Chapter 100 Who said I was going to acknowledge her as my family? ...
Chapter 100
As soon as Yang Jie finished speaking, Meng Yingying's tears started falling, one by one, like pearls from a broken string.
These past few days, she and Zhao Yueru have been so anxious about finding a blanket that they're practically bursting with stress. At the worst point, she even thought about bringing the blankets from the dorm to use for their wedding.
But it's not suitable.
If she leaves the dormitory, she will have to return all the bedding, sheets, duvet covers, and wardrobes she received from the logistics department.
Despite how difficult it was, Meng Yingying never even considered crying. After all, she could always go to the logistics department to get more if necessary.
If one bed isn't enough, use two; one person can share one bed, and you can still get married.
But now, seeing Yang Jie and the others each bringing her two wedding quilts, only she knows the depth of her gratitude.
"Alright, don't cry on such a joyous day."
Yang Jie raised her hand to wipe away her tears. "The quilt—" It's not ours, but before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by He Chang's cough. "Yingying, where do we put this quilt?"
Meng Yingying wiped away her tears and made way for them, saying, "Help me take it in first."
Director He led the way, followed closely by Regiment Commander Fang, with Coach Zhao trailing behind. As for Yang Jie, Director He tried to call her in several times.
However, Yang Jie was talking to Meng Yingying, so Director He stopped, but she was very observant and had her ears open.
He constantly reminded Yang Jie not to say the wrong thing.
Only after they went inside and found that Yang Jie was alright, only concerned about Meng Yingying, did Director He feel relieved.
After she entered the house, she looked around.
"This house is well-maintained."
The windows and cabinets were decorated with the character for "happiness," and the place was spotless.
Meng Yingying smiled, pursing her lips, "This was tidied up by Yue Ru and Ying Tao."
She's been so busy these past few days that she hasn't been able to take care of her family, so she's been relying entirely on her friends for help.
Director He nodded, "You've made a good friend."
As they spoke, eight quilts were placed one by one on the bed in the bridal chamber, stacking the entire bed very high.
"Now that's great, Yingying won't have to worry about her blankets for the rest of her life."
He Chuchang sighed.
Yang Jie also said, "Indeed."
She took Meng Yingying's hand and asked, "What are the plans for tomorrow?"
It would be a lie to say I wasn't worried, since it was my student getting married.
Meng Yingying glanced at Zhao Yueru and said, "Yueru and I have discussed that the wedding will take place at her home tomorrow, and Qi Donghan will go to the Zhou family to pick up the bride as a formality before returning home."
Ultimately, being stationed here far from home, it's impossible for her to marry someone from her family.
All we can say is that we should choose the most convenient option among the many options available.
Yang Jie did not speak.
Director He tentatively asked, "Would you like to get married away from home?"
"What?"
Meng Yingying was still a little dazed, but then she quickly realized what was going on and explained, "Aunt He, are you sure you're not mistaken? My family isn't from Harbin, but from western Hunan."
"Even if I wanted to get married, I couldn't."
She swallowed back the words she was about to say, remembering what Old Mrs. Song had told her, and sighed softly.
"I must have remembered it wrong."
"I'm so sorry."
Meng Yingying shook her head. "Aunt He, Qi Donghan and I will be having a wedding banquet at the state-run restaurant tomorrow. Please come and have a drink if you have time."
Because she had previously traveled to the capital for a business trip, she did not invite the other party.
Director He nodded, "I will go tomorrow, of course."
As Director He and Yang Jie were seeing them off, Meng Yingying suddenly called out to her, "Aunt He, what are you going to say to the capital this time?"
Director He originally thought she would be able to hold back from asking, but he didn't expect her to ask anyway.
"Don't worry about what's going on over there yet. I'll tell you after you get married."
This is something we're going to keep from her.
Meng Yingying knew the outcome was probably not good, so she thought about it and didn't ask any more questions, because asking wouldn't help.
She needs to get married first so she can have time to think about other things.
