Great Power Reclamation

As the plane landed at Junkencheng Airport, the outline of the Tianshan Mountains appeared exceptionally clear in the twilight. The setting sun gilded the snow-capped peaks, and the wind on the Gobi Desert carried the familiar, dry scent.

Ye Feng carried his luggage out of the terminal and immediately spotted several figures.

Yifei stood at the front, still dressed in her neat military cadre attire, but with some fine lines around her eyes, marks of time and longing.

Standing beside her was fourteen-year-old Ye Guigen, who was already half a head taller than his mother. He wore his military reclamation technical school uniform neatly, and his skin had a healthy tan from the frontier sun.

What warmed Ye Feng's heart was Yuan Fang standing a little behind him—she was holding her daughter Ye Nianfei's hand, both of them wearing light-colored trench coats, their clothes fluttering in the Gobi wind.

"Dad!" Ye Guigen spoke first, his voice still hoarse from puberty.

"I'm back." Yifei smiled, her eyes filled with deep longing.

Yuanfang gently nudged her daughter: "Nianfei, call me Daddy."

The seven-year-old girl shyly hid behind her mother, only showing half of her face, and timidly called out, "Daddy."

Ye Feng's heart softened instantly. He knelt down and reached out his hands to his daughter: "Come here, let Daddy give you a hug."

Ye Nianfei hesitated for a moment, then ran over and threw herself into her father's arms. Ye Feng picked up his daughter, kissed her on the cheek, then stood up and walked towards Yifei and his son, embracing them both.

The hug lasted for quite a while. People passed by them in the airport, but at that moment, time seemed to stand still.

"Let's go, Mom and Dad are waiting at home." Yifei said softly, taking a piece of luggage from Ye Feng's hand. "Uncle Yang and Aunt Zhao are here too, as is Ye Mao, who flew back from Beijing."

"My second brother is back too?" Ye Feng was somewhat surprised.

"Well, since it's rare for my brother to come back to China, we should at least get together."

The group got into Yifei's SUV. Ye Guigen took the initiative to sit in the passenger seat, leaving the back seat for his parents and sister. The car drove out of the airport and headed towards the military reclamation city along the wide Corps Avenue.

"How are things going in Washington?" Yifei asked as she drove.

"Things are stable for now," Ye Feng said briefly, not wanting his family to worry. "I can take a week off this time and spend some quality time with you all."

"Dad," Ye Nianfei leaned against her father's chest, looking up at him with her little face, "Mom said you're going to take me to see Tianchi, is that true?"

"Really, we'll go this weekend." Ye Feng gently stroked his daughter's hair. "What else do you want to see? Daddy will take you."

"I want to ride a horse! And I want to eat a whole roasted lamb!"

Ye Guigen turned his head from the passenger seat: "Little sister, I'll take you fishing at North Lake first. It's a great place now."

"Great!" Ye Nianfei clapped her hands excitedly, then remembered something, "But I don't know how to fish..."

"I'll teach you."

Watching their children interact, Ye Feng and Yi Fei exchanged a smile.

Yuanfang sat by the window, gazing at the familiar scenery outside, her eyes filled with complex emotions. This was the place where she and Yefeng had grown up together, but now that she had returned, everything had changed.

"Fang'er," Yifei glanced at her in the rearview mirror, "stay a few more days this time. Your parents miss you very much."

“Yes.” Yuanfang nodded. “Nianfei has always wanted to come to the northern border to see her grandparents, and this is a good opportunity.”

The car fell silent, save for the roar of the engine and the sound of the wind from the Gobi Desert outside. Ye Feng held his daughter in one arm and grasped Yifei's hand, which was resting on the gearshift, with the other.

The couple's fingers intertwined, silently conveying their longing and understanding. During these years of separation, they each pursued their careers: one managed a business empire in New York, the other led a construction project in the provincial capital. They saw each other infrequently, but their affection never faded.

Looking out the window, Yuanfang was filled with a myriad of emotions. She and Yefeng were true childhood sweethearts, having played together since they were toddlers.

If it weren't for that misunderstanding back then, if she hadn't stubbornly left for Hong Kong... but life doesn't offer "what ifs." The fact that she can return now in this capacity, and interact with Ye Feng and Yi Fei like this, is already the best possible outcome.

