Back To The 80s-Chapter 318 - 328: Alive_1

Lu Songyuan returned in mid-February. After dinner, Lu Zhanguo first took Xiaobei’s children upstairs, then he went downstairs to talk with Lu Songyuan in the study about Lu Yuanchao.

After hearing what Lu Zhanguo had to say regarding the matter, Lu Songyuan sat in shock, speechless for a long while.

"Is everything you said true?" After a long silence, Lu Songyuan asked. He couldn’t believe that Qin Ximei could be so cruel, even more terrifying than enemy spies.

Lu Zhanguo nodded, his brows furrowed, and said, "Dad, can you use your connections to find out if there’s a person named Xiangdong in the Northeast military district?" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Lu Songyuan also frowned, "I can do that, but it will take time, a long time. Many people could share that name, so it will be difficult."

"Knowing that my brother is alive is comforting enough. Judging by the things he sent to the Song family, he seems to be living well. This should certainly put my mother at ease." Lu Zhanguo still didn’t know how to tell Wen Xiuqing about this.

Lu Songyuan nodded. Hearing that his eldest son was alive was indeed thrilling, but as he calmed down, he felt a sense of desolation. He said tiredly, "I’ll tell your mother. When are you going back after the New Year?"

Lu Zhanguo seemed to have arranged long ago and answered decisively, "I will be leaving on the tenth day of the Lunar New Year."

Lu Songyuan sighed, "If Xiaobei and the kids don’t stay, let your mother go with you. She’s doing better recently, but I’m afraid she’ll be upset once Mo Wang leaves."

Lu Zhanguo nodded, remaining silent. Instead of having Gu Xiaobei and the child stay, he would prefer Xiuqing to go with them to G Province. However, he didn’t know if Gu Xiaobei would agree.

Lu Songyuan waved for Lu Zhanguo to go back up. He sat in the study for a long time thinking about the past years. Each memory was like a scene from a movie that flashed before him. His life seemed to be filled with mechanical repetition, devoid of joy and happiness.

Only when the clock struck twelve did Lu Songyuan get up and return to his room. He saw Wen Xiuqing still sitting on the bed, knitting a sweater for Xiaopang and Mo Wang.

"Xiuqing, I have something to tell you." Lu Songyuan hesitated for a long time before speaking.

Continuing her knitting, Wen Xiuqing calmly responded, "What is it? You may speak."

"Have you ever thought that Yuanchao might still be alive?" Lu Songyuan asked directly.

Wen Xiuqing paused, closing her hand tightly around the knitting needle. Her knuckles were white. After a moment, she asked, "Is this true?" Her eyes teared up as she spoke.

Lu Songyuan sighed, sat next to Wen Xiuqing, and took away her knitting needle. Looking at the indentation the hook had left on her finger, he gently rubbed Xiuqing’s hand and said, "Xiuqing, Yuanchao is indeed alive. That’s the truth. But we may not be able to find him."

It took Wen Xiuqing a while to utter a reply with her hoarse voice, "Just knowing he is alive is enough, it’s okay."

"You have been tormenting yourself for thirty years, Xiuqing. It’s time to let go. I’ll find someone to search for Yuanchao, but if he resents us and refuses to acknowledge us, we won’t blame him. As long as he is living a good life, that’s enough." Lu Songyuan comforted Xiuqing.

Tears welled up in Wen Xiuqing’s eyes. She stuttered, "If he resents me, he has every right to. I failed to protect him. Knowing that he’s alive is satisfying enough to me." At the same time, a desire to see Lu Yuanchao rose within her heart. She longed to see him, even if it was just one more time.

Lu Zhanguo sighed, "After the New Year, go to the provincial capital with Zhanguo. Help Xiaobei watch the kids. The time will pass quicker that way."

Wen Xiuqing wiped her tears and lowered her head without uttering a word.

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When Lu Zhanguo returned to his room, Gu Xiaobei was playing with their two kids using Yueyue’s ball. She would throw the ball to the corner of the bed and let Mo Wang and Yueyue scramble for it. Every time, Mo Wang would always beat Xiaopang to it.

Seeing his daughter frustrated, Lu Zhanguo went over to get the ball, handing it to Xiaopang.

Gu Xiaobei protested, "That’s cheating, Xiaopang. Each time, you’re too lazy to move and always leave Mo Wang to roll the ball over. That’s not fair."

Lu Zhanguo stroked Gu Xiaobei’s cheek and said, "My father suggested that my mother should live with us in the provincial capital for a while after the New Year."

Gu Xiaobei paused, then asked, "What was your reply?"

Lu Zhanguo looked steadily into Gu Xiaobei’s eyes. "I simply nodded and didn’t say a word. But I don’t want you to be uncomfortable or say things against your will. Based on our experience dealing with mother–in-law and daughter–in-law relationships in our family, I know they are difficult. Especially since I’m not at home very often. However, I hope you will listen to my analysis, make a decision according to your own feelings. Regardless of the decision, I will respect and support you."

Gu Xiaobei looked at Lu Zhanguo with surprise, and nodded. She waited to hear what he would say next.

"Now that Xiaopang and Mo Wang are growing up. You definitely can’t manage them by yourself, and we’ll have to hire a nanny when we return. Also, when we move to the provincial capital, I know you’ll want to do the things you want to do, and you won’t feel comfortable handing the children over to a nanny. So, if my mother comes, she can help look after the children with the nanny. You can then do what you want to do outside. However, there’s a drawback. You know about my mother’s temperament. Although she’s changed a lot recently, long-term cohabitation can lead to conflicts even among people with good temperaments, not to mention my mother’s character. Can you not take it to heart?" After analyzing the situation for Gu Xiaobei, Lu Zhanguo patted her head and said, "You can consider what I’ve said, especially the last point. I don’t want you to feel aggrieved."

Gu Xiaobei listened to Lu Zhanguo’s lengthy speech, feeling somewhat moved. Lu Zhanguo was able to see things from her perspective and analyze the pros and cons so clearly. She said seriously, "Let mother come with us, because I really am thinking of doing something. I can’t face leaving the kids with a stranger."

Lu Zhanguo turned around, picked up Xiaopang who was tugging at his clothes, and asked with a smile, "Have you thought about what you want to do?"

"I have an idea in mind, not sure if it’s feasible. I’ll see once we get back to G province," Gu Xiaobei replied mysteriously.

"As long as it’s not too taxing," Lu Zhanguo said, his curiosity almost non-existent.

Gu Xiaobei nodded, "Rest assured, besides, it’s not considered hard work when you’re young. It’s only considered good fortune when you can enjoy it when you’re old."

Lu Zhanguo indulgingly looked at her, "You always have your own ways, when are our children going to sleep?"

Gu Xiaobei glared at him. Their conversation was serious, but suddenly his tone changed. Mainly because Xiaopang and Mo Wang were very well-behaved, making him develop an addiction for it.