When Yang Lei woke up, he had a splitting headache. He looked around him, and after a while, noticed that he was lying on the bed in the bedroom of his new house.
ââŠâ
Yang Lei only remembered drinking until he was very drunk last night and going to karaoke. As for how he came back later, his mind was blank. He sat up and glanced at the wall opposite him. A wedding photo of him and Fang Mei was also hanging on the bedroom wall. Yang Lei was a little disgusted. He didnât know who brought him here.
He shook his heavy head, feeling like he had a dream. It was messy and hut, but there were only vague fragments swaying in his mind.
He dreamed of Fang Yu. Like countless dreams in the past, he and Fang Yu were hugging tightly and kissingâŠ
But the feelings that remained from this dream were very real, making Yang Lei feel a little confused.
He spaced out for a moment, glanced at his watch, and quickly tossed aside the blanket and got out of bed. He had overslept and had to rush back to the army immediately.
He pressed his hand on the sheets next to him, but he was stunned.
The sheets were still warm. There was still lingering warmth.
ââŠâ Yang Lei was stunned.
He was still spacing out when his cell phone rang.
âAre you in your new house?â Yang Dahaiâs voice.
Yang Lei didnât expect it to be Yang Dahai. Right after the New Year, Yang Dahai went abroad for investigations. He wasnât in Jianghai for a long time, and Yang Lei also hadnât returned home for many days. He didnât know when he came back.
âCome back immediately!â Yang Dahaiâs voice sounded a little unusual. Ever since father and son had reconciled, Yang Dahai had not used such a stern tone in a long time.
âWhatâs the matter? I have to rush back to the army.â Yang Lei was already late.
âI asked for leave on your behalf. Come back immediately.â Yang Dahai hung up the phone.
Yang Lei returned to the home in the military region and went in the door. Yang Dahaiâs expression was abnormal.
âWhatâs the matter?â Yang Lei thought that something must have happened for Yang Dahai to call him back so urgently.
Yang Dahai didnât reply immediately. He told him to sit down on the sofa. Yang Dahaiâs expression was dark.
âWhat have you been busy with lately?â
Yang Dahaiâs tone was condescending, like it had been before. Yang Lei was a little uncomfortable.
âHolding an investigation?â Yang Lei didnât know what Yang Dahai wanted to talk about.
âWhat about your life?â Yang Dahai stared at Yang Lei.
âWhat about my life?â
ââŠThe things between you and Fang Mei, how long will you delay them?â
Yang Dahai frowned deeply and raised his voice.
âYou told me to ask for leave and come back just to say this?â Yang Lei was impatient. âThereâs no delay! Isnât she going out of town to study? Weâll wait until she comes back.â
âYou two first go get the certificate today. Get the certificate first, and then she can go study. It wonât be a hindrance!â
âFang Mei and I have already discussed and made a decision. You all donât need to worry about it!â
Yang Lei was annoyed that Yang Dahai was anxiously pressuring him about this matter the moment he returned.
âHow long have you two been delaying? Before, you said that the house was not renovated. Now, the house is done. Fang Meiâs family is urging her every day, and you still want to delay! How much time will it take you to get a certificate? All day long, itâs either this or that excuse! âŠTell me the truth today. Do you still want to get married or not?! You⊠Do you not want to get married??â
Yang Dahai suddenly lost his temper, his expression irritated.
âI said that weâll wait until she comes back!â
Yang Lei didnât want to argue with Yang Dahai. HE didnât know why Yang Dahai suddenly lost his temper over this matter as soon as he came back.
ââŠYou havenât been busy with marriage these days. Just what are you busy with?â Yang Dahai suddenly asked.
âAre you messing around with those people from the past again?â
Yang Lei was stunned and looked at Yang Dahai.
ââŠThat Fang Yu, when did he start looking for you?â
Yang Dahai suddenly said, his expression very unpleasant.
Yang Lei knew that Yang Dahai had always been very averse to him interacting with his past gangster friends, especially Fang Yu. During these years, the relationship between father and son had improved. They always avoided talking about this issue, knowing that they couldnât agree with each other. Yang Lei thought that Yang Dahai had probably heard about Fang Yuâs return to Jianghai. But now, Yang Lei heard that Yang Dahaiâs tone when mentioning Fang Yu was full of disgust, and Yang Lei couldnât stand it.
âCan you not use that tone? So what if he came to find me?â
âSo what? YouâŠâ
Yang Dahai had gone to the new house in the morning. In the house, he saw someone he had never expected. Fang Yu sat by the bed as Yang Lei was fast asleep. Fang Yu saw him, didnât say anything, and walked out. Yang Dahai was shockedâŠ
âWhy did he come to you? What did he say to you?â
Yang Dahaiâs tone was anxious, impatient, and even nervous.
