Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 217 The Big Goal

The mother and daughter talked for a while longer before Wang Cuiping returned to her room. She couldn't sleep that night, her mind filled with thoughts of Yu Zecheng, and the past events played out in her mind like a movie over and over again.

Yu Zecheng wasn't in much better shape. He was now desperate to know where Wang Cuiping and her daughter lived, and even more eager to know when his superior would contact him.

As Wang Cuiping ate breakfast with dark circles under her eyes, Chen Lanxiang asked, "Cuiping, what's wrong? You were out all day yesterday, and when you came back last night you locked yourself in your room. Did something happen?"

"It's okay, sister-in-law, I've gone to look for a job and I'll report for duty today."

"Looking for a job? Why didn't you tell your family about something this important?"

“Zhu Zi knows; he introduced me to him.”

He Yuzhu

Comrade He Yuzhu felt the murderous glare from her mother.

"Mom, Aunt Ping said she's too idle at home, so I'm just helping out a little!"

"Our family doesn't need your aunt's food."

“Sister-in-law, it was my own choice to find her, it has nothing to do with Zhu Zi.”

"What kind of job did you find?"

"To be a teacher at a school."

"Teacher? What does she teach?" Chen Lanxiang was taken aback, as she knew that Wang Cuiping was not highly educated.

"Those are the ones I use for work in the country."

"What school? What will we learn?"

"Police academy."

"Phew, that scared me to death! Police academy, huh? It's normal to learn those things then." Chen Lanxiang let out a long breath and patted her chest.

"That's right, you two are acting all mysterious, without even telling the family," the old lady added.

"What's wrong with your eyes? Didn't you sleep all night?" Chen Lanxiang asked, pointing at Wang Cuiping's eyes.

"Yes, I'm afraid I won't be familiar with the new environment."

"If you're worried about going, then let's not go. We were doing just fine before, weren't we?"

"I feel so bad that I'm eating and sleeping at your house."

"Who said anything? I'll tear their mouth apart."

"No, sister-in-law, no one said anything. I just feel that I can still work. In a few years, when I can't work anymore, I'll stay at home and keep you company every day."

“Hey, that’s true. You’ve been busy for so many years, it’s really hard to adjust to suddenly having free time. Why don’t you go and do something for now? If you’re not happy with it, we can come back. Zhu Zi can earn some money by working outside every day. The kids are all grown up now, it’ll be their turn to support the family in the future.”

"Lanxiang is right."

"I understand, Grandma, sister-in-law," Wang Cuiping said, moved as she recalled her experiences over the years.

"Zhu Zi, take your aunt to her workplace later. Is it far? If it is, have someone pick her up every day." Chen Lanxiang now treats Wang Cuiping like her own sister, and Wang Siyu is practically her daughter. After raising her for so many years, she's practically calling her "Mother."

"I don't need you, sister-in-law. I can go to and from get off work by myself every day. I might even have to work shifts at my workplace."

"Then Zhuzi will take you there today, and we can see you later."

"it is good."

"Did you hear that, Pillar?"

"I know, Mom. Aunt Ping can drive too. Once she gets her driver's license here, she can drive herself to and from get off work."

"That's fine, it's more convenient to drive myself."

After breakfast, He Yuzhu drove Wang Cuiping to Huangzhukeng.

Because she needed to cross the sea, Wang Cuiping had He Yuzhu take her to the ferry terminal and then sent him back.

Upon arriving at the police academy, there was an induction ceremony, a change of uniform, and a simple welcoming ceremony, which I attended with Yu Zecheng.

The two stood together, and they could hear each other's heartbeats.

There were too many people, so Wang Cuiping didn't dare to recognize anyone directly.

After the welcoming ceremony, the two were taken to receive police training.

After attending classes in the morning, it was natural for the two of them to sit together for lunch, since they had joined the company around the same time and were attending classes together.

After a day of training, the two were exhausted. After all, they were getting on in years, and it was a bit difficult for them to remember things.

However, the school didn't make things difficult for them; it was just some police regulations and some related laws.

It's definitely not something you can learn in one day. They'll be learning this for the next month, and there will be assessments.

After leaving school after get off work, the two quickened their pace and waited for the ferry.

Wang Cuiping couldn't hold back any longer and whispered with a slight sob in her voice, "Old Yu, is that you?"

"Cuiping, is that you?" Yu Zecheng's eyes reddened.

