Chapter 217: The Sister’s Discovery
Watching Li Yi’s retreating figure, Long Zhanjun fell deep in thought.
His rational mind told him that this guy was probably just bluffing—after all, who could say for sure what would happen two years from now?
But when he thought of Li Yi’s calm demeanor and confident tone, he began to waver.
After all, the information Li Yi had mentioned was true—though most of it wasn’t exactly classified, and a thorough investigation could uncover it.
But some details were not necessarily accessible to the average person—such as the unit number and branch of service of the unit where he had served.
Or, for instance, the reason for his discharge—that was classified as well.
The fact that this guy had managed to dig up such detailed information clearly meant he wasn’t an ordinary person.
Precisely for this reason, being naturally cautious, he didn’t lose his temper on the spot or lay a hand on this man.
Thinking of Li Yi’s final words, Long Zhanjun didn’t hesitate. He immediately informed his underlings and then rushed straight home.
As soon as he got home, he saw his mother doing laundry.
Seeing this, Long Zhanjun felt slightly reassured. Although his mother’s health wasn’t great, her ailments were minor—she certainly wouldn’t be in any more danger than his younger sister, who suffered from heart disease.
Seeing Long Zhanjun return, a faint smile appeared on his mother’s pale face, and she asked, “Why are you back so early today?”
“A machine broke down at the factory, so the boss gave us the day off!” Long Zhanjun replied.
To put his mother at ease, he didn’t mention that he’d been loitering on the streets; instead, he told her he worked at the steel mill.
“It’s good you have the day off. Then you can take Xiaofeng out for a walk later!” his mother said.
“Sure!”
Then, still a little worried, Long Zhanjun asked, “Mom, are you feeling okay?”
A fleeting look of unease crossed his mother’s face, but she quickly hid it and said, “What could I possibly have? Just some old ailments—nothing to worry about!”
“All right, then. I’ll take Xiaofeng out for a walk!”
After that, Long Zhanjun went into the house and carried a girl of about fourteen or fifteen out on his back, holding a makeshift wheelchair fashioned from a bicycle tire.
After settling his younger sister, Xiaofeng, into the wheelchair, Long Zhanjun pushed her out the door.
His younger sister, Long Xiaofeng, is 17 years old, but due to a congenital heart condition, her health has been steadily declining.
Despite seeking treatment from various sources, there was simply nothing that could be done.
Now, his sister can no longer walk on her own; any sudden exertion causes her to faint, so she relies entirely on the wheelchair to get around.
A major reason Long Zhanjun had become a street thug was to raise money for his sister’s medical treatment.
Once outside, Long Zhanjun sensed that his sister’s mood was off today, so he immediately asked, “Xiaofeng, what’s wrong? You don’t look very happy.”
Long Xiaofeng was silent for a long moment, then suddenly said, “Brother, do you think I’m a burden?”
“What are you talking about? How could you be a burden? I won’t let you say that!”
“Brother, I’m really worried that one day I’ll wear you and Mom out. I…”
“That won’t happen. I’m so capable—how could you possibly wear me out?” Long Zhanjun reassured his sister.
“What about Mom?”
“What about Mom?”
Long Xiaofeng suddenly blurted out, “Brother, I saw Mom coughing up blood!”
“What… When did that happen?”
“It’s happened twice already. The last time was a month ago, and the most recent time was three days ago.”
“You… why didn’t you tell me sooner!” Long Zhanjun said, sounding anxious.
“I wasn’t sure the first time, so I didn’t say anything. This time, you haven’t been home for several days, so I…”
“I’m sorry, it’s my fault!”
Thinking of his mother’s health and recalling Li Yi’s words, Long Zhanjun said anxiously, “What’s wrong with Mom? Why did she suddenly start coughing up blood?”
“I saw Mom taking medicine—it looked just like the medicine I take. I suspect she has the same illness as me!”
“Heart disease?”
“Yes!”
Long Zhanjun thought again of what his sister’s attending physician had said: congenital heart disease is highly likely to be hereditary.
Earlier, they had all said that no one else in the family had this condition, but they never expected that Mother would…
“No, I have to ask Mother!” said Long Zhanjun.
“Brother, Mom won’t admit it!” Long Xiaofeng said.
“Xiaofeng, how certain are you that Mom has heart disease?”
“About seventy or eighty percent. I’ve seen Mom take her medicine several times—especially lately, she’s been taking it several times a day!”
Hearing this, Long Zhanjun could no longer sit still.
If what his sister said was true, their mother’s condition might already be very serious.
But because of the family’s circumstances, she had kept it to herself all this time.
Thinking back to what that guy Li Yi had said, Long Zhanjun suddenly fell deep into thought!
…….
Meanwhile, after stepping out of Long Zhanjun’s small courtyard, Li Yi was in high spirits.
It had been two and a half months since his rebirth, and he had finally met his first capable lieutenant.
He wasn’t worried that Long Zhanjun wouldn’t take the bait; knowing him as he did, that guy cared most about his mother and younger sister.
And he was just a street thug—broke and without connections—with no idea where to turn to get his mother and sister treated.
As long as Long Zhanjun found out his mother was constantly worrying about his illness, he would definitely come looking for him.
If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be Long Zhanjun.
As long as he could truly cure his mother and sister, given Long Zhanjun’s loyal and righteous nature, he would surely follow him with unwavering devotion, just as he had in his previous life.
Besides, if he wanted to investigate the truth behind Tang Xue’s background in Yong County, he would need Long Zhanjun’s help.
With him, a local insider, on his side, many things would become much simpler.
Thinking of this, Li Yi naturally felt quite pleased.
By the time he returned to the guesthouse, it was already 5:00 p.m. Tang Xue had woken up by then and was standing by the window, lost in thought.
Hearing Li Yi push open the door, she immediately turned to look.
“Where have you been all afternoon?”
Li Yi held up the two small cantaloupes and half a watermelon in his hands and said, “I went out to ask around about the route to Maple Leaf Town, and I picked up some fruit for you while I was at it!”
“Watermelon? Where did you get that? It must have been expensive, right?”
Tang Xue knew full well that watermelons were a rare luxury—most people simply couldn’t afford them.
As for other fruits and food, as long as you had money and ration tickets, you could buy them—but watermelons were different.
Due to limited production, in most places watermelons weren’t distributed by ration coupons but by doctor’s prescriptions.
Only patients with a fever of 39 degrees could get a small slice with a doctor’s prescription.
I really have no idea where Li Yi managed to get such a huge half-watermelon!
“Hehe, it didn’t cost much. It’s so hot out—I bought it to help you cool off!”
Li Yi then took a small aluminum spoon out of his suitcase, stuck it into the watermelon, and handed it to Tang Xue.
“We don’t have a knife, so we won’t cut it. Let’s just scoop it out with a spoon!”
Tang Xue was a little touched. No matter what good things this man had, she was always the first person he thought of.
Right then, she scooped out a big chunk with the spoon and held it up to Li Yi’s lips!
Li Yi didn’t hesitate, immediately popping the bright red slice into his mouth, and a sweet warmth instantly filled his heart…
……