Chapter 165

Just as this moment, someone knocked on the door, and Little Lang opened it.0

Of course, it was Yan Zhao.0

These days, they had been keeping in touch through phone calls. From those calls, Little Lang had reported to Yan Zhao all about Mike's restlessness and his constant desire to escape.0

There is an old Chinese saying, "Unity is strength," and another, "When people are of one heart, mountains can be moved."0

Mike, like Little Lang, was the son of a high-ranking official. He was raised by his grandfather since childhood. If he lacked awareness, that would be understandable, but his restlessness was unacceptable. Yan Zhao had to come and take a look.0

His gaze swept across the room, stopping on his son's nose. Then, he looked at Mike, who was lying behind Little Lang, and a flash of anger crossed his eyes. Yan Zhao was a man who fiercely protected his own, especially his two sons, though he rarely showed it openly.0

Little Lang's nose, not covered by the mask, had a spreading bruise. Yan Zhao had been to the battlefield and could instantly recognize such injuries—they were the result of powerful punches. If the force had been a bit stronger, Little Lang's nose could have been broken.0

In contrast, Mike, though his eyes were bloodshot and his face swollen, had no bruises on his exposed skin. This proved that Little Lang had been holding back when dealing with him.0

As soon as Mike saw someone enter, and judging by the tall stature and confident stride, he immediately jumped up, recognizing a high-ranking official. "Sir, I want to file a complaint against the Chinese special forces soldier Yan Minglang. He has been subjecting me to inhumane abuse these days. Once I'm out, I will make sure everyone knows about the inhumane treatment I've endured."0

"Then go ahead," Yan Zhao replied.0

Mike was taken aback by the man's firmness. He quickly added, "There's no freedom, no democracy here, only illegal detention. This is a form of persecution, a persecution by you native Chinese against overseas Chinese!"0

With the accusation of persecution raised, he dared Yan Zhao to be afraid.0

"Illegal detention? Your grandfather and uncle wanted to teach you a lesson. How is that illegal detention?" Yan Zhao retorted.0

Mike found the voice familiar.0

He had met Yan Zhao when he was a child in Qinghai, where Yan Zhao was serving in the army. Back then, Mike was the only grandson, much-loved. Yan Zhao had even carried him on his shoulders to pick stones by the river and buy biscuits at the supply store.0

Mike missed his grandfather and uncle deeply. His depression stemmed from the contrast between his life in the blue skies and white clouds of Qinghai and the cramped living conditions in the United States.0

Lack of material comforts in an environment where everyone was equal didn't matter to a child, as their happiness was unrelated to possessions. The affluent America lacked the equality and the happiness under that equality that Mike longed for.0

As the eldest, the anxiety and uncertainty Yan Jun and Liu Xiuying felt in a foreign land, along with the humiliation and frustration they endured outside, would be vented on him once they returned home.0

"It's all for you that we're so tired."0

"You're not making us proud. You're truly a waste!" This was Liu Xiuying's constant refrain.0

Now that his two younger brothers were successful, with scholarships and the money Chen Meilan provided annually, they could escape the family and their parents' complaints. Mike, however, was trapped by financial difficulties and couldn't break free. His desperate desire to become famous, to have money, and to move out of the house was the driving force behind his frantic attempts to escape.0

The concert in Hong Kong was his key to fame, the culmination of eight years of waiting. How could he not be anxious?0

"Uncle, I'm Yan Lu. The concert is tonight. Please let me go, okay? When I was a child, you told me why I was named Yan Lu—because I was to inherit your ideals and walk the path of ideals. Rock is my path of ideals." Mike changed his tactic, playing the emotional card.0

Mike's Chinese name was indeed Yan Lu.0

Realizing that the person who had come was Yan Zhao, he stopped his antics and tried to appeal to their shared past.0

But this time, his plan backfired. Who could be more unyielding than Yan Zhao?0

He looked at Little Lang and said, "Watch Mike, but first, protect yourself. If he dares to hit you, fight back fiercely. In the face of the virus, there are no relatives, only orders to follow..."0

