I haven't even made it to the end of the Cultural Revolution, and I haven't seen my older brother and sister-in-law come back yet.
The grandfather and grandson embraced each other for a long time in the darkness.
Guan Wenru came to her senses, suppressed her emotions, and told her grandmother to get a good night's sleep, as they would have to travel the restless nights tomorrow.
......
Early the next morning.
Guan Wenru gently closed the door to her and her grandmother's room. She leaned against the cold wall, took a deep breath, and tried to calm the sadness of her sleepless night and her red and swollen eyes.
She had just composed herself and was about to wake He Yanzhi and the child when the door to the next room opened.
He Yanzhi walked out neatly dressed, clearly having finished washing up.
He immediately spotted his wife leaning against the wall, her eyes red and swollen, her expression weary yet unable to conceal her sorrow.
He stopped in his tracks, his brows furrowing instantly. He strode forward, his voice low and concerned, "Wenru? What's wrong? Didn't you sleep well last night?"
Guan Wenru tried to force a smile, but it looked worse than crying. She was about to say that she was fine, but her eyes welled up with tears again, and she quickly lowered her head.
He Yanzhi understood.
He didn't ask anything, but simply stretched out his arms and pulled Guan Wenru into a tight, irresistible embrace.
His embrace was warm and firm, carrying a reassuring strength.
He gently stroked her back with one hand, his chin resting on the top of her head, his voice soft and gentle, carrying a knowing calm and soothing quality, "It's alright, it's alright! Don't cry..."
Guan Wenru was embraced by him, and her forced strength crumbled instantly. She buried her face in his chest, her body trembled slightly, and suppressed sobs escaped her lips.
He Yanzhi felt the dampness on his chest and tightened his arms around him. "Did you talk to Grandma last night?"
Guan Wenru nodded sullenly in his arms, her voice heavy with nasal congestion and despair, "Mmm."
He Yanzhi paused for a moment, then gently patted her back as if coaxing a child, his voice carrying a clear and calm understanding that came from having experienced life and death, "So... you absolutely can't cry anymore."
Guan Wenru looked up at him, puzzled, her eyes blurry with tears.
He Yanzhi raised his hand and gently wiped away her tears with his fingertips, his deep eyes looking at her intently. "The old lady is very perceptive. The thing she worries about most is you. Seeing you cry like this, she will only feel more distressed and more worried about you."
Guan Wenru stared at him blankly, tears still silently streaming down her face.
He Yanzhi gently stroked the corner of her moist eyes with his thumb, "So listen to me, wipe away your tears, and let's... happily accompany her on this last journey."
We'll accompany her to see whatever scenery she wants to see.
We'll just talk to her and say whatever she wants to say.
Whoever she wants to see, we'll take her to see them.
Let her...leave happily, without regrets...okay?"
He lowered his head and kissed away the tears clinging to her eyelashes with utmost tenderness, a kiss filled with boundless affection and promise.
He Yanzhi pressed his forehead against hers. "Don't be afraid, I'm here. Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up. We'll help Grandma fulfill her wish together. I've already asked the division commander to help me contact your older brother as soon as possible and see if we can get him to come back."
Hearing this, Guan Wenru finally stopped crying and hugged him tightly, "Thank you! He Yanzhi... thank you!"
Just then, the door to the room was opened a crack, and three little heads peeked out.
Da Bao rubbed his eyes and asked, "Mom and Dad, what are you doing?"
Guan Wenru quickly got out of He Yanzhi's arms.
The second child also peeked out and said, "Mommy, your eyes are red!"
Xiao Bao squeezed out and rushed over to hug Guan Wenru's leg, "Mommy, Mommy, Xiao Bao is hungry!!"
The children's sudden appearance broke the silence of the grief.
Guan Wenru quickly wiped her face with the back of her hand, took a deep breath, and tried to force a smile.
She bent down to pick up the baby, her voice still a little hoarse, but she tried to sound cheerful, "Okay! Mommy will take the three babies to have breakfast now!!"
He Yanzhi patted Da Bao and Er Bao's little shoulders, "Dad is giving you a task: go and help Great-Grandma."
Da Bao and Er Bao immediately responded, "Okay!"
...
Meanwhile, Xi Mufan, who was still in the production brigade, had not seen Baiyun for several days.
Because Baiyun kept avoiding him.
That day, he went to the feed processing plant to find Baiyun again.
As soon as he entered the open space of the factory area, he saw several workers gathered together, discussing something.
A female worker exclaimed in surprise, "Hey, have you heard? Baiyun is actually getting her marriage certificate with our deputy factory director!"
This was very sudden for them.
Hua Xiaoyu thought she had a good relationship with Bai Yun, but she had never heard Bai Yun mention it.
Besides, don't Bai Yun and Xi Mufan... have feelings for each other?
They were still waiting to drink Xi Mufan and Bai Yun's wedding wine.
Why did Baiyun suddenly decide to marry the deputy factory director?
Hua Xiaoyu snapped out of her daze and questioned, "Who...who told you that? You can't just say things like that!"
The female worker pursed her lips. "One is the factory director's sister, and the other is the deputy factory director. I wouldn't dare to talk about their affairs even if I had a few guts. I heard Baiyun and the deputy factory director say this with my own ears."
But if you ask me... Baiyun is such a shrewd girl! She knew the deputy factory director was going on blind dates, so she went and hooked up with him! Now she's a leader's wife in the factory! She's really lucky, but then again, she's young and beautiful! It's understandable that the deputy factory director would take a liking to her.”
Another female worker said to Hua Xiaoyu, "No wonder! I saw Baiyun and the deputy factory director riding their bikes together this morning, chatting and laughing. It seems they're going to the commune to get their marriage certificate!"
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