Chapter 1730: Meeting the Family

Eight dilapidated vehicles, some with shattered windows and even bloodstains hanging from their frames, rolled out of Bolamula in a mighty procession.

The convoy did not pause for a moment; under the glow of the sun that would soon hide behind the sacred mountain, it sped toward the county town, dragging a long trail of dust.

One vehicle drove straight into the hospital compound. Samba loudly called for people in the yard to help carry out Tso, who had already fainted, rushing him inside to find a Physician to remove the bullet.

As for Wang Yan and the others, they drove directly to the Gongan Bureau. They then dragged the twenty-four men out of the vehicles; even those on the verge of death received no gentle treatment.

At this moment, these twenty-four poachers were truly miserable. Having gone without food or water, their lips were cracked and pale, their cheeks sunken, and they swayed even while standing. Their trousers were filthy, stained by their own waste.

They simply all sat on the ground, leaning against one another, without minding the filth.

The police working there were stunned to see the mountain patrol team bring back so many people. Those on active duty rushed forward to help control the poachers, while the clerical staff gathered around to watch the spectacle.

Bureau Chief Shi Long walked over and offered Duo Jie a cigarette. "Deputy County Head Duo, what is the situation here?"

"These people ambushed us in Bolamula. There were thirty-nine of them in total. We killed twelve, three escaped, and the remaining twenty-four are all here. One of our brothers Shou Le Zhong injuries; we don't know if he will survive. Bureau Chief Shi, you must investigate this thoroughly. These poachers are truly rampant."

Bureau Chief Shi Long's jaw dropped. Forty people attacking fewer than ten members of the mountain patrol team, causing only one casualty to the patrol, yet only three escaped while twenty-four were captured alive?

If these people weren't standing right before his eyes, Shi Long would never have believed this actually happened.

"How did you manage it? With so many of them, they couldn't defeat you?" Shi Long couldn't help but ask.

"Of course we couldn't beat them. At the time, our vehicles were stuck and we were surrounded. It was Wang Yan who arrived to rescue us. His marksmanship is incredibly accurate; he alone suppressed all forty of them. Of those twelve killed, eleven were taken down by him."

Wang Yan was smoking nearby; hearing this, he smiled and waved his hand. "Bullets were flying everywhere; who knows which ones hit whom? Moreover, without everyone else providing suppression, I wouldn't have had the chance to fire. Bureau Chief Shi, these poachers are extremely wealthy. They treat weapons and ammunition as if they cost nothing, holding down the triggers of their AKs without letting go, sending bullets raining down so thickly we couldn't even lift our heads."

Bureau Chief Shi said, "I know you are being modest, but I still find it hard to believe. Killing eight people during your two previous trips into the mountains was impressive enough; I didn't expect you to pull off something so big this time, killing eleven?"

"If possible, I wouldn't want to kill a single one of them. There was truly no other way, Bureau Chief Shi; we were forced." Wang Yan waved his hand. "Duo Jie, I'm going to the hospital to check on Tso's condition."

"Go ahead." Duo Jie knew Wang Yan did not wish to speak further with Shi Long.

"I'm off, Bureau Chief Shi."

After exchanging greetings, Wang Yan left first, heading toward the nearby hospital.

In truth, the members of the mountain patrol team did not care much for Shi Long, because logically, these poachers should have been handled by the public security bureau. Yet Shi Long not only failed to act, but also offered little support to the patrol team's efforts, even repeatedly hindering them. Examples included the supply of weapons and ammunition in the past, and the distribution of benefits after capturing poachers.

It was simply that the patrol team members did not understand the dynamics within the county. Shi Long was a man of Lin Peisheng, following Lin Peisheng's lead. Since Lin Peisheng opposed Duo Jie's operations in Bolamula, Shi Long naturally maintained consistency with him.

Inside the hospital, people came and went. As dusk settled, family members of patients who had set up tents in the courtyard began cooking over fires, mixing various smells together.

Wang Yan entered the hospital and found Samba waiting anxiously.

"What did they say?"

Samba shook his head. "They said he lost too much blood. The bullet is lodged in the bone, so surgery is required to remove it."

"Don't worry. I checked on him earlier; it's not a major issue." Wang Yan patted Samba's shoulder. "If Tso really couldn't hold on, he would have perished long ago during our three-day journey back. Now that he's at the hospital, there shouldn't be any serious problems. He may just need to rest and recuperate for a while."

"I hope the Mountain God protects him." Samba pressed his palms together. "He chants to the Mountain God every day; if he didn't make so much noise, the Mountain God might not even be used to him."

"You're right. For that reason alone, the Mountain God wouldn't let anything happen to Tso. Sitting here waiting aimlessly is pointless; recite some vocabulary instead. It will distract you."