"Yes," Little Lang saluted his father.0

"Uncle, please, Uncle, please..." Mike kept calling, but Yan Zhao slammed the door shut.0

Now, it was just the two of them again.0

Mike couldn't leave, and the concert was tonight. His dream of stardom, his dream of rock, was all over.0

And all of this was thanks to Yan Minglang, this stern, dull, yet ferocious little bastard.0

Mike was deflated, full of resentment. He pointed at Little Lang's nose and said, "Yan Minglang, is it such a big deal to know how to play a children's song? You have no idea what you're doing. You've ruined my path to fame. I was supposed to be the Eastern Michael Jackson, the Eastern Freddie Mercury, and you and your father have destroyed my future, destroyed the future of a rock superstar."0

Seeing that Little Lang remained silent, Mike spread his hands. "Oh, right, you probably don't even know who Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury are." Then, he raised his middle finger and shouted at Little Lang, "Fuck you!"0

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Little Lang coldly stared at Mike, then suddenly started playing again. The tune was familiar to Mike, but he couldn't place it.0

Little Lang continued to watch his brother play and said, "My sister has been playing the piano since she was young, so I have some musical sense. Brother Jim taught me a bit of violin when we were in Yangguan Village, but I didn't feel anything for that instrument..." He played a bit more and continued, "When I was in the army in Tibet, I fell in love with the guitar. When I missed home, missed my mom, I would play the guitar. To me, music has nothing to do with fame. When my sister played the piano, she just wanted to perform and express her love for the instrument. When Brother Jim played, he just wanted to find someone who would listen to him. They didn't think about becoming superstars, but they loved music!"0

After nearly a week together, this was the first time Little Lang had spoken so much.0

A Chinese soldier, and he actually understood music, understood art, loved music?0n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Mike found it laughable.0

And then Little Lang began to sing: "The sun in the west is about to set happily, the Weishan Lake is quiet and still, I pluck my beloved lute, singing those moving songs..."0

Next door, a female colleague who had been bored for days, tapped on the wall and said, "Sing some more, don't stop."0

Little Lang finished the entire song, "Plucking My Beloved Lute," in his deep, magnetic voice, right in front of the stunned Mike.0

But Mike, of course, wouldn't be convinced. He sneered, "Learned that in the Chinese army, huh? Red songs? What a country bumpkin." Learning some red songs in the army and singing them was nothing special.0

Once, Mike had wanted to return to China.0

The English song he covered was called "Descendants of the Dragon."0

As a Chinese person, he despised some aspects of China but also longed to return to the land. His feelings for China were complex, a mix of love and hate.0

At this moment, all he wanted to do was curse Little Lang: What a country bumpkin.0

Not for any other reason, but because this brother had destroyed his dream of stardom.0

Of course, he had never really considered Little Lang his brother, and now, even less so. He was being unreasonable, bitter, and vicious, trying to blame his years of unfulfilled ambitions on Little Lang and attack him mercilessly.0

This quiet, well-organized, clean country bumpkin picked up his guitar and started playing again.0

This time, the tune was very familiar to Mike. As Little Lang sang, Mike was completely stunned.0

"I've paid my dues, time after time, I've done my sentence..."0

It was Queen's most famous song, "We Are the Champions."0

Though his English pronunciation wasn't perfect, the melody was right on. Little Lang, Yan Minglang, could actually sing an English song.0

A Chinese soldier, where did he learn such an iconic Western pop song?0

Watching him with his long lashes casting shadows on his eyes, his rough, dark hands strumming the strings, he seemed truly immersed in the music, truly understanding it. How could Mike believe it?0

What made Mike even more disheartened was that, when it came to playing the guitar, Little Lang could do it, and when it came to singing, Little Lang could do that too.0

From the perspective of a professional singer, Little Lang's voice was rich and enduring, with a sound quality that was incredibly pure. His vocal range was no less impressive than Mike's.0

For a person, what could be a greater blow than what Mike was experiencing right now?0