The military reclamation city gradually came into view. Red brick buildings, straight white poplars, and neat farmland—everything was just as I remembered, yet somewhat different—the roads were wider, the buildings were taller, but the unique, down-to-earth atmosphere of the Production and Construction Corps remained unchanged.

The car stopped in front of the familiar courtyard. A large round table had already been set up under the grape trellis, where Ye Yuze was playing chess with Yang Geyong, while Zhao Ling'er and Yu'e were busy in the kitchen, with wisps of smoke rising from the chimney.

A middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit stood at the gate of the courtyard, looking around. When he saw the car, he immediately came over to greet it—it was Ye Mao, Ye Feng's second younger brother, who now held an important position in a ministry in Beijing.

"Big brother!" Ye Mao walked over quickly, and the two brothers embraced tightly.

"Maozi, you've lost weight?" Ye Feng looked his younger brother up and down. "Too busy with work?"

"It's alright," Ye Mao said with a smile. "But it's my elder brother who has gotten a lot more gray hair."

"We're all getting old." Ye Feng patted his younger brother's shoulder and turned to the yard. "Dad, Uncle Yang!"

Ye Yuze looked up, his hand pausing as he held the chess piece. "You're back? Come here and help me with this game. Your Uncle Yang is about to checkmate me."

Yang Geyong laughed loudly: "Old Ye, admit defeat, your chess skills are beyond saving."

"Who said that? My son is back. It's two against one. Let's see who wins and who loses."

Ye Feng walked over with a smile, looked at the chessboard, and moved a rook: "Dad, move it like this."

Ye Yuze's eyes lit up: "Great move!"

Yang Geyong glared: "Hey, hey, hey, this isn't fair! Are you two ganging up on someone?"

Zhao Ling'er poked her head out from the kitchen: "Just admit defeat. When have you ever beaten Yuze?"

Everyone laughed. Just then, Ye Guigen pulled his younger sister and ran into the yard: "Grandpa, Grandma, Grandpa Yang, Grandma Zhao, Second Uncle, we're back!"

"Oh my, my grandson!" Yu'e came out of the kitchen wiping her hands, hugged Ye Guigen tightly, and then looked at Ye Nianfei, "Is this Nianfei? She's grown so much, so beautiful!"

Ye Nianfei shyly hid behind her mother, and Yuanfang whispered, "Nianfei, call them Grandpa and Grandma."

"Grandpa, Grandma," the little girl said softly.

Ye Yuze put down the chess piece, walked over, squatted down, and carefully examined his granddaughter: "She looks just like Yuanfang when she was little." He looked up at Yuanfang, "Fang'er, it's good that you're back."

Yuanfang's eyes welled up with tears: "Uncle Ye, I'm back."

Yang Geyong also came over and patted Ye Guigen's head: "Kid, you've grown taller again! How's it going at the technical school?"

"Grandpa Yang, I got first place in the whole school in diesel engine repair!" Ye Guigen puffed out his chest.

"Well done! You're better than your dad. Your dad was good at reading when he was young, but his practical skills were far inferior."

Ye Feng was both amused and exasperated: "Uncle Yang, give me some face."

The group entered the house chatting and laughing. Inside the dining room, the large round table was already laden with food—braised chicken, hand-pulled mutton, spicy fish, baked buns, hand-pulled noodles, and Yu'e's signature braised eggplant and hot and sour shredded potatoes. The generosity and meticulousness of the people from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps were fully reflected in this meal.

"Come, come, sit down." Ye Yuze, as the head of the family, greeted them. "Today we have three happy events - first, it's Guigen's birthday; second, Feng'er, Yuanfang, and Nianfei are back; and third, Maozi is home, which is rare for him."

“There’s a fourth piece of good news,” Zhao Ling’er said with a smile. “Old Yang and I have remarried, and today is the official day to announce the good news to everyone.”

Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then burst into enthusiastic applause. Yang Geyong scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly: "At this age, why make such a fuss about remarrying?"

