Rebirth: Fan Debiao rises from the Liaobei land

Fan Debiao left the private room and went straight to the vocational secondary school. It was a three-story building with a sign that read "Kaiyuan Vocational Training School" at the entrance—basically a skills training class. He waited until get out of class ended and the students were leaving before seeing Ma Xiaocui.

"Uncle?" Ma Xiaocui ran over. "What brings you here?"

"Your dad's here," Fan Debiao said.

Ma Xiaocui's face turned pale instantly: "He came to ask me to go back?"

"Yes, I'm taking a shower in Victoria now. Don't go home for the next couple of days, I'll find you a place to stay."

Ma Xiaocui lowered her head and said, "I...I'm scared."

"What are you afraid of? Your uncle is here," Fan Debiao said. "Don't go home for the next few days, so you don't have to argue with your dad again. Come on, I'll find you a guesthouse to stay at for a few days. After a few days, I'll get your dad back to Majiabaozi, and then you can go home."

Upon arriving at the guesthouse, the receptionist asked for her ID. Ma Xiaocui stammered for a while, "Uncle, my ID is at home in the fort; I didn't bring it with me."

Fan Debiao was taken aback: "What? You didn't bring your ID card into the city?"

"I was in a rush when I ran out, I didn't take anything," Ma Xiaocui's voice was barely audible. "I thought I was only staying for two days..."

Fan Debiao scratched his head. This was troublesome. Without an ID card, he couldn't stay at a regular guesthouse, and small hotels weren't safe. He looked at Ma Xiaocui: "Alright, come back to Victoria with me, I'll get you a room there."

"Is it safe to stay in Victoria?"

"If I say it's possible, then it's possible."

Back in Victoria, Fan Debiao found Awei and said, "Get me a room; my niece will stay for two days."

Awei looked at Ma Xiaocui: "Brother Biao, isn't this against the rules?"

"What's wrong with the rules? Don't I have any say? The room fee will be deducted directly from my salary," Fan Debiao said.

Avi shook her head helplessly, then handed over a room key: "306 is empty."

Fan Debiao took the card and led Ma Xiaocui upstairs. Once inside, everything seemed new and exciting to Ma Xiaocui.

"You'll stay here for the next couple of days," Fan Debiao said. "Go to the staff canteen for meals, and just say I sent you. Don't wander off, especially not to the entertainment area."

"I heard you," Ma Xiaocui nodded. "My dad's side..."

"I'll handle it," Fan Debiao said. "You just stay here, go to class, and come straight back after class. I'll tell you after your dad leaves."

After settling Ma Xiaocui in, Fan Debiao went downstairs to the bathing area. Ma Dashuai had just finished showering and was strolling around in his bathrobe: "Debiao, taking a bath here is really great."

"Let's go home after we're done washing up."

"Where's Xiao Cui?"

"Xiao Cui lives at school and won't be back for the next couple of days," Fan Debiao said. "Yu Fen is waiting to cook."

Upon hearing Yu Fen's name, Commander Ma's expression changed: "Is Yu Fen staying with you?"

"Yeah, Niu Er beat her up, and she had nowhere to go, so I took her in," Fan Debiao said. "What, you have a problem with that?"

"No problem," Ma Dashuai quickly replied, "It's just a bit inconvenient, isn't it?"

"What's inconvenient?" Fan Debiao said deliberately. "Yufen is a very nice person and works efficiently. I'm just short of someone to cook for me."

General Ma pursed his lips and remained silent.

The two returned to the small house, where Yu Fen was cooking. Seeing Ma Dashuai, she paused, surprised: "Dashuai?"

General Ma stood at the door: "Yu Fen."

Yu Fen wiped her hands: "Come in and sit down, the food will be ready soon."

Fan Debiao took off his coat: "Yufen, what delicious food are you making today?"

"Scrambled eggs and stewed green beans," Yu Fen said. "The commander is here, I'll make another dish."

"No need, no need," said Ma Dashuai.

"No way, you're a guest." Yu Fen went back to the kitchen.

The meal was ready, and three dishes were placed on the table. The three sat down to eat. Fan Debiao placed a piece of meat on Ma Dashuai's plate: "Try it, Yufen's cooking is quite good."

General Ma ate the meat and said, "Hmm, it's pretty good."

Fan Debiao then placed an egg on Yu Fen's plate: "Yu Fen, you eat some too."

Yu Fen was a little embarrassed: "I can pick it up myself."

Commander Ma looked on, his expression somewhat unnatural.

Fan Debiao continued, "Yufen, you've been a great help to me these past few days. You've kept the house tidy and the food is excellent. I wish I could stay here permanently."

General Ma couldn't hold back any longer: "De Biao, what do you mean?"

"It's nothing," Fan Debiao said. "I just said Yufen is a nice person, so what?"

"What exactly is your relationship?" Ma Dashuai asked, his face turning red.

"Landlord and tenant, I guess," Fan Debiao laughed. "What, what kind of relationship do you think they have?"

Commander Ma stopped talking and took a sip of wine in silence.

Yu Fen tried to smooth things over: "General, don't overthink it. De Biao just took pity on me and took me in for a while. I'll move out once I find a place to stay."

"Why move?" Fan Debiao said. "It's fine to stay here. Yufen is such a good woman, honest, capable, and caring."

