South to North: A Prison Guard at the Beginning

"Yan Zi is back!" At this time, Wang Sufang walked out from the inner room with a smile on her face.

"Mom!" Ma Yan put Ma Jian down and looked at Wang Sufang with a smile.

"Child, you used to go home once a week, but later you didn't come back for a month!" Wang Sufang pretended to blame.

"Mom! The school curriculum is very tight, I have to study hard." Ma Yan walked up to Wang Sufang and hugged her arm and said coquettishly.

"That's enough. You're such a grown-up girl, but you still act like a spoiled child." Wang Sufang seemed to be enjoying this moment.

"No matter how old I am, I am still a child in front of you!"

"That's true." Wang Sufang said with a smile.

"What time will my dad be back?"

"As for him, that's still early. It's only noon. If the unit is busy, he will probably be back around five or six o'clock. If the unit is busy, then he won't be back in time." Wang Sufang shook her head.

Ma Yan nodded and was not surprised. Ever since Ma Kui took office as deputy captain of the criminal police team, he has become busier than before. There are a lot of things to do in the team, and as the deputy captain, he has heavier responsibilities.

"Mom, stop talking about this. Make something delicious for me first. I'm hungry."

"Okay, wash your hands and we'll be eating soon." Wang Sufang walked towards the kitchen with a smile, but Ma Yan also followed her to the kitchen. When she saw the meat and pig's trotters stewing in the pot, she became greedy.

"Mom! It's still a long way from the New Year. Why are you roasting meat so early?"

"Xiao Mu is coming back soon. Your dad bought it specially for you." Wang Sufang said with a smile while using a spoon to put the meat in the pot.

"Ah? Uncle Yuan is coming back? I haven't seen him for more than four months. He just arrived in Kyoto and he solved a big case. It was all in the newspapers. Everyone in the dormitory knows that Uncle Yuan is from our compound. They are so envious."

"And they all asked me if Uncle Yuan had a girlfriend. It seemed like they were interested if he didn't." Ma Yan said with a laugh.

"How old are your classmates? What do they look like? What do their families do? If there's really a suitable one, please introduce one to your Uncle Yuan. He's already 27 this Chinese New Year, and he still doesn't have a girlfriend. Your dad has been nagging me about this several times." Wang Sufang asked with interest.

"Hey, don't mention it. There is indeed a good one. She lives on the upper bunk above me. Her name is Li Tao. She is 24 years old this year. Her father is a section chief in the Ningyang Finance Bureau. Her family is well-off. She is also good-looking. I think she is a good match for Uncle Yuan." Ma Yan thought about it carefully and then said.

"That's great. I'll talk to your Uncle Yuan when he comes back tomorrow. If he agrees, you can ask the kid out and let them meet. Maybe it will work out." Wang Sufang said with a smile.

"Okay, that's no problem. Mom, can you give me half a pig's trotter so I can taste the saltiness?" Ma Yan pursed her lips and looked at the pig's trotter in the pot.

Wang Sufang smiled dotingly.

"Okay, why not?"

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

At six o'clock the next morning, two figures were standing on the platform of Ningyang Railway Station. One of the young men was yawning. They were Wang Xin and Ma Kui.

"Master, why did Brother Mu arrange such an early train? It would be better if it were later."

"Why are you talking so much nonsense? If you don't want to stay, go back!" Lao Ma glared at Wang Xin fiercely.

Wang Xin shrank his neck and dared not say anything. Now Lao Ma was not only his master, but also his future father-in-law. He could not afford to offend him.

At 6:15 in the morning, a train slowly stopped at Ningyang Station. A young man in a military coat walked out of the sleeper car. This man was Yuan Mu.

"Hey! Brother Mu!" At this time, a voice sounded. Yuan Mu looked in the direction of the sound, then walked over with a smile.

"Wang Xin! Lao Ma!"

"Hey, Old Yuan, we haven't seen each other for more than four months!" Old Ma smiled and walked up to Yuan Mu and hugged him.

"Haha! It's been more than four months. I really miss you guys!" Yuan Mu laughed.

"Let's go! Go home. Your sister-in-law has cooked for you. Eat well and have a good sleep. When I get off work, we'll have a drink!" Lao Ma said as he took the luggage from Yuan Mu's hand, put his arm around Yuan Mu's shoulder and walked out.

Wang Xin was very considerate and took the luggage directly from Lao Ma. Lao Ma glanced at him and gave him a look that said "you'd better be sensible". Wang Xin could only smile.

At this time, most people in the compound had gotten up. As soon as Yuan Mu entered the compound, he was spotted by Mrs. Wu, a core member of the compound's intelligence department.

"Oh my god! Isn't this Xiao Mu!"

"Mrs. Wu, long time no see!" Yuan Mu walked forward and greeted her with a smile.

"Oh, I haven't seen you for several months. Mrs. Wu has missed you so much!" Mrs. Wu said with a laugh.

"Oh my god, you're talking like I don't miss you!"

The two of them were talking in low voices, and soon several people came out. The first one to come out was Brother Wu, with an unhappy look on his face.

"Why are you making so much noise so early in the morning? There are people sleeping here. Go back to your room!"

"Brother Wu! Long time no see." Yuan Mu smiled as soon as he saw Brother Wu's face.

"Oh my god! Isn't this Xiao Mu? Oh! When did you come back?" When Old Brother Wu saw Yuan Mu, his face changed and he walked up to him and looked Yuan Mu up and down.

"This morning's train just arrived." Yuan Mu replied with a smile.

"Oh! It's been a long time since I last saw him. You know, we saw him in the newspapers a while ago. Oh, he really brought honor to our compound!"

"You don't know, but when I go out, others look up to me. When they ask me where Yuan Mu is from, I have to say that he is our neighbor in the yard. That's really impressive!" Old Brother Wu's tone and expression were extremely exaggerated.

But Yuan Mu, who was watching from the side, felt very cordial. He had been in Kyoto for more than four months and had not heard such authentic and pure Northeastern dialect for a long time. And it had to have this flavor, so beautiful!

Aunt Lu, Uncle Lu, Aunt Cai, Uncle Cai, Cai Xiaonian, and Yanhong came out one after another. They were extremely happy to see Yuan Mu and came forward to chat with him.

Yuan Mu felt this strong friendship and felt warm in his heart. This was the life he wanted. It was great and full of human touch.

"Okay, everyone. Old Yuan has been on the train for such a long time. Let him have a meal and take a nap first. He is still here during the New Year. There is plenty of time to chat!" Old Ma stood up and shouted.

"Okay, then, Xiao Mu, I have to drink with you tonight!" said Brother Old Wu.

"Okay, that's no problem. Brother Wu, Uncle Lu, Uncle Cai, and Xiaonian, all of you can come to my house and we'll have a drink together!" Yuan Mu nodded in agreement with a smile.