Chapter 23: Lu Zhengan Receives Two Letters

He had planned to request leave after this mission, but that would have to wait.

As the last rays of sunset faded, Lu Zhengan, resolute, headed towards the train station.

At ten o’clock that night, the train slowly pulled into Beijing North Railway Station.

Because there weren’t many trains arriving in Beijing, the train was still crowded, even late at night.

The station was bustling at ten o’clock. Street vendors sold food, and many hungry passengers gathered around them.

Su Yuanyuan bought two corn on the cobs for her children, holding their hands as they left the station.

Beijing in the 1980s lacked the extravagance of her own time but possessed a vibrant energy and cultural depth that Su Yuanyuan found fascinating.

The same place, in different eras, had its own unique charm.

Lu Siyuan and Lu Mingzhu, having spent three years in the village, had never seen such a large city.

“Beijing is so beautiful and big! Is that a car?” Lu Siyuan pointed at a passing sedan, amazed.

“Yes, that’s a car,” Su Yuanyuan looked around.  Taxis weren’t as common then; they’d need to take a bus, but service had stopped for the night.

The streets were quiet except for arriving passengers, and the autumn night was chilly in Beijing.

Su Yuanyuan didn’t know Lu Zhengan’s unit address.

She decided to take her children to the nearest guesthouse.

After securing a small room and locking the door, Su Yuanyuan took her children into her [spatial storage].

The humidity and air were always perfect inside.  Su Yuanyuan rubbed her face, relieved that her skin wasn’t so dry and tight.

Su Yuanyuan reheated the boxed meals she had stored and they ate a warm dinner before bathing.

The children were self-sufficient, so Su Yuanyuan took them to the bathroom to bathe themselves.

After the children were clean, Su Yuanyuan bathed.

She had bought them clean clothes in Bajiao County.

But they would be traveling, and nice clothes would attract attention.  They wore their old village clothes outside and changed in the [spatial storage].

After bathing, Su Yuanyuan was exhausted and put her children to bed.

Just as she was about to close her eyes, Lu Mingzhu whispered,

“Mommy, will we see Daddy tomorrow?”

The children smelled sweet and soft after their bath, like little dumplings. Su Yuanyuan kissed each of them on the forehead.

“Probably not tomorrow.  I don’t know Daddy’s exact unit.  Tomorrow, I’ll find out where his unit is located.”

Technology wasn’t as advanced then, but Beijing was vast, with many military units.

Even mail was sent to a central distribution point, then collected and delivered by unit mail personnel.

Su Yuanyuan had an idea. She could go to the mail distribution point and ask about Lu Zhengan’s unit.

If that failed, she could search each unit. It would take longer, but she could find him.

“Will that be hard for Mommy?  We can’t help you.”

Lu Siyuan was disheartened.  He’d hoped to help his mother on this trip.

But Mommy had handled everything – buying tickets, traveling, and finding accommodation.  They hadn’t been much help.

Su Yuanyuan felt a surge of warmth and hugged her children tightly. Only now, after the train journey, did she truly relax.  Traveling with two children was exhausting.

Thankfully, they had been well-behaved, never crying or fussing, making her heart ache with tenderness.

Both children understood her struggles, making things easier for her.

It was tiring, but fulfilling.  She just hoped their father wouldn’t take them away.

“It will be tiring, but you two were amazing. You stayed close to Mommy, didn’t wander off, and were super good.  Thanks to you, I could focus on finding our way.”

Su Yuanyuan kissed them both on the cheeks, loudly.

Lu Siyuan blushed, muttering, “Mommy, I’m a boy.”

“I’m a girl.  Kiss me, Mommy,” Lu Mingzhu giggled, leaning in.

Su Yuanyuan chuckled at her children’s contrasting reactions.  She felt like she wasn’t raising children but two fragrant, cuddly little bundles of joy; a quick cuddle instantly recharged her.

None of them slept well on the train. Back in the [spatial storage], they snuggled into the soft bed and quickly fell asleep.

Lu Zhengan returned to Beijing North Railway Station at midnight.

The station was deserted at that hour; even the vendors had gone home.

As he exited the station, Lu Zhengan saw a military jeep.

After greeting the driver, he got in.

“You’re picking me up?” Lu Zhengan sat in the back seat, rubbing his temples.

He’d just finished a mission and had rushed back to Beijing, his eyes showing fatigue.

“I was passing by, and the unit sent me to pick you up.  It’s an urgent mission.  Pack your things tonight; we leave tomorrow at noon for Qingzhou Island.”

Song Han, driving, explained as he turned the jeep onto the road.

He and Lu Zhengan were the same age and had served together on many missions, sharing a deep bond of friendship and camaraderie.

“What’s the situation? Why the sudden mission?”

The mission was unexpected; Lu Zhengan had received no prior notice.

“I don’t know the specifics.  We’re going tomorrow at noon.  Someone will brief us there.”

Silence fell between them.

Both men had served for many years and understood the implications.

High secrecy meant high risk.

“But if this mission goes well, your leave request will be approved.  You haven’t been home in three years,” Song Han glanced at Lu Zhengan through the rearview mirror.

Lu Zhengan hummed in response; he was always taciturn, something Song Han was used to.

They still had a way to go to the military base, so Song Han made small talk.

“Hey, what’s your wife like?  It’s been over three years; I haven’t heard you talk about her.” Song Han was curious.

Lu Zhengan frowned. He barely remembered Su Yuanyuan’s face.

He’d been busy for the past three years and hadn’t thought much about home.

He’d left home soon after marrying Su Yuanyuan and hadn’t seen her since.

Lu Zhengan’s eyes flickered; he realized this wasn’t right.

Seeing Lu Zhengan’s silence, Song Han mentioned some gossip. “Did you hear? Old Zhang’s wife ran off.  He has a bad temper, reportedly abusive, and often away from home.  No wonder she left.”

Song Han was chatty when discussing gossip. “Speaking of your wife…”

Lu Zhengan’s face darkened. “If you can’t say anything nice, shut up.”

“Hey, Lu, that’s unfair! I just meant you should go home. A woman alone in the village, without her husband, must be tough,” Song Han chuckled at Lu Zhengan’s reaction.

Silence fell again.

After a while, Lu Zhengan spoke. “I’ll go home after this mission.”

They arrived back at the barracks late.  Lu Zhengan showered and slept.

Before dawn, he woke to the reveille, washed, ate breakfast, and packed his gear with his comrades.

After preparing, they boarded a military truck. Beijing wasn’t far from Qingzhou Island; they’d arrive in a few hours and start immediately.

Just as he finished packing, someone called for him.

“You have two letters,” Song Han handed him two envelopes.

“Letters?”

Noticing Lu Zhengan’s surprise, Song Han explained, “From home.  Sent separately.  Is something wrong?”

Besides requests for money, letters from home were rare. Lu Zhengan had many friends, but he hadn’t corresponded with anyone recently.  Two separate letters from home likely meant trouble.

Thinking of Su Yuanyuan’s poor health, Lu Zhengan frowned and went to open the top letter.

Song Han waited respectfully; it was none of his business.

The first letter was from Lu Zhengan’s family. The opening line stated that his wife had been restless, that the family had been suspicious of her, and that she’d run off with a lover, stealing everything.

The rest detailed their financial hardship and urged him to repay the stolen money.