Chapter 155: The Soviet Union Person

"But, but..." the eldest cousin said "but" twice, only to be interrupted by her husband: "But my ass! Tell me, do you really believe that side can still fight back?"

The eldest cousin didn't even think about it: "Fight my ass, what era do you think this is?"

The man said: "That settles it, so why should we still risk our necks?"

The eldest cousin worried: "But what about that little slut, how are we going to answer to her?"

The man curled his lips and said: "Answer? Answer what?" As he spoke, the man's eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a sinister look beneath his honest appearance, and he continued in a low voice: "We did everything according to her wishes, sparing no cost to keep Wang Bingyi from training, but if the leadership transferred him elsewhere, who can we blame for that?"

The eldest cousin curled her lips.

The man continued: "I don't know if you remember, but the Station Chief said back then that we must obey orders, that the orders of our superiors are greater than the heavens, but... our abilities are limited; if things are left as they are and we can't get them done, that's not our problem."

The eldest cousin, however, disagreed: "That's if the higher-ups are reasonable with you, but do you think that slut is reasonable?"

The man said: "So what if she's unreasonable? At most she'll throw a tantrum, what else can she do? Give her face, and she's a Special Commissioner; don't give her face, and she's nothing."

At this moment, Ning Weidong did not yet know that there was an ulterior motive behind the repeated trouble being stirred up around Wang Bingyi.

But even if he knew, he wouldn't have any particular thoughts; after all, if people have different stances, it is truly difficult to empathize with one another.

At this time, Zhao Ruyi came to Ning Weidong's Office and brought him some bad news.

Zhao Ruyi's expression was serious and carried a sense of gloom.

Ning Weidong guessed it wasn't good news the moment he saw her, and when he asked, it was indeed so.

There was a problem over in Heilongjiang Province.

Originally, according to the ideas of Ning Weidong and Zhao Ruyi, getting Liu Yun's eldest brother and his family back from Heilongjiang Province presented no technical difficulty at all.

Who would have thought that an unexpected situation would arise.

Ning Weidong frowned and said: "Soviet Union people!"

Zhao Ruyi nodded.

Ning Weidong pondered and said: "Could it be of Russian ethnicity?"

Zhao Ruyi showed a helpless expression: "How could I get that wrong? I even specifically asked my cousin, and he said that your classmate's sister-in-law is no ordinary Soviet Union person."

Ning Weidong raised an eyebrow: "Not an ordinary person?"

Zhao Ruyi said: "This woman is named Natasha, and her father was an expert who supported us back in the day; he later returned to the Soviet Union and is now the factory director of the Boli Tractor Factory."

It was about what Ning Weidong had estimated; otherwise, why would a Soviet Union girl have run all the way to China?

It was just that, with a background like that, what could she have seen in Liu Yun's brother, to the point of still suffering on a farm in Heilongjiang Province?

Ning Weidong had a flash of inspiration: "Is she an illegitimate daughter?"

Zhao Ruyi shook her head: "I don't know, but anyway, this matter is more troublesome than we thought. We have to ask your classmate what exactly is going on and why she didn't say anything sooner."

Ning Weidong remained silent; he indeed had to ask Liu Yun.

But what was more important was what to do now.

Encountering this kind of situation, there were two most direct choices: either continue, or give up.

A moment later, Ning Weidong said: "Let me think about it first. By the way, did they say anything else over there?"

Zhao Ruyi said: "They didn't say anything else, just asked if we were aware of this situation."

Ning Weidong understood; Zhao Ruyi's cousin was afraid that she had been deceived, because Zhao Ruyi hadn't mentioned Natasha's situation in her previous telegram.

Ning Weidong reached out, picked up the telephone on the desk, and dialed: "Hello, please help me call Liu Yun from the No. 3 Courtyard... I am her classmate, my surname is Ning..."

Liu Yun's family property was near Fuchengmen, but after she married Yang Zhengdong, she moved to Dongcheng.

After waiting for a long time, the auntie at the public telephone finally called Liu Yun over.

A "hello" came from the other end, and Ning Weidong said on the spot: "Liu Yun, what is going on with you?"

Liu Yun heard the unfriendly tone, was taken aback, and felt somewhat confused: "Wha... what is going on?"

Ning Weidong felt she didn't seem to be playing dumb, so he simply laid it out: "Your sister-in-law, don't tell me you don't know."

"My sister-in-law?" Liu Yun was somewhat confused: "What about my sister-in-law?"

Her reaction was not slow; she immediately realized and hurriedly said: "Weidong, listen to me, I swear to mzx, I haven't even met my sister-in-law yet. My brother just wrote in a letter that he got married in Heilongjiang Province and even had a child; I really don't know anything else... Um, what's wrong with my sister-in-law?"

