Chapter 219 Farewell and Waiting
"Um."
Xu Zhili patted her younger brother's head. "Mom will be here later, so let Mom stay with you, okay?"
Xu Zhian nodded understandingly, "Okay, sister, don't be sad. Brother-in-law said he'll be back soon."
Xu Zhili smiled, but a pang of sadness welled up inside her.
At that moment, Xu Nuoyan arrived.
Carrying a basket of eggs and some daily necessities, she said to Xu Zhili, "Leave An'an to me. You focus on delivering Yun Ce. It's cold, and there aren't many people around the cowshed. I'll take good care of An'an."
"Thank you, Mother," Xu Zhili said gratefully.
Xu Nuoyan looked at her daughter and sighed softly, "No need to thank me. An'an is my son. You, being a military wife, has it tough. From now on, you need to learn to take care of yourself. If you encounter any difficulties, come to your mother anytime."
"I understand." Xu Zhili nodded, forcing back her tears.
After everything was arranged, Xie Yunze and Xu Zhili were finally ready to set off.
The military jeep modified by Xu Zhili was parked outside the courtyard, its surface gleaming with a cold, hard sheen in the morning light.
"You've really done a great job modifying this car."
Xie Yunze stroked the hood, "It drives even better than our unit's new vehicles."
Xu Zhili said softly, "I've adjusted the suspension system and added snow chains, making it safer to drive in the snow."
Xie Yunze looked at her intently: "With you by my side, I feel at ease about everything."
The car slowly started and drove towards the village entrance.
Xu Zhili sat in the passenger seat, watching the familiar scenery flash by outside the window, feeling empty inside.
Under the old locust tree at the village entrance, a number of villagers had gathered to see him off.
Party Secretary Liu, Xie Xiazhu, Aunt Li, and the sisters from the sewing group were all there.
"Battalion Commander, have a safe journey!"
"Do your best in the army!"
Remember to come back and visit often!
Everyone offered their blessings, and some even stuffed local specialties into the car.
Xie Xiazhu held Xu Zhili's hand and whispered, "Zhili, be strong. We're here for you when Yun Ce isn't around."
Xu Zhili nodded, her eyes red-rimmed, "Thank you, Sister Xia Zhu."
Party Secretary Liu patted Xie Yunze on the shoulder: "Go without worry, Zhili is in the village, we'll take good care of her."
Xie Yunze stood at attention and saluted: "Thank you, Uncle Liu, thank you everyone!"
The final moment had finally arrived. Xie Yun turned to Xu Zhili, a thousand words stuck in her throat.
"I'm leaving." These were the only three words he uttered in the end.
Xu Zhili forced a smile: "Take care on the road, and remember to write when you arrive."
"I will."
Xie Yunze looked at her intently, as if trying to etch her image into his heart. "Wait for me to come back."
"I'll wait for you," Xu Zhili said softly, tears finally streaming down her face.
Xie Yunze reached out and gently wiped away her tears, then turned and got into the driver's seat.
With the roar of the engine, the jeep slowly started and drove off onto the road in the distance.
Xu Zhili stood at the village entrance, watching the car drive further and further away until it disappeared into the morning mist.
The cold wind howled past, but she felt no cold, because the emptiness in her heart was more piercing than the winter wind.
“Go back, Zhili.” Xie Xiazhu held her shoulder. “Yun Ce will arrive safely.”
Xu Zhili nodded, glanced one last time in the direction the car disappeared, and turned to walk back into the village.
Life must go on.
After seeing Xie Yunce off, Xu Zhili quickly adjusted her mindset and threw herself into her work.
As the sewing group received more and more orders, her technical expertise became increasingly important.
One day, while working in the sewing group, Xu Zhili suddenly had a new idea.
She put down her needle and thread, took out her notebook, and began to draw.
"Zhi Li, what are you drawing?" Xie Xiazhu asked curiously.
"I'm thinking, could I design a portable sewing machine?"
As Xu Zhili drew, she said, "The sewing machines we have now are too bulky. There are only three sewing machines available, which isn't enough for the female workers, and the efficiency is low. Wouldn't it be more convenient if the older women could take them home to work?"
Xie Xiazhu's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea! If we can actually make it, our group's output will definitely increase significantly."
Xu Zhili was so engrossed in her design that she forgot the passage of time.
She didn't put away her design notebook until it got dark.
"I have to go pick up An'an."
In front of outsiders, Xu Zhian cannot have too much contact with her mother, Xu Nuoyan, after all, her mother is a person who has been sent to the countryside.
Only when Xu Zhili was too busy to look after them could they ask Captain Xie's people to help.
Before An'an married Xie Yunze, she had no one to take care of her and always had to trouble the people on Secretary Liu's side.
Now that she's a daughter-in-law of the Xie family, her mother-in-law, Wang Xiuying, is incredibly enthusiastic, constantly saying that if Xu Zhili is busy, she should just send An'an to the Xie family.
There are younger family members at home who can play with An'an, and Liu Wenming's child often comes over, so the children can keep each other company.
Only after hearing her mother-in-law's words did she finally agree.
She told Xie Xiazhu, "Let's continue working on this design tomorrow."
"Go quickly."
Xie Xiazhu nodded with a smile, "This child has become so sensible lately, helping his mother with chores every day."
When Xu Zhili arrived at the Xie family's residence, she saw An'an feeding the hens in the yard from afar.
The shadow of the seven-year-old boy stretched long in the setting sun, and he already looked somewhat like an adult.
"Sister!" An'an put down her things and ran over when she saw Xu Zhili. "Are you done with your work?"
"Um."
Xu Zhili wiped his sweat, "I can do these chores."
“No,” An’an said seriously, “With my brother-in-law away, I’m the man of the house, and I have to take care of my sister.”
Xu Zhili felt a warmth in her heart and hugged her younger brother's shoulders: "Good, our An'an has grown up."
A few days later, at dinner time, Xu Nuoyan had already prepared dinner in the house.
Simple millet porridge, meat buns, and pickled vegetables—such simple dishes, yet they exude the warmth of home.
"Any news about Yun Ce?" Xu Nuoyan asked during dinner.
"I received a letter the day before yesterday saying that I had arrived safely at my unit."
Hsu Chih-li said, "He said everything was fine and told me not to worry."
"That's good." Xu Nuoyan nodded. "That's how it is with soldiers; we're often separated. You'll have to get used to it."
“I understand,” Xu Zhili said softly.
After dinner, Xu Zhili took An'an back to her own home.
The room still held Xie Yunze's presence; the books he had read and the teacups he had used were still in their original places.
After An'an fell asleep, Xu Zhili sat alone at the table, continuing to refine the design of the portable sewing machine.
Under the kerosene lamp, her figure appeared exceptionally lonely, yet exceptionally resolute.
In the dead of night, she took out Xie Yunze's letter and read it repeatedly.
The letter was short, mainly to let her know he was safe, but it conveyed his concern for her.
"Zhili, I've arrived safely at the unit. Everything's fine, don't worry. Take good care of yourself at home, don't overwork yourself, and wait for me to come back."
She read those few simple sentences over and over again.
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