Chapter 42.2

In the following days, Jiang Rou spent her time painting and reading books on traditional Chinese medicine to get some preliminary understanding.

Soon, the end of the month arrived. 

On August 24th, Jiang Rou and Li Xiao accompanied Li Xin to the train station. 

While waiting for the train, Jiang Rou carefully reminded her, “Be cautious while traveling alone. There are many pickpockets on trains, so keep your money separate and secure. You might also encounter human traffickers, so don’t talk to anyone who approaches you, even if they ask for help. Don’t eat or drink anything offered by strangers, and stay alert when sleeping at night.”

Li Xin nodded. “I understand.”

Jiang Rou continued, “When you go to Aunt Wang’s house for dinner, don’t feel constrained or inferior. I gave Aunt Wang money before leaving, and you’re just having one meal there, not staying over. Your main task is to study. Your brother-in-law bought a bicycle for you, so learn to ride it when you get back. It’s not far from the No. 4 Middle School, so you can use it for daily commuting and get some exercise.”

Li Xin kept nodding, “Okay.”

Jiang Rou adjusted Li Xin’s collar and said, “Alright then, be careful on the road.”

“Mm-hmm.”

She felt very content and appreciated the care of her sister.

When the train arrived, Jiang Rou and Li Xiao helped Li Xin find her berth and made sure everything was in order before leaving.

As they were leaving, An An looked back and called out in her baby voice, “Auntie…”

Jiang Rou kissed An An’s cheek and said, “Yes, say goodbye to Auntie.”

An An pouted.

Li Xin waved and said, “Goodbye, An An. Be good and listen to your mom and dad.”

After the train departed, An An clung to her mother’s neck, looking very sad.

But more challenging times were ahead. 

With Li Xin gone, Jiang Rou had to prepare for the start of the school year herself.

—o—o—

The day before school started, Li Xiao brought Jiang Rou a brand new women’s bicycle. It was a deep green color with a black basket in front.

The bicycle looked expensive, and Jiang Rou thought it was a waste of money. “Why buy a new one? A second-hand one would be fine.”

Li Xiao was adjusting the seat height for her and replied casually without looking up, “You’re a college student. Using an old bike might make people laugh at you.”

Jiang Rou gave him a sideways glance. “I didn’t realize you were so concerned about appearances. I don’t mind.”

Li Xiao chuckled. He thought her attitude was quite good. Most people who got into college would shout it from the rooftops. During the period when the admission notices came out, banners were hung everywhere on the streets and outside restaurants, announcing celebratory feasts for the candidates. Yet Jiang Rou said nothing and remained as usual.

Before they went to bed, Li Xiao suddenly said with a hint of mystery, “Let me show you something special.”

Jiang Rou’s curiosity was piqued, and she turned to him and asked, “What’s the special thing?”

Li Xiao reached under the pillow and searched for a while but found nothing. He frowned, sat up, and looked around more thoroughly. Not finding it, he turned to Jiang Rou and asked, “Did you change the pillowcase?”

Jiang Rou, surprised, replied, “No, I didn’t touch it.”

Curious, she asked, “What are you looking for?”

Li Xiao remained silent and turned the bed over twice, even lifting the blanket. Then, as if he remembered something, he turned his head to look at the little person sleeping soundly inside.

Li Xiao gently opened An An’s tiny hands and looked, but still didn’t find what he was searching for. However, he noticed that she seemed to be holding something tightly. He carefully pried open her tiny fingers and found the items he had hidden, one in each hand.

“…”

Jiang Rou also saw what it was—condoms—and her face turned red with embarrassment.

Li Xiao removed it calmly.

Jiang Rou then said, “I forgot to tell you, my aunt visited.”

Li Xiao, puzzled, asked, “You have an aunt? Who is it?”

“It means menstruation.”

“……”

Li Xiao frowned as he tried to understand. After a moment of realization, he muttered, “Damn.”

Jiang Rou burst into laughter, and even after lying back down, she continued to laugh, causing the bed to shake.

Li Xiao looked a bit annoyed. Jiang Rou turned sideways and hugged him, saying, “You’re someone who can achieve great things. Don’t always think about that.”

Li Xiao shot her a glare, his expression fierce as he said, “Laugh now. When you’re done with your period, just wait and see how I will make you breathless.”

Jiang Rou blushed.

His wording was too rouge… 

She glared at him, turned over, and went to sleep.

Li Xiao curved his lips into a smile.

—o—o—o—

The next morning, Jiang Rou needs to go to school to complete her registration.

During breakfast, Li Xiao asked if she needed him to accompany her.

Jiang Rou thought for a moment and said, “No need. I’m not sure if there will be any classes directly, so I can manage alone.”

Li Xiao responded, “Then I’ll take care of An An.”

Jiang Rou hesitated, “Can you?”

Li Xiao replied confidently, “Of course, I have an independent office where she can play.”

After a brief pause, he added, “I’ll buy her a toy later.”

Jiang Rou nodded, knowing it would be difficult to handle An An today, and said, “Just keep an eye on her. She’s just started walking, so she might try to stand up when you’re not looking. Make sure she doesn’t bump into the office furniture.”

“Okay.”

