Wang Qiang shook his head listlessly, his words tinged with self-reproach: "We held the wedding banquet in our hometown. I went to the front line just one year after we got married, and four years have passed since then. We don't even have a child. She's been working hard all by herself at home. I don't blame her, but I don't know if the man she remarried is treating her well."
The situation at the front was harsh, and he couldn't contact his family often. For four whole years, there was no news from them. A young woman's prime years are only a few years long, and he had no reason to make her wait for him indefinitely.
"There are plenty of fish in the sea, so don't worry too much about it. You'll meet someone suitable in the future. Take a good rest these next few days and go back to visit your parents."
Qi Zecheng didn't dare to say anything more. Even couples who have feelings for each other would remarry. What if... Shu Ying had already married her childhood sweetheart, He An!
Now Xie Zhiyan's deep affection has become a joke.
Xie Zhiyan spoke earnestly, with a touch of gentleness in his voice: "If you're still worried, go back and visit them. You should apologize to them, but life goes on. Cheer up."
He didn't say anything more, and went to his superior's office.
“You’ve been with the unit for so many years, and apart from the last time you went back to get married, you haven’t taken much leave. Although your situation is indeed special, I can only express my understanding. You will be back in three days at most. The upcoming confidential mission is very urgent and requires your personal execution.”
Xie Zhiyan had just returned from the front lines and should have been given some time to rest, but the mission was urgent and there weren't many people available, so he had to work even harder.
Xie Zhiyan looked grave. He still didn't know where Shu Ying was, and the journey back would take some time. Three days seemed too rushed.
"Boss, I understand, but three days..."
“Zhiyan, you need to understand your responsibilities first. Your wife’s situation is indeed a bit tricky, but in our unit, who doesn’t put the greater good before their own family? You’ve never made such a mistake before, and I understand you personally. After you return from this mission, you’ll have plenty of time to rest. Do you understand what I mean?”
Xie Zhiyan nodded: "Understood."
He wanted to find Shuying more than anyone else, but the situation at home was still unclear. If he went to the train station to buy a ticket now, he was unlikely to be able to get one for today.
He quickly planned his time, deciding to go and try his luck first, and then reconsider everything after finding Shu Ying.
"I've already issued you your temporary pass. Be careful on the road."
Xie Zhiyan took a light breath and accepted the pass with both hands. His luggage was very simple, with only two changes of clothes and some extra money.
Judging from his posture, Qi Zecheng knew that he had made up his mind.
"I don't know why you have such a stubborn temper! Look, your bandage is starting to bleed again. Don't faint before we can find anyone. You finally get three days of rest, and you still have to make trouble for yourself. I don't even know what to say to you."
Xie Zhiyan took out anti-inflammatory medicine from his bag, unwrapped the bandage, and simply cleaned the bloodstains off it.
"They're just minor injuries, nothing serious. I don't have much time left anyway, so I need to hurry."
"I think you're willing to risk your life for her." Qi Zecheng knew he couldn't stop him, so he took his luggage. "Don't say anything else. I'll take you to the train station. Don't forget to treat me to a meal when the person finds you."
-
The curtains in the room were drawn tightly, but when Shu Ying woke up, she opened them slightly, letting in sunlight.
Shuying slept soundly last night and woke up early. When she saw the surroundings, she was still in her own home.
She felt a slight throbbing pain in her temples, and gently rubbed them with her slender fingers. Yueyue saw her coming in from outside.
"Mom, is your headache again? I'll go get you your medicine."
She had her hair tied in two small buns, and the stray hairs on top kept moving as she ran.
Shu Ying pinched her round little face with one hand: "Thank you, baby. Mommy just slept too soundly last night. I'll be fine after a rest. I don't need to take any medicine."
Yangyang put down his toys, stood on a chair, and poured Shuying a glass of water. He said in his childish voice, "Mom, you've worked hard. Have some water. Your head won't hurt anymore if you drink water."
Shu Ying felt as if her heart was filled with sunshine. She hugged her two children tightly and said, "Thank you, my darlings. When did you wake up? Why didn't you call for Mommy? What were you doing just now?"
Yueyue hugged Shuying's neck and gently kissed her on the cheek, then pointed to the drawing paper on the table and said, "Mom, my brother and I were drawing just now. I drew a dad."
Shu Ying followed her gaze and saw colorful paintbrushes on the table, and a few scattered pieces of white cardstock with the artwork of the two little ones.
Yueyue used a black paintbrush to draw a simple little figure, with only a few scattered lines outlining it, but the spirit was captured very accurately, and one could vaguely see a resemblance to Xie Zhiyan.
For someone as old as Yueyue to be able to draw such smooth lines, she must have some artistic talent.
"Mom, look how well I drew it! I drew it based on a picture of my dad at home. I even added some hair to him. His hair is so short. I don't see other kids' dads like that."
She jogged over and took the painting off the table, handing it to Shuying as if it were a precious treasure.
Shu Ying was amused by Yueyue's expectant look, so she picked up the comb next to her and restyled her hair beautifully.
Before she could speak, Yangyang snatched the portrait from Yueyue's hand fiercely: "Don't draw this stinky uncle! He's not our dad. We've never had a dad since we were little. Our mom raised us all by herself."
Shu Ying froze, picked up the hair tie with red flowers on it, tied it around Yueyue's head, then hugged Yangyang tightly and asked softly:
"Yangyang, Mom has never said anything like that to you. Why do you think that? Did you hear something outside?"
Yangyang's little face was flushed, and whether it was from anger or sadness, his round eyes looked even bigger when he stared.
“I didn’t hear anything. All I know is that my dad is a bad dad and I don’t like him.”
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