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◎Day 19 of the control group◎
Jiang Renzhou put down his chopsticks, his fingertips gently stroking the rim of his cup. His gaze swept over everyone at the table, and his tone was more serious than before: "After this mission, the army gave me two choices. Stay on the island and be promoted to deputy division commander, or go to the military academy in Beijing for two years of further study."
The moment those words were spoken, the table fell silent.
Shen Xinglian paused, her hand holding the chopsticks still, her eyes filled with surprise: "Beijing? Doesn't that mean we'll be separated for two years?"
Jiang Wanzhou frowned as well: "Brother, you're still recovering from your injury. Won't it be too strenuous for you to continue your studies? Besides, Beijing is so far from the island. What will happen to your wife and the children? Knowledge is definitely important. We'll definitely still need military officers in the future."
Zhou Qingyu calmed down first and asked, "Brother, what's your thought?"
Jiang Renzhou looked at Shen Xinglian, his eyes filled with guilt, but even more so with determination: "I want to choose further studies."
Shen Xinglian nodded gently.
“Xingxing, I know you’re reluctant to leave.” Jiang Renzhou held her hand, his voice softening. “But this mission made me realize that courage alone is not enough. We also need more advanced knowledge and technology to better protect our country and our home. And if I perform well there, I can probably reunite you with us in three months at the latest.”
He paused, then looked at Jiang Wanzhou and Zhou Qingyu: "Beijing is close to the Ren family. If I go there, I can finally put an end to things with them. They always wanted me to acknowledge my ancestors."
Looking into the light in his eyes, Shen Xinglian's reluctance was gradually replaced by understanding.
She knew that Jiang Renzhou was never one to be content with the status quo; he had his own ambitions and responsibilities.
She sniffed and asked softly, "When are you leaving? Will you be able to come back to visit your family during your studies?"
“We’re leaving next month. The college allows us to visit our families once every six months.” Jiang Wanzhou held her hand. “I’ll write to you often and come back whenever I have time. Besides, I’ve already applied to the leadership. Once you and the children have settled in, I’ll bring you to Beijing so we can reunite there.”
Jiang Wanzhou smiled: "Brother, you've planned this all along! We'll take good care of sister-in-law."
Zhou Qingyu nodded, "Don't worry, brother, I will take good care of Wanzhou and sister-in-law. You can focus on your studies in Beijing. If there's anything we can do for you, just write to us anytime."
Mingyuan asked, seemingly understanding but not quite, "Is Daddy going to a very far place? Will you still teach me how to shoot a gun?"
Jiang Renzhou smiled and ruffled his hair: "Yes, when Dad comes back, he'll teach you how to shoot a real gun and take you to Tiananmen Square to watch the flag-raising ceremony."
Mingmei seemed to understand, and reached out her little hand to pat Jiang Renzhou's arm, giggling.
The atmosphere lightened again, and Shen Xinglian put a piece of pork rib on Jiang Renzhou's plate: "Then you have to take good care of yourself. Don't be careless about your injury, and change your dressing on time. When you get to Beijing, remember to wear more clothes, it's colder there than on the island."
"Okay, I'll do whatever you say." Jiang Renzhou replied with a smile, his eyes full of doting affection.
For the next month, everyone was busy seeing Jiang Renzhou off.
Shen Xinglian packed his luggage, mended his clothes, and organized all his frequently used items.
Liu Hongying and her sisters-in-law also brought him homemade snacks and woven items to take on the road, which was a token of their appreciation from "Haiyun".
Haiyun was created by Jiang Wanzhou and her team, bringing together unique items from all over the country.
Currently, we have a department dedicated to finding existing technologies, production lines, and staff...
On the day of departure, everyone from the family compound came to see him off.
Jiang Renzhou held Mingyuan in his arms, and Shen Xinglian held Mingmei in her arms, standing beside the jeep.
"Dad, you have to come back soon!" Mingyuan hugged his neck, reluctant to let go.
"Yes, Dad will be back soon." Jiang Renzhou kissed him on the cheek, then looked at Shen Xinglian, "Xingxing, take good care of yourself and the children, don't overwork yourself."
"You too." Shen Xinglian's tears still fell. "Remember to let me know you're safe when you get there."
Jiang Renzhou nodded, turned around and got into the jeep.
As the car started, he rolled down the window and waved to everyone: "Take care of yourselves, wait for me to come back!"
"Have a safe trip!" everyone shouted in unison, watching the jeep gradually disappear into the distance.
Shen Xinglian held Mingmei in her arms and stood there until the car was out of sight before turning around.
Jiang Wanzhou walked over and patted her on the shoulder: "Xingxing, don't be sad, you'll be back soon. Let's make our lives better together."
Shen Xinglian wiped away her tears and smiled, "Yes, let's work hard together."
Life remains busy and fulfilling.
Jiang Wanzhou gave birth to a daughter, named Zhou Jiangmian.
Jiang Wanzhou also questioned whether Zhou Qingyu was serious about choosing a name.
Zhou Qingyu said, "Isn't 'Jiang Mian, Jiang Mian' grand enough?"
Zhou Qingyu held her daughter, beaming from ear to ear. She went home early every day after get off work to help take care of the child and do housework, and she was especially protective of Jiang Wanzhou.
Six months later, Jiang Renzhou returned.
The originally planned two-year advanced study program was brought forward due to some issues.
Shen Xinglian asked if it was because of the Jiang family, but the answer was not given.
He had lost some weight, but he was in better spirits and his eyes were sharper.
Shen Xinglian, along with Mingyuan and Mingmei, and Jiang Wanzhou and Zhou Qingyu carrying Jiang Mian, waited at the dock early in the morning.
Upon seeing Jiang Renzhou, Shen Xinglian immediately led the children over.
