Chapter 6

Of course something had happened—otherwise, there wouldn't be so many people gathered at the brigade office. Pushing into the crowd, the brigade cadres saw the brigade secretary, Wang Zhiguo, standing with a serious expression, scanning the entire scene. Judging from his demeanor, it was no small matter.

Seeing this, the public security director, Liu Fuping, felt a sudden jolt of dread in his heart.

"Secretary, what happened?"

Still young and nimble, Liu Fuping had only been out of the army a few years. He squeezed through the crowd to Wang Zhiguo's side and asked nervously. He couldn't help but be anxious—as the public security director, he was responsible for law and order. The ringing of the bell ten times, combined with the gathering of so many people, clearly indicated that something serious had occurred.

He feared that it might implicate him.

Upon hearing his question, Wang Zhiguo didn't respond to the other cadres pushing their way over. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Liu Fuping and seriously instructed, "Fuping, you're here just in time. As the public security director, assemble the militia to maintain order. Also, check whether all the educated youths have arrived. If anyone is missing, bring them here."

"Understood, I'll take care of it right away."

Receiving the order, Liu Fuping turned and left.

Liu Fuping wasn't a fool—being appointed public security director, he had some insight. Although Wang Zhiguo hadn't explained what the issue was, the instruction to check the attendance of the educated youths clearly meant it involved them. And anything involving educated youths was a big deal. No wonder the bell had been rung ten times.

While Liu Fuping went to gather the militia, the brigade leader, women's director, and production team leaders were still in the dark.

But seeing that Wang Zhiguo had no intention of explaining, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and wait patiently.

Although Wangjia Village wasn't run like a dictatorship under the brigade secretary, Wang Zhiguo commanded great respect. He had genuinely helped the people before liberation and had fought the Japanese, so the other cadres respected and supported his leadership—supporting him meant supporting the Party's work.

Sometimes, helping others meant helping yourself too.

While the brigade office was buzzing with activity, in a small courtyard house nearby, a family was eating dinner.

Zhang Min cautiously glanced up at her young uncle, wanting to speak, but hesitated when she saw his cold expression. She swallowed her words and, feeling anxious, strained to listen to the sounds coming from next door.

It was chaotic, but she couldn't make out what they were saying.

This was mainly because Wang Zhiguo commanded such high respect. Even if the villagers wanted to gossip about how the educated youth incited Wang Fugui's mother and son to cause trouble at the Zhangs' house, they dared not speak openly in front of him.

With open discussion discouraged, people could only whisper quietly.

As a result, the brigade office was noisy but not deafening—only those nearby could hear clearly; those farther away couldn't.

Zhang Min's anxious expression and actions didn't escape Zhang Chu's eyes. But he didn't want to speak first. Years ago, his family had been falsely labeled as rightists due to political enemies. The adults were sent to labor camps, and the children were sent back to their hometown. The adults endured public struggle sessions; the children were bullied and suffered greatly.

If he hadn't been on the battlefield at the time, he would likely have been labeled too.

That was why Zhang Chu fought so fiercely in the military—earning accolades and recognition for the sake of clearing his family's name. Eventually, he succeeded in rehabilitating their reputation.

The Zhang family was no longer labeled as rightists.

Unfortunately, by the time their name was cleared, his parents and brothers had all died in a flood while trying to save state property. When he received the news, Zhang Chu locked himself in his dorm for an entire day and night. No one knew what he thought about during that time.

Regardless of how the commander and political commissar tried to comfort him, he didn't open the door. He simply told them he needed some time alone.

And alone he stayed—through the night.

When the door finally opened, Zhang Chu requested to be sent to the front lines again.

He had led troops before, but now he had even more reason to fight—he wanted to earn military honors and win the right for his nieces and nephews to follow him in the military.

Being allowed to accompany a military member was no small thing. Typically, only a soldier's spouse and underage children could follow. Since Zhang Chu was unmarried, he had no official dependents. But in recognition of the family's sacrifices, his superiors made a special exception, allowing his brother's children to accompany him.

Still, Zhang Chu knew this wasn't enough.

In those times, the military was the safest place, and countless people longed to be part of it. He didn't want his commander or commissar to be criticized for favoritism. He wanted to earn this privilege with honor.

So, he needed more merit—heroic merit.

Suppressing his grief, Zhang Chu returned to the battlefield. There, he achieved extraordinary feats, earning an exceptional promotion and the right for his nieces and nephews to live with him on base.

Unfortunately, it was also during that campaign that he suffered a serious leg injury.

