Chapter 104: Night Confessions, Lu Qingshan Finally Lays Down a Thousand‑Pound Burden, Tears Flood Yue E

The train from Beijing to Shenyang was packed with people, and the air was so thick it felt like solidified glue.

Lu Qingshan finally managed to snag a standing ticket, yet even a spot to set his feet was hard to find.

He simply shoved the cardboard box packed with strong white liquor into a corner at the carriage junction, not caring whether it was uncomfortable, and plopped himself down.

The wheels clanged monotonously against the rails, each jolt feeling as if it would shatter his bones.

He hadn't slept for days and nights, his eye sockets sunk, his beard ragged, and the coarse cloth shirt he wore was crumpled and dust‑caked.

But he carried news of monumental joy, and his heart felt like drinking chilled sour plum soup in the midsummer heat—radiant and soothing like never before—so a little hardship meant nothing.

A few fellow passengers, who had boarded at Chengde to return to the Northeast to visit relatives, spoke with a Liaoning accent; packed tight, they began chatting about everything under the sun.

Lu Qingshan shared tidbits from Beijing, such as the wide avenues that could accommodate several cars side by side, and the dazzling array of candies and snacks in the baby‑food stores, prompting gasps of amazement.

When he spoke of the black soil of the Northeast, his words took on a tone of fond familiarity.

Yet each pause in conversation brought his parents' silhouettes to his mind, a longing suppressed for ten years that, now that he knew they were safe, burned even hotter.

The train clanged for a day and a night; only on the next morning did it lurch into Shenyang Station.

From Shenyang he transferred to a passenger bus bound for Jiangyuan County, and faced another bout of crowding and hassle.

When he, dragging legs that felt as heavy as lead, stood at the entrance of the Jiangyuan County Public Security Bureau, dusk had already fallen, and the setting sun stretched his shadow long.

He wanted to first greet Chen Zhiguo and report his safe arrival.

Chen Zhiguo was hunched over paperwork in his office; when he looked up and saw a gaunt, black‑slim figure standing at the door, looking as if he'd returned from a famine, he jumped in surprise.

"Qing Shan? Did you just… crawl out of a coal pile?"

He hurried to his feet, scanning Lu Qingshan from head to toe; after days apart, the man seemed to have shed a layer of skin, his eye sockets deeper, his clothes a mess of wrinkles.

Lu Qingshan grinned, flashing two rows of white teeth, and scratched his head a bit sheepishly.

"Brother Chen, I just came back from the Capital City, the journey was a bit rough,"

He omitted the thrilling details of meeting Secretary Hu, and vaguely said that someone had inquired about his parents, that there were signs they were still alive, but the specifics would have to wait for further news.

When Chen Zhiguo heard that, his ever‑sharp eyes lit up instantly, his tightly knit brows relaxed, and his palm‑sized hand pounded Lu Qingshan's shoulder.

"Good! Excellent! That's wonderful news! As long as you're safe, that's better than anything!"

Without a word, he snatched the car keys from the desk: "Come, I'll take you back to Shanwan Village. In that state, you'd scare Yue E and the villagers if you went alone."

The jeep jolted over the pothole‑riddled dirt road.

Lu Qingshan shoved the four bottles of strong white liquor and a large box of Fragrant Village snacks he'd brought for Chen Zhiguo into the back seat.

Chen Zhiguo said, "You little rascal, you're too courteous, traveling so far and still thinking of me," yet he made no move to decline.

He merely mentioned there was urgent business at the bureau, and after dropping him at his doorstep he had to rush back.

The vehicle halted at the Lu Family courtyard gate, and before Lu Qingshan could alight, a swift yellow blur whooshed out of the yard—it was Jin Hu.

Having not seen him for days, the little fellow seemed a bit bulkier, his coat glossy and smooth; upon seeing Lu Qingshan, he excitedly circled his feet, his tail wagging like a tambourine, and let out low, joyful whines.

"Qing Shan!"

Lin Yue'e, hearing the car and Jin Hu's commotion, cradled Xiao Xue and hurried out of the house.

Her eyes were rimmed with red, clearly she'd been worrying these days, yet a hidden smile tugged at her mouth, her gaze sparkling with an overwhelming, unmelting longing and joy.

Lu Qingshan's absence left her feeling hollow, constantly fearing something might happen.

