67: Chapter 67 The Days of Imprisonment

February 6, 2013. It was only a few days before the Chinese New Year.

A certain rural town in southern China was shrouded in a light mist, the chill of the early morning yet to dissipate.

Sporadic firecracker sounds were already coming from the village, the faint pops carrying the festive scent of the New Year. It was unclear which family's little rascal was setting them off outside.

Liu Zijun had just returned from helping out at his childhood neighbor's house with slaughtering a pig. After changing his clothes, he stood under the carved corridor of his family's ancient house, glanced in the direction of The Peninsula, and then went inside.

This ancient house was passed down from Liu Zijun's ancestors, a genuine old-style mansion.

With its blue-grey bricks and dark roof tiles, upturned eaves and corners, the wintersweet in the corner of the courtyard was in full bloom. Its pale yellow petals, dotted with morning dew, added a touch of elegant serenity.

Normally, only Liu Zijun's Grandfather and Grandmother lived here.

After the two elders retired, they returned here to enjoy their twilight years in peace. Their only gripe was that Liu Zijun still hadn't given them a great-grandchild to hold.

As for Liu Zijun's parents, they mostly only returned here during the New Year.

Naturally, Liu Zijun was even less present. He hadn't returned for three years, spending the New Year holidays abroad.

This year, however, because he had made a mistake, he had come back. This made his grandmother and mother very happy.

Two strings of red lanterns hung under the corridor, which his mother and grandmother had directed him to hang just yesterday. They were a glaring red, infusing the old mansion with a lively, earthly vitality.

Liu Zijun was now wearing a dark blue cotton jacket, sleeves rolled up, looking every bit the country lad.

He had shed the cold stiffness of a suit, but the glimmer of longing between his brows was impossible to hide.

On the opened computer screen, a news headline popped up.

#CCM Entertainment's New President Yang Hyeri Announces T-ara's Hiatus for Rest and New Album Preparations#.

The report stated that Yang Hyeri announced at the press conference that the T-ara members were physically and mentally exhausted recently. The company decided to have them completely stop commercial performances and schedules to focus on rest and adjustment, preparing for their subsequent comeback album.

In the accompanying photo, Park Soyeon and the other members stood beside Yang Hyeri, wearing faint smiles. Though the weariness in their eyes hadn't completely faded, there was a sense of relief.

Yang Hyeri was that assistant of Jiang Hongshao's, a member of the God Hunter Organization.

It seemed the organization was treating him quite well. They hadn't even recalled gemini and Shadow back to headquarters yet.

Liu Zijun's fingers slid lightly over the mouse, a barely perceptible smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

A click of the mouse, and another news headline followed.

#SM Entertainment Announcement: President Kim Young-min Temporarily Steps Down Due to Health Issues, President Lee Soo-man to Assume Temporary Control#

The news didn't provide many details, only stating that Kim Young-min was unwell recently and needed quiet recuperation. Company affairs, big and small, would be temporarily taken over by Lee Soo-man.

Seeing this, Liu Zijun's smile deepened a little more.

Kim Young-min's health issues were naturally Jiang Hongshao's handiwork. His shares had now fallen to the third-largest position.

Lee Soo-man had always been dissatisfied with Kim Young-min's management philosophy. Now back in power, Choi Sulli and Im Yoona should suffer considerably less mistreatment.

He continued browsing, looking at news about people like IU Lee Ji-eun, but there was no news about that gentle older sister.

He could imagine Jiang Hongshao maneuvering on The Peninsula. That woman, whose whole being was devoted to him, always acted cleanly and decisively.

All his means of external communication had been blocked. This was an order personally given by his former superior.

He could only receive information from the outside world now.

Suddenly, a voice came from outside.

"Liu Zijun, your mom's calling you for dinner."

Liu Zijun turned off the computer and headed towards the main hall.

Seeing the look of disdain on his father's face, he shook his head helplessly.

No use arguing! Absolutely no use!

After returning to the country, he had been confined.

And this so-called confinement was more like a special kind of vacation.

The God Hunter Organization was actually a mercenary group covertly supported by China, directly subordinate to the highest levels. Only the successive leaders of the organization and a very few elite members knew the God Hunter Organization's true background.

While other core members had their suspicions, they could not be certain at all.

After all, there were quite a few Chinese members within the organization.

Liu Zijun, however, had known since joining the organization because he was exceptionally capable. He had been personally requested by the old captain from a domestic unit.

