freenovelworld Chapter 1866 Is Grandma in Yanjing right now?
Chapter 1866 Is Grandma in Yanjing right now?
Qin Zongheng had initially thought that Hao Jian might be a little reserved because he hadn't seen Li Dequan for a long time or because of his own job change, but his grandson-in-law Li Xiangnan's words were like a thunderbolt, directly shocking him.
Those eyes, which had seen it all before, widened instantly, and she instinctively grabbed her grandson-in-law's arm.
"What? What did you say? Hao Jian is Huanying's confidant..."
Qin Zongheng lowered his voice even further, his voice filled with disbelief and astonishment.
Boom.
His mind immediately raced back to all the unusual behavior he had exhibited since seeing Hao Jian!
That straightened spine in that instant, that undisguised respect and awe, that concern far exceeding that of neighbors and comrades-in-arms, especially his complex and indescribable attitude towards Li Dequan!
Yes!
The vague sense of familiarity he had just felt instantly led him to its source!
That posture, that look in his eyes, that vigilance and obedience hidden beneath the respect, which came from rigorous training—wasn't that the very quality that Qin Zongheng was familiar with, the unique quality of the loyal guards who protected important figures?
Back then, Qin Zongheng also had a group of bodyguards protecting him closely. If he hadn't strongly suggested to the military not to waste resources, he would still have a bodyguard accompanying him wherever he went, even now!
Just now, Hao Jian concealed it very well, and because he had a military background, it was not immediately obvious to me!
Now, thanks to his grandson-in-law Li Xiangnan's explanation, all the details were connected and immediately became crystal clear!
Qin Zongheng's heart was churning violently!
He immediately realized that if what Xiang Nan said was true, Hao Jian was Mu Huanying's bodyguard, and might even have some secretarial functions, then all of his strange behavior just now would have a reasonable explanation!
Hao Jian's extraordinary concern for Li Xiangnan stemmed from his mission to oversee the growth of Huanying's bloodline descendants.
His generous red envelope and the gifts he specially delivered may not have been entirely of his own volition, but rather carried a large part of Huanying's goodwill.
His respect for himself, Li Dequan, and Song Qiankun was not only for the old revolutionaries, but also included a special attitude towards those who had a close relationship with Sister Huanying.
And his tense and complicated expression towards Li Dequan just now...
hiss!
Qin Zongheng paused here, and a deeper thought suddenly appeared, exactly the same as Li Xiangnan's thought just now.
Could it be that Hao Jian, having spent so many years by Huanying's side, had overheard some of the past stories between Li Dequan and Huanying?
Or perhaps Hao Jian already knew about Zhong Mo's irreplaceable role and the enormous contributions he made on the battlefield back then!
Therefore, his attitude towards Li Dequan was completely different from before. Instead, he was more solemn and respectful. It was a kind of heartfelt admiration that was almost engraved in his soul.
Because of certain work disciplines, this guy couldn't reveal the nature and content of his work, or even his relationship with Mu Huanying!
Therefore, he could only respond with this subtle, almost instinctive reaction.
The more Qin Zongheng thought about it, the more convinced he was that he had guessed correctly.
He immediately understood what was strange about Hao Jian's actions, and his mind cleared up. But what followed was deeper contemplation.
The fact that Sister Huanying arranged for such a trusted person to live next door to Xiangnan suggests that her intentions were far more than just taking care of him!
Behind this may lie a deeper strategic plan and considerations for the future of the Xiangnan branch of the bloodline!
No, no, no, Sister Huanying didn't arrange for Hao Jian. It's because Hao Jian is from Yanjing and happens to be Xiang Nan's comrade-in-arms that she chose him instead.
That's the reasonable explanation!
This is Huanying's consideration, and it may also be a reasonable arrangement by the organization!
hiss!
With this thought, Qin Zongheng immediately understood.
But just as his gaze sharpened, preparing to press his grandson-in-law for more details, attempting to further confirm Hao Jian's identity, and even to fathom Huanying's deeper intentions—
"Hey, Old Qin? Little Li, what are you two doing standing here?"
