Chapter 11: I... I'll head out first.

Yushan Village!

Gao Qiming’s eyes were fixed entirely on the letter, completely unaware that the county magistrate had already opened his eyes at some unknown moment and was lazily speaking, startling Gao Qiming thoroughly.

“Well? Any documents that need handling?”

At the moment Gao Qiming responded, the letter had already been instinctively slipped into his pocket. His speech was halting and stammering, “Oh, n-no… nothing!”

“That’s good. Xiao Gao, you must understand, we serve the people. Whenever there’s anything concerning the people, you must inform me immediately!”

“U-understood, County Magistrate Gao!”

Magistrate Gao had come from a humble background. Though he now held this position, he truly understood the hardships of the common folk. In his mind, nothing was more important than their welfare.

“If nothing else, you may leave for now. Call me when it’s time for the meeting.”

Gao Qiming left swiftly, but the bulging envelope in his pocket caught the county magistrate’s attention. Gao pursed his lips, and just as Gao Qiming was about to exit, he suddenly said,

“Xiao Gao, what’s in your pocket? Why does it look so bulky?”

Gao Qiming froze for a moment but quickly replied, stammering all the while, “Oh, it’s… it’s a letter from my g-girlfriend…”

“You have a girlfriend? Good! That’s good. Treat her well, and bring her over for me to meet sometime!”

“Yes, County Magistrate Gao, I’ll… I’ll leave now!”

With a loud bang, the office door shut firmly behind him. Gao Qiming felt his whole body trembling. He didn’t know how long it took to get back to the dormitory, but the first thing he did was quickly open the envelope and read every word carefully.

The letter’s content was plain and straightforward—it was a complaint.

County Magistrate Gao,

Hello, my name is Liu Qiaohui, a resident of Yushan Village. I have a matter that requires your attention concerning the adoption of an orphan!

Fortunately, Gao had risked intercepting this letter; otherwise, the village chief of Yushan Village would have been in serious trouble.

Indeed!

He was the close brother of the village chief’s son, as known by Xu Gouzi.

More than that… they were sworn brothers bound by life and death!

Although he had taken a great risk today, the moment he opened that letter, he felt it was all worthwhile.

Liu Qiaohui!

Yes!

Tomorrow, he would tell the village chief of Yushan Village that very name!

A sleepless night.

Liu Qiaohui couldn’t sleep all night, and even the infant Ye Ling, who should have been asleep, stayed awake the entire night.

What was Liu Qiaohui waiting for? Did Ye Ling understand?

Yet what she worried about was whether the county magistrate would truly address the matter upon reading the letter.

Her small mind was in turmoil, eyes wide open until dawn.

But what followed dawn was an agonizing wait.

Morning… no sign of the county magistrate!

Afternoon… still no sign!

Even into the night… he had yet to appear!

Xu Gouzi was the first to lose patience. After greeting his aunt, he headed to the county magistrate’s home, only to be told by the aunt,

“Oh, you’re looking for my husband? He hasn’t returned. Yes, he’s on duty tonight and won’t be back until tomorrow morning.”

Tomorrow morning?

Xu Gouzi knew Liu Qiaohui wouldn’t make it until then.

After some thought, he strode purposefully toward the county government.

At the county government security office,

Zhang Dana truly cared about Liu Qiaohui’s matter. He had seen the county magistrate twice today, twice wanting to ask about the letter, but every time some other matter interrupted.

Zhang Dana was an honest man. Since he had taken this responsibility, he had to give an explanation.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, he estimated the magistrate would be off duty soon. When he emerged, Zhang Dana would ask about the letter.

Time ticked by.

Zhang Dana’s eyes stayed fixed on the county magistrate’s office until he saw the lights go out. He exhaled and stood at the door.

From afar, he saw Magistrate Gao approaching, tall and dignified.

“Brother Zhang, you’re on duty tonight!”

“Brother Zhang!”

Magistrate Gao always called him that.

It subtly brought them closer.

“Yes, County Magistrate Gao, I’m on duty tonight!”

“Good. Don’t overwork yourself, but stay vigilant.”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Zhang Dana repeated his affirmation three times. He had been preparing for a while but wasn’t sure how to bring up the letter. Seeing Magistrate Gao about to exit the building, Zhang Dana simply blocked his path. Amid Gao’s puzzled gaze, he stammered,

“County Magistrate, there’s something I want to ask…”

“Oh! Brother Zhang, this is the first time in all these years you’ve spoken to me like this! What is it? Speak, Brother Zhang.”

Behind the magistrate stood Gao Qiming, growing curious. Zhang Dana hadn’t been at the county government for just a day or two, yet he’d never seen him get close to Magistrate Gao before. What was going on today?

Gao Qiming’s curiosity grew, so he pricked up his ears to listen carefully.

“County Magistrate Gao, that thing on your desk…”

Before Zhang Dana could finish, Gao Qiming sensed trouble. His mind raced, instantly connecting it to the letter.

Ha!

He had suspected it—how could there be a complaint letter mysteriously appearing on the magistrate’s desk? Turns out Zhang Dana was involved.

Gao Qiming’s heart was heavy with guilt. That last word was one he would never let Zhang Dana utter. Though he knew he shouldn’t interrupt, now was not the time for hesitation.

“County Magistrate Gao, the provincial hospital people are still waiting for you at the office. You can’t delay any longer!”

That single sentence cut off Zhang Dana’s last word.

Apologetically, Gao glanced at his watch.

Indeed, time was tight.

Smiling at Zhang Dana, he grasped his hand,

“Brother Zhang, look, I have some urgent matters today. How about this—tomorrow, you come to my office, and we’ll talk this through, alright?”

Zhang Dana was reluctant.

But as it was the magistrate who spoke to him this way, it showed respect. He couldn’t afford to lose face now.

“Alright, County Magistrate, you go ahead. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Good! Xiao Gao, arrange for Brother Zhang to come to my office tomorrow.”

Gao Qiming nodded enthusiastically but knew clearly that if Zhang Dana revealed the matter of the letter, he was finished.

No, he had to devise a plan tonight.