Jiang Renzhou opened his arms and hugged them tightly: "I'm back."
"Dad!" Mingyuan and Mingmei called out in unison, their voices filled with joy.
Jiang Wanzhou smiled and said, "Brother, welcome back! Look, this is Jiang Mian, your niece."
Jiang Renzhou looked at the baby in the swaddling clothes and a gentle smile appeared on his face: "So cute, just like you when you were little."
That evening, the two families gathered together again and prepared a table full of dishes.
Jiang Renzhou shared his observations of Beijing with everyone and brought some good news: "I've been transferred to Beijing, and your university happens to be there too, right?"
"The exam results haven't come out yet."
It was the winter of 1977, and the new students would enroll in February 1978.
Shen Xinglian stood at the entrance of the rented courtyard, not far from Jiang Renzhou's military academy. She had made three trips to finalize the deal.
Zhou Qingyu's resignation process was very slow.
Two large south-facing rooms were specially reserved for Jiang Wanzhou's family. In the yard, there was a pomegranate tree that Mingyuan loved to eat, and a swing that Mingmei liked.
"Sister-in-law! We've arrived!"
Jiang Wanzhou's clear voice came from the alley entrance, and Shen Xinglian immediately went to greet her.
Zhou Qingyu carried four bulging suitcases, while Jiang Renzhou held Jiang Mian, who had just turned 100 days old. Mingyuan held Mingmei's hand and skipped along behind.
"We've been waiting for you!" Shen Xinglian took the luggage from Zhou Qingyu's hands, her gaze falling on Jiang Wanzhou. "You look great, and Mianmian is all plump and healthy. Mingmei and Mingyuan didn't cause you any trouble, did they?"
“Mom, we’re so good together.” Mingyuan disagreed at all.
Jiang Wanzhou watched the mother-son drama with a smile, then stretched her legs: "I was so bored on the island! Beijing is so much more lively. You chose a really nice house; the yard is so spacious."
Stepping inside, the furniture was simple yet cozy, the floor was polished to a shine, Shen Xinglian's potted green ivy sat on the windowsill, and several stacks of textbooks were piled up in the corner.
Jiang Renzhou, who rushed back, put Jiang Mian into the crib that had been prepared in advance and said with a smile, "Your sister-in-law is so busy that she doesn't even have time to rest, yet she still managed to tidy up the house so well."
Shen Xinglian's cheeks flushed slightly: "It's all the right thing to do. It's best if the whole family can live comfortably."
Jiang Wanzhou immediately felt sorry for him: "Big brother, you're all talk and no action."
“Your older brother did a lot of work and is just trying to get credit for me.” Shen Xinglian quickly pulled Jiang Wanzhou away from the fight.
These days, Jiang Wanzhou has clearly started to loosen up.
At dinner time, a table of home-style dishes was set out in the courtyard.
Jiang Renzhou suddenly remembered something and took out three envelopes from the drawer: "I almost forgot, your admission notices have all arrived. Let's open them together and take a look?"
"Really?!" Jiang Wanzhou's eyes lit up, and she was the first to take her envelope.
Zhou Qingyu and Shen Xinglian each picked up an envelope, their fingertips trembling with anticipation.
"Let me see mine!" Jiang Wanzhou tore open the envelope, pulled out a notification letter with gold lettering, and excitedly shouted, "Linguistics Department! I got into the Linguistics Department of Beijing Normal University!"
Zhou Qingyu unfolded her own admission notice, a gentle smile playing on her lips: "Physics, just as I expected."
Finally, it was Shen Xinglian's turn. She slowly opened the envelope, and the three words "Architecture" on the red notice were particularly eye-catching.
Jiang Wanzhou leaned over for a look and asked curiously, "Xingxing, why did you choose architecture? I thought you would choose financial management."
Shen Xinglian stroked the handwriting on the notice, a soft light shining in her eyes: "Seeing the empty space transformed little by little into something practical and beautiful, I feel a great sense of accomplishment."
"Moreover, many buildings in our country are becoming more and more modern, but ancient buildings also need to be studied."
"This is one of my regrets."
Jiang Wanzhou had seen this in her previous life. At that time, the architecture teachers were all returned from studying abroad, and she knew that for many years to come, the architecture was all modern.
It seems that there are indeed no famous schools associated with ancient architecture.
I've only ever seen it in the field of cultural relic restoration.
She paused, looked at Jiang Renzhou beside her, then at Jiang Wanzhou and Zhou Qingyu: "Moreover, we might settle down in Beijing in the future. I want to learn how to design houses, to design a home that truly belongs to our family, with a yard and a garden, where the children can run and play."
Jiang Renzhou held her hand, his eyes full of pride: "I knew you had your own ideas. Although architecture is tough, I'm sure you can do well in it."
Zhou Qingyu nodded in agreement: "Architecture and physics have a lot in common. We can discuss any problems we encounter in the future."
Jiang Wanzhou smiled and said, "That's wonderful! From now on, our family will be a family of academic geniuses. A top student in physics, a talented woman in architecture, and a linguistics expert!"
Jiang Renzhou: "I guess I've graduated from military academy."
Mingyuan, gnawing on a rib, looked up and asked, "Dad, Mom, Aunt, Uncle, are you all going to school? Who will play with me then?"
“Silly child,” Jiang Renzhou patted his head, “We study so that we can give you a better life in the future. Besides, after school and during holidays, we can play with you and teach you knowledge.”
Mingyuan disagreed: "You adults are clearly going there to have fun."
Mingmei chimed in, "I want to learn English from my aunt, draw from my mom, and make inventions from my uncle!"
“My brother goes to practice with Dad every day.”
"You really know how to sell out your brother," Shen Xinglian teased from the side.
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