The two of them took turns eating, finishing one ice cream cone, and then moved on to other snacks.
Huo Qingfeng held his wife's slender waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Wife, how about I discuss something with you?"
"Hmm, what's up?" Ling Ruoke adjusted her position in his arms, sitting sideways so she could see his face more easily.
Huo Qingfeng raised his hand and wiped the crumbs from the corner of her mouth. Looking into her large, dark eyes, he smiled. "I want to change careers, what do you think?"
Ling Ruo didn't know whether it was good or bad; she was completely stunned. She stared at him blankly, making sure that what he said wasn't her imagination.
Huo Qingfeng saw her eyes widen and her mouth gape open, and chuckled as he gently nudged her chin. "Your chin's about to fall off."
Ling Ruoke smacked her lips, snapping out of her reverie. "Why did you think of changing careers?"
She knew what her major was. To be honest, when she was alone at home missing the colonel, she would think about this question too. But she also knew that the colonel loved the military and wanted to be a special forces soldier; he had never expressed any feelings about it, so why would he suddenly think about transferring to civilian life?
Huo Qingfeng smiled slightly and stroked her face with his large hand. "I want to spend more time with you. I'm not alone anymore. I have a wife and a family. I can't always let you support the family alone and worry about me every day. I hope to have more time to spend with you and our children, to build a family together, instead of you always having to work so hard alone."
Ling Ruoke stared at him blankly for a long while before saying, "But you like being a soldier, you like military life, you like this uniform and the mission it carries. Husband, just like you said earlier, I'm going to say this back to you now: you don't have to wrong yourself for me!"
Huo Qingfeng grinned upon hearing this, gently rubbing his forehead against hers. "This isn't about feeling wronged; it's a choice. I made this decision after careful consideration. I enjoy the feeling of fighting on the battlefield, but I'll grow old eventually and have to retire from the battlefield someday. It's just a little sooner than expected."
"Th-th-that..." Ling Ruoke didn't know what to say, completely at a loss for words. As a woman, she naturally hoped her husband could be by her side, at least not constantly braving gunfire. But as a woman who loved him, she also hoped he could do what he loved, instead of giving it all up for her. These two thoughts were locked in a fierce struggle within her, with no clear winner.
Huo Qingfeng touched her flushed face, feeling that his decision was worthwhile. For the best girl in the world, he was willing to give up some things. Just as we admire heroes who sacrifice their lives for their country, not everyone has to work so hard until they die for their country! Perhaps he wasn't great enough, lacking the awareness to dedicate his life to his motherland.
"I...I feel like my mind is a mess, I haven't thought it through yet," Ling Ruoke honestly confessed; she really hadn't decided. "When did you get this idea? Is it because of the guzheng?"
"The guzheng (Chinese zither) probably played a part, but it wasn't an impulsive decision; I considered it carefully. I love my unit and my comrades, but I don't feel I have to dedicate my entire life to it. Since I want to spend more time with my wife and children, I'll follow my heart. It's just a choice; there's no right or wrong." Even if he's no longer a special forces soldier, he can continue to love his unit and his comrades; there's no conflict.
Ling Ruoke looked at his face, as if trying to see into his heart. "I just don't want you to regret it in the future. If you're just worried that I'll be lonely at home alone or that I'm in danger, then I can come with you to the army."
Huo Qingfeng sighed, feeling heartbroken for her kindness and understanding. This silly girl always put his needs first. "Silly girl, do you know what it means to be with a soldier? It's not as simple as just moving to a different place. Life in the military is very monotonous. The family quarters are so small, there aren't many people. Some family members can get decent jobs, so their lives are a bit more fulfilling. But if you can't get a job, every day is just endlessly boring, from sunrise to sunset and from night to day."
"So many people can manage, so can I. Didn't we agree before that I would go with him to the army?" Ling Ruoke only had a vague understanding of what life would be like with the army. She thought that if she stayed home every day writing novels, it probably wouldn't be too hard to get through. Maybe the days would be a bit monotonous, but the happiness of seeing him often would make up for that.
But as long as he is a special forces soldier, he will be on missions, fighting bravely in the hail of bullets, and there will be danger, which is what she fears most! For her, as long as he is safe and sound, she would be happy even if she had to stay in the house for the rest of her life and wait for him to come back!
