Chapter 117: The Farewell Ceremony and Return Home
December 8th, Sunday.
At night, a military aircraft from a certain location in the capital quietly arrived at a military airport in the northern suburbs of City C, with Han Jieli accompanying Meng Huai as they walked off the plane.
Although the temperature was considerably higher than in the capital, the southern region’s unique damp cold still made Han Jieli feel somewhat uncomfortable for a moment.
“Brother Meng, it’s almost eight o’clock. Should I take you home directly, or should we hang out at the Commandant’s residence in the Western Inspection Area for the night?”
In the military vehicle, Han Jieli smiled as he asked the tall, serious-looking officer beside him while buckling his seatbelt.
“This time, I’ve been closed off for too long. Let’s first stroll around the city, enjoy some urban atmosphere, grab a bite to eat, and then take me to the Xuanjia Brigade’s stationed base.”
Meng Huai seldom smiled, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, appearing relaxed, and his delicate, feminine features showed a hint of warmth.
“Alright, name a place, and we’ll find a good spot for a late-night snack! By the way, Brother Meng, I checked your personal info, and your birthday is just a week away. Any plans?”
“Birthday, is there any need to discuss that…? Let’s go to the Linhe Commercial Area in District J; there’s a good hot pot place.”
Meng Huai reached for his pocket to retrieve his phone, which he hadn’t used for over a month, but his hand lingered by his pants pocket for several seconds before quietly withdrawing, choosing not to speak.
Han Jieli felt a bit of disappointment but simply smiled and started the car, slowly pulling away from the airport.
Looking around, even though it was a military airport, it was still quiet and peaceful, as if the entire world existed in an absolutely stable state, especially the land beneath their feet—prosperous, thriving, and unshakeable.
…
…
At nine o’clock at night, at the Golden River Club.
“Great! Brother Zhao’s condition has stabilized completely!”
Xiao Dong excitedly squeezed his fist and showcased the notebook in his hand to Wan Yue and others, beaming: “In the past twenty-four hours, Brother Zhao’s body temperature, blood oxygen, and heart rate have had no issues. We can basically expect a smooth breakthrough soon.”
“Alright. Keep an eye on the intervals for blood transfusions. If there’s no progress in the breakthrough, we still have the last hundred milliliters of that rare Viscount blood; we’ll use that as well.”
After several days of anxious waiting, Wan Yue also looked a bit worn out. She smiled and stood up, pulling out her first cigarette of the day.
“That’s awesome, but I wonder how long Brother Peng will remain in hibernation.”
Xiao Ai also smiled broadly, in a good mood, almost wishing her beloved would wake up tomorrow and become a proper Siberian baron.
“Regardless of potential, it takes at least four to five months to start, usually around a year. If it goes over a year without a breakthrough, it basically proves a failure.”
“Xiao Ai, we need to schedule Zhao Peng’s daily care properly. Right now, there are only a few men from the Hyacinth, and it’s not convenient for other women to handle some of the physical care; I estimate you won’t agree to that either.”
Wan Yue smoked casually, but the teasing glimmer in her eyes couldn’t be hidden.
“I know… I’ll take care of Brother Peng’s physical care every other day…”
Xiao Ai blushed slightly, uncharacteristically adopting a small womanly demeanor.
“By the way, did you feel anything after drinking the blood I gave you last time?”
Wan Yue laughed, lightly tapping Xiao Ai’s forehead, then suddenly remembered something and quickly lowered her voice.
“Mmhm, it worked!”
Xiao Ai and Xiao Dong both nodded excitedly, their eyes shimmering with hope.
“I’ll try to bring more in a few days. Since there’s been an effect, let’s aim for a weekly intake. Especially you, Xiao Dong. You have excellent potential; I hope you can reach the upper-tier knight within five years.”
Wan Yue yawned and twisted her waist as she walked out of the room. The two girls inside embraced one another again, so excited they almost started dancing.
…
In the golden hall, the music was soothing, and the temperature was just right. Though official business would resume tomorrow, over a dozen Hyacinth employees were already busy with last-minute preparations for the reopening, organizing activities and cleaning various items.
“Xiao Yao, come help take out all the bottles from the wine cabinet, wipe down the bottles and the cabinet. It’s been a month since we were closed, so there’s bound to be some dust.”
Jiang Yan walked back to a certain nook in the hall and noticed Jiang Yao curled up on the sofa, furiously typing on her phone. She gently patted Jiang Yao on the shoulder.
“Huh? Got it!”
Jiang Yao startled and jumped up, quickly flipping her phone over as if afraid someone would see her chat with someone.
“Always glued to your phone, chatting with Zhong Jing again?”
Jiang Yan didn’t show any special expression this time; or rather, everyone in the Hyacinth was in a good mood because of Zhao Peng’s good news. Jiang Yao, who had made a discreet contribution to the situation, also found Jiang Yan to be surprisingly tolerant.
