Chapter 54.2

Jiang Suihan was trembling with rage as she suddenly woke from her sleep. She sat up, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and the thought of Xu Zhao’s actions in the dream filled her with burning anger. She gritted her teeth and said, “Xu Zhao, just wait until you get back and I will deal with you!”

How could she have such an absurd dream? Was it because she had been thinking about it during the day and it carried over into her dreams?

Or was the dream she had similar to what Wang Lijuan dreamed? Was it a warning from heaven?

Jiang Suihan was perplexed, unconsciously nibbling on her fingernails, trying to sort out her thoughts. The more she thought, the more complicated it became, and her head began to ache.

Then she thought about Xu Zhao. If he were here, she would definitely want to get up and beat him to vent her frustration.

In a forest somewhere on the border, a group of people, disguised, were resting.

“Achoo!” Xu Zhao sneezed, feeling an inexplicable chill.

Zhang Xiangqian laughed loudly at him, “Someone must be thinking about you. You’ve just gotten married and now you’re apart. Maybe sister-in-law is missing you right now. Aren’t you missing her too?”

Xu Zhao glanced at Zhang Xiangqian with a hint of disdain. “Annoying.”

Zhang Xiangqian winked mischievously at Xu Zhao. “Oh, getting shy now? Stop pretending. After sharing a bunk for so many years, who doesn’t know who? Missing your wife isn’t a crime. Some people don’t even have a wife to miss. Be grateful.”

Last night, Zhang Xiangqian had gotten up to relieve himself and happened to see Xu Zhao staying up late, leaning against a tree while holding something. He had sneaked closer and saw that it was a photograph.

He didn’t tell anyone when he returned and laughed to himself as he went to bed. Xu Zhao was really good at pretending; he almost got tricked.

One of the others chimed in, “Yeah, Xu Zhao, you’re really good at pretending. I heard you’re incredibly considerate and gentle with your wife, doing laundry, cooking, and washing dishes. The only thing missing is holding her in the palm of your hand. Compared to how cold and indifferent you were to the girls in the arts troupe, it’s clear that fate can’t be resisted, and even Xu Zhao isn’t an exception.”

He shifted closer, looking a bit embarrassed. However, his dark complexion made it hard to see his blushing face at night.

“By the way, I heard your wife is from the South and is very beautiful. I personally like gentle-speaking, quiet Southern girls. When you go back, could you ask her if she has any unmarried sisters?”

Most people around him were either married or had children already. Previously, he could use Xu Zhao as a shield because both were single and under pressure from their families. But now, Xu Zhao had quietly gotten married, and his shield was gone. His parents had been giving him a hard time, issuing an ultimatum that he must bring someone home by the end of the year, or he wouldn’t be allowed to come back for the New Year.

With only four months until the New Year, he was almost desperate. There were few women in the military, and while the arts troupe had some, he didn’t like their airs.

“Qi Zhengming, didn’t you vow to marry a stunning beauty? Are you changing your mind now and compromising with your family?” Zhang Xiangqian chuckled, looking as if he was enjoying a show.

The three of them were all from the capital. Qi Zhengming and Xu Zhao had grown up in the same courtyard and had known each other since childhood. Qi Zhengming had joined the military after high school because he didn’t do well in his studies and didn’t get into college.

This time, Zhang Xiangqian and Xu Zhao had not initially known they were coming here. They had thought the mission wouldn’t be too difficult, but when they started, they realized the scope was much larger than anticipated. Qi Zhengming had been transferred to the border two years ago and was now here to support their operation, aiming to successfully capture the criminals.

“You know my parents’ impatience. Your daughter is already three, and now Xu Zhao is married. Next year, the baby might already be born. If I don’t hurry, my mom might cut me off. She’s said that if I don’t find a partner this year, I won’t be allowed back for the New Year. It’s really tough.”

Qi Zhengming looked troubled, his brows furrowed, and he gazed at Xu Zhao with hopeful eyes, speaking earnestly, “My future happiness depends on you. Remember to ask your wife when you get back. Thanks.”

“Her family consists only of her and her younger brother. She does have a younger cousin, but she’s still in junior high,” Xu Zhao replied casually.

“Pfft! A junior high student, still underage. Qi Zhengming, you want to be an old bull eating tender grass? That’s against national law, hahaha…” Zhang Xiangqian laughed uncontrollably, unable to contain his amusement. He shook and almost fell over from laughter.

“Xu Zhao, how do you manage to say such humorous things with a straight face? Aren’t you laughing? Is it not funny? Oh, I’m laughing so hard my stomach hurts.”

Qi Zhengming’s face darkened, and he pushed Zhang Xiangqian away with no mercy, gritting his teeth, “You’re the old bull. I’m a year younger than you. As a man approaching thirty, don’t mix with us young people. Go away.”

