RYEY -Chapter 548 Grand Finale

“Qiao, my hand…”

“Mom, don’t worry. Let’s take it slow. Your muscles are weak right now—just exercise more.”

“That’s right, Mom. Don’t rush. I’ll take care of you.”

Jiang Meili was delighted too. With Cheng Qiao and Li Huan back, the family finally had its backbone again.

“Big Brother, how have you been these days?”

Li Huan looked at the clearly aged Li Bing and sighed inwardly. If it hadn’t been for what happened with Yuan Qin, there surely would’ve been a place for his brother at this garrison. What a pity.

“I’m doing pretty well now. We used to raise twenty pigs—now it’s grown to fifty. I’ve also taken over that piece of land behind the mountain.”

“That’s great. But don’t overwork yourself—hire help when you need it.”

“No need. I’m still young, and your sister-in-law helps out. We can handle it. Besides, Li Chen is helping Ming manage the grocery shop now, with steady income. At home we’re only supporting Li Ying—more than enough.”

“Big Brother, I have an idea. I’m not sure if you agree.”

“You and I are brothers—no need to be so formal. As long as I can do it, I will.”

“Cheng Qiao and I both have official duties. If one day we get called away on a mission, we’ll have to leave—so Mom will have to be entrusted to you.”

“Brother, I don’t like hearing that. Mom is my mom too—what son wouldn’t support his mother? Besides, when I was in the army, I didn’t fully fulfill my duties as a son.”

“Brother, don’t rush. Originally Mom was living with Li Ming, but Li Ming went to the army. You’ve been a soldier too—you know soldiers belong to the country and often have no choice.”

“I understand. Then let Li Chen take care of his grandma. All grandsons are the same.”

“At our Liming Wholesale Company in the county, Shouhou has ten percent, Uncle has fifty percent, and we have forty percent. Cheng Qiao and I discussed it—we want to give Li Chen twenty percent.”

“No. That’s Li Ming’s asset. How can Li Chen gain it without effort?”

“How is it without effort? Li Chen will help Li Ming manage the grocery shop in Spring City and also manage the county wholesale company. Giving him twenty percent is deserved.”

“Isn’t Cheng Qiao’s uncle managing it? What does Li Chen know?”

“Cheng Qiao’s uncle is going with Cheng Li to invest in real estate in big cities, so he won’t have the energy to manage things here. Li Chen is a child of our Li family—it’s right for him to take charge.”

“No. Letting him manage it is fine, but give him a salary. How can you give him shares?”

“Brother, the three of us siblings grew up without a father. You went to the army and sent money home every month—that’s how my sister and I survived. As the eldest brother, you were like a father and fulfilled your responsibility. Now your younger brother wants to repay that kindness.”

Mother Li felt her heart ache as she listened. Thankfully, those bitter days were finally over. Now the children had all grown up and made something of themselves. When her time came, she would go ask the old man why he’d been so heartless back then, leaving everything behind.

“Bing, listen to your younger brother. When my body gets better, I’ll return to Xiangyang Village—that’s my root. Your father is still there.”

“Mom…”

“Be good. When brothers are united, they can cut through metal. Our Li family’s ancestral graves must be smoking with good fortune—for us to marry such good daughters-in-law and raise such outstanding descendants.”

Jiang Meili blushed. Her mother-in-law was praising the two daughters-in-law, but she didn’t feel worthy of such praise. All she could do was wait for her mother-in-law to return home and serve her well, caring for her in her old age.

Spring passed into autumn. Those tender green shoots full of vitality had matured, and Cheng Li and Wu Xiaolin finally stepped into the hall of marriage. Presiding over their wedding was General Wu Hongxin, already in his seventies.

Wu Hongxin could already feel that his time was nearing its end, but marrying Wu Xiaolin to Cheng Li was his greatest wish. So he took all the health-preserving pills Cheng Qiao had given him, hoping to witness this sacred wedding.

After marriage, Cheng Li and Wu Xiaolin resolutely embarked on the path of business. It was as if they were running with cheats enabled, investing in one major project after another.

Everyone could see their names in the newspapers—news of this group corporation being established, of that project bringing enormous tax revenue to the country.