Lu Qingshan stepped forward a few strides, seized his wife and daughter into his arms, holding them tightly as if to meld them into his very bones.

The weight in his embrace grounded him completely, and the fatigue of the journey seemed to melt away.

Xiao Xue nuzzled against him, her chubby little face pink, and in a baby‑like voice called, "Daddy, Daddy's back! Xiao Xue misses Daddy!"

That "Daddy" was soft and sweet, instantly melting Lu Qingshan's lingering fatigue and anxiety, leaving his heart feeling as if warmed by a gentle soak.

In the afternoon, Lu Qingshan couldn't rest and first visited Village Chief Zhao Yongnian and Secretary Zhao Dazhi's homes.

He handed out the Fragrant Village snacks he'd brought from Beijing—one box per person—and also gave each a bottle of strong white liquor.

The two village officials, seeing him return dust‑covered yet radiant and safe, and hearing of the good news about his parents, all rejoiced for him.

They kept praising his prospects and abilities, saying the Lu Family was about to turn its fortunes.

Later, he carried wine to Uncle Lao Nian Shu's house, Zhao Tiezhu's home, and Liu Fugui's place.

Lao Nian Shu rarely smiled; he took the wine bottle, weighed it, nodded without further words, but his eyes were full of satisfaction.

Zhao Tiezhu's wife and daughter, Liu Fugui and his younger siblings, all were over‑excited, pulling Lu Qingshan into Zhao Tiezhu's modest earthen house to hear Lu Qingshan's tales of Beijing's novelties.

Zhao Tiezhu listened, scratching his cheek, and kept asking, "Brother Qing Shan, are Beijing's buildings really taller than our rice‑bowl mountains? And are there truly that many cars, like ants?"

Liu Fugui stammered, "So, that train—does it really not need horses, it just runs that fast on its own?" which sparked a burst of laughter.

What everyone cared about most was Lu Qingshan's parents; hearing there was hope, they sincerely celebrated for him.

Zhao Tiezhu pounded his chest, his voice booming, "Brother Qing Shan, when Uncle and Aunt return, the rest of us will give them a proper welcome! Slaughter pigs and butcher sheep!"

Night deepened, and outside the window only autumn insects sang tirelessly in low hums.

Lu Qingshan and Lin Yue'e sat side by side on the kang's edge, while Xiao Xue slept soundly, breathing evenly.

By the dim yellow glow of the kerosene lamp, Lu Qingshan recounted every detail of his trip to Beijing to his wife—from the crowded train station, to the disappointment in Fuqiang Hutong, especially the encounter with Secretary Hu and Hu's own words that his parents were alive—telling it all verbatim.

He spoke slowly and meticulously, as if to make his wife feel every heart‑pounding twist and turn of those days.

Lin Yue'e listened with her heart racing, sometimes frowning with worry, other times her eyes glistening with tears.

When Secretary Hu personally said the parents were alive, she covered her mouth, and tears burst down.

Joy, excitement, disbelief swirled together, rendering her unable to speak through sobs, repeatedly saying, "This is Heaven's blessing! Truly a monumental good thing! Qing Shan, rest assured, dad and mom will surely return safely; our good days are still ahead!"

Lu Qingshan watched his wife's tear‑filled joy, feeling the resolve and happiness in her words; the strength he'd forced himself to hold these days finally began to give way.

He suddenly reached out, pulling Lin Yue'e close, his face buried deep in the hollow of her neck, hot tears silently soaking her clothes.

This was the first time since his rebirth that he allowed himself to indulge his emotions.

The pain, grievances, worries and long‑suppressed hopes that had piled up in his heart for ages surged forth at that moment like a breached flood.

He recalled his parents' tragic fate in his previous life, his own muddled half‑life, and the newfound chance to make amends in this life; a flood of emotions rose, and as he held his wife, his shoulders quivered slightly, letting the tears flow unabated.

Lin Yue'e felt her husband's trembling body and the damp heat at his neck, said nothing, and simply reached out, gently patting his back repeatedly, using her own body heat and wordless gestures to give him comfort and strength.

She knew that this man had been holding out too long outside, and was too exhausted.

At this moment, what he needed was not words, but a harbor where he could completely relax and lean on.

She gently rested her head on his shoulder, feeling each other's heartbeat, a never‑before felt solidity and hope spreading in both of their hearts.