Overdo

Uncle Wang said, "Twenty-three. He returned last year from the U.S. Naval War College."

Father said, "Young people these days are truly remarkable. Back in our day, promotions never came so quickly. I was considered an exception, rising six ranks in ten years, and still people gossiped endlessly." As he spoke, he casually flipped a page of the dossier, squinting with effort at the fine print. "Hmm, born on July seventh..."

Father closed the dossier and returned it to Uncle Wang, who joked, "Well, that's it then. Looks like there's no chance. I was hoping you actually knew his mother."

Father chuckled. The uncles continued bantering, telling various anecdotes to amuse him. Father was in an unusually good mood that evening, listening to their rambling stories and occasionally interjecting a question or two. They talked for a long time, until I grew drowsy and wanted to sleep. Only then did they take their leave. Father stood to see them out, but they repeatedly insisted, "No need, no need." So he stopped and watched them file out one by one. Tired, I was about to wish Father goodnight and head upstairs to bed when he called out to Uncle Lei, who was last in line. "Shaogong, I need to speak with you."

I found it amusing to hear Father address Uncle Lei that way. Uncle Lei had started as his aide-de-camp, so Father was used to calling him by his given name. Though Uncle Lei now held a high position and his temples were streaked with gray, the moment Father spoke, he instinctively straightened up. "Yes."

His tone was still that of a deferential aide, which made me even more amused. Almost as if compelled by some unseen force, I lingered behind the corner wall, waiting for them to finish before bidding Father goodnight.

But Father remained silent for a long time. I wondered why—hadn't he said he needed to speak with Uncle Lei?

It was Uncle Lei who broke the silence. Though his voice was low, I could still hear him clearly—"Sir... what a coincidence... How can his birthday be July seventh?"

My heart pounded wildly. What was he saying? What did this abrupt, cryptic remark mean?

Father still didn't respond. Uncle Lei said, "Shall I send someone to investigate?"

My heart hammered like a drum. Oh! What were they talking about?!

Finally, Father spoke. "That child... didn't he die at three?"

Uncle Lei replied, "Yes. I was there by his side, watching over him personally..."

A buzzing filled my ears, as if an entire squadron of planes were landing, the roaring din blurring my vision. I drew in sharp, shallow breaths through gritted teeth. Oh, heavens! What had I just heard? A secret?! A earth-shattering secret! One buried for years!

I forced myself to calm down, but I had already missed several sentences. All I caught was Uncle Lei repeatedly responding, "Yes! Yes!..."

Straining to focus, I heard Father sigh softly. Then I heard him say, "The resemblance is uncanny, especially that sharp chin—just like his mother..."

I bit down hard on my palm, fighting to keep my breathing steady. Heavens! Father really did have an "old acquaintance"! Heavens! That handsome captain might truly be Father's son!

Uncle Lei said, "Don't worry, I'll send someone to investigate immediately."Father's voice was actually filled with pain. "Back then, his mother..."

Heavens!

Who was that old acquaintance of his?

One thunderous shock after another rolled over my head. I felt dizzy and disoriented, completely horrified by this secret!

Uncle Lei was trying to console him. "Don't think too much about it. I'll go investigate right away."

After Uncle Lei took his leave and left, I tiptoed toward the staircase, then dashed back to my room in one breath and collapsed onto the bed!

Oh! Heavens! How could there be such a secret?! How could there be such a person?!

I didn't know when I fell asleep, but I tossed and turned all night, haunted by nightmares. I woke up drenched in cold sweat, my pajamas soaked through. By the time I emerged from the nightmares, the sky was already bright. I got up to take a shower. The hot water spraying on my body and face cleared my mind and strengthened my resolve. I said to myself, "I need to do something! I must do something! They're investigating—I'm going to investigate the truth I want to know! I need to know the truth of the matter!"

II

I acted immediately. After my shower, I changed into outdoor clothes and told Director Liang I was going to play at Grandfather Mu's house. He didn't suspect a thing and arranged for a car and escort to take me out. Grandfather Mu's grandson, Mu Shiyang, had been my childhood playmate and was also quite resourceful. As soon as I saw him, I quietly told him, "I want to go to Fuhe."

He said, "Alright, I'll go with you." I subtly gestured toward the attendants not far away and whispered, "I don't want any tails." He laughed. We'd done this a few times before—ditching the aides to sneak out for late-night snacks. He was Uncle Lei's nephew, and Uncle Lei was the direct superior of the aides' office. Plus, Father was very fond of Mu Shiyang, so the aides' office usually covered for us. As long as we didn't go too far, they turned a blind eye and pretended not to know.

He said, "I have a plan."

And he really did. He told the attendants we were going to his room on the second floor to play chess, then took me upstairs and instructed the servants on how to handle any later questioning from the aides. After that, we slipped down the servants' staircase, cut through the garden to the garage, and he personally drove his off-road Jeep, sneaking me out of the Mu family estate unnoticed.

Long live the air of freedom! I nearly shouted it aloud. We sped down the highway unimpeded, reaching Fuhe in just over two hours. Just as he was about to drive into the city, I said, "I want to go to Ten Thousand Mountains." He paused, then said, "Ten Thousand Mountains? It's too late—I'm afraid we won't make it back today."

I insisted, "I want to go to Ten Thousand Mountains!"

He replied, "No. If we don't return today, my grandfather will scold me to death."

I said, "If you don't take me, I'll never speak to you again! I mean it!"

He sighed, and I knew he'd give in. Sure enough, he said dejectedly, "Fine, you win."

We continued along the highway and finally arrived at Ten Thousand Mountains. He asked me, "Where in Ten Thousand Mountains do you want to go?"

I said, "The Second Fleet base."

He was utterly shocked, turning to look at me. "What are you going there for?"

"None of your business!"