Rebirth of Bloody Romance

The sunlight penetrated the thin clouds, casting spots of light and shadow, like golden sand falling under the shade of the old locust tree, as if covering this small courtyard with a layer of warm and mysterious golden gauze.

Zhang Haiyang walked lightly through the quiet and narrow alley and finally arrived at Zhong Yuemin's door. He gently opened the door and was surrounded by a cheerful atmosphere as soon as he stepped over the threshold.

A burst of hearty laughter came towards us, and Zhong Yuemin was seen sticking out his butt, bending over, hiding behind a tattered wooden table like a naughty child, with an innocent smile on his face.

Zhong Yuemin is playing hide-and-seek with Xiao Shihua and Xiao Haichen. The children's laughter is clear and pleasant, like the sound of nature, making the whole yard full of vitality.

"Yuemin, you are so relaxed! Others are busy, but you are here playing with the children." There was a hint of ridicule in Zhang Haiyang's laughter, but at the same time it also revealed his yearning and envy for such a peaceful life.

Zhong Yuemin straightened up, patted the dust off his body, and a bright smile appeared on his face. "Haiyang, you only see my free and easy side, but you don't know the hard work and busyness behind me. Sometimes I am busy like a top, spinning non-stop, and the children can hardly see me. I remember one time, I came back from another place, exhausted and dusty. As a result, Xiao Haichen actually thought I was a child thief, which made me laugh and cry. Later, Zhou Xiaobai knew about this, she laughed so hard that she couldn't close her mouth, and she made fun of me for a long time. Now, this little guy is even smarter and cleverer, and he will compete with me in wits and courage!"

At this moment, Xiao Haichen seemed to have heard Zhong Yuemin's "complaint" and quietly poked his head out from the grass beside him, his big eyes full of curiosity and mischief.

Seeing that he had been exposed, Xiao Haichen stopped hiding and came out generously. He ran to Zhong Yuemin's side, held his hand tightly and said coquettishly: "Zhong Youli, play with us for a while!"

Zhang Haiyang looked at the scene in front of him and couldn't help laughing. He laughed so hard that he almost couldn't breathe: "Yuemin, look at your status in the family. It's completely different now! Even your son has begun to know how to fight back, haha..."

Zhong Yuemin pretended to be angry and glared at Zhang Haiyang, but he couldn't hide the gentle smile on his lips. "Haiyang, even if you don't smile, we are still brothers. There must be some fun in life, right? Besides, you can't make up for the missed opportunities when you accompany your children to grow up."

Zhang Haiyang's mouth curled up into a mysterious smile, as if hiding some unknown secret. "You're right, are you free tonight?"

When Zhong Yuemin heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, then he returned to normal and asked, "In the evening? Something happened. What's the matter? What's the matter?" As they spoke, the tacit understanding and teasing between the two intertwined into a vivid picture.

"Is your matter important? If it's not important, Li Ting and I will treat you to dinner tonight." Zhang Haiyang's words revealed an unquestionable determination, as if this meal was not just a simple gathering.

Hearing this, Zhong Yuemin raised his eyebrows slightly and a playful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. "Hey! What are you doing today? It's rare! If you have something to say, just tell me directly. You've made me unable to do anything by doing this." There was a hint of teasing in his words, but he also revealed his curiosity about Zhang Haiyang's move.

Seeing this, Zhang Haiyang pretended to be angry and glared at Zhong Yuemin. "Stop talking nonsense and just tell me straight out loud, okay?"

Zhong Yuemin finally couldn't help laughing out loud. He knew Zhang Haiyang's temper very well, and he also knew that there must be a deeper meaning behind this meal. "Haiyang, you are here with a mission, right? Li Ting is a capable girl!"

Seeing Zhang Haiyang's slightly angry expression due to being found out, Zhong Yuemin secretly laughed in his heart, and then changed the subject. "How about this! Let's go to Zui Xiang Lou tonight. Someone wants to see me, let's go together."

Zhang Haiyang became curious. "Who are you meeting?"

"I don't know either, it seems like he is a second-generation man with a batch of Moutai."

"You don't need wine, do you? Why are you joining in the fun?"

"It's mainly because Zui Xiang Lou needs it. Anyway, there's nothing else to do, so I'll go take a look."

"That's okay!"

At 7:20 in the evening, night has quietly fallen, and the city lights and starlight are interwoven into a dazzling picture.

Zhong Yuemin stepped into the door of Zui Xiang Lou on time. His casual outfit could not hide his extraordinary temperament.

