Chapter 118.3

Liu Chunyan seemed as though her soul had been ripped out, collapsing onto the bed.

General Lu’s meaning had been clear: if Liu Chunyan didn’t change, they would take the children away.

After all, a mother who harms her own children is like an unpredictable time bomb. No one would trust such a person with their children.

Wen Nuan, watching General Lu leave, said to Liu Chunyan, “Think it over yourself. I’ll come to see you tomorrow.”

Lele was about to part ways with Huahua, her face full of reluctance. But knowing they would meet again tomorrow, she cheerfully said goodbye.

The next day, Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan returned with Lele.

Liu Chunyan seemed to have not slept all night. Her face was pale and vacant as she blankly stared out the window.

Wen Nuan divided the porridge and buns in the lunchbox among the children, then placed the remaining food by Liu Chunyan’s bedside and asked, “Have you thought it through?”

“Do you know? My grandpa has two gunshot wounds, one on his shoulder and one on his abdomen.”

“These were from the Korean War. Normally, such serious injuries would prevent him from being a pilot, but in a critical moment, everyone had to fight.”

“General Xu also has a wound on his arm. Their generation all came from the battlefield, losing countless comrades, even family members.”

“But your Lin Guoqiang still has a future, and your mother-in-law, Aunt Lin, is being reeducated at a farm near your hometown.”

Wen Nuan couldn’t stand in Liu Chunyan’s shoes. She thought Liu Chunyan might act impulsively and do something bad to threaten the military leaders.

But instead, it was foolish.

In fact, it was a huge mistake.

It nearly destroyed the futures of several children who should have had bright lives. Wen Nuan really couldn’t understand.

Although Lin Guoqiang couldn’t be a soldier anymore, he still had a future. But if his family was lost, he probably wouldn’t survive long enough to see that future.

Liu Chunyan silently shed tears. By now, her face was covered in tears, and she cried bitterly. “I’ve thought about it, but…”

“But it’s really hard to accept. You say, Guoqiang was a regiment-level officer, and suddenly he becomes a labor reform convict. The people in the family compound all hate us now. We’ve all become criminals. I’ve thought about leaving, but Guoqiang and my mother-in-law still haven’t come back, so I can’t leave.”

“When I went to find you yesterday, I also thought about it. Maybe I should kidnap you and threaten General Lu to release Guoqiang, but…”

But Wen Nuan had encouraged her. Huahua was right. Wen Nuan was a good person.

After Wen Nuan refused her, she thought of a twisted way: maybe she could trade the lives of a few people to get Lin Guoqiang back.

But when she came to her senses, she realized how foolish that was.

The children were their future.

Gu Qinghan, hearing this, immediately stepped in front of Wen Nuan, giving Liu Chunyan a cold, threatening look.

Wen Nuan tugged at Gu Qinghan’s sleeve and said, “It’s okay. Everyone has moments when they can’t think clearly. I think this time, she’s figured it out.”

Liu Chunyan looked at Gu Qinghan blocking Wen Nuan, and gave a bitter smile. “Don’t worry. Wen Nuan is my benefactor, and your Lele is also our benefactor.”

“Before, my mother-in-law wronged you, and yet you still came to see me without holding grudges. I’ll owe you both for the rest of my life.”

Since their family became involved with the enemy agents, everyone in the family compound seemed to despise them. Whenever they saw them, some would even spit at them, and others would throw trash at their house.

Liu Chunyan pretended not to notice.

However, Wen Nuan had sent her food before, and she knew about it. Due to the issues with Lin Guoqiang and her mother-in-law, Liu Chunyan hadn’t been able to take proper care of the children recently.

When she found out that Lin Guoqiang had been sentenced to twenty years of labor reform, she completely collapsed.

Twenty years—it was too long.

Liu Chunyan softly said, “But General Lu is right. When a child does something wrong, they need to be criticized. How much more so for an adult, especially a military officer.”

“This matter, indeed, Lin Guoqiang didn’t handle well.”

Liu Chunyan looked at Wen Nuan and Gu Qinghan, her eyes clear and resolute. “I’ve thought it through. I will live well, and I’ll take them back to our hometown.”

Wen Nuan remembered that Liu Chunyan had once worked in a pharmaceutical factory, so she said, “You can do it. Women can support half the sky, and the children love you.”

Gu Qinghan pressed her lips together before saying, “This matter, we can give you an answer in a couple of days. But even if you’ve figured it out, the organization won’t easily hand the children back to you.”

The children had gone through such an ordeal, and likely had developed psychological scars. So Gu Qinghan planned to have the Flight Team’s psychologist help the children, as well as to ask for their opinions.

If the children were unwilling to go with her, the military would take good care of them.

Liu Chunyan nodded, understanding what Gu Qinghan meant. “I know. I made a mistake, but I’m willing to correct it. I will also respect the children’s opinions.”

At that moment, Xiao Cao suddenly came over and hugged Liu Chunyan, saying, “Mom, I won’t leave you.”

Liu Chunyan was stunned, then she hugged her already sensible daughter tightly and burst into tears.

—

After a week of psychological counseling, it was confirmed that the children were fine. General Lu also agreed to let Liu Chunyan take the children back to their hometown.

At the same time, Liu Chunyan was granted permission to visit Lin Guoqiang before he was sent away.

