On the phone, sensing Yang Jian's emotional shift, Lu Hao chuckled again.
"Haha, little Yang, did I scare you? Don't worry, although many people have identified you, there's no concrete evidence. The most important witness is Li Jin. As long as he doesn't admit you were a partner, your problem won't be too big."
"But it still won't completely clear my name, will it?"
"This will take time. Let's get Li Jin's trial over with first. As long as the court rules that Li Jin was the sole organizer of the casino, things will be easier. At worst, we'll just have to wait. Due to insufficient evidence and your absence, the case will eventually fade from public attention and be dropped."
"How long will that take?"
"It depends. Probably three to five years."
"Then what about my wanted poster online?"
"Don't you worry about that. The old man is in Kyoto now and will find a way to get your wanted poster removed, provided you don't get into any more trouble."
"Alright, thank you, Brother Hao. I can only rely on you for this."
"Why are you being so formal with me? Relax, stay outside for now. I'll take care of everything at home. We often go to the casino to play, and I'll visit you when I have time."
After hanging up, Lu Yue and his wife went back to making dumplings.
Lu Hao pondered for a long time and decided to visit Yang Jian's family in a couple of days. With Yang Jian on the run, the elders at home must have been feeling particularly lonely during the holidays. A visit would surely lift their spirits.
It was the third day of the Lunar New Year in 2007.
Yang Li Village was filled with the festive atmosphere of the holiday. The sounds of fireworks and firecrackers had been continuous since New Year's Eve.
Early that morning, magpies were chirping incessantly on the large locust tree in front of Yang Shuanglin's house. In rural folklore, this was a sign that important guests were expected that day.
Before eight o'clock, Gao Daqiang and Yang Hui, along with their children, arrived to pay their New Year's respects. They had bought a Xia Li before the holiday to drive their children to school. This time, they drove, but worried about the car being hit by firecrackers, they parked it at the template factory.
Seeing their two grandsons, Yang Shuanglin and his wife's gloom from missing their son lifted, and long-lost smiles appeared on their faces. They showered their grandsons with delicious snacks and generous New Year's money.
"Dad, any news about the second child?"
Seeing Yang Hui and the children go into the kitchen with their mother, Gao Daqiang offered Yang Shuanglin a cigarette.
"Yes, he called on New Year's Eve. He's doing well outside and has a job."
Yang Shuanglin was open with his son-in-law. His daughter and son-in-law truly cared about their son, and he didn't want them to worry.
"That's great. Did he leave a number? We can call him."
"It's better not to. He'll call you when he has the chance. By the way, the second child said for you to renovate the house after the holiday. He'll send money to Yongli for both houses to be done at the same time."
"What kind of work is he doing outside? And he has money to send home?"
"I don't know. The second child is capable. He won't go hungry wherever he is. I'm not worried about that."
As the father-in-law and son-in-law were chatting, a car horn sounded from outside. They quickly got up and went out.
A taxi with a Hancheng license plate was parked at the entrance. A couple in their fifties and two young men in their early twenties alighted from the car.
Gao Daqiang didn't recognize them, but Yang Shuanglin's hands trembled with emotion, "Yanzi, you're finally back."
The couple called out in unison, "Brother."
"Uncle, Happy New Year."
The two young men walked over and bowed to Yang Shuanglin.
It turned out to be Yang Shuanglin's sister, Yang Shuangyan, and her family of four. Her husband was Feng Jiandong, and their two sons were Feng Wen and Feng Wu, twins.
Hearing the commotion, Yang Hui and her mother also came out. The two families hadn't seen each other in over a decade and had been out of touch. At this reunion, everyone was filled with emotion.
The family had arrived in Hancheng the previous afternoon, rested there for a night, and hired a taxi to come over early this morning. They brought two boxes of local specialties.
After welcoming them inside and meeting the elderly mother, she didn't recognize her daughter, clearly suffering from advanced Alzheimer's.
Yang Shuangyan was heartbroken to learn that her father had passed away and almost fainted. After recovering, she asked her elder brother to take her family to their father's grave to pay respects.
Yang Hui's family of four also joined them. They returned after ten o'clock.
"Brother, why don't I see Er Jian and Rui Rui?"
Back home, Yang Shuangyan had the chance to chat with her brother and sister-in-law. Feng Jiandong also sat nearby, while Feng Wen and Feng Wu went outside to the courtyard.
"Er Jian went out to work and didn't come back for the New Year. Rui Rui went to her uncle's house to pay respects and will be back this afternoon. Yanzi, you and your husband look well. Have you been doing alright these past few years?"
Yang Shuanglin avoided talking about his son and instead inquired about his sister's situation. It was evident that Yang Shuangyan and her husband looked prosperous.
Feng Jiandong, in particular, at fifty, was dressed fashionably, his hair slicked back, making him look much younger, around forty.
"Brother, we had a hard time in the early years, which is why we didn't come back. In the last few years, Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu grew up, and they've been doing business in the south. They've earned some money, and our family has gradually improved. We've built a house, and Xiao Wen's marriage is set for May.
We've come back this time not only to visit Mom and Dad, and you and sister-in-law, but also to invite you to Xiao Wen's wedding. Also, I want to invite Mom to stay with me for a while."
"Yanzi, we're very happy that you're doing well. Mom's health isn't good now, so she definitely can't go with you. I'm also in my early sixties, and your sister-in-law has always been in poor health and can't handle long journeys. We won't be able to attend Xiao Wen's wedding."
Feng Jiandong then said, "Brother, then let Er Jian and Rui Rui come. Xiao Wen's wedding is a big event. If no one from Uncle's family attends, people in the village will gossip."
This remark displeased Yang Hui, who was standing nearby. "Uncle, Aunt, Er Jian and Rui Rui are very busy. If I have time, I'll go."
After more than a decade of no contact, Yang Shuanglin and his wife felt a bit resentful that they were only thinking of their maternal relatives now.
"Aren't they just working outside? What's the harm in taking a few days off? Xiao Wu is doing well in the south now. When the time comes, I'll help them find better jobs. They can earn twenty to thirty thousand a year, which is definitely more than their current wages."
Feng Jiandong somewhat looked down on the Yang family because their house was still an old brick and tile structure from over ten years ago. Only the ceiling had been done, the walls painted, and the floor hardened with cement, making it look relatively neat and clean. They hadn't even built a multi-story house, so he assumed they weren't doing well.
Moreover, Yang Li Village hadn't changed much from over a decade ago. There were few multi-story buildings, a significant gap compared to their hometown in Xiangnan. A sense of superiority naturally arose.