And so, the family stayed in their hometown village for a whole week. The old man's health improved at a visible speed. He could eat a full bowl of food at every meal and could even play chess with the men of the Duan family.

But the more this happens, the less relaxed they become.

The temperature has been gradually dropping these past few days, and Ding Yifen has prepared a thick quilt for each bedroom.

Early in the morning, a terrified scream woke everyone in the Duan family's old house.

Duan Ye and Luo Qingyuan opened their eyes at the same time. Before they could say anything, they quickly got up, put on their shoes, and went upstairs.

Before long, everyone had gathered in the old man's bedroom.

The old man was lying there quietly with his eyes closed, looking as if he were asleep, but upon closer inspection, one would notice that his chest was no longer rising and falling.

Duan Ye froze on the spot for a moment.

Miao Suzhen sat to the side, already unable to hold back her quiet sobs.

Liang Mo stepped forward, eager to examine the old man's specific symptoms, but Miao Suzhen said, "He's gone. He must have passed away around 3 a.m. He's stiff now. It's my fault; I was sleeping too soundly and didn't notice."

After saying that, Miao Suzhen lowered her head and wiped away her tears with the back of her hand.

This morning, she got up and dressed as usual. After she was dressed, she turned around and called him. Duan Jiancheng had said that he wanted to get up with her during this period and spend more time with her. So, since she came home, she has been getting up with him every morning. She would help him get dressed and then help him downstairs. The two of them would walk hand in hand in the village, leaning on their canes, and would greet each other when they met acquaintances.

If we walk to the steamed bun shop at the edge of the village, we'll buy some breakfast to bring back for the younger generation.

Yesterday they brought back peanut and meat fillings, and they smelled so good.

Miao Suzhen remembers what Duan Jiancheng said: "I have spent too little time at home in my life. You have been the one who has supported this family all these years. Suzhen, you have suffered so much all these years."

When he was young, Duan Jiancheng was on the battlefield and rarely came home. Even after he got married, he was away from home most of the year, only returning a few times during holidays. It can be said that Miao Suzhen raised all the children in the family by herself, and he hardly fulfilled his responsibilities as a father.

It was only after I retired that I had more free time.

Duan Kai and Duan Sheng wanted to speak, but Miao Suzhen said, "You should both go out first. I'll help your father get dressed."

Duan Ye had just taken two steps forward when Duan Sheng stopped him.

Immediately, the family rushed out and stood at the doorway.

Everyone was unusually silent, and everyone felt uneasy.

Duan Ze felt a pang of sadness, but he still looked down at Shen Niannian. He saw that Shen Niannian was tightly gripping his sleeve, leaning on his shoulder, her little mouth pouting, tears welling up in her eyes, looking like she was about to cry but dared not let them fall.

So Duan Ze could only sigh silently and pull Shen Niannian into his arms without a word.

Shen Niannian was very well-behaved at this moment, lying quietly on his chest, but Duan Ze soon felt his chest was soaked with tears.

Duan Ze couldn't say anything, he could only hug the baby in his arms even tighter.

Duan Ye and Luo Qingyuan stood at the very back.

Duan Ye leaned against the wall, looking down at his toes, lost in thought. But Luo Qingyuan knew that what he needed most at that moment was company.

So she didn't say much, but silently took his hand, and Duan Ye noticed and silently held it back.

At this moment, in the bedroom.

Miao Suzhen had just changed Duan Jiancheng into clean clothes and combed his hair.

After finishing all that, she sat down, supporting her aching back. Once she had recovered, she took Duan Jiancheng's hand, her voice sounding somewhat aged and reluctant.

"Jiancheng, I already feel very happy that you are willing to marry me and give me a complete family."

Besides, over the decades, her husband has never done anything to betray her.

As long as he can go home, he will definitely go home to be with her. Even when he goes out to meet with his comrades, he will take her with him whenever he can. She manages his salary and allowances. He has never argued with her once and always goes along with her wishes. What more could she ask for?

She also knew that Duan Jiancheng had once had a fiancée who was a war correspondent, but unfortunately, she seemed to have died in battle. She knew this when Duan Jiancheng said he wanted to meet her a few years ago.

She had Duan Jiancheng's entire life, while Zhang Shufen was just a fleeting glimpse into his later years.

She didn't care about anything.

She was pampered by Duan Jiancheng her whole life, and she was very content.

So, Miao Suzhen stood up and gently kissed her husband's lips, as light as a feather.

She and Duan Jiancheng met, fell in love, and spent their whole lives together. She couldn't accept that Duan Jiancheng didn't exist in this world.

She could wait. No matter how long Duan Jiancheng was gone, as long as he was still alive, she could wait.

But she couldn't accept it; she would never hear from her husband again.

So, Miao Suzhen smiled gently, took out the sleeping pills she had prepared earlier from the drawer, and placed the letter she had written earlier on the table.

Her lover is gone, and this old lady should go with him.

Her mother had told her that the road to the underworld was very cold.

Therefore, she couldn't keep the person she loved waiting too long.

After taking the entire bottle of medicine, Miao Suzhen lay down next to Duan Jiancheng, held his hand, gently closed her eyes, and smiled.

Her consciousness slowly blurred, but Miao Suzhen's memory seemed to be pulled back to many years ago. It was when she took Xiao Kai to see Duan Jiancheng. They were arranged to live in the family compound. She didn't remember much about what happened after that. She only remembered that she was very shy at that time and didn't talk to men much. She was also joked about by strangers.

She felt wronged but didn't dare tell Duan Jiancheng, not wanting to cause him any trouble. She could only cry secretly by herself.

Later, I don't know how Duan Jiancheng found out. He was usually a very good-tempered person who could get along with anyone, but for her sake, he beat up his comrade and even received a disciplinary action. Even so...

Under the scorching sun, Duan Jiancheng held her hand and told everyone, "Suzhen is my wife. Today, I, Duan Jiancheng, am making this clear: anyone who dares to look down on my wife is looking down on me. This is the first time. But if it happens again, I'm quitting the army, and I'll fucking kill him!"

I later heard that people in the family compound would avoid her whenever they saw her.

Miao Suzhen's smile deepened.

Holding her infant son Kai in her arms, she was absolutely certain that he was the one for her.

Later, Miao Suzhen was never looked down upon again. Even at work, everyone knew she had her husband's protection, even though he wasn't home often...

She will definitely come back if she is bullied.

Therefore, she loved Duan Jiancheng for a lifetime.

"It's so good that we can be together again, my dear."