And at the beginning of 2012, he took over from the old captain, becoming the leader of the God Hunter Organization.

He fought through blood and fire, earning the title of 'Solitary' through sheer force.

But now, because of his actions on The Peninsula, he had broken the rules.

For Choi Sulli, he had gone on a rampage at the Cloud Top Bar, targeting Peninsula chaebols.

The God Hunter Organization taking the blame wasn't a big problem, but the commotion was too great, not conducive to the organization's interests.

Although Emily and Jiang Hongshao had cleaned up the traces, the organization's latent existence was still exposed, and certain rules were violated.

Because of his actions on The Peninsula, his personal motives were too obvious in some people's eyes.

In the eyes of those people, he had broken the rules and deserved severe punishment. But many others, remembering his past achievements, questioned: was this really such a big deal?

What puzzled those inclined to favor him was that, after consulting Liu Zijun's opinion, this kid actually seemed ready to throw in the towel.

Finally, after a certain high-ranking figure made the decision, the result was to retain the title of 'Solitary,' remove him from the position of God Hunter Organization leader, temporarily assign him no tasks, and send him back to his hometown for reflection.

It was called confinement, but it felt more like a vacation. The only annoyance was being unable to contact the outside world.

Of course, Liu Zijun wasn't without his methods, but he was behaving quite obediently.

His obedience manifested on the very night he returned home.

Because he had secretly used his grandfather's phone to call Choi Sulli. It was completely useless; the call wouldn't go through!

As for Old Wang and Old Li, sent by the domestic authorities to monitor him, they were just going through the motions.

Both were seasoned veterans dispatched by the official side who had long since seen the situation clearly. Apart from occasionally reporting his whereabouts, they spent their days basking in the sun and shooting the breeze in the small town.

"Xiao Jun, what are you daydreaming about? Come eat quickly. We need to go help out at Xiao Xiang's house early. You don't get to eat this kind of lively rural pork feast many times a year."

Lin Wanrou walked out carrying a bowl of steaming hot minced meat noodles, a full smile on her face.

"Your Grandfather and Grandmother have already eaten and gone out for a stroll."

Liu Zijun walked over and sat down at the square table, took the bowl of noodles, and began to eat.

He was enjoying these leisurely days.

He spent years abroad; not only did he not come home for the New Year, even meeting his family was difficult.

After being reborn, he dealt with the Faith Organization and then plunged headlong into affairs on The Peninsula. It wasn't until he was summoned back that he truly had time to spend with his family.

These past few days, he had followed his grandmother learning to make steamed buns and fry dough sticks, and accompanied his grandfather to tend the vegetable plots in the field.

The days passed peacefully and solidly. This long-lost sense of earthly life gradually relaxed his nerves.

It's just that those three women, unable to contact him for over half a month, must be worried sick.

Right after finishing breakfast, he headed towards Zhou Xiang's house nearby to help chop bones and cut meat!

As soon as he stepped out, Old Wang sauntered over, holding a freshly picked orange, and tossed it to Liu Zijun.

"Zi Jun, just picked from the back hill. Very sweet."

Liu Zijun caught the orange, peeled a segment, and put it in his mouth.

"Old Wang, not going to town to play cards today?"

"Not going. Old Li said the card halls in town are all closed for the New Year. He's at the town square right now, basking in the sun and playing chess with your grandfather and the others."

Old Wang followed behind Liu Zijun, took out a cigarette case, offered one to Liu Zijun, and lit one for himself.

"Speaking of which, what's the higher-ups' thinking on your situation? How long are you supposed to stay here?"

Liu Zijun said in a flat tone, "Don't know. Waiting for notification."

Old Wang patted his shoulder consolingly, "Should have a result after the New Year. Though I don't know what you did, someone being confined like you is a first for me. The higher-ups are mostly just going through the motions."

The two chatted and smoked as they walked towards his childhood friend Zhou Xiang's house.

Liu Zijun saw his grandfather playing chess with some old men in the square, while his grandmother was chatting with some of the town's grannies, her hands busy with some small tasks.

After going over to greet them, he entered Zhou Xiang's house, tied on an apron, and like the other men, began cutting meat from the two pigs at Zhou Xiang's place.

Just then, a taxi suddenly drove into the town entrance, and a girl got out.

It had come directly from the city; otherwise, taxis weren't common in the countryside.

She wore a cute pink rabbit-knit hat on her head, sunglasses on her face, and a white down jacket.

She was pulling a large suitcase, looking at her phone and glancing around.