novelden Chapter 156 Bad Premonition
Chapter 156 Bad Premonition
The spring planting season has not yet arrived in Renxing Brigade. The biting cold wind blows like a knife, causing most villagers to choose to stay in their own warm little world.
The educated youth at the settlement were also afraid of the cold, so they gathered together inside the settlement to keep warm.
The outside world is too cold. Apart from those children who are full of energy and don't know what cold is, few other people wander around outside.
In this cold and quiet village, the appearance of two military trucks seemed particularly abrupt and eye-catching.
The crunching sound of the wheels rolling over the snow broke the village's tranquility.
The children's eyes lit up instantly. Like little iron nails attracted by a magnet, they boldly and happily surrounded the area, their eyes full of curiosity and excitement.
Other children ran home excitedly, eager to tell the adults in their families the exciting news.
Before long, the villagers, like a swarm of ants disturbed, all came out to join the fun.
The last time a vehicle entered the village was when Meng Renjie was exonerated, which was a long time ago.
This time, everyone was secretly wondering which important figure they were here to pick up.
After all, in their perception, the Renxing Brigade didn't seem to have any particularly outstanding individuals.
Could it be that some remarkable person has emerged from among the educated youth?
Filled with doubt and curiosity, everyone craned their necks, eager to find out what was going on.
When everyone gathered around and saw Cheng Baichuan and Li Wanqing getting out of the car, they were all speechless with surprise.
"The Cheng family has really made something of themselves! The third son of Cheng has actually come back in a big cart."
A villager stared wide-eyed, his face filled with envy and amazement.
"What a glorious achievement for our ancestors!"
Another villager chimed in, his voice tinged with a mixture of envy and awe.
"But what about Liu Yufen?"
Suddenly, a villager seemed to remember something and asked loudly, "Didn't she go to find Lao San? Everyone's back now, so why haven't we seen her?"
These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples, and the crowd began to whisper among themselves.
When Zhang Jianguo saw Li Wanqing and Cheng Baichuan, he was a little confused. His brows furrowed slightly, and his eyes showed a hint of doubt and wariness.
"Baichuan, who are these people?" Zhang Jianguo stepped forward and asked.
Cheng Baichuan calmly introduced them one by one. When they learned that there were leaders from the military region among them, everyone was stunned and speechless for a long time.
"Goodness gracious, when did a high-ranking official arrive in their area?!"
A villager muttered to himself, his eyes filled with awe and curiosity.
Zhang Jianguo was, after all, the captain, and by comparison, he was the most composed person among them, having seen a bit of the world.
"Did you come back this time to see your parents?"
Zhang Jianguo asked again, his eyes fixed on Cheng Baichuan, trying to find some clues from his expression.
Cheng Baichuan neither admitted nor denied it, but simply pursed his lips slightly, his expression unreadable.
Just as Zhang Jianguo was feeling puzzled and wanted to ask what was going on, Cheng Anju, who had received the news, rushed over.
His steps were slightly hurried, but his eyes held a hint of anticipation and excitement.
The moment Cheng Anju saw Cheng Baichuan, his eyes instantly welled up with tears, and he cried out, "Third brother! You're finally back!"
In his mind, the return of the third son meant that the eldest son was saved, and that the Cheng family had a chance to get out of their current predicament.
Cheng Baichuan gently helped him up and said in a slightly cold tone, "Dad, I have something to ask you. Let's go home first."
Cheng Anju was so caught up in the excitement of knowing his son was saved that he didn't notice the subtle change in Cheng Baichuan's attitude.
"Okay, okay, it's good that you're back. Let's go home first."
As he spoke, he pulled Cheng Baichuan toward home, but after a few steps he suddenly remembered his wife.
"Where's your mother?"
Cheng Anju looked around. Besides Li Wanqing, Nuonuo, and Dr. Meng, there were a few other people he didn't recognize.
His gaze lingered on the strangers for a moment, and he secretly speculated that they were all ordinary people, especially one of them in military uniform, who looked like a high-ranking leader.
"She has something to do and can't come back from the county town for the time being."
Cheng Baichuan said calmly, a subtle, complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
Cheng Anju thought his wife was worried about their eldest son, so she stayed in the county town.
"Okay, okay, let's go home first."
The others were just looking for a spectacle, but the people who came with Cheng Baichuan were clearly important figures.
Although they were curious, none of them dared to approach. They simply stood at a distance, their eyes fixed on the backs of Cheng Baichuan and the others.
When they were almost at the Cheng family's house, He Mei and Zhou Weifeng came over.
"Wanqing?"
He Mei looked surprised, her eyes wide open.
"It really is you!"
She had heard that Li Wanqing had returned, but she thought it was a lie. She never expected that she would actually come back.
What are you going back to Shou County for?
He Mei's tone carried a hint of doubt and concern.
Li Wanqing patted her hand with a faint smile on her face and said, "I have something to take care of."
Cheng Chi stepped forward, looked at He Mei with sincere eyes, and said, "Comrade He Mei, could you please take care of Nuonuo for us?"
His tone carried an air of undeniable authority.
I don't want my daughter to know what we're going to talk about in a little while.
Even if she might already know, I don't want her to see that scene.
He Mei was completely baffled by this sudden request. Just as she was about to ask for clarification, Zhou Weifeng gently pulled her back.
Zhou Weifeng shook his head slightly at her, signaling her not to ask any more questions.
“Okay, don’t worry, leave Nuonuo to us,” Zhou Weifeng said.
Nuonuo tugged at Li Wanqing's sleeve, her little face full of reluctance; she didn't want to leave.
Li Wanqing squatted down, gently rubbed her head, and said softly, "Nuonuo, go play with your godmother. Mom will come to find you in a little while."
She knew that given the Cheng family's temperament, things could get ugly if they couldn't reach an agreement. She shared Cheng Baichuan's thoughts; she couldn't let Nuonuo see that scene.
Nuonuo pouted, looking unhappy. He Mei quickly picked her up and coaxed her with a smile, "Nuonuo, come on, godmother will take you to eat something delicious."
Seeing that her parents still wouldn't change their minds, Nuonuo had no choice but to follow He Mei.
In the Cheng family courtyard, Cheng Chi, Meng Renjie, and Cao Xuefeng sat on one side, their expressions serious and solemn. On the other side were Cheng Anju and Zhang Jianguo, who had been pulled over.
After Cheng Baichuan and Li Wanqing came in, they went straight to sit down next to Cheng Chi.
Upon seeing this scene, Cheng Anju's brows furrowed sharply, and a very bad premonition welled up in his heart.