After the excitement had subsided, Feng Tingxuan didn’t want to implicate Song Wei.
“Xiao Wei, you should go back tomorrow morning. Thanks to Brother Yu’s care, my situation here is quite manageable for now.”
Now that he had seen Song Wei with his own eyes, he felt completely at ease.
“Uncle.”
Song Wei interrupted him: “Don’t worry, I won’t be implicated.”
“I came here with an introduction letter signed by the team leader. I can probably stay here for about a month.”
“By the way, Uncle, I’m engaged. Let me introduce you to my fiancé, Lin Zhen.”
Lin Zhen walked to her side, his tall figure enveloping Song Wei.
“Hello, Uncle.”
Feng Tingxuan’s expression stiffened slightly: “En… engaged?”
So soon?
His gaze fell on Lin Zhen. Although this man seemed admirable in many ways, Feng Tingxuan couldn’t help but feel like his precious cabbage had been trampled by a pig.
“Where are you from?”
Lin Zhen: “From Ping’an Brigade.”
Feng Tingxuan looked at his niece, feeling a sense of helplessness.
If it weren’t for his own misfortunes, his Xiao Wei could have chosen a man who excelled in every aspect.
“Uncle, he’s the one I chose. I like him.”
Lin Zhen felt a warmth in his heart.
“But…”
He didn’t want to see his niece struggling in the countryside for the rest of her life.
After being sent down here, Feng Tingxuan had come to understand just how hard life in the countryside could be—toiling under the sun, day after day. How long could one endure such a life?
He himself was in this situation, but he didn’t want his niece to be trapped in such a life forever.
“Uncle, don’t worry. I won’t let her suffer with me.”
As if he knew what Feng Tingxuan was thinking, Lin Zhen spoke with a serious expression and tone.
Feng Tingxuan looked at him and seemed to see a hint of ambition in those deep, dark eyes.
“I’ll make sure that no matter where she lives or where life takes her, she’ll live the life she wants, not one of hardship.”
Hearing this, Feng Tingxuan’s lips curled into a faint smile.
He patted Lin Zhen’s shoulder: “I hope you can keep your word.”
But he wouldn’t fully trust Lin Zhen either. He couldn’t stake his niece’s future happiness entirely on a man’s promise.
Promises, after all, could sometimes be the most fragile things.
However, in the past, he might have had the confidence to be his niece’s support. Now, he was living cautiously himself. What could he do?
“Does your brother know about this?”
Song Wei nodded: “He came to see us last winter.”
“That’s good.” At least Xiao Wei still had a reliable older brother.
Aunt Li brought out some warm steamed buns for Feng Tingxuan to eat, and Song Wei also took out some mushroom sauce.
“Uncle, eat more. You’ve lost too much weight.”
Feng Tingxuan forced a smile: “At least I’m alive.”
Things were better now. Although life was still tough, at least people here wouldn’t randomly find excuses to humiliate or beat others.
Compared to those truly dark days, things were much better now.
Feng Tingxuan ate the steamed buns heartily, but his movements were not crude. This was a reflection of the upbringing ingrained in him.
After he finished eating, Song Wei brought up the idea of going herding with him.
“No, absolutely not!”
Feng Tingxuan reacted strongly.
“It’s too dangerous outside. How can a young girl like you live out there? And being with me will only bring you trouble.”
Song Wei: “It won’t. I’ve already figured out a way.”
She explained the excuse she had prepared: “As long as Uncle Yu handles it a bit, Lin Zhen and I can openly go herding with you.”
Feng Tingxuan was momentarily stunned: “You… really submitted articles to the newspaper?”
Song Wei nodded. Lin Zhen had already pulled out two newspapers and handed them to Feng Tingxuan, his tone carrying a hint of pride.
“Weiwei is amazing. She submitted two articles to two different places, and both were published. Her salary is higher than many workers. Everyone in our village admires her, and of course, they admire me too.”
They admired him for finding such a capable wife.
Feng Tingxuan: …………
What are you so smug about? Shouldn’t I, her own uncle, be the one feeling proud?
He glanced at the newspapers, and Lin Zhen even pointed out which two articles were written by her.
As he read, Feng Tingxuan’s expression softened, and a look of pride appeared on his face.
Aunt Li, Uncle Yu, and even their two children curiously leaned over to take a look, and then compliments poured out like water.
“Wow, this is truly impressive. She really got published in the newspaper!”
“This photo is so rare. What kind of fish is this? It’s so huge!”
Aunt Li’s family was wide-eyed as they looked at the photo.
Lin Zhen handed another copy to Yu Wei: “Old squad leader, I have another one here. You can take a look.”
He had bought quite a few copies as keepsakes.
Aunt Li couldn’t read, but her son and daughter could, so they read the newspaper aloud.
Every story in the newspaper amazed them.
“This big fish is so clever—it even knows how to repay kindness!”
“Can the dogs from your brigade really go hunting with you? How are they so smart?”
The atmosphere in the room became lively.
From these articles, Feng Tingxuan could tell that Song Wei really hadn’t suffered much, and his heart was finally at ease.
But still: “Herding in remote areas is dangerous. Uncle still doesn’t want you to take such risks. Go back soon, Xiao Wei.”
Song Wei insisted: “No, I’m going.”
She sounded like a willful little girl.
Feng Tingxuan felt helpless. He shot a glance at Lin Zhen.
‘Can’t you talk some sense into her?’
Lin Zhen not only didn’t try to persuade her but even went along with it: “Don’t worry, Uncle. We’ll definitely be fine. Although I’ve retired from the military, my skills are still intact. You don’t need to worry.”
Feng Tingxuan: ………Who’s worried about you? I’m worried about my niece!
Song Wei was adamant, and Feng Tingxuan couldn’t persuade her.
He couldn’t stay here for too long and soon had to leave.
To avoid drawing attention, he carried a basket of fodder on his back as he left.
Yu Wei acted quickly, and soon Song Wei and Lin Zhen were assigned to the same herding team as Feng Tingxuan.
At the start of the journey, there were many people, cattle, and sheep, along with a few experienced herders.
Once they reached their destination, they would split up, with each person responsible for different herds. The experienced herders carried hunting rifles to guide newcomers like Feng Tingxuan and to protect the herds from predators like wolves and eagles.
These predators would snatch their sheep.
Lin Zhen and Song Wei stood out in the team. Within just one day, almost everyone knew they were there to take photos, and they even saw the camera hanging around Song Wei’s neck.
They were also carrying a puppy, which was quite good-looking.
In fact, many people here raised dogs, and they often took them along for herding, but mainly for alertness.
Dogs could sense danger faster than humans and would bark to warn them.
Leave a Reply