Zhang Xiangqian retorted, “You and Xu Zhao grew up in the same place, and you both speak the same way. I’m approaching thirty, and so are you. Don’t look down on middle-aged people. Being thirty is a gift of time, a valuable life experience. Don’t you understand?”

After Xu Zhao’s mocking, Zhang Xiangqian felt much better. He thought, whatever, it doesn’t matter if he gets ridiculed. Everyone will be thirty someday, and he’ll get his chance to tease back then.

Qi Zhengming rolled his eyes and said, “‘Gifts from the passage of time’? Who are you kidding? You’ve diluted all the knowledge in your head and are just spouting whatever you learned somewhere, pretending to be profound.”

Zhang Xiangqian stubbornly refused to admit it. Once, while riding the train, he overheard some college students discussing a book, and he remembered a few things out of boredom.

“Enough arguing. Go to sleep, we need to get up early tomorrow,” Xu Zhao said helplessly, rubbing his forehead. Every time these two met, they had to argue. Three years old was the limit.

He had promised Jiang Suihan that he would return in a month, but now that a month had passed, they were still stuck at the border. The difficulty of this mission was much greater than expected, and if everything went smoothly, it might take another half a month.

Xu Zhao looked up through the dappled leaves at the moon. It was his first Mid-Autumn Festival after getting married, and he regretted not being able to spend it with her. He wondered how things were at home, whether Lele was behaving, and if she missed him like he missed her.

“Uh…”

Jiang Suihan turned her head away, visibly repulsed. A strong fishy smell had assaulted her senses, immediately followed by a wave of nausea. The sensation of wanting to vomit but being unable to was particularly uncomfortable.

“Sister, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Jiang Leyun asked, holding a small bucket containing a few tiny fish.

There was a stream to the east of the family compound. It wasn’t very deep, about knee-high, and the children loved playing in the water. Those who were good at swimming could catch small fish and shrimp to add to their meals, though the catches were often sparse due to the high number of visitors.

Today, there was no school, so Jiang Leyun and a few other children went to the stream to catch fish. One child found a small puddle with several fish and shrimp swimming happily, a delightful surprise. The children quietly shared their catch, each beaming with joy, looking forward to adding to their evening meal and expecting praise from their parents.

Excited, Jiang Leyun carried the small bucket home to surprise his sister. However, things went awry right from the start, and the surprise turned into a scare.

The child, worried by his sister’s suddenly pale face, panicked, not knowing what he had done wrong. He dropped the bucket and ran back inside to get her a cup of warm water.

Jiang Suihan took the cup, drank a few sips, and felt slightly better, though still uncomfortable with a lingering heaviness in her chest.

“Are you okay, Sister?” Jiang Leyun asked anxiously, his small face full of concern. He scratched his head, unsure of what to do. At this moment, he felt a strong desire to grow up quickly so he could take care of his sister.

“I’m fine, much better,” Jiang Suihan said, sitting down on a stool and placing the enamel cup on the ground. “Go wash your hands, and then I’ll make fish for you.”

Jiang Leyun, still worried, set up a stool next to her after washing his hands. He rested his chin on his small hands and stared at his sister. Seeing him bored, Jiang Suihan suggested he go upstairs to read a book. The child obeyed, bringing down a language textbook and sitting back on the stool.

Since school had just started, the teacher hadn’t covered much material. Jiang Suihan reviewed what had been taught, and if the child encountered difficulties, she would explain again. Clever children were easy to teach, and he grasped things quickly, leaving no room for her to showcase her teaching skills.

After stretching, she glanced at the sky and began preparing dinner.

Jiang Suihan asked her brother, “How do you want the fish cooked? Fish soup or fried fish?”

There were only four small fish. If it weren’t for Jiang Leyun’s hard work bringing them home, she would have been too lazy to cook. These few fish wouldn’t be enough for two people to eat.

“Fried fish,” Jiang Leyun replied without hesitation. Fish soup was too bland, and fried fish was tastier.

“Okay, then we’ll fry the fish and the shrimp,” Jiang Suihan agreed, picking up the small bucket. The nauseating smell returned, and she furrowed her brow, trying to hold her breath, her face turning red.

She persevered through the discomfort and forced herself to handle the small fish and shrimp. The strong fishy smell was unbearable, and Jiang Suihan had to run aside and vomit.

Jiang Leyun rushed over anxiously, patting her back gently. “Sister, are you feeling unwell again? Do you want some water? I’ll get you a glass.”

Jiang Suihan couldn’t help but feel exasperated. Whether it’s men or little boys, their solution for any discomfort seemed to be drinking more water, as if it could cure everything.