Chapter 59.2

When Jiang Nian returned to the house, the lively sounds from Commander Song’s place had also quieted down.

She sat at her embroidery frame, working on the embroidery. After a while, she heard footsteps, and Lu Yu’s tall figure appeared at the door, making the room feel even smaller. Jiang Nian stitched one more thread before asking, “What do you want to show me?”

She had to look up to see him while sitting on the stool.

Lu Yu squatted down but was still taller than her. He handed Jiang Nian an envelope made of yellowish-brown paper, “Open it and see.”

Jiang Nian opened the envelope and took out the photos. They were black and white, showing only the upper halves of her and Lu Yu. Both were wearing white shirts. Her head was leaning on Lu Yu’s shoulder, and he was slightly leaning towards her.

Despite being black and white, the photo was the most beautiful one Jiang Nian had ever seen.

“Do you like it?”

The man’s voice was low and deep, with a slightly restrained huskiness.

Jiang Nian pursed her lips and smiled, her fingers feeling the texture of the photo as she gently nodded, “I like it.”

Just as she finished speaking, everything suddenly went dark before her eyes. Jiang Nian’s fingers tightened around the photo. She saw her somewhat shocked expression reflected in Lu Yu’s dark eyes. Her teeth were parted, and Lu Yushen’s unique scent swept in like a storm.

Jiang Nian heard him say, “I like it too.”

In the blink of an eye, it was mid-August, and Zhu Jun and Zhang Xiao’s wedding had been held.

Jiang Nian had been waiting for news from Commander Song these days, but instead of receiving a promotion order for him, she heard that Lu Yu was leaving.

Lu Yu left in a hurry, not even saying a word, only asking Zhu Jun to pass on a message.

After the lesson learned from being slandered by Kang Xiu last time, Zhu Jun stood outside the courtyard gate this time: “Sister-in-law, Deputy Commander Lu was taken away by people from the military district in the middle of the night. He didn’t say anything specific, just asked you to stay at home and wait for his call. He’ll find time to call you when he knows when he’ll be back.”

Jiang Nian smiled at the news, “Got it.”

Since Lu Yu left, Jiang Nian had been staying at home doing embroidery, not stepping out. Only Xu Yan and Feng Mei came over to chat with her. After lunch, Jiang Nian went to the private plot to pick some vegetables to pickle at home, as she couldn’t finish them alone.

This time she picked a full basket of vegetables, which made her shoulders and back ache.

At the intersection of the regiment headquarters and the family quarters, she met Song Bai and Tang Ze walking towards her. Song Bai took the basket from her back: “Sister-in-law, I’ll carry it for you.”

Jiang Nian wanted to say it was unnecessary, but Song Bai had already taken it.

Jiang Nian: …

Tang Ze smiled and said, “Younger Sister, I’ll be leaving first.”

Jiang Nian nodded and jogged to catch up with Song Bai. Song Bai put the basket in the yard and looked at Jiang Nian, who was sweating profusely: “Just call me if you need help in the future.”

Jiang Nian nodded gently, “Thank you.”

As Song Bai turned to leave, Jiang Nian called him softly, “Do you know how Lu Yu is doing?”

Song Bai turned and glanced at Jiang Nian. She smiled awkwardly, realizing the question might be hard to answer. Song Bai coughed lightly, “He’s doing well, but I can’t say more.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “Thank you.”

Just knowing that Lu Yu was well was enough for her.

The weather cooled down, and soon it was the end of October, with the evening chill rising from the ground.

Lu Yu had been gone for over two months and hadn’t called once.

Jiang Nian knew he was probably on a mission like last year. These were military secrets, and all she could do was wait at home. Over the past two months, Song Bai occasionally came over to help with heavy tasks she couldn’t manage.

The embroidery was handed over to Deng Ke in mid-September. Now, Jiang Nian was working on another piece, a portrait of an elderly man. It was her first time doing such embroidery. After observing the man’s appearance and expression, she started working. Suddenly, the voice of a military guard came from outside the yard: “Comrade Jiang, there’s a phone call for you at the duty room.”

Jiang Nian almost dropped her needle and ran to the duty room, picking up the phone breathlessly, only to hear Lu Yu’s deep laughter: “Did you run all the way here?”

