Chapter 38
The day before their departure, Gu Xi and Shen Mingzheng were packing their luggage at home.
In the afternoon, someone came looking for Shen Mingzheng.
The other party stood at the entrance of the Shen family's house and called the person out.
Gu Xi looked out from the living room and saw that the person who came to call Shen Mingzheng was a young man, about the same age as him. He seemed to have just returned from out of town. He said something to him, and then the two of them smiled and bumped fists.
A while later, Shen Mingzheng arrived with his men.
As the man approached, Gu Xi could see clearly that he was a man who could be described as handsome, with red lips and white teeth, delicate features, and a pair of particularly affectionate peach blossom eyes that gave people a tender and affectionate feeling when they looked at them, which could easily lead people to think the wrong thing.
However, his expression was clear, and he was also very tall, possessing the same dignified and upright air as Shen Mingzheng, clearly indicating that he also came from the military. His clothes were somewhat worn, which didn't quite match his aristocratic appearance, yet he didn't look destitute.
This is a man who is completely different from Shen Mingzheng.
If this man can be described as handsome, like a cute puppy, then Shen Mingzheng is the kind of handsome that is unique to men. His bone structure is extremely outstanding. In the words of the future internet, he is the man among men, the male among males, the Alpha among Alphas. His hormones are enough to overwhelm all the men around him.
“This is my comrade-in-arms, Xiang Changchuan,” Shen Mingzheng introduced them. “Changchuan, this is my wife, Gu Xi.”
Xiang Changchuan greeted Gu Xi with a smile, "Hello, sister-in-law, sorry to bother you."
Gu Xi responded politely and went to pour him some water.
After finishing his water, Xiang Changchuan rubbed his hands together somewhat embarrassedly and said, "Sister-in-law, I'm sorry, I need to talk to Mingzheng about something. I'll need his help later."
Gu Xi looked at Shen Mingzheng, and seeing him nod, she didn't say anything.
Shen Mingzheng went back to his room to change his clothes, and Gu Xi thought for a moment and followed him.
After he changed his clothes, he said, "I might be back a little late tonight, so don't wait for me. Go to sleep first."
Gu Xi responded, without asking what he was going to do, only saying, "Be careful."
After seeing Shen Mingzheng and Xiang Changchuan off, Gu Xi stood there, staring blankly in the direction of the door.
When she handed Xiang Changchuan water earlier, she smelled a faint scent of blood on him, indicating that he was injured, but judging from his complexion, it didn't seem serious.
Gu Xi continued packing her luggage.
I've been tidying up bit by bit these past couple of days. Actually, there's not much left to tidy up; I'm just checking to see if anything's been missed, and if I think of anything missing, I just add it.
Shen Mingrong circled around her like a puppy, occasionally handing her something, saying, "Sister Xi, if you're missing anything, just go buy it over there. Anyway, your brother has money, no need to be frugal. A man earns money to spend on his wife!"
That was a very assertive statement.
Gu Xi found it amusing and teased, "Ming Rong will definitely be a good husband who dotes on his wife in the future."
"Of course!" the child said without any shame. "If I get married in the future, I'll definitely marry someone I like. I'll treat her well and give her all the money I earn! It's a tradition in our Shen family that men have to hand over their wages to their wives. My grandpa gives mine to my grandma, my uncle gives mine to my aunt, my dad gives mine to my mom, and my brother will definitely give his to you too..."
Gu Xi was overjoyed to hear this.
Indeed, the very night Shen Mingzheng returned, he gave her his bankbook.
If the Shen family has this tradition, then they are indeed good men. In this day and age, women who can marry men from the Shen family are quite lucky. Men from the Shen family have no bad habits or vices, do not beat their wives, are chaste and self-disciplined, and even hand over their wages...
In the evening, Shen Chenshan and Feng Min returned home from get off work.
Not seeing Shen Mingzheng, Feng Min asked, "Isn't Mingzheng here? We're leaving tomorrow, where did he go?"
Gu Xi brought out the dishes that Aunt Wang had cooked and replied, "His comrade-in-arms called him out."
"What comrades-in-arms?"
“One named Xiang Changchuan.”
Upon hearing the name, not only was Feng Min stunned, but even Zhong Chenshan was somewhat taken aback.
Judging from their expressions, Gu Xi knew that the two of them also knew Xiang Changchuan, and that Xiang Changchuan must have a story behind him, otherwise they wouldn't have reacted this way.
However, the two quickly returned to normal, said nothing more, and invited everyone to have dinner together.
After dinner, Feng Min pulled Gu Xi aside to talk, and Shen Mingrong also stood close to Gu Xi, holding her hand, looking like he wanted to stick to her.
"Xixi, once you get there, send us a telegram to let us know you're safe," Feng Min said incessantly. "I wonder how Mingzheng's unit is doing. Is it difficult for them to get around? When you get there, if you need one, go buy a bicycle. We have money and ration coupons, so you can buy whatever you want... If you need anything else, just write to us or call, and we'll send it to you. Anyway, everything is available in Beijing, so it's very convenient..."
