Reborn in 1993, Dark Sea

For the next few days, An Xiaohai didn't go anywhere and stayed at home with his family.

Meanwhile, gossip spread that Lin Xuan'er had taken a leave of absence from Deep Sea University due to her pregnancy, and the news quickly reached Apojiao Village.

News travels fastest in villages, especially explosive news like this. Almost overnight, everyone in Apojiao Village knew about it.

Some busybodies would even come to An Xiaohai's house to ask indirectly, but Chen Shuifen and the others remained extremely calm and politely deflected their questions.

An Xiaohai could only manage a wry smile at this.

The villagers didn't actually have any bad intentions; they just liked to gossip. The affair between An Xiaohai and Lin Xuan'er was nothing new in the village.

An Xiaohai killed people for Lin Xuan'er, and Lin Xuan'er had long ago stated that she would not marry anyone but An Xiaohai. Everyone just felt that it was not worth it for Lin Xuan'er to give up university because of her pregnancy.

An Xiaohai, on the contrary, felt that whether or not he went to university was not a big deal.

An Xiaohai used to value his education highly. In another time and space, he was unable to continue his studies and return to a normal life, which was one of the main reasons why he fell into despair and hopelessness.

But now, after experiencing so much, An Xiaohai has truly come to terms with it.

Universities cultivate well-rounded individuals, the cogs in the machine of society. In this era, attending university can indeed change the fate of many and enable them to achieve upward social mobility, but it won't be long before everything changes.

Whether you're going to school, working, or doing business, whatever you do, you ultimately have to follow the Pareto principle: only those at the top reap the greatest rewards, and the rest are left to chance.

If Lin Xuan'er doesn't get into the top tier of universities, she'll most likely end up just working odd jobs.

A healthy body, a positive mindset, a strong will, and insight beyond the average person—these are the more important things, the foundation that allows a person to live optimistically and positively regardless of whether they are in good times or bad.

As for education, it's better to have it, but if you don't, then let nature take its course. Besides, An Xiaohai currently has enough wealth to support his whole family for the rest of their lives.

So it doesn't matter anymore.

On the fourth day, An Xiaohai took Lin Xuan'er to visit Zhou Meng.

Zhou Meng's wife was so happy she could fly. She also adored Lin Xuan'er. From the moment she entered the door, she held Lin Xuan'er's hand and kept asking her questions. After learning that Lin Xuan'er was good at picking seafood, she dragged her to the market without saying a word, saying that she would cook a seafood feast for everyone at noon today.

That's good, as this actually creates an opportunity for Zhou Meng, Zhou Xun, and An Xiaohai to speak.

"Xiao Hai, thank you, thank you for bringing them all back so they can all go home!" Zhou Meng's eyes were red when he said this; it was the first time An Xiao Hai had ever seen him like this.

An Xiaohai smiled slightly and quickly exchanged a glance with Zhou Xun.

Zhou Xun was actually seriously injured. She was shot three times in total: once in the thigh, once in the shoulder, and the most dangerous one was in the abdomen, which almost hit her liver. This shows how intense the battle was.

Through Zhou Xun, An Xiaohai learned that Yan Hong was the most seriously injured and was still not out of danger. Moreover, in order to avoid suspicion, he could not return to Shenhai City for treatment.

An Xiaohai felt guilty. After being back for so long, he had almost forgotten about Yan Hong. This wasn't a matter of memory, but rather a matter of mental strength.

An Xiaohai is nearly exhausted from dealing with the Flying Bird Gang and An Zhehao.

When An Xiaohai and Zhou Xun chatted, Zhou Meng would consciously choose to avoid the conversation. Captain Zhou was indeed a person who was rough around the edges but meticulous, and very principled.

After Zhou Meng's wife brought Lin Xuan'er back, the atmosphere became lively again. She kept praising An Xiaohai and Lin Xuan'er, and told Zhou Xun to learn from them and bring a wife back soon, instead of thinking about joining the army and doing missions all day long, saying he was useless!

Zhou Meng, who was listening from the side, was furious, but dared not lash out.

After finishing their meal, they chatted for a while longer before An Xiaohai said goodbye. Zhou Meng personally drove them home in his jeep.

"Captain Zhou, have you found a sniper?"

"Are you going to say these things in front of Xuan'er?" Zhou Meng asked, glancing at Lin Xuan'er.