Samba wanted to secure an official position and obtain an iron rice bowl, pursuing two paths simultaneously. First, waiting for a resolution to his status within the mountain patrol team; second, studying for self-taught examinations, as obtaining a degree would grant him an official position within the county.

After all, educated people were still scarce in Mazhi County, so a self-taught degree was highly valuable, making one a talented individual.

Since Wang Yan joined the mountain patrol team, he had frequently tutored Samba.

"Will I be able to memorize them?"

"If you can't memorize them, that's exactly why you must. Otherwise, sitting here worrying accomplishes nothing. Reciting vocabulary is excellent; it allows you to study while also strengthening your willpower at this moment."

Samba was about to say something when he saw Xiao Yan approaching, so he fell silent.

"You're back." Xiao Yan walked closer, looking Wang Yan up and down.

"I'm fine, everything is fine. Only Tso had bad luck, taking a bullet in the shoulder. The wound is deep, and we traveled for three days after he was hit, but I see he doesn't have any major issues."

Xiao Yan glanced at Samba, then pulled Wang Yan aside to speak softly. "I heard you were chased and killed by those poachers during this trip into the mountains?"

This was no secret, so Wang Yan recounted the events from his perspective. When Xiao Yan heard that thirty-nine people had ambushed the mountain patrol team, her mouth fell open. Hearing that He Qingyuan's vehicle got stuck and he couldn't move, she grew anxious for them, and finally, she heard how Wang Yan displayed his mighty prowess...

Yet she did not think Wang Yan was particularly awesome; she simply held onto his arm, expressing her care and worry.

"You are too reckless. What if something had happened to you? Bolamula is so vast; if anything had happened to you and Bai Ju, no one would have known."

"Duo Jie said the same thing." Wang Yan nodded with a smile. "But if I hadn't gone, Duo Jie and the others would all be dead. Then, for a period of time, no one would be managing Bolamula, and the poachers would become even more rampant. As it stands, the outcome is good, isn't it?"

"Moreover, I'm not a fool. The vehicle Bai Ju and I drove didn't get stuck; not only could we move, but we could also rescue a few more people and leave together. In the future, I will still do the same."

Xiao Yan opened her mouth, feeling slightly aggrieved. Was caring about him wrong? Yet she didn't know how to express it; tears simply welled up in her eyes.

Wang Yan said, "I clearly understand your concern, but I must still do what needs to be done. In fact, if I really considered all those factors, the two of us would never have met. After all, the decision I should have made most was not to avoid going to Bolamula, but rather not to come to Mazhi County at all. Yet I still came, I still met you, and I still went to Bolamula."

"Who cares about you!" Xiao Yan said one thing while meaning another, but she no longer wanted to cry.

"I'm not an idiot; how could I not know right from wrong? It's just that some things must be done. Please try to understand."

"What if I don't understand?"

"Then you must understand!" Wang Yan reached out and pinched Xiao Yan's nose, displaying great intimacy.

Xiao Yan let out an "Aiya," complaining that Wang Yan was being handsy, causing the highland red on her cheeks to deepen several shades.

"Have you eaten?"

Wang Yan paid no attention to Xiao Yan's idle chatter and replied, "I came straight here after leaving Bolamula; where would I have found time to eat? I plan to go to Dean Zhang's house shortly to cook something; we'll all have a simple meal."

"I should be leaving too. Or... why don't you just come to my place? I definitely have food at home, though it might not be anything fancy."

"I'm a mess, dirty and disheveled, and I don't have anything to bring. Your family doesn't know me well; wouldn't it be improper to show up unannounced?"

"What's improper about it? Everyone in the county knows you and Duo Jie are in the mountain patrol team, spending ten days or half a month in the mountains at a time. Does that mean you'll never visit my home in the future?"

Samba chimed in from the side, "She's right, College Student. Moreover, you have no family; even if you marry her in the future, you won't be able to leave her family's home. Going anytime is the same. Bringing gifts is a gesture of sincerity, but under current circumstances, it's inconvenient. You can make up for it later."

Xiao Yan glared at Samba, feeling that by calling Wang Yan an orphan, Samba was poking at his wounds.

Wang Yan laughed heartily. "Why are you glaring at Samba? What he said makes sense. My situation is a fact, and there's nothing bad about stating it. Let's go to your place; let's go."

"I'll go change my clothes and then we'll leave." Xiao Yan turned around happily and walked away quickly.

Flipping through the vocabulary book in his hand, Samba watched Xiao Yan's joyful figure and couldn't help but sigh, "If Old He were as straightforward and decisive as you, he and Wangmu would have been together long ago; by now, their child would be old enough to herd cattle."

