Chapter 392 The Martyrs' Cemetery serves as a solace to the souls of the fallen; for love, one retires to the second line.
The courtyard was quiet for a while.
When Wang Ma brought in the cut fruit, she saw the scene and, without saying a word, quietly put the fruit plate down.
“Oh, right,” Li Xiu’e wiped away her tears, “Yesterday, Brigade Commander Lu came to see me and said he would take me to the Martyrs’ Cemetery to pay respects at Jianjun’s grave.”
Su Wantang raised her head.
"when"
"Tomorrow morning," Li Xiu'e said. "I was thinking, if it's convenient for you, you could come along too."
Su Wantang nodded.
"Okay, I'll go with you."
The weather was nice the next morning.
Lu Jingyan was driving, Su Wantang was in the passenger seat, and Li Xiue was in the back seat holding a bunch of white chrysanthemums.
The car drove out of the compound and headed towards the martyrs' cemetery in the suburbs.
On the road, Lu Jingyan gripped the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"Sister-in-law, I went to the military region yesterday to pick up the medal for the founding of the army. I'll send it over today."
Li Xiu'e was stunned for a moment.
"medal"
"First-class merit," Lu Jingyan said. "This is what the army deserves."
Li Xiu'e's tears fell again.
She held the flowers, her shoulders trembling, unable to speak.
Su Wantang handed over a handkerchief from the front.
Li Xiue took it, covered her face and cried.
After driving for more than half an hour, we arrived at the entrance of the Martyrs' Cemetery.
Lu Jingyan parked the car and helped Su Wantang out.
Her belly is now noticeably protruding, so she has to be careful when she walks.
Li Xiu'e walked ahead, carrying flowers, her steps slow.
The cemetery was very quiet, with only the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves.
Gao Jianjun's tombstone is in the third row, with his name and dates of birth and death engraved on it.
Li Xiue walked to the tombstone and knelt down.
She placed the white chrysanthemums in front of the tombstone, her hand stroking the cold stone.
"Jianjun, I've come to see you..."
Her voice was soft and trembling.
Lu Jingyan took a box out of his pocket and opened it.
Inside was a brand new medal, golden, gleaming in the sunlight.
He walked to the tombstone and placed the medal on it.
Then he stepped back, stood at attention, and saluted.
"Rest in peace, brother."
His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.
Li Xiue looked at the medal, and tears streamed down her face again.
"Jianjun, did you see that? You are a first-class meritorious soldier..."
Her shoulders trembled as she cried.
Su Wantang walked over and squatted down beside her.
Her belly was in the way, making it a little inconvenient for her to move, but she still insisted on squatting down.
“Sister-in-law, Jianjun saw it.” She said softly, “He knows you and the child are doing well, so he is relieved.”
Li Xiu'e turned her head and looked at her.
"Little sister, thank you... thank you and Commander Lu..."
Su Wantang shook her head.
"This is what we should do."
She took a small cloth bag out of her pocket and opened it.
Inside was a stack of brand-new money.
"Sister-in-law, this is Jianjun's pension and back pay. Please keep it safe."
Li Xiu'e was stunned.
"This...this won't do..."
"You have to keep this." Su Wantang stuffed the money into her hand. "The child is still young, and there will be many places to spend money in the future."
Li Xiue held the wad of money, crying so hard she couldn't speak.
"Jianjun, don't worry..." she said to the tombstone, "I will raise the child and let him know that you were a hero..."
Lu Jingyan stood to the side, watching this scene unfold.
His fists were clenched tightly.
After a while, Li Xiue stood up.
She glanced at the tombstone again, then turned and walked away.
Su Wantang also stood up, and Lu Jingyan helped her up.
As she reached the door, Li Xiue glanced back.
"Jianjun, I'll come see you again next time..."
Her voice drifted on the wind.
The car drove back.
Li Xiue sat in the back seat, a comforting smile on her face.
“Sister, Commander Lu, I feel much better now,” she said. “Jianjun can rest in peace.”
Su Wantang turned her head and smiled at her.
"Sister-in-law, if you and your child need anything in the future, please come to us anytime."
Li Xiu'e nodded.
"I remember."
After driving into the compound, Lu Jingyan first took Li Xiue home before driving back to Compound No. 1.
After getting off the car, Su Wantang walked a little slowly.
Lu Jingyan helped her walk step by step into the courtyard.
The setting sun slanted into the courtyard, casting long shadows on the ground.
Su Wantang sat down on the stone bench in the courtyard and took a deep breath.
"I'm tired," Lu Jingyan said, sitting down beside her.
“A little.” Su Wantang leaned on his shoulder. “This little guy was particularly boisterous today.”
Lu Jingyan placed his hand on her stomach.
A strong fetal movement came from inside.
He paused for a moment, then laughed.
"He can really kick."
Su Wantang also smiled.
"Your son inherited your strength."
Lu Jingyan didn't speak, his hand still on her stomach.
