RYEY -Chapter 528 A Lesson

“Brother Xuhui, is that really you?”

“Niqiu, you’ve grown so big too.”

“It really is you! You look great in a military uniform. Too bad I can’t join the army.”

“You’re a tractor driver now, and a top pig farmer too. That’s not bad at all.”

“Yeah. We can finally eat our fill, dress warmly, and live in brick houses with tiled roofs. No more worrying about what we’ll eat tomorrow after eating today.”

“Don’t worry. Our lives will only keep getting better—we won’t go back to the old days. Niqiu, work hard. I believe you’ll succeed.”

Xuhui had no idea how important his words were to Niqiu. Decades later, when the two brothers met again, it would be a reunion filled with both surprise and joy.

After bidding farewell to the villagers, Xuhui finally returned to the family farm. Seeing how much his younger brothers and sisters had grown, he excitedly hugged each and every one of them.

During the days he stayed at the farm, he barely stopped for a moment—feeding pigs and cows, repairing the cowshed and pigpens, shearing sheep, clearing ditches. In his eyes, there was endless work to be done on the farm.

“Big Brother, stop working for a bit. Take a rest.”

Cheng Li couldn’t help grabbing him. Xuhui hugged Cheng Li tightly. He truly regarded Cheng Li as his own younger brother. Knowing they wouldn’t see each other for a long time, he already felt the ache of missing him.

“Big Brother, I know everything now. I bought this letter paper. When you miss me, or miss home, write your thoughts on it. Read them once under the stars—we’ll all be able to hear you.”

Cheng Li held a thick stack of letter paper, split it in half, gave one part to Xuhui, and kept the other half for himself. He would miss his big brother too.

Xuhui’s eyes reddened as he took the paper and carefully placed it in his backpack. This wasn’t just stationery—it was his brother’s heartfelt affection.

“Let’s go inside. Mom prepared a lot of things for you, and cooked many of your favorite dishes. You have to eat more today.”

“Mm. I definitely will.”

As soon as the brothers entered, Cheng Qiao handed Xuhui a large, packed bag. Though it contained food and drink, wearing clothes given by family felt different.

“Xuhui, these are medicines. I’ve written the names clearly. Keep them hidden.”

Even though that place was safe, it never hurt to be cautious. Xuhui nodded and opened the small bundle to look through it. The more he looked, the more heartache and reluctance he felt.

Anti-inflammatory pills, fever reducers, cold medicine—far more effective than ordinary drugs. There were also anesthetic powder, poison powder, and sleeping drugs for self-protection.

There was a large bundle of health-preserving pills. Xuhui had eaten quite a lot of them—otherwise he wouldn’t be so clear-headed. Most importantly, in the most precious package, there was a wooden box. Needless to say, inside was the Qilin Resurrection Pill.

“Mom, this is too precious.”

“Because it’s precious, I gave it to you. You’re part of our family too—a precious existence.”

“Mom, thank you.”

“Silly child. Do mothers and sons need thanks? That’s too distant.”

Still, Xuhui hugged Cheng Qiao. He was her son—there was nothing wrong with a son hugging his mother.

Cheng Qiao returned the hug openly. Xuhui had been sensible since childhood—so sensible it made people ache. Now he had finally grown up, ready to spread his wings and fly.

“Son, work is important, but your own life matters too. If you meet a good girl, don’t miss the chance, understand?”

Xuhui blushed. All his time had gone into research—he truly hadn’t had time to notice girls around him. Perhaps, in that place, he might be lucky enough to meet his other half.

The time for parting finally arrived. Hantong carried the luggage and took Xuhui away. She was starting to dislike her job—it was always about farewells.

The last time she sent Mai Sui away, it broke her heart.

Later, she sent Li Huan and Uncle Lata away, making her feel like a sinner—tearing apart a loving couple.

Now she was sending Xuhui away too. Thinking of Cheng Li’s beautiful eyes swollen like walnuts, she felt she wasn’t even human.

“Thank you, Aunt Hantong. I’ll entrust my mom to you from now on. I hope she can stay happy and healthy while waiting for me to come back.”

Xuhui glanced at the destination and couldn’t help but feel astonished. This place was actually not far from Liangzhou—only a two-day drive away. That was great.

Hantong didn’t want to speak. She waved her hand and quickly turned away. This time, Xuhui finally saw her ability—just a moment ago he could still see her back, and in the blink of an eye, she was gone.

“My heavens. With speed like that, does she even need a car? A car couldn’t catch up to her feet.”

Indeed, by the time Xuhui finished reporting in, completed his physical examination, and entered his room, Hantong was already sitting halfway up Qilian Mountain, watching the gyrfalcon soar freely with its three young chicks.

The gyrfalcon spotted Hantong at once. It didn’t find Cheng Qiao, so after a moment’s thought, it landed beside Hantong, tilting its head, wondering why Cheng Qiao hadn’t come.

“Cheng Qiao isn’t here today. If you dare poop on my head, I’ll pluck every feather off you.”

Startled by Hantong’s sudden change, the gyrfalcon felt extremely displeased. It flapped its wings and took off, circled once, then very precisely dropped a load of droppings right above Hantong.

Hantong activated her ability and dodged at extreme speed, leaping into the air like a bird. The gyrfalcon hadn’t expected Hantong to be able to fly too. Shocked, it tried to climb higher.

Too late.

One of its legs was caught by Hantong, and she began plucking the feathers from its belly one handful at a time. With a cry of pain, the bird’s whole body plunged downward.

“You still dare to poop? I already let you off last time. And you dare do it again—I’ll pluck every last shabby feather off you!”

Wings, tail, head, belly—entire patches of feathers were ripped off by Hantong. The gyrfalcon squawked miserably, while its three chicks flew back and forth in the air, not one of them daring to come down.

Finally venting her anger, Hantong let go. The gyrfalcon fled in panic. It tried to fly but couldn’t manage it for the moment, so it could only kick its short little legs desperately, scrambling forward in a frantic escape.

Seeing Hai Dongqing looking flustered and embarrassed, Hantong felt a pang of sympathy. She had vented her anger, but Hai Dongqing had suffered in the process. She hoped that when Cheng Qiao found out, she wouldn’t blame herself.

Cheng Qiao sat calmly in the interrogation room, watching Gu Yuhua. The arrogance he had displayed moments ago vanished the instant he saw her.

He watched her warily, trying to guess her next move. Cheng Qiao, smiling gently, took out a poisonous pill and walked toward Gu Yuhua step by step.

“Take this, and you’ll be free—you won’t have to serve your country anymore.”

“This… what is this?”

“You’ve been in our country for so long, have you forgotten your own? But if I were to let you go now, do you think they’d believe you?”

Gu Yuhua fell silent. Cheng Qiao’s words hit the core of his fear. Here in Liangzhou, his entire army had been wiped out. Even if he returned to his homeland, he would likely be secretly executed.