Chapter 47

For two consecutive days, Wen Nuan returned from the Flight Crew Kitchen with a lot of chestnuts.

She thought about how Gu Qinghan and Liu Huaqing’s parents would go to Factory 112 together, so over the past two days, she visited the nearby village of the family compound to collect a bunch of chestnuts. She planned to make some chestnut cake for them to eat on the way.

However, Gu Qinghan mentioned that they still didn’t know which day they would set off, so Wen Nuan decided to prepare some in advance. She planned to make some snacks the day before their departure and also send some to Sister Guihua and Sister Juxiang.

In the past few nights, Gu Qinghan had been relentless, and Wen Nuan found it hard to get out of bed every morning!

On this day, Wen Nuan was awakened by Gu Qinghan. Lele was already up, sitting beside Wen Nuan, playing with the hairpin Gu Qinglan had bought for her.

As soon as Lele saw that Wen Nuan was awake, she lunged at her, the heavy little bundle nearly knocking Wen Nuan breathless.

Lele shouted loudly, “Mommy!”

“Hug!”

Although Wen Nuan felt like she could hardly breathe under the weight, she still picked up Lele and brought her into her arms.

With a head full of messy, soft hair, Lele rubbed against Wen Nuan’s shoulder and said, “Smells good.”

Wen Nuan held the child close and gave her several big kisses, smiling as she pinched the child’s cheek. “Our Lele also smells good.”

Upon hearing this, Lele was overjoyed, laughing heartily as she hugged Wen Nuan’s neck. However, after a bit of playful commotion, Lele crawled back to the end of the bed to play with her pretty hairpins.

Gu Qinghan stood by the bed, watching them. He was already dressed and looking radiant. When Wen Nuan met his smiling eyes, memories of the wild night before flooded her mind, and she immediately turned over, burying her face in the pillow, not wanting to see him.

Noticing her flushed ears, Gu Qinghan reached out lifted her up, and said: “Today, I need to go to the hospital with Captain Zhou. Doctor Li has already arranged for Doctor Zhao to perform the surgery.”

Wen Nuan’s mind hadn’t fully caught up yet. “Ah,” she exclaimed, then muttered, “Is Captain Zhou really willing to go under the knife?”

She recalled how excited Zhou Jianshe had been when he heard about surgery. She hadn’t expected that he would really be willing to undergo the removal surgery for the sake of having a child and for Sister Guihua.

It seemed that Zhou Jianshe truly cared for Sister Guihua; he wasn’t just someone who talked the talk but was unwilling to take real action.

Guihua had followed him for over a decade, and it was worth it.

Gu Qinghan gently tidied up her messy bangs, resting his chin on his wife’s slender shoulder. He rubbed his cheek against her side, smiling. “Mm, Captain Zhou said he was lucky it was him who had to go under the knife. If it were Sister Guihua, he’d rather not have kids at all.”

Wen Nuan nodded approvingly at this. “Captain Zhou is a hero and a good husband. Sister Guihua didn’t choose the wrong person.”

Previously, she had heard Gu Qinglan mention that she had seen doctors in the hospital diagnose men with issues like weak sperm or infertility.

However, those men were often unwilling to accept it. Upon hearing the diagnosis, they would become furious, wanting to hit the doctors and accusing them of being quack doctors.

In this regard, Zhou Jianshe was not like other men who were overly concerned about his face; he cared for Sister Guihua and didn’t want her to suffer.

Upon hearing Wen Nuan’s words, Gu Qinghan tightened his arm around her waist and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “What about your husband?”

Wen Nuan couldn’t help but roll her eyes; did he really have to compete for praise too?

Still, she decided to indulge him a bit, placing her hand over his. With a smile, she said, “My Qinghan is definitely a great hero, a good husband, and a great father.”

To be honest, Gu Qinghan had exceeded her expectations.

Initially, she had decided to follow him to the military for two reasons: to escape her meddling relatives and to avoid engaging in a battle of wits with Zhao Wuzhu and Gu Qingsong.

Before agreeing to accompany him, she had secretly “investigated” Gu Qinghan and felt reassured that he was not the type to lose his temper with women or resort to violence. That was why she felt comfortable following him to the Northern City.

If any of the other options had been a pit of fire, it was better not to jump in at all.

Thus, Wen Nuan didn’t brush him off; Gu Qinghan truly was a hero at work and a good husband and father at home.

Compared to other men who would come home and act like a lord, Gu Qinghan was already doing quite well.

Lele seemed to have picked up on Wen Nuan saying “Daddy” and especially walked over, hugging Gu Qinghan and loudly calling out, “Daddy.”

Gu Qinghan smiled contentedly, wrapping his arms around his wife and child, and leaned down to give them a kiss.

