Chapter 20 – Jiang Cimo Returned Home on Leave

They would take it one step at a time once Jiang Cimo truly came back.

“I’ll still go read at noon, probably for about two hours.” Xi Youyou informed them. She had only sold vegetables in the morning yesterday because she hadn’t quite gotten used to it.

Today she would go at noon as well.

Her vegetables were fresh, and there were still quite a few people who bought produce at noon. It was just that most people had the habit of buying in the morning, that’s all.

She was too eager—eager to open a Clinic.

She wanted to earn more money.

Staying at home wouldn’t do any good. In any case, whether in the afternoon or evening, Jiang Cimo would return. Xu Xiu would definitely cook for her long-absent son.

So cooking wouldn’t be her responsibility.

That was great.

“Then come back earlier after reading. If he returns early in the afternoon, and I’ve finished cooking, I’ll just wait for you guys.” Xu Xiu didn’t think much about it.

The two babies even raised their fists to her. “Jiayou!”

Looking at the two babies like that, Xi Youyou couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. She nodded to show that she would work hard.

After eating, she went to the market again.

Yesterday morning, her mother-in-law had come to buy vegetables, so she figured she might show up again today. She hid her bicycle in the space, disguised herself slightly, and then pushed her fresh vegetables to the market.

She had just set up her stall when, sure enough, her mother-in-law appeared, basket in hand.

Before she could buy chicken, she had already rushed to Xi Youyou’s stall.

“Little girl, give me some of those radishes, and some potatoes too.” Today, she acted much more familiar.

Xu Xiu still found Xi Youyou somewhat strange, but didn’t think too deeply about it. As long as the vegetables tasted good, what did it matter?

“Sure!”

Xi Youyou weighed the vegetables for her. Xu Xiu smiled cheerfully: “Your vegetables are really flavorful. The soup I cooked with them turned out so sweet and fresh. I’ll keep buying from you!”

“Thank you, auntie!”

Xi Youyou grinned widely. Xu Xiu turned and went off to buy more things. Looking at how her basket was nearly full, Xi Youyou clicked her tongue.

As expected of a son who only came back once in a long while.

He was being treated quite well.

Xi Youyou smiled faintly, not thinking too much about it. She continued selling her vegetables.

She had originally planned to wrap things up early and head home, but the thought of Jiang Cimo returning made her uneasy. In the end, she decided to go home later instead.

If she wasn’t going to sell vegetables, then she might as well read for a bit.

Once her mind was clear, there was no need to dwell on things. Xi Youyou kept shouting to attract customers, and before long, many buyers gathered around her stall. She became quite busy.

Meanwhile—

Jiang Cimo had spent over ten hours on the train. When he saw the familiar city appearing outside the window, a strange sense of joy welled up in his heart.

He was finally almost home—he’d soon see his parents and children.

As a soldier stationed far from home, he had few attachments. The only ones he cared about were his parents and his children.

By afternoon, around four o’clock.

The train arrived at the station without issue. There weren’t many people. Jiang Cimo carried his belongings off the train. His stomach was growling, so he bought a pancake outside the station to curb his hunger. Only after that did he carry his things and start walking home.

He wore a large backpack and carried several bags of food. As an anxious homecoming traveler, he quickened his pace and soon arrived at his front door.

The two children were playing games in the courtyard, Xu Xiu was cooking, and Jiang Fenglin sat in the corner fixing the leg of a chair.

Hearing the noise at the door, all three people in the courtyard looked up.

“Daddy!”

Da Bao and Xiao Bao saw Jiang Cimo and dashed toward him, each hugging one of his legs.

Jiang Cimo looked down at the two adorable children and instinctively set down his things.

“Daddy, carry me! Daddy, carry me!”

“Daddy, give me a hug!”

The two little ones used all kinds of cute tactics to act spoiled. Jiang Cimo reached out and picked them both up. Jiang Fenglin put down his tools and came over to take his things. “You’re back.”

“I’m back.”

The father and son didn’t need to say much—just a simple greeting as they walked inside. Xu Xiu came out of the kitchen, and he sniffed the air, catching a strong delicious aroma.

“Mom.”

He called out, and Xu Xiu responded with a smile stretching across her face. “It’s good that you’re back. It must have been exhausting taking the train this time. Go take a shower and get some rest. Play with the kids for a bit—I’m making soup.”

“I even went and bought an old hen to stew just for you. Drink more of it—it’s good for your health.”

Xu Xiu’s eyes turned red. “You’ve been gone for so long, not coming back all this time. Your father and I missed you so much!”

Jiang Cimo nodded.

“There’s a good meal tonight. I bought fresh vegetables today!” Xu Xiu quickly changed the subject, wiped her eyes, and returned to the kitchen.

Jiang Cimo opened his mouth as if to say something, but held back.

Serving on missions far from home, the only ones he truly let down were his parents and his children.

He could only try to offer them unlimited love and presence in his limited time.

“Go take a rest, have a shower.” Jiang Fenglin also said. “It’s been so hot lately. The train must’ve been stuffy!”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

The two babies nodded their heads. “Daddy, go take a shower first!”

“Daddy, are you tired?”

As they asked, they climbed down from Jiang Cimo’s lap and let him sit down, then one on each side gently massaged his shoulders.

Jiang Cimo couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

Although what had happened back then was a regrettable mistake, and he deeply resented Xi Youyou’s actions, no matter what, she had given him these two adorable children. That part, at least, gave him some peace of mind.

The two children were sweet and considerate—truly comforting.

After sitting for a while, the exhaustion from his journey seemed to melt away.

Jiang Cimo was about to go take a shower, but after glancing around the room and realizing he’d been here for quite a while, he was puzzled that Xi Youyou still hadn’t come out.

He asked: “Where’s Comrade Xi?”

Before Jiang Fenglin could answer, Xiao Bao raised her hand like a little good student. “Comrade Xi Youyou went to the library to read.”

Reading?

Jiang Cimo’s brows furrowed tightly—as if they could crush a fly.

Xi Youyou… reading?

Those two things didn’t go together no matter how you looked at it.

“Uh-huh.” Xiao Bao carefully organized her words. “She’s going to take an exam—for a doctor’s certification. She’s been working really hard lately. She goes to the library every single day!”

As she spoke, Xiao Bao excitedly pulled at Jiang Cimo’s hand, as if trying to prove that Xi Youyou really was putting in effort.

Heh.

Jiang Cimo believed Xiao Bao’s words, but he couldn’t help recalling certain things from the past.

Back then, it was precisely because Xi Youyou had failed the military medical exam and didn’t want to be sent to the countryside that she had schemed against him.

She never had the perseverance to truly study.

If she had, she could’ve gritted her teeth and pushed through. Why wait until this year to go take the doctor’s exam?

Jiang Cimo didn’t want to say anything more about the matter. He just gave a light nod and took the children into the house. “I brought you some snacks. Eat a little now, and I’ll give you something even better later, okay?”

Food could spoil easily, so he had packed it on top.

“Okay!”

The two babies wandered around the room. Jiang Cimo pulled them over. “How have things been lately?”

He hadn’t had a good chance to ask while outside. Now was the right time.