Chapter 37 Being Xie Zhongming's wife is a wonderful experience!
Xie Zhongming's back was taut and his arms were straight, but his voice was as steady as ever. His chest had been burned, but his dark eyes were as calm as a still pool, with only his breathing rising and falling almost imperceptibly.
He watched as Qiao Xingyue, holding a soda bottle, stuck the bottle cap into the corner of a long bench with large patches of white paint chipped off, and slammed it down hard.
With a "pop!" sound, the bottle cap was swiftly and decisively knocked off and landed on the ground.
The other women were all delicate and frail, not only in appearance but also in temperament. Comrade Qiao, though seemingly thin and frail, possessed a resilient and decisive spirit, like a roadside blade of grass that had been battered by wind and rain but refused to bend.
Xie Zhongming glanced at it and felt a pang of sadness in his heart.
He probably didn't even realize that every time he was in front of Comrade Qiao, his gaze would be involuntarily drawn to her, and his inner peace would be quietly disturbed by her.
Qiao Xingyue opened the soda bottle and handed it to Xie Jiang first, saying, "Uncle Xie, you drink first."
Xie Jiang took the soda and was about to bend down to hand it to An An and Ning Ning when Qiao Xingyue opened another bottle. "Uncle, you drink this. There's more."
When she spoke, her sweet voice carried a crisp and clear quality.
Xie Zhongming couldn't take his eyes off her. "Comrade Qiao, my dad and I have official business to attend to at the Kuncheng Military Region. I've bought you train tickets back to Jincheng. Please be careful on the train with the two kids."
"OK!"
Qiao Xingyue nodded.
That afternoon, Xie Zhongming personally escorted Qiao Xingyue and her daughter to the train station.
Before Qiao Xingyue boarded the train, Xie Zhongming handed her a letter of introduction. "Comrade Qiao, I was a little worried about you taking care of the two kids by yourself on the return trip, so I bought soft sleeper tickets for you and your daughters. This is the letter of introduction. The train attendant will also check the letter of introduction when checking tickets. Keep it safe and don't lose it."
In those days, only certain cadres and special personnel could afford to buy soft sleeper tickets on the green-skinned trains.
The procedures are also quite complicated.
For someone like Qiao Xingyue and her two daughters to be able to sit in a soft sleeper carriage, they had to be registered as family members of officials.
Qiao Xingyue glanced at the letter of introduction, which included a line about her identity—the wife of Xie Zhongming, commander of the 19th Regiment of the 3rd Brigade of the 6th Division of the Jincheng Military Region.
Xie Zhongming, his ears turning red, explained, "Comrade Qiao, don't misunderstand. This is the only way the letter of introduction can be issued so that we can buy you sleeper tickets."
"How could I misunderstand? I'm so grateful to you. The bus is about to leave, so we'll get on first. Goodbye, An'an and Ningning!"
"Goodbye, Uncle Zhongming. Please take good care of Grandpa Commander. My mom, my sister, and I are waiting for you at home."
"Okay, sweetie, get in the car with Mommy."
Xie Zhongming only turned and left after watching the green train pull away from the platform.
Then, Xie Jiang and Xiao Songhua got into the jeep and headed to the Kuncheng Military Region.
Xie Jiang sat in the back seat, while Xie Zhongming sat in the passenger seat next to Xiao Songhua. The father and son had the same posture, their shoulders and backs were straight even when they were sitting, and their necks had a straight and upright posture.
Xie Zhongming turned his head slightly and asked, "Dad, I haven't had a chance to ask you yet, what were the test results?"
"It's not serious. Just take your medicine on time and be careful, and you'll be fine."
After Xie Jiang answered, he added, "Zhongming, Ningning and I both have asthma caused by congenital narrowing of the left lung airway. If the doctor hadn't said that many asthma patients have this kind of lung defect, I would have doubted whether An'an and Ningning were really my granddaughters."