Wen Nuan hadn’t washed up yet and felt a bit self-conscious, so she said, “Alright, let’s not waste too much time. We should go see if Captain Zhou is ready.”

Gu Qinghan kissed her forehead and replied, “Today we’re having fried noodles; I’ve already cooked them and left them in the iron pot. After you wash up, you can have breakfast.”

Upon hearing Gu Qinghan’s words, Wen Nuan felt even less inclined to linger in bed. She quickly went to wash up, changing Lele into a fresh diaper and washing her own face in the process.

—o—o—o—

After breakfast, Wen Nuan followed Gu Qinghan to Sister Guihua’s house.

There, Zhou Jianshe was still comforting Sister Guihua, telling her that it wasn’t a major surgery. He reassured her that both doctors had recommended that the couple pause their intimate relations during this time of recovery, so they might as well go ahead with the surgery.

Sister Guihua’s eyes were red, likely from crying, and the more he tried to comfort her, the worse she seemed to feel.

However, time was of the essence, and Gu Qinghan and Zhou Jianshe didn’t delay any longer. They took two sets of clean clothes and set off.

Watching Zhou Jianshe’s departing figure, Sister Guihua couldn’t help but confide in Wen Nuan, “I don’t know if it will even work after the surgery…”

Wen Nuan felt a mix of amusement and helplessness, so, she was suddenly at a loss for words to comfort her.

It was probably being removed because it didn’t work anymore.

On the other hand, Lele, who understood nothing, noticed Sister Guihua’s unhappy expression. She offered the candy that Gu Qinglan had bought for her the day before: “Candy?”

Seeing Lele offering her the candy she had saved for two days, Sister Guihua’s face brightened instantly. “You don’t have to. Lele can eat it herself.”

Wen Nuan pinched the little girl’s cheek and laughed, “At least Sister Guihua hasn’t wasted her affection on you.”

Lele, still holding the candy, tried to hand it to Wen Nuan, so she said, “Sister Guihua, please take it. Lele wants to share it with you.”

Usually, Lele was quite possessive about her food. She wouldn’t even share with Gu Qinghan, except for Wen Nuan.

Now that the child was willing to share, Wen Nuan thought it was a good sign and decided to encourage her further.

Sister Guihua looked into Lele’s bright and clear eyes, and at that moment, her heart felt as soft as a ball of cotton.

She accepted the candy that Lele offered, smiling as she said, “Thank you, our Lele. Auntie will enjoy it!”

Wen Nuan kissed Lele’s face and praised her, saying, “Good girl.”

Hearing Wen Nuan’s praise, Lele’s smile grew even brighter.

Watching the two of them, Sister Guihua’s eyes suddenly became moist. “Xiao Nuan, thank you. Thank you to your whole family.”

From them, Zhang Guihua felt a familial warmth and love.

She had lived in the family compound for many years but had never encountered someone as kind and genuine as Wen Nuan.

Though the military emphasized unity, many military wives formed their own little cliques behind the scenes, competing for their husbands’ promotions and secretly forming alliances.

However, Wen Nuan was a rather pure person; her social circle was quite simple, and she had never made a point to please anyone. Even with her good relationship with General Xu and the commander’s wife, Wen Nuan actively avoided any suspicion and never sought out the commander’s wife simply because she knew her.

Gu Qinghan was even more so. Though he usually appeared aloof, when there was a matter to address, he would be the first to rush forward.

Zhou Jianshe, while aware of his own issues, did not feel particularly concerned about them. However, Zhang Guihua still did not want anyone in the family courtyard to know, so she asked Gu Qinghan to help keep an eye on things.

Gu Qinghan accepted without a word, helping them with this request.

Thus, Zhang Guihua felt truly fortunate to be neighbors with Wen Nuan and the others.

Wen Nuan smiled lightly, “Sister Guihua, if you say that, then I must thank you. If it weren’t for your help, how could I work so at ease?”

Upon hearing this, Sister Guihua laughed heartily, “Enough, enough! With our good relationship, why be so polite?”

“You mustn’t say that again!”

Meanwhile, Zhou Jianshe followed behind Gu Qinghan. When they reached the door of the operating room, he whispered, “Old Gu, if I can’t come out of the operating room, please let Comrade Wen Nuan find a good man for our Guihua…”

Gu Qinghan glanced at him and said lightly, “It won’t come to that.”

“You don’t understand.” Zhou Jianshe wiped his tears silently. “After this, I won’t be a complete man anymore.”

Gu Qinghan found it amusing, but at that moment, the surgeon, Doctor Zhao, overheard him and couldn’t help but say, “Let’s talk about what makes a man after your surgery!”

