Chapter 273: He Must Hold On, Because He Is a Soldier

Lu Yang's heart skipped a beat instantly.

Just when the roof leaks, a night rain comes—how do all the misfortunes converge at once?

"Aunt, what's wrong with Ding Tengfei's father?"

"He's missing."

"Missing?"

Lu Yang's mind filled with question marks.

"Ding Tengfei's dad lost a lot of money at the gambling table—said it was over two million, and he also owes high‑interest loans."

"That much?"

Lu Yang was startled as well.

A million at this time is a huge sum.

Especially with high‑interest loans; the compound interest is terrifying.

If it's not cleared this month, in two or three months it could become four or five million, rolling like a snowball.

"I don't know the details, but Old Ding is a cautious person who rarely gambles. Yet to seal a big deal, a group of friends forced him onto the table."

"The result was like being possessed—he kept losing more and more. The car and the house were mortgaged, and Tengfei's grandfather suffered a stroke from the debt collectors' pressure and was hospitalized."

"Originally, we gritted our teeth and could still pull out the two‑plus million, but we didn't expect..."

At that, Ding's mother couldn't hold back; tears streamed down.

Lu Yang could only patiently comfort her, urging her to tell the rest of the details.

"From your accent, you sound local; have you heard of Yuanbao Liquor Co.?"

"I have a vague recollection."

Yuanbao Liquor Co. is not a tobacco‑alcohol shop, but a bona‑fide financial institution.

In an era when the internet wasn't highly developed, Yuanbao Liquor Co. attracted many investors locally by offering investment in wine purchases with high‑interest cash‑backs.

In plain terms, you deposit money, receive monthly returns far exceeding banks, plus valuable wine gifts.

Many prominent local bosses joined in, and many ordinary people who tasted the sweetness also, like possessed, poured their fortunes into it.

This was essentially the classic illegal fundraising— a Ponzi scheme.

In a previous life, Lu Yang had a distant cousin who invested in this thing and ended up losing everything—both life and wealth, with his wife and children gone.

"The boss of Yuanbao, Yuan Fengxiang, has extensive local connections; he introduced many deals to Old Ding, so we kept most of our savings there, and the relationship was good."

"In the past few years, deposits and withdrawals were fine, monthly cash‑backs came, and during festivals the boss even sent premium baijiu and five‑grain baijiu."

"Until recently, when we tried to withdraw, we couldn't reach them; Yuan Fengxiang and his people had already fled with the funds, nowhere to be found."

"Old Ding asked contacts to investigate everywhere, hoping to locate them, retrieve the money to plug the hole, at least to pay the owed workers' wages."

"I truly don't know how to live day to day, don't know if he'll return now, and don't know how to tell Tengfei this..."

After hearing the whole story, Lu Yang felt his head was about to explode.

In his past life, he invested in business and was swindled, losing everything down to his underwear.

Back then, he thought he was a rookie with insufficient experience, so he got duped.

Now it seems even a veteran of decades can lose half his life when set up.

This is both high‑interest loan and financial fraud; Ding Tengfei's grandfather was so angry he suffered a stroke and is on the brink of death...

These matters far exceed Lu Yang's capabilities; but as Tengfei's comrade, he must do everything he can to help.

"Now, can his father still be contacted?"

"Can't reach him."

Ding's mother, eyes reddened, shook her head: "We've been out of contact for a week; I'm most worried about Old Ding, fearing something might happen to him."

Lu Yang asked: "Did you call the police, what did they say?"

"Yuanbao Liquor Co. collapsed; many victims can't get their money back, the scandal is huge, and the police are swamped."

"I suspect boss Yuan Fengxiang may be in league with the people who scammed Old Ding at the table, but there's no evidence."

"Some say Yuan Fengxiang has fled with the money, escaped to Myanmar, escaped to Jianpu Mianzhai; I'm truly afraid Old Ding will chase all the way there, lose the money and risk his life."

"Tengfei's grandfather is on the brink of death; if his father does something wrong, I don't know how I'd survive..."

Lu Yang was completely numb!

If Ding Tengfei's father really runs off to Southeast Asia to collect the debt, the outcome is likely grim.

The electric scam park and Ga Yaozi, although they only caused a stir online later.

In fact, they had already started by now, just not at such a large scale yet.

The scammer daring to flee there with the money indicates he has protection and definite connections locally.

