Despite getting a good beating, Xiao Yichen's trip wasn't entirely fruitless.
Before leaving, Aunt Xiao gave him a basket of taro and sweet potatoes.
There were also a few fresh ears of corn on top, and I told him to cook them for dinner tonight.
Otherwise, the corn will become soggy and won't taste good.
Xiao Yichen reluctantly took the basket.
He muttered discontentedly, "Mom, is this a case of punishing me while giving me a sweet treat?"
Aunt Xiao slapped him lightly again: "I'm hitting you, that's all. Sweet dates? What a pipe dream. This is for Xiao Su. Aren't you worried that the baby is too big and that it will be dangerous during childbirth? Eat more of this, more meat and vegetables, and less refined grains! It'll be fine."
Xiao Yichen was genuinely surprised this time; his mother even knew about this: "Mom, who told you all this? You know so much about this, but is it accurate?"
Aunt Xiao already had fine lines around her eyes, but after hearing this, her expression softened somewhat.
She angrily waved her hand and chased people out: "Get out, get out! Do I need to listen to anyone?"
Having given birth to a bunch of debt collectors, what else don't you understand? Hurry up and leave, or you'll annoy me here.
"I'm telling you, go back and talk to your wife. If she's upset about anything, you'll be held responsible, understand?"
Xiao Yichen opened his mouth, revealing a set of bright white teeth, squatted down, and said with a smile, "Yes, sir."
His fawning manner was so obsequious, he was practically kneeling to receive an imperial decree.
Unsurprisingly, he got slapped again, but he wasn't angry at all after being slapped so many times. He just smiled and went home.
As soon as I stepped outside, the smile on my face slowly faded.
The surroundings were already dark; the real night had arrived.
When Xiao Yichen arrived home, Su Ruobai was reading under a kerosene lamp.
Hearing the noise, Su Ruobai looked up and asked, "You're back. How are Mom and Dad?"
Xiao Yichen replied with a smile: "It's fine. Why are you still reading? If you want to read, read during the day. It's too dark here, it's bad for your eyes."
Mom gave us a basket of corn and stuff, and told us to cook it tonight. She said it wouldn't taste good if we waited until tomorrow. Do you want some? If you do, I'll put it in the pot and cook it; it'll be ready in a little while.
As she spoke, she handed the basket to Su Ruobai.
The basket is small, only about 30 centimeters in diameter, and is very delicate and petite.
These small baskets are usually made for children.
There were only a few centimeters of taro and not many sweet potatoes, but they filled the small basket to the brim.
The fuzzy taro and red-skinned sweet potato instantly whetted Su Ruobai's appetite.
Taro, in particular, is eaten hot with white sugar after being cooked.
It's soft, sweet, and has a lingering aftertaste.
Then, Su Ruobai heard her own voice: "Cook them all, baby wants to eat!"
"Mm." Xiao Yichen nodded with a smile, barely managing not to laugh out loud.
Then I took the basket and went straight to the yard to wash the taro and sweet potatoes.
He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he wouldn't be able to hold it in.
The taro and sweet potatoes still had soil on them, and because they had been dug up recently, some of the soil was still very moist.
This needs to be washed clean before cooking, unlike corn, where you can just peel off the outer husk.
Su Ruobai gazed at the man outside the window.
He was squatting there with his back to me, working diligently.
She couldn't tell whether this man truly cared for her.
Although I see him as a hostage, someone I can replace if things don't work out.
But what about the baby?
Touching her belly, Su Ruobai felt conflicted and melancholy.
The moon rises above the treetops, and the stars shine brightly.
The village of Shangwan was quiet in the dead of night, with only a few insect chirps that sounded particularly clear.
Xiao Yichen, who was already fast asleep, suddenly opened his eyes. After his eyes adjusted to the darkness for a while, he confirmed that his wife's breathing was deep and steady, and that she was already fast asleep.
Only then did he get up quietly.
He closed the door and left the yard.
Following the sound of insects chirping, they found a person at the foot of the mountain.
"What do you want?" Xiao Yichen asked impatiently, kicking at the weeds under his feet.
The man didn't care about his bad attitude.
He simply stated the facts: "This evening, vulture tracks were discovered in Hongqi Commune. According to reliable information, this person is very likely to come to Shangwan Village tonight to make contact with his superior. We have received instructions from higher-ups to capture this person at all costs. To avoid suspicion, higher-ups require you to return to your unit immediately!"
Xiao Yichen didn't say anything, but instead kicked the stone under his feet hard.
"When am I leaving?" His tone was laced with suppressed anger.
"Leave now. Your superiors require you to return to your unit immediately. Comrade Xiao, please prioritize national interests and do not do anything to disrupt our operations."
Xiao Yichen stared coldly at the person.
"I refuse. I will stay with my wife. Don't worry, I am a soldier, and I know my duty!"
After saying that, Xiao Yichen turned around and walked back.
The man panicked and shouted in a low voice, "Deputy Battalion Commander Xiao, you're disobeying orders! You know the consequences!"
Xiao Yichen stopped and turned to look at the person who had come. He replied seriously, "Go back and tell your superiors that I, Xiao Yichen, have lived up to the country and my own identity. Similarly, I am also a husband and a father, and I must live up to my wife and children."
After saying that, he turned around and strode away.
The man wanted to say something more, but Xiao Yichen didn't give him the chance.
When I got home, I made sure my wife was still asleep.
She then tiptoed back onto the kang (a heated brick bed).
He had no idea that Su Ruobai, who was lying with her back to him, had already opened her eyes.
His eyes were icy cold.
The night continued.
The chirping of various insects was constant, mixed with the lonely croaking of frogs.
Under the bright moonlight, even at night, things can be seen clearly.
In the deserted alley, a ragged man limped along, leaning on a wooden cane.
His clothes were tattered beyond recognition.
Patches upon patches, in various colors and shapes.
The pants were even more tattered, the legs were torn into strips and hanging down.
There was no belt; the trousers were tied together with a hemp rope.
If you look closely, you'll find that this person's clothes are actually cotton-padded clothes, but the cotton has been pulled out.
He carried a small, tattered bundle on his back.
I was weak and powerless, and struggled to move forward.
He arrived at the entrance of the educated youth settlement, raised his hand as if to knock, then stopped, seemingly lost in thought.
After a short while, he took two steps back.
He sat down right next to the gate of the educated youth settlement.
With his neck hunched and head resting on his knees, he soon fell asleep, snoring softly.
Those following behind, fearing to alert the enemy, could only trail at a distance.
I thought I could follow the clues and catch a big fish tonight, but nothing happened.
Seeing that the man had stopped moving, they had no choice but to leave one person to keep watch while the other went back to report.
The next day, when Zhou Zhuang opened the door, he screamed "Ah!" and stumbled back several steps.
He stumbled and fell directly to the ground.
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