Gao Songshan had been waiting at the door for a long time. When he saw Zhong Yuemin coming, he hurried forward to greet him.

"Yuemin, you are finally here. The other party has arrived early and is waiting for you." Gao Songshan said as he led Zhong Yuemin to the inner hall, with a warm smile on his face.

Zhong Yuemin nodded slightly to show that he understood, and then asked, "So early? But that's good, let's finish the discussion early, we have plans for the evening. By the way, Zhang Haiyang and Li Ting will also be here soon, you can take them over then."

"That's nothing."

The two walked through the bustling hall, passed through a series of exquisite screens, and finally came to a private room with elegant decoration and warm atmosphere. Gao Songshan gently opened the door and signaled Zhong Yuemin to go first.

In the private room, a middle-aged man sat upright, stroking a teacup gently in his hand, his eyes revealing a bit of calmness and wisdom. When he saw Zhong Yuemin coming in, he stood up quickly, smiled and extended his hand. "Teacher Zhong, I have heard of your name for a long time. I am Lin Haotian."

Zhong Yuemin also smiled and stretched out his hand, gently shaking hands with Lin Haotian. "Comrade Lin, nice to meet you."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two sat down.

At this moment, the door of the box was gently pushed open again, and Zhang Haiyang and Li Ting came in hand in hand. Their arrival added a bit of relaxation and pleasure to this originally slightly formal meeting.

"Yuemin, are we not late?" Zhang Haiyang laughed loudly as he entered the room, breaking the silence in the private room.

"No, no, just right." Zhong Yuemin responded with a smile, while introducing them to Lin Haotian. "Comrade Lin, these two are my buddies and their girlfriends, Zhang Haiyang and Li Ting. They came here specially to join in the fun."

Upon hearing this, Lin Haotian smiled and nodded to the two of them to express his welcome.

The atmosphere in the private room was subtle and tense. Zhong Yuemin asked directly, "Comrade Lin, is there anything you want to see me for?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Haotian showed a bit of humility and expectation on his face. "Teacher Zhong, I heard that you have channels in the north, can you guide us?" There was a hint of pleading in his tone, and it was obvious that he valued Zhong Yuemin's abilities and resources.

Zhong Yuemin smiled lightly, with a hint of joking in his tone. "Comrade Lin, you are really good at joking. That place is not my home, whoever wants to go there can go!"

Although Zhong Yuemin's words were light, they revealed his adherence to boundaries and indifference to power.

However, Comrade Lin did not give up. He changed the subject and mentioned another key person. "Teacher Zhong, we are not outsiders either. Li Yuanchao is my buddy. It's just that I moved to another place later. I still followed his advice and came to you."

Lin Haotian tried to get closer to Zhong Yuemin through Li Yuanchao's relationship.

Zhong Yuemin's eyes flickered when he heard this. Since the other party mentioned Li Yuanchao, he was also a person in the circle, so he had to give him some face. So he nodded and motioned for the other party to continue.

At this time, Zhang Haiyang on the side also joined the conversation. He was obviously quite interested in Li Yuanchao's recent situation. "What is Li Yuanchao doing now? I haven't seen him for a long time."

Seeing this, Comrade Lin quickly took over the conversation and began to talk about Li Yuanchao's recent situation.

A hint of surprise flashed across Zhong Yuemin's eyes, and then a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. He didn't expect that this Lin Haotian actually had a friendship with Li Yuanchao.

Zhong Yuemin gently put down the teacup in his hand and looked at the other party gently. "Comrade Lin, since you mentioned Li Yuanchao, we are indeed half in the same circle. However, regarding the channel in the north..."

Zhong Yuemin paused deliberately, as if he was considering his words, but in fact he was observing the other party's reaction. Seeing Lin Haotian's sincere face and the light of expectation in his eyes, Zhong Yuemin had an idea in his mind.

"The situation in the north is complicated and changeable. Not just anyone can get involved. However, since you are Li Yuanchao's friend, I naturally cannot stand idly by."

Zhong Yuemin changed the subject and his tone became serious. "But I want to remind you that this road is not easy to walk. Risks and opportunities coexist. If you are really determined, I can help you introduce some people, but how far you can go depends on your own ability."

Seeing that Zhong Yuemin seemed to have misunderstood, Lin Haotian quickly waved his hands and explained, "Teacher Zhong, you misunderstood. I heard that people over there like to drink. What I mean is, I provide a lot of liquor, can you help me sell it over there?"

