Chapter 14

The He family was wealthy. Even during turbulent times, they had never been much affected. Since they all preferred peace and quiet to noise, they had built a villa on the outskirts of the city. With cars at their disposal, traveling was never inconvenient.

In this era, taxis didn’t exist, so Bingning had to call home and ask her family to pick her up.

Most communication was still through letters; telephones in private homes were rare. If you wanted to make a call outside, you had to go to the post office. But it was expensive, so ordinary people almost never did it.

He Bingning didn’t care. She had never lacked money. From childhood, she had been accustomed to spending freely.

At the post office, she gave the staff her home number, and they placed the call for her. Afraid her message might not be passed along clearly, she kept it short: she was at the train station, waiting for her family to come pick her up.

The clerks looked at her in surprise. Usually the people who used the service were calling abroad; they had never seen anyone like her—phoning home just to summon a car. A true young lady’s behavior.

But Bingning didn’t care what others thought. She had traveled all this way alone with two babies in her arms—already brave and responsible enough.

While waiting, she bought herself a bottle of orange soda. Carrying two babies had been hard work; she deserved a little reward.

By now it was past ten o’clock. The sun was bright and harsh, so she tugged up the babies’ little blankets to shield them from the glare.

Before her rebirth, she had abandoned these two children. Now, if looking after them was exhausting, it was only right—and she found joy in it.

The train station was a lively place. Though there were still few cars, bicycles were everywhere, with people coming and going. Street vendors lined the sidewalks, hawking all kinds of goods. The air was filled with the bustle of ordinary life.

Watching the crowds, Bingning thought about finding something to do for herself. As a military wife, she had opportunities for a job placement, but they were limited and highly competitive, and she had no interest.

Besides, no one in her family worked regular jobs. She doubted she could adapt to the routine of clocking in and out every day. A small business seemed more suitable.

China was already in the early days of reform and opening. Free trade was allowed. Business was the real way to keep up with the times.

Soldiers were not permitted to engage in business—but military wives could.

And Bingning had a trait: if she did something, she had to do it well. If she went into business, she wouldn’t be content with petty trading. She wanted to open her own factory.

As she was lost in these thoughts, her brother and sister-in-law arrived.

A foreign-imported Mercedes pulled up in front of her, instantly drawing the attention of passersby.

Whispers spread through the crowd: “Which big boss is this?”

But Bingning remained calm. This car was nothing unusual for their family—after all, they also owned a Rolls-Royce.

The door opened, and a man in a suit stepped out. Smiling, he pretended to scold: “Little sister, you’re far too reckless. What if something had happened while you came out on your own—especially with two children? You’re really something.”

Bingning pouted. “I’m a military wife. What could possibly happen? As long as there are soldiers around, I’m safe.”

He Qirong blinked in surprise, then chuckled. “Impressive—you’re calling yourself a military wife now.”

When Grandpa had arranged her marriage to a soldier, she had been completely unwilling, crying and making a scene, even threatening a hunger strike. Yet now, she called herself “military wife” with pride.

She was still just a young girl at heart, her moods changing so quickly.

“Come on, let me hold my two nephews,” He Qirong said, reaching out for the babies.

Bingning stuck out her tongue playfully. “It’s one nephew and one niece, brother. Don’t get it wrong~”

At that moment, her sister-in-law Liu Han also stepped out of the car. Dressed in a beige business suit, styled like a Hong Kong star, she was the picture of fashionable elegance. The moment she saw Bingning, her smile bloomed.

“Bingning, why didn’t you have your brother pick you up from the base?” she asked.

“I wanted to get out on my own and clear my head a little~” Bingning answered sweetly.

With her brother and sister-in-law, she could relax and play the role of the pampered little sister.

“And Gu Huai? Why didn’t he come with you?” Liu Han asked.

“My husband has a mission. He can’t leave the base whenever he wants. But I missed home, so I came by myself~” Bingning said honestly.

Hearing her call Gu Huai “my husband,” He Qirong and Liu Han exchanged a smile. Clearly, their little sister had accepted the officer in her heart.

The He family was very satisfied with Gu Huai. Handsome, young, already a military officer with a promising future, and above all, serving the nation.

A military marriage also came with legal protections. With Bingning’s naïve, headstrong temperament, if she married someone else and was bullied, what then?

And with the He family’s wealth, any other in-laws might have ulterior motives.

Grandfather’s intention had been clear to everyone: to secure for Bingning a lifelong, reliable partner.

“The sun’s too strong—let’s get in the car,” Liu Han said. “We can talk more on the way.”

“Mm!” Bingning nodded obediently.

People often said sisters-in-law were prone to conflict, but Bingning felt hers was the best in the world. Liu Han always considered her feelings, constantly sending her clothes and snacks.

Before the marriage, Bingning had despised Gu Huai for being an orphan. She had kicked up a huge fuss, but Liu Han had gently counseled her: Not having a mother-in-law isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Mothers- and daughters-in-law are natural enemies; only the lucky few meet good ones. Living with just your husband in the military compound, building a quiet life together—that’s happiness.

But Bingning hadn’t understood her sister-in-law’s good intentions. She had even argued back, accusing her of selfishness—saying that because Liu Han had a good mother-in-law, she didn’t want Bingning to have one. The quarrel had driven Liu Han to tears in secret.

Later, when Bingning really did encounter a vicious mother-in-law, she finally understood her sister-in-law’s words.

But Liu Han had never held a grudge. She continued treating Bingning with the same warmth as before.

Thank goodness for this second chance. Now, all the mistakes could be undone.

In the car, Bingning nestled against Liu Han’s arm like a spoiled child and said sweetly, “Sister-in-law, you treat me the best—just like a real sister!”

Liu Han smiled. “Well, of course. I married your brother when you were only four. Now, in the blink of an eye, Yuncheng is already fifteen.”

He Yuncheng was their son—Bingning’s nephew. They had sent him abroad for school at an early age. According to their plan, he would eventually settle overseas.

Bingning had always thought them a bit ruthless. Such a young child, living alone in a foreign country—even unable to return home for New Year’s.

But of course, they must have had their own reasons. She couldn’t judge them.

After a pause, she said, “Once we’re home, I’d like to call Yuncheng. Just to chat.”

Military phones couldn’t be used casually, but the He family’s home line was unrestricted—she could talk as long as she wanted.

“After lunch, you can talk as long as you like,” Liu Han said with a warm smile. “Yuncheng always asks about your husband when he calls. Now that you’re back, you can tell him all about it—he’s such a curious boy.”

“Perfect~” Bingning answered, snuggling happily against her sister-in-law’s shoulder.