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Wang Qian was curious about the senior leader they were talking about, so she quietly asked Old Master Wu. He discreetly shared a name with her. However, when Wu Changyong noticed the strange look in her eyes, he couldn’t help but ask, “Qianqian, why are you looking at me like that?”
Wang Qian just smiled and said, “Hehe, both grandfathers, you will have great blessings in the future. Just wait patiently. But we can’t rush things. Some people and things have their ups and downs, but in the end, everything will be fine.”
Zuo Zhanshan was surprised by her words and looked at her with a probing gaze. “Girl, why can’t Grandpa understand your words?”
Wang Qian just chuckled. She had already said enough for the day. “Grandpa Zuo, Buddha says some things cannot be said. You’ll understand in the future. Don’t forget, I am a clever child.”
The two old men chuckled. “You’re still keeping us in suspense. Bring us some wine. We want to have a good drink tonight.”
The arrival of Zuo He and his brothers brought a joyful atmosphere to the house. Xiao Xiang and the others visited the Wang family every day. Zuo He brought organic glass from the north for Mingyuan and Wang Qian, which emitted a strong fragrance when rubbed.
Now Mingyuan found something fun to show off every day, attracting a group of friends who eagerly sought to catch a whiff of the organic glass fragrance.
It was something they didn’t usually see, and Mingyuan was now the center of attention. If anyone wanted to smell the fragrance, they had to listen to him and join in the game.
During the New Year, Wang Zhenhe finally fulfilled his promise. He sold a pig and slaughtered a fat one at home. There was a feast of pork, and even those who didn’t slaughter pigs ran over to buy a few pounds of meat to take home for the New Year.
On the third day of the lunar new year, Zhang Lan took Zuo He and his brothers to her parents’ house. Zuo Yu also satisfied his appetite before returning. Zhang Lan made sure to gather some items for them to take back and enjoy.
The time together was always brief. On the fifth day, Xiao Lin came as promised to take Zuo He and his brothers back. Zhang Lan and Hao Lianchun had packed several bags for them. When they saw Xiao Lin, both of them felt a bit embarrassed.
“Aunt, it’s okay. We don’t need help when getting on the bus. Besides, Zuo Hao and the others can help carry things,” Xiao Lin assured them.
After the family saw off Zuo He and his brothers, the elderly lady shed tears. She didn’t know when she would see her grandsons again.
“Grandma Zuo, you’ll see them again soon. It won’t be long,” Wang Qian reassured her.
The elderly lady took it as a young girl’s attempt to comfort her. Only Wang Qian herself understood that the spring of the Zuo family was about to arrive. The deployment of the senior leader would undoubtedly lead them back onto their life’s paths. Perhaps in the not-too-distant future, the elderly men in their family would each depart from this place.
After the lively festivities of the New Year, the house quickly resumed its calm demeanor. Her heart felt somewhat empty. Having spent so much time with the elderly men, she had come to regard them as her own family. Anyone would feel saddened at the sudden absence of so many loved ones.
After the New Year, Zuo Zhanshan and Wu Changyong continued to train their female militia. Wang Qian and Wang Zhenhe made several trips to the city for business, selling off everything they could from the property and earning quite a sum. Wang Qian instructed Zhang Lan not to touch this money, as she had future plans for it.
Zhang Lan listened to her daughter, believing that the girl’s decisions greatly contributed to the family’s betterment. She had long noticed that her youngest daughter never did anything meaningless, and even managed to avoid skipping school. As a result, she had immense trust in her daughter’s words.
“Qianqian, apart from our daily expenses, I’ll keep this money safe for you. Let me know when you need it,” Zhang Lan assured her.
As life returned to normal, with spring awakening all things, the grass outside the Wang family’s gate had begun to sprout tender new shoots. Unexpectedly, a group of people in jeeps and cars arrived by the gate.
A group of soldiers alighted from the vehicles, and to everyone’s surprise, the elderly men and Wu Changyong walked into the courtyard surrounded by this entourage.
Zhang Lan and Wang Zhenhe were at a loss at the sight of such a grand procession. “Uncle Zuo, Uncle Wu, what’s going on? What are all these people here for?” Zhang Lan inquired.
At that moment, Zuo Zhanshan and Wu Changyong wore joyful smiles. “Zhenhe, don’t be nervous. These people used to be under my command. They are here today on the orders of the senior leader to escort us back. Wu, it’s the day I’ve been waiting for,” Zuo Zhanshan said.
Hao Lianchun spotted an old guard, Xiao Chen, among the group. His face lit up with joy. “Xiao Chen, come on in, all of you.”
