Chapter 45

Outside the window, the cloud layer was shining, the Boeing 737 cabin was somewhat narrow, and Lu Zheng sat by the window, silently holding a paper cup in a daze, the cola in the cup looking like dark, thick blood in his eyes.

"Still thinking about that girl?" At his ear, Han Jing's concerned voice came.

The day after the fight, Lu Zheng boarded a flight back to China with his mother, accompanied by embassy staff. He heard that Bai Sha had no longer been in danger, but was still unconscious in the intensive care unit.

His uncle's surgery was very successful, but he still needed to rest and be observed.

Originally, the other family had reported the incident to the police, but a car from the Chinese embassy quickly arrived at the hospital, taking Lu Zheng and Han Jing away, leaving the Los Angeles police helpless. The embassy's military attaché was extremely stern, even scolding the police for suggesting that Lu Zheng should be questioned.

China and the United States were in the best honeymoon period in history, united to counter the powerful Soviet Red Empire due to international strategic needs. The current Sino-U.S. relationship was even closer and more reliable than the strategic relationship of the future.

Because of China's proposed reform and opening up, which was more shocking to the world than Yugoslavia's break with the Soviet Union, the U.S. high-level secret documents held great hopes for China, hoping that China would gradually be assimilated and transformed by the democratic world through this opening up.

However, in this intimate atmosphere, many Chinese officials were not too polite to Americans. The term "American imperialism" had been used for so long that some deeply ingrained notions had taken root.

The Chinese military attaché at the Los Angeles embassy was a representative of this, disregarding diplomatic etiquette, scolding the Los Angeles police, and directly taking the people away.

The U.S. judicial system was independent, and local police had a high degree of autonomy, but in such a sensitive case, they could only seek instructions from their superiors and watch the "perpetrators" leave helplessly.

His mother's identity was too special; even the Soviet Union, which was sharply opposed to China, would not risk a huge risk to detain the leader of China's 8341 unit or his relatives.

Moreover, it was just a common civil dispute.

Lu Zheng thought silently, suddenly realizing something, and turned his head to say softly, "Mom, are we being escorted back to China?" He heard that some people in the Central Military Commission were very dissatisfied with his mother's trip to the United States, and the embassy staff had been urging her to return to China.

Han Jing nodded slightly and said indifferently, "You could say that. What? Are you afraid?" It was rare for her to joke with her son.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Grandpa said that revolutionaries should have an optimistic spirit, and Grandfather said that the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold. I inherited the fine blood of both of them. If I'm afraid, it's only because I'm afraid that you won't love me, Mom."

Han Jing smiled but said nothing, clearly finding her son's playful words meaningless.

Lu Zheng, however, was used to it. After a while, he said, "Mom, rest assured, I will definitely strive to make progress and not let you down." It seemed he was speaking to Han Jing, but also to himself.

Han Jing hummed in response.

Lu Zheng knew that his mother was different from his father. She had never had any expectations for him, only hoping he would be safe and healthy. His father, on the other hand, had high expectations and strict demands, seeing his path into business as a deviation, and using every means possible to stop him. In his eyes, Lu Zheng had willingly fallen, and the greatest sorrow was the death of the heart, which eventually led to a falling out between them.

"Want a drink?" Lu Zheng suddenly suggested.

Two flight attendants in silver-gray double-breasted suits, both tall and with excellent demeanor, were pushing a trolley. On the trolley, among various beverages, there was a bottle of Maotai wine.

Seeing Han Jing in her green military uniform, the two flight attendants were momentarily stunned, then saluted together, saying crisply, "Comrade Leader, hello!" The civil aviation had only separated from the Air Force a few years ago, and the two flight attendants, who still retained memories of the special era, reacted instinctively. Although the military rank system had been abolished for over a decade, and the military uniform no longer indicated rank, the four-pocketed cadre uniform, combined with Han Jing's stern demeanor and the international flight, made it clear she was a leader.

Han Jing stood solemnly, returned a military salute, and said, "At ease." After sitting down, she smiled and said, "Pour us two glasses of wine."

Lu Zheng knew that although his mother might find such a gesture out of place in this setting, the military salute was so solemn that she would treat it with respect. He, too, was filled with mixed emotions.

At one time, this was the unbreakable national soul of the People's Republic.

"Mom, I wish you success in your work." Lu Zheng raised his glass and gently clinked it with Han Jing's, then took a sip of the wine. These drinks, which might cost thousands of yuan per bottle in the future, were now just free beverages on the plane, of course, the people who could afford international flights were all elites in China.

"Guangning is developing well now, right? Are you getting used to the food and living conditions?" Han Jing asked slowly, finally showing her maternal love at this moment.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Everything is fine, Mom, you don't need to worry about me."

Han Jing nodded and said no more.

...

A red-topped, white-bodied bus was bumping along a bumpy road, the engine roaring like an old ox. Inside, some passengers were chatting softly, while others were snoring in their seats.

This was the long-distance bus from Wushan to Guangning, a journey of about an hour, with a morning departure at 9:00 and an afternoon arrival in Wushan.

The bus was full of people. Those over thirty, whether workers or cadres, preferred to wear neat gray Lenin suits or jackets when traveling. Typically, cadres wore pens in the upper pocket of their Lenin suits. Suits were already very common in Wushan and Guangning, and a few fashion-conscious young people on this bus were wearing suits, with bell-bottoms or jeans, looking somewhat mismatched.

There were few women and children on the bus. The only two children were fighting over a cookie, and their mothers, after scolding them, felt sorry and comforted them, saying, "Don't fight, kids. Next time we go to Beijing, I'll buy you picture books."

