Stars In His Eyes
Chapter 1082: Shen Family’s Suspicions 2

Chapter 1082: Chapter 1082: Shen Family’s Suspicions 2

After entering the village, Xiaojia led them directly to the Niu Family. By this time, the Clan Leader and some of the elder generation from the clan were already waiting at the Niu Family home. Seeing the people coming in behind Xiaojia, they appeared somewhat excited and welcoming.

"Quick, sit, Zhilan, sit. Deputy Commander He, sit." Niu Rang’s father and mother were undoubtedly the happiest ones. Not to mention the couple’s care for their family when they were in S Province — He Teng’s care for Niu Rang in the military had always made their family feel deeply grateful.

As everyone gathered together, it was inevitable that Niu Rang would be brought up.

"In our village, we’re almost entirely cut off from the outside world. For generations, we’ve depended on the mountains for everything, self-sufficient. Because it’s troublesome to head down the mountain, people rarely venture outside unless necessary. To tell you something funny — outsiders may not even know we exist here. Our village, after so many generations, hasn’t produced many people who’ve left these mountains. When Niu Rang said he wanted to join the military back then, to be honest, we elders weren’t very supportive of the idea. Everyone was afraid that Niu Rang, going out alone, would be mistreated by the outside world." The old Clan Leader sighed as he brought up Niu Rang and said, "Later, though, when Niu Rang came back to visit, he always talked about you all. We could see that Niu Rang was genuinely happy in the military. Listening to him talk about how he rose from a new recruit to a junior officer, everyone in the village felt proud of him!"

"Niu Rang always gave his best effort," He Teng said, recalling Niu Rang, who had been by his side ever since joining the military. The thought made his heart ache.

He Teng had mentored many recruits, but Niu Rang and Kang Xing had stayed under his wing the longest.

He Teng and He Zhilan left their belongings at the Niu Family home. When the Clan Leader heard the two planned to stay in the village for a short while, he decided they should stay at the Niu Family home.

After figuring out the housing arrangements, the pair followed Xiaojia and Niu Li to Niu Rang’s grave.

Niu Rang’s grave was in the mountains, nestled within a broad pine forest. Just as Xiaojia had mentioned, the grave was remarkably clean, without even a single weed. In front of the grave, two children carrying bamboo baskets, seemingly for collecting medicinal herbs deep in the mountains, were resting against a tree nearby, chatting. When they saw the adults approaching, the children stood up, politely greeted them, and curiously stared at He Zhilan and He Teng.

The four of them offered incense at Niu Rang’s grave. Seeing He Teng’s grim expression, He Zhilan decided to let Niu Li take Xiaojia back first, so she could stay with He Teng for a while longer.

"Xiaojia, let’s head back," Niu Li said nothing further, holding Xiaojia’s hand as they walked away. Occasionally, he reminded her to watch her step around loose stones.

Watching the two of them, He Zhilan didn’t quite know how to describe the feelings in her heart. She wasn’t sure whether to send blessings or something else. But she could see clearly that Niu Li was genuinely considerate and caring toward Xiaojia.

He Teng was reserved by nature. Seeing him stand there silently, He Zhilan refrained from disturbing him. Instead, she walked toward the children standing under the tree.

"Big Sister, are you friends of Brother Niu Rang?" The little boy, more daring, immediately asked when he saw He Zhilan approaching them. "I heard Clan Leader Uncle say Brother Niu Rang’s comrades are coming to our village. Is that Uncle over there one of Brother Niu Rang’s comrades?"

He Zhilan was amused by the little boy’s address of "Big Sister," "Uncle," and "Brother." She nodded, "Yes."

"Then is Uncle also a member of the People’s Liberation Army? One of the soldiers who protects our country?" The little boy’s expression grew serious with admiration as he said, "Clan Leader Uncle told us that Uncle Soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army are the most amazing people in the world. Grandfather said that without the Uncle Soldiers protecting our country and us common folk, our lives would be really miserable. We’d have to keep running from wars everywhere. Big Sister, what is war?"