"Commander Zhao?"
Zhou Jiuzhen's smile froze. "Why would he be here?"
Although he had been suffering from amnesia for several years, the legendary figure of this great man was already widely known.
Zhou Jiuzhen quickly dressed, then suddenly became serious and looked at Ling Huanwu with guilt, "Comrade Ling, Political Commissar Hao is not here today. I have to go to receive him, so I can't accompany you."
"It's alright, it's alright. I'm just going to the fish farm to discuss the future of the mudflats with Mr. Qiao. You go ahead..."
Ling Huanwu had been sitting still for a long time. After eating and drinking her fill and having a good look at the sights, as soon as Zhou Jiuzhen opened his mouth, she quickly ran away.
Zhou Jiuzhen stood there dumbfounded, watching the woman's hurried departure. Then, recalling the sticky look in Qiao Hui's eyes when he looked at Ling Huanwu, he felt terrible.
*
On the dock.
Zhao Tingguo traveled lightly, not intending to disturb the local troops, planning to visit his son at the educated youth settlement before returning home.
However, the escort boat was inevitably spotted by the sentries on the lookout tower.
He hurried along, accompanied by two guards, and asked for directions to the educated youth settlement.
The production team had finished work by then, and a large group of educated youth returned carrying hoes and their allotted grain. Several of them discussed cooking together.
Zhao Jingxiang went empty-handed and returned empty-handed.
Several educated youths took turns washing pots, starting fires, and washing vegetables, whispering and mocking Zhao Jingxiang as they worked, "What's wrong with that kid? He doesn't do any work. Isn't coming to the countryside just asking to starve to death?"
"Exactly, if they're going to the fields but not working in them, what's the point of going along?"
"He's probably some rich young master from a wealthy family. And that guy in the house, Zhao Ergou, is even more outrageous. He's a peasant who doesn't do any work and relies on his second uncle to support him. He didn't even have the awareness to work in the countryside when he came here. If we don't care about them, they deserve to go hungry..."
Ma, who had finished work earlier and rushed back to cook, had already prepared a pot of fragrant rice and dishes and was carrying two large bowls to Qin Jinshen's bedside.
As soon as I came out of the makeshift kitchen, I heard those educated youths gossiping about my grandfather.
He carried two large bowls steadily, and with a brisk walk, he kicked over a large iron pot that several educated youths had set up, making it slam several times on the ground before stopping.
"Who are you guys talking nonsense about? Is my Er Gou someone you can talk about? Watch your mouths. I can spoil my nephew if I want, what's it to you?"
The educated youth were already pale with fright, and they remained silent like quails.
Seeing that Guard Ma was leaving with two bowls of rice and vegetables, Zhao Jingxiang came out of the house and glanced at Guard Ma's departing figure with interest. Just as he was about to leave, he was blocked by the group of educated youth who had just been bullied.
"You, go and help us set up the pot and start the fire again. Maybe we'll even give you a bowl of rice."
The leading educated youth had a stern face. Although he was a head shorter than Zhao Jingxiang, he thought he could intimidate him with his fair skin and tender flesh and that he could make him a docile lackey with just a bite of food.
To everyone's surprise, Zhao Jingxiang's face immediately turned cold.
"Get out of my way! Or don't blame me for being impolite!"
"Hey kid, you've got a temper. Do you think you can take on all of us by yourself?"
Several educated youths exchanged glances and then surrounded Zhao Jingxiang.
One of the educated youths raised his fist, about to punch Zhao Jingxiang in the face, when a cold shout rang out from behind, startling him so much that he stumbled and almost fell.
What are you doing?!
Zhao Tingguo strode over, his sharp, hawk-like eyes sweeping over the group of people present, startling the educated youth who instinctively scattered and their legs went weak.
"Dad, what brings you here?"
Zhao Jingxiang's words terrified the educated youth, who bowed and apologized repeatedly before covering their faces and running away in fear.
Zhao Tingguo was dumbfounded by this situation.
Am I that scary?
Without saying another word, he gave Zhao Jingxiang a look, signaling him to come inside and talk, while leaving two guards to stand watch at the door.
“I know you’re unhappy about being sent to the countryside, but you can’t just take it upon yourself to bring back your brother’s fiancée and have her take your place. Isn’t that repaying kindness with enmity?”
"Your mother and I have discussed it. As soon as you marry your brother's fiancée, I'll immediately find a way to transfer you back..."
Zhao Jingxiang froze as he poured water, his fingertips turning white as he gripped the enamel cup tightly. "But I heard that woman has already had three children. You want me to marry a used woman?"
"What 'old shoe'? That's the granddaughter of the person who saved your grandfather. Your brother is gone, so you, as the older brother, should take responsibility..."
Zhao Jingxiang didn't listen to him continue and immediately smashed the enamel cup in his hand!
East room.
Guard Ma was feeding Qin Jinshen, who was lying on the bed with lifeless eyes, urging him to eat a few more bites.
The next second, a fierce argument erupted from the west room, shaking the soil from the cracks in the house's stones and causing it to fall out in a flurry.
Finally, Zhao Tingguo, his face ashen, uttered, "Back then, it wasn't you who was lost, but your brother. You're inferior to your brother in every way!"
After saying that, he left angrily with a sullen face.
Qin Jinshen, who was lying in the room, was startled awake by the figure that flashed past the doorway. He quickly jumped to the doorway to peek.
Watching Zhao Tingguo's departing figure, and then glancing at Zhao Jingxiang angrily smashing things inside the house, he finally recalled the strange words he had heard earlier at the Ling family's ancestral home, and a chilling idea formed in his mind.
Qin Jinshen quickly closed the door, lowered his voice, and grabbed the guard's shoulder, impatiently asking, "We sent people to investigate earlier, and they said that this Zhao Jingxiang is the family Huanwu was betrothed to as a child, right? And that missing Zhao Ergou, is he the one who ran away to find his fiancée in Yuncheng when he was a child and got lost, right?"
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