"Second Uncle is fine. Third Brother, since you rarely come to the capital, shall we go to Quanjude or Donglaishun tonight? But those are for entertaining out-of-towners, just famous names. Let me take you to a newly opened hot pot place, I hear the taste is quite good," Yan Wei said with a smile.
Of course Yan Zhao recognized that the person who had just been talking to Yan Wei was Minister Cui.
The two had been discussing Yan Wei's transfer to civilian work.
Yan Wei was currently at the rank of senior colonel. For military personnel of this rank transferring to civilian work, a good placement would be as a deputy mayor of a city. Recently Yan Wei had asked Yan Zhao if there were any good positions in public security back in Xiping City after his transfer.
Why did Minister Cui say he should be demobilized?
Demobilization was the treatment for four-year conscripts - the state doesn't arrange work, just gives some discharge money and sends them back home to make their own way.
"What's going on? Why are you getting demobilized?" Yan Zhao asked.
Yan Wei said, "It's nothing major. If I'm demobilized, so be it. I'll make my own way afterwards."
"Companies and institutions only hire people under 35. You're over that age," Yan Zhao reminded him.
Yan Wei said very calmly, "Then I'll go into business. I hear that selling videotapes, thirteen-spice powder, and rat poison outside can make several hundred a month. I'll get 30,000 yuan for demobilization, so I'll start a small business then. Anyway, even if all the leaders in the military region collectively oppose it, I'm determined to get divorced no matter what."
After all, as the ancient saying goes, "Better to demolish ten temples than break up one marriage." So Yan Zhao said, "It's very difficult to transfer to civilian work right now, positions are extremely hard to arrange. There are hundreds of thousands of demobilized soldiers trying to make their own way. Second Sister-in-law hasn't done anything seriously wrong, why are you so set on divorcing her?"
Yan Wei opened his mouth, but then said, "Just consider me a Chen Shimei."
Hearing him be so stubborn, Yan Zhao got angry too, but since this was his older brother, he held back from scolding him.
"Let's go eat first," he called to the children.
Yan Wei hugged Little Lang and said, "Second Uncle will treat you to a good meal today."
"No need, we'll go on our own," said Yan Zhao. "You should think it over carefully. If you really get demobilized, your life will be ruined." For someone who had spent half their life in the military, going out to do business would burn through that 30,000 yuan in less than three days.
Now Yan Wei got angry too: "Third Brother, I'm still your older brother, right? I can at least afford to treat my nephews and nieces to a meal. I know Little Wang has 300,000 yuan, and Meilan does business, you have plenty of money..."
Not to mention that everyone in the courtyard looked down on him, Yan Wei kept talking about money every time he opened his mouth. Even Chen Meilan was disgusted by it.
So she said, "We already planned to eat at KFC tonight. I'm treating. Also, Second Brother, I want to make one thing clear to you - I'll account for how every cent of that 300,000 yuan is spent as it's used. If you want to hear it, I can give you a full account right now."
The children still remembered that KFC meal from two years ago, and were bouncing excitedly around the adults.
They hadn't noticed the barely contained anger of the adults, and the argument that could erupt at any moment.
"Then wait a bit, I'll go borrow Cui Zixiang's car," Yan Wei said after holding back several times.
Chen Meilan said, "I'll go with you."
She had brought some local specialties from the western market when she came, including small millet produced in Mizhi County. This millet makes a rich and fragrant porridge. She had just dug it out of her luggage - Chen Meilan had prepared it as a gift for the neighbors.
Yan Wei knocked on Minister Cui's door. The door opened directly into the living room. Cui Zixiang gave him the keys, and Aunt Cui also invited Chen Meilan in: "Your uncle is in the study, he's still busy with work after getting off. Wait a bit and chat with him for a few minutes, he wants to ask about how our Minzi is doing in Xiping City."
Chen Meilan said, "Alright, we'll come back after we finish eating." Afraid that Aunt Cui would ask her to stay for dinner, she added, "We're taking the kids to eat KFC today."
"Okay, go ahead then," said Aunt Cui.
Seeing that Chen Meilan was about to leave, she added, "Even though you're a sister-in-law, and can't really get involved in the eldest brother-in-law's family affairs, do try to persuade Yan Wei. Marriage isn't child's play - he should talk it over properly with Mi Lan and not make a fuss about divorce."
So the timing of Yan Zhao and his wife's trip to the capital coincided with when Yan Wei and his wife's divorce drama was the talk of the town. The neighbors hadn't run into Vice Minister Xu from across the way yet, but it was said that Vice Minister Xu was actually in charge of transfers and placements for military cadres.
