Zhang Yunhe walked to the window and looked at the night view of the island outside, his thoughts drifting back to a few years ago.

Do you still remember your journey from Shanghai to Jiangzhou?

Upon hearing this, Liu Huilan recalled her harrowing journey from Shanghai to Jiangzhou several years ago. She said, "I encountered several dangers along the way. At that time, I had never traveled far before and had no experience. People tricked me out of my luggage and stole all my money..."

"But this time it won't be like that. I'm no longer that ignorant woman with no experience traveling outside."

Zhang Yunhe took a puff of his cigarette and said, "Do you know that I actually sent three men to follow you and protect you? If it weren't for their covert protection, you would have either been sold into a brothel or kidnapped to become the wife of a bandit king."

Liu Huilan stared in disbelief, taking a good ten seconds to recover: "Why did you never mention this to me? Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

Zhang Yunhe said, "I didn't tell you beforehand because I didn't want to offend you. You're an adult, and I don't want you to think I've arranged everything for you. Besides, this is a matter between you and your organization, and it's better for me, an outsider, not to know your whereabouts."

"Whether I tell you afterwards or not, does that even matter? I didn't do these things to make you thank me. I'm your husband, and you're my wife. Isn't it only right that I do these things? What I do is none of your business."

"I'm telling you this now because I don't have anyone capable of protecting you along the way. You'll have to rely on yourself for everything this time!"

Liu Huilan said, "You can rest assured this time. Once we reach Jiangzhou, we'll have comrades escorting us all the way north."

Zhang Yunhe turned to his wife and asked, "When do you want to leave? How long will it take you to come back?"

"I've already been delayed for two days, and I only have two weeks to get there. I can't afford to delay any longer. I want to take the airlift flight to Jiangzhou early tomorrow morning. If I wait any longer, I'm afraid I won't be able to be heartless when I see my two children."

"Okay, I'll take you to the airport at 3 a.m. Pack your luggage, and get some rest after you're done."

Liu Huilan didn't know if her journey north would be smooth once she left the island. These days, traveling far and wide was too dangerous; dying far from home was commonplace.

After all, there was war everywhere, and people everywhere were starving and had to become outlaws. It was not uncommon for them to die on their way north.

Therefore, she especially cherished this night with Zhang Yunhe and the two children.

The two children were still young and fell asleep before 10 p.m. Liu Huilan devoted all her energy to Zhang Yunhe, going over him again and again without getting tired.

Zhang Yunhe guessed Liu Huilan's thoughts, so he did his best to cooperate as long as she had the strength.

I only slept for three hours before it was 3 a.m.

Zhang Yunhe woke Liu Huilan up: "Huilan, wake up, we're about to leave!"

When Liu Huilan woke up, she was wide awake. After washing up, she put on a smart, tight-fitting knight's outfit, stood by the bed looking at her two children, and touched their little faces while silently shedding tears.

Zhang Yunhe didn't urge him, but stood quietly to the side.

After kissing the two children's little faces, Liu Huilan gritted her teeth and turned to leave.

Zhang Yunhe drove Liu Huilan to the airport. The car swayed slightly as it drove along the uneven streets.

Lighting a cigarette, Zhang Yunhe rolled down the car window and said as he drove, "Once you're on the plane, you'll be on your own from now on!"

"After you get off the plane in Jiangzhou, if you encounter any danger, you can call the airport to find Qin Jian. Alternatively, if you encounter danger in Jiangzhou, you can immediately return to the airport. If you don't have enough time or encounter any obstruction, contact Qin Jian and ask him to bring people to pick you up."

After Zhang Yunhe finished speaking, he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Liu Huilan, saying, "Remember this phone number. If you encounter a life-or-death situation in the Kuomintang-controlled area, you can have someone you trust call this number. Once I receive the message, I will rush over as quickly as possible to try to rescue you!"

"Remember, unless it's a matter of life and death, unless it's the very last moment, and unless it's your own business, don't call this number!"

Liu Huilan took the note, glanced at it, memorized the phone number, lit it with a match, and then said, "We've been married for so many years, and I've realized that even now, I still don't fully understand you."

Zhang Yunhe turned to his wife and said, "There are many things about you that I don't know!"

Liu Huilan wisely didn't continue the topic, but instead shifted the conversation to the two children: "After I leave, you'll need to put more effort into taking care of our two children. And let me be frank, I'm worried their second and third aunts won't treat them well while I'm not around."

"I don't want my child to suffer from the harassment and abuse of the concubines at home because he doesn't have a mother's protection!"

Zhang Yunhe took a drag of his cigarette and said, "You're overthinking it. They have an eldest son and a daughter. Who in the family would dare to give them a hard time? Who would dare to make things difficult for or mistreat them? Besides, I'm not dead yet!"

Liu Huilan felt a little relieved after hearing Zhang Yunhe's words.

In fact, according to the prevailing social norms and legal regulations at the time, it was common for a concubine's son to be bullied by the legal wife and her children if his mother died. However, if the child was a legitimate son, even if his mother died, the concubine would not be in charge of any household affairs, let alone allow her to bully or mistreat the legitimate child.

Even if the male head of the household is incompetent, the concubines have no say in the household, and they have virtually no chance of being promoted to the rank of principal wife.

There is only one situation in which a concubine can be promoted to the position of empress: in the imperial family, a concubine has the opportunity to be promoted to empress. In ordinary families, it is absolutely impossible for a concubine or mistress to become the principal wife. Not only is it forbidden by patriarchal clan law, but it is also forbidden by law.

4:30 a.m., at the airport.

Ground crew are refueling the transport planes, each of which is already loaded with goods produced by various factories on the island, including some weapons and ammunition.

Standing by the runway, Zhang Yunhe said to Liu Huilan, "The plane is about to take off. Have a safe flight. I hope you come back soon; the children can't be without their mother."

At this moment, Liu Huilan had already changed into a flight suit. After Zhang Yunhe finished speaking, he handed her a helmet.

Liu Huilan took the helmet and nodded: "Yes, I'll stay at headquarters to learn the technology and finish the translation work. I'll come back as soon as possible."

Zhang Yunhe watched as Liu Huilan put on her helmet, boarded the transport plane, and sat in one of the co-pilot seats.

Only after ten transport planes took off into the night sky did Zhang Yunhe turn around, get into his car, and return home.

When Zhang Yunhe returned home, it was still dark. He woke up the butler, four guards, and four maids and brought them to the living room, instructing them: "The First Madam has gone out on business and won't be back for a while. In her absence, you few will be responsible for the young master and the third young lady's daily needs and safety."

“Even when they are sleeping or going to the bathroom, they must be accompanied by at least two people. If they are harmed in any way, I will not let you off the hook, understand?”

The men quickly replied, "Yes, sir!"

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