Xiao Songhua, who was driving, chimed in, "Uncle Xie, it seems you really love your granddaughter. Tell Zhongming to hurry up and marry another one; maybe she can really give you a precious granddaughter."
Xiao Songhua looked at Xie Zhongming and said, "Zhongming, doesn't your family also have a twin gene?"
Xie Zhongming's cousin has two twin sons.
There was also an elderly woman named Chen Shuying, who gave birth to twin sons after Xie Jiang in her early years. However, due to the poor conditions of that era, the twins were unable to breathe properly in the womb and were born with their bodies completely purple. They died on the same day despite all efforts to save them.
Xie Jiang looked at Xiao Songhua, who was driving, and asked, "Songhua, what do you think of Comrade Qiao Xingyue?"
"Uncle Xie, are you planning to have Comrade Qiao as your daughter-in-law?" Xiao Songhua, who was driving the jeep, was a little shocked. He didn't expect that even Xie Jiang would approve of Qiao Xingyue.
Thinking about how Chen Jiahui hadn't dated anyone all these years because of Xie Zhongming, Xiao Songhua was really worried that Chen Jiahui would become an old maid because of it, so he added a special note:
"Uncle Xie, I think Comrade Jia Hui and Zhong Ming were a perfect match. Zhong Ming said before that he would wait until he was promoted to regimental commander before considering personal matters, and Comrade Jia Hui waited patiently. She's a very devoted comrade. Who knew that Zhong Ming would encounter something like Fatty Ya in Chadian Village. Now that Fatty Ya and the child have both fallen into the river and drowned, and Jia Hui is still single..."
Before Xiao Songhua could speak, Xie Zhongming said decisively, "Don't play matchmaker."
"You're not being fair, kid." Xiao Songhua, gripping the steering wheel, glanced at the road ahead and glared at Xie Zhongming. "Jia Hui has waited for you for so many years, don't you really consider her at all?"
At that moment, Chen Jiahui's image came to mind.
But Xie Zhongming's heart remained calm.
"I didn't make her wait!"
"Xie Zhongming, is your heart made of stone? Jia Hui is so pitiful."
"Feeling sorry for her?" Xie Zhongming turned his head, looked at Xiao Songhua who was driving, and said coldly, "Then you should marry her."
"I, I..." Xiao Songhua's indomitable spirit, which could withstand a hundred pounds, instantly deflated like a punctured tire.
The usually tough, iron-willed voice suddenly stammered, and a blush crept onto his straight, steel-like neck. "Don't joke around like that. Jia Hui and I have only a pure revolutionary friendship. Even though we grew up together, I only ever treat her like a brother caring for his sister."
Seeing that he couldn't handle Xie Zhongming, Xiao Songhua had no choice but to turn his attention to Xie Jiang and began to persuade him.
“Uncle Xie, I think Comrade Qiao is a good person, beautiful, and capable, but after all, she is a widow with two children. It's a bit much for her to be with Zhongming…”
Before he could finish speaking, Xie Jiang said decisively, "Songhua, don't you dare say that Xingyue isn't good enough for our fourth son. I'm more worried that Xingyue might look down on our Jiaming for being a divorcee!"
"Uncle Xie, judging solely from appearances, Comrade Qiao and Zhongming are indeed quite a good match. However, they are not a good match in terms of social standing."
"Our Xie family doesn't care about such empty talk about social status and family background. As long as someone has good character, is destined to be with the fourth brother, and can live a good life with him, that's enough."
Xie Jiang's eyes shone brightly when he said this.
Sunlight streamed through the car window, falling on the white frost at his temples, making his upright posture resemble that of an old locust tree outside the window, standing there steadily.
This upright and honest spirit is devoid of any airs of an elder.
As he spoke, Xie Jiang looked at his son in the passenger seat.
The moment this kid mentions Xingyue, his ears turn a deep red, as if they could bleed.
"Fourth son, let me ask you something serious: what are your thoughts on Xingyue?"