"After all these years, haven't you ever thought about going back?"

"We can't go back."

"When did you come to Hong Kong?"

"1963, what about you?"

"The end of 1965."

"Because of?"

"Correct."

"It's my fault that you and your child are ruined."

"It's not your fault. Do you know Siyu?"

"I know, the guy with the mustache who contacted me told me."

"You mean Xu Damao?"

He didn't tell me his name, but I remember his face very clearly.

"Long face, mustache, dressed very formally?"

"That's the kid. When I first saw him, I thought they were coming to arrest me. That kid doesn't look like a good person at all."

"That kid seems like a nice guy. You only met him?"

"This"

"Alright, did you also see a really tall guy, someone even taller than you?"

How did you know?

Did he say his name?

"No, he just said his surname was Fang and that he was from the north. Oh, and that person said he was my online friend."

"Hey Lao Yu, where's your vigilance? Where's your judgment?"

"What, that kid isn't one of ours?"

“They’re our people, not the kind you’re thinking of.” Wang Cuiping sighed.

"what is that?"

"It's not convenient to talk about it here. I'll tell you the details once we get off the ship and find a place."

"Okay, did you bring a picture of our daughter?"

"How do you know she's your daughter? Does that mean I can't get married? Aren't we?"

"Impossible, those two kids told me."

"What do you mean, just because I have a daughter, does that mean she can't belong to someone else?"

Old Yu became somewhat withdrawn after hearing this.

Seeing that she had teased him enough, Wang Cuiping said, "Siyu's birthday is after 1949."

"She really is my daughter." Yu Zecheng couldn't help but grab Wang Cuiping's hand.

"There are so many people here, let go."

"No, we won't let you go. This isn't the north; nobody cares about this here."

"Your skin is getting thicker and thicker. Tell me, did you find someone else over there, or did they arrange another one for you? Didn't Wanqiu go with you too?"

"She sacrificed herself."

Yu Zecheng dared not say that he had been set up again, and could only avoid the topic.

"Sacrificed? How did you protect her?" Upon hearing this, Wang Cuiping immediately understood what had happened, but what could she possibly argue with a dead person when she was already gone?
The only response was a long sigh.

After disembarking, the two went into a coffee shop, found a quiet corner, ordered a coffee and a tea, and sat down facing each other.

Wang Cuiping, having served as a section chief for so many years, is not without experience.

"Tell me about it," Wang Cuiping said first.

Yu Zecheng recounted how he prepared to evacuate after receiving the news, only to be ambushed. After meeting at the airport, he went south and received further calls to evacuate, but by then it was too late to leave.

He then went there, but after repeatedly inquiring about Wang Cuiping without success, he became somewhat disheartened. However, He Yuzhu's letter made him realize that Wang Cuiping could be found in Beijing.

With this obsession, he became even more cautious. Not long after, he discovered and eliminated a traitor, thus escaping a life-or-death crisis.

He wanted to escape then, but the circumstances didn't allow it. Later, someone contacted him again, and he was awakened from his dormant state once more.

Then, for the sake of his mission, he was arranged into a marriage, which he was not willing to do, so the two had no children.

Until 1962, some things happened that led to him being placed under close investigation. During the time he was being investigated, Wanqiu was also arrested and then died.

From then on, he knew he was no longer safe and became more cautious. He endured this hardship until 1963, walking on thin ice. Through connections he had made before, he found a boat and created an opportunity to come to Hong Kong, all because of that letter.

When he arrived here, he found out that he couldn't go back, so he settled down here. He saw a missing person notice in the newspaper, then met Xu Damao, and then more than a year later met someone surnamed Fang. A few days later, he met Wang Cuiping.

The latter part felt somewhat unreal to him; he still didn't understand how they knew he was here.

After he finished speaking, Wang Cuiping roughly understood what was going on, especially since Yu Zecheng had mentioned the address No. 95, Nanluoguxiang, in Beijing more than once.

"Zhu Zi, you kept this from me for so long. It turns out you knew I was in Beijing all along."

"Yes, I knew before I left Tianjin. By the way, did you take the gold bars from the chicken coop?"

“I took it, and I even bought two rooms in that courtyard. I’ve lived there for twenty years.”

"What kind of pillar are you talking about?"

"It's the one you said had the surname Fang, but his surname isn't Fang. His name is He Yuzhu. The letter you received should have been left by him. But he was only 13 years old at the time. This kid is amazing. He only came to our place once, but he didn't even go inside."

