Volume 1 Chapter 64 Entering the Imperial Capital

  After the people in the small courtyard left one after another, Yu Xiaopeng's grandfather Yu Kesan also bid farewell and left. Originally, he had not seen Qi Guoyuan for many years and planned to have a good gathering when he came. Although he thought his grandson was just young and impulsive when he first received Li Zhuanxu's phone call, he never expected that he would make such a big mistake, and he didn't dare mention the word "gathering" again.

  When there were only five of them left, Qi Lao asked Cong Ye:

  "Cong Ye, shall we set off early tomorrow?"

  "Uncle Qi, I don't have anything in particular, whenever you say is fine."

  Qī Lǎo turned his head and looked at Yan Qingcheng thoughtfully for a moment before saying:

  "Xiao Yan, you'd better go with them too, don't stay here. The next Oceanview City is going to be chaotic for a while."

  "Grandpa, I won't go. Firstly, even if I went, I wouldn't be of much help and would only add to the trouble. Secondly, there are still several regular patients at the clinic, it's not good to leave them behind."

  "What do you think, Cong Ye?"

  "Uncle Qi, I'll listen to you."

  Cong Ye couldn't bear the thought of Yan Qingcheng going with him, so he said something ambiguous.

  Yan Qingcheng hastily said:

  "Cong Ye, I'll stay behind, there's still something to do. Didn't Yu Secretary mention just now that Far East Real Estate Development Company is going to change hands? So, there should be some formalities to go through."

  Qī Lǎo also understood that Cong Ye might not be at ease with Yan Qing Cheng's safety, so he called in Wu Chen from the entrance.

  "Xiao Wu, since Yan Dafu is temporarily unable to leave Guanhai, you pay more attention to her safety. Prevent those messy people from coming to harass again. And you, Li Zhunxuan."

  "Mr. Qi, don't worry, we will take good care of Officer Yan."

  Hearing Old Qi's instructions, Cong Ye slightly put his mind at ease.

  "Uncle Qi, it's getting late, if you don't have anything else to do, why not stay and try some of my cooking?"

  "Oh? So you're saying your skills are quite good now, right, Cong Ye?"

  "Sister-in-law's craftsmanship is no worse than Little Swan's big chef."

  "What's Congye saying?"

  "Haha, okay, then stay and have a taste. Little Wu, make a call home and say we won't be back for dinner."

  Li Zhunxuan originally wanted to invite Qi Lao for a meal, but seeing that Qi Lao had agreed with Yan Qingcheng, he knew the place was a bit crowded and didn't stay.

  Yan Qingcheng also had the intention of thanking Qi Lao, although she didn't believe that Yu Xiaopeng would receive the punishment he deserved for this matter. With her understanding of Yu Xiaopeng, it was impossible for him to let her off so easily. However, no matter what, she should be able to have a few more peaceful days for now. So, for tonight's dinner, Yan Qingcheng had put in all her effort, even though she only made six dishes and two soups, which were all ordinary home-cooked meals that common people ate. They were indeed delicious in color, fragrance, and taste. Qi Lao was surprised and praised Yan Qingcheng's cooking skills while eating the dishes.

  "Wow, I really didn't expect that. Xiao Yan has such great culinary skills, no wonder people describe intelligent and beautiful girls as 'hui zhi lan xin' (a phrase used to describe someone with a gentle and elegant heart), now I understand."

  Finally, Qi Lao said with deep feeling:

  "It's often said that poor people's children grow up too early; this saying is fully embodied in Xiao Yan."

  Yan Qingcheng, who was always straightforward and generous, was praised by Qi Lao Zuo with a single sentence, causing her to become shy.

  "Uncle Qi, you're also too good at flattering people. I'm almost unsure of my own surname now."

  "Haha, if you're surnamed Qi, then I'm the one who doesn't know what surname is."

  After dinner, Old Qi didn't call a car and insisted on walking a few more steps. Cong Ye and Yan Qingcheng escorted Grandpa Qi out of Rizhao Alley before being sent back by Old Qi.

  The two returned to the house, and the warmth of dinner earlier was gone, leaving only a faint sense of separation.

  "Congye, you've forgotten to wash the clothes on your body in advance. Why don't we go out and buy a new set for you now? At this time, the supermarket should not be closed yet."

  "Sister-in-law, you're not going on a blind date, what's wrong with your clothes?"

  "What should I wear on a blind date?"

  "How was I supposed to know?"

  The topic of their conversation had unknowingly shifted to this, and when they both realized it, they suddenly fell silent.

  Cong Ye lay in bed, and by the time daylight broke, he himself didn't know whether he had fallen asleep or not. He got up and walked into the courtyard, stretched his limbs, washed his face simply, and then began his daily qigong exercises. By the time the sun rose, Cong Ye finished his practice and returned to the house, Yan Qingcheng had already prepared breakfast and set out two bowls and chopsticks.

  "Eat while it's hot, soon Old Qi will send a car to pick you up."

  "Sister-in-law, let's eat together. After we finish eating, I still have something to discuss with you."

  "What's going on, can't say now?"

  "Let's talk after eating."

  Congye ate, still maintaining the habits cultivated in the orphanage and the army, with a speed as swift as a whirlwind. Putting down his chopsticks, he returned to the west room, holding his bank card in his hand, and casually placed it on the small dining table.

