Rebirth: Solely Cherished by the Devoted Commander
Chapter 159: Returned

Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Returned

The next morning, when Bai Fanglan woke up, she found two shopping vouchers beside her pillow. She knew what these were.

They were benefits given by the military, which could be used to receive military-grade leather shoes, cotton-padded jackets, biscuits, and bread—all of high quality.

Mrs. Wang walked in smiling, "You’re up? Wang Hu said when he left that you weren’t feeling well, so you don’t have to visit with me. You can rest at home or visit a classmate if you want. I’m giving you the vouchers; buy whatever you want. It’s just a shame the shops are closed until the fifth day of the New Year."

Bai Fanglan was startled by Wang Hu’s thoughtfulness and quickly smiled, "I didn’t even know when he left. Sorry, Mom. I slept too deeply."

"No problem, just rest up."

Mrs. Wang left. Bai Fanglan held the vouchers, somewhat dazed. This was a kindness to her, right?

She chuckled bitterly. She once had many suitors, starting from college, when many boys liked her and tried every means to get close to her. At that time, she was very proud, thinking they were only interested in her family’s power. And she had someone she liked and wouldn’t be moved. But now, she had fallen to the point where two vouchers warmed her heart.

How pitiful it was.

She held the vouchers, thinking that Sun Chan must have some too, after all, Gu Junming was of high rank.

"That cheap woman really is lucky." She sneered, got up, and went to wash.

The person she cursed, Sun Chan, was already up.

In the village, the New Year atmosphere was more intense. From the moment they woke up, they heard the sound of firecrackers outside.

Sun Chan and Wang Shufen got up early. Wang Shufen helped Mrs. Wang organize the cooking, while Sun Chan pasted couplets with glue.

In the countryside, the most lavish meal is usually eaten on New Year’s Eve. Lunch and breakfast are just simple meals to get by.

Gu Junming wasn’t there, so everyone had little appetite, Wang Shufen even less so, worried about the impact of her ex-husband’s deeds on Kangkang’s future.

It had snowed a little outside. Sun Chan pasted the couplets and then swept the snow from the yard. As she swept, she watched the road, anxiously waiting for news from Gu Junming, wondering why he hadn’t returned after leaving several days ago.

Seeing her like this, Mrs. Wang smiled, thinking, this daughter-in-law truly cares about Mingzi.

The Wang Family was also worried about Gu Junming, anxiously waiting for him. They didn’t have the mind to eat, just swallowed a few frozen dumplings to get by.

Ding Kang noticed his uncle was always absent, so he asked what was going on, but they just brushed him off casually.

Finally, in the afternoon, as the sky was turning dark, Gu Junming returned. His clothes were covered in ice crystals and were torn in several places, making him look quite miserable. He had some wounds on his face and neck as well. The whole family gathered around when they saw the scene.

"What happened? Did something happen?"

"Yeah, something happened while rescuing a child." Gu Junming nonchalantly smiled, "Just minor injuries."

"Did you find the child?" Father Wang asked.

"Found them. Dad, don’t worry, the child is fine." Gu Junming replied with a smile.

Mrs. Wang helped remove his clothes, revealing injuries underneath. Several scabs on his sweater had solidified, shocking her so much she nearly sat down in fright.

Gu Junming hugged her, "Mom! Just superficial wounds, no worries!"

Sun Chan was chilled, grabbing Gu Junming’s arm, "What exactly happened?"

Wang Shufen gritted her teeth, "Was it that beast who hurt you? If it was him, I’ll find him and fight to the death!"

"Not his doing; he’s been caught now too." Gu Junming briefly explained.

It turned out they took a car to the city and, following Sun Chan’s previous instructions, sought out the gambling places there and found Ding Quan as expected.

He was engrossed in gambling with a dubious woman at the time, holding several thousand yuan in his hands, eager to try his luck here.

Before he could get started, he was seized by Su Minjian, who, along with Zhao Yingjun, pressed him to the ground and beat him up without a word.

Ding Quan screamed in pain and initially refused to confess, "I don’t know what’s going on; why beat me for no reason?"

"You’re trying to play dumb at a time like this?" Gu Junming coldly smirked, "How much did you sell the Su family’s child for? The money in your hands came from selling the child, didn’t it?" He retrieved the stash hidden in Ding Quan’s underwear and threw it at his face.

"This money was borrowed!"

"Borrowed from whom? Ding Quan, since we’ve found you today, there’s no escape! If you don’t admit it, I’ll send you to the jail, and don’t even think about getting out for thirty years!" Gu Junming wasn’t just threatening; there was a crackdown going on. Execution could be a possibility.

Su Minjian sneered, "Don’t forget I’m a village chief. My authority might not be big, but I can deal with you easily! If you can’t get past this, don’t even think about continuing to live in the village."

Zhao Yingjun also coldly eyed him, wanting to skin him alive.

Ding Quan was utterly terrified, not a bold person by nature, and quickly spilled the beans, "It was someone named Sun San, who opened a clothing store in the city. His wife introduced it, saying a wealthy family wanted a boy."

Su Minjian kicked him hard, "Take us there immediately!"

"Yes, I’ll take you right away. Please stop hitting me."

All the way there, Su Minjian and Zhao Yingjun occasionally beat him, with a desire to tear this man apart!

When they reached Sun San’s home, they found only him there; his wife had taken the child to meet with the buyer at the bus stop. Gu Junming hurriedly chased ahead, stopping by the police station to report the case. The higher-ups took it very seriously, and two officers joined the pursuit. The culprits took a bus to the countryside, while Gu Junming and the others drove a police car and chased all day, finally catching up.

In a remote village, the locals shockingly resisted, splashing cold water and using knives, causing injuries.

Both Gu Junming and Zhao Yingjun were injured; Su Minjian twisted his leg, but none of the injuries were severe.

"Now Zhao Yingjun has brought the child back. No serious problems; rest assured, all the criminals including the buyer have been caught. The child has a slight fever but seems fine."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Despite the injuries, finding the child was something worth celebrating. The buyer was reportedly generous, willing to pay forty thousand yuan for the child, but the middlemen siphoned most of it, leaving Ding Quan with only a small fraction.

All those involved were arrested, with Ding Quan still clamorously demanding to be freed.