The second day of the Lunar New Year.
Xijing Railway Station.
The New Year festivities had yet to fade. Rousing military songs still played in the streets, and the morning breeze carried the thick scent of fireworks. Everyone greeted the new year with smiling faces, brimming with cheer.
Facing the morning light, Yan Beitong puffed out a warm breath and patted Lian Youming on the shoulder. "I'm entrusting my daughter to you," he said earnestly. Lian Youming grinned. "Dad, don't worry."
Glancing at the mother and daughter embracing and wiping away tears a short distance away, Lian Youming drew Yan Beitong a little farther aside and lowered his voice. "Dad, there's something I need to tell you."
Seeing his son-in-law's reaction, Yan Beitong knew this was no ordinary matter. He nodded at once and tilted his ear closer, listening carefully. "I have a double in Guangzhou. Keep an eye out. You don't need to take him too seriously, but don't resist him too much either. Try not to let anyone spot anything wrong. Just help coordinate things."
Though surprise showed in Yan Beitong's eyes, inwardly he was not all that astonished.
A double? A technique to disguise and alter appearance?
"All right. But this arrangement isn't quite safe enough. Let's agree on a code phrase to tell you apart."
Lian Youming thought it over. There really was a need for that, so he murmured something else into his father-in-law's ear.
Only after they had settled it did the two rejoin the others.
Seeing how bitterly Yan Lingyun was crying, Lian Youming took her hand and said goodbye to Yan's Mother and the older brothers and their wives in turn.
The parents of both families exchanged pleasantries and parting words as well.
Over the past fortnight, the whole family had visited