It was as if Yan Wei had several heavy magic headbands squeezing his skull.
Thinking about it, it was quite shocking. Yan Wei had always seemed like such a straightforward man, always completely obedient to Mi Lan. For such a man to suddenly demand a divorce was quite frightening.
They got in the car, but it was right at rush hour, so they were stuck in traffic for half the day. It wasn't until 7 pm that the family finally arrived at the KFC near Qianmen. This branch had been open for two or three years already, but it was said to be packed to bursting every day, with crowds of people.
Yan Zhao and Yan Wei waited for a table while Chen Meilan took the children to order.
As soon as the freshly fried french fries were set out on the counter, Chen Meilan grabbed a few and gave each child a taste.
"So crispy!" Yuanyuan exclaimed.
Little Wang finished his and even licked the few grains of salt off his fingers.
The small shop was already crammed full of people. Chen Meilan finished getting the food and had Little Wang carry one tray while she carried another. She reached out to gather the children, but suddenly realized Little Lang was missing.
She broke out in a cold sweat and asked Yuanyuan, "Have you seen Little Lang?"
Child trafficking was terrifying these days. With her hands full of trays loaded with Coke and burgers, she nearly spilled everything on the floor when someone bumped into her.
Fortunately, Little Wang had sharp eyes and had already spotted him: "He's over there, he's already back at our table."
It turned out Little Lang had taken a french fry, but instead of eating it himself, he had run over to feed it to Yan Wei.
Little Lang was the youngest and looked very much like his second uncle. Blood relations being what they are, he was much closer to Yan Wei than Little Wang was.
The seats were very cramped, so Chen Meilan had to hold Little Lang. The little guy - whenever Chen Meilan wasn't paying attention, Little Wang and Yuanyuan would always secretly buy him Coke. But when Chen Meilan was around, she absolutely wouldn't allow him to drink it. She had gotten milk for the child, and since he didn't want to drink it, she was coaxing him to try it.
His injuries wouldn't heal, so he definitely couldn't drink Coke anymore.
Tomorrow was Saturday so they couldn't go to the hospital, but on Monday Chen Meilan would have to take him for a checkup.
Yan Wei and Yan Zhao weren't used to eating this kind of fast food, so they each just took a french fry for show.
Suddenly, Yan Zhao motioned for Yan Wei to look out the window. A group of city management officers had arrived on Qianmen Street and were driving away the vendors selling rat poison, cockroach poison, and thirteen-spice powder.
If Yan Wei really didn't back down and insisted on divorcing and going into business, he would end up like those street vendors in the future.
How could Yan Wei not have seen? He said, "Meilan, if your brother gets demobilized and wants to go back to Xiping City, how about I come work for you?"
"Sure, Second Uncle can eat with Little Lang from now on and get nice and chubby," said Little Lang, handing the milk to Yan Wei. "Uncle, drink the milk."
Chen Meilan took the milk back and glared sternly at Little Lang, indicating he should drink it.
Then she said, "Second Brother, my temple is small, I can't afford to host a god like you. Why don't you tell us the reason you want to divorce? If there's some difficulty you can't resolve yourself, maybe I can think of a way to help."
Thinking about it crudely and narrowly, Chen Meilan might assume that since Yan Wei was only in his 30s, perhaps he felt Mi Lan could no longer have children and wanted to divorce, remarry, and have his own biological son.
But even so, it wasn't worth betting his future on it.
Demobilized soldiers were all over the streets selling things like pepper powder, thirteen-spice mix, or porn videos. If he got divorced, he'd probably end up a bachelor for half his life.
Yan Wei not only wouldn't discuss it with Yan Zhao, he didn't want to talk about it with Chen Meilan either: "Forget it. If you don't want me, I'll just go back to Xiping City and start a small business on my own. I've wasted my life, never properly cared for my own mother, lost my wife and child. I'll just muddle through life until I die."
Seeing his own brother so dejected, Yan Zhao was furious. If the children hadn't been so happy, he would have blown up at him in public.
This KFC meal - Little Wang devoured two burgers, Little Lang ate three pairs of chicken wings, and they all ate a huge pile of fries. Chen Meilan really splurged, spending a total of 272 yuan.
After they finished eating, Chen Meilan lined up again and bought another burger for each of the three children.
Each child clutched a burger - their stomachs were full but their hearts weren't satisfied yet - grinning from ear to ear with joy.
Tonight, Minister Cui wanted to see Chen Meilan, mainly to ask about how Cui Min and Leader Liu's family were doing in Xiping City.
So after Chen Meilan went upstairs, figuring they had probably finished dinner already, she helped Yan Wei return the keys and then went over to Minister Cui's place again.
