Chapter 051: A Journey Through Nightmares

This story is purely fictional.

In the archives of Dacheng, Dacheng sat across from Chi Zhaoming and said, “The turning point in your life must have started with that journey north. All the minor incidents before, you may have thought they were inconsequential. But by forgetting the ancient advice ‘Do not refrain from doing good because it is small, do not commit evil because it is minor,’ you began your nightmare.”

“I really don’t know why things turned out the way they did for me,” Chi Zhaoming said, perplexed.

“Let’s keep going. We just saw your conversation with Wu Zhengzhe—you were heading north and wanted him to pick up Xiyu,” Dacheng prompted.

“Forget it. All that talk about hearts beating as one is just playing music to a cow. He never treated me like a brother, yet he keeps saying we’re brothers. Come on, you want me to pick up Xiyu while you’re away, right?” Wu Zhengzhe asked.

~~~~~~

“I say we’re brothers, so we are. You’re like a worm in my stomach—I hadn’t even brought up picking up Xiyu, yet you guessed it. Still think we’re not brothers?” Zhaoming laughed heartily into the phone.

“Don’t worry, you can be absolutely sure—Xiyu is in good hands with me. I’ll make sure he’s safe and sound,” Wu Zhengzhe replied.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, brother. If anything comes up, call me. We’ll have a drink when I get back,” Zhaoming said his farewell.

That afternoon, Dujuan called Zhaoming. “Take care of yourself out there. The northern weather is colder; if you didn’t bring enough clothes, try to buy a down jacket. Don’t catch a cold.”

“It’s not the coldest time up north yet, so it’s fine. The clothes I brought will do. Wu Zhengzhe just called; he’ll be picking up Xiyu from school these days. Everything’s arranged, so just focus on your own things. Let Wu Zhengzhe handle Xiyu—he can even help him with his studies,” Zhaoming reassured her and hung up.

Zhaoming carefully checked his office laptop, power cord, mouse, and wireless network card. He tested the internet connection and found it satisfactory. Packing everything into his suitcase, he waited for his colleagues to join him for the northbound train.

As the train whistle sounded, the train slowly started moving.

That sound—over the years, he and Dujuan had experienced it countless times. The wrenching blend of wheels and whistle had made their years of separation unbearable, so much so that they never wanted to hear it twice.

It was like a hard wart branded on their hearts, untouchable. But this time, hearing the train depart brought no pain. If the past had been just a glimmer of hope, then now, with the northbound journey, he felt a sense of promise—a bright future was unfolding before him.

The train sped across the vast plains. Zhaoming gazed at the scenery retreating outside the window, reflecting on the events of the past year. He wished those worries would fade away like the landscape, left far behind him so he could live a simple, joyful life with Xiyu and Dujuan.

He closed his eyes, the corners of his mouth lifting in quiet contentment, his body leaning into the seat, swaying with the train…

In Ma Shengwei’s office, he called Xiao Jin to ask about the task of following Wu Zhengzhe.

“That guy Wu Zhengzhe is too sly—I lost him halfway,” Xiao Jin admitted, embarrassed.

“You’re always more trouble than help. You’re only good for simple tasks; anything needing brains and you mess it up,” Ma Shengwei scolded, frustrated.

“Next time, next time I’ll definitely finish the task you give me,” Xiao Jin nodded repeatedly.

“Come to my office now. I’ve got something simple for you to do,” Ma Shengwei said, hanging up.

Xiao Jin went to Ma Shengwei’s office, where Ma whispered instructions in his ear…

In the office of the Major Crimes Unit, investigators moved about.

Wu Zhengzhe was sorting through Hexi’s files when he came across that day’s issue of The Great River Daily.

The headline featured a prominent report on Duhao Company’s charity activities.

Wu Zhengzhe noticed the young man in the photo looked very familiar. He made a note in his desk calendar, clipped the photo from the newspaper, and placed it in a file folder instead of adding it to the analysis board.

On the train, there was constant movement, making it hard to rest. After returning from the restroom, Zhaoming’s phone rang—it was Dujuan.

