Since hearing He Yanzhi's voice, Guan Wenru was finally able to get a good night's sleep.
For the next month, Guan Wenru would receive a call from He Yanzhi every three to five days.
He should be recuperating in a hospital in China.
After resting for more than two months, he went back to the battlefield.
This journey took several years!
In recent years, in order to avoid overthinking, Guan Wenru's daily life revolves around her children and work.
The establishment of the feed processing plant really did generate income for the production brigade.
The cattle and sheep have feed to eat during the winter, and their annual output is astonishing.
Their feed processing plant was featured in the newspaper for several years in a row.
Guan Wenru kept his word and expanded the factory, providing jobs for all the military dependents in the compound.
Moreover, many of the commune members were receiving government-provided food rations.
Everyone admired Guan Wenru, this young man.
Time flew by, and it was soon February 1973.
Guan Wenru's triplets will soon be turning six.
However, He Yanzhi and the others have not returned yet.
...
That day, the women gathered early in the courtyard, their faces beaming with barely suppressed excitement and anticipation, chatting away.
Zeng Chunlan, with a booming voice, slapped her thigh and exclaimed, "Oh my! We've finally waited for this day! We've made it through! We've all made it through!"
Hua Xiaoyu rubbed her hands excitedly, "That's right! It's been so many years! The days of living in fear are finally over! My husband left and we never heard from him again, but now he's finally coming back!"
Xiahenazi couldn't help but clasp her hands together, her face full of piety, "Finally, we've returned safely! From now on, it will all be happy days of family reunion!"
Li Xiuhong, who had come from the No. 2 courtyard, walked up to Guan Wenru and warmly took her hand. "Little Guan, look! You've survived the toughest times! Raising three boys all by yourself and managing the factory... it really wasn't easy! But now things are better! Commander He is coming back! The hard times are finally over!"
As she spoke, she looked at the three lively little boys who could already run and jump, chasing and playing in the yard.
Zeng Chunlan also came over and patted Guan Wenru's shoulder hard, her voice full of confidence, "Little Guan! I guarantee it! When Regiment Commander He comes back this time, he will definitely get another star on his shoulder! He has made such great contributions and served on the front lines for so many years. It would be unfair if he didn't get promoted! From now on, you will be the commander's wife! The good days are ahead!"
The other women also chimed in:
"Yes! He'll definitely be promoted!"
"With Commander He's abilities, he's qualified to be a division commander!"
"Little Guan, just wait and see what good things are to come!"
Surrounded by everyone, Guan Wenru wore a gentle and peaceful smile, lightly shaking Li Xiuhong's hand, her gaze sweeping over the faces of those who were happy for her:
"Sisters, please don't say that. What promotion or not... I really don't care about that. As long as he can come back safe and sound, that's better than anything else."
As long as He Yanzhi is alright, the children have their father by their side...
No matter how you live, life is a good life!
Zeng Chunlan laughed heartily, "Yes, yes, Xiao Guan is right! Peace is a blessing! Who cares about promotion or not, it's good that he's back! From now on, our compound will be even more lively! Da Bao, Er Bao, Xiao Bao, your dad is coming back!"
She shouted at the three boys who were chasing and playing.
Upon hearing the shouts, the three little ones immediately cheered and ran towards their mother and aunts.
Xiao Bao grabbed Guan Wenru's hand, "Mommy, can Daddy carry me on his shoulders?"
Guan Wenru chuckled and patted his head with her other hand. "Of course."
The heroes are returning!!
The entire family compound was filled with anticipation for the reunion and joyful laughter.
However, it will probably take several more days to get back here from the border.
...
The adults eagerly awaited the arrival of the children, while the kids ate and drank as usual, without giving it much thought.
That day, in the open space, Kangmei, a little girl from Courtyard No. 1, squatted on the ground wiping away tears, clutching half a colorful rubber band tightly in her hand.
Tie Dan stood in front of her with his hands on his hips, looking smug, dangling the other half of the rubber band in his hand. "Hmph! Little crybaby! You can't even jump rope properly, what are you even doing! This half is mine!"
Kangmei sobbed, "Give it back to me... Waaah... It was a new one my mom bought..."
"I'm not returning it. Come and get it if you dare!"
Da Bao, Er Bao, and Xiao Bao were playing "war" with several younger children not far away when they saw the commotion and immediately ran over.
Seeing Kangmei crying so hard, Dabao, with a serious expression, walked between Tiedan and Kangmei.
He first asked about the anti-American movement, what exactly happened.
After Kangmei finished speaking, Dabao looked at Tiedan with a sullen face.
Although Da Bao was small in stature, he had a calm demeanor. "Tiedan, what happened? Why did you snatch the rubber band from Kangmei and break it?"
Tie Dan was a little intimidated by Da Bao's gaze, but he stubbornly retorted, "What's it to you! She broke it because she couldn't hold it properly! If I picked it up, it's mine!"
Kangmei stamped his foot in frustration, "No! He snatched it and tore it off! Brother Dabao!"
Xiao Bao immediately bristled, pointing at Tie Dan's nose, "Bullshit! Tie Dan, you liar! I saw it all! You snatched it and 'snap' it off! You're so big, yet you bully Kang Mei, have you no shame!"
Tie Dan, enraged by Xiao Bao's pointing and cursing, yelled, "He Laosan! Try pointing at me again! Believe me, I'll beat you up too!"
Da Bao raised his hand to stop Xiao Bao from rushing forward, and calmly looked at Tie Dan, "Tiedan, give the rubber band back to Kang Mei and apologize to her."
Tie Dan: "Pah! I won't give it back! I won't apologize! What can you three little brats do to me?"
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