Chapter 135: Psychological Preparation

Yu Xiangnian believed there was no need to lie to Xiao Jie. One lie would lead to another, and she didn’t want to be caught up in maintaining falsehoods. Moreover, Xiao Jie was already eight years old, old enough to understand some things. Telling him the truth would be better for him.

“Your uncle encountered an accident while he was away, and we’ve lost contact with him. I don’t know what happened to him,” Yu Xiangnian said.

The light in Xiao Jie’s eyes dimmed, and he looked down in disappointment.

Yu Xiangnian continued, “Being anxious or worried won’t help. What we can do is live our lives well. When he comes back and sees that we are doing fine, it will be the best comfort for him.”

Xiao Jie thought of his father. His father had also left, saying he would return, but he never did.

With his head bowed, Xiao Jie wiped away a tear secretly. “Will my uncle come back?”

Seeing Xiao Jie like this made Yu Xiangnian’s nose sting with the urge to cry. She solemnly said, “Until we hear otherwise, we must believe he will return.”

Xiao Jie’s shirt collar was torn, exposing a bit of his shoulder. Yu Xiangnian adjusted his clothes.

“And I want to tell you this: whether or not your uncle comes back, I will never abandon you! You should never worry about that. I mean it!”

Xiao Jie looked up, his eyes teary. “You have a bad memory. You forget what you say after a few days.”

Yu Xiangnian extended her hand. “Then let’s make a pinky promise: a hundred years without change. Whoever breaks it is a dog!”

Xiao Jie also extended his hand, and they made a pinky promise. Xiao Jie cried and laughed at the same time.

Yu Xiangnian tried to ease Xiao Jie’s burden. This child feared being a burden himself.

Yu Xiangnian smiled and said, “Actually, now I can’t do without you. You sweep the floor, wash the clothes, and do the dishes. Without you, the house would be a mess!”

“Now go take a bath and wash your clothes. You’re covered in dust.”

Obediently, Xiao Jie went to take a bath. Yu Xiangnian’s smile faded, and she sighed, her eyes downcast.

Time quickly passed, and soon it was the Lantern Festival.

Yu Xiangnian bought some things and took Xiao Jie to visit home, hoping to get some news from the Yu family.

After dinner, Zhao Ruozhu asked them to stay overnight.

Yu Xiangnian understood that Zhao Ruozhu had something to discuss with her.

In the room, just the two of them, Zhao Ruozhu’s first question was, “Have you and Cheng Jingmo consummated your marriage?”

Yu Xiangnian calmly replied, “Mom, just say what you want to say.”

Zhao Ruozhu’s eyes reddened. “There’s still no news about Xiangyang and Cheng Jingmo. I’m afraid…”

Yu Xiangnian had been counting the days anxiously.

Today was the 52nd day since Cheng Jingmo left home and the 36th day since they lost contact.

Yu Xiangnian felt a sharp pain in her chest, so intense that tears welled up in her eyes. But now was not the time to show any sadness.

Her parents were surely more heartbroken than she was, having lost not only a son-in-law but also a son.

Swallowing her tears, Yu Xiangnian took Zhao Ruozhu’s hand. “Mom, there’s still no news about them, right? Both Cheng Jingmo and Xiangyang are elite soldiers. They wouldn’t be defeated so easily. They must be facing some great difficulties now, maybe even risking their lives to complete their mission. We can’t give up on them before they give up!”

Zhao Ruozhu nodded tearfully, comforting herself. “Yes! We can’t give up!”

After thinking for a moment, Yu Xiangnian asked, “Mom, do you know where they went for their mission?”

Zhao Ruozhu wiped her tears. “Your father wouldn’t say anything specific! He just wanted me to prepare mentally and persuade you.”

Yu Xiangnian stubbornly replied, “Until we have definite news of their deaths, I won’t believe anything has happened to them!”

Mother and daughter held hands, comforting each other. Once Zhao Ruozhu calmed down, she said, “Nian Nian, you are my daughter, and I just want the best for you.”

“I discussed it with your father. If something happens to Cheng Jingmo, we’ll take care of Xiao Jie. It won’t be easy for you to find a new partner with a child.”

Yu Xiangnian said, “I promised Xiao Jie I wouldn’t abandon him. You don’t need to worry. Until we have definite news, we have to believe they will come back.”

Zhao Ruozhu added, “I just want you to be prepared. If…”

Yu Xiangnian interrupted, “Even if something does happen, I can handle it. You and Dad are getting older; you don’t need to worry about me. Tell Dad to take it easy. I’ve noticed he’s getting a lot of white hair.”

Despite her words, the light in Yu Xiangnian’s heart dimmed.

Yu Jiashun must have had inside information to have Zhao Ruozhu persuade her.

If, before today, Yu Xiangnian had eight parts hope that Cheng Jingmo and the others would return safely, that hope dwindled to five parts after today.

The next day, when she returned home, Sister Liu Zhen came over to tell her that a soldier had delivered a telegram for Cheng Jingmo the day before. Since no one was home, he took it back, and Yu Xiangnian was instructed to pick it up from the unit’s duty office.

Yu Xiangnian went to the duty office, retrieved the telegram, and read it: “Safe, Father worries, Cheng Shunzhu.”

She recalled that Cheng Jingmo’s father was named Cheng Huazi, so Cheng Shunzhu must be one of Cheng Jingmo’s relatives.

She wondered why he would send a telegram out of the blue.

As she walked and pondered, she suddenly remembered that Cheng Jingmo had been sending money home every month, but he hadn’t sent any for the past two months.

His family might be worried that something had happened to him, which is why they sent the telegram.

Not wanting to cause them undue concern without definite news, Yu Xiangnian decided to go to the post office the next day to send 60 yuan to Cheng Jingmo’s family, along with a telegram assuring them he was safe.

On her way back to the family compound, she overheard someone mention “Yu Xiangyang.”

She stopped in her tracks.

Around the corner stood a man and a woman in military uniforms. The man said, “Xia Qingyun, believe me, Yu Xiangyang and the others won’t be coming back.”

Xia Qingyun pondered for a moment and asked, “Do you have definite news?”

The woman, Xia Qingyun, was tall and slender, with a pleasant voice.

The man replied, “Although the higher-ups haven’t said anything explicitly, everyone knows the truth. They’ve been missing for over a month, and there’s no way to contact them.”

Xia Qingyun said, “Bai Dewen, let’s wait for definite news.”

She turned to leave, but Bai Dewen grabbed her wrist.

“Qingyun, it’s only a matter of time,” Bai Dewen said. “Besides, you’ve been dating Yu Xiangyang for months, and he hasn’t taken you to meet his family. He’s just playing with you. Do you really expect to marry into the General’s family?”

Yu Xiangyang is dating someone? Is this his girlfriend? Is she about to cheat on him?

A series of questions flashed through Yu Xiangnian’s mind.

Xia Qingyun shook off his hand. “Stop pulling me around.”

As she turned, she saw Yu Xiangnian standing not far away.