Unfortunately, the timing wasn't great. When she went, Minister Cui had gone to the office for an urgent meeting, and only Aunt Cui and Cui Zixiang's family were at home.
So Chen Meilan told Aunt Cui about Cui Min and her husband's situation. As Cui Min was her patron, Chen Meilan naturally focused on things the military leaders would like to hear, such as how diligent the couple was at work, especially Cui Min, who worked as an accountant - a difficult job, but one she approached with great caution.
Aunt Cui didn't say much after listening, but Cui Zixiang remarked, "Little Min called recently, saying she wants to start a business. My brother-in-law Feng Yu has been losing so much money in business that he can barely make ends meet. He's been looking for my dad lately, hoping to get some support and take over a few military factories to scrape by. It shows how tough business can be. Comrade Chen Meilan, you should advise Little Min not to entertain thoughts of going into business."
Cui Zixiang's wife, who was helping their child with homework in the study, suddenly interjected, "Businesspeople are used to crying poor. How could Feng Yu be out of money? Rich people don't let you see their wealth."
Cui Zixiang raised his voice, "Feng Yu is my buddy. How could I not know whether he has money or not?"
"He bought a house for Aunt Wang next door, and they moved out. Can you afford a house in the capital?" his wife retorted, also raising her voice.
Cui Zixiang's voice grew even louder, "That's only because of the gossip in the compound. Some of the women were wagging their tongues, saying Aunt Wang had an improper relationship with Uncle Yan. Aunt Wang couldn't stand the rumors, so she had Feng Yu borrow money to buy a house and move out. We're neighbors - you tell me, was Aunt Wang's relationship with Uncle Yan proper or not?"
Seeing Chen Meilan listening with a smile, Cui Zixiang offered an explanation.
Wang Gebi had officially moved out of the military compound to live outside about three months ago.
The reason was that there were subtle rumors in the compound suggesting she had an inappropriate relationship with Yan Peiheng.
Wang Gebi, being a quiet person with a gentle personality, couldn't bear to hear such talk and almost took sleeping pills.
However, her eldest son-in-law, Feng Yu, was filial and immediately bought a house, allowing Wang Gebi to move out and find some peace and quiet.
As a son-in-law, Feng Yu was both respectful and caring towards Wang Gebi, which first and foremost earned him praise from the old leaders in the compound for his character.
This was also why Minister Cui immediately agreed when he wanted to take over Factory 271.
As for the rumors about Wang Gebi and Yan Peiheng, even Aunt Cui and her daughter-in-law were left speechless.
Because as neighbors, they could gossip about other things, but this matter was truly unfounded.
With Cui Zixiang's explanation, his mother and wife were both rendered speechless.
Cui Zixiang, not satisfied, added, "Some people even say Aunt Wang lives at Uncle Yan's place. You all have eyes, don't you? Tell me, has Aunt Wang ever gone to Uncle Yan's house in the middle of the night?"
This left his mother and wife even more speechless.
Seeing this family start to argue over their own affairs, Chen Meilan said goodbye and left Minister Cui's home.
Standing at the door of Yan Peiheng's house, looking at the door of Wang Gebi's house next door, she had a ridiculous thought: could it be that Wang Gebi knew how to walk through walls, or had Yan Peiheng secretly made a small door somewhere unseen in his house, allowing Wang Gebi to move freely between the two houses?
It was puzzling.
In the evening, the children took a shower under their grandfather's shower head, which had better water pressure and a stronger spray.
Of course, Chen Meilan, Yuanyuan, and Little Lang slept in one room. By the time Yan Zhao finished his shower, she had even locked the door.
He and Little Wang had to sleep elsewhere.
The next day was the weekend. Chen Meilan had been tired from the previous day, and since there were hamburgers for the children to eat, she planned to simply make some soy milk for the kids and then go back to bed for a nap.
However, at that moment, someone knocked on the door. Little Wang was about to run and open it, but Yan Wei's face changed: "Little Wang, don't open it."
Little Wang stopped in his tracks and curiously asked Yan Wei, "Uncle, is it grandpa coming back?"
Yan Wei said, "It's nothing. Everyone pretend to be deaf and dumb. Don't pay attention to the people outside."
But obviously, they wished for peace, yet the disturbance wouldn't stop.
After a while, someone knocked on the door again. This time it was Cui Zixiang calling out: "Yan Wei, Mi Lan and Aunt Wang are back. Aunt Wang brought your favorite soup dumplings. Why aren't you opening the door?"
"Dad, open the door." It was Yan Ha's milky voice.