Huo Qingfeng held her tightly. While most soldiers would be overjoyed to hear that their wives were willing to join them in the military, he felt an unusual pang of heartache. "We can certainly make a living, but I don't want you to suffer. Besides, being transferred to civilian work doesn't mean I'll become a businessman or an ordinary office worker. I'll still be working in relevant government departments, still serving the country. It's the same."
"But..." Seeing her husband every day, and even the possibility of him picking her up from work, was a huge temptation for Ling Ruoke. Yet, she felt a strong unease, as if he had sacrificed too much for her. "Why don't we ask Grandpa and Dad for their opinions?"
“This is our own business, why should they approve it? Besides, Grandpa and Father dedicated their lives to the country, their son should be able to let them have some freedom, right?” He smiled and touched her waist, satisfied to hear her cry out.
Ling Ruole leaned closer, pressed her face against his chest, and slowly closed her eyes, listening to his strong heartbeat. This chest was her sky.
Huo Qingfeng held her close, playing with her now-grown hair. Her hair was soft, just like her gentle personality.
Years later, as she watched the colonel fall before her eyes, Ling Ruoke repeatedly asked herself: Did she regret not decisively supporting his demobilization? If she could do it all over again, would she have done everything in her power to get him demobilized sooner?
However, life has no "what ifs." This is its cruelty, but also its brilliance.
...
The two stayed on the mountain until dusk before driving back.
When they got home, Huo Zhenbang and Huo Zhixun had both gone out, but they didn't say where they were going. However, with Huo Zhixun and the bodyguards there, no one was worried.
Yuan Meng was comfortably reclining on the deck chair in the garden, reading a book with such focus that one couldn't bear to disturb her.
Yang Ziyun was playing with Fu'an in the living room, and their laughter could be heard from outside the door. A soft, clean carpet was laid on the floor, and the two of them were rolling around on it like two children.
"Daddy, Mommy!" Seeing them return, Huo Fu'an rushed over like a little leopard and leaped into Huo Qingfeng's arms, followed by the father and son's usual game of tossing each other high in the air.
Yang Ziyun glanced at Huo Qingfeng, seemingly still angry.
Ling Ruoke ran over and sat down next to Yang Ziyun. She hugged her arm and said coquettishly, "Mom, are you still angry? Mom, he's just a bull, don't pay any attention to him."
Yang Ziyun looked at her and sighed. "It's not that I necessarily want to have a grand wedding, and it's not even me getting married. I just don't want to make you feel wronged. Our Huo family isn't short of money to host a wedding. How could we let you marry into the family quietly? Wouldn't that be too unfair to you?"
Yang Ziyun was indeed worried that Ling Ruoke might have some reservations, after all, she had lost her parents. There wasn't even a wedding; it seemed like they were bullying an orphan. Most women, after all, hope for a grand wedding to show off their happiness to the world!
"Mom, I really don't care about this. Look, Qingfeng is very good to me, and you, Dad, and Grandpa are all good to me. With so many people loving me and such a family, I already feel very happy. Weddings and such are really not important." Ling Ruoke held Yang Ziyun's hand, truly touched that she could think so much for her.
Yang Ziyun smiled. "If none of you mind, then do as you wish. But if you want a wedding, you must tell Mom. Mom will kidnap you to the wedding."
"Okay!" Ling Ruoke laughed out loud, finding Yang Ziyun particularly adorable at times.
Seeing her son put down Fu'an and stride over, Yang Ziyun glared at him and said to Ruoke, "Your grandfather and I have discussed it, and we'll go back to B City tomorrow. Ruoke, why don't you come back with us? You're too thin. Let Ahui help you get some nutrition when we get back."
Ling Ruoke suppressed a laugh in her heart. She was certain that Yang Ziyun was doing it on purpose, just wanting to annoy Huo Qingfeng.
"No!" Huo Qingfeng rushed over and pulled his wife towards him. "Mom, you can't take my wife away."
Yang Ziyun stood up as well, hands on her hips, glaring at him. "When did you get the right to interrupt when I was talking to my daughter-in-law? Get out of my way and get in my way!"
Huo Qingfeng released Ruo Ke and, ignoring his mother's struggles, put his arm around her shoulder. "Ruo Ke, take Fu An outside to play. I'll chat with Mom."
"If you're okay, I'll go out with you. Who wants to chat with you!" she snorted, acting like a spoiled child.
Ling Ruoke hurriedly took Fu'an and ran away, not wanting to get involved in the mother and son's fight. Yang Ziyun's temper was also formidable, so she had to stay away from the battlefield.
Huo Qingfeng put his arm around his mother and led her to sit down on the sofa. "Mom, are you still angry with me?"
