RYEY – Chapter 179 Escorting Xia Fen to the Hexi Corridor

Xia Fen’s eyes widened in shock. She suddenly realized how terrifying Cheng Qiao had become. That stunningly beautiful, almost otherworldly face could turn so ruthless in an instant.

Two comrades in military uniform standing nearby looked much safer compared to Cheng Qiao. They quickly let go and obediently followed the escorting soldiers away.

She was pushed onto a military truck. Seeing the people around her huddled silently, afraid to move, she didn’t dare speak. Only when the truck started moving did she turn to the woman beside her and ask:

“Miss, where are we being taken?”

“What did you do?”

The woman glanced at Xia Fen, catching a whiff of a sour, unpleasant smell from her. She instinctively moved slightly aside but quietly asked,

“I haven’t done anything wrong. I don’t know where they’re taking me.”

The woman scoffed. Done nothing wrong? Does she think the police are idiots? There are countless people on the streets. If you hadn’t done anything wrong, why would they have arrested you? Don’t want to talk? Fine, but don’t make excuses.

“Oh, you’re one of those… promiscuous types, huh? Embarrassed to say?”

“You… I’m not!”

At the word “promiscuous,” Xia Fen’s eyes reddened. There was no way her daughter would be interested in Xu Laidi’s man. Even though she hadn’t seen the man herself, her daughter would never fancy a rustic, clumsy type.

“Oh ho ho, getting flustered. As expected, a promiscuous one. So old and still playing these games, tsk tsk tsk, exquisite.”

“What did you do to get arrested?”

Xia Fen suddenly became clear-headed. Why argue with this person? After getting off the truck, who knows if their paths would even separate? Better to just ask where they were going.

“I haven’t done anything wrong either.”

“Do you know where we’re going?”

“Yes, either the Northwest or the Hexi Corridor. Whichever place is harsh, that’s where they send people.”

Xia Fen remained silent. Let them send her; it was better than being sent home only to be betrayed by her father, mother, or brother. She knew how cruel those old bachelors in the mountains could be to women—three to five years of torment, and most wouldn’t make it alive.

Meanwhile, Li Huan and Cheng Qiao entered the post office. After paying, they called Yang Mei to tell her Xia Fen had been found—and was being forced to divorce her father.

When Yang Mei received the call, tears of joy fell from her eyes. She hurriedly asked Cheng Qiao what had happened. Cheng Qiao smiled and said it was all thanks to her master.

It turned out that when Ye Jun learned about Xia Fen and Cheng Liguo, he immediately called his cousin, Ye Chengying, who was also Cheng Liguo’s former superior.

Ye Chengying, upon learning that Xia Fen had been found, promised to intervene. Xia Fen was first to be escorted to the Hexi Corridor to divorce Cheng Liguo, then sent to the Northwest farm.

Moreover, Xia Fen would have to admit that she had falsely accused Cheng Liguo. If this succeeded, Cheng Liguo could clear his name.

The stationed troops in the Hexi Corridor received orders and immediately mobilized. Li Bing, upon hearing this, quickly applied to take on the task.

He called Li Huan to tell Cheng Qiao that not only could Cheng Liguo get a divorce, he could also be exonerated. Upon hearing this, Cheng Qiao, seeing Xia Fen being taken away, was thrilled and wanted to inform Yang Mei.

After hanging up, Li Huan pulled out some money to call Li Bing, informing him that Xia Fen had boarded the train today.

“Big brother, that woman Xia Fen has already been sent over today. Keep an eye on her and make sure my father-in-law divorces this poisonous snake.”

“Little brother, I didn’t know you had a connection with Elder Ye Chengying. If Xia Fen admits she falsely accused your brother-in-law’s father, I think he’ll soon be free.”

“Excellent. Once my father-in-law is free, we’ll bring him here. Cheng Qiao and I will go get him.”

“Done. My superiors have instructed me to follow up on this. Don’t worry, sister-in-law’s father is like family to me; we won’t disappoint you.”

“Thanks, big brother.”

“By the way, I’ve written you a letter about logistics. Read it carefully. I know you can help with this.”

Li Huan felt uneasy, but time was up. He had to reluctantly put down the phone. Cheng Qiao raised an eyebrow—if it was about logistics, perhaps she could make some profit again.

Meanwhile, Qin Guoqing returned to the base. His father, Qin Daqiang, saw a van full of good stuff and almost drooled, especially over the cured meat and two bottles of liquor.

Fortunately, as a leader, he had some self-restraint. He instructed that these items be delivered to the wounded soldiers’ mess, specifying that only the wounded could consume them.

Qin Guoqing drove continuously for several days, sleeping in the car when tired and eating at state-run restaurants when hungry. He only had a few coins and some ration tickets left.

After one day, his supplies ran out. Qin Guoqing noticed a large basket and suddenly remembered Li Huan’s words: “If you’re hungry, eat this.”

At the time, he hadn’t paid it much attention, but now he realized the basket must contain food. Lifting the cloth covering it, he found: a lunchbox resting on a dark blue cotton cloth, surrounded by five or six sorghum buns, seven or eight corn cakes, and four eggs.

Opening the lunchbox, a rich aroma wafted out. Inside was golden, oily fried rice with egg, making Qin Guoqing’s mouth water.

Unfortunately, the fried rice had cooled, with a layer of white frost—likely lard—coating it. He couldn’t believe Huan had been so generous, giving him so many delicious things.

He parked, took out a small kerosene lamp from the car, lit it, set up a stand, and placed the lunchbox on it. Soon, the fragrance filled the air.

The fried rice was incredibly delicious. Qin Guoqing ate a few bites, followed by a bun and a corn cake. This one lunchbox lasted him two days. Luckily, the weather had turned cold, or it would have spoiled.

After finishing the fried rice, he discovered slices of beef beneath it, and two fried eggs under the beef. Such treatment was even rare for senior officials.

Although the beef and eggs got burnt from reheating, edible was edible. Qin Guoqing ate everything slowly, piece by piece.

He had originally wanted to take the beef home for his father, but knowing he had burned it, his father’s scolding would be mild at best. To avoid trouble, he ate it himself.

If Qin Daqiang knew that his harsh parenting caused Qin Guoqing to eat all the good food himself to avoid punishment, what would he think?

Qin Guoqing returned to the base utterly exhausted. Once in the dormitory, he slept for over ten hours straight. Qin Daqiang tried waking him several times but was stopped by Li Bing.