan—if they didn't fight soon, they would starve. Although the area around Bashang had already been thoroughly plundered by Fu and Zhao's armies, they could still squeeze out some resources if they put in the effort. The only problem was that the army was currently without guns or artillery, and they didn't know how to fight this battle.
Rongxiang was surprised: "Where are the guns and cannons?"
The people below answered somewhat awkwardly: "We do have guns and cannons, but we are short of ammunition."
Rong Xiang was so angry that his vision blurred. He had personally inspected the ammunition supply before the retreat from Manchuria. After arriving in Xi'an, he had been idle for almost half a year, yet he hadn't missed a single shot or artillery piece. How could the ammunition be "severely insufficient"? In the end, these people must have secretly sold it for money! Ever since Yi Zhongming's death, these people had been outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant towards him. Now they were openly lying to him; they were practically rebelling!
Looking at the dozens of oily, overweight faces before him, Rong Xiang paused for a long time before speaking: "Ammunition is of utmost importance, and we have limited time. Procurement is not a problem, but we have nowhere to find the funds, so we have no choice but to trouble the local people. You are all very experienced in this kind of thing, so I don't need to teach you. In short, my team will set off in three days. If anyone is delayed because of you, don't blame me for turning my back on you!"
The crowd below nodded in unison: "Yes, yes, yes."
"Meeting adjourned."
After saying this, he stood up first, and without waiting for anyone to call him, he pushed open the door and walked out.
After each encounter with these officers who were like scoundrels among the soldiers, Rongxiang couldn't help but feel depressed for a day or two. He felt that no matter how hard he tried to build his ideals, once they passed through the hands of these people, his so-called ideals were very likely to turn into a self-amusing farce.
"They all want to fool me and swindle some benefits from me. It's the same in war. They're only brave and fearless when they're plundering, but when it comes to real fighting, they all run faster than rabbits! Otherwise, I wouldn't have had to escape from Manchuria in such a sorry state!"
Thinking about this, Rongxiang became even more indignant.
He had something on his mind, but since he had no one to confide in, he always kept it to himself. For example, even though he was getting angrier and angrier, feeling like he had been bullied by everyone in the world, he instead put on a stern expression and remained silent.
When he got home, he was still sulking to himself. He ran into Yan Guanglin, who was returning home, and only gave her a perfunctory greeting before heading into the yard. After taking three steps, he suddenly realized what was happening, stopped, and turned back to ask her, "Where have you been?"
Yan Guanglin rarely saw him with such an unfriendly expression, and did not think that he had been upset outside. Instead, she thought that he was deliberately giving her a hard time because he was unhappy that she went out so casually. She felt a surge of anger and thought to herself, "You rarely even look at me all day, yet you dare to tell me when to go out?"
She was angry, and she had something in common with Rongxiang: she didn't show it on her face, but her expression was indifferent, and her round and beautiful white face darkened, like a serene Guanyin statue.
Rongxiang asked a question, but instead of answering, she kept walking quickly towards the inner courtyard. He was puzzled, but because he was preoccupied with his own thoughts, he didn't feel like asking her what was going on. He just added to her back, "Don't go out unless necessary. If you do go out, take your orderly with you. Things aren't safe here right now."
Upon hearing this, Yan Guanglin seemed to pause for a moment, but ultimately did not stop. In a flash, he disappeared behind the half-closed courtyard gate.
Rong Xiang always unconsciously treated Yan Guanglin with extra care and politeness. Firstly, because she was a genuine heiress, truly educated and having studied abroad, her manners and speech were far superior to his previous lovers. Secondly, he was grateful for her coming to him alone—even though he had neither been prepared nor interested in this affection. Now, more than two months had passed between them, and he privately felt that having a sweet little companion to sleep with was actually quite nice.
So during the day, he was preoccupied with many things and didn't feel much love for Yan Guanglin. It wasn't until nightfall and they were in bed that he began to feel a little affectionate towards her.
Back in his study, he found a letter on his desk. There was no signature on the envelope. He tore it open and read that it was from Fu Jingyuan. The first half was a love letter, but the second half was an urgent plea for help. It said that his elder brother was now driven to the brink of despair, and that he himself was finding it increasingly difficult to maintain control in the city. He implored Rong Xiang to immediately send troops to rescue him from this crisis.
After reading the letter, he slumped down, unbuttoning his cuffs to prepare for the injection while pondering: How could Fu Jingyuan be involved in such a thing? Could it be that Fu Yangshan is really doomed? If so, he really can't delay any longer. What if Zhao Zhensheng wipes out the Fu family in one fell swoop? Wouldn't all his efforts in guarding the city have been in vain?
