By the time Li Yi emerged from Liu San’s house, it was already 10:30 a.m.!
Wondering whether Jiang Shiying would actually show up today, Li Yi hurried back to the county bureau in his horse-drawn carriage.
Li Gang had just finished his work and was standing by the window smoking.
Upon seeing Li Yi, he immediately stepped out to greet him.
As soon as they met, Li Gang said, “We just got a call from the capital!”
Li Yi immediately stopped tying the reins and asked urgently, “What did they say?”
“Director Jiang said they’ve already set out and are expected to arrive in Qing Shan County around 5:00 p.m. He wants you to wait for them at the county bureau!” Li Gang said.
Li Yi immediately frowned. It was the middle of winter, and by five o’clock, it would be completely dark.
Driving a mule cart at night was out of the question; one misstep and they could easily end up in a ditch.
But since Uncle Jiang and his nephew were visiting Qing Shan County for the first time, they might not be able to find Nianzi Mountain Village just by following a map without a guide.
With that in mind, Li Yi turned to Li Gang and said, “Looks like I’ll have to ask you for a favor today!”
“What kind of favor?”
“It’s too late. I’m driving a mule cart and can’t wait for them, so I’ll be heading back to the village in a bit!”
Li Yi continued, “Once Jiang Longcheng and the others arrive, you’ll take them to Nianzishan Village for me!”
“I thought it was something major. Don’t worry, leave it to me!” Li Gang said with a smile.
“Alright!”
Then Li Yi added, “Now that I know where they are, I won’t keep you any longer.”
“Also, I need to head back right away. Let Old Liang know—we’ll talk about dinner later!”
To be honest, Li Yi really didn’t feel like having dinner with Li Gang and Liang Yukuai right now; he needed to head back early to make preparations.
Li Gang could tell Li Yi had something important to attend to today, so he immediately said, “If you’ve got things to do, go ahead and take care of them. There’s no rush about dinner—I’ll let Brother Liang know myself!”
“Alright, see you tonight!”
“See you tonight!”
After saying goodbye to Li Gang, Li Yi drove the mule cart once more and arrived at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
After all, with his father-in-law and older brother-in-law coming over, he couldn’t possibly neglect them; he had to treat them to fine food and drink.
Besides, even if Jiang Shiying and Jiang Longcheng hadn’t come, Li Yi had planned to do some serious shopping today anyway.
After all, his eldest sister was recovering from childbirth at home, and Tang Xue was also pregnant—they both needed to nourish their bodies.
So once he arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative, Li Yi didn’t hold back and immediately went on a shopping spree.
One fat sheep—it’s getting cold, and this kind of meat keeps well.
Ten pounds of pork, and ten pounds of pork ribs—Tang Xue loves those.
Plus a rooster and a goose—they weren’t cheap, but with Li Yi’s current assets and income, he’d basically achieved “market freedom.”
No celebration is complete without alcohol. As for Moutai, since a bottle only costs 8 yuan these days, it’s a great choice even if you don’t drink it—you can always keep it as a collectible.
After spending a full 320 yuan and a whole stack of ration coupons, Li Yi finally wrapped up his big shopping spree.
Glancing at his watch, he saw it was already 11:30. He immediately set off for home in his mule cart.
…….
On the highway leading from the capital to North Frontier Province, the Jiang uncle and nephew were speeding down the road in their car!
Both of them were completely baffled by today’s events, especially Jiang Longcheng, who simply couldn’t figure out what Li Yi was up to.
“Uncle, what do you think Brother Li Yi is up to? Why did he suddenly ask you to go to his house?” Jiang Longcheng asked as he drove.
Jiang Shiying didn’t answer his nephew’s question. Instead, he furrowed his brow, thought for a moment, and then said, “Longcheng, tell me exactly what Li Yi said to you—don’t leave out a single word!”
Jiang Longcheng first carefully recalled the events of that morning, then began to recount them slowly.
Soon, Jiang Longcheng had recounted the morning’s events in full detail.
After listening to Jiang Longcheng, Jiang Shiying’s heartbeat quickened involuntarily.
“Longcheng, how much do you know about Li Yi’s wife?” Jiang Shiying asked suddenly.
“Well… not much. I only know she’s from Qin Province and that she married Brother Li Yi while he was working in the countryside…”
Jiang Longcheng then added, “Oh, and I’ve heard she’s very beautiful!”
