The switchboard operator from the military region eventually connected Zeng Chunlan to her home.
When Zeng Chunlan heard Guan Wenru's voice, a deafening mix of crying and laughter erupted from the other end of the phone:
"Oh my God! Wenru! It really is you! You're finally awake! I've missed you so much! Yanzhi and we've been so worried about you these past five years! It's good that you're awake! It's good that you're awake! Thank God! Thank God!"
Hearing Zeng Chunlan's familiar loud voice and undisguised concern, Guan Wenru felt a warmth in her heart and smiled as she comforted her, "Sister Chunlan, I'm alright, really alright! I'm sorry to have worried you all these past few years!"
"That's good! That's good! When are you coming back to visit? Everyone misses you so much!"
"I will definitely go back to see everyone when I have the chance. Sister-in-law, you all need to take good care of yourselves."
"Great! We're all doing well! We're even better off if you're doing well!"
I talked with Zeng Chunlan for a while before hanging up the phone after she gave me many instructions.
Guan Wenru let out a long sigh of relief after putting down the scalding hot telephone receiver.
...
As evening fell, the courtyard house was filled with the enticing aroma of food.
The kitchen was bustling with activity. He Yanzhi had taken off his military jacket, leaving him in only a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was skillfully slicing meat, looking every bit the perfect domestic man.
Guan Yuanxiu picked vegetables on the side, while Qin Yue took charge of stirring the vegetables in the pot, occasionally giving instructions to the two "helpers".
The family was overjoyed and prepared a sumptuous reunion dinner to celebrate Guan Wenru's full recovery.
"Dad, could you chop some more ginger into small pieces?"
"Okay."
"It seems we're running low on salt. Could you pass it to me?"
"Give."
As they were talking and laughing, the sound of children's laughter came from outside the courtyard gate.
Qin Yue smiled and wiped her hands on her apron. "It must be Bai Yun and the others!"
Sure enough, a short while later, Xi Mufan and Bai Yun walked in with their four-year-old daughter, Xi Xingyun.
Little Lucky had two little pigtails, looking like a delicately carved porcelain doll.
"Grandma and Grandpa! Uncle and Aunt! We're here!" Little Lucky's clear, sweet voice rang out even before he entered the kitchen.
In the past two months, Baiyun's family has visited Guan Wenru almost every few days.
The initial shock, elation, and tears have long since passed; now, there is more of a steady stream of care and companionship.
"Oh my, our little lucky one is here!" Qin Yue quickly bent down, picked up Xi Xingyun, and kissed her little face.
He Yanzhi and Guan Yuanxiu also greeted them with smiles.
Little Lucky's big eyes darted around and spotted He Sheng trying to assemble a wooden airplane in the yard.
She immediately struggled to get down from her grandmother's arms, rushed over like a little cannonball, grabbed He Sheng's leg, and cried out in her childish voice, "Brother Sheng Sheng! Carry me! Lucky wants to ride a big horse! Take Lucky up the tree!"
He Sheng stumbled from the impact, reluctantly putting down the parts he was holding. A look of both doting and headache appeared on his handsome face. "Little darling, where's the tree for you to climb? What if you fall?"
"I don't care! I'm going to climb! Brother, carry me!"
Little Lucky wouldn't give up, clinging to his leg and swaying back and forth.
He Sheng sighed, at a loss with his clingy and domineering little cousin. Finally, he resigned himself to his fate and squatted down. "Come on up! It's a deal, you'll only carry me for a little while, no pulling my hair!"
"Yay! Big brother is the best!" Little Lucky cheered, scrambling onto He Sheng's back and directing him, "Giddy up! Giddy up! Run all over the yard!"
He Sheng carried her on his back and resignedly began jogging slowly in the yard, making Xiao Xingyun giggle.
He Yi and He Qi, watching from the side, couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Hearing the noise, Guan Wenru came out of the house with a smile.
She looked radiant today, wearing a soft sweater that made her appear gentle and serene.
"Sister!" Bai Yun saw her and immediately stepped forward to take her arm, carefully examining her complexion. "You look even better today!"
Xi Mufan greeted him with a smile, "It seems you've recovered quite well."
Xi Mufan is now a doctor, but Guan Wenru has always gone to a different hospital than theirs.
Guan Wenru smiled and nodded, looking tenderly at the children playing in the yard. "We went for another check-up today, and Director Liu said it's really nothing."
It wasn't their turn to cook, so Guan Wenru led the two of them into the living room to sit down.
Bai Yun held Guan Wenru's hand, looked at her profile—still somewhat thin but in good spirits—hesitated for a moment, and then spoke, "Sister, you've just recovered. For the next while, don't think about anything else, just rest well and get your body back in top shape. That's more important than anything else."
Guan Wenru patted her hand with a smile, "I know, you all treat me like a porcelain doll."
Bai Yun paused, then lowered her voice, "Well... also... if you're free... why don't you go to the military region with my brother-in-law more often? His office is quite spacious, isn't it? You can go there to read a book, knit a sweater, and keep him company."
Guan Wenru was an extremely perceptive person; she immediately sensed something unusual in her sister's seemingly ordinary concern.
Her smile faded slightly, and she asked directly, "Baiyun, are you beating around the bush with me? Tell me, what happened to your brother-in-law?"
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