Hearing Yan Ha's voice, Yan Wei's eyes reddened, but he still pulled Little Wang back, refusing to open the door.
Chen Meilan guessed that since the couple had come yesterday, and Yan Peiheng was returning today, Mi Lan showing up now must be to seek reconciliation.
Chen Meilan didn't need to get involved in Uncle Wei's affairs; she couldn't even be bothered to watch the drama unfold.
If Yan Wei wanted to hide like a turtle, let him continue.
After all, when Yan Peiheng returned, he would be the one to deal with him.
But there seemed to be quite a crowd gathered outside the door. Yan Zhao, being image-conscious, couldn't stand it anymore. He walked over and yanked the door open.
This was Chen Meilan's first time seeing Wang Gebi. Mi Lan was also there. Face to face at the door was a middle-aged woman in her fifties, wearing a navy blue woolen coat. She was particularly thin, with very fair skin, though her hair was a bit sparse. It was permed and styled very meticulously.
Upon seeing Yan Zhao, she was a bit stunned: "Your brother hasn't come back yet?"
Yan Zhao remained silent.
Fair skin covers a multitude of flaws. Wang Gebi's quiet demeanor and slender figure formed a stark contrast with the plump Aunt Cui. Although she had aged, her face didn't show it much.
She still appeared quite charming for a woman her age.
In her hand, she held an old-fashioned food container that Chen Meilan had only seen in TV dramas, the kind old Beijingers used. However, she didn't enter the house. Instead, she extended her hand to give the food container to Yan Zhao, saying, "The breakfast outside uses old oil, and it's too greasy. It's not safe. I steamed some soup dumplings for you. These are Yan Wei's favorite. Take them."
As she spoke, she still didn't enter the house. Seeing that Yan Zhao wasn't taking the food container, she handed it to Mi Lan. Her gaze carried some of the authority of an elder as it passed through Yan Zhao to look at Yan Wei, her eyes full of reproach.
Turning around, she took out her keys to open the door next door.
Yan Ha had grown quite tall, though he was still thin. He stood at the doorway, timidly calling out to his father.
After not seeing her for over half a year, Mi Lan had changed a lot too. Her hair was dry and yellow, and she had lost weight. She wore an extremely puffy padded jacket and a thick scarf. Standing at the door, she gave Yan Ha a push: "Go on, Yan Ha. Kneel down and beg your dad. Tell him that the two of us are at the end of our rope. Ask him to take pity on us and not abandon us."
"Dad," Yan Ha called out pitifully.
The living room didn't have an entrance hall or anything, so everything was in full view.
Yan Wei was in the living room, holding Little Lang. His eyes were bloodshot, but he didn't say a word or make a sound.
Mi Lan was crying a river of tears. Seeing that Cui Zixiang was about to leave, she reached out and grabbed him: "Zixiang, please help me beg Yan Wei. I can never give him a child of his own in this lifetime, but Yan Ha regards Yan Wei as his real father. Ask him why he wants a divorce?"
If the neighbors weren't close acquaintances, it would have been easier to deal with. Yan Wei could have closed the door and hidden like a turtle, or maybe he could have gotten away with it.
But Cui Zixiang was his buddy, and Minister Cui was his leader.
All the neighbors were familiar faces who couldn't bear to watch this. Cui Zixiang said, "Yan Wei, let Mi Lan and Yan Ha in first. Do you really want to wait for my dad and Uncle Xu to come out, or do you want Commander Tao from upstairs to come down too?"
"My mother and I have all moved out. Has my mom ever come up to this floor during this time? The rumors about my mom having an improper relationship with our dad - you spread those, didn't you, Yan Wei? Old Three and his wife are here, Uncle Cui and Uncle Xu, everyone is watching. I understand you're deliberately creating trouble to get a divorce, but I don't care that you spread rumors to slander my mom. I'm just begging you not to divorce me, okay?"
Yan Wei was so angry that he jumped up, pointing his finger. He was about to go out and hit someone.
If Yan Zhao hadn't caught him in time, he would have rushed out the door.
"Lan," the door next door wasn't closed, and Wang Gebi suddenly called out, "Alright, stop talking. Mom is fine. Mom doesn't feel wronged."
Wang Gebi's call of "Lan" made Yan Zhao suddenly turn his head to look at Chen Meilan.
He probably got goosebumps all over his body. He thought this term of endearment was exclusive to his use for Chen Meilan.
He hadn't expected Wang Gebi to call her daughter the same way.
Chen Meilan wanted to laugh, but had to hold it in.
