Chapter 12

After dinner, Yang Qiujin went to the brigade headquarters to ask for leave from the brigade leader.

Since her husband had returned, home visit leave was limited. Whether she liked it or not, she had to ask for leave to set an example for the others with ulterior motives in the production team and spend more time with Chen Shengqing.

Upon returning home after asking for leave, Yang Qiujin found Chen Shengqing hammering away in the hut. When he saw her, he raised his chin and said, “Give me the lamp.”

There was a brand new pear-shaped lightbulb on the ground. Yang Qiujin handed it to him. He installed it in the socket above his head, tightened it, and then pulled the fishing line to make a light cord. With a click, the dark hut lit up with a dim light.

Yang Qiujin raised her eyebrows. Not long after she left, Chen Shengqing noticed the broken light in the hut, went to the supply and marketing cooperative, and bought a bulb to repair it. This man’s ability to act was truly impressive.

The light in the hut had been out of order for years. At first, Yang Qiujin thought it was broken, so she bought a new one and installed it, but it still didn’t light up. She replaced the bulb, but it still didn’t work. Eventually, she realized there was an issue with the circuit in the hut.

She was a strong-willed person and could handle most tasks herself, but she didn’t understand the circuit and couldn’t ask her second uncle for help. There was no electrician in the brigade, only the commune had one, and the fee was high. Li Xiu’e was very frugal, so their family used kerosene lamps and rarely turned on electric lights. The light had remained broken for five years.

But now, after half a day of returning home, Chen Shengqing had started fixing things without a word. When Yang Qiujin returned, she saw that the water tank in the yard was full—he had washed the dishes after lunch.

Yang Qiujin’s view of Chen Shengqing softened. It was different with a man around the house. She straightened her back as if she had found a protector.

Chen Shengqing worked tirelessly the entire afternoon, fixing various things around the house. He repaired the leaking roof, mended broken tables and chairs, fixed the crumbling yard wall, and even cleaned the chicken coop.

Yang Qiujin sat outside reading a book, watching him work, and occasionally helping him. Life was much easier now compared to when she had to do everything alone.

If only Chen Shengqing could stay at home forever…

But as soon as this unrealistic thought crossed her mind, Yang Qiujin shook her head to dismiss it.

It wasn’t that Chen Shengqing liked her. If he stayed, they would see each other every day and might get tired of one another. It would be better if he wasn’t home, and she could live in peace by herself.

To give her son and daughter-in-law time to themselves and strengthen their bond, Li Xiu’e went to visit an old aunt after lunch.

Chen Shengqing worked until the sun began to set. He figured Tianyou would soon finish school, so he went back to his room, changed into a clean military uniform, and combed his hair. Then, he walked into the yard and asked, “Do you want to come with me to pick up Tianyou from school?”

Yang Qiujin looked him up and down. “Why, did you dress up just to see Tianyou?”

Chen Shengqing nodded. “It’s my first time meeting a child. I want to make a good impression on him.”

Yang Qiujin bitterly thought to herself, “He’s truly a jerk. The child is more important to him than me. He even dressed up to meet him, but never did the same for me.”

Yang Qiujin muttered, “How fussy.”

Chen Shengqing had excellent hearing. When he heard her, he pointed to his smooth chin and said, “Before I came home, I specially booked a guesthouse in the county, took a shower, shaved, and changed into clean clothes. I just wanted to leave a good impression on you and mom. I didn’t think you would like my untidy appearance.”

The man had tall shoulders and long legs, and in his military uniform, he looked even more handsome. Although Yang Qiujin didn’t feel much romantic attraction to him, she had to admit he was quite good-looking. His face alone could make her eat two more bowls of rice.

If he were untidy, she would definitely dislike him.

Seeing she didn’t say anything, Chen Shengqing reached out to hold her hand. “Let’s go pick up the child.”

“What are you doing!” Yang Qiujin instinctively pulled her hand away from his strong grip. Realizing she had overreacted, she added calmly, “Right now, the little red soldiers^[1]refers to youth members in China during the Cultural Revolution. are arresting men and women with inappropriate behavior. If two young men and women walk too closely, they might be arrested and questioned. Although we are husband and wife, it’s inappropriate for us to be seen walking together. We should walk separately.”

Chen Shengqing gazed at her, his eyes dark and filled with unspoken thoughts.

He said nothing and walked ahead.

Yang Qiujin felt uneasy under his gaze. She wanted to explain, but then felt it wasn’t necessary. So, she locked the gate and followed him.

The Pioneer Brigade ^[2]refers to a collective farming unit in rural China. looked beautiful in the evening. The sky was filled with colorful clouds, and the fields near the village were golden with rapeseed flowers, arranged in neat rows. Under the sunset, it looked like a beautiful ink painting.

Most members worked in the fields until it was dark. Some carried manure buckets, some worked the land, and others repaired the canals.

