008. Give Me Your Hand

The family of four sat around the table.

“This time I only took a week off. Yesterday, I borrowed a car from a comrade to help with the move. We can pack today and the day after tomorrow we’ll be done.”

The tone shifted; Lu Qingyan became very serious on this topic.

“Daddy, are we really moving?” Dabao looked at him, thinking his father was joking.

After all, when he was little, Grandma Heye had said many times that Daddy would bring them home, but it never happened.

Still, if he really could live together with Daddy and Mommy, he was willing.

“Yes, I’ve discussed it with your mother.”

Lu Qingyan had returned this time with that exact purpose. If he delayed any longer, he couldn’t guarantee when he would next have the chance to come back.

Although Wen Shiyang wasn’t from this era, she now had to adapt to the pace of life here.

City life was far better than life in a remote village.

It would also help broaden the horizons and knowledge of the two children.

“Then let’s not waste time. Start packing today.” Wen Shiyang was decisive; she didn’t like dragging things out.

Seeing her support, Lu Qingyan felt more confident.

Early the next morning, the house was bustling with activity as they packed, attracting the curious eyes of villagers.

Lu Qingyan wasn’t born in this village. He was from the Nanjiang area. His parents had died in a flood while rescuing others. He survived because an uncle from the same village put him on a wooden raft.

Afterward, he wandered north, eventually arriving at this village, where he was adopted by the widowed Grandma Heye.

Because of the dialect barrier, Lu Qingyan had been introverted as a child, not mingling with other kids.

His days were spent chopping wood, cooking, washing clothes, and farming.

At sixteen, a military officer came to recruit. He applied, and with his outstanding conditions, he was selected.

He spent almost fourteen years in the army.

Villagers once said Grandma Heye had raised an ungrateful child, but they didn’t know Lu Qingyan sent money home every month—two months’ worth equaled a year’s income for some villagers.

Over time, news of his promotions was broadcasted via the village loudspeaker every two months, making the entire town aware that one of their own had become an officer in Beijing.

After that, no one dared to mock Grandma Heye again.

Lu Qingyan wasn’t skilled in much else, but his ability to prove others wrong was impressive.

Because he rarely returned, villagers weren’t close to him. They just observed, not daring to speak.

They didn’t know where his family was moving to, only that they were leaving to start a new life.

Seeing this, envy and admiration filled their eyes.

It was a happy occasion. Lu Qingyan wasn’t stingy—he hosted several tables of banquet for the village cadres, elders, and relatives.

He chose an auspicious time to light large firecrackers, booming and red, louder and brighter than ever before.

The scene was even more lively than past events.

As dusk fell, the noisy courtyard gradually quieted.

Lu Qingyan, slightly drunk, lay on Grandma Heye’s old recliner. The chair was short, making his posture appear especially upright.

Wen Shiyang noticed he wasn’t feeling well today.

Although he hadn’t lived here long, this place still held people he cared about.

This time, he really didn’t know when he’d return.

Maybe, he’d never return.

Wen Shiyang looked at him, rarely seeing such a fragile side of a man.

“Daddy…” Dabao reached for Wen Shiyang’s hand to speak, but she shushed him and shook her head.

She mouthed to him, “Don’t disturb Daddy.”

She rubbed his head and half-crouched down. “Dabao, can you help Mommy go get Xiaobao?”

Dabao nodded happily and ran off.

Wen Shiyang approached Lu Qingyan. When she was about a meter away, Lu Qingyan suddenly opened his eyes, his deep crimson gaze locking onto her.

Wen Shiyang froze in shock.

His eyes were fierce and intense, like a wild beast that had never been tamed.

Years in the army had made constant vigilance a habit.

On the battlefield, a small mistake could cost his life—or that of a comrade.

“You… you’re alright, right?” Wen Shiyang was so startled she couldn’t form a complete sentence.

She would have believed that if he had a sword and she stepped closer, he would strike without hesitation.

His defensive instincts and alertness were beyond normal comprehension.

Crossing his boundary would be as dangerous as death.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Lu Qingyan rubbed his temple in slight frustration.

Looking at Wen Shiyang again, his expression returned to normal, all defenses clearly lowered.

Wen Shiyang didn’t know what he had experienced, but she was certain it must have been something terrifying.

She stepped two more paces forward, extending her delicate hand. “Give me your hand.”

Lu Qingyan didn’t understand but chose to offer it. Wen Shiyang pressed on a specific acupoint, massaging it. “This is the Guan Chong point. It relieves headaches. You drank earlier; pressing this will help.”

She released his hand, then with a serious expression said, “You do it yourself. I’ll go pour you a bowl of water.”

Lu Qingyan watched her retreating figure. She walked with elegance—head high, back straight, proud in her bones.

Only… she hadn’t always been like this.

Shaking his head, he stopped overthinking and obediently pressed the acupoint. He had to admit, it felt surprisingly effective.

Wen Shiyang returned with water, approaching cautiously.

She was afraid this man might accidentally twist her head off—she wasn’t ready to die!

“Here, your water.” She offered it with both hands.

“Thanks.” Lu Qingyan drank it in one go.

Wiping his mouth, he glanced at Wen Shiyang, about to speak when laughter and playful voices came from outside.

“Xiaobao, keep your voice down, Daddy’s sleeping.”

“No! I want Daddy to play with me!”

Lu Qingyan diverted his gaze to the two children, his eyes softening.

“I want Daddy to hold me!” Xiaobao spread her arms and jumped into Lu Qingyan’s lap.

“You’ve gotten heavier lately,” he teased, lifting her effortlessly but acting as if it were a struggle.

“No! Not heavy!” Xiaobao pouted, upset anyone would call her fat.

Lu Qingyan affectionately brushed her cheek. “No, my Xiaobao isn’t heavy. Xiaobao’s the lightest!”

Satisfied, Xiaobao finally smiled.

Dabao ran to Wen Shiyang, looking up at her gentle smile. He tugged her sleeve. “Mommy, I brought my sister back.”

Wen Shiyang looked down, ruffling his hair. “Our Dabao is so good!”

“Hehe~” Dabao, a bit shy, scratched his head and smiled modestly.