Jiang Nian smiled, “Yes.”

She pursed her lips and asked softly, “How are you?”

Lu Yu’s voice came through the receiver, magnetic as always: “Very well.”

“Lu Yu—”

Someone called him from the other end, and Lu Yu’s tone instantly became serious and tense: “Jiang Nian, wait for me.”

Then the phone call ended.

Jiang Nian held the phone, dazed for a long time, until the military guard called her back to her senses.

On the way back, she met Sun Ying, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time. Sun Ying was walking with Chen Fang, noticeably plumper, her complexion still fair but her face showing obvious signs of fatigue. She no longer had the previous charming and beautiful appearance, showing symptoms resembling pregnancy.

Jiang Nian remembered that her cousin looked similar when she first got pregnant. How else could someone change so much in two months?

Sun Ying saw the surprise in Jiang Nian’s eyes and immediately turned cold, looking away and leaving Chen Fang behind. Chen Fang greeted Jiang Nian and then chased after her. Sun Ying was pregnant with Tang Ze’s child, and her mother-in-law treasured it, instructing her to take good care.

Jiang Nian: …

What’s her problem?

By mid-November, when they lit the brazier indoors, Commander Song’s transfer order finally arrived.

That noon, Feng Mei came to find Jiang Nian with a face full of joy, inviting her to eat at her house, also calling Xu Yan and the children. Feng Mei made a table full of dishes. The house wasn’t big, and it was a bit cramped with two tables, but it was warm and not too cold.

Feng Mei told Jiang Nian, “Old Song’s transfer order came through. We’re leaving by the end of the month. Old Song needs to report before the New Year.”

Jiang Nian was somewhat surprised, “Leaving so soon?”

Knowing that Feng Mei’s family was leaving at the end of the month, Jiang Nian felt quite reluctant. Xu Yan also felt the same. Commander Song was explaining some things to Song Bai. The children sat at one table, talking about finding each other when they grow up and being friends for life. Jiang Nian suddenly felt a bit melancholy.

Seeing her downcast, Feng Mei nudged her with her elbow: “What’s the matter? Going to miss me?”

Jiang Nian looked up at her, and her eyes suddenly turned red. Feng Mei was stunned and awkwardly smiled, “Oh dear, your tears make me want to cry too. Eat more and wipe your tears.”

Song Bai, hearing this, looked up at Jiang Nian.

She was biting her lip, her bright, beautiful eyes filled with tears, holding her chopsticks tightly as if one more word from Feng Mei would make her tears fall. Song Bai looked down, though he was listening to Commander Song, his thoughts were all on Jiang Nian, and he couldn’t help but want to look at her again.

“Sister Feng, please don’t say anything.”

Jiang Nian sniffled, took a bite of food, and fought back tears.

In the end, Jiang Nian managed to hold back her tears, but Sister Feng cried loudly, looking as if she had been scolded by Commander Song.

Jiang Nian: …

She held back her tears as well.

Commander Song’s head throbbed. He looked at Feng Mei without saying a word. He wanted to say something but couldn’t bring himself to. After all, they had been here for a long time, and suddenly leaving was indeed hard. When Feng Mei cried, several children followed suit, filling the cramped room with sobs of all sizes.

Commander Song: …

He was at his wit’s end.

Feng Mei left on November 30th. It was snowing heavily that morning. Commander Song had already sent most of the large items ahead by mail, so what he had now were just a few clothes. Jiang Nian had brought Feng Mei a camel-colored scarf and smiled, “This is for you.”

“It’s really warm.”

Feng Mei rubbed the woolen scarf against her face. “I’m leaving.”

“Mm.”

Jiang Nian and Xu Yan accompanied Commander Song’s family to see them off. Commander Tang and their group also joined them. Song Xiangdong waved to Jiang Nian, “Aunt Jiang, I’m leaving.”

Song Xianghong also waved, “Aunt Jiang, goodbye.”

Jiang Nian smiled gently, “When I have time, I’ll come visit you.”

Song Xiangdong and Song Xianghong grinned, “Okay!”

Commander Tang and Chen Fang also waved goodbye to them. Zhu Jun drove the family of four away. It wasn’t until the car was far away that everyone gradually dispersed. Xu Yan said to Jiang Nian, “I already miss Sister Feng.”

