novelraw Chapter 196
Chapter 196
Soon,
the blood sample analysis results came out.
As expected,
the owners of the two blood samples were blood relatives.
In the ward of the military district hospital, the atmosphere was heavy yet carried a hint of subtlety.
Pei Zhengwei wore an expression of perfectly measured surprise.
"You... you're really my brother?"
"Yes."
Pei Zhengnian's mood was somewhat heavy.
He had originally thought the person before him might be an enemy agent.
After all, how could his own elder brother possibly want his life?
But now, it seemed, the brother was real, and the desire to kill him was also real.
Pei Zhengwei looked at Pei Zhengnian, his expression complex.
"I never expected you to truly be my kin."
"So I wasn't an orphan after all."
"It seems the head injury caused me to lose my memory."
In just a few words, Pei Zhengwei managed to explain why he didn't recognize Pei Zhengnian.
It all sounded perfectly reasonable.
"Big brother, where did you go after you lost your memory?"
Pei Zhengnian looked at Pei Zhengwei, his eyes filled with concern.
"I don't really remember. I woke up in a hospital."
"My godfather saved me, and I've been working with him at the steel mill."
Working at a steel mill?
It seemed Pei Zhengwei had been careless during the previous assassination attempt, failing to realize Pei Zhengnian had already discovered him.
This so-called brother of his harbored ill intentions!
Pei Zhengnian lowered his eyelids, concealing the coldness in his eyes.
Pei Zhengwei, his face full of excitement—his acting skills were truly top-notch—took a few steps forward, making a move to embrace Pei Zhengnian, his voice trembling with just the right amount of emotion,
"Brother, I never thought I still had family!"
Pei Zhengnian's expression remained unchanged on the surface, but inwardly he sneered. Playing along with Pei Zhengwei's performance, he reached out and returned the embrace loosely,
"Brother, Mother and I have been worried sick about you all these months."
Pei Zhengnian's voice was low, carrying a touch of perfectly measured choke, his acting skills no less impressive than Pei Zhengwei's.
Pei Zhengwei released Pei Zhengnian, gripping his shoulders tightly, his eyes rimmed red,
"I'm sorry, it's my fault as your elder brother."
"I'll go apologize to Mother and the others right away."
Pei Zhengnian nodded slightly, his eyes revealing the joy of a lost-and-found reunion,
"Coming back is all that matters, coming back is all that matters."
"Mother will be overjoyed when she finds out."
So eager to see Mother already?
What is he planning?
Pei Zhengnian's mind was already working on how to subtly prevent Pei Zhengwei from seeing Pei's Mother.
At that moment, Jiang Shuyi walked into the ward carrying medicine. Seeing this scene, a flicker of imperceptible satisfaction passed through her eyes.
She walked forward with a smile,
"Comrade Pei, time for your medicine."
"Let me help you."
Pei Zhengwei hypocritically took the medicine from Jiang Shuyi's hand.
During their movements, their eyes met briefly.
Pei Zhengnian noticed it keenly.
These two have a problem.
"Zhengnian, come, let me help you."
"Thank you, brother."
Sun Xuelin stood to the side, watching the touching scene of the two brothers reuniting and showing affection for each other. His brow furrowed slightly, feeling something wasn't quite right.
He observed Pei Zhengnian and Pei Zhengwei's every move closely, yet couldn't pinpoint the source of that strange feeling.
He only felt that beneath Pei Zhengnian's seemingly emotional expression, his eyes were too calm; and Pei Zhengwei's enthusiasm seemed a bit too deliberate.
But he didn't dwell on it, chalking it up to his own overthinking. After all, they were long-lost brothers; some odd behavior during a reunion was normal.
In the ward, the act of the brothers' reunion continued to play out. Each person carried their own agenda, and beneath the seemingly warm atmosphere, undercurrents were swirling. A storm seemed to be quietly brewing.
...
After Pei Zhengwei left,
Pei Zhengnian quickly got up. His injuries were almost healed.
The hospital had just ordered him to stay a few more days for observation.
He knew this matter could no longer be kept from Pei's Mother.
There were some things he needed to discuss properly with his family.
"Let's go."
