Guan Cheng and Lu Tianjun, following Feng Qingxue’s orders, were delivering goods to the elderly couple. No one was responding despite knocking on the door for a long time. Realizing the door wasn’t locked, the two brothers exchanged a glance before gently pushing it open.
The room was in disarray, chairs and tables flipped over, chests wide open, and clothes and other belongings were thrown all over the floor.
All the chaos reminded them of the disaster their family had experienced when they were young.
Their faces simultaneously paled.
"Did something happen?" Guan Cheng blurted out.
Although he was young when the Guan Family had been in trouble, the scene had left a deep impression on him. He could never forget it; that memory would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Lu Tianjun’s face hardened, "Perhaps. I’ll try to find out what happened. I’m sure I can dig up something."
He was handsome and young, and it was easy for people to warm to him. He soon learned that the disappearance of Zhong Shi’s couple had raised local suspicions. They were considered fugitives on the run. Although it was too late to catch up with them, familiar faces like Uncle Xu and Aunt Xu had been immediately brought in for questioning by government officials.
"Ah, the world is so unpredictable. What’s your relationship with them?"
"No, no connection really. They just gave us a couple of cornmeal buns once," Guan Cheng mumbled in response.
"Exactly." Lu Tianjun chimed in quickly, elbowing Guan Cheng, "The elderly couple once saved our lives, hence our visit to the city to see them. Who knew they wouldn’t be home. Relationship-wise, we’re from a rural area, what relationship could we possibly have with them?"
"It’s good that there’s no relationship. There would be big trouble if there was any connection. We common people should keep our distance from those with bad ’class background’. We all want to live, don’t we? When those up there say they are bad, they are bad, rotten to the core."
Of course, Guan Cheng and Lu Tianjun didn’t see things that way. "Could you tell us where they were taken?"
The neighbor kindly provided some directions.
"Go and see, but don’t get close."
"Thank you, thank you!"
Lu Tianjun led Guan Cheng away from the front of Uncle Xu’s house. They dared not ask for detailed information about the elderly couple’s situation for fear of being considered accomplices and bringing unnecessary trouble to their own family.
After all, the social standing of the Lu Family was indeed poor.
Although Guan Cheng and Guan Yu had settled in Wanglou Brigade under the status of orphans, their true identity could not withstand detailed scrutiny.
With their current status, caution was required in everything they did.
"Tianjun, what should we do? I’m very scared!" Guan Cheng clutched Lu Tianjun’s sleeve tightly, his face full of fear, "If this continues, something unimaginable will happen to them."
Would they, like his grandparents and father, become forever separated from him?
Lu Tianjun gritted his teeth, pulled him away, and spoke in a low tone: "Let’s go, we’re heading home. No, you stay here and watch from afar. If Uncle Xu and Aunt Xu come out, you should spot them right away. Don’t get close, don’t ask questions, I’m going home to find Auntie and see if she can think of any ways to rescue them."
Tears brimmed in Guan Cheng’s eyes, "Alright! Thank you Tianjun."
Lu Tianjun thumped him on the chest, "No need for thanks between brothers!"
"Right," Guan Cheng nodded.
Indeed, they were brothers, forever bonded, not only by blood but also by shared experiences.