General Ma slammed down his chopsticks: "Fan Debiao, did you do this on purpose?"

"What did I do on purpose?" Fan Debiao put down his chopsticks. "Can't I just say Yufen is good? Isn't Yufen good?"

"Good, very good!" General Ma stood up. "Then what's the deal with you sharing a room with her?"

"What's going on?" Fan Debiao stood up. "General Ma, you're a heartless scoundrel! Yufen sleeps on the bed, and I sleep on the floor, so what? We're completely innocent, unlike some people who have something to hide but dare not speak out."

"What's wrong with me?"

"You know what you're up to." Fan Debiao stared at him. "Why did Yu Fen run away after being beaten? Why did Niu Er beat her? You dare say it has nothing to do with you?"

Yu Fen panicked: "De Biao, stop talking!"

General Ma's face flushed red and then turned pale: "I...I..."

Fan Debiao persisted, "General Ma, a real man takes responsibility for his actions. Everyone in the village knows about your affair with Yufen!"

"I...I..." Ma Dashuai stammered for a long time before finally shouting, "Yes! Yufen and I have something to discuss! What's wrong?"

"You're bothering me," Fan Debiao said. "Yufen is my friend. I won't stand for you bullying her."

"How did I bully her?" Ma Dashuai said. "I like her, and she likes me too. Is that bullying?"

"Like her?" Fan Debiao sneered. "If you like her, why did you let her get beaten up? If you like her, why didn't you dare to confront Niu Er head-on? Commander Ma, that's what you call liking her? That's just being a coward!"

General Ma's eyes reddened: "Me, a coward? Me, General Ma, a coward?"

"I'm telling you, you're a coward!" Fan Debiao raised his voice. "Yu Fen was beaten up like this, and what did you do? Now that she's escaped, you come here acting like a big shot? Do you deserve it?"

General Ma was trembling with rage. Yu Fen's tears fell: "De Biao, General, please stop arguing..."

Fan Debiao sat down and lit a cigarette. "What's all the fuss about? I just can't stand some people who dare to do things but not admit them. If you like something, just say it. Why hide it and make Yufen bear it all alone? What kind of nonsense is that?"

General Ma also sat down, holding his head, and remained silent for a long time.

The room fell silent, save for Yu Fen's soft sobs.

After finishing his cigarette, Fan Debiao spoke up: "Alright, it's good that things are out in the open. Commander, if you really like Yufen, then act like a man. We'll figure out a way to deal with Niu Er. Don't let Yufen suffer because of you."

Ma Dashuai raised his head, his eyes red: "Debiao, I... I'm not a coward, I'm just scared. That scoundrel Niu Er is capable of anything."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Fan Debiao said. "This is a society governed by law. What can he possibly do? Besides, I'm here, aren't I?"

Yu Fen wiped away her tears: "De Biao, thank you."

"No need to thank me," Fan Debiao waved his hand. "We're all family. The Marshal is my brother-in-law, and you're my sister. If either of you needs help, how could I not care?"

General Ma looked at Fan Debiao with a complicated expression: "Debiao, you...you're really different from before."

"People always have to improve," Fan Debiao said. "Alright, the food's getting cold, hurry up and eat."

The three of them picked up their chopsticks again. The atmosphere eased considerably.

Fan Debiao poured a glass of wine for Commander Ma, then poured one for himself, and looked at Yu Fen: "Would you like some too?"

"I won't drink," Yu Fen said softly.

"Have some, it'll warm you up." Fan Debiao poured her a small half-cup.

The three clinked glasses. Fan Debiao said, "General, Yufen, I support your relationship. But we need to handle Niu Er's situation properly to avoid future troubles."

"What should we do?" General Ma asked.

Fan Debiao sat down and lit a cigarette: "What's all the fuss about? I just can't stand some people who dare to do things but not admit them. If you like something, just say it."

General Ma also sat down, holding his head in his hands.

The room fell silent. Fan Debiao finished his cigarette: "Alright, it's good that things are out in the open. Commander, if you really like Yufen, then act like a man. As for Niu Er, we'll figure out a way to handle that."

General Ma raised his head: "De Biao, I'm not a coward, I'm just scared. That scoundrel Niu Er is capable of anything."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Fan Debiao said. "This is a society governed by law. What can he possibly do? Besides, I'm here, aren't I?"

Yu Fen wiped away her tears: "De Biao, thank you."

"No need to thank me." Fan Debiao waved his hand. "The Marshal is my brother-in-law, and you're my sister. If you two need help, how could I not care?"

General Ma looked at Fan Debiao and said, "Debiao, you're really different from before."

"People always have to improve," Fan Debiao said. "Alright, the food's getting cold, hurry up and eat."

The three of them resumed their meal. Fan Debiao poured a glass of wine for Ma Dashuai, then poured one for himself: "Yufen, would you like some?"

"I won't drink it."

"Have a little." Fan Debiao poured her a small half-cup.

The three clinked glasses. Fan Debiao said, "General, Yufen, I support your relationship. But you need to handle Niu Er's situation properly."

"What should we do?" General Ma asked.

Fan Debiao recalled Niu Er's unpredictable kick in his previous life and his later rape of Yu Fen, which resulted in Yu Fen's pregnancy. He said fiercely, "If he doesn't play by the rules, he can't blame me!"