"Captain, could you help me open the letter of introduction?" As soon as she entered the brigade headquarters, Xing Zhaozhao went straight to Captain Gao's desk.
When Captain Gao saw Xing Zhaozhao enter with a clever look on her face, he asked in confusion, "What kind of letter of introduction do you need?"
“I just went to town and ran into Mingcheng’s comrades from the army. I heard that there seems to be news about Mingcheng in the army, and I want to go and ask them if it’s true,” Xing Zhaozhao said.
Captain Gao looked overjoyed and stood up abruptly: "Really? There's news about Mingcheng? That's great!"
"...I don't know if it's true yet, I have to go and see for myself," Xing Zhaozhao explained.
“Since the news has leaked out of the military, it must be pretty much true. I knew it; Mingcheng is a lucky guy, he’ll be fine,” Captain Gao said excitedly, rubbing his hands together.
Xing Zhaozhao: "..."
Even before the person left, Xing Zhaozhao was already worried about how she would cover up the lie when they returned.
"I'll get you a letter of introduction right away." Captain Gao said, quickly writing out the letter for Xing Zhaozhao and handing it over, asking, "When are you planning to leave?"
Xing Zhaozhao took the letter of introduction, folded it, and casually stuffed it into her pocket: "Hurry up, but there are still three children at home. No matter what, we have to make arrangements before we can leave. Tomorrow, or at the latest the day after tomorrow, I don't even know if we can get train tickets."
Captain Gao's expression hardened: "That's right, you have three children at home. Why don't you send them to my house and let your Aunt Gao help take care of them?"
Xing Zhaozhao quickly shook her head: "No need, I'm going to have Xiuning go over and help me take care of things for a while."
Captain Gao frowned: "Don't you have a baby who's only a few months old at home? Xiu Ning is so young, can she take care of her?"
“No problem, my two older brothers can help take care of their little sister, and if that doesn’t work, Aunt Hao can help too,” Xing Zhaozhao said with a smile.
Seeing that she had made all the arrangements, Captain Gao didn't say anything more, only adding, "Be careful when you're traveling alone."
"Understood, thank you, Captain." Xing Zhaozhao nodded with a smile.
After leaving the brigade headquarters, Xing Zhaozhao went to the Hao family's house.
Seeing that she was all alone, Aunt Hao asked in surprise, "Why are you all alone? Where are the children?"
Xing Zhaozhao smiled and said, "I'm at home. I came here today because I have something I'd like to ask you, Auntie."
"What is it? Tell me," Aunt Hao said.
Xing Zhaozhao then took out the same words she had spoken to Captain Gao at the brigade headquarters and told them to Aunt Hao.
Aunt Hao clapped her hands excitedly and said, "This is great news! Go ahead and do it. Even if Xiuning can't manage, I'm here. I'll make sure you raise all three children to be healthy and chubby."
As she spoke, she called Hao Xiuning out of the house and told her about it.
Hao Xiuning readily agreed: "No problem."
"Why don't you pack your things now and go with your sister-in-law Xing?" Aunt Hao said to Hao Xiuning.
Hao Xiuning had no objections.
Xing Zhaozhao became anxious upon hearing this. Wang Xiaofa was coming to pick up the goods that evening, and if they ran into each other, it would be difficult to explain.
She quickly smiled and said, "There's no need to rush, we can go tomorrow."
It was already late when Xing Zhaozhao left the Hao family's house. Looking at the setting sun, she breathed a long sigh of relief. She had managed to get away with Captain Gao and Aunt Hao's situation. Things were pretty much arranged. All that was left was to buy her train ticket. She was leaving tomorrow and hoped she could get a suitable ticket, preferably for tomorrow or the day after. Otherwise, she would have to find a way to forge one.
The next day, Xing Zhaozhao settled her child and went out to buy a train ticket at the town's train station. Just as she reached the entrance of the village at the foot of the mountain, she saw Captain Gao walking towards her with his hands behind his back.
"Captain Gao," Xing Zhaozhao called out, "Where are you going?"
"I'm coming to find you." Captain Gao said, taking out a train ticket from his pocket and handing it over. "Didn't you say you hadn't bought a train ticket to the army yet? I had Da Han go to the train station early this morning to ask someone to buy one for you."
Xing Zhaozhao's smile froze, and her hand trembled as she reached out: "This, how could I possibly accept this?" In her heart, she couldn't help but wail. It's over. If she hadn't bought the right date, she wouldn't even have a chance to forge it.
Captain Gao said dismissively, "It's nothing, just a ticket. Mingcheng specifically asked me to look after it when he came back before, so it's only right."
After saying that, he waved to Xing Zhaozhao and turned to leave.
As soon as Captain Gao left, Xing Zhaozhao's face fell, and she looked nervously at the train ticket in her hand.
Upon seeing the date on the ticket, Xing Zhaozhao's previously sullen face quickly broke into a bright smile.
Great, it's tomorrow morning, which is the perfect time.
On her last night at home, Xing Zhaozhao slept on the same kang (a heated brick bed) with her three children. Knowing that their mother wouldn't be back for a while, Hongyu snuggled into Xing Zhaozhao's arms and refused to move. Hongfei didn't fight with his younger brother and slept on the outside. Xing Zhaozhao stretched out her arm and simply pulled both little ones into her arms.
Little Hongling, only a few months old, was wrapped in a small blanket and placed next to her head by her mother, sleeping soundly.
Xing Zhaozhao woke up as soon as it was light.
Today she's in a tight spot. She needs to leave the village legitimately, giving the villagers the illusion that she's heading to catch a train. Then she'll sneak home along the mountain path and leave through the cellar. Hongfei will be in the house with Xiao Hongling, pestering Xiuning, while Hongyu will come out and secretly open the door for her.
The two little ones, who usually wake up late, were surprisingly light sleepers this time. As soon as Xing Zhaozhao moved, they woke up as well. Seeing that Xing Zhaozhao was up, they quickly got up as well, since they both had a mission to complete.
As soon as the sun peeked out, Xing Zhaozhao slung her bag over her shoulder and headed out.
Hao Xiuning, carrying Xiao Hongling, accompanied Hongfei and Hongyu to the door.
Xing Zhaozhao gave the three little ones a final hug and kiss, then descended the mountain in the soft glow of the morning sun.
"Are you leaving already? Mingcheng's wife."
"Yes, Aunt Seven."
"Be careful on the road, Mingcheng's wife."
"Thank you, Seventh Uncle."
When passing through the village, Xing Zhaozhao made a point of making her presence known to everyone, ensuring that many people saw her leave before quickening her pace towards the edge of the village.
When she reached the village entrance, she suddenly stopped and was dumbfounded.
Da Han was waiting for her there in his tractor: "You're here, Mingcheng's wife, get in, I'll take you to the train station."
Xing Zhaozhao: "..."
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