CHAPTER 409: CHAPTER 408

Luo Xudong learned something while talking on the phone with Wu Yuekai.

"Have you really decided?" Luo Xudong asked with a hint of surprise.

He knew that by now, Wu Yuekai was no longer willing to struggle in the whirlpool of fame and fortune; he hoped for a peaceful and tranquil old age.

"Yes, I’ve accepted the promotion from the Military Department." Wu Yuekai’s voice came through the phone, "Your promotion order should be coming soon too. A company commander might be fine for someone your age, but for the girl, it’s still too slow."

Luo Xudong listened quietly.

"The old man doesn’t know how many more years he can hold on. You need to hurry up. You must already know the girl’s identity. After all, she’s been in the Ninth Department for so many years. Right now, she hasn’t stood out, so there’s not much danger. But she’ll eventually shine one day. Over these years, the old man has been protecting her. Once you grow up, this task will be yours."

Luo Xudong was silent for a long time before he asked, "Why?"

Wu Yuekai was also silent for a moment before he chuckled and said, "Do you believe in past and present lives? Hahaha, in my past life, the old man was the girl’s mentor. Once a teacher, always a father. That’s the reason."

His tone was entirely joking, but Luo Xudong didn’t laugh. His eyes flickered slightly, and he softly said, "I believe."

"Believe my ass. You better have a kid soon! Or is it that you can’t? The girl is a doctor, you should let her check it out for you..."

Pa!

Luo Xudong hung up the phone directly and left the post office with a dark face.

Beisitian didn’t go to work at the health team today. Just back home, she wanted to take a day off. After Luo Xudong went out, she put on her clothes and left the family unit.

Arriving at the small courtyard where Wu Yuekai used to live, Beisitian opened the gate and walked in. As soon as she entered, a big black eagle pounced on her.

Zhuangzhuang recognized Beisitian’s footsteps and knocked her to the ground, licking her and wagging its tail.

Beisitian sat on the ground chuckling, rubbing Zhuangzhuang’s big head, and said, "Did you miss me? I really missed you, Zhuangzhuang. Have you been eating well while I was away?"

Zhuangzhuang wagged its tail vigorously, even its hips swaying, howling around Beisitian.

Beisitian noticed Zhuangzhuang regained its size from Kao Village, indicating it had a good diet lately, not going hungry when she was away.

After playing with Zhuangzhuang for a while, Beisitian gazed at the courtyard in a trance. This courtyard was still too small, nowhere near as free as in Kao Village; Zhuangzhuang and her were too confined together.

The only solution now was to buy a courtyard in Anding City. This way, at least she wouldn’t have to confine Zhuangzhuang here.

Seeing the time was about right, Beisitian left. Zhuangzhuang stood in the middle of the courtyard watching Beisitian close the door. It howled twice on the ground, then lay bored waiting for Beisitian’s next visit.

On her way back, Beisitian met Li Shuzhen in the hallway, whose eyes brightened at the sight of her.

"Xiao Bei, when did you come back?" Li Shuzhen was quite happy to see Beisitian.

"I came back just yesterday."

"After that gala, you left within a few days, and I didn’t even get a chance to say two words to you. Who knew, Xiao Bei, you’re so talented! You even beat Li Ying!" Li Shuzhen said with a smile.

Hearing the name ’Li Ying’ again, Beisitian smiled. Beating her was a normal thing; there was nothing to be proud of in it.

"How’s she doing now?" Beisitian asked.

Li Shuzhen was startled, "Turns out you don’t know yet. That was after you left. Li Ying was expelled from the Party, stripped of her military rank, and demoted to a grassroots unit. Without any opportunities, she’s likely stuck like this for life. Even her family can’t save her. How terrible!"

Without waiting for Beisitian to ask, Li Shuzhen continued, "Also, the deputy director of the art troupe has changed. Now, there’s an official in charge, and it is no longer under Commander Liu. It’s a proper director."

Beisitian nodded; having heard this was enough, she didn’t want to pay more attention.

"But heaven is fair; it gives you such a pretty face, so much talent, yet not a singing voice. That’s real, that’s real," Li Shuzhen laughed.

There’s no perfect person in the world; those are all pretending, just like Li Ying.

After chatting for a while, Beisitian returned home to find Luo Xudong sitting in a chair.

"Are you back?" Beisitian asked.

"Yeah, I have some news, which should be considered good news," Luo Xudong said with a smile, "I’m going to be promoted to company commander."

Beisitian’s face lit up with joy, "That’s indeed good news."

"That’s as it should be, but the good news I mentioned isn’t about that."

"What is it then?" Beisitian was taken aback.

"There’s no vacancy in this position here. If I’m promoted, I’ll have to transfer out of the troops. I applied for Beijing, and there’s a high chance it’ll be approved."

Beisitian was genuinely happy about this; if they could move to Beijing, they could bring Luo Anguo’s family there, let Ping’an attend school in Beijing, and Zhuangzhuang would have its own courtyard!

She knew Luo Xudong wouldn’t speak unfounded things; his words meant there was an eighty to ninety percent chance.

"When?" Beisitian asked.

Luo Xudong knew she would be happy, "The promotion will be soon, but transferring will take some time."

He couldn’t say exactly how long. It could be as short as one or two months, or as long as half a year.

Having such hope made Beisitian very happy, sparing her from buying a house in Anding City. By then, everyone could live together, which was a delightful thought.

"Don’t be too happy too soon; my parents have been in Kao Village for so long, they might not want to leave," Luo Xudong said.

Beisitian paused; she knew Luo Xudong was right. Usually, older people are attached to their hometown and may not leave Kao Village easily.

"Let’s give it a try. If it doesn’t work, at least we should bring Ping’an over. He would get a better education in Beijing," Beisitian considered.

Luo Xudong felt warm as he saw her earnest consideration for his family, and he reached out to hug her, "Thank you."

Beisitian was slightly startled, and after thinking for a moment, she realized why he thanked her, and couldn’t help but smile. Her kindness to Mrs. Qin and Luo Anguo wasn’t entirely due to Luo Xudong. When she arrived, it was Mrs. Qin who cared for her continuously, and Luo Anguo provided her comfort, allowing her to survive in this completely unfamiliar environment.

A fledgling bird recognizes its first sight as mother; she saw Luo Anguo’s family first when she came into this world.

She already considered them family.