He had always believed that his lack of success was due to racial discrimination, bad timing, and being Asian, which had subjected him to unfair treatment. He saw the concert in Hong Kong as an opportunity and was confident he could make a name for himself. Professionally, he had always considered himself to be quite talented.0

But at this moment, Little Lang, with his 'hobby,' had utterly silenced this irritable, vain, and restless big brother.0

As soon as Little Lang finished singing, not only did the people on the left start clapping against the wall, but someone on the right opened a window and shouted, "Young man, can you come over and sing 'The Girl from Daban City'?"0

Little Lang paused his guitar for a moment, then started playing 'The Grapes of Turpan Are Ripe.'0

This was a bright and cheerful song. He stood up, walked to the window, and as soon as he started playing, people on the left and right joined in singing, and even people from afar shouted, "This must be a singer or a star; he plays so beautifully."0

Gradually, the entire floor was captivated by Little Lang's guitar, and for a while, everyone was singing.0

It wasn't until lunchtime that everyone stopped.0

Poor Mike, who had always been so arrogant, lay on the bed after a long silence, covered himself with the blanket, and quietly fell asleep.0

China was still China, Mike's homeland, but at this moment, Mike realized that after twenty years away, it had changed not only in infrastructure and economic growth but also in the transformation of an entire generation.0

The post-80s generation in this country watched Japanese anime, listened to Western pop music, and were equally cultured and open-minded as their American peers. Yet, they still retained the virtues of their elders, like Little Lang, who, despite knowing so much, always wore a humble smile.0

From that day on, Mike was completely humbled. This humility was the result of Little Lang stripping him of all his confidence.0

On this day, he realized that at least one thing Yan Jun had said was true: he was a waste, a complete waste.0

He, who was eight years older than Little Lang, had been utterly defeated by his younger brother.0

Finally, some good news arrived.0

After expert evaluation, everyone at the Bayi Hotel received new treatment plans. Those who had been in close contact with patients were sent to specialized hospitals for isolation, while those who had been in close proximity were sent to other hospitals.0

As for Little Lang, Mike, and others who had not had direct contact with patients, they would be released and allowed to return home after being quarantined for half a month without any new symptoms.0

For Little Lang, this was great news. Finally, he could go home and be with his mother.0

As for Mike, he didn't care anymore. He was completely dejected, eating when food was given, drinking when water was offered, sitting motionless on the bed like a fool.0

Meanwhile, on Chen Meilan's side.0

She was somewhat familiar with her ex-husband, Yan Xishan.0

But his thick-skinned and cunning nature, along with his fearless spirit, left Chen Meilan in awe.0

Chen Meilan had been in the capital for a long time and knew many people from the neighborhood office. Yan Zhao, on the other hand, would certainly not allow Yan Xishan to enter and risk his life. Yan Xishan, wanting to see his biological father but unable to get in, came to Chen Meilan and asked if she could help him get inside. When Chen Meilan refused, he had an idea and said he wanted to send some things to his father.0

This ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‍was easier. The hotel had a designated person to receive items from the outside.0

Yan Xishan brought some ginseng and deer antler, some tonic herbs, from his hometown and sent them to his father.0

At this point, Chen Meilan thought that Yan Xishan was trying to compete for his father's favor with his other brothers, possibly to gain control of the old man's jade mine. She couldn't help but worry that his antics might cause disputes within the Maliye family. For this reason, she even called Yan Zhao and asked him to keep an eye on Yan Xishan.0

Of course, Yan Zhao also called Yan Xishan and sternly ordered him to stop causing trouble and to find a place to hide quietly.0

"Yan Zhao, why don't you trust me? Let's make a bet. I guarantee I won't cause any trouble, and I promise that after the quarantine ends, all my brothers will treat me like their real brother!" Yan Xishan said triumphantly before hanging up the phone.0

The next day, he sent some more things inside, this time specially bought yak jerky.0

He said that his older brother particularly liked yak jerky.0

On the third day, he sent some oil cakes, and on the fourth day, some oil tea.0

Day after day, except for the valuable medicinal herbs sent to Maliye, the other items cost no more than a hundred dollars. But in the context of a thousand miles and a light gift, the thought counts. The gifts themselves weren't much, but coming from a brother they had never met, their value was significant.0

