Chapter 71: Maternal Grandparents

"Mother, I heard from Father that you seemed to have arrived at Zhang Family Village as a refugee and were picked up by him."

"That is both right and wrong. After I got separated from my family, I wandered in a daze all the way to Zhang Family Village. I had a high fever at the time, and I can't remember many things."

"A few days ago, fragments of the past occasionally flashed through my mind, and now I have remembered most of it."

"Mother, what have you remembered?" Zhang Ping'an asked tentatively, fearing that his father might have done something he shouldn't have back then.

"Ping'an, don't worry. Your father has been very good to me all these years. If it weren't for him back then, I reckon I would have died from that fever. Your father carried me around to seek medical help and medicine, and he spent a lot of money."

"If it weren't for your father's persistence, I really wouldn't have made it through. Marrying your father back then was also my own choice."

"That's good, that's good," Zhang Ping'an let out a long sigh of relief.

"Ping'an, I want to go find your maternal grandparents, but I'm afraid your father might overthink it. After you go back, help me talk to him."

"Sure. Mother, actually, you don't need me to say anything; Father will definitely support you. But Mother, do you know where your parents' home is?"

"At the time, my father was planning to go to Sijiucheng to join his comrade-in-arms, but I really don't know exactly where."

"Then, Mother, tell me the information about my grandparents. I'll go back and ask Director Wang; perhaps there might be some leads."

"Alright. Your grandfather is named Dong Zhenxing and is sixty-six years old this year. Your eldest uncle is Dong Dayong, your second uncle is Dong Dali, and your youngest aunt is Dong Zhenguo. I am the third child in the family, and my formal name is Dong Zhenping."

"Good, I'll go find Director Wang and ask when I get back."

Along the way, Dong Dani told Zhang Ping'an many things about her childhood. Dong Dani's hometown was in Lu Province, so she was not short, and Zhang Laohan was also nearly one point eight meters tall; no matter which one Zhang Ping'an inherited, he was bound to be tall.

Zhang Ping'an's grandfather was previously a Regimental Commander, but at his current age, he is likely retired to the second line.

The mother and son chatted all the way, and before they knew it, they arrived at Zhang Family Village. In fact, there was one more thing Dong Dani hadn't mentioned: she originally had an engagement, but after these nearly twenty years, the other party had likely already married.

Upon returning home, under Zhang Ping'an's encouragement, Dong Dani still told Zhang Laohan about the things she had remembered.

"Da Ni, are you saying that my father-in-law is right here in Sijiucheng?"

"Father, are you focusing on the wrong point?"

"What point?"

"My mother wants to find her parents."

"Isn't that what should be done?"

"Look, Mother, I told you Father would be reasonable."

"You brat, you have no respect for your elders," Zhang Laohan reached out, feigning a strike.

"Dear," Dong Dani stopped him. The two looked at each other with deep affection, and Zhang Ping'an suddenly felt he was a bit redundant here.

"Well, you two talk, I'm going out to get some air."

Through these nearly twenty years of weathering storms together, the two were less like a married couple and more like kin. A single glance was enough for them to understand each other's feelings, and it was precisely because of this that Dong Dani had been unable to see the situation clearly.

By the time the two came out, it was already nearly four in the afternoon.

"Father, Mother, I'll be heading back first. I will inquire about my grandparents as soon as possible."

"Mm, alright. Be careful on the road."

"Mm."

It was already dusk when he returned to the Siheyuan. The sky was slightly dark, and Zhang Ping'an was too lazy to cook. He slipped into his space, ate a little something, and digested the information his mother had told him.

His grandfather was previously a Regimental Commander, so even after retirement, his benefits shouldn't be bad. His two uncles were likely also in the Military or the Public Security forces; this way, it would be easier to inquire about them, provided they were still in Sijiucheng.

Early the next morning, after finishing his workout and breakfast in his space, Zhang Ping'an pedaled his tricycle to the Police Station.

