A charming widow in her 70s married a factory manager and raised his children.

Chapter 232 What if I don't come back?

Zhuang Qingxiang knew from Dai Hongying's expression that she knew.

"You knew someone was looking for me?" She smiled. "You're really well-informed."

"Absolutely!" Dai Hongying patted her chest. "You've always been under special protection, and I'm one of those protecting you."

Zhuang Qingxiang smiled and said, "I know, thank you."

But whether it's protection or surveillance, no one can say for sure.

"Sister Zhuang, tell me quickly! What did that person say to you? What task did they assign you?"

Zhuang Qingxiang didn't know if she was genuinely unaware or pretending, but since she wasn't bringing it up, she wouldn't either.

"That man wanted me to write a letter of introduction so I could take him to the capital."

Dai Hongying was stunned: "Go to the capital? They want to cause trouble in the capital? That's incredibly audacious! What kind of place is the capital? How dare they?!"

"I don't know the specifics, but they said I have to go there and come back quickly. They said it's almost over here, and I'll probably have to leave after I get back from the capital," Zhuang Qingxiang said softly.

"Then I'll send the message out immediately and see how they arrange things," Dai Hongying said right away.

Zhuang Qingxiang quickly grabbed Hongying's arm: "Hongying, I haven't finished speaking! I don't want to go to the capital with them. The three children are still young, and I can't bear to leave them..."

Dai Hongying glanced at the two little ones playing on the kang (heated brick bed), frowned and sighed: "But they've already made such a request, if you refuse... Sister Zhuang, I'd better go and deliver the message first. Some things aren't up to us to decide."

Dai Hongying went to buy groceries with a basket in her hand, and the news was successfully spread.

Before the decision was even made, Lu Congyue returned and was the first to object: "No, I can't go to the capital with you. You absolutely can't go alone!"

Zhuang Qingxiang nodded vigorously: "I also think it won't work."

Dai Hongying anxiously said from the side, "I think it's okay! Sister Zhuang, leave the children to me. If I can't, I'll find another helper. I can still take good care of your children. But we must seize this opportunity to go to the capital. Maybe we can even recruit a few people from there. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You can't miss it."

Zhuang Qingxiang and Lu Congyue both looked at her at the same time, which made Dai Hongying scratch her head and shut her mouth.

Lu Congyue: "Comrade Dai, you stay home and look after the three children. Zhuang Qingxiang and I are going out for a walk."

"..." Dai Hongying was speechless. "It's so cold at night, why are you leaving? If you want to avoid talking to me, go next door. I promise I won't bring Yueyue to eavesdrop."

Lu Congyue thought about it and agreed. Zhuang Qingxiang had been enjoying the cool breeze in the park for so long today, so it was better not to let her stay out in the cool breeze tonight.

He took Zhuang Qingxiang back to his room, closed the door, and then asked, "Who was that?"

Zhuang Qingxiang didn't hide anything from him: "Zhuang Luping! Dai Hongying doesn't seem to know, so I didn't mention it."

Lu Congyue nodded: "Zhuang Luping's identity... it's right not to mention it. I'll mention it to the organization, and try not to let more people know about his relationship with you, so as to avoid trouble later."

"Will the organization agree?" Zhuang Qingxiang asked nervously.

"Probably, it's not a big deal." Lu Congyue thought for a moment and said, "The key question now is why he's going to the capital. Haven't you found out anything?"

Zhuang Qingxiang shook her head.

Lu Congyue pondered for a moment: "Why didn't he bring his own men, but instead brought you? I think that's strange."

Zhuang Qingxiang continued to nod vigorously.

So she didn't want to go at all.

"I don't have time to go to the capital with you," Lu Congyue said irritably.

The tug-of-war on his side continues, forcing the person behind the scenes to come forward; he cannot leave at this crucial moment.

But Zhuang Luping's attitude is clear...

"Within three days," Lu Congyue sighed.

If nothing unexpected happens, Zhuang Qingxiang will probably really go with Zhuang Luping, and the organization certainly won't let this opportunity pass.

After all, just based on Zhuang Luping's identity, it's clear that this trip to the capital is no ordinary one.

Silence fell in the room.

What Lu Congyue could think of, Zhuang Qingxiang could naturally think of as well.

She sighed, "I'm just worried about the child... If it really comes to it, I'll go there! Anyway, Dai Hongying said that someone is protecting me where I can't see me, so nothing should happen."

Seeing her fearful and anxious yet trying to appear strong, Lu Congyue wanted to hug her and comfort her, telling her that everything would be alright and that someone was indeed protecting her.

But he couldn't hug her. These days, Zhuang Qingxiang had been keeping a close watch on him, and he couldn't even get through the threshold of her room at night.

If I try to hug her during the day, she will firmly push me away because there are children and strangers at home.

Dai Hongying must be listening intently to what's going on here; he can't afford to upset her.

"Qingxiang, I'll get you a letter of introduction tomorrow to buy train tickets," Lu Congyue said in a low voice. "I guess that's what they mean. Don't worry, child, I'll take good care of them."

Lu Congyue was right. The next day, Dai Hongying conveyed the message, asking her to agree to Zhuang Luping's request and accompany him to the capital to find out his intentions and to keep an eye on who he met there.

Zhuang Qingxiang felt anxious and restless at the thought of leaving the children.

Even after receiving the letter of introduction and the train ticket, she still felt that she hadn't really made a decision.

In the middle of the night, Zhuang Qingxiang sneaked into Lu Congyue's room in the dark.

Lu Congyue was always alert, and he woke up as soon as she came in. However, after smelling the faint fragrance in the darkness, he knew who it was.

"Why did you come here?" Lu Congyue asked in surprise.

Zhuang Qingxiang silently climbed onto the kang (a heated brick bed) and fell into Lu Congyue's arms.

Lu Congyue chuckled: "Thinking about it?"

Zhuang Qingxiang choked.

"No! I was just too nervous and scared." So I couldn't stay still and just wanted to have a good talk with him.

Thinking about the torment she had endured these past few days, Zhuang Qingxiang felt a lump in her throat and choked out, "Lu Congyue, I'm not going to die a heroic death in the capital, am I?"

His arms tightened around her, and Lu Congyue whispered a rebuke: "Don't talk nonsense. It's not that easy to die a heroic death. Do you think the people protecting you in the shadows are all useless?"

"It's better to be safe than sorry," Zhuang Qingxiang said, her heart clenching. "Lu Congyue, if I really... will you treat Yueyue and Chenglin well?"

Lu Congyue paused, then gritted his teeth: "No way!"

Zhuang Qingxiang sat up straight instantly and gave him a push: "Lu, Cong, Yue!"

Lu Congyue pulled him back forcefully and whispered, "Since you're worried about me, come back safely. The child and I are waiting for you at home. No matter what happens, your safety comes first, understand?"

Zhuang Qingxiang thought to herself, "Do you even need to tell me that?"

She wouldn't feel comfortable leaving her two children in the care of others; she's determined to come back safely.

"Give me something to protect myself, and try to get me some sleeping pills just in case," she whispered her request. "I need to protect myself."

"Okay!" Lu Congyue agreed readily.

Zhuang Qingxiang felt a little relieved, but still felt a sense of desolation, always feeling that this trip was likely to end badly.