Chapter 212: The Stone Lands

"Brother, Sister Tianhui is really too brave and too amazing!" Lu Yao sighed with full admiration.

Lu Fan nodded in agreement after hearing this and said, "Yes, 'shouldering righteousness with iron shoulders, writing articles with a wonderful pen!' It's not easy to become a qualified war reporter. You need not only the spirit of endurance but also the ability to adapt."

"Moreover, they often have to face dangerous environments like artillery fire and gunfire, to record the bloody truth, and to understand what life is and what death is!"

"So, for a girl to be able to choose and persist in this profession, Tianhui really needs enough courage to do it!"

Lu Yao suddenly said, "Brother, you are already a Vice County Chief. Shouldn't you consider the marriage issue? Otherwise, the organization will think you are immature and affect your progress!"

"You don't eat much, but you manage a lot!"

"Brother!" Lu Yao called out coquettishly, leaning over to hold her brother's arm, acting like a spoiled child, "I am your dear sister, and also your only relative in this world, so of course I have to care about my brother's marriage! You have to branch out for our family; the task is quite arduous!"

Hearing her sister say this, Lu Fan laughed, "Are you worried that brother won't be wanted? Do you think being promoted to the division level is as simple as eating and drinking water? I don't know when that will happen!"

Lu Yao looked at her brother seriously and said, "Brother, I know you are a very emotional person, and I also understand that you can't let go of the past. But memories can only stay in the past; people always have to look forward! I've called Sister Tianhui 'sister-in-law' for ten years, and suddenly I have to change how I address her. Brother, are you angry with Uncle Zhou?"

Lu Fan smiled slightly, "How could brother be so petty? After Dad passed away, Mom brought us up through hardships. Over the years, our family's land has always been farmed by Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhou, and they often sent vegetables to our house. We can never forget those who were good to us."

"Which parents don't love their children? After Mom passed away, we were both in school—one in high school, one in junior high—and the future was visible at a glance. Uncle Zhou is a rural person; weighing the pros and cons is human nature. Who would willingly push their own child into a fire pit? Breaking the engagement is understandable; it's perfectly normal. I have never blamed Uncle Zhou."

Lu Yao sighed and said, "Yes, I know Sister Tianhui very well. She is very traditional. Since she was a child, her mind has been on you, and she can't hold anyone else in her heart. Brother, are you really not planning to consider Sister Tianhui?"

After listening to Lu Yao's words, Lu Fan was silent for a while and replied, "Yaoyao, brother will tell you the truth. I really don't have the mind to fall in love right now. I need some time to adjust my state. But don't worry, brother won't be single forever." After speaking, he patted his sister's shoulder, indicating that she didn't need to worry too much.

Lu Yao raised her head and said, "Brother, since we met in Jingcheng last time, Sister Zimeng has looked for me several times, and we often chat. My impression of her is that she is very independent and knowledgeable, and has unique thinking and insights on many things. Moreover, Sister Zimeng is also particularly gentle and considerate, and will definitely be very virtuous in the future!"

Lu Fan laughed again and said, "Do you think working in a ministry is an easy thing? Everyone there has an extraordinary background; none of them are simple!"

Lu Yao was slightly startled when she heard this, a flash of surprise in her beautiful eyes, but she immediately returned to calm and nodded lightly. Immediately after, she seemed to remember something and said again, "Oh, by the way, Sister Yujia has also looked for me twice. She is a very good person, enthusiastic and cheerful."

However, Lu Fan shook his head, his tone carrying a trace of faint melancholy, and said, "Yaoyao, there are some things you don't quite understand. Marriage is not a simple matter of two people; it involves many aspects, including being well-matched in social and economic status. Only when the family background, social status, and economic strength of the two people are equivalent or not far apart will there be more common language, and it will be easier to understand and support each other."

"Conversely, it will trigger contradictions and conflicts in life, making each other feel exhausted and powerless, and will bring great pressure and trouble to the weaker side."

"So, Yaoyao, when you choose a marriage, you must consider it carefully. Brother hopes you can find someone who truly suits you and loves you, and have a happy and fulfilling marriage."

"Also, you know brother's personality; I'm a bit chauvinistic and not good at communication. Sigh, perhaps everything is destined; it just depends on fate!" After speaking, he couldn't help but sigh deeply, as if there were endless worries and anxieties in his heart.

"Brother, I hope you can find that true love of your own and live a happy and fulfilling life! No matter who the future sister-in-law is, as long as you like her, I will firmly support you!"

Lying on the bed, Lu Fan thought of Zhou Tianhui on the TV and couldn't help but pick up his phone and send a message: Safety first, take care!

Since he could remember, Tianhui had been called his "little wife" by people in the village and classmates. Growing up together, they could be considered childhood sweethearts.

