"You don't need to worry about this, leave it to ." Luo Zheng felt a blockage in his heart when he heard this. He looked at his sister-in-law with gratitude and said, "You have it tough too, how can I take your money? This is my fault. Hai Zi is my brother, his affairs are my affairs, his wife is my sister-in-law, don't worry, I'll head out right away. I'll take this letter for proof, so she won't deny knowing . With the address on it, it'll be easier to find her. Do you think that's okay?"
"Okay, take it. I'll request so leave and go with you imdiately," his sister-in-law quickly replied.
Luo Zheng was touched by his sister-in-law's enthusiasm and righteousness. His heart felt heavier, his nose tingled, and he said with so emotion, "It's enough for to go. You stay ho and wait for my news, Guoguo needs soone to take care of her."
"Alright, we are all military families, all won, I know her plight best. She wouldn't have sought out unless she had no other choice. I had no other option but to turn to you," his sister-in-law said apologetically, her voice lancholic, as if recalling her own past hardships, her eyes turned red.
This remark cut through Luo Zheng's heart like a knife, making him wish he could slap himself. He stood up ashad, and said earnestly, "Sister-in-law, let's not say anything more. It's my fault for not taking good care of my sister-in-law as a brother. Rest assured, even if the sky falls, I'll handle it. I'll make sure this matter is taken care of properly." Saying this, he looked at his little sister.
His little sister nodded sensibly and said, "Don't worry, I won't tell Mom and Dad you're back yet."
"Alright, take a taxi ho later. I'll not see you off," Luo Zheng said seriously. Seeing Shi Feng entering, he thought for a mont and said, "Director Shi, could you arrange for a sober person to drive? I need to go sowhere, just drop off at the airport."
"Is there an urgent task?" Shi Feng asked in surprise.
The little sister worried that Luo Zheng might find it inconvenient to go alone. She looked at Shi Feng and, quick-wittedly, said, "Director Shi, my brother's battalion deputy's wife has been bullied. The battalion deputy has already sacrificed. He needs to hurry and check on the situation."
"Military family? Not knowing is one thing, but now that I know, I can't stand idly by. I'll go with you," Shi Feng said with amazent, looking at the little sister. Seeing her nod, he imdiately reacted and said righteously. Seeing Luo Zheng shake his head, his face turned anxious, and he quickly added, "Your identity is special, dealing with local affairs could be inconvenient. I'll go with you. It's good to have soone to rely on if sothing happens. Don't forget I also co from the military. I've seen more of these things than you, so I know how to handle them."
"Brother, let him accompany you," his little sister urged from the side.
Luo Zheng thought for a mont and nodded, "Alright, let's settle it like this."
"Wait a bit, I'll arrange for a car right away," Shi Feng said, rushing out.
A few minutes later, Luo Zheng and Shi Feng were seated in a police car headed to the airport. Shi Feng asked for the destination, made a phone call to book two plane tickets, and the timing was just right. On the road, Luo Zheng explained the situation to Shi Feng, who listened and said remorsefully, "No wonder. I noticed my sister-in-law's mood has been off these days, but she wouldn't say why."
"Sister-in-law is a strong person, she doesn't want to trouble you," Luo Zheng explained.
"Yes, she's a good woman, just unlucky in life," Shi Feng comnted, then hesitated, lowered his voice, and continued, "There's a policeman nearing retirent who got injured in the line of duty. He's a good person, about five years older than your sister-in-law, single. Do you think we should try to set them up? She's having a hard ti alone."
Luo Zheng thought for a mont, gratefully said, "Ask my sister-in-law's opinion first. As long as she's willing, that's fine. Pulling up a child alone is indeed tough. If there's soone suitable, it's good to form a family again. But that person must be reliable, or I won't forgive you."
"Don't worry, would I tell you about soone unreliable? That would be asking for trouble," Shi Feng guaranteed.
"Alright, I'll leave it to you then. She must be willing," Luo Zheng trusted Shi Feng's character and agreed, reminded him. If they could ensure his sister-in-law's happiness in the latter half of life, Luo Zheng believed the old battalion leader would be happy in heaven as well. The thought made Luo Zheng's mood even heavier.
Unknowingly, the two reached the airport, got off and headed straight to the ticket counter, then with tickets boarded the plane. Luo Zheng didn't bring his ID card; the officer's certificate was different from others. Ordinary people couldn't understand it, nor could it be shown openly. More importantly, Luo Zheng carried weapons, things that shouldn't see daylight, with no instructions for them en route, so all equipnt had to be carried on his back. Shi Feng had to use his connections to find airport police, which allowed them to board smoothly.
Luo Zheng felt fortunate to have Shi Feng accompanying him, otherwise, boarding itself would have been troubleso. But thinking of Hai Zi's wife suffering, his mood grew heavier, and he remained silent throughout. Shi Feng dared not ask too much either. Two hours later, the plane landed in a small city, and the two took a taxi.
The taxi drove for a full hour, finally arriving at a small town. Luo Zheng left the driver's phone number, as taxis were rare in such a place and needed appointnts. Shi Feng tipped the driver a bit more, making him smile uncontrollably as he promised to be on call anyti.
It was around ten o'clock in the evening, and though the town was small, there were still people on the streets. Many shops were still open, and the night markets looked lively with many young people. Shi Feng glanced around and said, "This is a tourist town. Although it's not well developed, there are many outsiders. It's late. Shall we find a place to stay first or go directly?"
"Let's go directly. I won't feel at ease without understanding the situation," Luo Zheng said softly, feeling deeply guilty as he asked a vendor about directions, then strode off with Shi Feng.
The two walked down the main street and turned into a small lane, arriving at an alley entrance, checking street signs, and comparing them with the address on the envelope. Confirming the accuracy, they approached the alley. The alley was lit, lined with low houses, no taller than two stories, each with its own yard, appearing old and worn, walls mottled and dilapidated. They followed the house numbers to a spot in the middle, stopping at a door.
"Knock, knock, knock!" Luo Zheng, with a heavy heart, knocked on the door.
People were sitting outside other houses in the alley. Opposite, an elderly man was listening to the radio, surprised to see Luo Zheng and Shi Feng, feeling a bit strange, he asked, "Who are you looking for?" using the local dialect.
Luo Zheng didn't understand, saw a woman walk out of the old man's room, and she looked at him warily and politely asked, "Hello, is this Hai Zi's house?"
"Who are you?" the woman replied in slightly broken Mandarin, her eyes filled with curiosity as she glanced at Luo Zheng, then looked at Shi Feng again, perhaps thinking they didn't seem like bad people, she continued, "His wife isn't back yet, what's your business?"
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