Chapter Thirteen: Year-End Homecoming

An Ming Shan and I took the train the following day. We brought only the essentials: our phones, power banks, chargers, money, bank cards, some clothing, a laptop with its charger, and necessary documents, as I insisted on keeping things simple—though it was more talk than practice.

On the third day, the twenty-third of the first lunar month, we arrived at Linfen Train Station in Shanxi Province.

After leaving the station, I said, “Two days, and we’ve finally arrived. An An, these next few days you must stick to me like glue—don’t wander off.”

An Ming Shan replied, “Why should I listen to you?”

I said, “I have a bad feeling about these days, like something is about to happen. In short, wherever I am, you need to be there too. No arguments.”

She said, “Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you.” With that, we took a shuttle bus near the station and began our journey home.

That afternoon, at the entrance of Village L.

I said, “An An, look at this scenery! Isn’t it beautiful?”

She looked around and said, “Yes, it’s been so long since I came back home. The changes here are remarkable.” We walked and talked all the way, and by memory, I found the path back home.

My ancestral home is a typical courtyard house, inhabited only by family or relatives. But when I entered, I saw several elderly men playing chess in the yard. None recognized me; they all regarded us like strangers. To my surprise, the Chief was among them! As I looked at him, An Ming Shan was about to speak, but I caught the Chief’s eye signaling me to keep quiet. I quickly said, “An An, did we come to the wrong place?”

She said, “No, he is…”

Thinking quickly, I said, “Oh, I remember now. He’s my uncle—you don’t know him.”

She tried to say more, but I cut her off: “Enough talking.”

Then I heard her whisper softly in my ear, “You lie without even blushing.”

At that moment, the Chief said, “Well, well, isn’t this Shucheng? Come, everyone, take a look! Hey, the young man has grown up.”

I replied, “I’m just here visiting family, nothing else. Please continue.”

Just then, a couple returned from outside. I recognized the woman immediately—none other than Linlin Song, the tomboy who had gone undercover in my store! The man beside her looked at me and said, “Shucheng!”

I said, “You are…”

The Chief said, “He’s your elder brother, Shuhua. Forgotten him?”

An Ming Shan looked between us and said, “Oh, no wonder you look so alike—even the glasses are the same.”

I whispered in her ear, “Would you die if you didn’t speak?”

She stuck out her tongue at me.

I said, “I’m just like the poem says: ‘A boy leaves home young and returns old.’ I’ve forgotten many things.”

Li Shuhua said, “Oh, now you’re quoting Tang poetry? I remember someone used to score zero on every exam.”

I grinned and teased him, “Brother, can we not dredge up ancient history? And I wasn’t always zero—at most, just in the teens.”

Li Shuhua said, “Come on, let me introduce your future sister-in-law, Linlin.”

I looked at her and pretended to be grand: “Hello, I’m Li Shucheng. Though our first meeting wasn’t exactly pleasant.”

Li Shuhua asked, “You two know each other?”

I said, “Nothing much, just something from ten months ago. Better not to talk about it. If you want to know, ask my future sister-in-law—she probably remembers better than I do.”

Linlin Song said, “You disappeared for ten months, and I finally caught you. Now, tell me! Who is that fat guy? What’s your relationship? Where did those ten people come from?”

Li Shuhua glanced at the elders in the yard watching us and said, “Don’t mind them! She’s a police officer—occupational hazard.”

I quickly changed the subject, “Enough standing around, let’s go inside and talk!”

I nudged An Ming Shan, and we entered the house. Inside, my second uncle arranged rooms for us. Since I insisted that An Ming Shan and I were innocent, we each got a room next to each other; my older brother and his fiancée shared another room. After tidying my things, I went to the Chief and asked, “Why are you here?”

He said, “Are only young people allowed to have fun? What about this old man?”

An Ming Shan came out and added playfully, “Old rascal.”

The Chief laughed and shook his head but said nothing. I wanted to ask more, but An Ming Shan pulled me outside, insisting we go explore. At first, I resisted, but under her persistent coaxing, I relented.

We arrived at the edge of the village. An Ming Shan said, “Hey, don’t you think the Chief coming here isn’t just for sightseeing?”

I said, “Wow, you even know about sightseeing now—progress! By the way, why did you pull me out just for this? Don’t tell me you just realized it.”

Suddenly, she hugged me tightly and whispered in my ear, “I saw two of the old men playing chess earlier giving us strange looks. You must be careful!”

I said, “Don’t worry, I’m not dying anytime soon. But if you’re really concerned, go check their backgrounds—dig deep. Hey, have you hugged enough? If so, let go before people get the wrong idea.”

She quickly released me, lowering her head, her cheeks flushing deeply.

Meanwhile, the Chief had just returned to take an afternoon nap. No sooner had he lain down than his phone rang. It was the mysterious caller again.

The mysterious voice said, “My people are already on standby around you. You must meet with them immediately. Also, investigate those two men playing chess with you—they’re not just ordinary elders.”

The Chief said, “You mean they…”

The mysterious voice replied, “Exactly. They’re likely connected to that incident.”

The Chief said, “No way. Don’t be paranoid—they’re just two ordinary people. I’ve already checked.”

The mysterious voice said, “Honestly, my people have been watching them for a long time. Their behavior is strange. My men even saw them vanish into thin air—there’s photographic evidence.”

The Chief said, “So what do you want me to do?”

The voice said, “Infiltrate them from within, just like he did.”

The Chief said, “Understood.”

Author’s Q&A:

Q: Sir, which do you think is better, rural or urban life?

A: I believe the best is a blend of both. The tranquility of the countryside paired with the development of the city. You can enjoy the pleasure of working the land while staying connected online without worrying about data limits. The fresh air of the countryside nurtures the spirit, while the city broadens horizons. If these two could be combined, it would be paradise on earth. Those who can’t appreciate this are often lost in lust, drink, money, and greed. In truth, a generous heart and contentment bring joy wherever you are; but those blinded by money, always scheming for personal gain, can never find happiness.