Time flies, and after spending a few days in Kyoto, Mr. and Mrs. Han prepared to return to Jiang City.
Han Feng repeatedly tried to persuade his parents to stay in Kyoto for a few more days, but his father said, "Although the supermarket has hired people, we can't be away forever. Someone still needs to keep an eye on things."
Han's mother nodded in agreement. Since the matter had been discussed, Han Feng could only give up, but he secretly thought about bringing his parents to live with him.
On the day of his return journey, in the departure hall of Kyoto International Airport, Han Feng stood with his hands in his pockets, watching his parents bid farewell to Liu Mengran and Su Wanwan, and a subtle sense of imbalance rose in his heart.
"Mom, you spent more time with those two than with me this trip to Kyoto," Han Feng couldn't help but complain, reaching out to adjust his mother's scarf. "I'm starting to doubt if I'm even your biological son."
Han's mother slapped her son's hand away, giving him her signature eye roll: "If you were half as considerate as him, I'd be laughing in my sleep." Then she took Liu Mengran's hand, "Mengran, Wanwan, next time I'll have that brat Han Feng bring you to Jiang City. You two must stay at my house for a few days; Auntie will make you braised pork ribs."
"Thank you, Auntie, I'll definitely go." Liu Mengran nodded obediently, the tips of her ears turning slightly red.
Su Wanwan chuckled to herself, deliberately bumping Han Feng's shoulder: "Did you hear that? Auntie likes us more."
Han's father patted his son on the back and lowered his voice, "Your mother is right, both girls are quite good." He gave Han Feng a meaningful look, "Don't let them get away."
"Dad!" Han Feng was both amused and exasperated. Before he could explain, the boarding announcement came on.
"Alright, don't bother seeing me off any further. Be careful on your way back." Mr. and Mrs. Han waved to the three of them and walked into the security checkpoint.
After seeing their parents off, the three walked towards the parking lot. Sunlight streamed through the glass dome, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Han Feng took out his car keys, preparing to get in and take the two home, when Liu Mengran spoke up:
"Please take me to the company first; I've fallen behind on some work these past few days."
Han Feng frowned, then naturally took her wrist: "You've worked hard these past few days. You can leave the non-urgent matters at the company to Qin Chuan."
Liu Mengran looked up at him, a faint smile playing on her lips: "Mr. Han, you're paying me a salary, wouldn't it be inappropriate if I didn't go to work?" She gently pulled her hand away from Han Feng's. "Besides, you were the one who personally recruited me."
Han Feng was speechless for a moment. Indeed, he had initially valued Liu Mengran's business acumen and had poached her from a competitor with a high salary, but now it had become her reason for refuting him.
"Ahem..." Su Wanwan cleared her throat dramatically, crossed her arms, and stood beside the car. "Just a reminder, this is a main road. If you two want to be lovey-dovey, could you at least get in the car first? It's public, so please be mindful of your behavior."
Liu Mengran's face instantly turned red to her ears, and she quickly climbed into the back seat. Han Feng shook his head helplessly and opened the passenger door for Su Wanwan: "Miss, please."
After dropping Liu Mengran off at her company, Han Feng turned the car around and headed towards the city. Soft music played from the car stereo. Su Wanwan immediately moved to the passenger seat, took off her shoes, and started swinging her toes back and forth.
"Oh, by the way, Liu Xiaoran said he'd go to the Liu family's house after he tells me to," Han Feng suddenly said. "I'm planning to go see Elder Lin first to discuss something. Could you please pick up Mengran tonight?"
Su Wanwan's body trembled slightly, and her hands paused for a second before she resumed normal movements: "I know, you really care about Sister Mengran." Her voice sounded nonchalant, her gaze still fixed on the flowing street scene outside the window.
Han Feng, oblivious to the fleeting sadness in her eyes, continued, "There's no other way. After such a big incident in Qishi last time, it's always good to be careful. I might be back a little late, so don't wait for me for dinner."
"I understand," Su Wanwan replied briefly, then suddenly changed the subject, "By the way, are you sure you didn't write the sauce recipe Auntie gave me wrong? Isn't three spoonfuls of chili powder too much?"
The conversation then turned to everyday matters, but the atmosphere inside the car seemed a bit more subdued than before.
After taking Su Wanwan home, Han Feng dialed Lin Zhengguo's number. The phone was answered after three rings. Han Feng explained the situation, and Lin Zhengguo's distinctive deep voice came from the other end: "I'm at Xishan Villa today. Just come over."
After hanging up the phone, Han Feng turned his car around and drove towards Xishan. He recalled his mother's words before he left and couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly. Liu Mengran and Su Wanwan were indeed both outstanding, but could he really manage to take care of both of them at the same time? And both of them were so excellent.
The Xishan Villa is nestled in a secluded mountain forest on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by a military perimeter. Last time Han Feng visited, Chen Feng had driven him there in a private car; this time, driving alone, he was stopped by two armed guards as soon as he arrived at the gate.
"Please show your identification." The guard knocked on the car window expressionlessly.
Han Feng took out his officer's ID from his inner pocket and handed it over. The guard flipped through the ID, his eyes comparing the photo with Han Feng's face. When he saw the rank of "Lieutenant Colonel," his expression clearly changed.
"Good morning, Lieutenant Colonel!" The guard immediately saluted, his attitude becoming much more respectful. "May I ask who you are looking for?"
"I'm looking for Elder Lin," Han Feng replied. He knew how strict this place was, and it wasn't as simple as it seemed on the surface.
The guard's expression changed again. He quickly picked up the walkie-talkie to confirm, then waved for them to pass: "I just received a notification. Please come in."
This was Han Feng's second visit to Xishan Villa. Last time, Chen Feng had guided him, but this time he was alone. Following the route he remembered, he quickly arrived at Lin Zhengguo's courtyard.
A figure was already waiting at the front door; upon closer inspection, it was Chen Feng. Han Feng parked the car, and Chen Feng walked over and said, "You're here. Come in with me."
Han Feng followed Chen Feng back into the courtyard. Lin Zhengguo was sitting on a chair in the courtyard with his eyes closed, resting. Hearing footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes. At this moment, Chen Feng said, "Commander, Han Feng is here."
Lin Zhengguo smiled and gestured for Han Feng to sit down. He then asked Chen Feng to boil some water for tea. Turning to Han Feng, he said, "What brings you here today? Didn't your parents come to Kyoto?"
"They just boarded a plane today to return to Jiang City," Han Feng replied.
Why not stay a few more days?
"I'm worried about the supermarket business at home."
Lin Zhengguo laughed heartily, "Go ahead and tell me what new discoveries you've made. Don't tell me you're just here to visit this old man."
Han Feng looked at the old man in front of him. It was the old man who had led him step by step to where he was today, and it was the old man who had worried about China day and night.
"There's progress on the matter of the hermit family."
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