CHAPTER 101: CHAPTER 88: FANG FEI

Fang Fei accompanied his uncle He Yunwei as they sat on the playground, the night wind was quite strong, blowing with a bone-chilling cold. Both wore military coats, looked at the empty playground, smoked, and occasionally said a few words, talking about the old man back home in Beijing, discussing matters of the military, sharing their thoughts.

After a while, Fang Fei said seriously, "Overall, Grandpa is not at ease with you and Aunt. You haven’t heard that Zhou Xiaozheng is coming back, have you? This hasn’t spread yet, not many people know. I heard his brothers are all developing well here. The Lin Family probably wants him to come here too."

He Yunwei stood up in shock, said in amazement, "Zhou Xiaozheng is alive? Is the news true? I really don’t know him, but I often hear his stories here."

Seeing Fang Fei nod in confirmation, he breathed a sigh of relief, sat down, and softly said, "You stay in Beijing and only know that Zhou Xiaozheng is very capable, but you don’t know enough. He’s everywhere here, even the instructors occasionally mention him when training new recruits. He’s very famous, I heard when the news first came, several female soldiers fainted in tears.

If he indeed exists as the rumors say, the Lin Family would be futile no matter how much they struggle. What kind of person is he? Would he be influenced by others? Unless he wants to, Zhou Xiaozheng is a Northeast Tiger. Just one Lin Lishan affecting him? Wishful thinking.

As for his brothers, when I first arrived, it was rumored that he had twelve people living and eating together like actual brothers here, all led by him. Some have passed away, others transferred. The Head of Supply Zhao Chuan Guang should be one of his brothers, every Qingming Festival, he burns bags of paper money, and every year someone accompanies him in doing it. There’s countless talk about Zhou Xiaozheng’s brothers, his influence is too great."

Hearing this, Fang Fei pondered for a moment and then carefully relayed the occurrences since he arrived.

He Yunwei took a drag of his cigarette, looked at the distant trees, "What is Mr. Lin planning, high-profile bringing the grandson-in-law doesn’t seem like sending him to the barracks?"

"Zhang Guoqing doesn’t intend to mix in the military camp, probably wants to take another path. This man is smart, Grandpa is giving him a name, planning for him to take over the relations in Northeast in the future, combined with Zhou Xiaozheng’s connections, he’d be a strong aide to the Lin Family. Among the next generation, he and Lin Dingsheng are military and civil. But I think, Zhang Guoqing probably suspects Mr. Lin’s intentions, but surely won’t accept it, let alone become anyone’s assistance."

He Yunwei said incredulously, "How is that possible, he’s only 18, from a farming family, has no background, just because he married a good wife, could he compare with Lin Dingsheng? Lin Dingsheng was groomed by Mr. Lin’s couple."

"Not powerful, would the leaders bring him out? It’s an affirmation of his ability, along with Zhou Xiaozheng’s influence behind him. You haven’t interacted with him, he’s quite a decent person, has deep insight, means, scheming, no lack of strategy or background now.

Heard that the couple is preparing for university, people like them wouldn’t easily go astray, the goal is probably to enter the political path with high qualifications. Not to mention when Zhou Xiaozheng comes out, with the Lin Family behind him, no one would offend him in Beijing. Just talking about his personality, it’s very stable, in handling affairs, very cautious. In temperament, he possesses the chivalry typical of Northeast men, his vision is very precise, means and scheming are not lacking, with such people and favorable circumstances, inevitable to stand out among our generation.

Moreover, he has a very intelligent wife. Zhou Xiaozheng’s daughter Zhou Jiao takes after her father, this time when they visited suddenly without notifying the other side, yet they guessed it, the young couple just 17 and 18 guessed by some clues that Mr. Lin and Lin Lishan would arrive before the child was born, calculated only a day ahead. Even they guessed Zhou Xiaozheng didn’t pass away, participated in a secret mission, would return by year-end, handling even one thing very beautifully.

Zhou Xiaozheng’s daughter looks quite gentle, full of scholarly charm, just like her name Jiao Jiao, but her eloquence is powerful enough to command a group of nearly 1000 people. Think about it, an ordinary girl would be frightened, yet there she stood, spiritedly commanding with that quiet demeanor at just 17, calming so many, this incident may soon reach the provincial city.

The whole county was in shock, very similar to Mrs. Lin, but more impressive, very charismatic. When we first met her, hadn’t had the chance to properly meet her but just watched her from the sidelines. At the time Mr. Lin ordered her speech be recorded and shown to the younger generation of the Lin Family. From establishing her cousin’s guilt, politely bowing before her grandfather, step by step, not losing to those old foxes. The whole county praised her, no one said she went overboard.

Such a smart and proud man like Zhang Guoqing always consults with her in any matters, extremely loving her. Zhou Jiao is ruthless and decisive, complementing Zhang Guoqing’s soft-heartedness and kindness perfectly.

A very clever woman, a young daughter-in-law without ration favored by two sisters-in-law, loved by her in-laws, you could see her means. Enduring grievances at her maiden home without anyone knowing, enduring it without a word. Think about her tolerability, just a 17-year-old girl, her disposition already like this.

This couple is very in sync, a single look and they know each other’s intentions. That’s nurtured growing up together. Think what such a couple would be like in the future?"

He Yunwei gasped and said in shock, "At just 17, like this, our eldest is already 15 and just playing foolishly. No wonder she’s Zhou Xiaozheng’s daughter! No wonder the old man brings him, who wouldn’t like young ones like this."

Fang Fei nodded, "The old man would like him even more, today his performance throughout was excellent. Lin Lishan has waited long enough, Zhou Jiao this person, very protective, she said to Lin Lishan once, she can accept parents not around, but can’t accept betrayal. Lin Lishan tells us this as a joke, but I know this is true. Definitely something someone with her disposition would say. She’s never been loose with words. Lin Lishan is quite nice, without much scheming, Aunt should keep a good relationship with her."

He Yunwei looked at him suspiciously, "Then you mean, Zhou Xiaozheng’s daughter has such a magnanimous heart to already forgive?"

"Zhou Jiao would forgive Lin Lishan, she’s a smart person. Just with her mother waiting for 17 years without remarrying, she would choose to recognize her mother, she would choose to forgive. The premise being Lin Lishan wouldn’t scheme to put Zhou Xiaozheng father-daughter in jeopardy for Lin Family’s benefit. But with Lin Lishan’s nature, how could she?"

He Yunwei nodded, "Enough, let’s not talk about them anymore. When you say this, I have an idea, take some time to go home these days."

Fang Fei scratched his head painfully, "Uncle, I’m begging you, do advise Aunt not to find a matchmaker for me. Uncle you can’t stay here for long either, Grandpa’s reach doesn’t extend here, find a chance to transfer back and take a look."

"Okay, you go discuss with the old man and see, we’ll keep in touch between us if there’s anything."

"Let’s call it a night, I have to head back too, freezing."