The wedding date is set for tomorrow, and all the guests have been invited.
The others, however, should be placed at the end.
After leaving the new house, Yang Jie looked back and saw Meng Yingying still standing there seeing them off, which made Yang Jie look back again and again.
Only after leaving the residential compound did she turn to Director He and say, "Why didn't you tell her?"
He Chang said, "Let the children get married first."
*
At the Northwest Base, amidst the rolling yellow sands, Song Fenfang spent a full forty-seven days in the desert.
When she emerged from the desert again, she was covered in yellow sand, her skin had peeled off, and her lips were parched.
She had just taken a sip of water from a kettle when Du Xiaojuan, having heard the news, rushed over. "Professor Song, you're finally out!"
"Aunt Song called for three days in a row, saying that Comrade Meng Yingying was getting married."
Upon hearing this, Song Fenfang's glasses trembled. "What did you say?"
They even forgot to drink water.
Du Xiaojuan repeated, "Comrade Meng Yingying is getting married. Aunt Song said her wedding date is set for noon on the 18th, and the banquet will be held at the state-run restaurant."
"She wants you to get back as soon as possible."
Song Fenfang calmly wiped her face. "What's the date now?"
"3 PM on the 17th."
Du Xiaojuan said cautiously.
Even driving at top speed from the Northwest Base to Harbin takes a full thirty-six hours. There are trains, but they aren't close either.
Song Fenfang drank all the water in the kettle in one gulp before walking towards the director's office at the base. "Old He, I need to ask for leave."
He Run looked up at her. He was over fifty years old, but he still looked refined and elegant.
"How could this happen so suddenly?"
"I remember the experiments at the base aren't finished yet, are they?"
Outsiders say that He Run didn't get married because of Song Fenfang, but they all know that's not true.
He Run had a girl he liked, but she died during an experiment, and he never married afterward.
However, as the story spread among outsiders, it became known that He Run and Song Fenfang were keeping themselves chaste for each other.
Song Fenfang's face was a little yellow, and her glasses were covered in sand, but her eyes were bright. "My daughter is getting married."
"He Run, I need to get back to Harbin before noon tomorrow."
He Run knew that Song Fenfang had a daughter, and that she had gone back to look for her last time, but apparently she hadn't found her.
He Run took off his glasses and walked to her side. "Professor Song, are you aware of the mission you have been given?"
Song Fenfang said calmly, "He Run, you don't need to use this to pressure me. I spent a full forty-seven days in the desert since I came back last time."
"I have done the experiments that needed to be done, and I have reported the data that needed to be reported."
"Twenty years ago, I gave up my daughter for the base. Are you planning to make me give up again twenty years later?"
After she was taken home by Song's father, she was sent directly to the Northwest Base without staying in Harbin.
The Northwest Base is surrounded by deserted outposts and sand dunes, making escape virtually impossible.
And all she could do was accept it, day after day.
Later on, it wasn't that she wanted to go find her daughter anymore, but rather that the responsibilities she bore prevented her from doing so.
She can't leave; if she leaves, the experiments at the base come to a standstill.
He had finally managed to teach his students and had just gotten a leave of absence to go home, but he still hadn't found his daughter or been able to see her.
An accident occurred at the Northwest Base, resulting in one death and three injuries.
This is also a painful memory that Song Fenfang cannot mention now. "I have already taught them a lesson for the mistake Guo Chao made last time. Before conducting an experiment, anyone must check it repeatedly and not make such a basic mistake again."
“He Run, I’m over forty. You can’t possibly tie me to the Northwest base for the rest of my life, and you can’t expect the students below to never take on important responsibilities.”
"This is the consequence of not taking on major responsibilities; they will make mistakes."
"They will make an irreparable mistake."
He Run knew the truth of what she said.
Can you guarantee that?
He stood up; he was very tall with thin shoulders, and his face was weathered from years of service at the Northwest base.
Song Fenfang shook her head, "I can't."
"Even if I personally go into the field, I cannot guarantee that the experiment will be successful every time, and I cannot guarantee that I will be able to leave the experimental base alive."