Xie Zhongming's eyelids didn't move, but his back tensed up. "Dad, I haven't even filed for divorce yet. How can I have any feelings for Comrade Qiao?"
"You mean, once you file for divorce, you'll be able to face your relationship problems?"
“Dad, Comrade Qiao is a respectable comrade. She has faced a lot of criticism while raising two children on her own. Please don’t bring up her personal issues anymore.”
After answering Xie Jiang's question in a way that seemed irrelevant, Xie Zhongming casually picked up a book that Xiao Songhua had left in the car.
He sat upright in the car seat and opened the book.
Actually, this book was Volume III of Mao Zedong's Selected Works, but from the moment he opened it, he didn't even notice the title. He seemed to be browsing the contents line by line, but he didn't absorb a single word. A slender, frail figure floated into his mind and lingered for a long time.
With the car window open, the cool early summer breeze caressed Xie Zhongming, but his chest felt restless.
With the matter of Fatty still unresolved, her image lingered in Xie Zhongming's mind, and the incessant chirping of cicadas outside the car window disturbed his peace of mind.
The afternoon sun hung obliquely on the tops of the poplar trees on both sides of the road.
A military green jeep rolled along the dusty road and slowly drove into the military area gate.
The car slowly came to a stop on the gravel-paved parking lot. Xiao Songhua got out and opened the car door for Xie Jiang. "Uncle Xie, we've arrived."
At this moment, a dark-skinned, thin communications officer came up to Xiao Songhua with his back ramrod straight and said, "Commander Xiao, the division commander wants you to go to the division headquarters after you return."
Xiao Songhua nodded, then looked at Xie Jiang and his son Xie Zhongming, "Uncle Xie, Zhongming, you two go to the meeting. I'm going to the division headquarters."
"Okay, go ahead and get busy."
Kuncheng Military Region, 14th Division, Headquarters.
When Xiao Songhua knocked on the door and entered, he saw Chen Jiahui standing ramrod straight in front of the division commander. "Commander!"
The bald-headed director in front of Chen Jiahui nodded and handed a document to the two of them at the same time, saying, "Jiahui, Songhua, these are your transfer orders."
"A transfer order?" Xiao Songhua and Chen Jiahui asked in surprise at the same time.
Chen Jiahui asked, "Commander, which military region are you being transferred to?"
Bald-headed division commander: "Jincheng Military Region."
Xiao Songhua: "What mission do you have at the Jincheng Military Region?"
The bald division commander said solemnly, "This is a secret mission that requires your cooperation with your old commander and comrades-in-arms."
Xiao Songhua guessed, "Commander Xie and Xie Zhongming?"
Bald Division Commander: "Hmm! This is a secret mission. Even I don't know about it. You'll find out the specifics when you get to the military region. You'll be leaving tomorrow."
Xiao Songhua and Chen Jiahui stood at attention and saluted, "Yes, sir, we guarantee to complete the mission."
As they walked out of the headquarters, Xiao Songhua and Chen Jiahui kept a distance of one meter, not daring to get too close to her, but not too far apart either.
“Jiahui, this transfer back to the Jincheng Military Region might be an opportunity for you. Stop hiding from Zhongming. You need to face your relationship problems squarely. Running away isn’t the solution.”
Xiao Songhua is like a worried older brother.
With a troubled expression, Chen Jiahui stared ahead, only hearing the brotherly concern in Xiao Songhua's voice, but not the fleeting pity that had crossed Xiao Songhua's resolute face.
"Songhua, Commander Xie said he has someone he likes."
"What? That brat Zhongming told you he has someone he likes?"
You know?
"Jiahui, actually you're much better off than that woman, you can try harder..."
Chen Jiahui interrupted, "Songhua, I don't compare myself to the female comrades in Commander Xie's heart. She is an independent individual, and so am I. She has her good points, and I have mine."