Yang Dahai didnât wake Yang Lei up immediately. Rather, he called Yang Lei back home. An official in the city government for many years, he wanted to talk calmly with Yang Lei. But now, Yang Dahai still lost his composure.
âWhy do you ask?â Yang Lei stared at Yang Dahai.
âYou twoâŠâ
Yang Dahai was impatient and blurted out:
âHe came to you as soon as he came out?â
Yang Lei didnât say anything and looked at Yang Dahai.
âJust came out? âŠWhat do you mean?â
ââŠIâm asking you whether he came to see you as soon as he was released from prison a few years ago? Have you always been in contact with each other? âŠDonât keep it from me and say that you havenât been in contact!â
Yang Dahai paused for a moment and reproached.
Yang Lei did not answer. He stared at Yang Dahai and did not move.
ââŠI told you to cut off contact with those indecent people long ago! You are not allowed to mess around with those people again, you hear? âŠYour marriage with Fang Mei must be done as soon as possible!â
Yang Dahai was angry, but he didnât continue speaking. He walked out of the room.
ââŠâ Yang Lei looked at Yang Dahaiâs back. He stood in the room and didnât move.
He thought about Yang Dahaiâs words just now, and suspicions arose.
A thought that he never had before suddenly rose from the bottom of his heart, and Yang Leiâs mind was coldâŠ
Yang Lei walked out of his house. He didnât go to the army and went directly to the municipal bureau.
âYo, Lei-zi!â Yong Ge was still at the municipal bureau. At that time, he had been promoted. Seeing Yang Lei, he greeted him warmly.
âYong Ge, where is my uncle?â Yang Lei asked immediately.
âThe director went to Dongbei. He brought a homicide team with him, and heâs taking charge personally. Why, you miss him?â Yong Ge joked.
âYong Ge, I have something to ask you.â
Yong Ge was stunned for a moment. Yang Lei had an expression that he had never seen before. He had never seen Yang Lei look like this.
âDo you still remember Fang Yu?â
Yang Lei stared at Yong Ge.
âOf course I remember. Isnât he your brother? He was released long ago. Why?â
In Fang Yuâs case back then, Yong Ge was one of the criminal policemen mainly responsible for the case. When Yang Lei brought Fang Yu to turn himself in, Yong Ge knew everything from beginning to end. Yong Ge also knew best about Fang Yuâs later sentencing, imprisonment, and file.
âWhen was he released?â
âItâs been a few years. Why do you ask me? You donât know?â Yong Ge was puzzled. He didnât know why Yang Lei was suddenly asking about this.
Yang Lei didnât speak. Yang Leiâs thoughts were somewhat chaotic.
ââŠHow many years were added to his sentence?â
âOne year. Without the increased sentence, he wasnât imprisoned for many years.â
âYouâre not mistaken?â
âNo mistake. Didnât you also ask the brothers to look after him? If you donât believe me, ask them.â
Yong Ge had a very deep impression of Fang Yuâs matter. Yang Lei pulled strings everywhere for Fang Yu. He even compromised with his father. Yong Ge knew some things about Yang Leiâs family. Just because of this, Yong Ge also had a deep impression of Fang Yu and his matter.
ââŠI have some things to ask about the prison where Fang Yu stayed. Help me find someone who knows the most about the situation. I want to go over there immediately.â
âDidnât you ask before?â Three years ago, Yang Lei went to the prison and asked about the matter of Fang Yuâs sentence increase at that time. The prisonâs reply to him was similar to the situation that Fang Yu himself had said.
âI have more questions to ask. Do me a favor, Yong Ge.â
âOkay, Iâll ask right away.â
Yong Ge was surprised. Ever since Yang Lei went into the army, his disposition was much steadier and calmer than before. He hadnât seen Yang Lei so irritable and impatient in a long time.
âWait a moment. Someone is being interrogated inside. The interrogation is about to be over. I will go through the formalities.â
Yong Ge pointed at the interrogation room, as though remembering something.
âRight, you probably know this person.â
âWho?â Yang Lei responded offhandedly. He was not in the mood to listen to other things right now.
âChen Zhiqiang.â
âChen Zhiqiang? Who?â Yang Lei passed it through his mind once, but he didnât find this name. He didnât remember knowing this person.
At this time, the interrogation ended, and the person was escorted out by the police.
Once Yang Lei raised his head, he saw the thin, delicate young man with short hair being escorted out by the police.