Wang Yan smiled but said nothing. Once Xiao Yan emerged, he went out, drove a Jeep, and headed to Xiao Yan's home.

Although he had spoken of arriving unannounced, Wang Yan still made a trip to Zheng Zheng Xinqi's place, chatted with her for a few moments, bought two bottles of wine along with some biscuits and cakes, and only then proceeded to Xiao Yan's home.

Xiao Yan's parents were both alive, having come here years ago to support the border regions; she also had an older brother, already married with children, who worked at the county's Minzheng Bureau, and they all lived together. Xiao Yan's family was surprised by Wang Yan's visit, yet they were also very warm, welcoming his arrival.

Even Xiao Yan's mother and sister-in-law busied themselves again, preparing fresh dishes. Wang Yan naturally felt no restraint, drinking with Xiao Yan's father and brother, chatting with her family members, and getting along quite harmoniously. The content of their conversation held nothing new; they still talked about matters outside...

While Wang Yan departed from here, Tso's condition over there was good. The bullet lodged in the bone had been removed, the blood loss was within an acceptable range, and afterward, he only needed to rest and recuperate for a period.

Watching Tso sleeping soundly on the hospital bed, Samba voluntarily offered to stay behind and care for him.

Dorje asked, "Where is Wang Yan? Didn't he say he was coming to see Tso?"

"He went to Xiao Yan's home," Samba replied, then repeated his earlier words to He Qingyuan.

He Qingyuan merely shook his head: "How can I compare myself to a university student? He came from the capital, attended a famous university known throughout the nation, holds a cadre position here in our Mazhi County, and earns a salary much higher than ours. He can take photographs and write articles. How can I possibly compare with him?"

"Must one possess all those things before telling the Miss one loves that 'I love you'?" Samba retorted. "We all see it clearly; Zheng Zheng Xinqi likes you too. Otherwise, she would have chased you away long ago and would never have needed your help moving things."

The unconscious Tso had awakened and said weakly, "Old He, if you love Zheng Zheng Xinqi, you must speak it out. You nearly died once already; how much longer do you intend to deceive Zheng Zheng Xinqi?"

"Just lie down and sleep," He Qingyuan said, patting Tso's arm, offering no further argument.

This brush with death, unlike in the original drama where he died without ever confessing his feelings, indeed gave him some new thoughts regarding his affection for Zheng Zheng Xinqi.

With the bullet removed from Tso, the next day Dorje sent someone to fetch Tso's parents over; after such a major incident, the family certainly had to be informed.

It was also at this time that Tso's girlfriend arrived with them. She was a young Miss from an ethnic minority, simple in thought yet strikingly beautiful; when she smiled, she revealed a mouthful of pearly white teeth, radiant in the extreme. She was deeply worried about Tso; in fact, Tso's parents did not even stay here, as it was this young Miss who had been caring for Tso all along.

"I told Old He long ago, but he just keeps hesitating. At this rate, who knows when he'll ever get results? University Student, you must take a good picture of my Drolma. If it isn't good-looking, I'll give you trouble."

Watching Wang Yan fiddling with the camera to take photos, Tso began chattering on. By his bedside, that young Miss was striking poses.

"You not speaking is when you look best."

Inside the ward, Wang Yan operated the camera, taking photographs of Tso.

This was Tso's request; he said that his Drolma had stayed by his side without abandoning him while he lay ill in bed, and this scene must be recorded to tell their children stories of the past someday. At the time, his Drolma's face had turned so red it was eight shades redder than the typical highland flush.

Tso said, "I heard you went to Xiao Yan's home; how did it go? Were her family members satisfied with you?"

"Of course they were satisfied," Wang Yan laughed. "Yesterday, I drank Xiao Yan's father and her brother both under the table."

"That is very satisfied indeed," Tso nodded; he knew Wang Yan could drink heavily, since they had sparred before.

After a few moments of laughter and banter, Tso sighed with regret: "It's a pity; I estimate I won't be able to enter the mountains with you fellows for another month or two."

"Didn't they always say it takes a hundred days for injured tendons and bones to heal? At least three months."

While Wang Yan chatted casually with Tso, he took photographs of Tso and his Drolma right there in the ward.

While Wang Yan was here joking and chatting idly with Tso, Dorje over on the other side was participating in a county meeting.

There weren't many people present, only the standing committee members who held real authority in the county, yet the content of the meeting differed from the usual.

This was because Dorje, the Deputy County Head, had been systematically targeted and ambushed by poachers.

Such an ambush targeting a cadre could even be classified as a terrorist activity. Even if the county had previously been unsupportive of Dorje's efforts to protect Bolamula, now that Dorje had been ambushed in this manner, they could not possibly sit idly by and ignore it...

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