“Hello, sir,” the group greeted Hao Lianchun with a military salute. She nodded in response, inviting everyone inside, “You don’t need to be so formal here at home. Come on in and have a seat.”
Zuo Zhanshan and Wu Changyong then beckoned the couple into another room. “Zhenhe, we can’t stay here for long this time. There’s an urgent military matter, so we need to leave today. We’ll have lunch with the kids at noon, and then we must go. If you ever need anything, come find us. I’ll have your aunt write to you with our address. This time, Lao Cui and Lao Zhou will also come with us. They were specifically requested by the senior leader. As for Old Chen, there will likely be news about his situation in the future. He’ll be the only one left here. Take good care of him,” Zuo Zhanshan instructed.
The couple nodded. They knew that the elderly men were leaving to attend to important matters, and they didn’t truly belong there. While happy for them, they also felt a tinge of sadness.
“Uncle, if you need to leave in a hurry, we won’t keep you. If you get a chance, come visit again. I’ll go prepare the meal. Zhenhe, help pack up,” Zhang Lan said.
Hao Lianchun arranged for the newcomers to sit in Zhang Lan’s house and then joined in to help pack their belongings. There wasn’t much to take, mostly just the clothes they had brought.
When Hao Lianchun entered the kitchen, Zhang Lan was in tears. “Silly child, why cry? I’m not leaving forever. If it wasn’t urgent, I’d want to stay here longer. Stop crying. We’ll see each other again. Once we’re settled, you can bring the kids to visit. Honestly, I’ve grown so accustomed to being here. It’s really hard to leave,” Hao Lianchun said as she wiped her tears and added more wood to the stove.
Hao Lianchun, feeling emotional, hugged Zhang Lan. “Lan, I see you as my own daughter. As they say, all good things must come to an end. It’s our time to leave. Take care of yourself. This family can’t be without you. When things become unbearable, don’t endure it. If you suffer, the children will suffer. Try to avoid getting involved with your in-laws, except for your elder brother and sister-in-law. Remember, if you need anything, send us a message.”
As the two cooked, they shared their feelings.
After school, Wang Qian and the others learned that the elderly men were leaving. The prepared elderly men reported in, and Old Chen was also arranged to stay at the Wangs’ house.
During their final meal together, everyone’s spirits were low. The impending departure weighed heavily on them. Wang Qian mechanically ate her food, her eyes filled with tears.
“Grandpa Zuo, don’t forget to write to us when you get back. If we ever get the chance, my siblings and I will come to see you. If you’re craving something, let us know in your letters. I’ll send it over to you,” Wang Qian said.
Each of them felt the pain of parting. They shared a common bond and found a ray of hope in the Wang family. This family was their last bit of sunshine in despair, the final straw in drowning waters—warm and comforting, enough to sustain them in their memories for a lifetime.
“Wang Qian, don’t be sad. Grandpa will write to you after he returns. When you grow up, you can visit Grandpa’s house with your siblings. I’ll take you out for good food and buy you nice clothes,” Zuo Zhanshan said soothingly. Zhang Lan wiped away her tears and went to refill the dishes at another table.
Mingyuan and Wang Xuan quietly served the elderly men. Old Chen couldn’t bear it any longer. “Don’t be sad, children. When they leave, you still have Grandpa Chen here with you. Let them visit us when they can, and bring us nice treats.”
As the other elder men left, Old Chen felt a sense of unease being left alone. Despite his ungrateful children, he was fortunate to have a good grandson who frequently wrote to him. He missed home, even though his wife was no longer there. He longed to stay in the courtyard where they had once shared beautiful memories.
Seeing the mixed emotions on Old Chen’s face, Zuo Zhanshan understood his struggle.
“Old Chen, don’t worry. Your situation will likely be resolved soon. Think about how unlikely it is for us to have come together like this. It can’t be just a coincidence. Someone probably arranged this intentionally to protect you. So, just wait for the good news. Even if no one helps you, we will take care of it. We’ll make sure you can go back and visit your wife’s grave. Even though she’s passed away, you should see her resting place and know that you’re doing well,” Lao Zuo reassured.
Old Chen had pondered over this before. How had he ended up with these people? He couldn’t figure it out. He was just a teacher with no significant background or high-ranking connections. He couldn’t guess who might have helped him. Perhaps it was one of his former students. He really couldn’t say.
After the elderly men departed, Hao Lianchun decided to leave the house in the city to the Wang family, providing a place for the children to stay when they attended high school.