Chapter 73 The Last Embrace
"Wife, look, this is what I prepared for you."
Qin Lie, like a big boy, dragged a large wooden box out from under the bed. Opening the lid, the box was neatly stacked with all sorts of canned goods: canned yellow peaches, canned oranges, canned luncheon meat, canned black bean dace... a dazzling array, like a small supply and marketing cooperative.
“When I’m not home and you’re too lazy to cook, just open a can of food. You can slice this luncheon meat, fry it, and put it in a steamed bun. This canned yellow peach is sweet and sour; I’m sure you’ll like it.”
"And this too." He pulled out two large cans of malted milk powder and milk powder from the bottom of the box. "I asked someone to get this for you from Beijing. Remember to make a cup every morning and evening to supplement your nutrition. I've already talked to Aunt Zhou, and she'll come over every day to boil water for you. You're not allowed to be lazy and drink cold water."
“I’ve filled all the water tanks in the yard for you. I’ve also replaced all the rice and flour in the kitchen with new ones. And…”
Qin Lie kept talking, as if he wanted to arrange every aspect of Jiang Wu's life for the next month after he left.
This was his first long-term assignment since being promoted to chief of staff, and also the first time he would be away from Jiang Wu for so long after she became pregnant. He had a thousand, ten thousand worries in his heart.
Jiang Wu sat on the edge of the bed without interrupting him, simply watching him quietly. Under the light, the tall man, over six feet tall, squatted on the floor, clumsily arranging the bottles and jars, muttering to himself. His profile was sharply defined, his eyes filled with unwavering worry and longing.
At this moment, he was not the Chief of Staff Qin who strategized and acted decisively on the training field; he was just an ordinary husband who was about to embark on a long journey and was worried about his wife and children at home.
Jiang Wu's heart is incredibly soft.
"Qin Lie," she called softly.
"Hmm? What's wrong, honey? Is there something I didn't consider?" Qin Lie immediately looked up at her anxiously.
Jiang Wu stretched out her hand to him: "Come here."
Qin Lie quickly dusted off his hands and moved closer to the bedside. Jiang Wu took his hand, made him sit beside her, and then gently placed his large hand on her round belly.
Beneath his palm, the tiny life seemed to sense the impending separation from its father, and it moved with unusual agility, kicking Qin Lie's palm with considerable force.
"Ouch!" Qin Lie exclaimed as if he'd been electrocuted, his eyes lighting up instantly. "This kid's got real strength! He'll definitely be a boy, and he'll be a soldier like his dad someday!"
"How did you know it was a son?" Jiang Wu looked at him with amusement.
"I can feel it!" Qin Lie said with certainty. He lowered his head, pressed his ear against Jiang Wu's stomach, and said softly, "You little rascal, your dad's going on a long trip. You have to take good care of your mom for me at home, and don't you dare bother her, understand? When Dad comes back after doing something good, I'll buy you candy!"
The little one inside responded by moving gently.
Qin Lie chuckled foolishly, looked up, and his gaze met Jiang Wu's gentle, watery eyes.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he could no longer control his emotions, pulling her into his arms.
This embrace was unlike any he had ever given her before. He held her tightly and forcefully, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones.
He buried his face in the crook of her neck and took a deep breath, inhaling her pleasant, faint milky scent and natural fragrance.
"Wife..." His voice, thick with nasal tone, sounded muffled, "I don't want to leave."
One sentence brought tears to Jiang Wu's eyes. She could feel the man holding her trembling slightly. This tough, iron-willed man, who shed blood but not tears on the battlefield, was now vulnerable because of the impending brief separation.
"Silly boy." Jiang Wu patted his back, as if comforting a big child, "You're going on a mission to protect your country. This is your honor, and I'm proud of you."
“But I can’t bear to part with you, I can’t bear to part with the baby.” Qin Lie hugged her even tighter. “The thought of not being able to see you or touch the baby for a month makes me feel like I’m being scratched by a cat, so empty.”
“By the time I get back, your belly will definitely be even bigger. Maybe the baby will already be doing somersaults inside. Will I miss out on a lot? Will I not be the first person to see him born?” His words were filled with the anxiety and uncertainty of being a father.
“No, it won’t.” Jiang Wu cupped his face and looked earnestly into his eyes. “No matter where you go, the hearts of the three of us will always be connected. Can’t you feel it? He kicks me every day, as if he’s saying, ‘Dad, come back soon.’”
Qin Lie looked at her, at his reflection in her eyes, and at the comforting smile on her face, and the turbulent emotions in his heart gradually calmed down.
He lowered his head and awkwardly but devoutly kissed her lips.
This kiss contained not a trace of lust, only the purest affection and reluctance to part. He gently turned and traced her lips, as if trying to engrave her scent deep into his soul.
The night grew deeper.
The two remained silent, simply embracing and falling asleep. Qin Lie's hand never left Jiang Wu's belly; he wanted to savor as much of this wondrous feeling of being connected to his wife and child by blood as possible before he left.
However, Qin Lie did not sleep well that night. He had a dream.
He dreamed that he was sailing the exploration ship on a vast, pitch-black sea.
There were no stars or moon in the sky. The sea was as calm as a mirror, yet it exuded an eerie stillness.
Suddenly, a fierce wind arose, and towering waves surged across the sea. Those waves were higher and more violent than any typhoon he had ever seen.
The small exploration vessel was like a helpless leaf in the raging winds and waves, and could be swallowed up at any moment.
He frantically steered the ship, shouting at the top of his lungs, but all he could hear from the communication equipment was a piercing hissing sound.
A giant wave crashed in, and the ship capsized violently. He was thrown out and plunged into the icy, frigid water. He watched as the ship was slowly swallowed by the dark sea before his very eyes…
"don't want!"
Qin Lie woke up with a start, sitting bolt upright. He was panting heavily, his forehead covered in cold sweat. Outside the window, dawn was breaking.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Wu, who was beside him, was also awakened by him and looked at him with sleepy eyes.
"N-nothing...it's nothing." Qin Lie wiped the sweat from his face and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Just a nightmare."
He dared not tell Jiang Wu what he had dreamt about, for fear of frightening her. He simply attributed it to his own anxiety, a result of his daytime thoughts and nighttime dreams.
He got up, put on his military uniform, and checked his belongings one last time. Jiang Wu also got up, silently helping him straighten the top button on his collar and fasten his belt.
"Wife, I'm leaving." Qin Lie stood at the door, turning back to look at her. The morning light shone through the window, bathing her in a golden glow.
She was wearing a loose nightgown, her belly was protruding, and her hair was a little messy, but in his eyes she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
He walked back, embraced her tightly again, and planted a deep kiss on her forehead.
"Wait for me to come back."
After saying that, he resolutely turned around, strode out of the courtyard gate, and never looked back. He was afraid that if he turned back, he would never be able to take another step.
Jiang Wu stood at the doorway, watching his tall, upright figure disappear into the misty path at the end. She raised her hand and gently touched her belly, a tender smile on her face.
Go forth, my hero.
My baby and I are waiting for you at home.
However, after Qin Lie's figure completely disappeared, the smile on Jiang Wu's face slowly froze.
She turned around and looked at the orchid she had been taking excellent care of in the corner of the yard.
Just as Qin Lie turned around, the very center of the orchid, which was in full bloom, fell off its stem without warning.
In the morning mist, the white orchid that had fallen into the soil looked particularly striking.
ps:
The content on Tomato is going crazy, it just won't stop.
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