Chapter 488: Chapter 487: Preparations Before Departure

“Comrade Shao Yuying, I am now going to read out the notice of action issued to you by the Ministry of Education.”

In the living room, Shao Yuying, who had just returned from buying groceries, had not yet had a chance to put down her basket as she looked at her son somewhat helplessly.

“Mom, it’s okay.”

Shao Zifeng took the basket, helped her sit down, and simultaneously shot Lu Anan a glare.

Lu Anan realized that he had perhaps been too serious and quickly tried to reassure her in a softer tone, “Aunt Shao, don’t be nervous.”

“Oh, oh, please speak, General,” Shao’s mother said with a forced composure, her hand gripping Shao Zifeng’s arm tightly.

“Auntie, it’s like this, this is the notice from the Ministry of Education regarding the unfair treatment you suffered over a decade ago.”

Upon hearing this, Shao Yuying immediately understood what she was referring to. Her face showed a complicated expression as her hand gripping Shao Zifeng’s trembled slightly.

“Go ahead, I’m listening.”

Lu Anan looked helplessly at Shao Zifeng and began to read from the document, “Regarding the outcome of the matter of ‘the defection of former Army 78th Division Lieutenant Zhou Zimin’, the following has been ascertained: It has been established that Shao Yuying had no written or telephonic contact with Zhou Zimin before or after his defection, yet suffered unjust treatment due to their marital relationship.”

“After deliberation, the Ministry of Education has decided to revoke the disciplinary action against Shao Yuying, forbidding her from participating in professional title assessments. Shao Yuying will receive salary compensation according to her years of teaching, and it is ordered that the education bureaus of Yundu Region and Dragon City County, Su City, issue announcements to restore Shao Yuying’s reputation.”

The living room was quiet, with Shao Yuying sitting stunned on the sofa.

Seeing this, Lu Anan cautiously said, “Auntie, here is the document. There is also a certification document from the civil affairs bureau below. From now on, you will have no connection whatsoever with Zhou Zimin.”

Shao Yuying’s hands trembled as she accepted the document, looking blankly at the text. In that moment, over a decade of grievances and pain burst forth, and tears flowed uncontrollably down her face.

“Mom.”

Shao Zifeng put his arm around her shoulders but didn’t know what to say.

Upon hearing Shao Zifeng’s voice, his mother realized there were others present.

She quickly put down the document and wiped the tears from her face with her hand, attempting a forced smile.

“It’s alright, mom is fine, mom is just happy,” she said as she stood up from the sofa. “You Generals, please sit. I’ll go and cook for you.”

“There’s no need to trouble yourself,” Lu Anan waved his hands dismissively, “We still have official business and will be leaving for Yundu City soon.”

Shao Zifeng also spoke, “Yes, mom, the Generals are busy.”

Li Tianwen opened his mouth to speak but in the end said nothing, rising to his feet.

“Alright then…” Shao’s mother hesitated for a moment before saying, “Let me at least see you out.”

“There’s no need, truly,” Lu Anan interjected, “Let Zifeng see us out; we have matters to discuss, in any case.”

…

When the three of them stepped out into the yard, a custom official vehicle had already been waiting since early on.

Lu Anan was visibly sullen, “Damn man, ruining Auntie’s life, if I ever see him, I’ll skin him alive.”

Shao Zifeng remained silent, his heart equally unsettled seeing his mother in such a state.

Regarding Zhou Zimin, he had no memories, only knowing that the injustices suffered by him and his mother over the years were all because of that man.

Noticing Shao Zifeng’s lack of spirits, Lu Anan didn’t bring the topic up again, “No need to see us off, you better go back and keep Auntie company. We will send a car to pick you up in two days.”

“Okay,” Shao Zifeng stood still, watching as two soldiers opened the car door.

Before getting into the car, Lu Anan suddenly turned and winked at him, “I really wanted to taste Auntie’s cooking; you owe me a meal.”

Shao Zifeng retorted with a sneer, “Why don’t you stay and eat before you leave?”

“Pssh, dumb straight guy, no wonder you’ll be single for life,” Lu Anan glared at him and climbed into the car.

“We’re off.”

Li Tianwen nodded at him slightly and then closed the car door behind him.

With the roar of the engine, the business car quickly vanished around the corner.

Shao Zifeng stood silently for a while before turning to walk back home.

As he entered the house, he saw that the door to the living room had been firmly shut.