The road to the commune primary school passed through these fields. As Chen Shengqing and Yang Qiujin walked along the field ridges, members of the commune stopped working and greeted Chen Shengqing.

Chen Shengqing responded patiently along the way, and when they arrived at the commune primary school, it was time for school to end.

The school principal stood in the small playground, ringing a handheld oval bell to signal the end of class. A group of children ran out of the classrooms.

Chen Shengqing immediately recognized the good-looking child running in front as his son. He turned to Yang Qiujin uncertainly and asked, “Is that Tianyou?”

“Yes,” Yang Qiujin nodded and waved to Tianyou, motioning him to come over.

“Mom!” Tianyou saw that it was his mother picking him up today. He ran over quickly, throwing himself into Yang Qiujin’s arms, his eyes sparkling. “Mom, how come you’re picking me up today?”

“Because your father is back, mom and dad are here to pick you up.”

As the accountant of the Pioneer Brigade ^[3]refers to the administrative team of a collective agricultural production group., Yang Qiujin didn’t need to work in the fields and could work anytime. However, she avoided gossip from the villagers by working when they weren’t around, leaving Li Xiu’e to pick up Tianyou most of the time.

“Dad?” Tianyou’s eyes widened, and he looked up at the man standing next to her. The man was tall and wore a military uniform, looking very strong. Tianyou asked in disbelief, “Mom, didn’t the aunties in the village say my dad was dead?”

“Who said I’m dead?!” Chen Shengqing walked up to him, a stern look on his face. “Who are those aunties spreading rumors?”

“Are you really my father?” Tianyou asked uncertainly, looking at Yang Qiujin. After seeing her nod, he fell silent.

He had never seen his father. Although his mother and grandmother told him his father was a soldier who served in the frontier troops and was a great man, Tianyou only knew him by name. The word “Dad” felt like that of a stranger to him.

Tianyou had longed for a father who would teach, raise, protect, and play with him. But as he grew older and faced disappointments, those dreams had faded.

Seeing Tianyou silent, Yang Qiujin thought he was embarrassed and pushed him gently. “Tianyou, call me daddy.”

“Hmph!” Tianyou turned his head away and refused to call him “Dad.” He held Yang Qiujin’s hand and said, “Mom, I’m so hungry. Let’s go home quickly. I’m starving.”

Chen Shengqing watched as his son, looking even more handsome than he had at that age, ignored him and dragged Yang Qiujin home. He was stunned for a moment but quickly recovered and followed them.

Yang Qiujin glanced back at him, her bright black eyes full of helplessness. She signaled that it wasn’t her fault if the child didn’t call him “Dad.” She had raised Tianyou well and had explained his father’s existence to him.

Chen Shengqing’s gaze stayed on the mother and son. He wasn’t angry. He walked beside them, matching their pace.

A family of three: a handsome boy and a beautiful woman. The child inherited all the good looks of his parents, and at first glance, they appeared like a family, drawing the attention of other children leaving school.

One child asked curiously, “Chen Tianyou, who is the soldier next to you? He looks so tall and powerful!”

Chen Shengqing had served in the military for many years, and his tough, soldier-like temperament showed, especially in his military uniform. He stood straight, which fascinated the children, especially those who admired soldiers.

When the kids around heard this, they all looked over, including some naughty boys who didn’t usually get along with Tianyou.

“This is my dad,” Tianyou proudly puffed out his chest. “My mom said he’s an officer in the frontier.”

“Oh, then he must know how to shoot a gun, drive a tank, and fire a cannon?” the kids shouted eagerly.

Tianyou wanted to say “Of course,” but he wasn’t sure if his father could really drive a tank or shoot a cannon. He looked up at Chen Shengqing with uncertainty and asked softly, “Dad, can you drive?”

The child who had just refused to call him “Dad” now did so to impress his classmates. Chen Shengqing found it amusing and nodded without hesitation. “I know how to do it.”

“Wow! Uncle is so awesome!” The children’s eyes lit up. They rarely encountered soldiers and were fascinated by the military, especially the boys who loved military equipment. They surrounded Chen Shengqing, asking him about life in the army.

Chen Shengqing enthusiastically answered their questions, sharing what he could. As the kids exclaimed “Wow!” and “Ah!”, he reached out and ruffled Tianyou’s head.

At first, Tianyou resisted, but as Chen Shengqing spoke about fun experiences in the army, he became fascinated and forgot to resist.

When the conversation ended, and the kids gradually left, Tianyou realized he had been lifted by Chen Shengqing.

“Hey? Who are you? Why are you hugging me?” Tianyou struggled.

He was angry at Chen Shengqing for not returning for so many years. He had never even come when he was born. Some naughty children in the village teased him, saying his father didn’t love his mother or him, which was why he stayed away.

Since Chen Shengqing didn’t like their family, Tianyou didn’t want him to hug him either.