Five days after He Tingchuan left, he called the military family compound.
It wasn't a public phone booth, but a phone in the political commissar's office: "How is my wife these days?"
The political commissar's face darkened: "You're only thinking about your wife when you're on a mission?"
He Tingchuan denied it: "I only thought about it after the mission was completed."
The political commissar was almost furious: "Now I understand what those mothers mean by saying, 'Once you have a wife, you forget your mother.'"
He Tingchuan: "..."
Ignoring the political commissar's ridicule, he persisted until he got his way: "How is things going with my wife?"
"Don't worry, your wife can eat, sleep, and get things done. She's doing great!" the political commissar said irritably.
He Tingchuan couldn't help but smile: "Okay, I understand. Tell her that the mission was successfully completed. I'll start my maternity leave once I'm done with my current tasks. The political commissar should keep that in mind."
The political commissar frowned: "You're starting your leave now?"
"Submit the report in advance." He Tingchuan had already calculated the date; once the procedures were completed, his wife would be due to give birth soon.
Although I can't take care of her until she's out of confinement, I'll at least be by her side on the day she gives birth.
To be honest, every time he saw her worried look, He Tingchuan was also a little afraid of having children.
I privately inquired about the group leaders who had children and found that these people had no sense of responsibility as husbands at all. When asked, they would say that having children was a woman's business and that getting anxious or upset would not help.
Some parents only find out their wives have given birth after the children have already been born.
There are also those who just stand outside not knowing what to do, and end up standing there for hours on end, which is mentally exhausting.
He Tingchuan's fists hardened upon hearing this.
I don't want to talk to those irresponsible men.
Yun Jin learned from the political commissar that He Tingchuan had called back and asked, "Why didn't you let me answer the phone?"
"He's not back yet. We can't call him casually until the mission is completely completed. He just wanted to check on you. Take good care of yourself and don't worry the people on the mission." The political commissar said a few words, and only left after confirming that Yun Jin was alright.
After receiving news from He Tingchuan, Yun Jin felt relieved and continued to eat, drink, and have fun.
Yun Jin took advantage of the good weather and asked Li Aimei to wash, dry, and store the diapers and clothes that Aunt Tian made for the child, so that they wouldn't have to be washed again when needed.
Looking at the clean cloth, Li Aimei laughed and said, "The diapers are cleaner than my washcloth. I used to use old clothes."
“I’ll buy you new diapers when you have children in the future.” Yun Jin wasn’t joking.
Li Aimei felt embarrassed: "How can that be? I'm not picky. Old diapers are fine too."
Looking at Li Aimei, who was already thinking about getting married at such a young age, Yun Jin asked, "Are you really not going to study?"
Li Aimei shook her head: "My mom said studying is useless, and I can't go to university anyway. I can't get recommended to a worker-peasant-soldier university. She'll find me a good family next year, and if possible, let me get married."
It's true that you can't go to university these days; the college entrance exam hasn't been reinstated yet!
The only option was the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University; without being outstanding or having a good background, it was impossible to get in.
Li Aiguo's background as a battalion commander wasn't enough to impress Li Aimei, so she had to drop out of school and stay at home, waiting to get married when she reached marriageable age.
"How were your grades in junior high?" Yun Jin felt it was a pity. Since she had already transmigrated into the book and had her own career before, she didn't want to go through university again.
She planned to return to her old profession after the reform and opening up, to ride the wave of the times and start her own business, but for now she can only lie low.
Li Aimei is different; she has a choice in her life.
Li Aimei is a good girl, and Yun Jin doesn't want to see her being held back.
It's 1975 now. When the college entrance examination is reinstated in 1977, she will be just in time for it.
If you didn't know about this, that's fine, but Yun Jin does know about it, so how can she let Li Aimei delay things?
"My grades are pretty good, I'm first in the class." Li Aimei said with a little pride.
Yun Jin raised an eyebrow: "Those are good grades. It's a pity you didn't go to high school. If you're worried about tuition, I can lend you the money. You can pay me back when you earn money in the future."
Yun Jin wasn't unable to provide the financial assistance; she wasn't afraid that Li Aimei would feel embarrassed.
If you lend it to her and she has to pay it back, she can accept your kindness with a clear conscience.
Li Aimei's eyes softened: "Sister-in-law, lend me money for my studies?"
Yun Jin nodded.
Li Aimei's mind raced. Though she was tempted, she couldn't help but shake her head: "Since I can't get into university anyway, what's the point of studying? Why waste my time and tuition?"
“Who says it’s useless? A high school graduate is a high school student, an educated person!” Yun Jin couldn’t reveal that the college entrance examination would be reinstated in 1977, since there was no evidence yet, and she was afraid that people would find out and make a fuss about it.
Yun Jin didn't want to cause herself any trouble.
She could only advise Li Aimei: "Since you don't have a job now and your brother won't let you go to the countryside, why not take advantage of your youth and study for a couple more years to get that high school diploma?"
Seeing her concerns, Yun Jin said, "Don't worry, I'll go talk to your mother and brother. When your husband comes back, I'll let him say that he's so outstanding because he went to high school and then college."
He Tingchuan was no fool. He came from a privileged background, attending schools for children of high-ranking officials and later being recommended to the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University, the best military school. He possessed an unparalleled talent for tanks and artillery.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to be ten years younger than others and become the youngest regimental commander in the artillery.
They have brains and abilities, and everyone admires them for that, not because of their family connections.
Li Aimei was persuaded.
To be honest, seeing that everyone else in the compound had gone to school, and that some of her acquaintances had gone to high school, she said it was impossible for her not to go to school.
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