Chronicle of the 70s
Chapter 48 - 048 The Qin Family’s Past Stories 1 Part 2 (Please Auto-Subscribe)

Chapter 48: 048 The Qin Family’s Past Stories 1 Part 2 (Please Auto-Subscribe)

Li Xianglu’s face turned bright red; she had been terrified just moments before. If it had been discovered that she was the one snooping, it would have been very bad. It wasn’t a big deal initially, but considering those involved were going out of their way to hide their secret tryst in such a place, especially the girl who had arranged encounters with two different groups of people, it was indeed a shocking secret. She figured they would definitely try to find her, and if there were too many secrets involved, she herself could be in danger.

Having calmed herself, Li Xianglu thought for a moment. Upon reaching the entrance to her home and ensuring no one was around, she spoke to the departing Qin Xi: "Brother Qin, I actually saw someone just now."

Under the moonlight, Qin Xi raised an eyebrow, his tall and graceful figure exuding a cool air. Li Xianglu blinked and continued: "How about we talk in my kitchen?"

Qin Xi nodded indifferently and replied: "Alright."

Li Xianglu entered the yard, secured the door, and then lit an oil lamp. She made a low inquiry in front of the old master’s window; the old man was already asleep. Only then did she carefully carry the oil lamp to the kitchen.

By this time, Qin Xi was already sitting at the dining table, his long legs awkwardly curled up.

Li Xianglu quickly took a seat and asked: "Brother Qin, would you like some water?"

Qin Xi shook his head: "No need; just tell me what’s going on."

Li Xianglu settled herself and didn’t rush to speak. Instead, she poured herself a big cup of hot water to hold, and after a long while, she finally said: "That Qin Miao, is she a relative of yours?"

Qin Xi’s eyes suddenly widened, but upon seeing Li Xianglu’s shining black eyes in the dim light, he quickly controlled his expression and asked in a suppressed voice: "You saw her?"

Li Xianglu swallowed and replied: "Yes, I did," and then looked intently at Qin Xi.

Qin Xi was taken aback, realizing he had yet to answer the young girl’s question. Was he supposed to answer first, and then she would divulge what she had seen based on their respective situations?

Raising an eyebrow, the corners of Qin Xi’s mouth lifted slightly as he smiled and said: "Yes, she is my uncle’s daughter, named Qin Miao. She’s currently at the Jishui Team as an educated youth sent to the countryside."

Li Xianglu nodded imperceptibly, no wonder. She often saw that girl in the literacy class, and the well-off male educated youth teacher would frequently ask her questions. The two also appeared to exchange meaningful glances, seemingly in a relationship.

But after what Li Xianglu witnessed today in the cave dwelling, she could not be certain of their relationship anymore.

Because both the young male voice from earlier and the older male voice that came afterward were not the voices of the educated youth teacher; surely they were from different people.

After choosing her words carefully, Li Xianglu delicately said: "I saw her with two men."

Qin Xi was confused: two men? That meant three people in total. Then why did this girl run back in such a panic?

Li Xianglu slightly lowered her eyes to conceal her embarrassment and said: "She met with one, and then the other."

Qin Xi’s eyes widened. What was going on? Looking at the girl, he noticed the shadows under her long eyelashes were flushed red, realizing that she must’ve seen something intense.

No wonder she’d run back so scared.

Qin Xi nodded: "Did you see who those two men were?"

Li Xianglu shook her head: "I didn’t; I was afraid of being discovered, so I hid there. But the first man looked younger, with a slim and tall silhouette. The second one seemed older, with a wide and hefty build. When I ran, I stepped on a branch and one of the men called out; his voice sounded quite mature, like that of a middle-aged man."

Li Xianglu tried to express herself as carefully as she could, but however she put it, it seemed there was too much story hidden within.

Qin Xi’s mind was spinning with countless thoughts, so he was completely unaware of Li Xianglu’s apprehensions.

After a while, he inquired further before instructing, "Tomorrow, no matter who asks, you just say you didn’t leave halfway and came back directly with me. I’ll explain it to my dad."

Li Xianglu nodded in understanding.

As Qin Xi stood up to leave, he saw the relief on the girl’s face and couldn’t help but say with a touch of amusement, "Don’t be nervous. They didn’t see you, so as long as you don’t admit it, no one will do anything to you. But still, it’s always good to be cautious. Just don’t go out alone for the time being."

Li Xianglu squinted her eyes and nodded with a smile.

After Qin Xi left and returned home, Qin Shouren had just entered the house when he saw his son and asked, "Didn’t you leave early? Why are you just getting back now?"

Qin Xi didn’t rush to answer; instead, he fetched a basin of water and entered the room, saying to Qin Shouren, "Dad, wash your feet before going to bed."

Qin Shouren was left somewhat speechless. He didn’t know what was with his son, as he hadn’t been this particular in the past. But six months ago, he started to insist on it, claiming that he couldn’t sleep because of the stench of his feet at night. Not only did his youngest son have to wash his feet, but he had to do so as well.

So, as soon as his son had prepared the water, he immersed his feet in the basin.

Qin Xi then brought over a small wooden stool to sit on and asked, "Dad, don’t you want to return to the city?"

Qin Shouren was enjoying his footbath when he was taken aback by his son’s sudden question. "What are you getting at with this abrupt question?" he asked.

"Just asking whether you want to return to the city or not," Qin Xi said with a light smile.

Qin Shouren’s brow furrowed slightly, but his thoughts drifted far away. Who wouldn’t want to return to the city? He himself was a surgeon, stuck in this mountain ravine, unable to utilize any of his skills. The most he could do was help villagers with minor ailments. What good was it to be able to treat people without medication or to perform surgeries? It was all futile.

Seeing that his father hadn’t responded, Qin Xi leaned lazily against the wall and mentioned, "Dad, I heard that Grandpa has a spot that could allow either you or Uncle to return to the city."

Qin Shouren’s train of thought was sharply interrupted by his son’s words. He was about to stand up abruptly from the water basin but lost his balance and nearly fell to the ground.

Qin Xi quickly grabbed his father, chuckling, "Dad, look at you. You’ve weathered great storms, and yet you’re startled by such a trivial matter."

Qin Shouren, steadied by his son, retorted annoyed, "Trivial? This is a huge deal! Where did you hear this?"

Qin Xi replied casually, "Never mind where I heard it from. I can guarantee this information is absolutely true and reliable!"

His eldest son never spoke carelessly, so if he knew about this matter, it must be true.

His father had written to them three months prior, saying that he had returned to the capital. The four-year investigation had come to an end, and although the state had not given him any position, they bestowed upon him the title of a visiting professor at a research institute.

Even with that, it was still quite good. After all, their father was a missile expert who had returned from overseas studies. Four years ago, he had suddenly been arrested under the claim that it was necessary to isolate and investigate a group of military scholars and professors who had returned from abroad.

ps: Four Chapters today. Here’s a recommendation for Sister Ni Ni’s new book, "Rebirth of Miao Miao’s Happy Life," a novel embellished and changed based on real-life drama. It’s quite a good read, with many events in the plot being drawn from reality. I hope everyone will give it a look and support it.

Thank you, SACEORJ, for the monthly ticket.

Thank you, lhrgxf, for the monthly ticket.

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