Next, Qin Hanshu took Zhou Ruilan and Yang Le on a tour of Jiangcheng.

After this experience, Yang Le became noticeably more cheerful and smiled more often.

Zhou Ruilan also realized this and couldn't help but reflect on herself, "Was I too strict with Lele before? Did I make the child lose all her childlike qualities?"

Qin Hanshu nodded directly and said, "That's right, Lele is clearly very lively."

Zhou Ruilan felt somewhat guilty, "I will be more careful in the future."

Qin Hanshu patted the back of her hand and sighed, "Anyway, I still stand by what I said: with your family backing you up, you have nothing to fear."

Zhou Ruilan nodded silently.

She had actually thought about divorce. When she was really angry, the thought would naturally pop into her head: if it works out, great; if not, so be it. She wasn't afraid.

But once her anger subsided, she realized it hadn't come to that. Yang Guangyu hadn't committed any misconduct, nor had he hit her.

Moreover, she still has feelings for Yang Guangyu. Although many years have passed and much of it has faded, the foundation remains.

As the old saying goes, the original spouse is always the best.

Who can guarantee what kind of person she'll find after leaving Yang Guangyu?

If I find another partner later in life, and we still don't get along, we'll just divorce again.

Zhou Ruilan glanced at Qin Hanshu and sighed.

Even her third sister-in-law, who lives far away in Jiangcheng, went to great lengths to help her. It was indeed time for her to stand up for herself.

This trip to Jiangcheng has broadened her horizons considerably, and she has already made some plans in mind.

Zhou Ruilan returned a few days earlier than expected.

Seeing that she was in much better condition, Qin Hanshu did not try to persuade her to stay any longer.

***

Qin Hanshu wasn't interested in watching TV, but after returning from her hometown, Zhou Sheng kept pestering her to watch TV every day.

Qin Hanshu then purchased all the necessary appliances for the house, including a television, rice cooker, and refrigerator...

We already bought a washing machine, so we don't need to buy another one.

Everyone in the compound knew that Qin Feiyang owned an electronics store, and no one gossiped about her extravagant spending.

Lately, television and radio have been broadcasting things about the war. Zhou Sheng sits in front of the television every day, watching with a surge of emotion that brings tears to his eyes.

"I want to go to the battlefield too!"

"I want to be a hero, I want to sacrifice myself gloriously!"

Qin Hanshu asked, "So you're not going to pick up trash anymore?"

There was a lot of trash that Zhou Sheng had collected at home. Qin Hanshu had secretly thrown it away once, and he cried very sadly after he found out.

Zhou Sheng thought for a moment and said, "I'll go to the battlefield when I'm older. For now, I'll pick up trash."

Zhou Weiguang chuckled and said, "You've picked up all the trash in the yard; you're practically the king of trash now."

Zhou Sheng ignored him and asked Zhou Weiguang, "Dad, when did you gloriously sacrifice yourself?"

Zhou Weiguang: "..."

Zhou Sheng: "You're not going to fight either? Are you deserting?"

Zhou Weiguang took a deep breath and patiently explained, "In war, you have to follow orders. Whoever is sent to the battlefield goes. It's not like your father can just go whenever he wants."

Zhou Sheng nodded seriously, as if he understood.

Zhou Weiguang privately remarked to Qin Hanshu, "This kid might actually be a good fit for the military."

Qin Hanshu shook her head and said, "He's still young, what can he possibly see? You're not allowed to interfere with his future. When he grows up, he can do whatever he wants."

Most of the soldiers Qin Hanshu has encountered over the years seem to have a strong desire for their descendants to take over their positions.

She didn't want Zhou Weiguang to end up like that. Joining the army was a good idea, but ultimately, it was the child's own wish that mattered.

Zhou Weiguang chuckled, "Don't worry, you're in charge of everything in our family, and we'll listen to you about how the children are treated."

Qin Hanshu glared at him, "They're not listening to me, they're listening to their own."

Zhou Weiguang didn't take the question to heart at all, nodding absentmindedly, "Yeah, let them do as they please." His hands had already started to wander.

He only goes home once every one or two months now, and each time he goes home it's a long battle.

This separation lasted for a total of three years.

In 1985, Zhou Weiguang was transferred back to the garrison area and promoted one rank. His family also began preparing to move.

It's still in the family compound, but we've moved to a bigger house, with a yard on the ground floor and three bedrooms.

Qin Hanshu took a day off specifically to move.

Although there was an extra bedroom, Zhou Chi and Zhou Sheng still lived together in bunk beds, while Gu Yan stayed in the other bedroom.

Gu Yan was somewhat apprehensive and said that she would rather set up a cot in the living room.

Before Qin Hanshu could say anything, Zhou Weiguang sternly denied it.

Qin Hanshu knew what he was thinking, but she didn't expose him. She just looked at him with a half-smile.

Zhou Weiguang, without blushing at all, said to Gu Yan, "You must sleep in the bedroom, that's an order!"

Gu Yan was startled and quickly agreed.

Gu Yan has been living with her family for seven years. During that time, she had a relationship that ended. Recently, she has been receiving letters from her family urging her to go back home for blind dates and get married.

Qin Hanshu naturally didn't want her to leave. Finding a suitable nanny wasn't easy. Over the years, she and Gu Yan had developed a very good working relationship. It was hard to say what would happen if she replaced her with someone else.

However, Gu Yan hesitated, and Qin Hanshu didn't say much to interfere with her choice. She also prepared a red envelope to give to her if she left.

In the end, it was Gu Yan's younger brother who persuaded her not to go back to her hometown.

She said she was only twenty-four years old, and nowadays late marriage and late childbirth are encouraged, so she could at least work hard for another two or three years and save more money for herself.

Qin Hanshu was pleased with the outcome, as it meant she wouldn't have to worry about the nanny issue for the time being.

That day, Qin Hanshu and Zhou Weiguang returned home together and found that a guest had come to their house.

Upon seeing the person, Zhou Weiguang immediately rushed to greet him excitedly.

"Qi Feng!"

After being introduced, Qin Hanshu learned that Qi Feng was Zhou Weiguang's old comrade-in-arms.

Qi Feng greeted Qin Hanshu somewhat awkwardly, "Sister-in-law."

Qin Hanshu smiled and agreed. Seeing that Gu Yan had already made tea, she said, "I'll go cut some fruit for you."

Qi Feng quickly said, "Sister-in-law, no need..."

Zhou Weiguang pulled Qi Feng down to sit and asked him about his recent situation.

The two had not been in contact for many years, but Zhou Weiguang's workplace remained the same, and Qi Feng was easy to find.

Looking at the house Zhou Weiguang was allocated, Qi Feng smiled and said, "You're doing pretty well now."

"It's fine as it is..." Zhou Weiguang looked Qi Feng up and down and asked, "You've withdrawn?"

Qi Feng smiled and said, "I've been retired for two years now."

As he calculated the time, Zhou Weiguang's heart stirred, and he glanced at Qi Feng again.

Seeing how quickly he thought, Qi Feng laughed and said, "I can't hide it from you. That's right, I came back from the battlefield with a limp."

As he spoke, he pulled up the hem of his right trouser leg.

A prosthetic limb suddenly appeared before my eyes.