Pei Zhengnian gave Sun Xuelin a direct look.
"Where to?"
Sun Xuelin didn't think much of it and followed.
"To make a phone call, and then home."
...
Pei Zhengnian didn't dare make the call from the hospital, afraid it would reach Jiang Shuyi's ears, and then Pei Zhengwei would surely know.
The two walked down the street until they reached a guesthouse, where they went inside.
Pei Zhengnian quickly dialed the number for Wang Family Village.
Wang Jianguo wasn't there; Zheng Tongwei answered the phone.
Five minutes later,
Zheng Tongwei brought Father Pei to the village committee to take the call.
He himself very consciously left the village committee office, giving Father Pei and Pei Zhengnian privacy.
Pei Zhengnian was brief and to the point,
"Oldest is back. Changed."
Hearing this, Father Pei's brow knitted tightly.
"You mean Zhengwei?"
"Yes."
There was a guesthouse attendant nearby. Even though Sun Xuelin was already chatting animatedly with them, drawing all the attention, Pei Zhengnian still spoke cryptically.
A storm of shock and turmoil rose in Father Pei's heart. His hand trembled slightly.
"The sincere heart is gone?"
"Yes."
Pei Zhengnian's words plunged Father Pei on the other end of the line into complete silence.
After a long while, Father Pei's voice came through again.
"Those who follow different paths cannot work together."
"We're in the capital. He wants to find Mother. I can't stop him anymore."
Pei Zhengnian's voice remained heavy, but his heart was no longer shadowed by the previous gloom.
"Tell your mother directly."
Father Pei and Pei's Mother had been revolutionary comrades for a lifetime; how could he not understand her?
"Alright."
...
In the small courtyard house in a Beijing hutong, sunlight filtered through the grapevines, weaving dappled patterns of light and shadow on the ground.
Shen Nanchu leaned back in a rattan chair, her hand resting gently on her round, prominent belly. Her long hair was casually tied up, revealing a smooth forehead.
"Drink slowly. The chicken soup is freshly made, don't burn yourself."
Pei's Mother walked over carrying an enamel bowl, carefully placing it on the small table next to Shen Anna's hand.
"Thank you, Mother."
Shen Nanchu scooped up a spoonful of soup, blew on it, and took a small sip.
"How is it? Is the saltiness right?"
Pei's Mother looked at Shen Nanchu expectantly.
"Perfect. It's super delicious."
Shen Nanchu's affirmation made Pei's Mother's heart bloom with joy.
After all, Shen Nanchu had quite a discerning palate!
"Good, then I'll pack some to take to Zhengnian later."
As soon as the words left her mouth, a knock sounded at the courtyard gate.
Knock, knock, knock...
Pei's Mother opened the door to find Pei Zhengnian and Sun Xuelin standing outside.
Pei's Mother was stunned for a full three seconds before she started scolding,
"Pei Zhengnian, why aren't you resting properly in the hospital? What are you doing back here?"
"What if your wound reopens?"
Pei's Mother was both angry and worried. She wanted to swat Pei Zhengnian a couple of times but was afraid of hitting his injury.
"Mother, I'm being careful!"
"It's fine."
Shen Nanchu, however, was quite composed. She looked up at him, a note of teasing in her tone,
"The wound doesn't hurt anymore? Daring to discharge yourself, do you think you can leap over buildings and run through walls now?"
Pei Zhengnian didn't argue. He placed an oil-paper package on the table, from which a rich aroma of sugar-roasted chestnuts wafted out.
Walking over to Shen Nanchu and squatting down beside her, Pei Zhengnian gently placed his large hand over her belly. The warmth from his palm seeped through the fabric, covering her protruding pregnant belly,
"The doctor said I'm recovering well. Just came home to see you all for a bit, I'll go back soon."
His voice was a bit lower than usual, carrying a note of weakness yet remaining steady.
"These chestnuts are freshly bought, still warm. Let me peel some for you."
"I can do it myself."
Shen Nanchu shook her head and instead pushed the bowl of chicken soup she was holding into Pei Zhengnian's hands.
"Mother Pei just finished stewing it."
"Drink it while it's hot."
……