“Just chatting… Sis, my birthday is at the end of the month…”
Following Jiang Yan into the bar area, Jiang Yao nervously toyed with her hair ends, feeling a bit embarrassed and anxious.
“We’re all adults; it’s just a birthday… If you want a celebration, invite a few friends you get along with, and we’ll have a dinner party at home. Let’s take all the bottles off the rack first and wipe them down, and be careful not to break any.”
Jiang Yan’s tone was relatively calm, her expression consistently cool, busy with her hands.
“Yeah, I think so too; it’s just a small birthday…”
Jiang Yao forced a smile, seemingly agreeing with Jiang Yan, but her expression had a hint of disappointment.
The two worked together, and the large racks of wine against the wall gradually emptied. They then each took a cloth to begin their cleaning work. Jiang Yan appeared to be orderly, but occasionally she would freeze for a few seconds, seemingly absent-minded.
“Sis, are you lost in thought?”
Jiang Yao, holding a wiped wine bottle, couldn’t refrain from quietly prompting Jiang Yan, who had not yet reached out to take the bottle Jiang Yao offered after a long time.
“Oh, nothing. I was just wondering if I remembered the placements of these bottles incorrectly… too bad I can’t consult Brother Zhao.”
Jiang Yan snapped back to reality, quickly took the bottle Jiang Yao handed her, then pointed toward the other end of the hall: “Go help out with the display racks in the pastry area. You’re taller; it’ll be easier for you.”
As she sent Jiang Yao away, Jiang Yan slowly sat down, staring at the glass wall in the distance, looking at the street view outside as her enthusiasm for work was completely interrupted by a strange recollection.
Meng Huai’s birthday is December 15th, next Sunday… I remember last year, because of the celebration for receiving a collective second-class merit, it was celebrated by Vice Captain Zhao and several squad leaders from the base. That was when he was first drunkenly coaxed…
He provoked me, but did I remember him, or did Xia Yan remember him?
He was merely searching for a substitute for familial affection at death’s door; he left satisfied, and I thought I was special but got nothing but a mess to deal with… At least Xiao Yao has someone to rely on; who do I cling to?
Looking down at the precious red wine in her hand, Jiang Yan traced the cool bottle, sinking into a state of inexplicable contemplation once more.
…
In a corner of the pastry area, Jiang Yao quickly dusted off a couple of circles, then slyly shrank into a corner, squatting behind the bar where Jiang Yan couldn’t see, pulled out her phone, opened social media, and continued typing away.
Yao Baba Tian: She just came by and almost caught me reading our chat!
Fa Wai Kuang Tu: I noticed you hadn’t replied for a few minutes, so I guessed Jiang Yan must have caught you.
Yao Baba Tian: Should I tell her about your brother coming back?
Fa Wai Kuang Tu: If you want to tell her, go ahead; why ask me?
Yao Baba Tian: I don’t want to! (Table flip JPG)
Fa Wai Kuang Tu: What if my brother goes to the Golden River Club again? (Toothy grin JPG)
Yao Baba Tian: … (Dazed JPG)
Yao Baba Tian: I’m only asking because I don’t know; don’t you have a lot of crazy ideas?
Yao Baba Tian: Why aren’t you talking?! (Punched JPG)
Yao Baba Tian: Where are you?! (Slapping JPG)
The glow of the phone screen flickered on Jiang Yao’s smooth face. At some point, a slender figure loomed over her head.
Jiang Yao slowly looked up to see Jiang Yan’s icy face, forcing a smile as she hid her phone behind her back, awkwardly getting to her feet.
“Xiao Yao, Sister Xiao Dong has just recovered from a serious injury and can’t stay up too late. Tonight, it’s on you and Uncle Liang to keep watch; I’ll take over tomorrow. I’ll go home early to tidy up; it must be messy there too.”
With that, Jiang Yan walked towards the employee passage, planning to change clothes and head home.
What’s up with her? She’s getting colder; she doesn’t even stand like Wan Jie… Watching Jiang Yan’s retreating figure, Jiang Yao silently grumbled.
“Why did Meng Huai come back if he wasn’t dead…”
Jiang Yao pulled out her phone again, scrolling through countless chat records when the military vehicle slowly passed through the streets of the Linhe Commercial Area in District J. Meng Huai stared intently at the magnificent building in the distance, his expression indifferent.
“Brother Meng, have you not decided on a place yet? We’ve been wandering for an hour, and it’s almost eleven o’clock.”
Han Jieli felt that Meng Huai’s mood had been off since they disembarked. Especially now, having traversed the so-called Linhe Commercial Area several times, he still hadn’t settled on where to eat.
“Let’s switch places. Yushui Street in District J has good snacks… After eating, take me home. You’ve worked hard today.”
“But we agreed; don’t dawdle around changing places; half the fuel is already wasted.”