"Why can't we do it?" Ye Yuze raised his glass. "Come on, the first toast, wishing you a long and happy life together. You'd better have a good time this time."

"Definitely, definitely." Yang Geyong and Zhao Ling'er clinked glasses, both with tears in their eyes.

Ye Feng watched this scene, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew the story of Yang Geyong and Zhao Ling'er.

From childhood sweethearts to husband and wife, from arguments and separation to individual growth, they finally reunited after years of experience. Isn't that a kind of fulfillment?
The second toast was to Ye Guigen's happy birthday. Surrounded by people, the boy's face was as red as an apple, but his eyes were full of happiness.

The third toast is to family reunion. Ye Feng stood up and looked at the table full of relatives—his parents were healthy, his younger brother was promising, his wife was understanding, his children were sensible, and there were also Yuanfang and Nianfei. Although their relationship was special, they each had their own place in this family.

“These past few years, I’ve spent most of my time abroad, and Yifei has been taking care of everything at home.” Ye Feng’s voice choked with emotion. “Dad, Mom, your son is unfilial for not being able to be by your side often. Yifei, thank you for your hard work. Thank you for understanding.” Yifei held his hand: “Why say such things? We’re family.”

Yuanfang smiled and nodded, "Brother Ye Feng, it's Yifei who's been working so hard. We're all in the US."

Ye Nianfei suddenly raised her juice glass: "I also want to make a toast! To Grandpa and Grandma for good health, and to Mom and Dad... um, and to Yuanfang's mom, to everyone be happy!"

Children's innocent words made the adults laugh, but the laughter was tinged with tears.

The meal lasted a long time. The men talked about international affairs and economic development; the women chatted about family matters and their children's education; the children had long since finished eating and ran out to the yard to set off fireworks—small fireworks that Ye Mao had specially brought back from Beijing, safe and beautiful.

Ye Wancheng and Meihua were really old. After they arrived home, they picked up the elderly couple and brought them back. They were only halfway through the meal when they lost their energy and had to be sent back.

As night deepened, the guests gradually took their leave. Ye Mao was flying back to Beijing early the next morning, so he went back to the guesthouse to rest first. Yang Geyong and Zhao Ling'er also went back; their home was next door.

After the children went to sleep, the four adults sat in the living room drinking tea. Ye Yuze brewed a pot of aged Pu'er tea, its aroma filling the air.

“Feng’er,” Ye Yuze said slowly, “this time when you came back, I could feel that the burden on your shoulders was even heavier.”

Ye Feng nodded: "The situation in the United States is more complicated. Both major parties are putting pressure on us, but I can handle it."

“If you need any help from your family, just ask,” Ye Mao said. “I’m in the ministry, so I’m well-informed.”

"Thank you, Second Brother, but not for now," Ye Feng said gratefully. "Business matters should be resolved through business means. I don't want to involve my family."

Yifei held his hand: "Husband and wife are one, your pressure is my pressure."

Yuanfang said softly, "Ye Feng, I'm managing Brothers Entertainment..."

"Fang'er, you've helped me so much," Ye Feng said sincerely. "You've taken care of Nianfei's education and my daily life in the United States. I'll remember this kindness."

Yuanfang lowered her head: "That was my own choice."

The atmosphere was somewhat awkward. Yu'e spoke up at the right moment: "Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Feng'er, stay a few more days this time and spend some quality time with the children. Gui Gen, that child, may not say it, but he misses you terribly."

"I know," Ye Feng nodded. "I'll definitely make it up to you properly this time."

As night deepened, everyone returned to their rooms to rest. Ye Feng and Yi Fei's room remained unchanged; the "double happiness" character from their wedding was still pasted on the wardrobe, faded but still intact.

"Are you tired?" Yifei helped her husband take off his coat.

"I'm not tired, I just feel...it's so good to be home." Ye Feng hugged his wife. "I'm sorry you've suffered all these years."

"I'm not upset." Yifei leaned on his shoulder. "I know what you're doing, and I support you. It's just... sometimes I miss you, really miss you."

"I miss you too." Ye Feng kissed his wife's forehead. "In a few years, I'll shift my focus back to China, and then we'll never be apart again."

"Really?"

"Really. I promise you."