"Yes, I didn't completely hide it from them. I feel that my family has the right to know what I'm doing, especially Xuan'er."

Don't worry, I believe in Xuan'er, and I believe in all our family members. They will understand me and take good care of themselves. There's something I need to tell you: Xuan'er is pregnant, carrying my child.

"This is really bad timing!" Zhou Meng paused for a moment, then slammed his hand on the steering wheel. "Early or late, it wouldn't have mattered, but getting pregnant now is just the worst possible time!"

"I think it's a good idea. You can't wait until you're fully prepared to do something. Let things take their natural course."

"You're pretty optimistic, aren't you!" Zhou Meng glared at An Xiaohai. "But you're right, she's pregnant, so be it. That's all we can do. Sigh... If Jianguo knew this, he would be so happy."

"He knows, he must know, I can feel it!"

"Fine, you're right no matter what you say!" Zhou Meng sighed again. "Let's not talk about this anymore. This is your own business, and I believe you know what's important."

The sniper has been found. He's from our third squad, named Qi Guoliang. He's a veteran who has been through many trials, and I guarantee he'll be fine. He was the one who shot and killed the drug dealer in the last operation in the mangrove forest.

Also, that great hero who colluded with you and went to the battlefield, they also came to me, asking me to gather manpower and be ready at any time to carry out a cleanup operation targeting the entire Haidong Province. The Southern Military Region will also participate in it.

This is a big operation! Hopefully, we can wipe them all out in one fell swoop!

"Yes, as much as possible. They've been living freely for far too long. It's time for them to pay the price."

"Judging from your expression, are you planning to leave Deepsea City after this operation?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Isn't it obvious? I know you perfectly well!"

"How many times have I asked you to come over? Did you even care? This time you not only came, but you made it so formal. If I still didn't guess, wouldn't I be a fool?"

"Yes, after taking down the Flying Bird Gang, only that most powerful enemy remains. I must leave this place and escape his surveillance range in order to have a chance to sneak up on him and finally take him down."

"How long do you need to be away?"

"I don't know. To be honest, I'm not confident facing him."

"Don't say that. I think you're capable. You're the most cunning person I've ever met. It's been so long, and he still can't do anything to you, can he? You can definitely do it."

……

"Team Leader Zhou, are you praising me?"

"Of course I'm praising you!" Zhou Meng rolled his eyes at An Xiaohai. "There's something else I need to tell you: the Big Circle Gang is finished."

A little over ten days ago, Lao Zhou and I, along with the Hong Kong police, conducted an operation that wiped out all the core members of the Big Circle Gang; only the lower-ranking members escaped. Now, the Big Circle Gang no longer exists; you no longer need to worry about them.

"Thank you, Captain Zhou."

"You're welcome. Whether it's because of you or not, this is what we should do. Just like you said, they've been arrogant for far too long."

Zhou Xun mentioned it to me, and he also submitted a report to his superiors, requesting to continue participating in your operation. If it's convenient for you, please bring him along.

Even when fighting a tiger, you need your own brothers. You always need someone close to you. I'm not bragging, but Zhou Xun is very strong in every way. She's just a little dull and not as cunning as you. You should teach her a lesson when you have the chance.

Also, when no one's around, just call me Uncle, like Xuan'er does.

"Okay, Uncle Zhou."

"...You little rascal! You're quick to change your tune!"

"We've arrived, I'm not going into the village. Take your wife and get out of here. Take good care of her and Xiru, or you'd better try living!"

Zhou Meng left somewhat dejectedly. In the days that followed, An Xiaohai continued to live with her family as usual.

Everyone knew that the day of parting was getting closer, but no one wanted to face the topic. Chen Shuifen and her grandmother would occasionally be unable to hold back and would hide to the side to secretly wipe away their tears.

June 29, 1997, 5:1 AM.

An Xiaohai stepped out of his house, where Yeren and his band of brothers from the mountain stronghold were already quietly waiting at the door.

An Xiaohai pulled Lin Xuan'er close, hugged her tightly, and kissed her deeply. After a long while, An Xiaohai released Lin Xuan'er and climbed into the car door that the wild man had opened for him.

After the convoy left, Lin Xuan'er stood at the gate of the courtyard, watching An Xiaohai's departing direction without moving, until Chen Shuifen and Chen Xiru came out and led her home.

Another storm is coming.