A loud voice unexpectedly interrupted the tense and secretive conversation.
Then Zhou Yuejin came in through the front gate, carrying a tin bucket and smiling. He was obviously going to the public water pipe in the middle courtyard to get tap water.
This sudden interruption made Qin Zongheng instantly retract the further guess that was about to slip out.
The old man, having weathered many storms, immediately regained his usual cheerful and calm demeanor, as if his deep contemplation had never occurred.
"Hey, it's Yuejin! I was just asking Xiangnan about the child. Yuejin, you've come at the perfect time!"
Li Xiangnan reacted even faster, immediately picking up the conversation, "Brother Yuejin, I was just about to come find you. Squad Leader Hao is back and is talking to Grandpa and the others inside. Let's have lunch together and have a couple of drinks! Let's have some fun!"
"Squad Leader Hao? He's back?" Zhou Yuejin's face lit up with surprise and joy. "I haven't seen him in ages! He didn't even make it to my son's birth. This guy, we have to have a couple of drinks today!"
He knew Hao Jianzhan before Li Xiangnan; Hao Jianzhan was his old squad leader, and they had a very deep bond. He immediately put the matter of fetching water out of his mind and followed Li Xiangnan and Qin Zongheng back with great enthusiasm.
Once in the backyard, the atmosphere became lively again.
Li Dequan, Song Qiankun, and Hao Jian were chatting when the food and wine on the table were already laid out.
"Squad Leader!" Zhou Yuejin's arrival immediately warmed up the atmosphere, and the reunion of comrades-in-arms dispelled the previous subtle doubts.
Hao Jian was also very happy to see Zhou Yuejin. They patted each other on the shoulder and laughed heartily.
"Squad leader, I received the red envelope you sent back to Xie Jun last time. Thank you so much!" Zhou Yuejin was touched when he thought of this. Although the squad leader hadn't come back, the red envelope had arrived.
"Why bring this up? Just have a few drinks with us old leaders at noon!"
"Hahaha!"
Everyone immediately burst into laughter, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere.
Qin Zongheng quickly blended in, chatting and laughing, but occasionally a knowing look and a keen observation would appear in his eyes as he glanced at Hao Jian.
He knew that some things couldn't be rushed and required the right timing.
The lively atmosphere lasted for a long time, gradually dissipating in the afternoon. The classmates had already left; Hao Jian and Zhou Yuejin went to take a bath and catch up, and the relatives also went home one after another.
The courtyard returned to peace. In the evening, after serving his wife Qin Ruobai her postpartum meal and waiting for his daughter Li Xitang to fall asleep peacefully to her grandmother's lullaby, Li Xiangnan finally had a moment to take out the Snow White toy that Hao Jian had given him and place it on the table to examine it.
"This toy...is it rare to see in China? I see it even has foreign writing on it. Squad Leader Hao is really generous! Look, Xitang has been holding onto it all afternoon!" Qin Ruobai leaned against the headboard, glancing at the packaging on the bedside table, and said softly.
Li Xiangnan returned to the bedside, held his wife's hand, and sighed, "Ruobai, it's a bit unusual that Squad Leader Hao came today!"
So he carefully recounted to his wife the reaction that occurred at noon, and his subsequent speculations with Grandpa Qin.
Qin Ruobai listened, his embroidered eyebrows slightly furrowed.
"You mean... Squad Leader Hao might actually be someone close to Grandma? And he seems to... know something about Grandpa?"
“Your grandfather suspected the same thing!” Li Xiangnan said in a low voice, “Moreover, Squad Leader Hao implied that he wouldn’t be leaving Yanjing anytime soon! Why would someone as busy as him suddenly stop going on business trips? And he’s been paying special attention to Xitang, asking her very detailed questions…”
Qin Ruobai pondered for a moment, a flash of understanding appearing in his eyes.
"You mean, he actually wants to see Xitang more? Or rather, he wants Grandma to know more about Xitang?"
Li Xiangnan suddenly looked at his wife, and Qin Ruobai also suddenly looked at her husband. Both of them were startled at the same time and almost exclaimed in surprise.
"Is Grandma in Yanjing right now?"