Chapter 9: Zhao Heng's Life Story

  On the seventh day after receiving the reward of 200,000 yuan, Lu Xingcheng called Zhao Heng into his room. This was a ten-square-meter house that was also where Lu Xingcheng relaxed and had fun in his free time. This famous hunter from Lujiazhuang was not just a roughneck; when he had spare time, he would stay in this house reading books and writing words, and could be considered both literary and martially accomplished.

  He had one sentence that touched Zhao Heng deeply: Live to be old and learn to be old.

  At this moment, Lu Xingcheng looked at Zhao Heng, who was much more spirited than himself, and felt particularly relieved and moved. He then placed a hot cup of tea in front of him. When Zhao Heng cast an inquiring glance at him, he got straight to the point and revealed the theme for tonight: "Zhao Heng, do you know why your surname is Zhao instead of Lu?"

  "I know, I was picked up by Uncle Lu at the Beijing train station back then."

  Zhao Heng answered very calmly, he had known this non-secret secret many years ago. After all, in the Lu family village with over a hundred people, this surname-less male was too conspicuous and easy to be gossiped about. So Zhao Heng found out about his origins through roundabout means, but he didn't pay much attention to it.

  "But in my heart, Uncle Lu and Auntie Lu are just like parents."

  In the smile shown by Lu Bo, Zhao Heng respectfully added a few words: "Uncle Lu, since the day I understood things, I have regarded you as my parents and taken Lu Meng as my brother. Others are outsiders to me, of course, and I don't hate the people who gave birth to me."

  "It's enough for me to be grateful just because they gave me life."

  Zhao Heng's calmness and rationality made Lu Fu feel both relieved and at ease. He picked up the tea in front of him, took a sip, and said: "Heng Er, Uncle was right to bring you back that time. You are not only naturally intelligent and courteous, but more importantly, you have a broad mind that can tolerate everything. You will definitely achieve great things in the future."

  "Thank you for your compliment, uncle!"

  Zhao Heng smiled slightly, maintaining a polite demeanor, but his eyebrows revealed a hint of disdain and arrogance. Lu Xingcheng nodded in approval after glancing at Zhao Heng, continuing the previous topic: "That's right, that Spring Festival, when I was wandering around the world in the capital, I wanted to return to Lujiacun, and saw you, who hadn't been weaned yet, in a corner of the train station."

  His eyes narrowed slightly, recalling the scene of the past: "I thought at the time that your parents had lost you by mistake, so I stood aside and patiently guarded, and even let the station broadcast continuously for 25 minutes. However, I waited for a full three hours without any news or anyone coming to pick you up, and you were so hungry that you cried out."

  "The station staff didn't even have anyone to take care of you."

  Although it's been a long time since then, Lu father still remembers it quite clearly: "So I carried you to the train station cafeteria to find some porridge and water, fed you full and then returned to the original place to wait, but I waited until New Year's Day and no one came to pick you up, so I knew that you were abandoned by your biological parents."

  Zhao Hengru's expression was calm and flat, with no emotional ups and downs at all.

  Lu Bo glanced at Zhao Heng, whose expression remained unchanged, and continued to speak: "I originally wanted to hand you over to the police, but during the Spring Festival, everyone was busy with no time to spare. Moreover, at that time, the Huaguo army was fighting fiercely against the six nations, and the entire Huaguo government system was operating 24 hours a day, with no extra manpower to take care of you."

  Although Dongfang Xiong won the battle at the border and showed off the power of Huaguo, every victory relied on the cooperation of the whole nation. At that time, Huaguo also regarded the border war as a top priority, and government resources unconditionally supported the army. Under the circumstances, no one would have taken care of Zhao Heng personally.

  Zhao Heng, who knew history well, was therefore not surprised by Lu's father's helplessness.

  "I'm worried that you, being so young, will neglect your care and something will go wrong."

  Lu's father struggled with his emotions: "Adding that at that time I didn't have Lu Meng yet, so I gritted my teeth..."

  He smiled again: "I'll just carry you back."

  It's not surprising that Lu's father was so solemn, as the border war seventeen years ago had mobilized a large number of personnel and materials to the front line, leaving the six countries with nothing but broken teeth. However, any war victory or defeat would make the common people suffer, and the conditions in Lujiazhuang at that time were also very difficult, so Lu's father adopting Zhao Heng was a major decision.

  Zhao Heng slightly lowered his head: "Thank you, Uncle Lu."

  His father suddenly let out a hearty laugh, waved his hand and said with emotion: "In those years, due to limited material conditions, I had some struggles in my heart, but now I'm very glad to have adopted you. Otherwise, how could I have such an excellent son like you? Unfortunately, when I picked you up at the train station that year, there was nothing by your side."

  Lu Xingcheng suddenly remembered something and spoke in a low voice: "But why are you called Zhao Heng? I suppose you already know, it's because the two characters 'Zhao Heng' are tattooed on your back. This makes me give up the idea of giving you the surname Lu, otherwise I would have to explain these two characters again, so I directly took your name as Zhao Heng."

  "Perhaps this will help you find your roots, if you wish."

  Zhao Heng nodded: "So that's how it is, I've always thought it was carved by Lu Niang."