She added firmly, "Commander Xie is twenty-six years old this year. From childhood to adulthood, he has never had a female comrade he was interested in. The fact that he can suddenly take a liking to a female comrade proves that that female comrade must be dazzling."
He acknowledged that the female comrade whom Commander Xie liked was outstanding, despite feeling deeply pained.
But there is also a sense of relief.
Finally, Chen Jiahui managed a faint smile. "Songhua, I will focus all my energy on my work. I won't let relationship troubles distract me this time I'm transferred back to the Jincheng Military Region. Trust me."
When she smiled, a faint pain lingered in her dimples, causing Xiao Songhua's forehead to tighten slightly.
"Don't look at me like that! It's just a breakup, it's not like the sky is falling. I'm going now, I need to go and properly hand over my work."
Xiao Songhua didn't say anything more.
They didn't chase after them.
He stood there in the afternoon sun, watching Chen Jiahui's figure walk further and further away from the bungalows outside the division headquarters.
Xiao Songhua couldn't see the tears falling from Chen Jiahui's eyes.
Chen Jiahui could not see the desolation and pain in Xiao Songhua's eyes.
In just over ten seconds, all of Xiao Songhua's memories of Chen Jiahui and Xie Zhongming from childhood to adulthood replayed in his mind.
Can Jia Hui really let go of Zhong Ming this time?
...
Clang! Clang!
The green train rolled across the tracks, heading towards Jincheng.
When they arrived, Qiao Xingyue and the children were in hard seats. The hard wooden seats were packed with passengers, and the air was filled with various odors, making for a very poor riding experience.
But the sleeper carriage was quiet.
Each private room has a maximum of four berths. Xie Zhongming bought the lower berths for the mother and her two daughters. Sitting opposite them was a cadre in a Zhongshan suit, praising An An and Ning Ning for being well-behaved and cute.
Qiao Xingyue spoke with the other party for a while.
An An Ning Ning especially likes the soft sleeper environment.
"Mom, did Uncle Zhongming buy the train tickets for us?"
"right."
"Why is Uncle Zhongming so kind to us?"
Not only did they buy them such comfortable sleeper tickets, but they also prepared a lot of delicious food for them, including roasted peanuts, pumpkin seeds, fruit candies, and apples and pears in a mesh bag.
Moreover, Qiao Xingyue discovered that Xie Zhongming had washed the apples and pears and wrapped them in clean handkerchiefs.
She opened the aluminum lunchboxes. One of the lunchboxes contained several brightly colored braised eggs, the shells of which had already been peeled off. The other lunchbox contained three braised chicken legs.
No wonder Comrade Xie specifically instructed us to eat the food in the lunchbox as soon as possible before we got on the bus.
It's getting hot, and if we don't eat it soon, it'll go bad.
When Qiao Xingyue handed two chicken drumsticks to the two children, her heart warmed. "Your Uncle Zhongming really made some very thoughtful arrangements."
Being his wife would definitely be very happy.
Because he takes such good care of the nanny and her children.
I just don't know why Comrade Xie wants to divorce his wife?
An'an picked up a chicken leg and started munching on it. "Mom, I saw what Uncle Zhongming's wife looks like."
"What does it look like?" Qiao Xingyue also started gnawing on a chicken leg.
She remembered that Comrade Xie's wife worked in the Kuncheng Military Region, which explained why An'an was able to meet her.
When she wasn't working at Commander Xie's house, she and An'an and Ningning wouldn't be able to eat such fragrant braised chicken legs for a whole month.
When she arrived at Commander Xie's house, she could eat meat every day or two. She felt that she was starting to gain weight around her waist and was really afraid that she would get fat if she continued to eat like this.
The original owner of this body, Fatty, was prone to gaining weight.
After taking a bite, Qiao Xingyue put the chicken leg down, stared at An'an who was gnawing on it, and asked, "Uncle Zhongming's wife must be as beautiful as a fairy, right?"
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