Qiqi sat crouched by the door, head down, her long tail curling around her body, her mood seeming quite low.

The Chasing Moon Dog lay on the other side of the living room door, its head resting on its front paws, and when Shao Zifeng walked in, it listlessly wagged its tail a couple of times.

The whole courtyard was very quiet, and even the normally boisterous young creatures were well-behaved and made no sound, the only noise being the suppressed sobbing of Shao Zifeng’s mother.

“Growl…”

Yaya, lying on the ground, looked up at Shao Zifeng and rubbed his hand with its big head.

Shao Zifeng smiled at it and sat down beside it on the ground.

Leaning against Yaya, feeling the uneven rocks and the strong heartbeat, Shao Zifeng’s heart felt a lot more settled.

“Do you like it here?”

“Woof~”

Yaya squinted its eyes happily and nodded its head.

For the next two days, Shao Zifeng dutifully stayed at home, talking with his mother, entertaining her.

His mother’s mood did indeed improve a lot; laughter often burst out in the courtyard.

During this period, people from the city’s education bureau, and from Shao Yuying’s previous school, came to express their sympathy, which made Shao’s mother feel quite vindicated.

Early on the third day, Qiqi came on time to wake Shao Zifeng for breakfast.

“What, you’re leaving now?” Shao Yuying looked at the luggage next to Shao Zifeng and hurriedly put down her chopsticks, “You’ve only been here a few days, can’t you stay a little longer?”

“Exactly, you said yesterday you’d help me practice with Lan’s friend! Big liar Zifeng.” Qiqi set down her phone and echoed, like a chorus.

“I don’t want to either.” Shao Zifeng had an expression of helplessness: “Mom, could you get me a bowl of porridge?”

“What do you mean you don’t want to, I think you’re just sleeping in and playing wild, away from home for a year, and now leaving after just three days.” Shao’s mother ladled the porridge while chattering, “At home, I can serve you like a young master, but once you’re out, see who will serve you your meals.”

“Heh heh, thanks Mom.” Receiving the bowl from his mother, Shao Zifeng picked up some pickled vegetables, stirred them in, and began to drink it down with big gulps.

Seeing this, Shao Yuying’s face bore a faint smile, “Eat slower, no one’s going to snatch it from you.”

Upon hearing this, Qiqi’s eyes rolled around and she quietly crept up beside Shao Zifeng, and while he was talking with his head raised, she buried her little head straight into the bowl.

Chomp—-

“Ptooey!”

Qiqi spat out the pickled vegetables from her mouth and kept wiping her little face with her paws to remove the sticky rice grains, “Zifeng, are you a pig or what? Why is there only pickled vegetables left?”

“Hahaha, Mom, one more bowl please.” Shao Zifeng held Qiqi in his arms, laughing as he took the grains of rice off its fur and said to his mother, “I have to get an early start on getting used to the field, the rules and all that, because of the competition in June and as the team captain, I need to lead by example.”

At the mention of the competition, Qiqi immediately perked up, her little paws perched on his arm as she looked at him expectantly, “Zifeng, Zifeng, are you guys going to the capital to compete, duck?”

“Should be, not quite sure yet.” Shao Zifeng tapped its little nose with his finger, causing Qiqi to scrunch up her little nose with disdain.

“Hmph, big bully.” Qiqi glared at him and then turned and ran back to her little stool.

Shao’s mother placed the bowl of porridge in front of him and said with a hint of concern, “You must pay attention to safety when you’re out and about. I’ve struggled with others all my life, tormented myself for a lifetime. Now I see clearly, all those honors don’t matter, as long as you’re safe and well, that’s the greatest comfort to me.”

Shao Zifeng was silent for a moment, “I know.”

“As long as you are aware, that’s enough; saying more and you’ll just find me annoying.”

“Oh, and the state has compensated me quite a bit of money, so why don’t you take it, since I…”

“Mom, I really do have money.”

“Oh, then let me pack some food in your bag for the road. These past days, they’ve sent a lot, and I don’t like to eat it.”

“Mom! Can’t you just sit down… ”

“Oh, you’re already fed up with Mom.”

“I’m not…”

Qiqi sat on her little stool nearby, her long tail swishing back and forth, squinting her eyes with a smile as she watched the two of them.

They were the closest people to Qiqi in this world, and she truly loved this kind of atmosphere!