If Ding Tengfei's father barrels in headfirst, at best he'll break a hand or foot, at worst his life could be forfeit there.

But Lu Yang wouldn't dare say these; if Ding's mother heard them, she'd surely couldn't bear such a blow.

"Regarding this, I suggest we find a chance soon to tell Tengfei the truth. The scandal is so big that neighbors already know; it can't be hidden long."

"Hmm, I think the same."

"Also, I'll report this upward to see if comrades in the local armed department can help; the priority now is to locate Ding Tengfei's father and ensure his personal safety. Money can be earned again, but if a person is gone, that's truly everything lost."

"Alright, alright, thank you, thank you!"

"Finally, Aunt, you have to hold on; difficulties are temporary and will pass. These criminals are like a rabbit's tail—they can't grow; if you sue them, those IOUs they hold are illegal and untenable, as for Yuanbao's matter..."

Lu Yang looked at the hope in Ding's mother's eyes and finally said the painful truth: "You have to accept that the money is unrecoverable, all gone."

Ding's mother instantly went limp; if not for the wall, she would have collapsed.

All those years of hard work, all those years of struggle, all gone, all gone.

My life, why is it so bitter, why so bitter?

"You have to know it turned out this way because I originally said we must never let Old Ding do business; it's better to stick to the old simple life, plain tea and modest meals."

Lu Yang helplessly comforted, "Auntie, set the money issue aside for now; what's important is that the three of you stay well and get through this hurdle."

"Ding Tengfei is now performing exceptionally in the troops, highly valued by the leadership, a backbone of the company; his career is on the rise and he may even become an officer in the future—his prospects are limitless."

"Even for his sake, you must hold on and get through this hurdle. We'll find someone first; if there's any news from the troops, I'll inform you immediately."

"Alright, alright, thank you, thank you!"

Ding's mother, as if she had grasped a lifeline, bent her knee to kowtow to Lu Yang.

She truly had no way, really didn't know how to keep going.

When she was once flourishing, friends were everywhere; now she's in trouble and not a single phone can be reached.

Lu Yang quickly steadied her, offered a few words of counsel, and of course dealt with the immediate matters.

If Grandfather Ding Tengfei truly cannot manage, someone will still need to handle the funeral affairs.

Lu Yang left Ding's mother his phone number, and before leaving glanced at the bedroom bedside where Ding Tengfei was keeping his grandfather company.

He didn't go up to greet anyone nor say much, just quietly left.

He immediately called Gao Feng and Ma Qing'an, reporting the situation faithfully.

The two on the other end of the line were also greatly shocked upon learning this.

They hurriedly tried to find a solution, a countermeasure; they also told Lu Yang to be sure to soothe Ding Tengfei's emotions, lest he act impulsively and do something foolish.

After hanging up, Lu Yang felt very heavy‑hearted.

He had thought this family‑visit leave would be joyful, but didn't expect this trouble to arise.

But he believes that the current Ding Tengfei, forged by the troops, should be able to withstand such a blow.

Not only because he is the family's sole pillar; also because Longguo soldiers possess a steadfast will that cannot be crushed or broken.

After leaving Grandfather Ding Tengfei's house, Lu Yang steadied his emotions but did not head straight home.

At this moment, his father Lu YongQiang is working at his unit, and his mother should be setting up a stall at the entrance of the experimental elementary school.

Lu Yang planned to go to his mother first; after boarding the bus, he habitually inserted a coin.

The driver promptly returned the coin to him and pointed to the sign at the front of the bus.

【Active/retired soldiers ride for free.】

Lu Yang was startled for a moment, but he inserted the coin again.

Since he's not on official business but on leave, it's better not to occupy public resources.

One must admit, society's preferential treatment for soldiers is truly abundant.

At the train station, active soldiers can purchase tickets and board with priority.

Taking the bus is directly free; you can ride wherever you like.

More and more attractions are also open to soldiers for free.

Soon, Lu Yang arrived at his stop and got off; standing on the platform, he could see many snack stalls across the street doing business.

At this time, it was the noon dismissal hour for students, and many parents were picking up their children.

Lu Yang instantly spotted his mother, bustling furiously behind a three‑wheel cart.

Because the prices are affordable and the ingredients solid, many people gathered in front of Yuan AiQin's snack stall.

Lu Yang didn't go straight up to greet her; instead he deliberately put on a mask, circled to the other side of the stall, and silently joined the queue of people…