As Gu Xi listened to her rambling words, her eyes couldn't help but well up with tears.
Afraid that crying would upset Feng Min, she tried her best to hold back her tears and said, "Mom, I know. I'll write to you when we get there. Please take care of yourselves. We'll come back to see you when we have time..."
Feng Min noticed that her eyes were red and secretly blamed herself for saying too much, fearing she might make her cry.
She tried to change the subject, "Be careful when you get on the train tomorrow. There are a lot of pickpockets at the station. Although they probably wouldn't dare to steal from soldiers, you should still keep an eye on your belongings, especially your money and tickets. Carry plenty of them with you, just in case. With money and tickets, you have nothing to fear..."
"And your things, your autumn and winter clothes, I'll mail them to you from here. I don't know if cotton is easy to buy there, or should I mail you a couple of quilts too?"
Feng Min has already started thinking about what else to mail to them later.
Shen Mingrong couldn't help but interject, "Mom, why don't you mail me over?"
Feng Min was stunned for a moment, then realized what he meant and glared at him, "Send you there? How? How much money do I need to pay them to send you there?"
Heavy Mountain, who was reading the newspaper and listening to their conversation, was also rendered speechless by his youngest son.
Shen Mingrong pouted, "I can't bear to part with Sister Xi!"
"Alright, alright. Once Xixi and your older brother leave, you'll be starting school too. Stop thinking about this and focus on your studies. When you grow up, I won't care whether you want to go find your brother or anyone else."
Shen Mingrong counted on his fingers and realized that it would be many years before he grew up, so he might as well wait until next summer vacation.
He discussed with his mother, "How about I go visit Sister Xi and my brother next summer vacation?"
"Not good!" Feng Min said curtly. "Let's talk about it again next summer."
Time flew by as we chatted.
Gu Xi listened to Feng Min's many instructions and responded to them one by one.
When it was almost time, Shen Chenshan reminded her, "It's getting late, let Xixi go to sleep. We need to get up early to catch the train tomorrow."
Feng Min felt she still had a lot to say to Gu Xi, but seeing that it was getting late, she could only reluctantly say, "Alright then, Xi Xi, go to sleep first, and Ming Rong, go to sleep too."
Shen Mingrong yawned, tried to cheer himself up, and said, "I'm also taking Sister Xi and my older brother to the station tomorrow, Auntie, you have to wake me up tomorrow!"
He turned to Aunt Wang and said.
Aunt Wang smiled and replied, "Okay, I'll definitely wake you up tomorrow."
After saying goodnight to everyone, Gu Xi went back to her room to sleep.
After changing into her pajamas, she lay in bed. Although she was very sleepy, she still couldn't fall asleep, probably because there was no one beside her.
In just a few nights, she got used to having another person in the room and another person by her side.
She probably does like having someone with her. She can comfortably share a bed with someone and build an intimate relationship with him without much transition. She can even fall asleep peacefully in his arms or being held by him without feeling too uncomfortable.
If it weren't Shen Mingzheng, but her two younger sisters from before, she felt it would have been fine too.
Is this not a good idea?
I've heard this is a sign of a lack of love...
Gu Xi bit her lip, looking somewhat troubled. Everyone is an individual; no one can be with anyone forever. Everyone needs their own space. Shen Mingzheng has his own work, and sometimes he has to go on missions, so he can't always be with her. She needs to try to adapt.
Perhaps, once I get to the military, I'll find something to do. Once you're busy, you won't have time to think about anything else; it's all about having free time.
After a period of random thoughts, Gu Xi finally drifted off to sleep.
She didn't know how long she slept when she felt movement beside her. Someone put their arm around her waist and pulled her into a warm embrace. Although she felt hot, she also felt a strange sense of security. Her thoughts drifted for a moment, and she slept even more soundly.
**
"Gu Xi, Xi Xi, wake up."
When Gu Xi was woken up, she opened her eyes groggily and found that the lights in the room were on, but it was still dark outside.
She rubbed her eyes, looked at the man sitting by the bed who had woken her, and asked vaguely, "Brother, what time is it?"
Shen Mingzheng rubbed her head and said, "Five o'clock."
Five o'clock?
Since returning to the Gu family, she has rarely gotten up this early, and inevitably felt a little sleepy.
Shen Mingzheng brought over the clothes she wanted to wear. Seeing that she was nodding her head and not responding at all, he reached out to unbutton her pajamas and helped her change.
As soon as he untied two of the beads, a pair of hands grabbed his.
She looked over, her face flushed, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, and whispered, "Big brother, I... I can do it myself."
“You keep sleeping, I’ll help you,” he said seriously, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Gu Xi was no longer sleepy and stammered, "No, no need, I'm already awake."
Seeing that she was completely awake, Shen Mingzheng let go of her hand to avoid teasing her further, lest he make her cry.
Gu Xi dressed neatly and followed him out of the room.
At this moment, the lights in the Shen family's living room and kitchen were on, making the place brightly lit. Shen Zhongshan, Feng Min, and Aunt Wang were already up and waiting for them.
