At noon, the whole family huddled at home, sipping chicken soup and tending to the big and small ones, with eyes that ignored outside matters.
After eating, my brother rode his bike to the factory. Heās working nine to five every day now, still new and canāt take leave casually, so he can only go to the factory on Sundays.
Momās wound has healed a lot, doesnāt hurt anymore, and she just needs a couple of daysā rest at home before removing the stitches.
"I have to leave at five this afternoon. Last month, the road through the city bus to the city from S City to H City opened. It passes by the base, with the commute starting from both cities at six in the morning, a trip at midday and in the evening, three times a day overall, making it much more convenient to head back to the base," Han Yi said, unable to sleep at midday, lying in bed holding Lin Wan.
"Thatās great, where do you catch the ride?"
"Itās the 65 route from the public bus company, departing from over there, and conveniently passing by South Street. In the future, if you want to catch it, just wait there ā itās close to our home."
"Yeah, thatās much more convenient. I kept saying your side should have a bus, and now itās fine; the family issue of getting out is finally solved."
Han Yi chuckled, "Our team leaders applied to the higher-ups for over a year for this; it wasnāt until this spring that the bus company began laying routes, with the bus opening last month...Iāll take some of your and the childās stuff back first this time, to avoid you failing to bring things over later."
"No need, the stuff the child and I bring is for daily use. If I really pack, there isnāt much. Iāll just bring a small bag when the time comes."
Han Yi looked around the room ā indeed, not much stuff. "Alright, let big brother send you and the child to the bus, and Iāll pick you up at the station."
"Yeah, Iāll go once Mom is better."
"Iāll buy some grain later then; since youāre not over there, Iāve been eating at the canteen alone. Thereās no need to buy vegetables though; I planted quite a few in our garden plot, and now theyāre ready to eat."
"Alright, just buy some rice and flour, then."
"Xiao Wan... thereās one more thing I need to tell you."
"What is it?" Lin Wan asked, noticing Han Yiās hesitance ā this was the first time heād shown such an expression since they married.
"This is from the authorities. Our team wants to recommend five outstanding soldiers to the military academy for studies. According to internal news, I might be one of them."
"Thatās great, dear!"
Han Yi only graduated high school; despite his capabilities, without a diploma and real skills, rising further would be difficult. Lin Wan knew his situation. He was in a shooting team, and within the department, many called him Captain Han, although in reality, his military rank was equivalent to a regiment commander. Now the prospect of attending a military academy was the best outcome.
In two years, a major military restructuring was rumored to start in S City. Nationally cultivated military talents wouldnāt be easily laid off.
Han Yi helplessly held her hand, "Xiao Wan, if I really get into the academy, itāll be two years. The academy is in the Capital City, far from us now, and I might not be able to return even for a semester, and my salary might stop, possibly costing family money instead... Although there are some subsidies, they wonāt be much."
Lin Wan knew Han Yiās concerns well, blinking at him with a light laugh, "Silly, weāve saved up money at home. Thereās no need to worry; studying is a good thing, and the child and I support you. Itās just two years, and weāll manage. Even if you canāt come back from school, the child and I can visit you. After these two years, weāll both graduate, and by then, wherever you are in the military, weād follow you, never separated again."
"Xiao Wan," Han Yiās eyes reddened slightly, hugging her with gratitude and heartache, "I canāt bear to be apart from you and the child."
"Donāt seek temporary relief. Endure the current hardship for a better future. When you soar higher, youāll create a haven for us under your wings; isnāt that better? Donāt let yourself regret later... The child and I will wait for your return at home."
Around two oāclock, Han Yi went to the grain store alone with a bicycle, buying rice and flour, peanuts, soybeans, and red beans.
Near five oāclock, Lin Wan placed the child with Mom, and while the child napped, she took Han Yi to the bus on a tricycle.
With all the grains packed together into nearly a sack, Han Yi carried it effortlessly on his shoulder. Lin Wan was relieved; she feared he couldnāt manage so much alone.
...
"Did you get the marriage certificate I asked you for?"
In Ye Qingās room, where she was already seven months pregnant, Ye Qing looked impatiently at Li Liang, who appeared presentable.
Li Liang snorted, also impatient, pulling a marriage certificate from his pocket, "Ye Qing, get it straight, you need me now, not the other way around. Do you have any idea how many connections I pulled, how much money I spent, to get you this fake certificate?"
Ye Qing received the certificate, seeing her name and a made-up manās name on it, laughed, finally relieved after so much concern.
Not caring about Li Liangās impatience, she thought, "He owes me this, and wonāt ever break away from me in this life."
To avoid suspicion, the marriage certificate didnāt have photos, only addresses and names, and the red stamp from their old hometownās civil affairs office.
Now, she no longer needed to hide; her belly growing more noticeable, people would ask, making it hard to explain. Occasional household checks led her to get a fake one, mainly to avoid gossip.
"Li Liang, also remember who said in the beginning that weād stay out of each otherās way. I did it, but you? Coming running back unable to control yourself, who else can you blame? What youāre doing now is what you owe me."
"Alright, this is the last time. Weāre even now, from now on, bridges and roads go their separate ways. I wonāt come to bother you anymore."
Ye Qing sneered, not saying much. His wife bore him a daughter a few months ago, a strict investigation suddenly started. His wife likely already scheduled a ligation, she thought, clicking her tongue. She knew his mother was stubborn, always wanting a grandson, and his wife was no meek person. Their family would have uproar, and heād have troubles.
If thatās the case, she wouldnāt force him to entangle with her. Recently she heard from the supervisor that Mei Langchi might come over.
Thinking of this, Ye Qing smiled, her eyes scheming undisguisedly.
This time, with the child around, she wanted to see how Mei Langchi would brush her off with money.
After Li Liang left, Ye Qing showed a rare gentle gaze, placing a hand on her belly, "Child, do your best; Mommy must give birth to a boy, and with a good father, youāll live above others, no longer needing to vend under the sun."
The belly kindly formed a small bulge, seemingly communicating with her.
This made Ye Qing smile gratifiedly.
Just wait, it wonāt be long before Mei Langchi brings her to his side. Military personnel cheating during marriage is a dire offense, and he could risk everything.
Sheās gathered a lot about Mei Langchiās family from the supervisor recently.
His wife was also in the military, and she flew planes as a female pilot. Remarkable indeed.
But so what? A woman being too strong isnāt agreeable to all men, especially when they spend most of the year apart. Newlyweds might cope, but eventually, that mutual attraction fades. Deep down, Mei Langchi likely wasnāt satisfied with his wife, which was why heād stayed this long without a single call or mention.
....
After Han Yi left, Lin Wan stayed at home for over a week, during which her mother-in-law came by for a couple of days to help with the child.
She checked the store. Since getting pregnant, sheād rarely visited. Her presence today startled everyone there.
Thankfully, Xiao Gu was around, so the store hosted sales and events as needed.
With experience, she preferred doing less to avoid leftover perishable goods.