Chapter 5: Blackout in Memory (Part 1)

  An Lele is a good guy, although An Jia has never been very successful, and before An Baoshan retired, he was just the deputy director of the logistics department of the military district. However, whether it's An Lele or An Baoshan, they've always taken care of Lin's family. In Lin Hongfei's heart, An Lele, this little guy who is always smiling like his old man, is someone worth befriending.

  The two of them chatted and laughed for a while, when An Le suddenly became serious, "Hong Fei, I won't mention anything else, but if there's something work-related that I can help with, just let me know."

  "Hey kiddo," Lin Hongfei's heart was moved, but he forced out a nonchalant smile, "What's with the dramatics? You're not interested in me, are you?"

  "Get out! A dog's mouth can't produce ivory!" The good atmosphere was ruined by Lin Hongfei, and An Lele's teeth itched with anger. "You little brat, don't bite Lu Dongbin," she said, and then couldn't help but laugh. The two had grown up together since childhood, and they were all too familiar with Lin Hongfei's foul mouth. Laughing, she asked, "By the way, do you know why the power is out?"

  The military's use of electricity is a special line for special supply, and under normal circumstances, it cannot be stopped. Otherwise, if there are problems with the power supply, it will cause problems with the activities that the military is currently conducting, and who can afford to take responsibility? Even in the event of a power outage, the power company will discuss it with the military district several days in advance... It's a discussion, not an invitation... If the military district disagrees, even if other areas' electricity is cut off, the power company does not dare to pull the switch for the military district. Otherwise, these soldiers are really brave enough to bring a car full of soldiers to find trouble with the power company.

  It was precisely because of this that An Le felt curious, who had such a big nerve to cut off the power supply to the military district's family quarters?

  "I don't know, I haven't heard that the power bureau is going to cut off our electricity," Lin Hongfei shook his head, and suddenly had an idea, "Hmm, maybe someone is stealing electricity."

  "How is that possible?!" An Lele sneered at Lin Hongfei's words, not believing him at all. "Brother, are you mistaken? What kind of place is this? A military district residential area, who dares to steal electricity here, isn't that asking for death?! And... uh..."

  Before he could finish speaking, An Lele suddenly widened his eyes and stared blankly ahead.

  At this moment, Lin Hongfei and An Lele had already left the military district compound. The transformer that supplied power to the military district residential area was just across the road from the residential area. The human-shaped object swaying in the wind on the power line above the transformer immediately explained to An Lele what happened with tonight's blackout.

  Two maintenance personnel from the power company came over at a flying speed, holding long insulated rods to pull away the object on the 1000V high-voltage line, looking quite curious.

  "Really?" An Lele looked at Lin Hongfei with a "terrified" expression, "How did you know someone was stealing electricity?"

  "I'm guessing." Lin Hongfei shrugged, looking even more unrepentant.

  "What did you guess?" An Lele stared at Lin Hongfei with wide eyes, her eyes filled with two words: unbelievable! "You little brat had already come out to take a look, right? I said you're not being honest, you knew someone was stealing electricity all along and still tried to fool me, you're too despicable!"

  Lin Hongfei smiled but didn't speak, his heart was shocked beyond measure: Was this power outage really caused by someone stealing electricity? So it seems that although he doesn't know what exactly happened, he has indeed returned to 21 years ago? Everything around him now is real and not just a dream?

  If this isn't a dream, then wouldn't I have the chance to change my fate? The humiliation that those two bastards from the Pei family inflicted on Dad and me, can I thoroughly take it back?!

  Lin Hongfei suddenly felt that tonight's night color was exceptionally beautiful and alluring.

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  In the morning, Duan Yuzhen was busy in the kitchen while chatting with Lin Hongfei and his son, "This electricity is... I heard that someone stole a transformer last night, and that person was electrocuted to death?"

  The identity of the unlucky thief who sneaked into the power grid last night and ended up losing his life has not been found out yet. In today's society, people generally have a strong sense of disdain for thieves. Unless someone comes forward to report the case and look for him, the police won't bother to investigate who this unfortunate guy is. However, news spreads quickly, and by early morning today, Duan Yuzhen already knew about it, even though she didn't wake up until after midnight when the power was out.

  Lin Weiguo didn't like hearing this, and early in the morning, he listened to Duan Yuzhen nagging about such things, and couldn't help but feel a little impatient. "What's the point of talking about this so early in the morning?... If it weren't for the difficulties at home, who would be willing to come out and do this shameful business?"

  Lin Weiguo has been worried about that thing for the past two days. At this moment, when it comes to her own husband's future prospects, Duan Yuzhen suddenly showed great magnanimity, "Yes, yes, you're right."

