https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-845-Old-Acquaintances-and-New-Journeys/12983026/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-847-Strange-News-During-a-Conversation/12983031/
Chapter 846: The Dust of Past Events
Chapter 846: The Dust of Past Events
Chen Chuanxian shared the news of the Great Collision with Nian Fulu and Yu Wan, as they were close relatives of a martial artist and thus had the right to know.
In fact, when he was investigating the case, he could have informed the family members, but he had refrained from doing so earlier out of concern that his aunt and younger aunt would only worry more if they learned the truth.
However, with the Great Collision gradually approaching and the upcoming move to the Central City, he felt it necessary to disclose the matter.
Nian Fulu and Yu Wan were both shocked after hearing the news, feeling as if their entire worldview had shattered.
Yu Wan asked, "Chanchuan, is this... is this true?"
Chen Chuan nodded and replied, "It's true."
Nian Fulu quickly regained his composure and said, "Chuan, talking about this reminds me of my time in the army. There was a period when we didn't know where we were, and all we saw was a sky full of light. The things near the battlefield were also very strange.
There were some things I couldn't figure out back then, but now that I think about it, the place we went to was probably the Convergence Zone you mentioned, Chuan."
Chen Chuan's heart stirred, and he said, "Uncle, I remember you once told me that you were fighting rebels, right?"
Yu Wan said, "Yes, that's what the newspapers said that year."
"The official statement was that we were suppressing a rebellion in the Northern Region."
Nian Fulu let out a 'hey,' and continued, "I was only in my early twenties back then. I believed whatever the higher-ups said, and I fought wherever they sent us. When we weren't fighting, we were either digging trenches or building fortifications. We were exhausted all day, like dead dogs, and had no time to think. It was only when we had some downtime that I started to realize something was off. But it's all in the past now, and there's no point in dwelling on it." As he spoke, he shook his head.
Chen Chuan paused for a moment and then asked, "I remember you mentioned that the troops suffered heavy casualties and encountered some strange things, right?"
Nian Fulu nodded silently and said, "There's something I've never told you. It was towards the end of the war. We had captured a rebel station, and the senior sergeant assigned me and another comrade to guard a warehouse.
This comrade could jump six feet high, and he was always restless, like he had nails under his buttocks. His nickname was 'Flea' because he was so energetic.
That night, we kept hearing strange sounds coming from the warehouse, like something was banging inside or crawling on the walls. Flea went to listen several times, but he couldn't make out what it was.
In the middle of the night, two men in black approached us and showed us some documents, asking for our assistance.
It was just me and Flea at the time, and we couldn't both leave. The man in black initially chose me, but Flea insisted on taking my place and even gave me half a pack of cigarettes.
Nian Fulu's eyes revealed a hint of lingering fear as he continued, "I remember that man smiled and agreed to let Flea go.
Soon after Flea left, strange things started happening. The sounds from the warehouse stopped, and I never saw Flea again. Strangely, I can't remember what was written on that document, nor can I recall the appearance of those two men."
He took a breath and continued, "Later, I secretly asked the senior sergeant about this. When he heard my story, his face changed, and he growled at me to keep quiet. After that, I withdrew from the army with the rest of the troops."
At this point, Nian Fulu couldn't help but light another cigarette. "A few years later, the senior sergeant became the director of the Patrol Bureau. During a drinking session, I brought up this incident again. He told me that he didn't remember anyone like that in the unit. The comrade he assigned to guard the warehouse with me was actually another comrade who had severe diarrhea and couldn't go."
Yu Wan listened with a pounding heart and asked, "Uncle, then... who was Flea?"
Nian Fulu took a deep breath and smiled bitterly, "Who knows? Even now, I can't tell which version is true. But I think, whether Flea existed or not, if he hadn't volunteered, I might not have made it back."
Chen Chuan pondered for a moment. If the location of the battle was indeed the Convergence Zone, such a situation was highly likely. He asked, "Uncle, do you remember where the battle took place?"
Nian Fulu thought for a moment and replied, "I only remember taking a boat for several days and nights, heading north. I can't be sure of the exact location because we were all in a daze during the journey. The same thing happened when we withdrew. The most vivid memory I have is the colorful light that filled the night sky.
I'm thinking that there's an army stationed in Cold Valley City to the north, which might be where we landed. But I can't be certain."
Chen Chuan nodded, keeping this information in mind. He had just thought of something that might be related.
At this moment, a hint of worry appeared on Yu Wan's face. "Chuan, if what you said about the collision is true, what about our neighbors and friends here?"
Chen Chuan replied seriously, "Aunt, Yangzhi is also my hometown, and these neighbors and friends have watched me grow up. If that day ever comes, and if I have the ability, I will do my best to protect the people here."
Yu Wan was even more worried, "Chan'er..."