“13, are you sure? That letter doesn’t seem like something a 13-year-old could write.”

"That's because you don't know his past."

"The peninsula?"

"That's only part of it. You don't know that he saved Lao Zhao when he went to Tianjin, and then he took me to his place. I was working as a maid for him. The master ran away, and I was looking after the house for him."

"Old Zhao, the new contact in Tianjin?"

"Yes, Lao Zhao and I lived in Beijing for two months, staying in courtyard number 95."

“Now that you mention it, it all makes sense. What else has this kid done that you can’t believe you’re talking about? Besides, he was awarded the First Class Combat Hero title on the peninsula.”

"That was just one of his medals. He went to Russia later. You know we have a powerful weapon now."

"I know, it was done a few years ago."

“I suspect it’s related to him, otherwise it wouldn’t have happened so quickly.”

"Hiss." "You've been out there getting more information, do you know anything else, about the surrounding area?"

"It seems like my life was a bit turbulent during the year I came here."

"I knew it, that kid definitely didn't come from Hong Kong."

"You mean?"

"After he went back, he started working on cars. You know how backward our technology was. I only realized after I came to Hong Kong that the cars he made were considered quite advanced in the world."

"Are you sure we're talking about the same person? I've seen that kid before; apart from being tall, he looks harmless."

"Try messing with him. He could wipe out a hundred of you."

"I have never been good at fighting."

"Come on, you can't outsmart them even if you try. Don't you realize that the meeting with you was all so inexplicable, and that Da Mao kid was the one who went, and you actually believed him?"

"It's good that he's on our side."

"Hmph, I'll deal with him when I get back."

"You still dare to deal with him?"

"I'm his aunt, why wouldn't I dare?"

"Okay, when can I see Siyu?"

"Just wait and see. I'll talk to her when I've convinced her. She's always acted like she doesn't have a father."

"Okay, it's my fault as the father."

"Alright, that's enough. I'm going back now, or my family will worry. You should go back too."

"I'll send it to you."

"it is good."

Back at the He family home, after dinner, Wang Cuiping cornered He Yuzhu in the study and gave him a good scolding. He Yuzhu played the role of pretending to be stupid to the fullest extent. You guessed it, you guessed it, but I just won't admit it. Let's see what you can do to me.

"Zhu Zi, Si Yu should listen to you, her older brother. After I tell her, please help me persuade her."

What did you say about my mother and the others?

"What else can I say? It was a coincidence, you've already arranged everything, what else do you want me to say?"

"That's good, that's good." He Yuzhu smiled awkwardly.

"Putting everything else aside, I'll remember your kindness and the effort you put in. I'll make sure Siyu repays you in the future."

"No need, you're being too polite. You're my aunt, if I don't help you, who will?"

"gone."

Wang Siyu hasn't been home these past few days. She got into university last year, and I don't know where she heard that He Yuzhu was looking for a lawyer, but this girl applied directly to the law department of Hong Kong University and actually got in.

After starting school, she lived at the school dormitory. Perhaps because she had never left home before, she was finally free to do as she pleased, and she only came back once a month.

It was half a month later when Wang Siyu found out. She ran to Xiaoman and cried all night. That night was exhausting for He Yuzhu, as taking care of three children was too difficult for him.

In the end, Xiaoman persuaded Wang Siyu without He Yuzhu's intervention. The next day, Wang Cuiping took Wang Siyu to see her father.

The family naturally learned about Yu Zecheng and understood why he was named Wang Siyu. The old lady immediately asked Wang Cuiping to bring him home to meet them.

Wang Cuiping said that after a while, that old man doesn't dare to come now.

Everyone burst into laughter, and Wang Cuiping became even more certain that she had brought this back, and that Yu Zecheng would be in big trouble.

After returning, Wang Siyu whispered to Xiaoman and He Yushui for a long time. By the way, He Yushui also passed the entrance exam for Xiangjiang Industrial College (later Xiangjiang Polytechnic University) with the help of He Yuzhu and Xiaoman. He studied marine radio in the electronics category.

He Yuzhu even asked her why she studied this, and she replied directly: "Brother, we're on an island, aren't you going to get some boats later?"

"Where do you get your confidence in me? Is a ship so easy to take care of?"

"I believe you, you're my brother."

"Study hard."

"I'm waiting to board your ship!"

