They had acquaintances in the Northwest’s Nankang Brigade, so Mu Na directly brought everyone along to visit her mother’s home.
The entire brigade turned their heads in surprise at the sight of this group.
“It’s Mu Na—and her man, Feng Tingxuan, has come back with her!”
Everyone there was also quite familiar with Feng Tingxuan.
Back then, he was the one they had looked down on, sent here for reform.
But now? Not only had he become a city dweller, word was he owned a big house in the city and even held an enviable job.
They said he was a researcher—even the title sounded lofty.
The man they once scorned had now transformed into someone far out of their reach.
This change made many people feel uncomfortable, but even more of them envied Mu Na.
“I always said that Feng Tingxuan didn’t look like a bad one. He was just wronged. Mu Na sure got a big bargain there. My daughter even liked him back then.”
Too bad they hadn’t seized the chance.
“Well, you didn’t let your daughter be with him, did you?”
What use was talking about it now?
“And look, they came driving cars—two of them! Such grand cars, and even the smaller one is impressive.”
The only vehicles they ever saw here were tractors. Those little cars were things only the wealthy could afford.
No one in their entire brigade could ever hope to drive such cars.
Everyone stopped working and followed after the two vehicles.
Especially the men.
No man could resist his love for cars.
When the cars finally stopped at Mu Na’s home and people got out, Mu Na’s mother—who was the only one at home—rushed out at the sound. The instant she saw her daughter, her eyes turned red with excitement.
“Mother!”
Mother and daughter, who hadn’t seen each other for years, threw themselves into an emotional embrace, both crying.
Feng Tingxuan carried several large bags of gifts, leading his two children over to respectfully call out, “Mother.”
“Good, good, good! Hurry inside, quickly come sit.”
Song Wei and the others helped unload the gifts from the car. With so many things, it drew yet more envy and regretful sighs from the onlookers.
“Step aside, please, make way!”
Xiao Nan and the others urged the crowd around the truck to back off. Then they opened the back doors of the truck and began letting out the animals.
Here, many people often went out herding, so of course they recognized wolves.
The moment Wolf One and the others leapt from the truck, exclamations burst out.
“Wolves! They’re wolves!”
In an instant, the crowd that had been pressing close scattered in fright.
Several people even snatched up sticks and stones from the ground to use as weapons.
“Don’t panic, don’t panic! They’re domesticated.”
Mu Na hurried forward to explain.
“These are Comrade Song, the educated youth, and Comrade Lin. I don’t know if everyone remembers, but back then they came with us to herd and took photos. They’re actually my husband’s relatives.”
With Mu Na’s reminder, everyone recalled it immediately.
After all, not many had ever come here to take pictures, and those pictures had even made it into published articles. They all still remembered that well.
So they were Feng Tingxuan’s relatives!
“Wait… could these wolves be the very same ones that were taken away back then?”
A familiar face squeezed out from the crowd.
Song Wei and Lin Zhen both recognized him—it was Hasamu.
Hasamu looked more mature and weathered than before.
The environment here was harsh, and years of exposure to the winds and sun of the desert grasslands had left their mark. With his beard, he naturally appeared older.
“Hasamu?”
Song Wei looked at him for a moment before calling out.
Hasamu broke into a hearty laugh.
“You still remember me! I never thought I’d see you again. Those wolves—you really raised them to adulthood, huh?”
“But wait… why are there so many of them?”
If he remembered correctly, there had only been five wolves taken away back then.
“They bred, of course. And back in the forests near our home, there are wolves too.”
“These ones—are they mixed with the Border Collie?”
Looking at the dogs with the obvious black-and-white markings of a Border Collie, yet shaped closer to wolves, Hasamu’s eyes lit up.
And he wasn’t the only one. Many people stared intently at those wolf-dog hybrids born of the wolves and the Border Collie.
“Xiao Laoda’s back too? Did Xiao Laoda have pups?”
Their enthusiasm was largely thanks to Xiao Laoda.
Anyone who had herded with Feng Tingxuan knew that Xiao Laoda’s ability was worth several men on the grasslands.
So clever—born for herding on the steppes.
Plenty of people had coveted him. Back then, if not for Yu Wei’s deterrence and the fact that Xiao Laoda only recognized Feng Tingxuan as his master, countless people would have tried to snatch him away.
And now, not only had Xiao Laoda returned, but there were also so many wolf-dogs born from the wolves and the Border Collie. Even against a pack of wild steppe wolves, they probably wouldn’t be at a disadvantage.
“A bear—a huge bear!”
Xiongzi lumbered out of the truck.
Everyone shrieked and stumbled back in fright.
A bear was something they definitely couldn’t handle with just the sticks and stones in their hands.
Hasamu also stepped back, though his courage held—he only retreated a couple of steps.
“This one too—is it yours?”
Song Wei smiled and nodded.
“Yes, this is our Xiongzi. We brought them all out this time to stretch their legs.”
The crowd: … Just what is your family?
If the bear had frightened everyone, the sudden descent of the white eagle left them utterly shocked and thrilled.
“A white eagle—it’s actually a white eagle!”
Among nomadic peoples, the white eagle had always held a special status, even revered as a kind of mountain god.
Many nomads revered the white eagle deeply.
Hasamu and his people were no exception.
While they felt wary and fearful of the wolves and bear, their feelings toward the white eagle were worshipful and admiring.
Their fear melted away, and many stared with burning eyes at the white eagle perched atop the truck.
“It really is a white eagle! You even raised one!”
The crowd of onlookers grew larger and larger. Finally, the brigade leader and village head arrived upon hearing the commotion, driving the people away until things finally quieted down.
Yu Wei also came.
As soon as he arrived, he laughed heartily and pulled Lin Zhen into a big bear hug.
“Good lad! You’ve really made something of yourself, driving such a big truck to visit your old squad leader, eh? Hahaha…”
The corners of Lin Zhen’s mouth lifted. “Uncle Yu, let me introduce you—these are my two sons and two daughters.”
After introductions and greetings, everyone sat down to chat.
Mu Na’s family and a few aunts busied themselves preparing food, while the children, led by Yueyue and Xiaoxiao, played with the animals.
In no time, Mu Na’s family courtyard was filled with cheerful bustle.
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