Ning Weidong was silent for a moment; he mostly believed Liu Yun's oath.

A moment of silence fell over the phone.

Ten seconds later, Ning Weidong said: "Your sister-in-law is a Soviet Union person..."

On the other end, Liu Yun's eyes widened instantly, revealing an expression of disbelief.

She had thought of many possibilities, even that her sister-in-law was a wanted criminal, but she never imagined her brother had actually found a Soviet Union wife. Her heart then tightened; listening to Ning Weidong's implication, her sister-in-law's identity clearly affected the matter of transferring them back to Beijing.

Liu Yun hurriedly inquired.

Ning Weidong said: "Liu Yun, we are old classmates, so I'll speak the truth: your brother's matter really wasn't a big deal originally, but now... I can't really say."

After finishing, Ning Weidong hung up the phone, and Zhao Ruyi asked: "Weidong, what should we do? Are we not going to go through with this?"

Saying this, Zhao Ruyi clearly carried a sense of disappointment.

Ning Weidong had already taken her to see that Siheyuan before, and after going there, she had been thinking about it; now that it was suddenly said to be off, she was naturally unhappy in her heart.

Conversely, Ning Weidong didn't care much about that courtyard, but was instead more concerned about Liu Yun's sister-in-law.

Whether there was any value in a suspected illegitimate daughter of a director of a large Soviet Union factory living in exile.

However, there was no point in imagining such things out of thin air; to know, one must investigate. Without investigation, there is no right to speak.

Ning Weidong said in a low voice: "Ruyi, you contact your cousin immediately and have him find out the background of this Natasha no matter what; this is very important to us."

Zhao Ruyi's eyes lit up.

Ning Weidong saying this meant he hadn't given up on this matter, and her courtyard still had hope.

She immediately said: "Okay, I'll go now." After finishing, she ran out in a flurry.

Ning Weidong was left alone in the Office; he pushed aside the books on the desk, having no mood to continue reading.

Pondering the situation of sister-in-law Liu Yun in his mind, could this be an opportunity?

……

That evening, Ning Weidong got off work and headed home.

Just as he reached the entrance of the hutong on his bicycle, he saw Liu Yun and her husband waiting. Ning Weidong slowed down to a glide, reached them, and hopped off the bike.

Seeing the two of them looking for him, Ning Weidong was not surprised.

Given the situation during the day, if Liu Yun was sensible and still wanted Ning Weidong to continue helping, she would definitely have to come in person tonight.

Unless she had given up and was content with just talking briefly over the phone.

Sure enough……

"Ning Weidong, I'm really sorry……" Liu Yun started by apologizing, her attitude very sincere.

Ning Weidong waved his hand: "Old classmate, why say such things? Besides, you didn't do it on purpose." As he spoke, he nodded to Yang Zhengdong: "Don't stand outside, let's go inside to talk."

Liu Yun and her husband breathed a secret sigh of relief; at least Ning Weidong wasn't angry.

The three of them pushed their bicycles along the hutong and returned to the Dazayuan.

As soon as they entered the gate, Ning Weidong saw Wang Zipeng inside, craning his neck to look around; seeing him enter, he immediately stepped forward.

But then he noticed Liu Yun and her husband following behind and stopped in his tracks.

Ning Weidong glanced over, pretended not to see him, greeted Lu Daye, and turned into the side courtyard.

Bai Fengyu's leg had mostly healed; two days ago, she had cleared her injury leave and returned to work at the Neighborhood Committee.

These past few days, she had been riding high.

Previously, because of the strange sounds under the water well, the Police Station had been alerted, leading to the discovery of a tunnel.

Bai Fengyu had earned some credit, and coupled with her injury, she was bound to receive a commendation.

Originally, Bai Fengyu was just a Temporary Worker, but this time Ning Weidong had long since pointed her in the right direction, telling her to go visit Director Wang of the Neighborhood Committee and several leaders at the Street Office more often.

However, Ning Weidong didn't say much more, nor did he pester her to help.

It mainly depended on whether Bai Fengyu herself was cut out for it.

If she could make a name for herself at the Neighborhood Committee, Ning Weidong might be able to give her a push when necessary in the future; after all, she was one of his own.

"Weidong, off work~" Bai Fengyu greeted him briskly, her smiling face looking even more bright and beautiful.

Ning Weidong responded, and Liu Yun and her husband, who were following behind him, couldn't help but take an extra look at Bai Fengyu.

Truly, in this era where people didn't wear makeup, a woman as pretty as Bai Fengyu was a rare sight.

What surprised them even more was that right behind Bai Fengyu, Bai Fengqin followed out, and she was just as pretty! Bai Fengqin also greeted him generously; ever since Ning Weidong helped her find someone last time, she had decided to take the exam for an out-of-town university, and her top choice was Handong University.

