After Gu Ye and Bao Ni talked, he really got busy. Sometimes he wouldn't be seen for days on end, and he ate and slept at the military base.
The same goes for Political Commissar Xu next door, and Staff Officer Deng on the other side is also rarely seen for several days. Fortunately, although Dr. Cao is busy, he usually goes home at night.
Cao Shengnan had gotten used to it, taking her younger brothers to and from school, eating in the cafeteria, and even doing laundry and cleaning herself. In comparison, Liu Jiu and Xu Hongxia seemed inferior, especially Xu Hongxia, who initially did her own laundry.
Bonnie would also look after the three children from time to time, bringing them fruit—cucumbers and tomatoes from the yard, which Bonnie grew a lot of. Occasionally, when she was making noodles, she would invite a few of the children over for a meal to improve their diet.
"Baoni, sister-in-law, we need your help with something." Staff Officer Deng and Dr. Cao came over to ask Baoni to help take care of the child.
"Your brother Wenze and I both have missions, and we don't know how long it will take. Please help take care of the three children. I'm worried about leaving them alone at home." Staff Officer Deng had no other choice. Back in Shanghai, her family helped take care of them.
"It's alright. Let the three children stay at my house. Shengnan and Liujiu can stay together, and the two younger brothers and Sanqi can stay together. Take care of yourselves and come back safely. The children are waiting for you."
Bonnie didn't think it was a big deal, but it might seem unbelievable in later generations. People generally don't entrust their children to outsiders to take care of; each family has only one child, and they're all quite spoiled.
In this era, especially in military family compounds, it was a common occurrence. Especially for officers whose wives had passed away and who were raising their children alone, once they went on a mission, they would entrust their children to neighbors or acquaintances for care.
"Thank you, Bonnie. We'll be careful. Here are the food coupons and money, and some other coupons. Use them as you see fit, especially the ones that are about to expire. We won't say any more. We've told the children to pack their things themselves; we need to get back to our unit."
Staff Officer Deng saluted Bao Ni, then turned and hurriedly left with Dr. Cao, who was going home to get something.
"Be careful and come back safely!" Bonnie called out to the departing figure.
Before receiving a reply, I vaguely saw a waving arm.
"Bonnie, Bonnie..."
"Sister Zhang, what's wrong?" Bao Ni's voice changed, her heart ached.
"Dr. Cao and his wife both have assignments now. What about the child? Will he stay with you?" Aunt Zhang asked with concern from across the wall.
"Yes, I came over just now to ask you about this. I also left a bunch of money and tickets. It's not easy for the kids, especially Shengnan. She's become quite mature lately, taking care of the household and her two younger brothers." Baoni also felt sorry for the child, who had become so responsible at such a young age, somewhat like Jiang Jiaojiao.
"Sigh, there's nothing we can do about being the children of soldiers. It's good that they came back safely. Over the years, I've been afraid that one day I'll become a martyr's family member, and my child will become a martyr's orphan. But there's nothing I can do about it; life has to move forward." These are the heartfelt words of an elderly military wife.
Bonnie understood; wasn't she the same?
I'm reminded of a popular and very true saying: There is no such thing as a peaceful and carefree life; it's just that someone is bearing the burden for you!
This statement holds true in any era: there will always be a group of people who make silent contributions, giving far more than what is seen.
"Alright, stop talking about such discouraging things. They'll be back safely. Just call if you need anything. Even if the men aren't home, we're still family."
“I understand. We are all-powerful military wives, aren’t we?” Bonnie replied. She now understood why her grandmother and mother had waited for her for ten years without complaint.
Being a military wife is exhausting, not just physically, but also emotionally. Yet many persevere, driven not only by love for their husbands, but also by a deep sense of pride and responsibility.
That evening, all five children returned home together.
"Six-nine, Mom steamed some buns and is going to make braised prawns and steamed fish. Everything is ready. You and Shengnan can stir-fry the vegetables together, and the bok choy hearts are chopped too."
Bonnie finished the preparations and handed the kitchen over to the two girls.
"Don't worry, Aunt Gu, I'm a pretty good cook. It's just that my parents are worried about me tending the fire myself." Cao Shengnan was in a good mood. Her parents had been going out a lot more often, and this time the arrangements were excellent. She liked Aunt Gu.
"Okay, the kitchen is yours now, and the fire's on." Bonnie went to the vegetable garden and picked five or six tomatoes; she'd make a salad in a bit. It was a simple task.
Sanqi was helping the twins wash their hands and faces, but they got their faces so dirty. No, I need to train them to be hygienic during this time; they can't be so dirty.
Sanqi had found himself a task, one he had to do well. The two boys, still washing their faces, were unaware that their older brother, Sanqi, was already planning to "discipline" them.
Dinner was a great success. Liu Jiu and Sheng Nan are excellent cooks; all the dishes tasted delicious. Bao Ni's steamed buns also received unanimous praise.
After dinner, Shengnan took her two younger brothers and Liu Jiu Hongxia home to pack clothes and other personal belongings. They didn't know how many days they would be staying at Aunt Gu's house, so they took everything with them.
"Baoni, are you done cleaning up?" Aunt Zhang called out from over the wall.
"I'm all done cleaning up, Sister Zhang. What's up?" Annie washed her hands, wiped them on her apron, and came out.
"I was just thinking that since the Cao family kids are all eating at your house, I don't know if there's enough food. Why don't we go to their house and take a look? It seems like they don't grow many vegetables in their yard. It's a waste to leave the land empty."
Aunt Zhang has the Chinese gene for growing vegetables in her bones; whenever she sees an empty space, she wants to sow a handful of seeds.
"That works too. Her family doesn't grow many vegetables and rarely cooks. Growing more tomatoes would be convenient; they're easy to make in salads, soups, or stir-fries." Tomatoes are Bonnie's favorite, a versatile vegetable.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