“I was just about to call you, but your call came first. Is there something you want to tell me, darling?” Zhaoming asked.

“You’re still on the train, right? When will you arrive?” Dujuan asked.

“It’ll be a while—probably around three or four in the afternoon.”

“The other day we talked about buying a house. You wanted me to discuss it with my parents, so I went to their place this morning and told them we wanted to buy a house.”

“And?” Zhaoming asked impatiently.

“Well, not so good. As soon as they heard we wanted to buy a house and had a gap of fifty or sixty thousand, they kept telling us not to buy. They said the house they live in will be ours one day, so why burden ourselves now?”

“What do you think?” Zhaoming asked.

“I want to buy it. Seeing our son Xiyu so eager for his own room, I really want to get one. But however I calculate, there’s always that gap, and it makes me hesitate. I’m torn—part of me wants to fulfill Xiyu’s wish, but another part doesn’t want to change our current life,” Dujuan answered.

“So what do we do?” Zhaoming was at a loss.

“Let me think about it more, see if there’s another way,” Dujuan said, anxious.

Chi Zhaoming knew Dujuan was worried—worried about Xiyu’s disappointment if they couldn’t buy the house. She didn’t want his wish to fall through, so he comforted her: “Don’t worry too much. We’ll figure out the money slowly; being anxious won’t help.”

“I know, but it really is something to worry about. I’ve calculated over and over, and that gap is maddening. The anxiety comes from the fact that our lives will change drastically. Commuting to work will be a problem, my cosmetics will become an issue. Oh, it’s really hard!”

“Borrowing money from someone is so difficult. The problem is, our family has no one with money. In others’ families, at least their in-laws can help a bit in times like this, but your family can’t help at all. Back then, so many good prospects, but I just wouldn’t choose them. I went against my parents, saying that love could feed me. Remember the one who pursued me? He’s a bureau chief now, lives in a mansion, drives a luxury car. Look at you, newly promoted to department chief—it’s worlds apart!”

“Regret, huh? I encouraged you to go after him, but you didn’t listen. Him becoming a bureau chief is his business, nothing to do with us. Besides, happiness and money aren’t the same—being wealthy doesn’t guarantee happiness, you know, my dear wife,” Zhaoming teased.

“Yes, I never said money equals happiness, but happiness needs money to support it. Nowadays, people say they’d rather cry in a BMW than laugh on a bicycle. Everyone is realistic, except me—idiotically blinded by love, following you. Can’t blame anyone else; it’s my own doing,” Dujuan said, her tone tinged with self-pity.

“Our current difficulties are temporary and can be overcome. I believe bread will come, milk will come, and the Internationale will be achieved,” Zhaoming joked.

“Stop kidding around. The Internationale? By the time communism arrives, I doubt I’ll live to enjoy it. Right now, we need to solve the down payment for the house; everything else can wait. That’s it—let’s talk more when you’re home,” Dujuan sounded a bit annoyed.

“Don’t be upset! I didn’t mean the day communism arrives globally—I meant the day our family achieves its own communism. Totally different, you know?”

“Yes, yes, I’m just waiting for our family’s Internationale. Hope I don’t have to wait too long,” Dujuan said hopefully.

“The dawn of hope is right in front of us—just wait and see. I’ll call you when I arrive,” Zhaoming felt that hope himself.

Wu Zhengzhe, following Zhaoming’s instructions, left work early to pick up Xiyu from school.

When Xiyu got in the car and sat in the passenger seat, he asked, “Uncle, what are you thinking about?”

Wu Zhengzhe snapped back to reality. “Oh, I was just thinking about something, so I didn’t notice you got in. Busy day? You look tired.”

“Yes, it was the finals—three exams in a row. Of course I’m tired,” Xiyu replied.

“How did you do? Will you make it into the top fifty in your grade this time?” Zhaoming asked Xiyu.

“Should be fine, no problem,” Xiyu’s answer brought Wu Zhengzhe some comfort.

“Confidence is good—don’t fall behind. I believe in you,” Wu Zhengzhe said, patting Xiyu’s shoulder.

(To be continued)