Chapter 8

Li Yannian returned at the end of May. Not only had he lost weight, but he had also become darker. When he smiled, his teeth were incredibly white. The first person to see him when he returned was Xiaoshu.

Unfortunately, Xiaoshu didn’t recognize him and refused to let him hold her. He chased her and burst into tears.

Only when Song Ci came out and told her that this was his father did he stop crying. Li Yannian felt a little sad about this, and even used Song Ci’s facial oil after washing his face that night. After returning, he went out in the morning and came back in the evening, just like before. Seeing him, Li Yanfang finally understood what Song Ci meant when she said it was difficult to be a military wife. During this time, she had secretly run into Gu Yiran several times, but he ignored her completely. She thought of finding someone to marry in the military district.

But seeing Li Yannian leaving early and returning late every day, and being away from home for months on missions, she started to back off. So, in early June, she said she wanted to go back. Song Ci didn’t keep her, packing her some local specialties and sending her back. Li Yanfang’s little tricks hadn’t gone unnoticed, and people in the military district were already talking about them, so it was best for her to go back.

Of course, Xu Yuan had told Song Ci all this. Song Ci didn’t take it seriously, as she was completely focused on the college entrance exam. Because she was going to take the exam, Li Yannian asked her to leave all the housework to him when he returned home. Song Ci was very pleased with this.

Early in the morning of June 6th, Song Ci boarded a military supply vehicle and headed for the city. Because the distance was too far and the round trip was difficult, she decided to stay at a guesthouse near the school. As for Xiaoshu, she asked Xu Yuan to take care of him for three days. When Xu Yuan came to pick him up, her face was filled with joy. Xiaoshu, on the other hand, was reluctant to leave Song Ci. After Song Ci promised her that she would be back soon, he obediently followed Xu Yuan.

On the way there, besides her, there were also some of her sisters-in-law on their way to the city. Perhaps because she hadn’t been out and about lately, and certainly hadn’t caused any trouble, everyone’s attitude towards her had become much nicer, and several of them took the initiative to talk to her. Song Ci didn’t want to make things too awkward with them, so whenever someone approached her, she smiled and replied, appearing to be quite happy. It was ironic, since she wasn’t the only one who had fabricated the lies about Song Zhen; many of these sisters-in-law had also been involved. Who knew that after she was exposed, these people would immediately isolate her, as if associating with her was shameful.

Perhaps it was because she had experienced this before, or perhaps it was simply because she was full of confidence. Entering the examination room, Song Ci wasn’t nervous at all, and the exam went very smoothly. After finishing all her subjects, she even bought three pounds of meat, thinking of celebrating when she got home. When she got home, she cut off a piece of the meat and prepared to take it to Xu Yuan’s house. As soon as she left the courtyard, she was stopped by Wang Juan in the vegetable garden.

“Ci, you’re back. How did you do on the exam?”

“It’s okay. I think I did pretty well on the test.”

“So you passed the exam?” Wang Juan said with wide eyes.

“It’s hard to say. We’ll have to wait until the results come out to find out.”

Mrs. Wang was also there, and upon hearing this, she murmured, “It would be so embarrassing if I didn’t pass the exam.”

Wang Juan rolled her eyes and decided to promote her.

Song Ci didn’t hear it, and even if she did, she wouldn’t care. How could she argue with an old man? They happily arrived at Xu Yuan’s house. Xiao Shu was sitting on a wooden horse, saying “Gee, gee, gee,” while Xu Yuan sat beside her embroidering.

“Wow, what a handsome little wooden horse.” She said as she walked in.

“Mom, you’re back.” When Xiaoshu heard her voice, he immediately got off the wooden horse and ran towards her.

Song Ci was holding the meat in her hands, so she couldn’t hug him. She touched his head and said, “I brought it back from the city. Sister-in-law, you are not allowed to refuse it, otherwise it will become estranged.”

“I wish he would come to my house every day. With him here, the house is much more lively. But you, who specially brought meat, seem a bit strange.” Xu Yuan took the meat she handed over helplessly.

“It’s my fault. This wooden horse was made by Brother Wu, right? He studied carpentry before?” Song Ci looked down at the small wooden horse.

“His father is a carpenter. He can’t make big things, but he can make small ones. When you go back later, remember to take this wooden horse with you.” Xu Yuan smiled and said as he looked at Xiaoshu who was sitting on the small wooden horse again.

Seeing that both of them were looking at him, Xiaoshu rode his wooden horse forward, shouting “Gee, gee, gee.”

Song Ci retracted his gaze and said, “Sister-in-law, have you ever thought about having another child?”

Xu Yuan’s face suddenly turned red when she heard this. She leaned close to Song Ci and whispered, “I haven’t told anyone else about this. I only told you that I might be pregnant.”

“Really, that’s great.” Song Ci said with joy on his face.

“Maybe I guessed wrong. Wait a couple of days, when Old Wu is resting, I will ask him to take me to the hospital in the city.” Xu Yuan couldn’t help laughing.

“Yes, if there is one, we can prepare it early. Look at me, this is a critical time for you, and I still asked you to take care of the little tree.” Song Ci said with some regret.

“It’s okay, the little tree is behaving well.”

Xiaoshu echoed, “Yes, I’m being well behaved.”

It was already late when Song Ci returned, and after a few words, it was almost dark. These days, to save electricity, everyone started cooking early. So she didn’t stay long. After chatting with Xu Yuan for a few more words, she took Xiaoshu home. As soon as they left Xu Yuan’s yard, they saw Wang Dongmei. She was standing in front of a house, talking to someone inside. When she saw Song Ci, she rolled her eyes at her and then looked away. Song Ci was in a good mood and didn’t bother with her.

When I got home, Li Yannian had already returned and was cooking in the kitchen. Seeing his mother and daughter come back, he immediately leaned out of the kitchen window and said, “Song Ci, come in.”

“I brought some meat back, did you see it?” Song Ci said as he walked.

“I saw it. I’m working on it. No, I just came back and people said you were going to college. You just finished the exam, how do people know you are going to college?” Li Yannian said in a gentle voice.

“Sister Wang next door told you, right?”

“It’s not just her, it’s all over the place now. It’s fine if you pass the exam, but what if you don’t?”

“I didn’t say that I will definitely pass the exam. I just said that I think I did well. And don’t worry too much. Although I don’t know which university I can go to, I am still confident that I will pass. I bought this meat to celebrate in advance.” Song Ci said proudly.

“That’s good. Don’t be too sad even if you didn’t pass the exam.”

“What are you talking about? Never mind, just wait and see.”

Li Yannian was speechless when he saw her confident look. He thought to himself, if she didn’t pass the exam, he would let her take Xiaoshu back to her hometown for a while.

Next door, Song Zhen was also talking to Gu Yiran.

“Yiran, what if I don’t do well on the exam and can’t go to Beijing?” Song Zhen said absentmindedly while chopping vegetables. Gu Yiran was about to go to Beijing to study. If she didn’t get into the school there, wouldn’t the two of them have to separate?

“Didn’t perform well? It’s okay. If you don’t pass, you can take it again next year.” Gu Yiran said nonchalantly.

“Not really. I’m just worried that I won’t be able to get into a school in Beijing. I should still be able to get into a university in the province.”

“Then apply to a slightly worse school. Getting into university is already very difficult, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

“Alas, I’m not an ugly daughter-in-law who has to meet my parents-in-law. Your family is so well-off, I’m afraid they will think I’m not worthy of you.”

“No, that’s not the case. Besides, I have the final say on my own affairs. Just listen to what they say.”

“It would be nice if that were the case.”