Seeing their expressions, Cheng Baoguo immediately burst into a cheerful smile.
"Don’t underestimate my mother. She fought against the Japanese invaders when she was young and even served as a female spy. My father was also a veteran. They both walked over 8,000 miles in the Long March, traversing snowy mountains and prairies, facing life and death situations. When the country was established, they were both old and sick and naturally retired. They stayed in their hometown and didn’t want to burden the country. They only said they were retired veterans and revealed nothing more."
Cheng Baoguo sighed, "The situation in our hometown was dire and many people died of starvation. My parents came to find me with the last bit of their food, hoping I could help. However, they overestimated their physical strength and gave their food to a starving child halfway through their journey. This act of kindness fortunately led them to Comrade Qingxue, who saved them from starving to death."
Lu Jiang and Feng Qingxue were moved to silence when they heard that, they never expected Cheng’s mother to have such a past.
Sharing one’s last meal with a stranger was an act of kindness Feng Qingxue thought she could never do in a million years. She deeply admired the nobility of the couple.
"I am grateful that I decided to help them," Feng Qingxue said. "Although when I helped them I had no ulterior motives, I just wanted to save lives. However, now recalling the incident, I am particularly grateful that I was able to help two heroes."
Heroes who defended their home and country, heroes who sacrificed for others, heroes will always be heroes regardless of their age.
After hearing what Feng Qingxue said, Cheng Baoguo laughed again. His cheeks bore two deep dimples when he laughed, making him look less imposing. "Thank you, Comrade Qingxue for your kind words. I am certain that they would be very pleased to hear this."
Before he could finish, Lu Jiang’s father parted the curtain and entered, "Ajiang, Xiaoxue, do we have guests?"
Cheng Baoguo stood up, "Older Brother, do I count as a guest?"
Lu Jiang’s father was stunned for a moment, then rushed forward to hug Cheng Baoguo, laughing heartily as he clapped him on the back, "Little Brother, are you here to pay back? It’s been decades! The hundred taels of gold, plus interest, have surely doubled by now!"
Lu Jiang and Feng Qingxue were left in astonishment at the display.
Feng Qingxue nudged Lu Jiang’s arm and whispered, "Looks like another old friend of Dad’s." She wondered how many such friends Lu Jiang’s father had and how deep his network went.
"Indeed, good old friends and brothers!" The two older men finally stopped hugging and took seats. Lu Jiang’s father had a warm, nostalgic smile on his face as he turned to Lu Jiang and Feng Qingxue, "Ajiang, Xiaoxue, let me formally introduce you. This is your Uncle Cheng Baoguo, who went on his journey thirty-two years ago. There is also another uncle called Wang Xinsheng, who is probably in the capital?"
The last question was directed at Cheng Baoguo, who nodded in agreement. "Yes, in the capital, he is a General."
"Uncles with different surnames, are you sworn brothers as in the story of the Peach Garden?" Feng Qingxue asked, somewhat incredulous. A general? He must be a veteran revolutionist who had weathered countless battles.
Cheng Baoguo turned to Lu Jiang’s father, "Older Brother, you sure have a smart daughter-in-law!"
"Indeed, who do you think she married into, our family never settles!" Lu Jiang’s father replied proudly. If he hadn’t approved of Feng Qingxue, he wouldn’t have sent a telegram to call his son back. "My daughter-in-law is kind-hearted, intelligent, and respectful. She is a hundred times better than my son!" He was secretly criticizing his son who still hadn’t figured out who the guest was. What a slowpoke!