An Moxue drove the car specially approved by the bureau chief to the department store in Kyoto. She went on a shopping spree, buying everything from candy to cigarettes and alcohol, then pastries to fabrics, until she had spent almost all the money she had left.
She tidied up the things in the back seat of the car, sorting out the items to be given away and the items to be mailed to elders and friends, and then put the extras into the storage space.
I drove to the post office and started mailing things, several to my childhood friends, Old Ma, Old Li, Village Chief Guo, and Director Li.
After An Moxue came out of the post office, the people there started discussing who this spendthrift was and how much these things cost.
An Moxue paid no attention to the surprised expressions on the post office staff's faces after she went in, let alone the gossip behind her back.
She drove to a secluded spot, reverted to her original appearance, and put on a green military uniform. It was the work uniform issued by the National Security Bureau, but unfortunately she had never had the chance to wear it. Even today, she wore it without shoulder insignia, as it was just a casual uniform and her identity still needed to be concealed.
Since going to Oseri, she can eat more openly. As a noblewoman, she takes her skin care to the extreme. With the conditioning of the well water in the space over the past few years, her skin is even whiter and brighter, and so delicate that it seems to break at a touch.
She looked at herself in the mirror and was extremely satisfied. However, she always wore her hair in two braids during this period, which was not her preferred style. But there was nothing she could do; when in Rome, do as the Romans do. She had to put up with it and couldn't ruin her image. She straightened her hat, started the jeep, and drove towards the Lion Independent Regiment.
Upon arriving at the Independent Regiment, An Moxue gave her name and presented her letter of introduction. The young soldiers guarding the gate of the Independent Regiment were so surprised that their mouths formed an "O" shape.
Who is this? —An Moxue.
He's been a prominent figure lately!
She may not be in the martial arts world anymore, but her legend lives on.
Shouldn't those who were sent to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution be thin and pale or dark-skinned?
Is Comrade An definitely going to the countryside, and not doing anything else?
And this is so beautiful!
They even drove here! Anyone can drive that car.
Did they come back because they heard about the recent rumors?
The young soldier looked at her with a mixture of sympathy and admiration, his gaze so complex that An Moxue couldn't ignore it. She tentatively asked, "Comrade, what's wrong? You might as well speak your mind."
The young soldier took a deep breath. "Comrade An, don't worry. Justice may be delayed, but it will never be absent."
"Okay, thank you. Here, have some." An Moxue took out a handful of candy and handed it to him. Before he could react, she drove into the military base.
An Moxue only saw the young soldier's outstretched hand and his face looking at her in the rearview mirror. She smiled slightly, and the car turned a corner.
An Moxue parked her car in the administration building, took her things, and went inside.
When Zhang Jing saw An Moxue, he was slightly surprised. This child was not only incredibly capable, but also more beautiful than he had ever seen before. "Not bad, she is even more charming than your parents were back then. They have truly made a good successor."
An Moxue handed over the gift, laughing carefree, "Of course, don't you know whose daughter I am!"
Zhang Jing laughed and scolded, "How arrogant!"
Without standing on ceremony with An Moxue, he said, "Pour yourself some water, let's continue our conversation." He then sat down and began checking the things An Moxue had brought. "Niece, is there any wine?"
An Moxue didn't even turn her head, picked up a cup, and said, "Yes, Uncle Zhang, would you like some water?"
"I don't want to drink it, just pour your own."
As the two were talking, An Moxue poured herself a glass of water and sat down in a chair, while Zhang Jing opened his bag.
"Why is there so much beef jerky?"
"I only brought these things back from the mission. Uncle Zhang, you can share them with the other uncles. I didn't expect to come to Kyoto, so I didn't prepare much. You can keep the wine for yourself!"
"Alright, this is a gift from my eldest niece. I have to hide it, otherwise they'll definitely come when they hear you're here, and the wine will be lost." With that, he locked the wine in the drawer of his desk.
Zhang Jing looked at her, and it seemed that the quiet, refined young lady from a wealthy family hidden in a secluded mansion was gone, replaced by a brave and intelligent girl in front of him. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine!" Why tell others about her hardships? Besides gaining some sympathy, what else does she need?
"Aren't you?" An Moxue understood the unspoken meaning behind Zhang Jing's question.
"I came back to hand in my mission and helped escort them to Kyoto. When my superiors found out about my family situation, they gave me a few days off."
"You knew all along?"
"The leader didn't go into details, only saying that there was a murder case involving six people that implicated my parents, and gave me time to investigate."
"Then I'll start from the beginning. These six people were all on a mission with your parents back then..."
An Moxue listened attentively without interrupting, until Zhang Jing finished explaining the case and the rumors. Then, An Moxue asked a question that shocked him so much that his face changed color.
"Uncle Zhang, these aren't the main issues. The main issue is whether those four people have reacted, whether any new leads have been found, and what about Zhu Zhen? What about the mastermind?"
"What? Mo Xue, how did you know? You haven't done anything to harm yourself, have you?!"
One weight lifted from Zhang Jing's heart, but another weight hung over his head.
"So you knew all along. Don't worry, I'd like to do it, but I don't have the time or the ability!" she said, sounding utterly helpless.
He sighed softly. "Sigh! When we first found out, I was in favor of telling you. But as you know, there was turmoil in our regiment and even the division. The leadership decided not to tell you for the time being. They said it was difficult for us to protect ourselves, and the investigation was forced to stop, as you know. We told you then because we were afraid you would act impulsively and harm yourself. Protecting you would also be difficult for us. In the end, the leadership managed to get you your current position, and you've lived up to their expectations, being so outstanding. Yesterday, the leadership even told me that next time we meet, we can tell you everything we've found and everything we suspect."
An Moxue's eyes glistened with tears. "Thank you for your love and care, uncles and elders." Although she did not agree with Uncle Guan's actions, his intentions were good, and she had to appreciate it.
"I'm glad you're not upset."
"How could that be?" She knew all too well how precious and important this rare affection was. It wasn't like he didn't have children of his own. Why would he care about you and be concerned about you for no reason?
Everything is reciprocal. She has to be excellent, she has to be grateful, and she has to maintain this relationship for a long time so that it can be used when she needs it.
"Next, I'll tell you what our team found out, but you have to promise that you'll protect yourself while we use the law to bring them to justice, okay? Nothing is more important than you. Your parents only have you left, understand?"
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