Chapter 22 Leaving is for Reunion

Ye Bei almost ate the apple down to the core. Seeing the scene they wanted, Tong Wendong seized the opportunity and let them off, contentedly resuming his drinking game.

Gu Congshuang was put down, feeling dizzy and weak in the legs, leaning weakly against Ye Bei.

Her racing heart finally slowed.

The banquet finally came to a close, guests began to leave one after another. A cool breeze blew, and Gu Congshuang’s flushed face cooled, the heat in her body slowly dissipating. Remembering the earlier scene, she shyly covered her face with her hands.

How could her family possibly understand? Sometimes she really wanted to just disappear.

The next day at the train station, rows of taxis lined up, ready to transport the soldiers.

Things were rushed. Ye Chuan, seeing their happy celebration, couldn’t bear to break the news then and there, so he only informed Gu Congshuang early the next morning that Ye Bei’s unit would be departing at 10 am for the Southwest Military Region.

The soldiers who were laughing and joking yesterday were now steely warriors protecting the nation’s territory.

Gu Congshuang held Ye Bei’s hand tightly, unwilling to let go. But the distant whistle urged them on, and the passing comrades reminded Ye Bei.

The train was about to depart. Yuehai City was more than 2,000 kilometers from Xijiang City, separating them by a vast distance, with no telling when they would meet again.

Gu Congshuang felt a sharp pain in her heart. She hadn’t intended to invest so much emotion, but seeing him about to leave, she felt inexplicably anxious.

“Wait for me, I’ll be back soon, I’m confident.”

This time, Ye Bei disregarded the surrounding gazes, giving Gu Congshuang a big hug.

This time, Gu Congshuang didn’t struggle, instead wrapping her arms tighter around him.

Living with Ye Bei, she had grown accustomed to him sitting in the passenger seat of her car, accompanying her on trips to the mountains and countryside, helping her with her business, waking up early with her, strolling leisurely with her at night. When she was in trouble, he would always protect her.

This story is so cruel! There’s no such person as Ye Bei, and she doesn’t even know what his fate will be. War isn’t a game; it’s brutal. How could she not be worried about his trip to Xijiang?

“You must come back.” She wanted to say that they would get married when he returned, but the trope felt too familiar, like a scene before a character’s death. At this thought, Gu Congshuang inwardly scoffed.

Whatever will be, will be.

“Mm,” a deep voice sounded in her ear, sending a tingling sensation through her eardrums.

“This is for you. Every day I’m gone, you must remember me.”

Gu Congshuang looked down; it was a smooth jade Buddha, a smiling Maitreya Buddha, yet it evoked a slight sadness in her. This jade must be very expensive. Gu Congshuang subconsciously wanted to refuse.

“Don’t move, let me put it on you. With it by your side, it will protect you, as if I were right there with you,” Ye Bei tied the red string around Gu Cong 霜’s delicate white neck.

She felt the heat from his palm, her ears quickly turning red.

The broadcast urged them again. Ye Bei nodded to Ye Chuan and Wang Miaoxue, then released Gu Congshuang’s hand, saluted them, and turned resolutely.

He marched briskly, quickly merging into the crowd, and disappearing among the throngs of people.

…

The Ye family home, located in a secluded area in the north of the city, was a detached villa. The exterior was simple and unadorned, with sweet osmanthus trees planted on both sides. It was early summer; the osmanthus would not bloom until late autumn. From afar, it had a retro feel of the last century.

Gu Congshuang sat on the second floor of the small villa, in the Ye family’s guest room.

The walls were painted a meter high with green paint, and the sofas and chairs were adorned with white tassels, giving off an old Shanghai vibe.

Gu Congshuang carefully sipped her tea. The Ye family home was even quieter than she imagined.

“Old Ye is downstairs in the war room studying the sand table model. He’s used to fighting wars; he doesn’t like my leisurely life of drinking tea and chatting. And I like quiet moments to read. When Xiaobei was home, it was lively, but now it’s too lonely.”

“It would be wonderful if you could come and stay here.”

Gu Congshuang was a little reserved; she wasn’t used to her changed status. Although life at the Ye family would certainly be better than at the Gu family, the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law has always been complicated.

Wang Miaoxue, coming from an educated background, had a refined temperament, quite different from the typical unpleasant mother-in-law. Compared to Li Yuqin, who was about her age, she was worlds apart.

This, however, made Gu Congshuang feel even more restrained, as if even speaking loudly in the quiet old villa was a transgression.

She felt like she was on pins and needles and couldn’t stay long.

Moreover, she still needed to source and sell goods. If people found out that the general’s daughter-in-law was working as a self-employed individual, it would be embarrassing.

“Thank you, Auntie, for your hospitality, but I’m used to living at home…”

“Why are you still calling me Auntie? You received the red envelope for the change of address at the engagement banquet,” Wang Miaoxue said with a slight reproach.

Gu Congshuang hesitated for a moment, then called, “Mom…”

Wang Miaoxue was satisfied. “Good girl, then come and stay here. There are several spare rooms, all for you.”

Gu Congshuang firmly decided against staying overnight; she was still not used to it. Seeing Gu Congshuang’s determination, Wang Miaoxue nodded and didn’t press further.

“There’s plenty of time, no need to rush.”

“Oh, I haven’t introduced you to the children yet…” Wang Miaoxue took a family photo from her desk.

“They’re all on Seagull Island now, being cared for by Grandma Qin and Grandma Lin. It’s quite difficult for them. I initially wanted all four of them to come and live here, so they wouldn’t have to endure the wind and sun on the island, and it would be more convenient for their schooling and future education…”

“But Grandma Qin is the eldest’s grandmother, and Grandma Lin is the youngest’s grandmother. They are both old, and only these two elderly people are left at home. They really can’t adapt to life in the provincial capital, so the four children haven’t come yet. We’ll all live together when Xiao Bei returns…”

Wang Miaoxue carefully observed Gu Congshuang’s expression. She saw that her face was calm, seemingly unconcerned about this matter, but also lacking the expected enthusiasm. For a moment, she began to worry.

The last divorce was also because of these four children. She was afraid Gu Congshuang wouldn’t be able to handle this life either, and they would end up divorced again…

Wang Miaoxue rubbed her forehead; she couldn’t think about it; the thought made her head ache.

Since their divorce, she hadn’t had a day without worrying about Ye Bei’s marriage, afraid that he would remain alone for the rest of his life. How could any parent bear to see that?

Gu Congshuang looked at the family photo in Wang Miaoxue’s hand. Ye Chuan and Wang Miaoxue sat in the center, Ye Bei, in his military uniform, stood behind them, holding a little girl of about two or three years old in each arm.

The little girls had little hair, with two small braids, chubby faces, and looked very cute, like snowballs. Judging from the photo, she was the youngest, probably the fourth child.

The eldest, a boy of about five years old, had a serious expression and wore a small military cap. Although not Ye Bei’s biological son, his posture and demeanor were impeccable, showing his admiration for Ye Bei, mimicking his every move.