Chapter 92

After seeing Xie off, Li Xuewu opened the door for Director Ren and himself, then climbed into the GAZ Jeep waiting at the gate.

Li Xuewu opened the doors for the two, then sat in the front passenger seat; the driver wore defense green with three red insignia, and Li Xuewu realized they were likely heading to meet a senior official from the compound—or even a higher-ranking officer authorized to use security details.

As soon as they got in the car, Dong Wenxue and Director Ren fell silent, like Xu Shu entering Cao’s camp.

Li Xuewu wasn’t nervous, but this damned atmosphere...

His mind was foggy—he had no idea what game his teacher and Director Ren were playing.

As he pondered, the GAZ Jeep entered the compound near Yongdingmen; the guards checked all three men’s credentials before letting them pass.

This was Li Xuewu’s first time entering such a compound; when he’d roamed the streets before, he’d never dared provoke the children of these compounds—they were on a different level, had nothing in common, and shared no language.

The GAZ Jeep drove for two minutes along a straight two-lane road, flanked by six-story gray-white buildings, full of everyday life; apart from being cleaner and having more amenities, it was no different from the outside world.

After turning another corner, they entered a cluster of two-story villas with private courtyards—this must be where senior officers lived.

The “compound children” portrayed in later TV dramas and cultural circles referred to military offspring living in unified residential zones, but rarely included senior officers; it was precisely these people living in the compound they’d just passed through.

Senior officers either lived in detached courtyards on the Sihe Academy side or in small courtyards deep within the compound.

The Jeep finally stopped in front of a courtyard surrounded by gray-white walls.

The walls here were generally very tall; Li Xuewu, at 1.83 meters, couldn’t see inside. The gate was closed-style but now stood open; from gate to front door was a cement path, and to the right upon entering was a covered corridor with a grape arbor.

The two-story villa looked grand, built of square brick-and-cement blocks with embedded pebbles on the surface; the entrance was centered, and someone was already waiting in the foyer.

Li Xuewu got out first and opened the door for his teacher Dong Wenxue; Director Ren jumped out from the other side. Dong Wenxue waved to Li Xuewu and led the way inside.

Li Xuewu followed half a step behind Director Ren.

A young soldier in defense green stepped forward from the foyer, shook hands with Dong Wenxue and Director Ren, glanced at Li Xuewu, and said: “Director Dong, Director Ren, Comrade Li, please come in—the commander is waiting.”

He then led them inside.

They climbed the steps, passed through the foyer, and found the double doors half-open; Dong Wenxue entered first, and only after Director Ren stepped in did Li Xuewu follow.

“Commander, hello.”

Before Li Xuewu had even crossed the entrance hall, he heard Dong Wenxue and Director Ren greeting the commander, followed by a strong, resonant voice replying: “Come in.”

Li Xuewu walked in, taking in his surroundings; the villa’s exterior was gray-white, but inside was all white flooring and walls—except for higher ceilings and taller windows, it wasn’t particularly luxurious.

The walls were dark wood, the furniture dark, the interior ordinary sofas draped with white gauze; only the double doors and high ceilings revealed this house’s distinction.

Inside sat five or six people; Li Xuewu was stunned.

Seeing Li Xuewu enter, a middle-aged woman on the sofa stood up and called out: “Wenxue, Xiaoyu, this must be Li Xuewu, don’t stand there—come in and sit.”

Dong Wenxue and the other replied “Yes,” then moved further inside.

Li Xuewu didn’t understand the situation, so he followed behind Director Ren, but noticed everyone in the room was watching him—with sharp, assessing gazes.

Entering the living room, Dong Wenxue pointed to Li Xuewu and said: “Commander, this is my student, Li Xuewu.”

Seeing everyone in the living room turn to his student, Dong Wenxue added: “This is my old commander, Comrade Gu, Chief of Staff.”

Li Xuewu saw the middle-aged man on the sofa wearing a military uniform, his face radiating martial intensity yet his eyes sharp and wise; he snapped his heels together and gave a crisp military salute, loudly declaring: “Commander, hello.”

Beep-dib ge

Chief of Staff Gu nodded, waved his hand at Li Xuewu, and said: “You’re clearly a good soldier, but this is home—relax a little.”

Li Xuewu dared not relax; the man’s collar buttons were fastened tightly, his posture rigidly perfect—he wouldn’t dare act casually before such a senior officer.

Dong Wenxue then introduced the Chief of Staff’s wife—the middle-aged woman who had greeted them earlier—Ms. Ding, who worked as an editor at the military newspaper; Dong Wenxue called her Aunt Ding.

After introducing the elders, he introduced the others standing near the sofa and chairs: all were members of Chief of Staff Gu’s family—eldest daughter-in-law Mu Hongyan, second daughter Gu Ning, and youngest son Gu Yan; Mu Hongyan and Gu Ning were both doctors at the military hospital, while Gu Yan was a first-year college student.

Li Xuewu recognized Gu Ning the moment he entered the room; though startled, he concealed it and greeted each person Dong Wenxue introduced.

After they sat down, a servant brought hot tea; Li Xuewu rose slightly to thank them politely, placed the tea on the table, and sat upright, listening as Dong Wenxue chatted with Chief of Staff Gu’s family.

They spoke only of household matters.

Editor Ding’s personality resembled Aunt Han’s—her questions and speech were unhurried, refined, and gentle; clearly well-educated, she contrasted sharply with Chief of Staff Gu’s stern demeanor, treating Li Xuewu and the others like a spring breeze.

“Little Dong, your mother came by a few days ago and said your daughter Mengyuan has learned to read—why didn’t you bring Xiao Shu and Mengyuan along? And Xiao Xie and the child? You rarely come over—let me see the kids.”

Dong Wenxue replied with embarrassment: “She’s only five, very mischievous now. Han Shu is busy with work—I’ll bring them over after her next holiday.”

Li Xuewu now learned Director Ren’s name: Ren Yu.

Director Ren followed Dong Wenxue’s lead: “My wife works at the same unit as Wenxue—when he has time, she’ll have time too. We’ll bring the kids over then; don’t mind if they’re noisy—we’ve got three boys at home, even more mischievous.”

Editor Ding clearly loved children; she replied: “Your Uncle Gu is so busy he’s away for days at a time, Hongyan and Xiao Ning work every day, and when I get home, I’m alone. I wouldn’t mind noise—better if they’re lively.”

Seeing them nod, Editor Ding turned to Li Xuewu: “I’ll call you Xuewu—what’s your family like?”

Li Xuewu was still wondering why he’d been brought to Gu Ning’s home; suddenly asked, he hesitated slightly before answering: “Aunt Ding, hello. My family includes my grandmother and maternal grandfather, my parents and older brother and sister-in-law, a younger brother and younger sister, and I have a daughter.”

Editor Ding’s brow furrowed slightly upon hearing he had a daughter, but she still nodded and said: “A large family is good—prosperous lineage, mutual support, and it cultivates ambition.”

Li Xuewu couldn’t follow Editor Ding’s train of thought—he didn’t understand how the topic had shifted from family to personality.

“You mentioned your daughter—was she the child you picked up during this mission? Would you mind telling me about her?”