"Knock, knock, knock..."
A soft, unhurried knocking sounded at the door.
"Stop knocking! Didn't you hear me tell you to get lost?"
"Excuse me, is this Mr. Lu Dahai's home? We're from National Security. There are a few things we'd like to discuss with you in person."
National Security?
Here for Lu Dahai?
Jiang Rumeng and Lu Chenyu both turned toward Lu Dahai. Lu Dahai looked bewildered; he had no idea why people from National Security had suddenly come looking for him.
But as long as they weren't those loathsome people from the Pan family, that was fine.
He hurried to open the door.
Several people wearing neat gray leather jackets came into view, their bearing extraordinary.
The man leading them smiled and extended his hand the moment they met.
"Comrade Lu Dahai, it's a pleasure to meet you!"
"Uh... it's a pleasure to meet you officials, too."
Chen Guowei's brow had furrowed from the moment he entered the residential complex.
The family of Comrade Lu, the pioneer who had ushered in Great Xia's age of immortal cultivation.
They actually lived somewhere so shabby and impoverished.
It was absolutely intolerable.
Once they met, he would set about moving them out, to the most central, most luxurious part of Jinghua City.
"Sir, I... I'm not a spy..."
Chen Guowei immediately realized that Lu Dahai had misunderstood something and hurriedly waved his hands.
Lu Dahai grew anxious, too.
"Rumeng grew up with me. She couldn't possibly be one, either..."
Did National Security only ever show up to arrest spies?
"You've misunderstood, you've misunderstood!"
"We've come to pay you a visit and offer our regards. We also wanted to ask whether you're satisfied with how Pan Changlong, the driver responsible, was dealt with in Comrade Lu's case. If you feel the punishment was too light, I'll have someone review the case and issue a new verdict right away!"
All three members of the family-Lu Dahai, Jiang Rumeng, and Lu Chenyu-gaped.
Ever since the second trial and verdict.
An enormous question had lingered in their minds.
Just why?
Why had that driver suddenly been singled out?
Under normal circumstances, a three-year sentence would have been the maximum penalty for Pan Changlong.
Yet in the end, he had been sentenced to a full ten years.
The three members of the Lu family had puzzled over it endlessly without finding an answer, but it had filled them with satisfaction.
Ten years.
It could just barely offer some comfort to Little Xing's spirit in heaven.
Now they finally knew. There really had been a force helping their family behind the scenes, and it was actually National Security.
But why?
"Sir, so you were the one helping behind the scenes with Little Xing's case. Thank you, thank you so much. I'm not a capable man, and I'm no good with fancy words. How about this, sir? Stay for lunch. My wife's a wonderful cook. I have to offer you a few toasts!"
Chen Guowei waved his hand.
There was no need for a meal.
This wasn't the right time.
"There'll be plenty of opportunities to try Comrade Jiang's cooking in the future."
"You haven't answered my question yet. Regarding Comrade Lu's case..."
Jiang Rumeng spoke first.
"Sir, we're very satisfied with the current verdict."
Lu Dahai came back to his senses as well. "Yes, that's right. And not just us. If Little Xing's spirit in heaven learned of this, he'd definitely thank the country and you officials for upholding justice for him."
Lu Chenxing's spirit in heaven?
He wasn't dead yet.
Without betraying anything, Chen Guowei looked toward the other member of the Lu family, Lu Chenyu.
Everyone's opinion had to be respected.
Seeing him look at her younger son, Jiang Rumeng immediately addressed Lu Chenyu gently. "Little Yu, what do you think?"
"The bad guy received the punishment he deserved. I'm happy for my brother."
As he spoke, tears seeped from the corners of his eyes.
Seeing his expression, Lu Dahai's and Jiang Rumeng's eyes involuntarily reddened, tears welling and shimmering within them.
If outsiders hadn't been present, they would have started crying long ago.
"Sorry you had to see us like this, sir."
"I understand. Comrade Lu... ah..."
Chen Guowei changed the subject. "Since you have no objections to the outcome of Comrade Lu's case, there's another matter I'd like to discuss."
"It concerns treatment for young Comrade Lu Chenyu's eyes."
"A team of specialists in Jinghua City has already begun studying his case and evaluating treatment plans. Once we arrive, the surgery can begin immediately."
Those words left all three members of the Lu family stunned again.
Lu Chenyu himself went rigid.
Treatment for his eyes?
A team of specialists in Jinghua City.
Surgery.
What did that mean?
At that moment, Lu Dahai felt as though his head were full of paste. He didn't understand.
"Sir, does the country need me to carry out some special mission?"
He turned it over and over in his mind, but that was the only possibility he could think of.
Chen Guowei smiled.
Jiang Rumeng rolled her eyes at her husband.
"Take a good look in the mirror. What about you would warrant the country calling you up?"
"Sir, please stop keeping us in suspense and tell us the truth! Otherwise, we really don't know how to accept such an enormous kindness."
Chen Guowei dearly wanted to tell them, too, that Lu Chenxing was still alive and had become a pioneer in Great Xia's exploration of an alien civilization.
To let them emerge from their grief and welcome a wonderful new life.
But everything concerning Comrade Lu was top secret.
Whether it could be disclosed to his family.
That wasn't a decision he could make alone.
"Once we reach the Capital, you can ask the chief."
Chen Guowei passed the question to his own superior, Ji Chang'an.
And so.
The three members of the Lu family were taken away by National Security, boarding a military helicopter bound for the Capital.
The Capital, National Medical University.
Thirty of the finest ophthalmology specialists in Great Xia and the world gathered in a small room.
All just to treat a single case of congenital eye disease.
It was tantamount to firing a cannon at a mosquito.
But in the eyes of Great Xia's senior leadership, Lu Chenxing's immediate family deserved the very best resources, to ensure that nothing unexpected happened.
Lu Dahai and his wife had long heard of National Medical University's great reputation.
It was said to be the finest hospital in all of Great Xia.
As long as you had money, they could cure you even if you had a terminal illness.
"Sir, the cost of treatment..."
"You don't need to worry about the cost. The country will cover it in full."
"Why don't we leave young Comrade Lu Chenyu here to receive treatment with peace of mind, while we go meet the chief first?"
"Meet the chief? Yes, of course!"
Lu Dahai agreed at once, and the couple followed Chen Guowei into a black minivan.
When the door opened, they were greeted by the sight of a middle-aged man with an extraordinary bearing. His face looked extremely familiar.
"Chief... Chief Ji!"