"Click" Someone lit a cigarette, adding another source of smoke to the already smoky cabin.

Lu Zheng sat in a window seat in the middle of the bus. He had taken a two-hour train to Wushan and then boarded the bus to Guangning.

Actually, Guangning was the gateway to the capital, a strategic location in the past. Trains from Beijing to the northeast all passed through Guangning, but Lu Zheng had gone to Wushan to buy some local specialties before returning to Guangning by bus.

A few more passengers got on the bus and stood in the middle. Seeing an elderly man among them, Lu Zheng stood up to offer his seat. The elderly man declined a few times but eventually sat down.

"Zhengzi?" A girl's surprised voice came from the back of the bus. Lu Zheng turned around and saw Liu Xiaohui and Qin Mingliang sitting in the last row, with Liu Xiaohui excitedly waving to him.

Lu Zheng made his way to them in the bumpy bus, and Liu Xiaohui asked Qin Mingliang to move over. Reluctantly, Qin Mingliang moved a bit and said, "Two seats for three people? How can we fit?"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "You two sit, it's too hot to squeeze together."

Liu Xiaohui, who had been glaring, seemed to think it over and said, "Then we'll take turns sitting." She kicked Qin Mingliang, who sulked but said nothing.

Lu Zheng laughed and said, "It's just an hour's ride, it'll be over in a flash. No need to fuss." He secretly smiled, thinking that it seemed Liu Xiaohui had been controlling Qin Mingliang tightly during their time apart.

"Brother Zhengzi, Xiao Guang is back, and he brought a few classmates. They're writing a social investigation report, but they couldn't find you," Liu Xiaohui sighed regretfully. "I don't know if they've left yet. You missed the gathering, and so did he."

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "I know he's back. It doesn't matter whether we meet or not. We're all working hard for our careers now. There will be plenty of time later."

Liu Xiaohui added, "Also, Tong Susu came back. She couldn't find you because you moved. She left you a letter, which is at home. I'll find it for you later. Brother Zhengzi, are you close to her? I heard she borrowed money from you?" She asked casually, knowing that Tong Susu had borrowed money from Lu Zheng for an emergency and left a letter to thank him. It seemed like Brother Zhengzi's luck, otherwise, with her current status, she wouldn't have written a personal letter, and they certainly weren't close enough to write letters to each other.

Lu Zheng said, "We're okay."

Liu Xiaohui sighed enviously, "Having a good dad is great. She's no longer a host, but a star now, playing Xue Baochai in 'Dream of the Red Mansions.' She said filming is about to start, so she won't be back for a while."

It seemed Liu Xiaohui didn't know about the trouble at Tong Susu's home. Lu Zheng hadn't expected Tong Susu to be chosen for one of the twelve roles, and even one of the three main roles. He thought for a moment and said, "Opportunity is one thing, but it's mainly about whether you can seize it."

Liu Xiaohui nodded slightly and said, "Yes, Tong Susu is so beautiful, she should be a star."

"Ah, Brother Zhengzi, I've always wanted to ask you, what do you do at the Public Security Bureau?" Liu Xiaohui asked curiously, looking at Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng laughed and said, "I'm the director."

Liu Xiaohui pouted and said, "Why are you so playful? Really!"

Lu Zheng just laughed and said, "Believe it or not, I'm not lying to you."

Qin Mingliang, who had been silent, suddenly said coldly, "You're the director? If my friend is arrested, can you get him out with a word?"

Liu Xiaohui frowned and said, "What are you talking about? Can't you see Brother Zhengzi is joking?"

Lu Zheng asked, "Your friend? What's his name? How did he get arrested?"

Qin Mingliang, silenced by Liu Xiaohui, turned to look out the window.

Liu Xiaohui said, "His name is Lei Dajun, also a teacher. I know him; he's a good person, just likes to joke around. A few days ago, he was buying a TV at the department store and joked with a female saleswoman. She didn't realize it was a joke, and when he touched her while moving the TV, she thought he did it on purpose and called the security guard. They took him to the police station. I think he deserved it, to teach him a lesson! But I heard that if it goes badly, he might be charged with hooliganism, which would ruin his life."

Lu Zheng sighed and nodded slightly.

Liu Xiaohui added, "Brother Zhengzi, if you can help, please help him. I saw his parents the other day; they were such cheerful people, but now they look ten years older. It's so sad! I feel so bad..." Her eyes welled up, and she wiped away tears.

Lu Zheng sighed but said nothing.

Qin Mingliang, though silent, thought Liu Xiaohui was wasting her time with this rough guy. How could he help with such a matter?

The bus stopped and started again, entering the Guangning long-distance bus station around ten. With Liu Xiaohui and Qin Mingliang chatting, the time passed quickly.

In the dirty little square of the station, there were a few small tobacco stalls, the owners loudly hawking bread, sunflower seeds, and cigarettes, trying to attract customers. It seemed that more and more individual traders were emerging, and competition was already fierce.

Liu Xiaohui and Qin Mingliang, holding their bicycle deposit tickets, prepared to retrieve their bikes from the station's storage. Lu Zheng said goodbye to them, as the county bureau was nearby.

Lu Zheng gave Liu Xiaohui his phone number, and she blinked and asked, "Should I bring Tong Susu's letter to you tomorrow?"

If she hadn't mentioned it, Lu Zheng would have almost forgotten. He smiled and said, "No need, I'll send someone to get it from you. I'm very busy, so it's better to get it from you."

Liu Xiaohui nodded and waved goodbye to Lu Zheng. Urged by Qin Mingliang, they joined the crowd at the entrance to the bicycle storage area.

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