On the day Liu Chunyan’s family left the family compound, no one came to see them off.

When Wen Nuan heard the time from Gu Qinghan, she brought Lele to send them off. Lele even brought her favorite chocolate snacks and a doll with her.

As soon as Lele arrived at the door, she handed the doll she was holding to Huahua, saying, “Huahua, my mom said you’re going back to your hometown. I’m giving this to you.”

“But isn’t this the one your Grandpa bought for you?” Huahua looked at the doll Lele was holding. She had liked it ever since Lele first brought it to kindergarten.

Lele smiled and said, “I asked Grandpa to buy me another one, so now we each have one.”

Huahua hugged the doll and then took out her favorite hairpin, saying, “Then I’ll give you my favorite hairpin.”

Lele saw it and happily said, “Great, I love pink!”

Wen Nuan saw the children talking and handed an envelope to Liu Chunyan, saying, “This is for you. Safe travels.”

Many widows of martyrs receive allowances to take back to their hometowns, but Liu Chunyan’s situation was special. She had been told that she had received an allowance, but she hadn’t accepted many of the items directly.

The bonus Wen Nuan had previously praised her for hadn’t been split, so she simply decided to give it to Liu Chunyan for her immediate needs.

Raising three children alone was undeniably difficult.

Moreover, Liu Chunyan might not even find work when she returned to her hometown. The money wouldn’t solve all their problems, but it could help them get through the tough times for now.

Liu Chunyan looked at the envelope, her eyes immediately filling with tears. “Comrade Wen Nuan, you…”

Wen Nuan smiled and said, “Everyone faces tough times, I hope you and the children will be okay.”

Liu Chunyan immediately hugged Wen Nuan, choking on her words, “Thank you, you’ve shown me the light.”

“I’ll repay you, and I’ll take good care of the children. I’ll make sure Huahua and Lele remain friends.”

Huahua and Lele, hearing this, simultaneously laughed and said, “We’ll always be good friends.”

Wen Nuan patted the children’s heads and said, “Alright, then let’s say goodbye to Aunt and Huahua.”

Lele hugged Wen Nuan, then waved at Huahua.

As Huahua got in the car, she immediately began crying.

Liu Chunyan looked at Wen Nuan, then at the family compound behind her, giving a faint smile. “Goodbye.”

Once Liu Chunyan left, it seemed that nothing had changed in the family compound.

Before returning to Beijing, General Lu was approached by Lele, who said, “Grandpa, I know what gift I want now. I still want a doll.”

General Lu had heard from Wen Nuan that Lele had left her doll for Huahua as a keepsake, so upon hearing her request, he agreed without hesitation. “No problem, Grandpa will buy you another one.”

Lele was overjoyed and then asked, “What about Bag and Zhuzhu? Should I get them dolls too?”

“Well,” General Lu replied with a smile, “Bag and Zhuzhu probably would like tanks or airplanes more.” He had just picked up Zhuzhu and looked down at the child. “Zhuzhu likes airplanes, doesn’t he? How about I get you a model airplane?”

Zhuzhu, probably just waking up from a nap, was a bit excited and made a couple of loud “ah ah” sounds.

Wen Nuan, who was packing some snacks for General Lu, looked up and said, “Grandpa, they’re still so young. If you buy them something, they’ll probably break it in a few days.”

Bag and Zhuzhu were too young to understand the meaning of toys. Some toys they simply threw away, while others they would try to chew on.

General Lu laughed, “Let them break it then. Next time, Grandpa will buy them more.”

Wen Nuan placed the items on the octagonal table and said, “Don’t spoil them. When they start asking you for this and that, you’ll regret it.”

General Lu had always been very frugal. Uncle Zhao mentioned that he had worn the same cotton jacket for forty years, and his sweaters were from thirty years ago.

However, children’s toys were indeed expensive, especially in Beijing. Many of them were imported, which made them even more costly.

“What regret?” General Lu said as he rocked the child in his arms. “How much money could it be?”

He added, “Besides, if they break, Grandpa will fix it for you.”

Uncle Zhao chuckled as he packed his luggage. “That’s right, your Grandpa can even fix airplanes. If they break, just have him repair them.”

Wen Nuan shook her head helplessly as she listened to the elders’ conversation.

Not long after General Lu left the North, he actually sent Lele another doll.

Lele now had a new doll again and immediately started asking Wen Nuan to make new clothes for it.

With nothing else to do, Wen Nuan happily found something to keep herself occupied and made three dresses for Lele’s new doll in one go.

Just a few days after the New Year, good news came from Comrade Yang Xiaomei of the Kitchen Unit—she was getting married.

As soon as Gu Qinghan entered the door, she grumbled, “Yang Xiaomei is driving me crazy! She told me I was her best friend, yet she didn’t even tell me she was dating anyone, and now she suddenly says she’s getting married!”

Wen Nuan and Lele were folding clean diapers together when they heard Gu Qinghan’s complaint. Wen Nuan teased her, “Why don’t you and Daxiang get married too? You’ve already filed your dating report, so it’s only a matter of time before you two get married.”

Lele, hearing this, looked up at Wen Nuan with her shiny black eyes and giggled. “Mom, I want to get married too!”

Just then, Gu Qinghan returned home, furrowing his brows as he looked at the group of them. He asked coldly, “Who wants to get married?”

Wen Nuan: “…”