  "Sister-in-law, I'll leave my card with you, can I ask a favor of you?"

  Cong Ye looked into Yan Qing Cheng's eyes and said very seriously:

  "I've always wanted to have a home of my own, although I've already considered this small courtyard as my home, it's just going to be demolished soon. So, please trouble sister-in-law to spend some effort and help me buy a house. Hope that when I come back next time, I can move into a warm new home."

  While listening to Cong Ye speak, Yan Qing Cheng muttered to herself in her heart:

  "What's this? A confession of one's own?"

  Seeing Yan Qingcheng lower her head and stare blankly at the bank card on the table, Cong Ye called out softly:

  "City Top Sister?"

  Yan Qingcheng's face suddenly turned red with no mental preparation for Cong Ye's sudden change of heart, and her head hung even lower.

  "How was I supposed to know what kind of layout you like for a house?"

  Yan Qingcheng's voice was low, but every word was clear and distinct.

  "Qing Cheng Jie, didn't we go out to look at houses together last time? It's best if it's on the street side, with people living upstairs and a clinic downstairs. If there's not enough money in the card, you can also mortgage."

  "Leave your ID card here then, for handling property certificate and mortgage procedures."

  "Miss Qiancheng, isn't it the same if it's under your name? Besides, I need to use my ID when I go out."

  Just then, a car horn sounded outside the door, and Cong Ye knew that his car had arrived. Yan Qingcheng also knew that Cong Ye was sincere in putting the property under her name. If it were before, she would have believed him if he said to go out with his ID. But yesterday, Qi Grandpa had just sent over his lieutenant colonel's credentials, which were much more useful than an ID. As they were about to part ways, Yan Qingcheng couldn't care about being shy anymore and hastily lifted her head to look at Cong Ye, softly reminding him:

  "When going out, everything must be done with caution, take care of your body and don't drink excessively."

  "Don't worry, elder sister of the city, I will remember."

  Yan Qingcheng's words sounded like a wife instructing her husband who was about to go out. This made Cong Ye feel a little fluttered, and if he hadn't heard Zheng Junyi's voice coming from the entrance, Cong Ye might have impulsively hugged Yan Qingcheng in his arms.

  "Let's go, Cong Dafu."

  "Goodbye, dear sister, take care of yourself, I'm leaving."

  Cong Ye took two steps and then turned back to wave at Yan Qingcheng, who was standing by the door. Yan Qingcheng finally reacted and hastily lifted her feet to chase after him. When she arrived at the gate, she just saw Cong Ye getting into the car. Yan Qingcheng subconsciously shouted:

  "Clustered leaves..."

  Yan Qingcheng originally wanted to say, I'll send you to the station. But the words reached her lips and she swallowed them back again.

  Cong Ye pushed open the car door and saw that Yan Qingcheng's eyes had already turned red, but in front of Zheng Junyi, she could only wave her hand again and say:

  "Qingcheng sister, go back."

  After a whole day and night on the train, as it slowly pulled into Beijing North Station, Cong Ye had finally arrived in the capital for the first time. With Zheng Junyi's support, Qi Lao walked out of the carriage and onto the platform, where two elderly men over 70 years old were already waiting, with four young people wearing military uniforms standing behind them.

  "Older brother, you've finally arrived."

  "Ha, it's only been a few days, from the time you sent over the documents, minus the day and night on the train, I've only been waiting by the sea for one day and two nights. You make it sound like I've missed an opportunity."

  "Commander, I remember your math wasn't good, when did you go back to class?"

  "Baldy, you always mock me when we meet, just wait."

  Qī Lǎo put on a fierce expression, turned his head and looked at Cong Ye, saying:

  "This is Zhang Yuanhang, and that is Xiao Yang."

  "Hello, boss!"

  Cong Ye hastily gave them a salute.

  "Hmm, not bad, still looks like a soldier. Old Qi, is that him?"

  "What's wrong, didn't you take a liking to him?"

  "What's wrong with you today, old Qi? Did you take the wrong medicine when you went out? Or did you eat something that choked you?"

  "Three leaders, shall we discuss this outside?"

  Zheng Junyi and others who were relatively familiar with him hastily stood out to persuade him.

  "Come on, come on, let's go together, Big Master Cong. Don't mind Old Qi, what's wrong with him today?"

  That Zhang Yuanhang was indeed limping, Cong Ye just wanted to help him, but Zheng Junyi hastily pulled him and shook his head slightly at Cong Ye.

  "Lame guy, don't say I have a bad temper. If you had encountered what I've been through these past few days, you might have pulled out a gun by now."

  "Is it that serious?"

  Zhang Yuanhang turned his head and looked at Qi Lao in a questioning manner. He then immediately turned his head to look at Zheng Junyi.

  "Your Excellency, Qi Lao was not exaggerating. When we arrived at the Ganxiu Temple, let Cong Daifu explain it to you in detail."

  "Why is it Cong Daifu?"

  "It's all related to Cong Daifu."

  "Haha, great, not only can he cure illnesses, but he's also a man with stories, I like him."

  A group of people had just walked a few steps when three military vehicles drove onto the platform, exactly one for every three people. They quickly sped out of the platform and headed straight to Ganxiu Temple at the foot of General Mountain in the southwest of Beijing.