In the next room, Yuanfang had put her daughter to sleep and went to the window. Moonlight shone on the streets of the military reclamation town, and everything was so peaceful and serene.

She knew that she would always have a place in this family, but she also knew exactly where she stood—beside Ye Feng, but not between him and Yi Fei.

That's good. To see him happy, to be there for him through thick and thin, to let him explore the world without any worries—that's good enough.

The next morning, Ye Feng kept his promise and took his children out. They first went fishing at North Lake, where Ye Guigen taught his younger sister, Ye Nianfei, how to catch her first fish. Ye Nianfei shouted excitedly when she caught her first fish.

In the afternoon, Ye Feng took his daughter on a horseback ride on a gentle old horse, slowly gliding across the grassland. In the evening, they went to eat roasted whole lamb, the whole family sitting together, the aroma of the meat filling the air.

On the third day, Ye Mao was returning to Beijing. The two brothers said goodbye at the airport.

"Brother, take care." Ye Mao held Ye Feng's hand tightly. "Don't worry about things at home. I'll take care of things at home."

"Take care of yourself too. No matter how busy you are with work, you must take care of your health."

"Yes. By the way," Ye Mao lowered his voice, "the ministry is currently studying policies to support private technology companies going global. I've read the draft, and it's very beneficial to the Warrior Group. I'll let you know as soon as the official document is released."

"Thanks, Shigeko."

"We don't talk about this between brothers."

After seeing Ye Mao off, Ye Feng took his family to Tianchi Lake. The azure lake reflected the snow-capped mountains, a sight so beautiful it seemed otherworldly. Ye Nianfei was stunned by the view and remained speechless for a long time.

"Dad, this place is so beautiful," she finally said.

"Yes, this is the scenery Dad has seen since he was a child." Ye Feng picked up his daughter. "Dad will bring you back often in the future, okay?"

"Okay!" The little girl nodded vigorously.

A week passed in the blink of an eye. The night before their departure, the whole family gathered for dinner again. This time, the atmosphere was somewhat somber, because Ye Feng was taking Yuan Fang and Nian Fei back to the United States the next day.

"Dad, Mom, I'd like to toast you." Ye Feng raised his glass. "Thank you for your understanding, thank you for your support."

“Son,” Ye Yuze looked at his son, “remember, no matter how far you go, this is always your home. No matter what difficulties you encounter, home will always be your support.”

"I know."

Yu'e wiped away her tears: "Feng'er, take good care of yourself. And Yuanfang, Nianfei, you two must take good care of yourselves too."

"Don't worry, Auntie," Yuanfang said, her eyes red-rimmed. "We'll take care of each other."

Ye Guigen remained silent until the very end, when he finally approached his father and said, "Dad, I have a gift for you."

He handed over a small wooden box. Ye Feng opened it, and inside was a handcrafted diesel engine model, every part of which was polished smooth and exquisite.

"I did it myself," the boy said somewhat embarrassedly. "It was my graduation project at vocational school."

Ye Feng's eyes welled up with tears, and he hugged his son tightly: "Thank you, son. Dad will cherish this."

The next day, at the airport. Saying goodbye is always difficult.

Yifei, fighting back tears, said, "Let me know when you arrive safely."

"Yeah, you too, don't overwork yourself."

"Dad, you must come back to see us often." Ye Nianfei hugged her father's leg tightly.

"Definitely, Dad promises."

Yuanfang, holding her daughter's hand, nodded to Yifei: "Sister Yifei, we're leaving."

"Have a safe trip."

The plane took off, and the military reclamation city gradually shrank from view. Ye Feng looked out the window, his heart filled with strength.

He knew that no matter how many challenges lay ahead, he was not fighting alone. With such a family behind him, and so many people who loved and supported him, he had nothing to fear.

What he needs to do is protect all of this, and forge a wider path for his family, for this land, and for this country.

The majestic Tianshan Mountains bear witness to the gatherings and separations of people on this land, as well as the perseverance and legacy of generations of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps members.

Ye Feng knew that his roots were here, and would always be here.

His mission is to carry this power of roots to farther places, so that it may blossom into even more magnificent flowers. (End of Chapter)