  But in this conversation, there is also a hint of resentment: the man of her own family slapping herself in the face early in the morning, even if she knows that her husband has something on his mind and can tolerate it for a while. Duan Yuzhen, who was used to lecturing students, couldn't help but feel uncomfortable in her heart.

  Lin Weiguo also felt that it was a bit inappropriate to say this to his wife early in the morning, but as a man, he couldn't bring himself to apologize to her and instead sat on the sofa, smoking heavily.

  "Dad, what do you think about the Xu Bo Bo thing now?" One was to ease the atmosphere at home a bit, and the other was that Lin Hongfei also decided to take this opportunity to discuss it with his old man.

  Originally, Pei Guangrong was able to get ahead by taking advantage of his own father and then stepping on him. Lin Hongfei never wanted to experience that kind of helpless feeling again, nor did he want a venomous snake lurking behind him waiting for an opportunity to strike. In the past, it was because he didn't have the ability, but this time, Lin Hongfei had made up his mind: no matter what, he would push his own father into the deputy commander position of that experimental unit.

  "This is none of your business, kid!" Lin Weiguo's eyebrows were still furrowed in worry, but his anger was still burning hot. He glared at Lin Hongfei and said, "Listen up, after dinner, you get back to your unit immediately! How did I raise you since you were little? To suffer hardship is to be a superior person! You can't even handle this little bit of hardship, what do you expect to achieve in the future?"

  "Hey, hey, what's wrong with you?" Before Lin Weiguo could finish speaking, Duan Yuzhen had already lost her temper and rushed out of the kitchen, waving a spatula in her hand. "You deal with your own affairs yourself! You're venting at the children? If you have the ability, go take down that deputy squadron leader! All day long, you say 'eating bitterness is the way to be a good person', but I've never seen you eat any bitterness or suffer any hardship!"

  He didn't expect his wife to react so strongly. Lin Weiguo, who had always been a male chauvinist at home, was left speechless for a moment, and scolded his wife and child. This matter was indeed not handled properly by Lin Weiguo.

  Lin Hongfei certainly knew that for his own family's old master, whether or not to give gifts to Old Lianzhang was a difficult decision. His rationality told him that with Old Lianzhang's straightforward and violent temper, especially his disgust towards military personnel who take the back door and do crooked things, he would probably be driven out of their home immediately if he really brought any gifts into their house, not to mention that the iron-blooded duty to make our army stronger would have to bid farewell to him forever.

  On the other hand, Lin Weiguo also felt that Pei Guangrong's words made sense. Lao Lianzhang was also human and could understand his emotions. Even if Lao Lianzhang was unhappy, he probably wouldn't blame himself too much... In this matter, Lin Weiguo felt a bit psychologically unbalanced.

  These words Lin Hongfei couldn't say out loud, not only couldn't he say them, but at this time he also had to help mediate, and quickly pushed Duan Yuzhen into the kitchen, "Hey, Mom, you're not unaware that these past two days my dad has been having a headache over this matter, his temper is flaring up, why are you arguing with him... Are the pan-fried buns done?"

  The son gave himself a step of this size, and Duan Yuzhen and Lin Weiguo naturally followed. Duan Yuzhen waved the spatula, "If I didn't know that this time... hum..."

  No matter what, Lao Niang entered the kitchen to busy herself, and Lin Hongfei finally let out a sigh of relief. Although he knew that his father still regarded him as an ignorant little kid and wouldn't listen to his opinions, Lin Hongfei decided to try anyway.

  Just after getting out of bed, Lin Hongfei didn't even pour water for his old man, and sat down beside his old father to chat with him. "Dad, about going to Uncle Xu's house, what do you really think?"

  "What do you kids know? Don't interfere with adult matters." His wife went into the kitchen, and Lin Weiguo's husband's temper flared up again.

  Lin Hongfei didn't get angry, he had expected this situation a long time ago. Although his father was a bit chauvinistic, as long as you were right, he could listen to you. "Dad, as the saying goes, three cobblers are better than Zhuge Liang. One person's wisdom is limited, but two people's wisdom can be longer. What do you think in your heart? Say it out loud and let me and mom hear it. After all, my mom was also the head teacher of a high school graduating class, it shouldn't be difficult for her to help you analyze it."

  Lin Hongfei's words are reasonable, and Lin Weiguo also knows that this matter is viewed from one angle, but it may be another angle when others look at it. However, this matter is relatively special, and it's not quite suitable to ask others for their opinions. But if it's just the family members discussing it together, then there's nothing wrong with that.

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