“He Run, no one can guarantee that.”
At this point, Song Fenfang's tone became more resolute, "I need to go back to attend my daughter's wedding. This is me informing you, not asking for leave."
"The matter of the experimental base has come to an end. Professor Ming will be overseeing it from now on. I need time."
She stretched out her hand, "Three days, give me three days to go back and forth, and I will definitely return to the experimental base."
He Run stared at her without saying a word.
Song Fenfang did not back down at all, "I want to go back. My daughter came to Harbin after her father died, and she was all alone and helpless."
"She married your second brother's wife's unloved son."
"I need to go back and support her."
He Run finally gave in, saying, "I didn't stop you from taking leave."
"I've also received the news."
He said, "My nephew, whom I've never met, married your daughter."
"I heard that it has already caused a huge uproar at the He family's residence. I'll go back with you this time."
Song Fenfang didn't stop him; her foot was on He Run's body, and he was dealing with matters concerning the He family.
It has nothing to do with her.
As she was leaving, Director Ma came over and asked her, "Professor Song, what about the experimental base?"
While washing her face in the basin, Song Fenfang replied, "I have completed the main experiment. I will now hand it over to Professor Ming."
"Have Professor Ming keep an eye on the students below and tell them to be careful and not to do anything reckless."
"Basically, there's nothing serious going on."
Director Ma was still somewhat worried that the same thing would happen again. After all, the responsibility for one death and three injuries was simply too great.
Director Ma asked cautiously, "Could something have happened?"
Song Fenfang stretched out her hand, and her severed finger appeared in front of Director Ma without warning. "Old Ma, no one can guarantee that the experiment won't go wrong."
"Even if I were there, it wouldn't be possible."
"I can only say that the most dangerous period of the experiment has passed, and the risks are now very low."
If something still goes wrong under these circumstances, then it's just fate.
Those who conduct experiments are always at risk of sacrificing their lives; this is a fact everyone should be aware of.
Song Fenfang was not surprised.
Director Ma looked at her severed finger, his pupils contracting slightly. "What happened to your hand?"
The last time I saw her, her hand was fine.
"The data was wrong. I ran fast and lost a finger, but I saved my hand."
Director Ma's expression changed. "Then why didn't you come back to the hospital for a checkup?"
He immediately tried to pull Song Fenfang out, but Song Fenfang pulled her hand back, saying, "There's no need."
"Dr. He, who was with me, had already bandaged me up, and at that time, I didn't have time to come out for a checkup."
She can't leave.
Time is of the essence, and every second counts.
Song Fenfang withdrew her hand with the severed finger, her face expressionless. "Old Ma, your hand won't get infected in the cold weather, and I also got an anti-inflammatory injection over there."
"That's basically it. Even if I went to the hospital, I would still get the same result."
"The reason I'm showing you my hands is to tell you that no one can guarantee that experiments won't result in injury, not even me. All we can do is try our best to minimize the danger when it comes."
Director Ma looked down at Song Fenfang's withdrawn hand and sighed, "Never mind, go attend your daughter's wedding."
"Go quickly and come back quickly."
He knew that Song Fenfang had waited far too many years for this fake affair.
Song Fenfang thanked him, washed her face, and prepared to leave without even changing her clothes, saying, "I'll come back after one meeting."
"Aim to get it done within three days."
As soon as she left, He Run also wanted to leave, but Director Ma wouldn't let her. He Run's reason was simple: "I'm not someone who works on the front lines of experiments; I'm only responsible for the rear."
“You can do my job too, so I can leave, Old Ma.”
"Professor Song has already arranged the work on the front lines, and you know what my job is like."
"Like Professor Song, I'll only be back for three days, and then I'll be back."
Director Ma still disagreed.
He Run stated frankly, "I'm not going back. I'm afraid Professor Song will smash up my He family's place."
His stepson, whom he had never met, married Song Fenfang's biological daughter.