As he neared the Police Station, Zhang Ping'an put a pheasant and a hare into the sack in the cart. Most people at the Police Station knew Zhang Ping'an. After handing out a few cigarettes, Zhang Ping'an arrived at the door of Director Wang's office.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Come in."

"It's you, kid. How do you have time to come here?"

"Ahem, I caught some game early this morning and brought it for Uncle Wang to taste."

"Speak, what's the matter?" Wang Weiguo naturally knew that this kid had likely run into something again.

"Hehe, Uncle Wang, it's a small matter. My mother..." Zhang Ping'an briefly explained the situation.

"Fine. Tell me what your grandfather's name is. If there are any leads, I will notify you."

This was like looking for a needle in a haystack. In this day and age, too many families were separated and looking for their kin, but household registration records were not very complete, making the results rarely satisfactory.

"Alright, my grandfather is Dong Zhenxing, sixty-six years old this year. My eldest uncle is Dong Dayong, and my second uncle is Dong Dali."

"What? Dong Zhenxing? Is your mother named Dong Zhenping? No, wait, I remember your mother was called Dong Dani. Dani, Dani... that's right, Zhenguo is called Er Ni. How could I be so stupid, only just realizing it now?"

"Ah? My mother's formal name is indeed Dong Zhenping." Zhang Ping'an looked at the muttering Director Wang, confused.

"No wonder, no wonder. I felt you were a familiar kid; it turns out you are the child of an old friend. Good lad."

"Uncle Wang, you know my grandfather and the others?" Zhang Ping'an looked at the frantic Director Wang, stunned.

"More than just know them. Back then, I almost became your father."

"..." Zhang Ping'an had a face full of black lines.

"Hahaha, you kid. I am Wang Weiguo. Actually, I had an engagement with your mother, but... well, it's fine, this is also good."

Zhang Ping'an was a bit dazed; his mother hadn't told him about this part.

Wang Weiguo was the person who had been engaged to Dong Dani back then. They had searched along the line from Lu Province to Sijiucheng for two years, but there were never any leads. Wang Weiguo waited for another three years before eventually marrying someone else.

Over these nearly twenty years, Wang Weiguo had let it go; he now had children and a happy family.

"Wait here, I'll call your grandfather."

"Oh, okay." Zhang Ping'an hadn't expected that he would ask the right person on the very first try.

"Connect me to the North Xinjiang Corps."

The call was connected quickly. Wang Weiguo said a few brief words and then hung up, waiting there.

"Ring-a-ling, ring-a-ling."

"Weiguo, have you found Zhenping?" An aged, urgent, yet vigorous voice came through the receiver.

"Yes, Uncle Dong, it was Zhenping's son, which is to say your grandson, who found me." Wang Weiguo used brief words to recount the story of how he came to know Zhang Ping'an.

"Hahaha, good, worthy of being my grandson, he has guts."

"He is right beside me, would you like to..."

"Give the phone to him."

"Alright." Wang Weiguo handed the phone to Zhang Ping'an, signaling for him to take the call.

"I am Dong Zhenxing."

"I am Zhang Ping'an."

"..."

"Ping, um, Ping'an, your mother, she..."

"My mother is very well. I also have four older sisters, and now my mother is pregnant again. She..."

Zhang Ping'an rattled off his family situation, even mentioning that the first three older sisters were not born to his mother.

"Your father is very well." Zhang Ping'an seemed to hear the old man on the other end grinding his teeth with a clatter, then he added.

"I will return for a trip before the new year. Ping'an, what gift do you want me to bring you? Beijiang is rich in local products, you..."

"Anything is fine, just do whatever you think is best, sir." Zhang Ping'an still could not bring himself to call him grandfather.

"Good, give the phone to Weiguo." Dong Zhenxing gave Wang Weiguo a few more instructions before hanging up the phone.

If Wang Weiguo had viewed Zhang Ping'an with appreciation before, now it was appreciation mixed with a sense of closeness, as if looking at his own nephew.