That little girl who followed behind him all day had grown up now and was in a dangerous place. Lu Fan couldn't remain indifferent.

But after waiting for a long time, the message hadn't been returned, which made Lu Fan feel a bit surprised.

Although the two communicated little, every time he asked a question, Zhou Tianhui would reply in seconds. Was she busy with work? Or?

Lu Fan didn't dare to think further. He hoped everything was well!

After going to work the next day, the Director of the Culture Bureau, Wang Shuoxu, came to "report" early again.

Entering the door, he said, "County Chief Lu, this is the speech for the Lantern Festival gala. Please take a look!"

Lu Fan flipped through it roughly and smiled, "I have no opinion. You decide for yourself!"

Wang Shuoxu said sincerely, "County Chief Lu, I will retire in a year or two. My thinking will inevitably be a bit slack, and I won't be as active and proactive in my work as before. These past two days, I have made a profound self-reflection and realized where my problems lie. As a leading cadre, as long as the organization hasn't announced it, I must stand my last post well! The Culture Bureau is a component department of the government, and County Chief Lu is our leader in charge, so our work must be carried out in an orderly manner under your leadership. Here, I sincerely invite you to attend the opening ceremony of this gala and give a speech to the people of the whole county!"

Lu Fan was not the kind of person who wouldn't let go. He hadn't even dealt with Wang Shuoxu before; it was just that their positions and stances were different.

They were all in the same county. The best situation was that without affecting work, everyone would be fine.

Since he saw the attitude and there was a step down, Lu Fan smiled slightly, "The gala can enrich and activate the spiritual and cultural life of the people and promote the rapid development of the county's culture and tourism industry, so I will attend!"

"I will raise a few more requirements: 1. The Culture Bureau must deploy carefully, cooperate closely with relevant units, fully collaborate, organize rehearsals seriously, and effectively grasp the implementation of various tasks. We must focus on publicizing and reporting on our county's Spring Festival cultural activities, especially increasing external publicity to continuously improve the popularity and influence of Ningyang culture and tourism."

"2. All participating units must do a good job in safety precautions, establish specific and clear safety responsibility systems, and make careful arrangements and strict checks for all links such as transportation, dining, accommodation, rehearsals, and performances to ensure no problems occur."

"3. We must strictly implement the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulation, and in the principle of enthusiasm and thrift, strive to simplify expenses and resolutely oppose extravagance and waste!"

Wang Shuoxu felt relieved and immediately said, "Alright, we will strictly follow County Chief Lu's instructions and requirements to organize the gala activities closely."

Wang Shuoxu left satisfied, and Lu Fan began to read documents.

However, for some reason today, he always felt restless.

Thinking carefully, it was because Zhou Tianhui hadn't replied to the message yet. Had something happened?

Lu Fan couldn't help but open the computer to check the news, constantly searching for news related to Yemen, but there was no clue.

Time passed minute by minute, and in the blink of an eye, it was near evening, but Zhou Tianhui still hadn't replied to the message.

Lu Fan began to feel restless, his eyes fixed on the computer screen.

Finally, driven by inner anxiety and restlessness, Lu Fan dialed Zhou Tianhui's phone.

However, the prompt tone that came from the other end of the phone was disappointing: "Sorry, the user you dialed is temporarily unreachable. Please dial again later..."

These conditions made Lu Fan's mood even heavier, and a sense of foreboding surged in his heart.

As the time to get off work approached, Lu Fan's mood became more anxious.

At this moment, he could almost conclude that Zhou Tianhui must have encountered some accident. Thus, he prayed silently for her in his heart, praying to God to bless her to be safe and sound, and that no bad news would come!

After returning home, Lu Fan lay on the sofa listlessly.

Lu Yao discovered that her brother was not normal and leaned over to ask, "Brother, nothing happened, right?"

Lu Fan suddenly sat up and said, "Has Tianhui contacted you these past two days?"

"No, what's wrong? I'm also a bit curious; sending her messages doesn't get a reply. Brother, is everything okay?" Thinking about where Sister Tianhui was, Lu Yao immediately said in horror, "Brother, nothing happened to Sister Tianhui, right?"

Lu Fan sighed and said, "I hope good people have a safe life!"

Lu Yao's tears were almost falling. After all, they grew up together, and Sister Tianhui treated her like a real sister, caring for her everywhere. How could she not be worried now?

The siblings sat silently on the sofa, their faces looking very heavy.

At eight o'clock in the evening, Lu Fan's WeChat rang once. He picked it up and took a look. It was actually sent by Zhou Tianhui. He hurriedly unlocked the screen to read the message.

"Brother Fan, everything is well, don't worry!"

Seeing this sentence, the stone in Lu Fan's heart finally landed. He replied: Pay attention to safety!

Seeing this, Lu Yao immediately dialed the phone, and it finally got through!

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