“How do you know she’s beautiful?”
“It was that clerk at Li Yi’s shop named Zhang Xinyao who told me. She’s quite an interesting girl!” Jiang Longcheng replied.
“Longcheng, do you think your third aunt might have given birth to twins back then?” Jiang Shiying asked, her words carrying a note of astonishment.
“What?”
Hearing this, Jiang Longcheng’s hand on the steering wheel trembled involuntarily, causing the car to sway sharply!
“Drive carefully—don’t get so startled!” Jiang Shiying said sternly.
“Uncle, what makes you think that?”
“A mental ailment requires a mental remedy!”
“?”
Jiang Shiying immediately replied, “A man like Li Yi doesn’t do things without purpose. Since he said this matter concerns Yun’er’s illness, he must have a specific reason—he isn’t just trying to attract attention!”
“And there are only two ways to cure Yun’er: medicine, or a child!”
“Then why not medicine?” Jiang Longcheng asked.
“With medicine, for one thing, I wouldn’t have to make the trip myself—you could go instead. And for another, there are just too many coincidences surrounding this matter!”
“Coincidences?”
“Right. Do you remember when Li Yi went back to his hometown?”
“The day before yesterday, I think!”
“It was the day before yesterday, but he went back after visiting our old family home—more precisely, after seeing your third aunt. He must have discovered something!” Jiang Shiying said.
With Jiang Shiying’s reminder, Jiang Longcheng suddenly recalled Li Yi’s strange reaction after they left the old family home that day.
“That’s right. After we left the old house that day, Brother Li Yi mentioned he’d discovered something. I asked him what it was, and he said it had to do with you and my aunt. He also said we couldn’t let Auntie know, for fear of upsetting her…”
Before he could finish, Jiang Shiying said, sounding somewhat agitated, “Why didn’t you mention something this important sooner?”
“I… I forgot!”
“How could you forget something this important!”
Jiang Shiying clenched her fists and said, her voice trembling slightly, “If I’m not mistaken, Li Yi’s wife is connected to Yun’er—she might even be the daughter of me and Yun’er!”
“What… Uncle, don’t scare me like that. How could that be possible!” dxmbang
Jiang Longcheng felt his heart was about to leap out of his chest; this was completely beyond his wildest imagination.
“Although I find it hard to believe myself, it’s the only explanation right now.”
Jiang Shiying continued, “Do you remember Li Yi’s reaction when he saw the photo of your Auntie from her younger days in our room?”
“I remember. He said Auntie was very beautiful, and he also said… he said his wife looks a lot like her…”
“Right, and Li Yi’s sister said the exact same thing!” Jiang Shiying said.
“But that doesn’t make sense. My aunt said she only had one child, and she… she buried that child herself. How could…”
Jiang Longcheng didn’t know what to say; he just felt that this whole thing was simply inexplicable.
“Although I’m a bit puzzled too, I think the overall conclusion is correct. This must have something to do with Tang Jizhong and Li Hongmei!” Jiang Shiying said.
“If that’s really the case, that’d be interesting. That kid Li Yi would become my brother-in-law. I’ll see how he dares to boss me around this time!” Jiang Longcheng said excitedly.
Meanwhile, Jiang Shiying, standing nearby, clenched his fists. He was thinking much deeper than Jiang Longcheng.
If his deduction was correct, there would be a great deal to unpack here.
How had his child ended up out on the streets? Was it an accident or a conspiracy?
But whether it was an accident or a conspiracy, someone had to be held accountable for this!
Thinking of the suffering his wife had endured over the years, and then of his daughter, Jiang Shiying felt a murderous impulse welling up inside him.
Right now, he was itching to fly straight to Qingshan County, confront Li Yi for answers, and see that child for himself.
With that thought, Jiang Shiying suddenly turned to Jiang Longcheng and said, “Stop the car. I’ll drive!”
Jiang Longcheng glanced at his third uncle and said, “Come on, give it a rest. I wouldn’t dare let you drive in this state. Calm down first!”
“Then hurry up!”
“We’ve got less than 200 kilometers left. We’ll be there in two or three hours!”
With that, Jiang Longcheng slammed the gas pedal twice, and the car’s speed shot up!
PS: Many readers aren’t too happy with the family reunion arc, finding it a bit of a drag. Old Cang has noticed this too—the plot has indeed dragged on. I’ll pick up the pace from here on out. The next chapter: Father and Daughter Reunited!