Han Jieli let out a rueful smile, slammed on the gas, and the military vehicle began to speed up, returning to the main road, accelerating towards the newest agreed-upon address of Meng Huai.
Outside the window, the neon lights flowed like dyed ribbons, continuously streaming backward. As they passed a street corner, the entrance of the Golden River Club flashed by the corner of his eye.
Meng Huai leaned heavily against the back of his seat, beginning to close his eyes and rest.
Having received a call in advance, the atmosphere in the Zhong family was extremely uplifted. Even Mrs. Zhong, who usually had little regard for Meng Huai, had to join in on the family mood, ordering the housekeeper to take care of things at home.
It had been nearly a month since Meng Huai had any news, and upon receiving the call from Meng Huai’s unit leader, Zhong Hai thought he had misheard.
Even He Jian Qingya, after bathing, changed into a suitable dress, sitting with Zhong Jing in the living room, her eyes glued to the door.
As the time approached midnight, beneath the night sky, Meng Huai stepped into the Zhong family villa’s first-floor living room with a hint of alcohol in his stride.
“Great, it’s good to be back… Though you’ve lost some weight, you still have a good spirit.”
Zhong Hai was the first to rise, quickly walking before his eldest son, reaching out to pinch his military uniform buttons, nodding appreciatively.
“Big Brother.”
“Welcome home, brother.”
Zhong Jing and He Jian Qingya stood up, the former dropping his cigarette and smiling brightly, while the latter slightly bowed her head, humble and obedient.
“Chun Jie, bring out the fruit platter and the sour plum soup to sober him up!”
Mrs. Zhong, wrapped in a shawl, cheerfully called toward the kitchen.
The atmosphere in the Zhong family had never felt so warm and harmonious.
After giving a small glance to his mother, Zhong Jing’s attention returned to Meng Huai. After a few seconds of observation, he was slightly taken aback, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
It was indeed his brother, but something felt off…
He had lost some weight, but it seemed, just seemed… Zhong Jing furrowed his brow slightly, turning his head to find He Jian Qingya also gazing at Meng Huai with wide eyes.
“It took so long, but Brother’s illness is finally cured; he looks even more handsome, right?”
Seeing Meng Huai and their father enter the study, Zhong Jing turned to He Jian Qingya, wearing a mysterious smile.
“Oh, right…” He Jian Qingya quickly snapped back to attention, slightly lowering her head, avoiding Zhong Jing’s gaze, “From now on, Jingru can get along well with elder brother…”
“Can they really get along? I feel he doesn’t seem like he’s come home, but more like… a farewell?”
Zhong Jing lit a cigarette, glancing at Meng Huai’s back, remaining noncommittal and not intending to join the commotion in the study but instead headed straight upstairs.
Strangely, why this time could he sense a fragrance from Meng Huai that reminded him of Sister Mi? Additionally, after his severe illness, he seemed somewhat different from before… Looking once more toward the study, He Jian Qingya furrowed her brow, her expression increasingly puzzled.
The warm atmosphere in the Zhong family villa lasted only a few minutes before quickly cooling down with Meng Huai’s indifferent attitude and his action of heading straight into the study. Feeling ineffectively frustrated, Mrs. Zhong hurriedly returned to her bedroom.
The study light remained on until past one in the morning, and it was the first time Meng Huai told Zhong Hai a lot of things.
The main topics of conversation were Meng Huai’s wish to relocate his mother Meng Xiang’s grave from its original remote location to a more scenic place at Fenghuangshan Cemetery. Secondly, Meng Huai addressed various questions from his father, Zhong Hai, regarding his future career plans.
For the proposal of relocating Meng Xiang’s grave, Zhong Hai had no objections. However, regarding his eldest son’s calm and clear manner of conversing about future matters, Zhong Hai felt something strange. His eldest son seemed to speak like he was reciting lines, lacking any authentic emotion from himself.
Furthermore, as the conversation continued, Zhong Hai also noticed subtle differences in his eldest son’s appearance compared to the past.
After recovering from a serious illness, he had become more handsome and delicate, displaying a more feminine and cold demeanor. The formerly robust, manly aura had subtly changed without him realizing it, especially the pair of eyes that exuded a lifeless chill, like bottomless abysses.
The villa inside and out dimmed again, restoring the expected stillness of the late night.
After finishing his conversation with his father, Meng Huai returned directly to his small study.
He took out an old photo from the drawer, that birthday picture stained with remnants of dried blood, showing him with his mother, filling his vision once more.
Staring blankly at it for several minutes, Meng Huai pulled out the cigarettes and lighter he had whimsically bought before returning home, trembling slightly as he lit one, taking slow drags accompanied by slight coughs.
After multiple puffs, Meng Huai’s expression grew increasingly grim, with ash and cigarette butts accumulating on the floor.
He picked up the old photo again, his fingers brushing over the image of mother and son, trembling slightly. After about ten seconds, he ignited the lighter, burning the photo to ash.