There were also reports of a Patriotic Fund being set up, donating a certain amount of military funding to the nation’s armed forces every year, and contributing funds to the country’s welfare homes…

Li Ming and Xiao Gui got married as well. Yao Peng passed away in the third year after Cheng Qiao fell into the sand, and Ye Chengying served as their wedding officiant.

The young couple held hands, their affectionate gaze making many unmarried officers green with envy. They drank the wedding wine, yet their eyes secretly scanned the surroundings, searching for a girl they might one day bring home as a wife.

When they saw Li Xiaonuan, they almost couldn’t restrain their excitement. She was Battalion Commander Li Ming’s younger sister—if one could marry her, what immense happiness that would be.

Unfortunately, Li Xiaonuan was sitting beside Ye Jing. His face remained expressionless from beginning to end, firmly blocking all the men who wanted to strike up a conversation.

After the wedding, Li Xiaonuan boarded a plane to continue her studies. When she returned after completing her education, she would surely establish a brand known in every household.

Ye Jing also officially took over the Liangzhou Clinic. Ye Jun was already advanced in years and only wished to spend his days playing a game of chess with Cheng Liguo, sipping tea, and enjoying a peaceful retirement.

Li Huan and Cheng Qiao sent Mother Li back to Xiangyang Village. The couple stayed there for some time, curing Mother Li’s paralysis and restoring her health.

Mother Li greatly enjoyed those days. Recently, however, she had been feeling somewhat uneasy, though she didn’t know why—until Li Huan and Cheng Qiao came in holding an envelope.

“Mom, the New Year is almost here. Take this money—buy whatever you want to eat, okay?”

“No need. I have money. Look, this is my savings passbook.”

“Mom, listen to us. It’s getting cold—have Shouhou get you a mink coat to wear.”

“Nonsense! How many minks would have to lose their lives for one coat? I won’t wear that.”

“Then at least take this. Li Ying said she’s going to university near Nuannuan. That girl has ambition—you’re her grandmother, you should show some support, right?”

“No need. Li Chen already said he’ll cover his sister’s overseas study expenses. That child is very serious about learning skills.”

“Mom, listen. Li Chen is Li Chen, and you are you. It’s not the same.”

“You two are… I understand now. I’ll take it…”

Mother Li suddenly realized something. Her eyes grew hot, but she forced herself to hold back. Her son and daughter-in-law belonged to the country; they were going off to do great things. At such a critical moment, she couldn’t shed tears—it would be inauspicious.

After dinner, Mother Li lay down early on the heated brick bed and fell asleep. Outside the door, Cheng Qiao and Li Huan knelt down to her. This time they were leaving—who knew when they would meet again.

Goose-feather snow drifted down thickly, settling on the heads of Li Bing and Jiang Meili, on the faces of Li Chen and Li Ying. The four of them watched Li Huan and Cheng Qiao depart, their hearts filled with an indescribable ache.

Mother Li lay on the large heated bed, staring at the pitch-black ceiling, silently letting tears fall. Huan’er and Qiao thought she was asleep, but she wasn’t. She knew that when the country truly grew strong, they would return.

Li Huan and Cheng Qiao arrived at Xiangyang Mountain and saw Hu Lata, Han Tong, Mai Sui, and the others already waiting there. They hurried their steps.

Hu Lata had taken over Wu Hongxin’s position, commanding the nation’s special department. Foreign forces were becoming increasingly rampant—it was time to teach them a lesson.

Li Huan possessed the power to freeze a thousand miles at once; Han Tong had speed comparable to a cheetah; Mai Sui had the extraordinary ability to control minds; and Cheng Qiao was the guardian of all ability users. Thus, they had to set off to carry out their mission.

“Uncle Lata, can you tell me now how Xuhui is doing?” Cheng Qiao asked.

“Haha, Cheng Qiao, Li Huan—honestly speaking, I really envy you as a couple. Whether your own children, your adopted ones, or even your nephews and nieces, every one of them is exceptional.”

“You mean…”

“That’s right. They’re about to succeed…”

They exchanged smiles, then turned back to take one last look at the Li family residence. When the country truly became strong, they would return. By then, they would reunite in complete joy.

—The End—