As for He Yuxin and He Yuyao, they haven't graduated from high school yet, but it seems that these two boys have already decided what they want to do in the future. He Yuzhu asked them, but they kept it very tight-lipped.

Their older sisters also helped them keep it a secret, so He Yuzhu didn't ask any further questions.

During the Dragon Boat Festival, Wang Cuiping brought Yu Zecheng home, and Yu Zecheng felt like a new son-in-law had come to visit.

In short, he was very awkward, especially in front of the old lady and Chen Lanxiang. He answered every question cautiously, afraid of giving the wrong answer.

"Your name is Yu Zecheng?"

"Yes, old lady."

"Where is home?"

"Fujian".

"Zhu Zi, have you been to Fujian? How was it?"

"poverty."

"Oh, who else is in your family?"

"Gone."

Are there other women outside?

"No, no!" The old lady's question completely baffled Yu Zecheng.

"It's best if you don't. If you do, stay far away from Cuiping, or I'll have my eldest grandson deal with you."

"No, absolutely not."

What kind of work do you do now?

"Just like Cuiping."

"Zhu Zi, you didn't do this again, did you?"

“It’s me, madam.”

"So you knew about this person all along, and that he was alive and in Hong Kong?"

"Ah."

"You're really good at hiding things. Your Aunt Ping has been waiting for twenty years. How can you bear to do this?"

"There was nothing we could do; things weren't peaceful during that period."

Aren't you afraid he'll be gone?

Yu Zecheng's forehead was covered in sweat. What kind of outrageous words were these? How could he have died?

"Don't worry, he escaped from over there, he still has the ability to save his own life."

"Xiao Yu."

"old lady."

"Are you planning to take Cuiping and her daughter away? I, the old lady, can't bear to part with them."

"Not for now, until I move to a bigger house."

"Zhu Zi, how much do they earn as teachers? They're not as well-paid as Teacher Yan in our department, are they?"

"No, their salary is decent; it's considered high here."

“Oh, that wouldn’t do if Cuiping had to suffer with him.”

"No, I won't let Cuiping suffer."

“Grandma, I also get a salary,” Wang Cuiping said.

"What you have is yours, shouldn't he compensate you and your child?"

"Please forgive him, old lady. He didn't take anything with him when he escaped from there."

"You're just going to side with him; you'll only hurt yourself later."

“He doesn’t dare to mess with the old lady. Siyu and I can handle him.”

"Yes, old lady, I can't beat her."

"Alright, it's your business. You can decide for yourselves. It would be best if you could live nearby and come back to visit us when you have time."

“Grandma, you can’t move so quickly. I’ll miss you too.” Wang Cuiping came over and hugged the old lady’s arm.

"Hey, my good girl, you've finally made it through."

The old lady stopped asking, and Chen Lanxiang didn't ask any more questions, because she had already asked almost everything she needed to know.

Then Yu Zecheng was called over by He Daqing and Old Master Chen, and another conversation between the men ensued.

Later, Yu Zecheng was drunk and passed out, but He Yuzhu didn't even have to lift a finger. This time, even He Yuxin and He Yuyao went up to toast him, and it wasn't just once.

Yu Zecheng was carried into the guest room by the two brothers, and then Wang Cuiping nagged the two brothers for a long time.

When Yu Zecheng woke up the next day, he was still not fully conscious. Wang Cuiping pulled him into He Yuzhu's car, and He Yuzhu took them to the dock.

That evening, Yu Zecheng shamelessly came again, but this time he was smarter and said he had something to talk to He Yuzhu about, thus escaping a disaster.

Yu Zecheng did not blame He Yuzhu, but asked He Yuzhu if what he said that day was true, such as the matter of the farmer.

After receiving confirmation, Yu Zecheng felt a pang of regret, and then asked He Yuzhu about the task he mentioned. He Yuzhu replied, "Comrade Yu, you can take it as if you were the one who was going to do this. I will not acknowledge it later."

"why?"

"Because I ran away from home."

“I know, but you can still go back. You’ve done so much.”

"We can't go back, we can't go back for a while, and even if we do go back later, we don't know what the situation will be like."

"So what is the significance of this mission?"

"go home."

You mean Hong Kong?

"Correct."

"How did you know?"

"It's inevitable."

"Okay, I'll take this task. I'll consider you my superior. I'll let you know if anything happens, or I'll have your Aunt Ping tell you."

"Thank you for making me continue doing this kind of work even though I'm already here."