When the train arrived a vehicle from the Jiangcheng Military District was waiting to meet Lu Linzhou. He explained that Su Wan had provided valuable assistance during the anti trafficking operation and invited her to stay at the military guest house for the night. Su Wan considered for a moment and accepted. She still needed his help to obtain information about Liu Xiumei. After bidding farewell to Li Cuilan she rode with Lu Linzhou in the military jeep.
Wang Bing kept glancing curiously at her throughout the journey. After receiving a couple of cold glances from Lu Linzhou he scratched his head and could not help asking. “Are you truly Comrade Su Wan from Hongqi Village”
Su Wan nodded with a smile. “I am indeed”
“Your disguise is absolutely remarkable” Wang Bing said admiringly. “If only you could teach us those skills we would never fear being discovered on duty”
Su Wan smiled warmly. “I would be happy to share them with you”
“Wonderful” Wang Bing said eagerly. “You must come visit Commander Lu when we return to the camp”
“I will” Su Wan agreed readily. Wang Bing grinned broadly. He had noticed how his commander looked at her and hoped this might create opportunities for them to spend more time together.
Half an hour later they arrived at the guest house. Lu Linzhou presented his officer credentials and Su Wan completed the registration formalities.
“Comrade Su Wan you may stay in my single room tonight” Lu Linzhou said. Accommodation of that standard was normally reserved exclusively for military officers.
“Where will you be staying then” Su Wan asked.
“I will share a room with Wang Bing” Lu Linzhou replied. He escorted her upstairs carrying her belongings. “Rest for a while. I am going to make a telephone call to my comrade at the Public Security Bureau”
He was as thoughtful and thorough as always. Su Wan smiled gratefully. “Thank you for your trouble”
Lu Linzhou gestured dismissively and strode away. Even in simple coarse clothing his upright bearing and disciplined presence remained unmistakable. Su Wan entered the room. It was furnished plainly and neatly with standard military bedding folded into crisp rectangles. She washed off her disguise changed into fresh clothing and sat down to organize her thoughts.
A knock came at the door shortly afterward. Lu Linzhou stood outside still dressed in his coarse tunic holding a small leather folder. He paused momentarily seeing her restored appearance then handed the folder to her.
“The information you requested is here”
Su Wan accepted it with delight. “Thank you Commander Lu”
Lu Linzhou was pleased to see her smiling. “It is nearly noon. Shall we get something to eat”
“I have brought provisions” Su Wan said. “I will manage with those” She was eager to read the information and closed the door gently. Lu Linzhou stood outside for a moment frowning slightly before walking away.
Inside Su Wan opened the folder and saw bold flowing handwriting. She focused immediately on the details. Liu Xiumei was a local resident who had graduated from nursing school five years earlier and obtained her position through personal connections. She had an older brother and an older sister and was currently married to a technician employed at the Jiangcheng Machinery Factory.
Su Wan read the details with a touch of irony. Married yet conducting an affair with another man It seemed everyone connected to Lin Wenchuan lacked moral integrity. She would need to devise a strategy to make Liu Xiumei speak.
She sat in thought for some time before another knock interrupted her. Lu Linzhou stood there holding two enamel food containers.
“I brought you something from the canteen” he said. “One cannot work properly on an empty stomach”
Su Wan felt deeply moved. She had grown up cherished by her parents and had never experienced hardship or favouritism. That gentle trusting nature had made her vulnerable to Lin Wenchuan deceit. She had mistaken flattery for genuine affection only to discover his true character after marriage. He had been selfish and demanding leaving her to bear every burden. Yet this man before her spoke little acted plainly and anticipated her needs before she even voiced them. He embodied everything she had once hoped for in a partner.
“Why do you not take it” Lu Linzhou asked seeing her standing lost in thought.
Su Wan collected her thoughts and accepted the containers. “Thank you”
“You seem to be thanking me constantly” Lu Linzhou observed.
“Are you this attentive toward every woman you meet” Su Wan asked impulsively.
Lu Linzhou paused and looked into her bright clear eyes feeling uncharacteristically unsettled. “I do not extend such care to everyone. You are a capable and valuable person whose assistance is greatly needed. It is only proper that I ensure your well being while you are far from home”
His words sounded entirely formal and objective. Su Wan could detect no hint of personal affection. She nodded and closed the door. Lu Linzhou stood for a moment wondering whether he should have spoken more honestly. Would she have thought him forward or presumptuous if he had admitted his true feelings
Inside Su Wan opened the containers. The steamed rice and braised pork smelled delicious. As she ate she found herself thinking about Lu Linzhou and wondering whether he was truly Yaya father. If he was there had better be a compelling reason why he had never come for them.
After the meal she prepared to leave for the hospital.
“Comrade Su Wan are you heading out” Wang Bing was waiting outside.
“I am going to the city Peoples Hospital”
“Commander Lu is occupied at present” Wang Bing explained. “He has asked me to drive you there”
Su Wan felt touched by his consistent consideration. She thanked him and they set off. Watching Wang Bing honest open manner she decided to ask something that had been on her mind.
“You have served alongside Commander Lu for quite some time have you not”
“I was a scout before being assigned to serve as his aide following an injury” Wang Bing replied.
Su Wan spoke casually. “It is strange but I once saw a military officer in our village who bore a striking resemblance to him. When I first met Commander Lu I thought it might have been him. Do you happen to know whether he has visited our area before”