—o—o—o—

In the following days, whenever Gu Qinghan had time, he would go to the hospital, and sometimes Zhang Guihua would go to deliver food.

In the midst of her busy schedule, Shen Bairong also took some time to take Liu Huaqing to Wen Nuan’s home.

Because they were also set to leave for Factory 112 in two days, Shen Bairong made a special trip to inform Wen Nuan.

Wen Nuan watched the two children getting along so well and began to chat casually with Shen Bairong.

Seeing how happily the children played, Shen Bairong said, “After Huaqing goes back, he won’t find anyone to play with him. Who knows when they’ll meet again next time?”

Wen Nuan understood that Shen Bairong and the others had busy work schedules. Moreover, she had heard from Gu Qinghan that many experts at Institute 634 lived under aliases. Those with children usually left them in their hometowns, so there weren’t many kids at the institute. People like Shen Bairong, who didn’t have family support, were quite rare.

After comforting her for a bit, Wen Nuan said, “You all have worked hard.”

If it weren’t for this group of people living under aliases to build the country, there wouldn’t be the prosperity and flourishing of the future.

Shen Bairong smiled and said, “It’s nothing, just a moment of reflection. Huaqing really likes you and always pesters me to come over and play with Lele, so I’m just worried he might not find playmates in the future.”

“There’s also the matter of Vice Captain Gu serving as this test pilot, which actually wasn’t decided by me and Old Liu. I know what happened to Vice Captain Gu during the Lantern Festival, so I’m sure you must be quite worried about his mission this time.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Nuan realized that Shen Bairong had come to her concerning the test pilot issue.

She certainly knew that this was not something Shen Bairong and the others could decide. The selection of Gu Qinghan was due to his own excellence and rich flying experience; if someone else had been chosen, it wasn’t guaranteed they would be appointed as the test pilot.

Wen Nuan smiled and replied, “Qinghan told me about it. Since the organization entrusted him with such an important task, that shows their trust in him, and I will fully support him.”

She also understood the dangers of this job, but as a military wife, since she couldn’t help her man in his work, she at least couldn’t be a burden to him.

Moreover, this was a critical moment related to the enhancement of the organization’s national defense capabilities. If she could also be a test pilot, she would have jumped at the opportunity without hesitation.

Shen Bairong nodded in approval. “It’s good that you understand, Comrade Wen.”

At that moment, Lele handed a piece of candy to Liu Huaqing. The two children, both of them a bit older now, held a piece of candy each and laughed joyfully.

When Gu Qinghan returned that evening, he also spoke to Wen Nuan about their departure.

Wen Nuan was peeling the chestnuts she had brought back earlier. Upon hearing Gu Qinghan mention their plans, she said, “I know; Comrade Shen came by today and told me. So I’m getting these chestnuts ready to make some chestnut pastries for you to take along for the trip tomorrow.”

Gu Qinghan walked over to her side and embraced her from behind. “There’s no need to go through so much trouble. It’s not a long journey, and besides, there’s a flight school there. If they can produce a few good students, I won’t be staying there for long. I’ll only go there once or twice a month.”

Wen Nuan couldn’t help but think that he seemed to imply he would be staying away for a long time. She had already packed his things thoroughly, preparing all kinds of winter and summer clothes, and had given him quite a bit of money along with various tickets.

He wanted to say that it wasn’t necessary.

The process of building a new type of aircraft, from construction to test flying and finally to finalization, was a very lengthy period—at least three to five years, and often starting from ten years.

His main focus was still on the tasks assigned to the military; being a test pilot was just a small part of his job.

However, these were all details of his wife’s care for him, which warmed Gu Qinghan’s heart.

Wen Nuan didn’t want to hurt his feelings either. The chestnuts were primarily for Liu Huaqing and the others, and with so many chestnuts, she could make a lot. She would also make a bit for Sister Guihua and the others.

Wen Nuan said, “Just take them with you when the time comes. But you can’t eat too many of these; we wouldn’t want it to affect your flying. Besides, these can be stored for a while. Even if you don’t eat them, you can share them with the other comrades. And I wouldn’t want to be apart from you; we still don’t know how long you’ll be gone…”

In fact, she had invited Sister Guihua and Sister Juxiang to come to her house tomorrow to make pastries together, mainly for the sake of chatting with each other…

But she couldn’t let Gu Qinghan know that. He was incredibly stingy.

Sure enough, as soon as she said this, Gu Qinghan pressed his lips together and stared deeply at her with his profound eyes.

Wen Nuan thought Gu Qinghan would help her sort the chestnuts, but instead of doing that, he actually carried her off to the small room.

Afterward, Wen Nuan had no strength left to peel the chestnuts…

If she had known earlier, she wouldn’t have tried to coax him.

