The little sister was very smart and quickly sensed Luo Zheng's embarrassnt, hurriedly explained: "Brother, don't overthink it, dad and mom are just missing you, that's all. They don't bla you, considering your special position and duties, it's great you managed to find ti to co ho. Looking at your outfit, gosh, how many layers do you have on? Just back from a mission, right? Knowing to co ho first shows you have a conscience."
"Yeah, let's go ho." Luo Zheng said with a wry smile.
"There's nothing to eat at ho today. Dad and mom have plans; they were invited to a wedding by neighbors, so let's eat out." The little sister hurried to explain, curiously trying to lift Luo Zheng's backpack, realizing it was too heavy for her to lift, she stuck out her tongue and said, "Brother, how heavy is this?"
"Not too bad, over twenty kilograms. Let's find a place to eat." Luo Zheng replied nonchalantly, glancing around trying to find a car or a place to eat.
"Don't bother looking; there won't be any taxis, and the dining places are packed, we should go a bit further." The little sister explained with a smile, pulling Luo Zheng towards one direction.
As the two arrived at the corner, an SUV pulled over, the window rolled down, and soone inside exclaid in surprise, "Brother, is it you? Did I see it wrong? This is such a coincidence?"
Following the voice, Luo Zheng was surprised to see Shi Feng dressed in casual attire, walking up unexpectedly and asking in astonishnt, "Director Shi? Didn't expect to run into you here, what's up?"
"Just got off work, the city bureau is not far from here, my place is right ahead. Really a coincidence, haven't eaten yet, right? Join , hop in." Shi Feng also exclaid in surprise, seeing Luo Zheng hesitating, he continued, "Co on quick, I'll call to have your sister-in-law and Guoguo join too. She's your old squad leader's wife." Shi Feng imdiately pulled out his phone and dialed a number, once connected, he shouted, "Bring sister-in-law and Guoguo, see which of those kids are free, invite them too! Donglaishun Hotpot, hurry up." He hung up and said apologetically, "Those kids often think of you, always praise you, say they must treat you to a al if they get the chance. Hard to catch you normally, having you here is even better, you don't mind, right?"
"No problem, more people is rrier." Luo Zheng replied casually.
"Alrighty." Shi Feng felt relieved and drove forward.
Soon they arrived at a hotpot restaurant, got a large private room, ordered quite a lot of food, and shortly, several people from the old cri squad eagerly arrived; they were all familiar faces. Everyone greeted Luo Zheng and the little sister, after so brief pleasantries, soone arrived with a woman and a little girl.
Seeing them co, Luo Zheng quickly stood, respectfully saluting, mories of the old squad leader rushing to mind, his emotions ran high, he warmly greeted: "Sister-in-law, how are you? It's been a long while, hope you've been well?"
"It's really you? I'm good, they all look after well." The sister-in-law said joyfully.
Luo Zheng noticed her clothing and makeup were improved, her spirits were good, clearly not living poorly, his heart settled a bit. Seeing the little girl hiding behind the sister-in-law, dressed in a primary school uniform, she was sowhat shy, her eyes blinking with curiosity, he squatted down excitedly and asked: "Guoguo, you don't recognize ?"
"Are you Uncle Zhengzi?" Guoguo asked in excitent.
"Yes, it's ." Luo Zheng replied happily.
"But why are you so dark and thin?" Guoguo exclaid and rushed forward.
"Oh, am I?" Luo Zheng smiled, picked up Guoguo, and sat her beside him, gesturing for sister-in-law to sit on his other side, then looked to Shi Feng.
Understanding the cue, Shi Feng indicated everyone to sit, settling next to sister-in-law, as they started chatting, the atmosphere gradually beca lively. After a few drinks, Luo Zheng noticed sister-in-law seed to have sothing to say but hesitated, his brow furrowed slightly but he didn't broach the subject, discreetly keeping it in mind while continued drinking with everyone.
Once they had eaten and drank their fill, Luo Zheng took advantage of the distraction, leaned in and whispered: "Sister-in-law, is there sothing wrong?"
"I'll tell you later." Sister-in-law replied softly.
"Alright." Luo Zheng responded casually. After a while, he gestured to Shi Feng, indicating it was ti to wrap up.
Shi Feng nodded in understanding, pulled out his wallet, and asked soone to handle the bill; others also gathered their things preparing to leave. Luo Zheng signaled the group to go ahead, everyone recognizing that he wanted to speak privately with sister-in-law, waited outside. Luo Zheng then turned to sister-in-law and quietly asked: "You can tell now, what's going on? Did soone bully you?"
"No, they treat well." Sister-in-law quickly replied, sowhat conflicted. Seeing Luo Zheng's urging expression, she awkwardly said: "This matter really shouldn't be brought up with you, but I feel it's better to let you know, since you are comrades. You rember Hai Zi?"
"Hai Zi? The squad vice-leader, what's up?" Luo Zheng naturally rembered the deputy leader, inwardly tense, and pursued further inquiry.
"Hai Zi ca to my place before, I am sowhat familiar with him, along with his newlywed wife. Three days ago, a letter arrived from his hotown, it's from his wife, I happen to carry it with , take a look." Sister-in-law took the letter from her pocket and handed it to Luo Zheng, while explaining: "She's also a widow; we won without husbands to rely on, life is tough. I didn't know who else to turn to, I can only rely on you." Luo Zheng exclaid at hearing this and hurriedly took the letter, eagerly reading it as his mood grew heavier. The contents were simple, saying there was no livelihood left at ho, asking if sister-in-law knew of any way to seek work, their imdiate reasons unspecified.
Luo Zheng took the letter seriously, reading it twice, perplexed as he looked to sister-in-law and asked: "What on earth happened?"
"Specifics I'm not clear on. She's a strong person, I can tell, she won't seek help until in dire straits. We're not overly familiar, we've only t once, so it seems sothing significant occurred, otherwise she wouldn't write to . But I'm essentially a rural woman, I don't know much, what help can I offer? I intended to ask Director Shi's help, but couldn't speak up; they're busy. Now that you're here, could you make ti to check things out? I have so money, take it to manage ergencies for , I can't offer much else." She said while reaching for her bag.
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