Liu Jianye’s eyes were red. “Mom, I miss Xiangdong and Xianghong too.”

Liu Jianwu wiped his tears. “Mom, I miss them too. I want to play with Xianghong.”

The snow was heavy, and there was a layer of snow on the road. Several people stepped on the snow, making a “creak” sound.

Commander Song was transferred to Dongshi City, and Donggou County was nearby. According to the plot, Commander Song would encounter an earthquake during his inspection in Donggou County and be crushed to death by a collapsed house. After Commander Song’s death, Feng Mei struggled to raise the children alone.

Jiang Nian’s heart sank, feeling suffocated and unable to breathe.

In the book’s plot, Commander Song died in the winter of 1973. It would be 1973 in just two months, and she didn’t know if it was the beginning or the end of the year.

Seeing Jiang Nian low in spirits, Xu Yan patted her arm. “Don’t be sad.”

Jiang Nian’s eyelashes trembled. She wanted to smile but couldn’t.

She didn’t know when Lu Yu would come back. If he didn’t come back in time, she would go to Dongshi City herself and do whatever it took to stop Commander Song from going to Donggou County.

The footsteps kept crunching, not just hers, Xu Yan’s, and the children’s. Jiang Nian turned back to look.

“Song Bai?”

Jiang Nian blinked. “Why are you here?”

Wasn’t he supposed to be at the regiment headquarters?

Song Bai smiled. “I came to clear the snow at my sister-in-law’s house.”

Jiang Nian understood and turned with Xu Yan to walk ahead. The snow-covered ground was littered with messy footprints. When they arrived home, Jiang Nian added dry firewood to the brazier and lit a fire. She heard the sound of snow being cleared outside and leaned over the window to look.

Song Bai was wearing a thin sweater, sweeping snow from the west side with a broom, his military green winter uniform hanging on the tree branch.

Jiang Nian hurried out. “I can clear the snow myself.”

She hadn’t expected Song Bai to come over.

Song Bai avoided her hand. “It’s okay. I’ll be done soon. You go back inside, and I’ll leave when I’m finished.”

Jiang Nian: …

What could she say?

She looked at the courtyard gate, which was wide open. Military wives passing by could see inside, and Jiang Nian understood Song Bai’s intention. Leaving the gate wide open was to prevent gossip.

She hesitated for a moment. “I’ll go cook. You can stay for lunch before you leave.”

After speaking, she ran to the kitchen.

Song Bai’s snow sweeping paused for a moment. He looked up at the figure disappearing at the kitchen door, then lowered his head and smiled.

At noon, Jiang Nian made scallion pancakes, two stir-fried dishes, and tomato egg soup. She knew Song Bai had the same appetite as Lu Yu, so she cooked extra. She ladled the tomato egg soup into a bowl and heard the sound of water splashing outside. Turning her head, she saw Song Bai washing his face and hands with cold water.

Jiang Nian: !!!

She walked outside, her face showing shock. “There’s hot water in the thermos!”

Washing your face and hands with cold water on such a cold day, isn’t he cold?!

Song Bai poured the water into the drain and looked back at Jiang Nian, whose face was snow-white. He smiled. “I’m not cold.”

Jiang Nian: …

Right.

She almost forgot about last winter when Song Bai and Tang Ze went winter swimming.

After finishing cooking, Song Bai said, “Sister-in-law, could you help me pack the food into aluminum lunch boxes? I’ll take them back to the dorm.”

Jiang Nian understood his meaning. “Okay.”

She packed two aluminum lunch boxes for Song Bai, one with dishes and scallion pancakes, and the other full of tomato egg soup. She carried them into the yard and handed them to him. “Here you go.”

Song Bai took the lunch boxes and looked at Jiang Nian, who had her head down and snowflakes on her hair, and laughed heartily. “Thank you, sister-in-law. I’ll head back now.”

His footsteps gradually faded away.

Jiang Nian looked up and saw Song Bai’s figure disappearing at the courtyard gate. She glanced at the clean courtyard and felt grateful to Song Bai. She dreaded clearing snow in the middle of winter, her fingers numb from the cold.

She ate a few bites casually and returned to her room. In the afternoon, Xu Yan came by and talked with her.