Chapter 10 – Following to the Army

He glanced at his wife’s back and let the corners of his lips curve slightly.
“Wife, I’ll do the cooking.”

When Lu’s mother came home, the young couple was in the kitchen, all lovey-dovey.

“Jinyuan, you’re back!” Lu’s mother’s face lit up the moment she saw her son.

“Mom,” Lu Jinyuan greeted.

Lu’s mother stepped forward, looking him over carefully. Her eyes soon filled with tears.
“You’ve lost weight, and you’re darker, too.”

It was clear from one look that he had endured plenty of hardship on this mission.

Lu Jinyuan gently wiped away her tears.
“Mom, I’ve made you worry.”

“You! Going on missions without even sending a telegram to the family—do you know how worried we’ve been?” Lu’s mother couldn’t help giving him a light swat.

His brow furrowed.
“You didn’t get the telegram?”

“We never received anything. You said you’d come back for Niannian in a month, but you didn’t. Later, when she was in her third month of pregnancy and you still hadn’t returned, I called the army base and learned you were away on a mission,” Lu’s mother explained.

“When I had just returned to base, they sent me on an emergency mission. It was so sudden I asked a comrade to send the telegram for me.”

Lu Jinyuan’s lips pressed into a thin line.

Neither Ran Jinniang nor Lu’s mother had expected that.

“Maybe your comrade forgot?” Lu’s mother wondered aloud.

“Impossible.”

Lu Jinyuan knew Lin Beixiao’s character—he would never do such a thing. He’d only know what really happened once he was back at base.

Dinner.

A big pot of fragrant chicken soup and fresh greens.

Lu’s mother brought a large bowl of soup to the Ran family downstairs. When they heard Lu Jinyuan was back, they said they’d come up in a bit.

But Lu Jinyuan wouldn’t hear of his in-laws coming up—after dinner, he and Niannian went down instead.

“Jinyuan, you must have suffered a lot on this mission,” Ran Demin said, feeling a pang of sympathy for his son-in-law.

Standing tall, Lu Jinyuan replied,
“Dad, it’s my duty.”

Wang Xiumei brought out sunflower seeds and peanuts.
“Jinyuan, you’ll be away for several months again this time. Niannian’s pregnant—will she still follow you to the army base?”

Originally, the plan had been for Niannian to follow him after the wedding.

But now that she was expecting, the family naturally needed to discuss it again.

“She’s heavily pregnant, and you’re busy all the time. Who will take care of her at the base? She should just stay home,” Lu’s mother said, thinking of her son’s busy duties and the lack of time to look after Niannian.

Wang Xiumei agreed.
“Here at home, she’s got so many people to care for her. After the baby’s born, she can follow you.”

Everyone chimed in, one after another, insisting she should stay home.

“Enough. Let’s hear what Jinyuan says,” Ran Demin interjected.

“I’ll take her to the base,” Lu Jinyuan said at last.

He had come back for the sole purpose of bringing his wife to the army base—pregnant or not, that hadn’t changed.

“But she’s heavily pregnant. The trip will be hard on her, and once she’s at the base, what will she do when you’re away?” Wang Xiumei felt he wasn’t thinking it through.

“Mom, the medical care at the base is far better than here in town. It will be safer for her to give birth there.”

That silenced the room for a moment.

Medical facilities here were still underdeveloped; the base’s would certainly be better.

“When Niannian’s at the base, I’ll submit a request to stay off missions for six months,” Lu Jinyuan added.

Niannian was already nearly seven months along—just a little longer and she’d give birth. After confinement, things would be much easier.

Wang Xiumei’s eyes widened.
“Is that even allowed?”

“If a pregnant family member has no one to care for her, the base prioritizes her wellbeing,” he explained.

The family looked torn.

“Niannian, what do you think?” Wang Xiumei finally asked her daughter.

Niannian looked at Lu Jinyuan, her voice firm.
“I’m willing to follow him.”

She didn’t want to be apart from him for so long. The child needed their father, too.

The base might be a harsher place, but she had her spatial storage—and she had Lu Jinyuan. Seeing her resolve, everyone respected her choice.

Lu’s mother thought for a moment.
“When you give birth, I’ll take leave to care for you.”

“No need, I’ll go,” Wang Xiumei countered.

The two mothers immediately began arguing.

“Mom, neither of you needs to take leave. When she gives birth, I’ll be on leave,” Lu Jinyuan said, ending the debate.

He had hurried back to fetch his wife and couldn’t delay—he needed to return to the base soon.

Which meant—

They would leave tomorrow.

Wang Xiumei hastily packed some things for her daughter.

Lu’s mother prepared several large bags as well.

“That’s too much. I need to take care of Niannian,” Lu Jinyuan said, thinking only of his wife’s comfort.

Niannian whispered, “Don’t worry. I have my space.”

That reminded him of the treasure she carried.

The next day.

The families escorted them to the station, repeating their instructions over and over.

It was the first time Ran Demin and Wang Xiumei were parting from their daughter since she married, and now she was heavily pregnant—they couldn’t help but get teary-eyed.

Lu’s mother was equally worried, holding Niannian’s hand and reluctant to let go.

Not one person looked at Lu Jinyuan.

Lu Jinyuan: “…”

“I’m leaving with Jinyuan now. You should head back,” Niannian said, her heart heavy. But she was married now, with her own family—she had to begin her new life.

Only after the couple boarded did the families reluctantly head home.

“Wife, lean on me, you’ll be more comfortable.”

Lu Jinyuan stowed the bags away.

He had meant to store them in her space, but with both families giving them gifts, he had to carry them for now.

“I’m fine.” Niannian’s pregnancy hadn’t brought her any major discomforts.

After more than an hour’s bus ride, they reached the county seat.

Jinyuan had been worried she might feel unwell, but she seemed in great spirits.

Before catching the train, they found a secluded spot where Niannian stored everything in her space.

Jinyuan now carried only one large backpack.

At the train station, he held her hand with one arm and kept the crowd from so much as brushing against her.

She nibbled on a peach-flavored shortbread as they boarded.

He had booked a soft-sleeper berth so she could both sit and lie down comfortably.

The train slowly pulled out.

“Wife, I’ll go get some hot water,” Jinyuan said, taking the kettle.

Sitting on the berth, Niannian watched his tall figure and gently touched her belly.

In this life, she would live well.

When he returned with hot water, he made her a cup of malted milk.
“Wife, have a little to tide you over.”

She had already eaten several shortbreads, so after half the cup, she couldn’t drink anymore.

“Husband, I can’t finish it.”

He took the cup without hesitation and drank the rest himself.

“Wife, take a nap. It’s still early,” he said, moving to help her lie down.

“I can do it myself,” she said, patting his hand.

He still thoughtfully pulled the blanket over her once she lay down.