Hmph!

—o—o—o—

The next day.

Deng Juxiang arrived at Wen Nuan’s house with Xiao Dong and Xiao Mei, but she had a serious expression on her face.

After entering, Zhang Guihua noticed that Deng Juxiang’s face didn’t look good, and the two children were also silent, not as lively as before. She asked her, “Juxiang, what’s wrong? Who upset you?”

Deng Juxiang’s husband had gone on a mission, and now she was with her mother-in-law taking care of three children. However, Deng Juxiang usually got along well with her mother-in-law. Even if there were conflicts, they were usually small arguments that wouldn’t affect their relationship.

Deng Juxiang set down the white sugar she had in her hand and accepted the water chestnut and herb tea that Wen Nuan handed to her. After taking a sip, she angrily said, “Don’t mention it. Didn’t Qinglan see the bruises on Meijiao’s face? I ran into her just when she was taking her child to get vaccinated and found out that Zhang Zhibin, that bastard, indeed laid hands on Meijiao!”

“At first, that girl Meijiao wouldn’t let me see, saying she accidentally bumped her head after the lights went out in the army. But when I took off her hat, I saw that besides her eyes being bruised, the left side of her forehead was covered in faint purple bruises. It looked like it had been there for days and was about to fade. No wonder she hadn’t been out for so long and ignored me when I tried to find her!”

“Don’t you think Zhang Zhibin is a heartless bastard? He dared to lay hands on Meijiao, a woman who had just given birth! What kind of person is he? It makes me so angry! And that Aunt Zhang from her family isn’t any better; she’s always biased toward her son, claiming that Meijiao lost her temper first and that she insulted Zhang Zhibin, saying nasty things, which is why her son acted out.”

“I think it’s better to just beat him up rather than sully my mouth with curses. A guy who hits women—what kind of man is that?! Bastard!”

Sister Guihua frowned at this, asking, “Wasn’t she the one who caused a scene at the logistics kitchen with her husband?”

Deng Juxiang sighed, “That’s right. It had only been two days since she gave birth!”

Zhang Guihua was furious, her hands on her hips. “They treat her like this outside; what can we expect them to be like at home with Meijiao?”

Recalling that incident made Deng Juxiang even angrier. She lamented, “Meijiao is such a fool. She just goes along with whatever her mother-in-law says, without any opinions of her own. I just heard she was defending Zhang Zhibin, saying that every family has its difficulties, that he didn’t mean it and just accidentally pushed himself against the cabinet. If she won’t even stand up for herself, it’s futile for me to try to help her.”

Zhang Guihua nodded. “We outsiders can’t make decisions for others; it all depends on the individual.”

After hearing Deng Juxiang’s words, Wen Nuan understood Meijiao’s attitude. It seemed she had no intention of pursuing the matter further.

As an outsider, Sister Juxiang certainly couldn’t say too much; otherwise, Aunt Zhang might turn it around and accuse her of ruining the couple’s relationship.

However, domestic violence is a vicious cycle. Once it happens, it will happen again. The abuser might kneel down the first time, crying and begging for forgiveness.

But for the victim, every instance of tolerance and compromise is just the beginning of the next tragedy.

The person who committed violence would not change because of your tolerance and indulgence. Instead, they would perceive you as weak and easy to deceive, leading to second, third, and countless subsequent instances of abuse.

In the end, with each act of softness and each compromise, one’s life could be utterly destroyed by those bastards.

Deng Juxiang finished drinking her water in one go and smacked her lips in satisfaction. Then she said, “I think I’ll go back and chat with Meijiao. She was crying the whole time I came over. Xiao Nuan, I brought you some candy to make chestnut pastries, but I won’t be making them with you all.”

As Deng Juxiang was about to step out the door, she suddenly paused and turned to Wen Nuan. “Xiao Nuan, Meijiao has mentioned you to me several times. Why don’t I bring her over here? We can make pastries together and chat a bit?”

In truth, Deng Juxiang herself didn’t know how to comfort others. With her fiery temper, she would probably manage to offer only a couple of words of comfort before scolding Chen Meijiao, causing Meijiao to dislike her as well.

However, it would be different with more people around. With each person contributing a word, even if it wasn’t direct encouragement, gathering together to chat would be nice.

Besides, they would get to enjoy the delicious food made by Wen Nuan, which would undoubtedly lift everyone’s spirits.

Wen Nuan didn’t think too much about it and nodded. “That’s fine. You can go back and ask her if she’s willing to come over.”

After all, having one more person would help, and she was worried about how long it would take to deal with so many chestnuts and dough.

Before long, Deng Juxiang returned with Chen Meijiao in tow.