After the morphine injection, he breathed a genuine sigh of relief, thinking that if this succeeded, he would quit using it no matter what. Being controlled by this substance every day was a constant source of anxiety, always fearing a sudden withdrawal and public embarrassment. Besides, his body couldn't take it. As a soldier, he was either fighting or fleeing for his life; how could he survive if he wasn't healthy?
He was engrossed in his own plans, as if he had a whole lecturing team in his mind, eloquently describing his rosy future. Gradually, he forgot all about the team leaders who had been pleading poverty and asking him for money.
At the dinner table, Rongxiang and Yan Guanglin met again.
This time, Yan Guanglin's expression returned to normal. The two exchanged a few words and then sat down to eat.
Yan Guanglin poked at the small bowl of rice in front of her with her chopsticks. Her mind was in turmoil, so even though she had been running around outside all day and hadn't had a proper lunch, she still had no appetite. She glanced up at Rong Xiang and saw that he seemed to be eating with great relish.
Actually, not long after she arrived, she discovered that Rongxiang had an amazing appetite. Because of their different schedules, the two of them only ate dinner together. She didn't know exactly how many meals Rongxiang ate a day, but she noticed that there was always smoke coming from the small kitchen. When she asked, she was always hearing that they were reheating food, which was then placed on a large tray and carried to the study by Xiao Meng.
In addition, Rongxiang kept plenty of snacks and treats in every room he frequented. Like a greedy little girl, he would pop food into his mouth whenever he had a spare moment. Even his suit pockets were full of candy.
Yan Guanglin was initially worried that he might upset his stomach, but being new to the place, she was too embarrassed to say much. Later, she finally couldn't help but ask, "How come you ate so much all at once? Can you digest it all?"
Rongxiang answered in a very objective manner: "Because I want to gain some weight. Of course, it was very difficult to eat at first, but I'm used to it now."
Yan Guanglin looked at his still slender waist with suspicion: "So... have you gained weight?"
Rongxiang nodded: "He's three pounds heavier than when he was in Xi'an."
Yan Guanglin chuckled, thinking to herself that she must have eaten more than three pounds in a day; her weight gain was really inefficient.
But Yan Guanglin had no mood for teasing at the moment. Looking at Rong Xiang's puffed-out cheeks, she unconsciously frowned.
Her melancholy and sadness were perhaps too obvious. After swallowing the last bite of rice, Rongxiang finally looked up and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
Yan Guanglin was taken aback, then smiled and said, "Nothing? Are you full?"
Rongxiang laughed too: "I'm full. You don't have an appetite today? What would you like to eat? I'll have someone go and buy it."
Yan Guanglin hesitated before standing up: "Come back to the room with me, I have something to tell you."
The couple had already replaced the bright red decorations in their new room because the color was just too dazzling and gave them a headache.
"I...I might be pregnant."
These were Yan Guanglin's first words upon entering the room. But she didn't seem to have the joy of becoming a mother; her face was full of worry.
Rongxiang was also stunned for a moment: "You...you're pregnant?"
Yan Guanglin nodded.
Rongxiang smiled with relief: "Then you should be more careful in the future and not hurt yourself."
His reaction surprised Yan Guanglin: "You accept this child?"
Her words baffled Rongxiang: "What do you mean? Isn't this my child? Why shouldn't I accept it?"
Yan Guanglin took a step back and sat on the bed: "I just feel that the situation is so unstable right now, and you have to fight a war. I'm afraid that being heavily pregnant will hold you back and cause you trouble."
Her words made Rongxiang feel somewhat guilty. He went over and sat down next to her, gently comforting her, "You're overthinking it. Just have the baby. There's no reason for a husband to prevent his wife from having children just because he's busy. If a fight really breaks out, you can stay in Tongguan. This place is practically mine, so it's absolutely safe."
Upon hearing this, Yan Guanglin couldn't help but turn her head to look at him. She saw him gazing at her intently, his eyes so beautiful, with slightly upturned corners, carrying a touch of childlike charm.
She sighed and then laughed to herself, "I went to the hospital today, and the doctor told me I'm only two months pregnant. I was really panicked when I heard that. Honestly, I'm pregnant with your child, but I still feel sorry for you."
The two sat side by side and smiled silently together.
Then came silence.
Ten minutes later, Yan Guanglin's voice rang out softly:
"I have another concern—you're giving the child such a strong dose of morphine, I wonder what kind of effect it will have on the child. I asked the doctor, but the doctor wasn't sure either."
"Oh...I'll quit once this battle is over."
"Huh? Why did you decide to quit?"
"Hehe, if I don't quit, this stuff will kill me."
"I'm so glad to hear you say that today..."
"..."
Rongxiang and Yan Guanglin chatted for a long time, the atmosphere unusually warm and intimate, as if after more than two months, they had finally become a family. Unfortunately, the topic was heavy, leaving a sense of bewilderment and sadness amidst the warmth.
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