Who knows what Song Fenfang is cursing in her heart?
However, she is a very cultured person, and especially as she got older, she was no longer as rebellious as she was when she was young.
So now she basically keeps her emotions hidden, but He Run knows that Song Fenfang definitely wants to destroy the He family.
They dealt with the man who married her daughter.
Director Ma was stunned when he heard this. "Your son married Professor Song's daughter?"
He Run hummed in agreement. "That child wasn't included in the He family genealogy; he's a pitiful little thing."
Director Ma, "..."
Director Ma looked at Song Fenfang, who had already gotten into the car and had no expression on her face, and muttered, "No wonder I said that Professor Song's face looked exactly like she was going to blow up someone's house."
If it were his daughter, and someone else took advantage of her like that, he would probably be anxious too.
Thinking of this, he didn't dare to press the matter any further. He simply took a few steps to catch up and said to Song Fenfang, who had already boarded the car, "Professor Song, please drive carefully and be safe."
Song Fenfang nodded.
After a while, He Run also came up. He and Song Fenfang had known each other for almost thirty years and were very familiar with each other.
So he naturally switched places with Du Xiaojuan, letting her sit in the passenger seat while he sat next to Song Fenfang.
After taking their seats.
He Run looked down at her hand; the severed knuckles had already scabbed over.
Compared to a neatly arranged hand, this single finger stands out conspicuously.
When did this happen?
He asked.
Song Fenfang glanced down and said calmly, "It's all in the past, there's no point in bringing it up again."
He Run remained silent for a while before changing the subject, "After Du Xiaojuan received the news, I also received the news."
"I had someone from our hometown check it out. The man your daughter Meng Yingying is marrying this time—"
Song Fenfang, who had been looking out the window, finally turned her head when she heard this.
At her age, she rarely experiences significant emotional fluctuations due to external factors.
She only shows interest in people she cares about.
“His name is Qi Donghan, he is a member of the Qi family, and he is indeed the child of my sister-in-law.”
Song Fenfang searched carefully for the name Qi Donghan, but after searching for a long time, she couldn't recall it at all.
He Run explained, "It's normal that you don't know this name. When his mother, Liu Qiufeng, married into the He family, she didn't bring him with her, but rather his older brother."
"So he grew up outside, and you could say he was fed by many families."
After hearing this, Song Fenfang said indifferently, "Your sister-in-law is quite blind too."
Although she didn't know exactly what Qi Donghan did, the fact that her daughter had chosen him to marry meant he must have some merit.
In her view, the fact that there was no one in charge of the next generation of the He family clearly meant that the son Liu Qiufeng brought over was also incompetent.
He Run's lips twitched. He hadn't expected Song Fenfang to still have such a sharp tongue. He coughed lightly. "She's really blind. The child she brought over was named Qi Dongqing, but he later changed his name to He Dongqing. With the help of the He family, he got into the propaganda department of the motor factory. However, he's been there for several years and is still a front-line worker. It seems like he hasn't made any progress."
Then, he changed the subject, "But the guy your daughter chose, Qi Donghan, is different. To be honest, I was shocked when I first checked his resume."
“He is only twenty-four or twenty-five years old this year, but he has already risen to the position of regimental-level cadre in the Harbin garrison.”
Do you know what this is?
He Run turned to look at Song Fenfang, "This kid is extremely talented, with top-notch physical abilities, a sharp mind, and good interpersonal skills. He can be described as both brave and resourceful, which is why he has reached this point today."
"To be honest, Fenfang, your daughter really knows how to pick a boyfriend."
“You have to understand that Qi Donghan has no family backing or elders to rely on. He has achieved this all by himself. His future is limitless.”
Hearing this, Song Fenfang's unpleasant expression softened a bit. "My daughter is very smart."
The fact that she was able to gain a foothold in the Harbin team and win a championship in the newspaper without any backing proves that Meng Yingying is definitely not a fool.
She was genuinely happy that her daughter had chosen another intelligent man.
That way, if they have a child together in the future, it will be a smart one.