"Hmph!" Yang Ziyun snorted coldly, turning her body away without saying a word.
Huo Qingfeng smiled helplessly. It was rare for his mother to throw a tantrum in front of him; she usually acted this way only in front of his father. "Mom, it's not that I don't want to have a wedding. I also want to give my wife a grand wedding."
Yang Ziyun turned around, glaring at him, still fuming. "Then why did you object? And why in front of everyone? You're deliberately trying to embarrass your mother! My daughter-in-law hasn't even said anything yet, and you're already meddling, you unfilial son!"
"Mom, I'm doing this for your daughter-in-law, my wife. Mom, Ruoke didn't object, but didn't you realize she actually doesn't want a wedding? Otherwise, I wouldn't have kept avoiding the topic of the wedding." Every man hopes to give the woman he loves a grand wedding; it's what every woman dreams of. But for his Ruoke, not being able to do so is like reopening old wounds.
Yang Ziyun frowned slightly. "Why? Does Ruoke not want to marry you?"
Huo Qingfeng almost spat out his drink. "Mom, if she didn't want to marry me, she wouldn't have registered our marriage! What were you thinking?!"
"That's not necessarily true. Maybe you dragged her there by force." Yang Ziyun looked at her son with disdain. She now knew that there were far more men coveting her daughter-in-law than women coveting her son!
Huo Qingfeng touched his nose. "Mom, is your son really that bad in your eyes? I'm so heartbroken!"
Yang Ziyun slapped him on the head with her paw. "Let's get down to business."
“Mom, Ruoke has already had a grand wedding. But that high-profile wedding didn’t end happily; instead, it became a nightmare for her. Although several years have passed, it doesn’t mean she’s completely unconcerned. Ruoke is very sensitive and keeps her feelings hidden deep inside, so on the surface, she seems fine. But those hurts are still weighing on her heart; it’s a taboo subject that can’t be touched yet. At least for now, don’t touch it.”
Yang Ziyun widened her eyes and frowned. "When can we touch her then? We can't let her keep a forbidden zone in her heart forever, can we?"
"So many things have happened since we got together, and she's actually very insecure. Once we have a child, everything will settle down, and she'll gradually feel better." Only after having a child will she feel that everything is settled and she won't worry so much anymore.
Yang Ziyun slapped him again. "It's all your fault in the end. Hurry up and work hard to get her to give birth to a healthy baby boy soon."
Huo Qingfeng scratched his head, somewhat helpless at his mother's violence. "Mom, I'm trying my best, aren't I? So please don't try to take my wife to B City, or you'll never have a grandson."
"You're threatening your mother, huh? Believe me or not, I'll beat you to death!"
Seeing another claw coming at him, Huo Qingfeng quickly jumped away. Even though she was his mother, he couldn't let her keep hitting him on the head! "Mom, I'm just stating the facts."
Yang Ziyun pursed her lips, then her eyes suddenly lit up. "Oh, having the baby first and then having the wedding is a good idea. My grandson can be the flower boy; he'll definitely be the most handsome man in the room!"
Huo Qingfeng rubbed his nose, offering no comment on his mother's rapid-fire train of thought. He shifted the conversation back to the main topic. "So let's not talk about the wedding for now, let's wait until your grandson is born, okay?"
"Alright, for the sake of your grandson, I'll let you off this time. We'll be going back tomorrow. You should tell Ruoke about the family. As for withdrawing from the exercise, if you have any questions, talk to your grandfather and your father."
"Increase production to serve the country? Increase production to serve the family?" Huo Qingfeng almost laughed at his mother's question. "Mom, I understand."
Before Huo Qingfeng could say anything, his phone suddenly rang. "Mom, I need to take this call," he said, and ran off, heading straight out the door.
After finishing the call, Huo Qingfeng frowned slightly. He walked along the path toward the mother and child who were playing.
"Why did you come out? Did you finish talking with Mom?" Ling Ruoke was teaching the little guy to recognize flowers and plants when she suddenly saw the colonel coming over, her expression a little strange. She stood up and looked at him with some confusion.
Huo Qingfeng pulled her close and put his arm around her shoulder. "Old Gu just called me and said Gu Miaomiao wants to see you. Are you going or not? If you don't want to go, I'll help you refuse him. I didn't directly refuse him because I want you to go; I just don't want to make the decision for you. You have the right to decide your own affairs."
Ling Ruoke paused for a moment, then nodded.
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