After a while, he spoke.
"Wantang, I want to tell you something."
"What"
"I would like to apply for a transfer away from the front line."
Su Wantang raised her head and looked at him.
Lu Jingyan's eyes were fixed ahead, and his voice was calm.
"Go to logistics or a military academy, either is fine."
"Why"
“Because of you and the child.” He turned to look at her. “I don’t want to go to the most dangerous places again.”
Su Wantang remained silent.
“I know you worry every time,” Lu Jingyan said. “I also know you’ll worry even more after the baby is born.”
He paused.
"For the rest of my life, I only want to stay with you and our child."
Su Wantang's eyes felt a little hot.
She leaned against him, clutching his clothes.
“Jingyan…”
"Um"
Won't you regret it?
"What's there to regret?"
"I regret leaving the job you loved most for my sake."
Lu Jingyan lowered his head and kissed her forehead.
"What I love most is not my job, it's you."
Su Wantang closed her eyes.
For the first time in her two lifetimes, she felt that she truly had a home.
I have found someone I can entrust my life to.
As the sun set lower and lower, it bathed the courtyard in a golden hue.
Lu Jingyan held her in his arms, and the two of them sat there in silence.
A breeze carries the fragrance of crabapple blossoms.
Su Wantang took a deep breath.
"Jingyan".
"Um"
"I also want to tell you something."
"What"
“These past few days, people have been coming to my door asking for medicine.”
Lu Jingyan smiled.
"You're quite the celebrity in the compound now."
“That’s right.” Su Wantang laughed as well. “Aunt Wang said that five families came today alone, and the local specialties they brought filled half a room.”
So what do you plan to do?
"Let's just deal with it for now," Su Wantang said. "I'll make proper plans after the baby is born."
Lu Jingyan nodded.
"You decide what to do; I support you."
The two sat for a while longer.
As dusk fell, the lights in the courtyard came on.
Wang Ma came out of the house.
"Miss, Commander Lu, it's time to eat."
Lu Jingyan stood up and helped Su Wantang.
"Let's go inside."
Su Wantang stood up, her stomach sank, and she held her waist.
"This little guy is getting heavier and heavier."
Lu Jingyan smiled and picked her up.
"I'll carry you inside."
"Hey, no..." Su Wantang struggled for a moment, "It would be so bad if someone saw us."
"So what if I saw it?" Lu Jingyan carried her into the house. "If anyone dares to gossip, I'll deal with them."
Wang Ma stood at the door, her eyes crinkling with laughter.
"The brigade commander is so good to the young lady."
Lu Jingyan carried Su Wantang into the house and placed her on the sofa.
Wang Ma brought the dishes out of the kitchen and placed them on the table.
"Miss, I made your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs today."
Su Wantang's mouth was practically watering as she looked at the plate of ribs.
"Wang Ma, you are so kind."
Lu Jingyan sat down next to her and put a piece of spare rib on her plate.
"Eat more, you're two people now."
Su Wantang took a bite, and her eyes lit up.
"Wang Ma's cooking skills are absolutely amazing."
The three people sat at the table, eating and chatting.
Aunt Wang started talking about the gossip in the compound.
"Young Miss, did you know that the Shen family's house has been sealed off?"
Su Wantang raised her head.
"So fast!"
“That’s right,” said Wang Ma. “I heard that Shen Weimin embezzled a huge amount of money, and the higher-ups were furious and sealed off the house.”
Lu Jingyan took a sip of soup.
"Serves you right."
Aunt Wang added, "Also, there are a lot of people at the performing arts troupe talking about Shen Qing."
"say what"
"They say she brought this on herself," Wang Ma laughed. "People say that if she had been honest and upright, she wouldn't have ended up like this."
Su Wantang didn't say anything and continued eating the ribs.
Lu Jingyan looked at her with a smile in his eyes.
After dinner, Lu Jingyan helped Su Wantang take a walk in the courtyard.
The night was dark, and the stars in the sky were shining brightly.
Su Wantang walked slowly, one hand supporting her waist, the other held by Lu Jingyan.
"Jingyan, what do you think the baby will be like after it's born?"
Lu Jingyan thought for a moment.
"I should be as good-looking as you."
Su Wantang smiled.
"What if someone is like you, both fierce and cold?"
"That's good too," Lu Jingyan said. "At least we won't be bullied."
The two people walked to the gate of the courtyard and stopped.
Su Wantang raised her head and looked at the starry sky.
"Jingyan, do you think we'll always be this happy?"
Lu Jingyan gripped her hand tightly.
Yes, it will.
How did you know?
"Because I am here."
Su Wantang turned her head and looked at him.
The moonlight shone on his face, clearly outlining his features.
She stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips.
"Jingyan, thank you."
Lu Jingyan paused for a moment, then smiled.
He lowered his head and deepened the kiss.
The two embraced each other under the moonlight.
After a while, Lu Jingyan released her.
"Come inside, it's chilly outside."
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