After Guan Yuming returned to the city with the other constables, he did not relax. Instead, both he and the constables were on guard for an entire night. When morning arrived and he became certain that there were no longer any problems left, he sent the constables back to rest in batches.
The senior constables all knew that the resistance group had a hand in this, and they would not have helped Fang Dawei and his gang for nothing. Something was meant to happen.
The quiet they experienced was most likely due to Guan Yuming returning too quickly, which did not give them enough time to set up their plans. Still, the metaphorical bomb was already buried, and there was no telling when it was going to explode.
As the captain of the Sealed District, Nian Fuli had stayed the entire night at his post. When it was almost noon the next day, the chief called him over to ask a few questions before letting him leave.
When he left the station, a large number of people greeted him on his way back due to his nephew being in the limelight. It pleased him so much that he rang his bicycle’s bell louder while riding back.
“Lao Nian? You’re back!”
“Welcome back! Thank you for your hard work!”
“You’ve only just come back? You must be exhausted. My husband was also on the night shift last night and was grumbling about it with me.”
“Captain, you’re no longer young. Don’t overwork yourself.”
When Nian Fuli entered the alley leading to his house, it was almost time for lunch. The moment his neighbors heard his bicycle’s bell, they popped up to greet him warmly.
Everyone in the area had seen Nian Fuli’s nephew return in Guan Yuming’s car, and Captain Bei, Guan Yuming’s driver, had sent him to the entrance himself. Apparently, he had helped the Constabulary capture Fang Dawei and his gang and brought great honor to the Constabulary.
Nian Fuli greeted them back, which slowed him down considerably. When he finally walked into the courtyard, he was singing an opera song. Yu Wan was waiting for him inside and came up to take his bag before patting his back. “Go and change your clothes. You smell like ash and smoke.”
“Even though I patted myself down outside?” Nian Fuli grumbled before handing a newspaper to Yu Wan. “Anyway, take a look.”
“What is it?” Yu Wan asked.
“Xiao Chuan is on it,” Nian Fuli replied.
Yu Wan immediately grabbed it and opened it. Once she found the article, she started reading it out loud, “‘Martial Valor University student shows bravery and righteousness while aiding the Constabulary to capture robbers...’ What a lame title. It doesn’t show Chan’er’s strengths at all,” she criticized the title bluntly.
She then read it from line to line repeatedly. “And his name isn’t even mentioned...”
Nian Fuli went to get a cup and pour himself some water. “Don’t you understand? This is to protect him. The Constabulary and Martial Valor University both know what Xiao Chuan did. Just watch, they’ll definitely reward him.”
That did not stop Yu Wan from scoffing at the article. She grabbed Nian Fuli’s cup and poured hot water into it. “That’s cold water! Why would you drink it when there’s hot water? I already prepared it for you, but you didn’t even check the kettle. Both of you make me worry so much! Also, that article is just empty word vomit. They might as well have said nothing.”
“He’s in the newspaper. Why are you still unhappy about it?”
I’ve never been featured in an article before, Nian Fuli mumbled inwardly.
Despite what Yu Wan said, she grabbed the newspaper again and read through the article once more.
Nian Fuli yawned and changed out of his clothes and shoes.
Yu Wan lowered the newspaper. “By the way, I’ve been busy answering calls since yesterday afternoon. People from the Constabulary have been asking for information about Chan’er. Some of them were interested in how old he is and whether he’s married yet. Chan’er is only sixteen, but even if he was at the age to get married, he should be the one deciding who he should marry. My sister married my brother-in-law against my parents’ wishes, remember?”
“Chan’er has a mind of his own. We don’t need to worry about him,” Nian Fuli reassured her.
Yu Wan looked at the floor before standing up and grabbing a mop to clean the floor. “The others came back quite early. Our neighbor did so too. Why were you so late?”
Nian Fuli chuckled. “Why was I late, you ask? Because my former company commander asked to see me. He said that he knows how hard I’ve worked over the years and only let me go after asking a few things.”
Yu Wan had been married to him for years, so she could tell that there was an underlying meaning to his words. She stopped mopping the floor and asked, “Why do I feel like you’re implying something?”
“Don’t overthink it. Nothing’s decided yet. I’m going to take a nap. Call me when lunch is ready,” Nian Fuli said while dismissing her worries with a wave. He then put his hands behind his back and walked to the bedroom at a leisurely pace.
Yu Wan pouted. “So cocky.”
She started mopping the floor a little faster while humming a tune from her teenage years.
***
Feng Xiaoqi paced about with a newspaper in Chen Chuan’s room back in the dorm in Martial Valor University. After reading the article, he looked up at Chen Chuan. His face was full of amazement and envy as he exclaimed, “You’re amazing!”
Luo Kaiyuan nodded as well. “You did great, Chen Chuan.”
His focus was different from that of Feng Xiaoqi. His attention was not on how strong Chen Chuan was, but on the fact that the villagers thanked Chen Chuan for taking revenge for their relatives.
“If you had been there, you would have done the same,” Chen Chuan replied.
Luo Kaiyuan agreed with that statement.
Feng Xiaoqi shook his head rapidly. “Not a chance! I wouldn’t be able to do it. I’m not as strong as you two.”
“You’re underestimating yourself, Feng Xiaoqi,” Chen Chuan reassured him.
No first-class student in Martial Valor University was weak. They were either naturally gifted or outstanding martial artists. He had observed his dormmates before, and they were pretty skilled.
Feng Xiaoqi felt embarrassed. Then, he thought of something and asked excitedly, “The university will definitely reward you, won’t they?”
“Maybe. It’s a pity that Senior Liu won’t be rewarded. Even if the article mentioned him, it was just one sentence. It’s unfair to him,” Chen Chuan lamented.
“If you do more in the future, his death won’t be in vain,” Luo Kaiyuan said seriously.
Chen Chuan met his gaze and nodded.
After returning to the university, Chen Chuan felt like he had come back to a sealed-off haven. Even though he was privy to news from the outside world, the moment he shut the door to his room, none of the noise outside could affect him.
Once the others left, he threw himself back into his daily training.
When evening arrived, Cheng Zitong came over and sat down on his sofa. He gave Chen Chuan a onceover. “Good. You look fine. That’s great.”
“Sorry for worrying you,” Chen Chuan said.
Cheng Zitong waved off his apology. “While this mission was pretty dangerous, you know your strength and what you’re doing.”
“I just find Senior Liu’s death a pity,” Chen Chuan lamented.