Chapter 192: A Hasty Departure

Early the next morning, just as Xu Ning had gotten out of bed, Zhao Jianshe arrived on his bicycle, making both her and Lu Xiaotang think something urgent might have happened.

Lu Xiaotang quickly brought him a bowl of water and asked, “Brother Jianshe, why did you come over so early? Is something wrong?”

“Xiaotang, your superior called our bureau first thing in the morning. They asked us to notify you immediately that you need to return to the army right away,” Zhao Jianshe explained.

Hearing this, Lu Xiaotang realized the absence of a telegram meant it was an urgent matter. Without hesitation, he made up his mind. “Brother Jianshe, could you wait for me a few minutes? I’ll ride with you to the city.”

Turning to Xu Ning, he said apologetically, “Xiao Ning, I have to leave again.”

Xu Ning, with red-rimmed eyes, nodded and quickly packed some food for him while he gathered his belongings.

The children were still asleep, so he stood there for a moment, watching them quietly before picking up his luggage.

She also prepared a small bag, stuffing it with biscuits and some medicine. As he stepped outside, he wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace, wanting to speak, but in that moment, no words could express the guilt he felt in having to leave again.

He couldn’t help her share the burden at home, and with his departure, the weight would once again fall entirely on her shoulders.

Xu Ning patted him and said, “Don’t worry, I’m here at home. You need to be careful out there, and I’ll be waiting for you to come back with the children.”

It was only after watching him walk away that her tears fell.

When Xu Mo arrived, he noticed her eyes were red and didn’t see Lu Xiaotang around.

With a frown, he asked, “Sister, did my brother-in-law bully you? Where is he? I’ll go take care of him for you.”

Xu Ning had been feeling quite sad, but hearing his words made her unable to hold back a smile. Even at such a young age, he was ready to defend his sister’s honor.

She hugged him tightly and ruffled his hair. “Xiao Mo, your brother-in-law didn’t bully me; he had something to do in the army and has already gone back.”

“What? He left?” he exclaimed in surprise.

“Oh, my poor niece and nephews! Your dad just got here a few days ago, and now he’s gone again. How did you end up with such an unreliable father? From now on, you should count on your little uncle to take care of you!”

After saying this, he shook his head and went inside.

Xu Ning…

When Niu Pi Tang woke up and didn’t see his father, it was their little uncle who was dressing them.

Since Lu Xiaotang had returned, he had been the one to help them get dressed, undressed, and take them out to play. The three children had grown accustomed to their father’s care.

Niu Niu and Pi Pi sat on the kang, calling out, “Dad, Daddy.”

Tang Tang also joined her two brothers in calling out.

As Xu Mo dressed them, he sighed, “Stop shouting! Your dad went out to earn money, so he can buy you meat to eat.”

The three children, now dressed, ran to the yard to look for him, even checking the kitchen and Xu An’s room.

They called out for their dad as they searched, and Xu Ning felt her heart ache watching them.

As spring planting came to an end, everyone was busy going up the mountain to gather wild goods and chop firewood.

Xu An had to go to work, and with her responsibilities to care for the children, she could only watch as others gathered supplies.

On Sundays, when Xu An didn’t have to work, she woke up wanting to head into the mountains.

Xu Ning decided to let him stay home with the children while she went to gather supplies. When there were no people around, she could use the space to cheat a bit, making the task much faster.

“Sister, you look so excited at the thought of going up the mountain,” Xu An remarked, seeing her grab the basket and head out. He couldn’t help but tease her.

He also wanted to go, but he couldn’t compete with his sister, so he resigned himself to staying home with the kids.

Xu Ning went early, and the mountain wasn’t crowded yet. She picked up anything edible and stored it in her space.

Since Xu An is at home, she still had to make a few trips back and forth to not look susupicious.

What was in the space could wait until he was at work, and she could take it out little by little.

Aside from meal times, she spent the entire day gathering supplies.

Xu An suggested she rest at home for a while and switch places with him, but she refused.

In the evening, when Mother Xu and Aunt Lu arrived, they brought two more baskets.

“Mom, there isn’t much left over there; why did you carry more? I gathered quite a bit today, enough for us to eat,” Xu Ning said.

Looking at the large pile on the ground, she felt a bit proud, and thinking of what was in her space made her even happier.

“There’s still a good amount on our side. Your dad and the others know you can’t go up the mountain this year, so they’ve been going up early every day to gather some,” her mother explained.

“Tell my dad not to go so early in the morning with all that dew. We have enough food for now,” Xu Ning replied.

Xu Ning, feeling uneasy, advised, “It’s already time to wear cotton clothes. Although it hasn’t snowed yet, there’s frost in the mornings and evenings. It must be so cold going up the mountain that early! The cotton clothes and pants will get soaked.”

Aunt Lu laughed, “They won’t go gather today; we can let them chop some firewood and bring it over in a couple of days.”

During this time, Lu Xiaotang had already chopped quite a bit of firewood, but considering there were several children, it was better to prepare a bit more.

Xu An chimed in, “Aunt Lu, let my dad and Uncle Lu take a break from chopping over here. They’ve been working hard these past few days. I’ll go up the mountain and chop for a day next week, and that should be enough.”

“Mom, let’s listen to Xiao An,” Xu Ning added.

Since they were about to deliver their grain tax, Father Xu and Uncle Lu had been busy moving food in the warehouse these past few days. They were exhausted during the day and still had to find time to help gather wild goods and chop firewood.

The siblings were both very concerned and didn’t want them to go.