There was a hint of sincerity and anticipation in Lin Haotian's tone, and he obviously had high hopes for this cooperation.

Zhong Yuemin raised his eyebrows when he heard this, and then asked, "Can you get a large amount of Moutai?"

Zhong Yuemin's words revealed a bit of surprise and curiosity. After all, Moutai is already a scarce commodity in China, let alone being supplied in large quantities abroad.

"Okay." Lin Haotian answered confidently, as if he had already made up his mind.

After hearing this, Zhong Yuemin's eyes sparkled. He knew very well how popular Moutai was in the Soviet Union, especially on the black market, where it was a treasure that could only be purchased with gold. Such a business opportunity was undoubtedly a huge temptation for him.

So, Zhong Yuemin stretched out his hand without hesitation and shook hands with Lin Haotian tightly. "Happy cooperation! We are all brothers in the future."

In the end, Lin Haotian left happily.

Zhong Yuemin looked at Zhang Haiyang and Li Ting with a smile on his face, and deliberately teased in a relaxed tone, "You two came to me and even specially invited me to dinner. It seems that the motive behind this is really not small!"

Zhang Haiyang smiled and patted Zhong Yuemin on the shoulder, pretending to be helpless and said, "Zhong Yuemin, you are always so harsh."

Li Ting seemed more formal. She looked at Zhong Yuemin seriously and continued to ask, "Zhong Yuemin, the talent recruitment plan you mentioned last time, is it only for the civilian field? We actually have deeper considerations."

Zhong Yuemin's smile deepened when he heard this. He understood what Li Ting meant, so he smiled and teased, "I wouldn't dare to say anything else. Won't the higher-ups give me trouble? But if he's the right candidate, I can consider it."

When Li Ting heard this, a hint of determination flashed in her eyes, and she asked seriously, "Is it really possible?"

Zhong Yuemin put away his joking attitude and nodded formally. "Yes, as long as you are willing and meet the requirements, I will do my best to arrange it."

After hearing this, Li Ting showed a satisfied smile on her face. She turned to look at Zhang Haiyang, and the two exchanged a tacit look.

Then, Li Ting said, "Well, after Zhang Haiyang and I get married, we will both go there. We are willing to contribute our own strength to this cause."

Zhong Yuemin was slightly stunned when he heard this, then he sighed and kindly reminded, "This is not something that can be completed in one or two years, you must be mentally prepared. Moreover, this road may be full of unknowns and challenges."

Li Ting shook her head firmly. "This is not something you should worry about, Zhong Yuemin. Now that we have made the decision, we will go all out. We believe that as long as we work together, there will be no difficulties that cannot be overcome."

Zhang Haiyang also echoed, "That's right, Yuemin. We are ready. No matter what the road ahead holds, we will go on together."

"Okay! I respect your decision."

As the summer vacation came to an end, the new school year began. Little Shihua was about to enter Yanjing Primary School and become a glorious first-year student, while little Haichen was also looking forward to his first day in Yanjing No. 1 Kindergarten Class.

The early morning sunlight shone through the gaps in the curtains and onto Xiao Haichen's bedside, as if cheering him up.

The little guy jumped out of bed, his face filled with excitement and anticipation that could not be concealed. Xiao Haichen had long envied his sister for carrying her schoolbag to school every day, and now it was finally his turn, and his excitement could be imagined.

Zhou Xiaobai naturally cared deeply for her baby son. She was worried that Xiao Haichen would not be able to adapt to kindergarten life since it was his first time away from home, so she decided to send him to school herself.

Little Haichen was even more excited. He held his mother's hand and urged her as they walked, "Mom, Mom, I'm ready. Can I go to school now?" He looked so impatient, as if he was afraid of missing some important moment.

Zhong Yuemin, who was standing by, looked at Xiao Haichen's expression and couldn't help but teased him, "Don't cry later! The happier you are now, the harder you will cry later."

However, Xiao Haichen did not show any weakness. He widened his eyes and shouted at Zhong Yuemin unconvincedly, "I won't cry!"

"When the time comes, don't cry and shout: Mom, I miss you. If you do that, I will..."

Zhou Xiaobai slapped Zhong Yuemin in the face. "Can you act like a father? Send your daughter to school as soon as possible."

Zhong Yuemin chuckled and turned to Xiao Shihua. "Girl, let's go to Yanjing Primary School and start your new journey."

Xiao Shihua had packed up and was standing aside, with anticipation for the new semester and a hint of nervousness on her face. When she heard Zhong Yuemin's words, she immediately responded, "I'm here, Dad."