  Lu Bo burst out laughing and then sat up straight to respond: "You think you're the mother-in-law from thousands of years ago? Besides, your Aunt Lu wouldn't dare lay a hand on you. Heng'er, for now, you should still focus on your studies, let heaven take care of other things, don't overthink it! The opening day of Huahai University is approaching soon."

  "You spend these two days packing and then go to Hua Hai University for registration."

  He took out a card and a stack of money from the desk: "There's 100,000 in this card, the password is six eights. The 200,000 was earned with your life and Lu Meng's, I know you're heartbroken over Lu Meng, and you want to leave the money for his family out of respect, but that wouldn't be fair to you. As a father, I have to make sure everyone gets an equal share."

  "One yuan is half of it, and five thousand is your travel expenses."

  Lu's father unhesitatingly stuffed the card and money into Zhao Heng's arms:

  "Don't give up on Lu Meng, go out there and fight hard."

  Zhao Heng didn't say a word, but instead walked directly to Lu Xingcheng's front and knelt down. Without waiting for him to be helped up, he first knocked his head three times, then with a sincere face shouted: "Uncle Lu, you can rest assured, I will definitely not disappoint you. When I make a name for myself in the future, I will definitely come back, because this is my hometown."

  Zhao Heng's eyes were clear and cool, deep as a well.

  "Good boy!"

  Lu Xing let out a long sigh and exclaimed with joy: "I'll take you as my son, it's an honor for the Lu family!"

  The fifth day at noon, train station!

  The platform was crowded with travelers, in the midst of the bustling crowd, people looked up and gazed as if looking at the future, welcoming new life. A person's life is full of ups and downs, from the starting point to the end point, persisting until the end point and then expecting a new starting point. However, after experiencing many ups and downs, there are still not many people who can hold the reins and laugh proudly at the world.

  Only a handful of people stand at the top of the pyramid of life.

  Zhao Heng carried a bulging luggage bag and a white canvas bag stuffed with 5,000 yuan, gazing at the end of the railroad tracks within his sight. The turning point of his life was about to arrive. A golden carp is not an ordinary creature in a pond; when it encounters wind and clouds, it transforms into a dragon. As he stepped out of Lu's village, whether he was a dragon or an insect would be proven by time itself.

  He stood alone on the platform, and didn't let Lu's father come because he didn't want to experience the taste of parting.

  A sharp train whistle pierced the air from the end of the railway, and Zhao Heng, like everyone else around him, instinctively tiptoed up to take a look, with excitement and anticipation for the future. The people coming and going on the platform all had grand ambitions in their hearts, but who knew whose name would resound throughout the land?

  "Brother Heng, Brother Heng......"

  The red and white streamlined train slowly entered the platform, the loud rumble and screeching brakes did not drown out the crowd's cheers. Zhao Heng turned around to look, in the dense crowd, Lu Meng was running with big strides, waving his arms and shouting, closely followed by Lu Father and Lu Mother. The swarming crowd separated the three of them by a long distance.

  "How did you get here?"

  Zhao Heng's face flashed a hint of helplessness, but in reality, he was more moved than helpless. Sixteen years of life had turned everyone into family, and because of this, he didn't want to leave without making the three people sad. Lu Meng pushed away two travelers who were blocking his way, raised his hand to point at him, and for a moment, didn't know what to say, staring blankly as Zhao Heng followed the crowd surging towards the train door.

  "Brother, who the hell messed with you? Speak up!"

  Lu Meng suddenly burst out with an astonishing killing intent: "I'll kill his whole family." Lu Meng's unparalleled vicious words and tone shocked the onlookers, who retreated in fear, wondering what kind of person this young man was. The police also approached upon hearing the news, and his eyes sparkled with tears as he thought about how difficult it was to be separated from Zhao Heng after being together for 16 years.

  Lu Bo and Lu Mu also shouted loudly: "Zhao Heng, come back home often."

  "Take care! Lu Meng, take good care of the two elders!"

  After finishing the sentence, he turned around and followed the crowd into the carriage. Without stopping, he walked quickly to the window of the carriage, stuck his head out and waved at the three people with a forced smile. Then he turned around and walked towards his seat. He was a person with very strong self-control, even in parting emotions.

  Lu Xingcheng's eyebrows were tightly locked as he saw the train leave.

  Her mother's face was filled with worry: "This time we go, who knows when we'll be able to come back."

  "He will come back during Chinese New Year."

  Lu Xingcheng said with his hands behind his back: "There's nothing to worry about."

  Lu Yi still showed a hint of concern as a mother, apparently not taking her husband's words to heart. She gazed at the endless railroad tracks and sighed: "Huahai is a place that swallows people whole, where Heng'er can't even find a place to cry out his grievances, how can anyone be at peace?"

  "Will you eat me whole and not spit out even a bone?"

  Lu Meng's gloomy face suddenly looked like he had heard a joke, and he snorted in derision:

  "Hua Hai is nothing, not even enough for Brother Heng to step on."

  He waved his hand and said: "At best, Dongfang Xiong barely qualifies!"

  Lu Bo also burst out laughing: "Exactly, who can bully Heng?"