Moreover, receiving these gifts during a time of virus outbreak and quarantine added even more meaning to them.0

Time flew by, and soon, the first batch of quarantined people at the Bayi Hotel could finally leave.0

Chen Meilan had anticipated that with Yan Xishan's reunion with his family, there would be a drama of competition for favor and intense conflicts, especially since Yan Xishan was the son born when Maliye was eighteen and would naturally be the eldest brother. The original eldest brother might not be pleased about this.0

But in reality, Ati, the eldest brother, voluntarily stepped down to second place, and on the day they left quarantine, he directly called Yan Xishan "elder brother."0

The other brothers also took an immediate liking to Yan Xishan. A group of burly men enthusiastically hugged Yan Xishan, patting him so hard that the skinny man almost got knocked out on the spot.0

Chen Meilan's worries were in vain. The family of more than thirty people was happily united, closer than real siblings.0

They joyfully boarded a bus to return to Kana.0

Yan Xishan was also going.0

He was doing so under the guise of investing in Kana's cotton industry.0

In the eyes of his brothers, he was a big tycoon, a coal magnate, and now a major investor in their cotton industry. Who wouldn't love him?0

But his true intentions were only known to Chen Meilan: "Chen Meilan, coal mining is my main business, and I won't abandon it. But I must also take over Kana's jade. My father and brothers are all fools. I'll just invest a little in the cotton fields, and they'll hand over the jade mine to me. Once I mine all the jade, they won't notice anything. This trip, I'm going to make a fortune. Chen Meilan, jade is worth much more than coal. Think about transferring Yuanyuan's household registration to me!"0

As for the household registration, Chen Meilan had always wanted to transfer it, but she hadn't been able to convince Yuanyuan.0

She watched as Yan Xishan was surrounded by his brothers and nephews and left.0

In the blink of an eye, Little Lang and Mike also came out.0

Today, Yan Peiheng and Yan Zhao were there, of course, to welcome Mike.0

Although Mike had been troublesome during the initial days of quarantine, he had suddenly become well-behaved after a few days. Yan Zhao was pleased, and so was Yan Peiheng. Since Mike had always loved pastries from Daoxiangcun as a child, Yan Peiheng had stood in a long line to buy some of his favorite treats, like crystal shrimp cakes, mung bean cakes, and lǘ dǎ gǔn, waiting at the door.0

After all, Mike was his eldest grandson, and Yan Peiheng loved him more than the younger ones. He was now talking to Yan Zhao: "Our Yan Lu is a good child. It's just that your older brother and his wife used American education methods, which spoiled the child. Look, after spending half a month with Little Lang, he's been well-behaved."0

Yan Zhao nodded: "Yes." Having not caused trouble for nearly ten days, Yan Zhao also thought Mike had learned to behave.0

"Here they come, Mike... what's wrong with him?" Yan Peiheng suddenly exclaimed.0

Yan Zhao followed his father's gaze and saw a man with swollen face, unshaven, his hair greasy and matted, walking towards them.0

By his side was the fresh and energetic Little Lang.0

This is Mike, but when he arrived, he had a big wave of shoulder-length hair, a jacket, jeans, and he looked so spirited. But now, what has happened to him?0

Mike strode over, reaching out to hug Yan Peiheng, holding him tightly and patting him on the back. He buried his head deep into his grandfather's shoulder, taking a deep breath, yet remained silent and turned to leave.0

"Yan Lu, where are you going?" Yan Zhao asked sharply.0

"To Hong Kong," Mike replied without looking back.0

"Your grandfather has been waiting for you for so long, and he even brought you some pastries. Can't you go home and spend a few days with him?" Yan Zhao asked again.0

Mike walked a few steps forward, suddenly turned back, a few greasy strands of hair flicking across his forehead. But after looking at Yan Peiheng and Little Lang, he still resolutely turned and left.0

In fact, he had been doing rock music for a full ten years, and this was the only time he had ever received a performance fee.0

