Chapter 309 Storm
But she had to follow.
In the original story, the Fu family was devastated when Song Heting was demoted.
Fu Li'an lost control of his emotions and spoke harshly when visiting his uncle, which was recorded in his file and ruined his future; Fu Maihe suffered mental trauma and committed suicide by drowning on his way to the countryside; and all of this began with today's sudden investigation.
She has to stop all of this.
Fu Li'an wanted to persuade him further, but after opening his mouth, he only managed to utter the word "you"—
The study door was suddenly pushed open with a loud bang.
Song Yazhi stood at the door, her face as pale as paper, her lips trembling slightly, and she was still tightly clutching the ceramic watering can she used to water the flowers.
Her eyes were red and swollen, clearly from crying in secret, and her eyes were bluish-gray.
“Li An…your uncle…”
Her voice trembled, and before she could finish speaking, tears streamed down her face.
The kettle crashed to the ground with a "thud," shattering into pieces. Clear water splashed out with a spray, flowing everywhere along the cracks in the floor like winding tear tracks.
Her legs went weak, and as if all her strength had been drained, she slowly and uncontrollably fell to the ground.
Just as his knees were about to touch the floor, Fu Lian rushed forward, opened his arms, and steadily pulled his mother into his embrace.
"mom!"
That cry was filled with panic, heartache, and helplessness, like a taut string finally snapping.
Song Yazhi leaned against her son's chest, her face as pale as paper, her lips trembling slightly, barely able to utter a complete sentence.
"Yazhi!"
Fu Xianxiu rushed out of his study upon hearing the noise, his shoes making a dull thud on the floor.
As soon as he entered the house, his gaze fell on his wife's swaying figure, and his heart sank as if he had fallen into a bottomless abyss.
"Has something happened to He Ting?"
His voice was low and steady, yet it couldn't conceal the underlying tremor within.
The name Fu Heting, like a boulder weighing on the depths of the family's memory, has suddenly stirred up a tidal wave.
Song Yazhi gripped her husband's arm tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force, her nails even digging deep into her flesh, leaving several clear red marks.
"Xianxiu, we have to go back, right now!"
Her voice was hoarse, almost pleading, yet tinged with an undeniable resolve, "My brother... he's been arrested! They say it's a corruption case, but he couldn't possibly have done something like that! I can't just stand by and watch him take the blame alone!"
Fu Xianxiu's gaze was deep and unfathomable, like the surface of a river under the cover of night, calm yet turbulent beneath.
He slowly turned his head, staring at his son standing beside him, his tone grave: "The news has come?"
Fu Li'an pursed his lips, his Adam's apple bobbing, and then briefly recounted the contents of his sister's phone call—his uncle, Fu Heting, had been taken away for investigation by the higher-level discipline inspection team while serving as a county political and legal official, suspected of multiple crimes including bribery and abuse of power. He has been suspended from his post, and his current situation is unknown.
Each word was like a nail hammered into the air of the room, making it hard to breathe.
Qiao Wanyin stood in the corner and secretly noticed that her father-in-law's expression was getting increasingly serious.
In those weathered eyes, the usual majesty and composure seemed to crack open, revealing a light she had never seen before and could not fathom—like pain, or like the embers of old grudges suddenly being unearthed.
The atmosphere inside the room was extremely oppressive; even breathing sounded heavy.
“Li An,” Fu Xianxiu suddenly spoke, his voice low but firm like a hammer blow, “You cannot go back.”
"dad!"
Fu Lian suddenly looked up, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief, as if he had misheard something.
His voice suddenly rose, tinged with anger and grievance, "What did you say? My uncle is in such a predicament, how can I not go?"
"Listen to me first."
Fu Xianxiu raised his hand in a gesture of apprehension, his voice hoarse as if sandpaper were scraping against a wooden board, each word seemingly uttered with immense effort. "You're a brigade commander now, your rank was recently promoted, and you're at a crucial juncture in your promotion journey. The organization is evaluating you, and there are people watching you from above. Your uncle's matter... it's too far-reaching. If you go back now, public opinion and investigations will likely target you. At that point, no one can save you."
When he said this, his eyes were as deep as an ancient well, concealing too many unspoken past experiences and considerations.
Qiao Wanyin saw her mother-in-law sway, and she barely managed to stand by holding onto the corner of the table.
The light in her eyes dimmed little by little, like a candle flame that had burned out, leaving only ashes and despair.
We can't wait any longer.
She bit her lower lip and resolutely said, "Dad, Mom is in such a state now, her body and emotions can't hold up, who will take care of her? Besides, there's no one to lead the family. If I go back with her, I can stay by her side and take care of her, and I can also help with some things so that things don't fall apart."
Fu Xianxiu abruptly turned to stare at her, his brows furrowed, a hint of sternness and worry flashing in his eyes: "Wanyin, this matter is far more complicated than you imagine. You're pregnant now, five or six months along at any moment, your body is delicate, how can you get involved in this mess? What if something goes wrong, how am I supposed to explain to Li An?"
"I know it's dangerous."
Qiao Wanyin gently raised her hand, her fingertips softly stroking her slightly protruding belly. Her movements were slow but firm. "But don't forget, your uncle has raised Li An like his own son since he was little. When our family was going through the toughest time, he helped us out time and time again, assisted Li An through university, and sent him to join the army. This kindness can't be erased with a simple 'it's okay.' Now that he's been wronged and is suffering, if we stand by and pretend we don't know, will we really be able to sleep soundly at night?"
Her tone was gentle, yet brooked no argument; every word was firm and resounding.
In fact, whether Fu Lian goes back or not, this matter is ultimately unavoidable.
The ties of family blood and the entanglements of past grievances had already sown the seeds for future conflict.
This storm will eventually sweep through everyone.
Fu Xianxiu was speechless, his lips trembling slightly, and in the end he could only sigh heavily.
His brows were furrowed into a tight knot, as if a thousand-pound weight was pressing on his shoulders, and he couldn't relax for a long time.
Just then, Song Yazhi suddenly shook off her husband's hand, staggered a step, and straightened up.
Her face was still deathly pale, but her eyes were brighter than ever before, and though her voice trembled, each word was firm and resonant, piercing the silence of the room:
“I have to go back. That’s my own brother, my last remaining family in this world! Our parents passed away early, and my brother and I depended on each other for survival. He raised me, supported my education, and even saved up for my dowry by scrimping and saving. Now that he’s in trouble, how can I stand idly by? If I don’t care about him, who will?”
The room fell silent.
Even the wind outside the window seemed to have stopped breathing.
Only the old wall clock remained, ticking away, each tick like a blow to the heart, making one's internal organs tremble.
Qiao Wanyin took the opportunity to quietly retreat into the bedroom, her steps light but resolute.
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