With his leg hurt, he had to transfer to a non-combat role or retire. Though well-compensated, to a soldier like him—someone who thrived amid gunfire and the camaraderie of the military—this was painful.

He didn't want to leave the army.

His commanders struggled with the decision too. As a frontline unit constantly at risk of war, they couldn't afford to keep someone whose leg might not heal.

In the end, Zhang Chu was sent to the rear for recovery.

The night before he left, the commander promised him: his position would be held for six months. If his leg recovered, he'd be welcomed back immediately.

A military genius like Zhang Chu—they didn't want to lose him.

And so, Zhang Chu returned to his hometown. He worried most about his nieces and nephews. Even when stationed far away, he'd kept informed about the local situation. It turned out he was right to be concerned. If he hadn't brought military rations with him, he might have come home to find three starving children.

Thinking of the three thin, malnourished children he found upon arrival nearly brought tears to this hardened soldier's eyes.

They were too young to protect their own food, and with people around them scheming and opportunistic, there was constant risk of theft or deception.

Even though the Zhang family's rightist label had been removed, some malicious individuals in the village had blocked the official documents. As a result, the family was still seen as rightists, and the children were still bullied and forced to live in a cattle shed.

Because of this, Zhang Chu cracked down on those responsible—nearly demolishing the brigade office in the process. That's how he managed to reclaim part of the family home. Only then could they sit and eat in peace like this.

Thinking of all this, Zhang Chu's eyes darkened with emotion.

"Eat," he finally said.

Seeing Zhang Min restless and even little Zhang Hua affected, Zhang Chu had to speak. As he did, he glanced at Zhang Yue, sitting across from him.

Zhang Yue was the son of his eldest brother—the only one.

Perhaps due to the stigma of being a rightist's child, the gentle young boy in his memories had grown into a rebellious and strong-willed youth. Yet this young man had protected his younger cousins when no adults were around and had held their little family together.

A good kid—Zhang Chu acknowledged that.

"Uncle, do you think I'm scared like Hua Hua?"

Zhang Yue felt Zhang Chu's gaze and looked up seriously. There wasn't a trace of fear in his eyes.

"I... I'm not scared at all!"

That loud rebuttal came from five-year-old Zhang Hua, though he quickly added in a small voice, "It's sister who's scared."

"T-the brigade rang the bell... I..."

Eight-year-old Zhang Min wanted to be brave like her brother, but the memory of their parents being publicly humiliated suddenly flashed in her mind. She couldn't hold back.

"Uncle, I'm scared you'll be taken away like Mom and Dad."

Tears welled up in the little girl's eyes.

After three years in the village, she had forgotten the city's glamor. All she remembered was the traumatic sight of her family being denounced. It was a scar that couldn't be erased.

Hearing her fears, Zhang Chu felt heavy-hearted—not just him, but even Zhang Yue and Zhang Hua quickly reached out to hold her hands.

"Sister Minmin, we're not rightists anymore. Don't be scared. We'll protect you."

Girls should be protected and cherished—that was a Zhang family tradition.

"Don't worry. From now on, no one will ever dare drag us into a struggle session again."

Seeing her frightened face, Zhang Chu took a deep breath and made a solemn promise. Since their name had been cleared, their political status was no longer a problem. They were loyal children of the people. Anyone who dared to bring it up again would face his wrath.

"Really, Uncle?"

All three children asked in unison, their eyes locked on Zhang Chu's face. Despite their initial fear of this unfamiliar uncle, they trusted him completely—from the first glance.

Because Zhang Chu wore a military uniform, bearing golden epaulets trimmed with red.

They still remembered the grand scene when Uncle came home.

His return brought food, clothing, and a roof over their heads. No more cattle shed, no more bullying. Remembering all this, Zhang Min and Zhang Hua smiled. Even Zhang Yue couldn't help but curve his lips.

Now that they felt safe, they stopped worrying about the brigade and focused on eating.

After all, if the sky were to fall—Uncle would hold it up.

Seeing the children finally settle down, Zhang Chu breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't have kids of his own and didn't know how to interact with them—but he could at least give them a sense of security.

While the Zhang family no longer paid attention to the brigade's affairs, things there were reaching a confrontation.

When Li Yufang was brought to the brigade office by Liu Fuping, she was still confused—until she saw the crowd and He Manshu smiling at her with deep meaning.

Her face instantly went pale.

It's over. She'd been exposed.

Watching Li Yufang suddenly go limp in the public security director's arms, He Manshu smiled brightly.

A queen vs. a rookie—total victory.