He took a flight to visit his grandfather because he missed his grandfather, his home, and his homeland.0

But it's hard to say whether he was just unlucky or had bad luck. As a child, he suffered in Qinghai, and after going abroad, he was scolded the most by his parents. Finally, after breaking free from the shackles of fate and doing what he loved, he was still outshone by his brother's amateur hobby.0

So, Mike came with thoughts of his grandfather and his homeland.0

But now, that longing has turned into resentment. In his eyes, Yan Peiheng and Yan Zhao are the enemies who cut off his path to fame, and Yan Minglang, that twenty-year-old boy, Mike never wants to see again in his life.0

He now desires nothing more than to leave China, to get as far away from it as possible, and never return.0

Because he feels that the whole world is against him.0

But in the eyes of Yan Zhao and Yan Peiheng, isn't this just a case of a child who cannot be taught?0

Yan Peiheng felt a pain in his chest but still handed the pastry bag to Little Lang, instructing him, "Go and catch up with your elder brother, let him take the pastries for the road, and also, there are masks inside, make sure he wears them!"0

Mike had already left the alley, standing by the roadside trying to hail a taxi. Unable to find one, he went to the bus stop to check the bus routes. If someone else had offered him the pastries and masks, he might have taken them, but since it was Little Lang who brought them, he didn't even look at them and threw them into the trash can.0

Then he boarded the bus and left without looking back.0

Due to the viral outbreak, the military had gone into full lockdown.0

Those who were out couldn't return, and those inside couldn't come out.0

So this year, it was the longest holiday Little Lang had had since leaving home at the age of 15.0

He diligently practiced shooting and fitness training every day, never slacking off.0

And whenever he was done, he would take care of the housework. Not only was he good at cleaning, but he was also particularly skilled in cooking, especially his lamb dishes, which were exceptionally delicious.0

Since everyone was staying at home, many kids had started to look chubbier, with round cheeks and little pot bellies, but Little Lang still maintained his lean, muscular physique. After a period of staying indoors, his skin had turned pale, and with his cute baby face combined with his muscular build, he was simply too adorable.0

A while later, Yuanyuan, who had been interning at Zhongsheng Company, also returned. It was said that it was because the vaccine trials were still under review and needed to wait. However, the benefit for Yuanyuan was that she and a few other students who reported on time had all signed jobs at Zhongsheng Company.0

Even for a Tsinghua graduate, getting a job at Zhongsheng Company was rare. The opportunities, whether in terms of treatment or the scope of what they could be exposed to, were things that the Bayi Dairy Company couldn't offer Yuanyuan.0

In her previous life, Yuanyuan had stumbled through life, experiencing all the hardships of the world, but this life was nothing short of lucky, with such a good job.0

As soon as she returned, Little Lang had a companion. Every day, when Little Lang went to practice shooting, Yuanyuan helped him carry his water bottle.0

When he wanted to cook, Yuanyuan helped him with the preparations. The two kids always had endless topics to chat about.0

One day, after waking up and going downstairs, Chen Meilan heard Yuanyuan asking Little Lang, "Come on, tell me, have you ever had a girlfriend? If you tell me your secret, I'll tell you mine."0

Little Lang was only twenty, and since he was always in the military, how could he have had a girlfriend?0

Chen Meilan felt a bit puzzled but also curious, wanting to hear what these kids would talk about when it came to love. Moreover, Little Wang had always seemed to be the one pursuing Yuanyuan, but Chen Meilan didn't know what Yuanyuan's attitude was towards love. So, she decided to listen in and see what kind of little secrets these kids would share.0

So she tiptoed back.0

At the same time, because his eldest grandson had left

without even having a meal with him, and because he couldn't figure out what the child was thinking or why he was so dejected, Yan Peiheng, who had been pondering this, received a phone call from Mike in Hong Kong.0

"Grandpa, I have a fever! Grandpa, what should I do?"0

Mike, who had managed to avoid the virus at the Bayi Hotel due to Little Lang's good protection, was now in Hong Kong, suspected of being infected!