After resting on the train overnight, they arrived at the station early the next morning. Xu Jinlian was carrying large and small bags, which was quite strenuous, so she helped carry some of them.
Stepping off the platform, I immediately spotted Wu Xiaole standing in the crowd. He was tall and imposing, with regular features, a healthy tan, a buzz cut, and wearing camouflage clothing and leather boots. Due to his long-term training, he looked very masculine.
While Xu Jinlian was still searching around with her eyes, Wu Xiaole had already spotted them and walked towards them through the crowd with a gentle smile on his face.
Xiang Wan was somewhat lost in thought until he walked right up to her, at which point she snapped out of it, awkwardly looked away, and felt her ears burning.
"Mom, are you tired from the train ride? Let's get on the train and rest for a while."
As Wu Xiaole spoke, he carried Xu Jinlian's bundle with one hand and held her arm with the other. He then turned to Xiang Wan and said, "Thank you for taking care of my mother all the way. If you don't mind, please come with us in the car. I'll see you off."
"No need, I can just take a taxi myself, it's not far."
"Don't mention it. We promised to treat you to a meal. We haven't had breakfast yet, so let's find a restaurant and have a meal together. Xiao Le will pay. Why not take advantage of it? Let's go!"
Xu Jinlian took Xiang Wan's arm and walked out without saying a word.
Wu Xiaole, perhaps noticing Xiang Wan's unease, stopped and said to Xu Jinlian, "Mom, it's not good for you to drag her along like this." Then, turning to Xiang Wan, he said, "Don't mind her, that's just my mom's personality. How about we have some breakfast?"
Wu Xiaole's eyes were earnest, and Xiang Wan nodded as if possessed. She followed them to a restaurant outside the station and ordered several bowls of white rice porridge, fried dough sticks, and steamed buns.
Xiang Wan didn't eat much, and Xu Jinlian watched her with a smile. Then she looked at Wu Xiaole, who was wolfing down his food, and stepped on Wu Xiaole's foot, almost making him spit out what he was eating.
"Mom, what's wrong with you now?"
Xu Jinlian winked at him and scolded, "How can you be so hungry when you're a soldier? Doesn't the army feed you? Didn't you see that the girls are too embarrassed to eat?"
Wu Xiaole paused, smiled sheepishly, and said to Xiang Wan, "Sorry, it's been a habit for so many years."
"It's alright. You soldiers train very hard, and you have to make the most of every minute to eat. I understand."
"Look how attentive that girl is, she even knows this. Xiao Le, you must keep in mind what Mom said before, don't just let it go in one ear and out the other and forget it."
Wu Xiaole nodded helplessly, while Xiang Wan pretended not to see. What could she say? The mother wanted to match them up, but Xiang Wan had no intention of doing so, and Wu Xiaole probably didn't have that thought either; she was just putting on an act to make the older woman happy.
"I'm going to ask the shopkeeper for some water. You guys chat, okay?"
Xu Jinlian got up and walked into the shop, glancing back at Wu Xiaole with a wink.
The atmosphere was slightly awkward as it was just the two of them.
"I saw you at the station just now, and it reminded me of my ex-boyfriend. I was a little distracted. Please don't mind."
Xiang Wan spoke first, and Wu Xiaole, upon hearing this, became less reserved.
"It's my honor!" Wu Xiaole said to Xiang Wan. "My mom loves to introduce me to girlfriends, whether I want to or not, she never gets tired of it."
Xiang Wan smiled, "Auntie cares about you a lot."
“Hmm,” Wu Xiaole nodded, somewhat helplessly, “It’s pointless to worry. If she put half the same amount of thought into herself as she does into me, that would be fine.”
Speaking of this, Xiang Wan recalled taking Xu Jinlian's pulse in the car. The pulse indicated that Xu Jinlian's ailment was not a minor one, but a serious illness in her lungs, which could potentially be life-threatening. However, Xiang Wan couldn't say it directly, only hinting at it subtly.
"My mom said, 'You can take pulses, which school did you graduate from?'"
"I only learned a little bit from an old Chinese medicine doctor, nothing to brag about."
"Oh? So, in your opinion, what exactly are my mother's problems?"
What do you want to hear?
"To be honest, based on your pulse, whatever it may be, I will not reveal it to anyone."
Wu Xiaole spoke earnestly and sincerely, which puzzled Xiang Wan. She was nothing at the moment, so why would she ask her such a question?
"You should take your aunt to the hospital for a full check-up. Then everything will be clear."
Wu Xiaole looked at Xiang Wan without saying anything, took out a pen and paper from his pocket, wrote down a string of numbers and handed it to Xiang Wan.
"This is my personal cell phone. If it's convenient, could you please leave me your number? My mom has never been this happy in all these years. She listens to you, and if she refuses to go to the hospital in the future, I'm afraid we'll have to trouble you again."
Xiang Wan thought for a moment, took out her phone, saved his number, and dialed back.
"You soldiers have it tough, so try to spend time with your aunt whenever you have time, so you don't have any regrets."
Wu Xiaole nodded and chatted with Xiang Wan about all sorts of things.
They talked for a long time, but Xu Jinlian didn't come over. Xiang Wan excused herself to go to the restroom and saw Xu Jinlian clutching her stomach and sweating profusely in pain at the women's restroom sink.
Xiang Wan quickly ran over, helped her sit down on a chair nearby, and used the massage to relieve her pain.
"Xiang Wan, you are a good girl. I liked you the first time I saw you. If you could be my daughter-in-law, I would be happy even if I died."
"Auntie, please don't say that. You will live to be a hundred years old. Take a rest first, and I'll give you a back massage."
“Good boy, I know my own body. My old man died early, and Xiao Le has been fatherless since he was young. He's matured early and joined the army, so he hasn't had time to date. If you think my son is alright, you can give him a try. If he dares to bully you, I'll beat him to death.”
Xiang Wan was truly at a loss for words, wondering what this was all about.
"Auntie, your son is fine, you can rest assured."
"Right, you think my son is great too? I don't know anyone here. Maybe I can trouble you to chat with me sometime in the future?"
“Auntie, you’re so kind, many people will like you. Your son is still waiting outside. Listen to him and go to the hospital for a check-up as soon as possible, then everyone will be at ease.”
"well!"
After saying goodbye to them, Wu Xiaole drove Xu Jinlian directly to the hospital, while Xiang Wan took a taxi home.
Xiang Wan opened the door and saw everything familiar, finally feeling at ease. Her parents had gone out for a walk.
Her room remained exactly as it had always been. The desk was spotless, and the bed was clean and tidy, showing that her parents cleaned it regularly, hoping that she wouldn't feel like a stranger when she returned someday.
Xiang Wan felt a pang of sadness. Her parents had been waiting for her all along, and she, for the sake of so-called love, had disregarded everything. Fortunately, she returned in time, packed her suitcase, and went out to the nearest convenience store to buy some groceries, preparing to cook lunch for her parents.
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