He Teng stayed in the mountain village for another day. Seeing that He Zhilan had truly adapted to life there, and after being urged several tis by He Zhilan, he finally descended the mountain early the next morning.
This ti, He Teng went down the mountain alone. He had always had a good mory, and after walking the path three tis, he naturally rembered the way up and down, as well as which routes were safest and which were more dangerous.
After descending, He Teng didn’t go anywhere else. He went straight to the town’s only convenience store with a telephone to call Lin Chan. When he ntioned his decision to return to the military, Lin Chan was startled but not entirely surprised.
"Earlier, you said you kept this from Zhilan, but we all guessed it. Zhilan is so clever—if you stayed too long, she’d definitely start suspecting. Once she realized you quit the military for her, she’d surely encourage you to go back," Lin Chan sighed. "My Zhilan is just too rational. Aside from those two tis when the Gu Family provoked her into losing her composure, she’s usually very calm. If it were any other woman, knowing she’s being hunted down, wouldn’t she want her husband to stick to her side twenty-four hours a day? But not Zhilan—she’s different. She’s even advising you to return."
"I understand her reasoning. She doesn’t want to beco my burden." He Teng comprehended her intentions entirely. He Zhilan’s ticulous planning, he understood it all. Even though she didn’t express it outwardly, He Zhilan had a pride buried deep in her core.
For the sake of survival, she had no choice but to hide in the mountain village. This was her way of valuing her life, so she wouldn’t act recklessly at a ti like this.
Yet, within her pride lay unwavering conviction: she allowed herself to hide in the mountains, but she could never allow herself to beco soone else’s liability or encumbrance.
"Since you’ve decided to return, then I’ve nothing else to say. Once you’ve arranged everything for Zhilan, co back. I’ll have Xing Ye sort things out for you. Besides, your unit has probably been waiting for your return anyway," Lin Chan raised an eyebrow.
At that mont, Lin Chan was lounging around in Chen Yun’s office at the departnt. The two were relaxing with their feet up, brewing tea. Upon hearing about He Teng’s phone call and decision to return to the military, Chen Yun chuckled and grinned, "We all knew this was coming. But it’s good that He Mutou is coming back—Xing Ye’s been short on manpower lately, and He Mutou’s return could really help with a few things."
Talking about it, Chen Yun leisurely poured tea for both himself and Lin Chan, his mind already wandering. With He Teng back, Xing Ye would have another option to deploy.
However, thinking of He Zhilan, Chen Yun suddenly froze mid-motion with his teacup, his eyes flashing sharply. Seeing Lin Chan ready to hang up the phone, he quickly exclaid, "Wait! Don’t hang up yet! I just thought of a foolproof plan!"
Lin Chan glanced sideways at the boisterous Chen Yun without ending the call, giving him a questioning look while waiting for him to explain.
"Rember yesterday? The departnt just received a case. The deceased was a woman, and her physique and current appearance looked about fifty percent similar to He Zhilan! When I first saw her, didn’t I tell you this? If I didn’t already know for sure that He Zhilan was safe and sound with He Mutou in the mountain village, I almost thought this dead woman was He Zhilan!"
"What’s the matter?" Lin Chan raised an eyebrow. The victim Chen Yun ntioned was soone Lin Chan had seen personally. It was out of pure curiosity, prompted by Chen Yun’s comnts, that Lin Chan had gone to the departnt morgue for a look. The woman was fished out of the river, having been subrged for so ti. Her body was swollen from soaking in the water, and upon closer inspection, her physique and facial features indeed bore so resemblance to He Zhilan. Even Lin Chan was startled when he took a glance.
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