Mi Lan, on the other hand, was stomping her feet and crying: "You might not feel wronged, but I feel wronged for you. For nearly twenty years, you've raised the Yan Wei brothers with such hard work. Was it just to hear people's ridicule and insults?"
At this moment, what Yan Zhao said was exactly what Mi Lan wanted to hear. He addressed the matter directly, intending to defend Yan Wei: "Sister-in-law, no one has been spreading rumors about my father and your mother. The fact is, three months ago when I called my father, it was your mother who answered the phone."
Mi Lan had anticipated this and immediately chimed in, clutching her chest and beginning to cry: "Heaven knows, Yan Third, you can ask Yan Wei to swear on his mother's life whether my mom has set foot in your house in the past few months."
Upon hearing this, Yan Wei suddenly grabbed the military cap hanging on the wall and threw it: "You Mi, if you dare mention my mother one more time, I'll kill you."
"Yan Wei is trying to kill me, help!" Mi Lan let out a shrill scream.
Early in the morning, Minister Cui's entire family had come out, and on the other side emerged an elderly couple. Judging by the man's dignified appearance, he must be Vice Minister Xu.
The corridor was in an uproar.
Yan Peiheng hadn't returned yet, and Chen Meilan couldn't wrap her head around the phone situation.
At this moment, Yan Zhao finally understood Yan Wei's anger: "Comrade Mi Lan, please don't bring up my mother again. There's no need to dig up roots when insulting people."
"Your whole family clearly just thinks I can't have children and doesn't want me anymore," Mi Lan started shouting.
Yan Zhao, who in his previous life had managed to become the police chief of Beijing, was certainly no slouch when it came to professional capabilities.
This was just an ordinary argument, but as he stood there, Chen Meilan hadn't anticipated that it would actually turn into a criminal case.
In the blink of an eye, all the neighbors had gathered around, and Yan Wei was trembling with anger.
The children, holding their hamburgers, had all huddled together, watching the spectacle with curiosity.
And Wang Gebi's two good brothers stood not far away, observing everything with their stern gazes.
Yan Zhao asked Mi Lan, "Are you certain that old comrade Wang Gebi hasn't been to our house?"
"Yan Third..."
Yan Zhao didn't give Mi Lan time to retort, saying each word deliberately: "My wife and I indeed heard old comrade Wang Gebi answer my father's phone, and she even called him Peiheng."
Minister Cui took a step forward, and Vice Minister Xu also walked to the elevator entrance.
Mi Lan seized the opportunity: "How wonderful, Yan Zhao. As expected of brothers, your whole family speaks with one voice. But fortunately, there's heavenly justice and the law. All the neighbors are watching. Uncle Cui and Uncle Xu, Commander Tao upstairs can testify for my mother. I can swear on my dead son's life..."
To be fair, for someone like Chen Meilan who would get red-faced and heart-pounding when trying to argue, thinking of countless responses in her head but unable to voice any of them, only managing to frustrate herself to death, this kind of shrewish argument scene was beyond her ability to handle.
But Yan Zhao remained calm and collected: "Sister-in-law, don't be anxious. If there's a criminal case, we'll investigate. Please don't mention Qilin again."
"Yan Zhao, you're spewing vicious lies," Mi Lan continued to screech, her shouts echoing in the hallway as if through a surround sound system.
So Yan Zhao stopped questioning her and turned to Yan Wei: "Second brother, did you set up call forwarding for our home phone?"
Mi Lan's screeching halted midway, and Yan Wei repeated: "What do you mean by call forwarding?"
Yan Zhao explained matter-of-factly, still composed: "It's very possible that our neighbor, old comrade Wang Gebi, set up call forwarding from father's home phone to her own. You've been in the military for so many years, don't you have even this much vigilance?"
Mi Lan's half-scream got stuck in her throat.
The onlookers were also stunned simultaneously.
At this moment, the elevator doors opened, and Yan Peiheng, in full military uniform, emerged with his security detail and walked over.
Yan Wei hesitated: "Call forwarding, what does that mean?"
With so many people around, what seemed like a simple domestic dispute to most took on a different light for Yan Zhao, given his position in law enforcement. He was always on the frontline against illegal activities.
He viewed any situation first as a potential criminal act.
Now, facing several senior military district leaders, it was necessary to explain the situation thoroughly.
He said: "The home phones in the military district use a dedicated national defense line, an internal network. It's impossible to forward calls outside, but within the military district, it's possible to set up forwarding between home and office phones. You just need to submit an application. Why don't we try calling now?"
So Wang Gebi only needed to set up call forwarding. Even if she wasn't in the same room, whenever someone called, as long as Yan Peiheng wasn't there, she could answer if she wanted to.