Upon seeing Shen Mingzheng, Feng Min asked, "Mingzheng, what time did you get back last night?"
Around one o'clock.
"So late?" Feng Min frowned. "But it's okay, you can catch up on sleep in the car after you get on."
They didn't ask him where he went yesterday.
Aunt Wang brought over breakfast and urged them to eat, while nagging, "What time is your train? Don't be late. People wait for trains, not the other way around."
Then she went into the kitchen to prepare food for them to eat on their way.
Shen Mingrong also got up.
The child rarely gets up this early; he's so sleepy he can barely keep his eyes open, yet he stubbornly refuses to go back to sleep.
He stayed close to Gu Xi, following her wherever she went.
After breakfast, Shen Mingzheng went to get his luggage bag from the room.
There were two duffel bags in total, and Shen Mingzheng and Gu Xi each had a personal shoulder bag containing some important items.
Aunt Wang came out carrying a cloth bag containing some food.
She earnestly instructed you, her face full of reluctance, "There's fruit I bought for you here, as well as pancakes and boiled eggs I made, other vegetables and sauces. Eat if you get hungry on the train, don't skimp on yourselves. And Xixi, take good care of yourself from now on. Remember the chicken soup I taught you to make? Make yourself chicken soup more often to nourish your body! Also, remember to prepare your medicine. Don't forget, you must take good care of your health so that you and Mingzheng can be together forever..."
Gu Xi's eyes began to redden again, and she hummed in response with a thick nasal tone.
Seeing Aunt Wang like this, Feng Min almost couldn't hold back her tears. Shen Mingrong was already hugging Gu Xi and silently shedding tears.
Shen Chenshan was also a little sad, but he couldn't bear to see his wife and youngest son cry, so he quickly said, "Alright, alright, we're about to leave. Let's take Mingzheng and the others to the station first, so they don't miss their train."
The car that was supposed to pick them up was already waiting outside, and the group got in.
By the time they arrived at the station, it was already getting light, and the group went to the waiting room.
There weren't many people in the waiting room, probably because it wasn't a holiday and fewer people were traveling.
Seeing this, Feng Min turned to Gu Xi and said, "There aren't many people on this train, so your carriage won't be too crowded either, and it shouldn't be too noisy."
Although it's impossible to get a good rest while traveling, it's still better than having too many people in one carriage, making a lot of noise and making it impossible to sleep at night.
Before the train arrived at the station, Feng Min pulled Gu Xi aside and gave her a long lecture, like an old mother seeing her daughter off on a journey, with endless things to say.
She wasn't worried about her son; he'd left home when he was a teenager and had already made a name for himself. He was a grown man, a capable soldier, and didn't need anyone's worry. But Gu Xi rarely traveled far, he'd never even left home before, so how could she not worry?
Gu Xi listened obediently without saying a word.
She was afraid that if she made a sound, she would burst into tears.
When the train arrived at the station, Feng Min couldn't help but cry out, hugging Gu Xi tightly and saying, "Xi Xi, you have to take good care of yourself from now on!"
"Mom, I will!" Gu Xi said, her voice choked with emotion.
Feng Min finally let go of her and said to her son, who was standing to the side, "Take good care of Xixi from now on, and don't forget what I said!"
Shen Mingzheng nodded, "Mom, don't worry."
The night before last, his mother called him to the study and told him many things, all of which were related to Gu Xi.
Feng Min said to her son, "Xixi is a sensitive and meticulous girl. Although she is sensitive, she never causes trouble or burden to others. She just silently keeps it to herself and digests it until she gets through that hurdle..."
“Take good care of her from now on. Her health wasn’t good when she was young, and it’s deteriorated a lot. She needs to recuperate and rest well. Don’t rush to work. Even if you do find a job, don’t take one that’s too tiring. Anyway, even if she doesn’t work, you can support her. Don’t ruin her health for work; it’s not worth it…”
"She's the one who's going to spend her whole life with you, so you should cherish her!"
Such words of advice sound more like a mother's worry about her daughter who is about to leave on a long journey.
Shen Mingzheng understood that in his mother's heart, Gu Xi was more like her daughter than her daughter-in-law.
If it weren't for what happened with the Gu family, Gu Xi might have really become the adopted daughter of the Shen family, and the daughter her mother loved and doted on the most.
Thinking about it this way, I can't help but feel fortunate.
Fortunately, a twist of fate led them to get engaged, allowing their relationship to continue.
When the train arrived at the station, the passengers rushed onto the train.
Shen Mingzheng carried his luggage and said goodbye to his parents.
Gu Xi followed him, looking back with reluctance. When she saw Shen Zhongshan, Feng Min, and Shen Mingrong seeing her off on the platform, she finally couldn't help but cry.
"Sister Xi! Sister Xi! You have to come back to see me sometime!"
Shen Mingrong waved his hand frantically while crying, his face streaked with tears. If his father hadn't been holding him back, he probably would have run over and hugged Gu Xi tightly.
The child cried so bitterly that the people seeing him off around the platform were stunned.
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