Chapter 220: The verdict is cleared, and the family is reunited.
Finally, she wrote back, telling him about her family's recent situation and her new design.
The pen scratches across the paper, as if telling a story of endless longing.
Days passed by, and spring arrived in the blink of an eye.
The snow in Xiangyang Brigade began to melt, and new green shoots appeared in the fields.
Xu Zhili's portable sewing machine design is finally complete.
She found the village blacksmith and together they studied how to build a prototype.
“This design is ingenious,” the old blacksmith exclaimed. “Lightweight and practical, it will definitely be a great help.”
"Thank you so much for your help," Xu Zhili said. "Without you, I wouldn't have been able to make the actual product."
With their combined efforts, the first portable sewing machine was finally completed. On the day of its trial use, all the women in the sewing group gathered around it.
"So lightweight!"
"It's very easy to use!"
"Now I can get some chores when I get home at night!"
Xu Zhili was greatly gratified by everyone's approval. What made her even happier was that after reviewing the design, the village officials decided to recommend it to the commune and strive for mass production.
"Zhi Li, you've done another great service for the brigade," said Brigade Leader Xie happily. "This invention will allow many women to work and earn money from home."
Xu Zhili smiled modestly: "It's what I should do."
The busy work eased the sorrow of parting, but when the night was quiet, the longing for Xie Yunce would still well up in my heart.
She often stood in the courtyard, gazing at the starry sky, wondering what he was doing in the distance.
One day, Xu Zhili received a thick package from Xie Yunze. Inside, besides a letter, were several technical books and some rare parts.
"These books and parts should be helpful for your design."
In his letter, Xie Yunze wrote, "I'm doing well in the army, but I miss you terribly. I heard your portable sewing machine design was a great success, and I'm so proud of you."
Xu Zhili stroked the books, tears streaming down her face. Even though they were thousands of miles apart, he was still silently supporting her dream.
Spring has arrived, and Xiangyang Brigade is full of vitality.
Xu Zhili stood at the entrance of the village, gazing into the distance.
She knew that parting was for a better reunion.
While waiting, she will strive to live a wonderful life.
Being a military wife taught her to be strong and also made her understand the meaning of responsibility and commitment.
In this hopeful spring, Xu Zhili knows that no matter what lies ahead, she will bravely move forward.
For myself, and for the person who is protecting our country far away.
Time flies, and two years have passed in the blink of an eye.
In the past two years, Xie Yunce has always rushed back to Xiangyang Brigade whenever he has the opportunity to take a vacation.
Every time he returned, the Xie family courtyard would be exceptionally lively.
Wang Xiuying always prepares a delicious meal, and Xie Jianguo, though not a man of many words, is filled with satisfaction in his eyes.
Xu Zhili started preparing several days in advance, cleaning her house until it was spotless.
That autumn, Xie Yunze had just finished an important three-month mission and was granted a two-week leave to visit his family.
As usual, he couldn't wait to embark on his journey home.
Meanwhile, in Xiangyang Brigade, Xu Zhili received a letter that would change her destiny.
"Xu Zhili, I have a letter for you!"
The postman shouted from outside the gate, "It's the army!"
Xu Zhili hurried out to greet him, feeling a little uneasy. Xie Yunze had just written that he would be back in a few days, so why was there another letter?
Upon opening the envelope, a formal notification document came into view.
Xu Zhili's hands began to tremble, and tears welled up involuntarily.
"Sister, what's wrong?" An'an quickly helped her up when she saw this.
Xu Zhili wiped away her tears, her voice choked with sobs: "Where's Mother? Go quickly and call her here!"
When Xu Nuoyan rushed over, Xu Zhili handed her the notice: "Mother, look!"
Xu Nuoyan took the document and was stunned after just one glance.
It was a notice of exoneration, which clearly stated that after a re-examination, her father's case—that is, Xu Zhili's maternal grandfather's case—was a wrongful conviction and was now exonerated.
Along with the letter came a military approval document allowing Xu Zhili to bring her family to the military base to reunite with Xie Yunze.
"Is...is this real?"
Xu Nuoyan's hands trembled so badly she could barely hold the paper, and tears blurred her vision.
"It's true, Mother!"
Xu Zhili hugged her mother, Xu Nuoyan, with joy, "We can go find Xie Yunze now! Grandpa and Grandma's injustice has been cleared! Our family can be reunited, we're not afraid of others knowing our identities anymore, we're free!"
The news quickly spread throughout the Xiangyang Brigade.
The villagers were happy for Xu Zhili's family, and only then did they truly learn about her family's background.
It turns out that Xu Nuoyan's maternal grandfather was a famous scholar who was demoted to a lower-level position due to some fabricated charges, which implicated his entire family.
"No wonder young Xu, a former educated youth, is so talented; it turns out he comes from a family with a strong scholarly tradition."
"These past years have been truly tough for their family."
"Now it's all good, we've finally made it through."
People were talking about it, but most of them expressed their admiration and blessings for Xu Zhili's family.
Everyone has seen Xu Zhili's performance in the village over the years.
She was not ashamed of her family background; instead, she used her talent to help the village set up a sewing group and designed so many useful things.
"Zhi Li is a filial child," Secretary Liu said with emotion. "She has taken care of her mother and younger brother all these years without ever uttering a single complaint."
Xie Xiazhu was even happier for Xu Zhili: "That's great, your family can finally be reunited."
With the help of others, Xu Zhili's family began packing their belongings.
She deliberately didn't tell Xie Yunze the news, wanting to give him a surprise.
Before leaving, Xu Zhili carefully instructed Xie Xiazhu on the work of the sewing group: "Sister Xiazhu, these design drawings are all for you. From now on, the sewing group will be relying on you."
"Don't worry," Xie Xiazhu said, holding her hand, "I'll make the sewing group even better. You should continue your research and design work while you're in the army!"
Xu Zhili nodded, then said to the villagers who had come to see her off, "Thank you all for your care over the years. We will definitely come back to visit you often."
Amidst everyone's blessings, Xu Zhili, along with her mother, maternal grandparents, and younger brother, embarked on her journey to the military base.
After two days of bumpy travel, they finally arrived at the military base where Xie Yunze was stationed.
Xu Zhili's heart pounded as she looked at the sentries standing guard in front of the military camp gate.
"Excuse me, is Battalion Commander Xie Yunce of the reconnaissance company here?" Xu Zhili asked the sentry.
The sentry glanced at the military dependent's approval document in her hand, saluted, and said, "Battalion Commander Xie is at the training ground. Please wait a moment, I'll go and inform him."
Meanwhile, Xie Yunze was on the training ground instructing the soldiers in tactical training.
He had no idea that a tremendous surprise was waiting for him.
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