However, with Bai Fengqin's current scores, she was likely still a bit short of getting into Handong University.

With the college entrance exam approaching, Bai Fengqin had been like someone possessed these past few days, reviewing until one or two in the morning every day, with two very obvious dark circles under her beautiful large eyes.

Ning Weidong was stunned when he saw her: "Uh, Fengqin? You need to balance work and rest; don't ruin your health."

Bai Fengqin's spirits were actually quite good, and she said with a smile, "It's fine."

Once inside the room, he had Liu Yun and her husband sit down. Ning Weidong offered to pour them water, but Liu Yun quickly said: "No need, don't trouble yourself, let's talk about the real business."

Ning Weidong went through the motions of being polite, then sat down and said with composure: "Liu Yun, what am I supposed to say about you! You didn't even tell me about such an important situation in advance!"

Liu Yun said with a bitter face: "I really didn't know! Weidong, what should we do now? Is there still hope?"

Ning Weidong pursed his lips and shook his head: "It's hard to say. Your sister-in-law's status is a bit sensitive. If she were a Russian from within the country, or even an ordinary Soviet citizen, we could insist she's Russian……"

Liu Yun was also complaining; she had never known her brother had such ability, to have gotten involved with a foreign woman in Heilongjiang Province.

What the hell was this? She had originally come to Ning Weidong, even going so far as to use the information about that Siheyuan as a bargaining chip, thinking this matter was a sure thing.

Who would have thought such a mess would happen in the middle.

She had no other choice but to beg Ning Weidong to think of a way.

Ning Weidong said: "It's too early to say now. I've already found people to investigate over there; your sister-in-law's specific background is very important."

Liu Yun nodded quickly.

Ning Weidong said: "Don't just nod. Go back and send a telegram to your brother immediately, explain the situation, and tell him to cooperate actively. Don't hide anything from our own people, understand?"

Liu Yun nodded repeatedly: "I'll go first thing tomorrow."

Ning Weidong added: "Also, originally this matter wouldn't have been a big deal, but now…… it's really hard to say. If it doesn't work out, don't blame me."

Liu Yun said "I wouldn't," and added: "That~ regardless of whether this works or not, Old Yang and I owe you this favor. If it really doesn't work out, I can't blame you; it can only mean my older brother and his family don't have the luck for it."

Ning Weidong nodded secretly; this couple was clear-headed: "Alright, I'll do my best on my end. We'll talk again once we know the situation."

After confirming the situation, Liu Yun and her husband didn't stay long. They came out of Ning Weidong's house and pushed their bikes, not in a hurry to ride them.

Liu Yun couldn't help but sigh, whispering: "Old Yang, do you think there's still hope for this?"

Although she hadn't shown it while at Ning Weidong's house, Liu Yun felt discouraged inside.

Yang Zhengdong said: "Let's not rush to conclusions. Since Ning Weidong told us to wait, we'll wait."

Liu Yun said: "Do you think there's still hope?"

Yang Zhengdong said: "What I think doesn't matter; it only matters what Ning Weidong thinks. You saw the situation just now; he clearly hasn't given up, which means there is hope."

Liu Yun nodded silently, knowing in her heart that Yang Zhengdong was mostly trying to comfort her.

She couldn't help but whisper: "Old Yang, thank you, this time……"

Before she could finish, Yang Zhengdong interrupted: "What's with the thanks? We're a couple; your parents are my parents. How could I not put in the effort when we run into a situation like this?"

Liu Yun said "Mm," then sighed again: "What kind of situation is this~ There are three of us siblings. My older brother was spoiled since childhood; he got the best of everything, and he was the one who worried the family the most. The only time was when he chose to go to the countryside; one of the three of us kids had to go. At the time, he stood up resolutely and went to the freezing Heilongjiang Province, and he stayed for six years……"

Yang Zhengdong also sighed. He had known Liu Yun for a long time; they weren't exactly childhood sweethearts, but they knew each other inside and out.

He comforted her: "Don't worry, everything will be fine. Even if it doesn't work this time, there will be another chance."

Liu Yun said: "There aren't that many chances."

Yang Zhengdong smiled: "Why wouldn't there be? As long as we keep our relationship with Ning Weidong stable, we'll always find a chance in the future."

Liu Yun was stunned for a moment, and could not help but stop in her tracks, then immediately reacted: "You mean..."

Yang Zhengdong said: "That's right, you should have seen it this time too; if it weren't for the accident with your sister-in-law, it would have been no difficulty at all for Ning Weidong to transfer your brother's family back from Heilongjiang Province."

Liu Yun nodded; she had also sensed it.

Yang Zhengdong continued: "So, as long as we hold onto this thread, once the policies become more relaxed in the future, we will certainly be able to get Big Brother and the others back."

(End of this chapter)