Cheng You felt the place wasn't suitable for talking and suggested they walk to the small park near the compound.
Feng Xianxu nodded and followed her, maintaining a distance.
Summer was too hot, and the park was usually only frequented in the early morning or late evening. At this time, there were very few people.
“Brother Xu, what did you want to say about Zhenzhen?”
Feng Xianxu took a black and white photo from his wallet. The woman in it was delicate and lovely, her watery eyes revealing a gentle disposition.
Cheng You recognized her as Wen Yan at a glance.
Looking at the photo, it seemed to be quite old.
It had been held and rubbed countless times by the person admiring it, and the bottom right corner was a bit faded.
Her expression changed, and her suspicions deepened.
Immediately after, she saw Feng Xianxu take out another photo from his wallet.
It was also a black and white photo, and Cheng You didn't recognize the man in it.
“His name is Liang Yongzhi. He worked with me in research and development at the armaments factory, but he died five years ago in an explosion. Before he passed, I heard him mention countless times that he was going back to marry that girl. But you know, our location was highly classified, and the project was on a tight schedule. No one was allowed to leave.”
Having missed that one chance, Liang Yongzhi experienced the major explosion and never had the opportunity to see the girl he loved again.
“What about his remains?”
“In the border region.”
Cheng You returned the photo to him, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Zhenzhen had once asked Uncle Li if he could help her find her father.
Uncle Li was powerless because Wen Yan had never told anyone who Zhenzhen’s father was.
Feng Xianxu asked, “Cheng You, I want to know why Zhenzhen is with you, and where is Wen Yan?”
Cheng You was silent for a moment and then slowly recounted Zhenzhen’s story.
Feng Xianxu couldn’t describe his feelings at that moment; it was like being roasted over a fire, an unbearable discomfort.
“Liang Yongzhi divided his inheritance into two parts: one was sent to his parents back home, and the other was said to be left for Wen Yan. Since you are raising Zhenzhen now, it should be given to you. I’ll go home and get it for you now.”
Cheng You said, “Why don’t we keep the money for now and give it to Zhenzhen when she grows up?”
Feng Xianxu was somewhat surprised. “Since this money is for Zhenzhen, it should be used as her living expenses.”
Cheng You smiled and shook her head. “Zhenzhen is a Li now and is naturally being raised by Uncle Li; she doesn’t need living expenses. So, it’s safest to keep it with you and give it to her when she’s older.”
Since it was Liang Yongzhi’s savings over many years, plus subsidies from his unit, he must have saved quite a bit.
Cheng You didn’t want to get involved, lest she become a target of gossip or suspicion later.
Feng Xianxu gave a wry smile. Cheng You didn’t even want such a large sum of money, which showed her genuine affection for Zhenzhen.
After all, the portion sent back to Liang Yongzhi’s parents was often fought over by all sorts of strange relatives.
But Cheng You hadn’t even inquired about the amount.
“Since you’ve said so, I’ll keep it for now.”
After finishing their conversation, the two were about to head back.
Cheng You’s peripheral vision caught sight of Cheng Tao, and her steps faltered.
“Cheng Tao, what are you doing there?”
Cheng Tao composed herself and walked over with a smile, saying, “Brother Xu, what are you and Cheng You doing here?”
Feng Xianxu noticed another man not far from her, secretly looking at Cheng Tao.
“Is he your blind date today?”
He had only gotten to know Cheng Tao after returning and didn’t know her well, still feeling like strangers.
Cheng Tao pouted. “Yes, he’s my blind date.”
She didn’t really like him; he was ordinary-looking and a bit too dark.
She preferred fair-skinned young men like Zhao Yunlin and Xu Nanxi.
But soldiers in the army, constantly training, were generally dark-skinned.
Seeing her dissatisfaction, Feng Xianxu didn’t say much more.
“When you’re done strolling, you should head back early.”
Cheng Tao replied with an “oh.” After he and Cheng You had left, she remembered she still had something to ask.
The man behind her walked up and said, “Cheng Tao, let me treat you to a meal at the state-run restaurant?”
Cheng Tao gave him a sidelong glance. “No, I’m going home first.”
She still wanted to ask Feng Xianxu about Zhenzhen.
She had only overheard a few words just now, and it was still a bit confusing.
Cheng Tao hurried home and found Feng Xianxu handing a savings passbook to the old lady.
“This is the money left by Zhenzhen’s father. Unfortunately, he didn’t know about Zhenzhen’s existence. I originally wanted to give it directly to Cheng You, but she refused, so I thought it would be best for Grandma to keep it. If Zhenzhen needs this money later, you can give it to her then.”
The old lady accepted the passbook without objection.
Cheng Tao took a peek and was shocked to see several thousand yuan!
In those days, this was a huge sum.
Since it was left by Zhenzhen’s father, did it mean that whoever adopted Zhenzhen would receive this money?
Although the old lady had agreed to give her a house, the house had not yet been transferred because Feng Xue was not married.
Even with a house, she wouldn’t have much money.
After two days of consideration, Cheng Tao chose a camp commander in his forties from the candidates introduced by the matchmaker.
When she announced her decision, Cheng You was also present. The old lady had called her and Zhenzhen over to discuss the passbook.
Cheng You had heard of this camp commander.
His name was Qiu Desheng, in his forties, but he had been stuck at the rank of camp commander.
He divorced his first wife ten years ago because he used to beat her.
Later, the military court granted them a divorce. In consideration of his past achievements, he was not expelled but demoted as punishment.
For all these years, he hadn’t been promoted.
Because of his past actions, no one dared to arrange a wife for him.
The old lady was exasperated. After picking and choosing for so many days, she had found such a man!
“The matchmaker mentioned Qiu Desheng, but I refused him and didn’t arrange a meeting for you two, so why did you choose him!” the old lady expressed her disbelief.
Cheng Tao felt a little guilty. The main reason was that the matchmaker had presented Qiu Desheng’s conditions very favorably.
Although he was older, he hadn’t remarried and had only one son, so he had saved a lot of money.
He had said that whoever married him would receive a reward of one thousand yuan, to be given after obtaining the marriage certificate.
Cheng Tao had then secretly gone with the matchmaker to meet Qiu Desheng.
Although he was already forty, compared to other unsightly individuals, he looked quite decent.
He appeared to be in good health and didn’t look like a forty-year-old man.
“He came to see me, and I like him. I’ve already agreed with him, and he’ll be coming to propose in a few days.”
The old lady sternly refused, “I do not agree to this marriage! His previous wife was driven away by him!”