He Run could tell from her expression that she was very satisfied with this son-in-law. "So relax, just take a nap, and you'll be in Harbin."
"I'll take turns driving with the driver and try to get to the Harbin State-run Hotel before noon tomorrow."
Song Fenfang thanked him and then leaned her head against the glass window, drifting off to sleep. Long hours of intense work in the desert had left her sleep-deprived.
She leaned against him and fell asleep quickly, but her sleep seemed restless.
Before long, he started coughing. At first, it was a quiet, suppressed cough, but eventually it became a heart-wrenching cough.
Song Fenfang didn't want to disturb others, so she covered her mouth and tried her best to swallow back her cough, but anyone who has coughed knows...
The only thing I can't stand is the cough.
In the end, her palms were covered in scarlet bloodstains.
He Run handed her water, but his expression changed instantly when he saw the bloodstains on her palm. "When did you start coughing up blood?"
Song Fenfang took the water and drank a sip. Her throat was no longer so dry and itchy. Then she took a handkerchief and carefully cleaned the bloodstains from her palms.
She countered with a question, "How many people who conduct experiments in the desert don't cough up blood?"
The experiment involved radiation.
It also has a huge impact on the body, which is something everyone knows, but these people still continue to do it.
It's simply because this position needs someone, someone willing to risk their life to fill it.
With more data entered, the experimental results will naturally emerge.
He Run fell silent instantly, his face extremely grim. "Why didn't you say so sooner, Song Fenfang? Why didn't you say so sooner?"
"If you go to the hospital for treatment in the early stages, it will be effective."
Song Fenfang put away the bloodstained handkerchief, looked up at He Run, and said in a strange tone, "What happens after I tell you? I go for treatment, and then who will take over the experimental base?"
"He Run, stop being so naive, okay?"
"Once you've entered this line of work, there's no turning back."
She knew about it many years ago.
So, she wondered if it was right for her not to acknowledge Yingying as her daughter.
After all, there would be no separation if they didn't recognize each other.
Yingying will not be in pain. After seeing her father off, she will also have to see her mother off.
He Run's face was extremely pale. He leaned back in his chair, his breathing heavy. "Then you can't, you can't—"
He never said what he couldn't say.
"He Run".
Song Fenfang closed her eyes to rest, her voice soft, "Nothing is impossible."
"It's just a matter of dying sooner or later, just accept it."
He Run can't accept it.
Song Fenfang opened her eyes and glanced at him. Her clear eyes were very calm. "Don't be too stubborn."
These were the words Meng Baichuan advised her twenty years ago. It's hard to imagine that twenty years later, these words would come from the mouth of the once rebellious Song Fenfang.
He Run opened his mouth, only to find it filled with bitterness.
"Song Fenfang, you...you're really too—"
That's too much.
He couldn't explain it either.
Song Fenfang ignored him and continued to rest. She hadn't had a proper rest in a long time, her eyelids were drooping, and all she wanted to do was lie there and get a good night's sleep.
Just be in the best possible mental state to watch Yingying get married.
She didn't speak.
He Run couldn't stand the atmosphere that was driving him almost crazy. "Song Fenfang, can't you be a little nicer to yourself?"
"Your condition isn't serious yet. Go to the hospital, go to a hospital in the capital."
"There is definitely hope."
Song Fenfang opened her eyes and looked calmly at He Run. "Did you see my master was rescued?"
She joined the Northwest Base when she was twenty-one.
Her master died on duty.
And she will repeat her master's fate.
He Run's voice seemed to abruptly stop, as if someone had seized the pulse of his destiny. He couldn't breathe, his voice hoarse, "You don't care about yourself, but you should at least care about Meng Yingying, right?"
"You've only just met and acknowledged her—"
Before he could finish speaking, Song Fenfang interrupted him, her eyes cold and her tone calm, "Who said I wanted to acknowledge her as my family?"
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Author's Note: The red envelope for yesterday's chapter has been sent out. Please check your accounts.
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