Chapter 1773 - 1365: Night of Returning Home (5)

During dinner, Zhang Wei talked more, sharing some interesting stories about the neighborhood office.

When someone's dog went missing, the entire community helped to search, or when water leaked in an elderly person's home, everyone chipped in to repair it, and the atmosphere lightened significantly.

After dinner, Song Heping said he wanted to go for a walk by himself.

He wandered aimlessly through the old streets of the town.

The elementary school was still at its original site, but the buildings were newly constructed—a three-story teaching building, a rubber track, completely different from the red brick bungalow and dirt playground he remembered.

He stood outside the fence, watching the children run on the playground, recalling how he once played soccer there, breaking the classroom window, getting punished by the teacher, and receiving a beating from his father at home.

The middle school had moved to the new city, and the old site had been converted into a shopping mall.

He walked in, weaving through the array of shops.

Clothing stores, milk tea shops, mobile phone stores, trying to find the location of his old classroom, but it was unrecognizable.

All he recalled was a plane tree at the classroom door, which took the daily monitor ages to sweep during leaf fall in autumn.

Arriving at the county's armed office doors, he stopped.

The gate remained unchanged, just repainted, and the sentries were now young people.

He had enlisted in the army from there.

That day, his father accompanied him, smoking a cigarette at the entrance, the smoke rising slowly in the morning light.

"Work hard in the army," his father had said, "Don't bring disgrace to the Old Song Family. But don't be reckless, stay safe."

He stood at the entrance for a long time, only leaving when the sentry cast a puzzled glance his way.

Finally, he walked to the riverside, found a bench to sit on, watching the river water flow east.

It's been over a decade.

In these ten years, he had traversed through gunfire, maneuvered through deceit, and navigated between the cracks of power.

He earned tens of billions of US dollars, controlled a vast underground network, capable of influencing a nation's politics, and determining the outcome of a war.

In Illiguo, people called him the "Northwest King," the American ambassador invited him to dinner, the top commander of the Persian Revolutionary Guard wanted to be his brother, and the Kurd leader was willing to pay him twenty million dollars annually just for a promise of protection.

But sitting here, looking at the familiar river, listening to the familiar local dialect, he felt like he was nothing.

Just a wanderer who had left home for too long and finally returned.

Just the eldest son of the Song Family, Song Heping.

His phone vibrated, a encrypted message from Milo.

He unlocked it with his fingerprint, input the second password, and saw the content:

"Boss, everything is normal. General Samir has reported to duty in Mosul, starting to reorganize the troops, and the original 1515 control zone is basically cleared. Mr. Jiang Feng is progressing smoothly in Elbil, having reached a preliminary agreement with the Kurdish Autonomous Government. Additionally: The American Embassy has sent another invitation, hoping you will have dinner with them after returning to Baghdad to discuss 'Northwest Security Cooperation Matters'."

Song Heping replied: "Tell them I can arrange it a week after I return to Baghdad. Notify Jiang Feng to prepare for a meeting next week."

Closing the encrypted channel, he continued to watch the river.

Just one more week.

This week, he didn't want to think about Illiguo anymore, or about arms deals, or political games.

Didn't want to think about what Americans desired, what Persians were plotting, what the Kurd were scheming.

Just wanted to be an ordinary person.

Shopping, eating, sleeping, and chatting with family.

Even if it's only for a week.

Returning to the city in the evening, Harmony suggested going out to eat to celebrate his brother's homecoming.

Song Heping declined: "Let's eat at home, keep it simple. Lingling is pregnant, we should avoid going out, it's not hygienic."

This time, he personally cooked a few dishes.

Steamed bass, garlic broccoli, yam and pork rib soup.

Four people sat around eating. The television was on the news, covering international affairs and economic developments.

When it turned to the Middle East news, images of the Iraq Parliament Building appeared, with US Army convoys patrolling Baghdad streets, and Song Heping subconsciously frowned.

Harmony noticed and picked up the remote to change the channel, switching to a local station showing the weather forecast.

"Brother," Lingling hesitated, her chopsticks stirring in her bowl, "there's something... I'd like to discuss with you."

"Go ahead."

"I'm... pregnant. Two months," she lifted her head, eyes sparkling: "Just confirmed it at the hospital yesterday, and the fetal heart is strong."

Song Heping was momentarily stunned, then displayed a genuine smile: "That's great news. Congratulations."

He looked at Zhang Wei, "You're going to be a father, the responsibility is heavier."

Zhang Wei also smiled, a bit bashful yet unable to hide his joy: "Yes, yes, I'll do my best."

"The due date is at the end of the year, in December," Lingling said, "Brother, at that time... can you come back? I'd like... like you to see the child too."

Song Heping was silent for a few seconds.

In December, it was unknown what the situation in Illiguo would be then.

But seeing his sister's expectant eyes, he nodded, "I'll try. I should be able to make time at the end of the year."

"If it's too busy, don't worry about it, work is important," Lingling quickly said, but her eyes couldn't hide her disappointment.

"No matter how important work is, it's not as important as family," Song Heping said, "I'll make time."

After dinner, Song Heping called Harmony onto the balcony and handed him a bank card.

"This is..."

"There are three million in it. The password is Mom's birthday," Song Heping said, "Lingling will need money for the childbirth, if it's not enough, just let me know."

"Three million!" Harmony's hand trembled, nearly dropping the card: "Brother, we have money... we can't take your money..."

"Take it."

Song Heping's tone left no room for refusal, the pressure he honed over years on the brink of life and death, unintentionally revealing itself even to his younger brother.

"I'm overseas and can't take care of things at home. Dad and Mom are gone, as the elder brother, it's my duty. Spend what you need, don't be frugal. Hire two month-long nurses for Lingling, the best ones, and also hire whatever nutritionists are needed."

Harmony's eyes reddened, silently accepting the card.

"Zhang Wei seems nice, but be good to Lingling," Song Heping gazed at the distant river view, his voice low, "If I find out he bullies Lingling..."

"He won't," Harmony quickly said, "Zhang Wei is very honest, very good to Lingling, he's really down-to-earth."

"That's good," Song Heping patted his brother's shoulder, "Harmony, the business I'm in, it's not all legitimate. The less you know, the better. If anyone asks, just say you know nothing. If anyone threatens you, remember my words, contact me immediately, you know my number! Remember! Don't handle it yourselves, understand?"

Harmony's expression turned serious: "Brother, are you... in danger? Are those people..."

"Danger is always present," Song Heping said quietly, "But I can deal with it. You all just live your lives well. Remember, the more ordinary you are, the safer you are."

"What about you..."

"I'm used to it," Song Heping said, his tone carrying an unspeakable weariness, "This path, I chose it myself, I have no regrets. As long as you all live well, it's worth it for me."

The two brothers stood on the balcony for a long time, not speaking again.

The night breeze carried the dampness of the river and the unique noise of a city at night.

A ship's horn sounded long and low in the distance, as if saying goodbye or calling out.

Song Heping suddenly felt emotional, realizing this was what he wanted to protect.

The peaceful life of his brother and sister, his unborn niece or nephew.

For this, he walked in darkness, hands stained with blood and mud, traded with devils, danced on a knife's edge, and it was worth it.