It wasn't one vehicle, but eight!
All four sprang to their feet and rushed to the courtyard gate.
A convoy of military jeeps roared up and came to a steady stop outside Chen Lin's courtyard.
The doors opened, and two burly Jiaolong Guards carefully helped a man covered in wounds, but with clear, alert eyes, out of a vehicle.
"Dayong!" Wang Guihua cried out, tears instantly spilling down her face.
She and Liu Desheng scrambled forward and threw their arms around Liu Dayong as the guards supported him.
"Mom! Dad!" Liu Dayong choked out, his voice hoarse. His wounds looked shocking, but they were all superficial, with no serious underlying damage.
Liu Desheng's eyes reddened, his voice breaking with sobs. "My son, you... you came back alive!"
At that moment, all their anxiety, despair, and doubt dissolved into a flood of tears.
Dressed in casual clothes, Chen Lin walked slowly down from the second floor.
He stood in the courtyard, watching the touching reunion with a faint smile.
Fortunately, Dayong's injuries only looked frightening. A few days of quiet rest in the village would soon have him as good as new.
He had barely come to a stop when Friday and Lao Qing silently followed him, taking their places behind him like a pair of guardians, one on either side.
In the courtyard, thirty Jiaolong Guards swiftly formed ranks.
Their scar-faced captain, Zhang Long, strode forward and led every member in a crisp, synchronized bow to Chen Lin, their voices ringing out like a bell. "The Jiaolong Guard has successfully completed its mission! Awaiting your instructions, Mr. Chen!"
Chen Guofu and the others, who had only just recovered from the joy of the reunion, froze once more.
Chen Lin waved a hand, his expression calm.
His gaze swept over the