Chen Chuan smiled, "Aunt, don't worry, I'll do what I can and won't push myself. Just like Uncle always says, 'Keep the bowl, eat the meal.'"
Nian Fuli patted Yu Wan's back, "That's right. These little ones will consider for themselves. They stand tall and see far, so we don't need to worry about them."
Yu Wan nodded.
"Alright, let's not talk about these unhappy things anymore. It's almost the New Year, and if there's anything, we can discuss it after the New Year."
Nian Fuli asked Chen Chuan, "Xiao Chuan, how long will you be staying this time?"
Chen Chuan replied, "If there aren't any urgent official duties, then about a month."
Nian Fuli said, "That's good. I was just about to tell you something. This year, Xiao Qian sent a telegram saying he's coming back, but he's traveling by boat and is coming from the military, so the timing is uncertain. If all goes well, he'll probably arrive tomorrow or the day after. He'll send a telegram as soon as he lands."
Chen Chuan exclaimed, "Oh? Is my cousin coming back this year too? That's great news."
He thought about his cousin who had been transferred to the overseas region, and now that the war there was almost over, it was indeed time for him to return.
After chatting for a while longer, Chen Chuan got up to help clean up, then picked up his suitcase and returned to his room. After putting his things away, he went to the desk and looked at the young man and woman smiling at him in the photo frame. He picked it up and examined it.
Clearly, even when he wasn't around, his aunt took care of his room every day, and there wasn't a speck of dust on the photo frame.
He looked at it silently, matching the experiences in his memory with the scenes that flashed before his eyes. He slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, there was a hint of sharpness in his gaze.
At that moment, the phone in the living room rang, and it kept ringing non-stop. As expected, all the calls were from people trying to curry favor with Nian Fuli. Some were even parents of Nian Lu and Nian Mo's classmates, but their intentions were obvious—they wanted to build connections and curry favor.
Most people from the edge cities wanted to go to the central city, but it wasn't enough to just go there; they needed a proper identity. But now, Nian Fuli's nephew had become a high official in the central city, so wasn't it reasonable for him to take care of his friends and elders?
Nian Fuli had been in the Patrol Bureau for over twenty years and had seen all sorts of people. He spoke with precision, leaving no room for doubt, and managed to fend off everyone's requests. You might think he had agreed to something, but upon closer inspection, it seemed like he hadn't promised anything at all.
Meanwhile, at Wuyi Academy, the phone on Cheng Zitong's desk had been ringing since Chen Chuan returned to Yangzhi. Cheng Zitong, with his hands behind his back and humming a little tune, was looking out the window at the scenery of Chunqiu Lake, ignoring the persistent ringing of the phone.
He glanced in the direction of his senior brother Qiao Linhu's former residence, feeling a sense of loss. Ever since his senior brother left for the central city, he hadn't been able to enjoy the fragrant rice from his senior brother's home.
He missed his senior brother during the past six months.
He turned to look in the direction of the central city. The sunlight shone on his rounder face, and he put on his sunglasses, a smirk on his face. Old man, I'm Cheng Zitong's student! How about that?!
Early the next morning, Nian Fuli received a telegram from his eldest son, Nian Qian, saying that the ferry had arrived at Far Horizon Port around 3 a.m. the previous night, and he was now on a passenger bus on his way back, likely stopping at the checkpoint.
Nian Fuli had originally planned to borrow a car from the bureau to pick him up, but since Chen Chuan had just brought a brand-new off-road vehicle back by airship, he decided it wasn't necessary. Instead, he would drive with his family to pick up his cousin.
Upon hearing this, Nian Fuli went back to change his clothes, combed his hair in front of the mirror, and tried to cover up some of his white hair. After getting ready, he finally came out. Yu Wan had already finished packing, and she helped Nian Mo straighten his crooked hat. Turning her head, she asked, "Old man, why are you taking so long?"
Nian Fuli said, "What's the rush? This kid hasn't been home for years, and he can't wait a little longer for his old man?"
Yu Wan playfully slapped him, "You're just being stubborn."
Chen Chuan couldn't help but smile. It was clear that Nian Fuli seemed indifferent to the matter on the surface, but he was actually more excited than anyone about his eldest son's return.
The family walked out, greeting the early-rising neighborhood residents along the way, and reached the street corner. They boarded the brand-new off-road vehicle that Chen Chuan had transported by airship.
After everyone was seated and fastened their seat belts, Chen Chuan started the vehicle and slowly drove out of the street.
It was evident that security had been tightened outside, as armed personnel patrolled the entire residential area of the Patrol Bureau. Apparently, the Civil Affairs Hall had raised the security level in the surrounding neighborhoods.
After the off-road vehicle emerged, it drove towards the city outskirts, passing by the guards who saluted from time to time.
...
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(End of Chapter)
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