When they said goodbye in the morning, An An watched her mother leave on the bike and began to cry, her little mouth quivering, “Mom… woo woo woo.”

She looked very pitiful.

Li Xiao hugged An An, saying, “Daddy’s here. Mommy’s going to school.”

An An ignored him, twisting her body and reaching out her hands for her mother. 

Seeing this, Li Xiao felt sorry and turned back into the house with her in his arms.

An An, who was upset, hit him.

Li Xiao smiled, “You’re so well-behaved in front of your mom. Why are you like this with me? ”

An An continued to cry, “Wuuu,” refusing to accept him.

—o—o—o—

When Jiang Rou arrived, she was a bit late. Some students had already come a few days earlier and had already moved their belongings into the campus before dawn.

In the morning, she registered and collected the free items like bedding and water bottles. She took a large bundle, secured it on the back of her bicycle, and then, after completing these tasks, she returned home to drop off the items before heading back to find the club members. She also got a volunteer badge and helped the senior students in welcoming the new freshmen.

As school started, the cafeteria was also open. Jiang Rou and Li Xiao had agreed in the morning that he didn’t need to return, especially for lunch, so she planned to eat at school.

So, she stayed at the school for lunch and was busy until a little past one in the afternoon. Someone informed her that there would be a meeting with the counselor at the media classroom at 1:30 PM.

Jiang Rou asked for directions and went to the media classroom. 

By the time she arrived at Room 101 in the Xingzhi Building, many people were already seated.

The classroom was buzzing with chatter as the freshmen mingled, many of them busy with their mobile phones. 

Li Xiao had previously considered buying Jiang Rou a phone, but she had declined. Phones were ridiculously expensive—at least two to three thousand yuan for the cheapest ones, and with the added network fees, it was more than a thousand yuan. She couldn’t see the need for such an expense.

Jiang Rou found a random seat and waited. As the classroom filled up, a few people entered at 1:25 PM. Among them was a fashionable young woman who went up to the podium. She introduced herself as their counselor, Ms. Xu.

After a few words, counselor Xu invited the vice president who had come with her to speak. The audience erupted in applause.

This scene felt very familiar to Jiang Rou. In her past life, during her time at the police academy, the counselors and leaders had also given a lot of encouraging speeches.

Now, two decades later, she felt as if she was reliving the experience.

Once the speeches concluded, the counselor directed the boys in the two classes to stand up and assist in moving books and military training uniforms. The boys carried heavy stacks of books, which were then distributed among the students.

By the time everything was finished, it was already 2:30 PM. The counselors informed everyone that they needed to gather on the sports field at 6 PM for military training and then dismissed the students.

Jiang Rou’s face showed concern as she recalled that freshmen had to undergo military training. Considering her current situation of living off-campus, she worried about the potential complications. 

She thought about it and caught up with the counselor to explain her situation: “Teacher, I’m Jiang Rou from Class 1. My situation is a bit special since I’m married and have a child, so I’m living off-campus now. If the instructor suddenly calls for training at midnight, I might not be aware.”

Ms. Xu listened attentively, nodding in understanding.

The counselor acknowledged Jiang Rou’s situation and assured her that he would inform the instructor. However, he stressed the importance of attending the 6 o’clock gathering where the instructor would provide details about the military training.

“I understand,” Jiang Rou responded, feeling relieved.

After the counselor left, Jiang Rou hurried home, dropped off her books, and set out to find Li Xiao. 

After not seeing An An for a whole day, she really can’t help but miss her.

She rode the bus to go to Li Xiao’s company. After waiting about ten minutes, she went out of the bus and made her way to the fourth floor of the building where Li Xiao’s office was located.

This was Jiang Rou’s first visit to Li Xiao’s company, and it was quite impressive. The interior was reminiscent of the white-collar offices seen in Hong Kong films. 

No one stopped her, so Jiang Rou made her way to Li Xiao’s office, which was located in the easternmost room. The wooden door had a nameplate with his title and name.

When she pushed open the door, she saw that An An was happily playing with her father. Li Xiao was sitting in a chair, reading documents with his legs crossed, while An An was using his foot as a seesaw. She held tightly to his foot, which moved up and down, causing her to giggle.

When An An noticed her mother entering the room, her expression instantly changed. Her mouth quivered, and she looked as though she was on the verge of tears. 

The joyful child who had been playing so merrily now seemed aggrieved and upset.

Jiang Rou didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “What’s wrong?”

Li Xiao raised his head when he heard the voice, and his eyebrows softened when he saw who it was. 

“Why are you here?” he asked.

Jiang Rou bent down and picked up An An. “Just came to see you.”

She lowered her head and kissed An An’s face. An An hugged her neck tightly.

She was very clingy.

—o—o—o—

When they went out for dinner in the evening, Jiang Rou also bought sunscreen for the next day’s military training.

After dinner, she returned home at five o’clock, changed into her military training uniform, and put on her clothes. She suddenly felt like she had traveled back in time.

As she came out of the room, Jiang Rou struck a standard military pose.

She stood tall, her gaze bright and focused.

Li Xiao, who was holding An An and sitting on a bench, was stunned by the sight.

After Jiang Rou saluted, she lowered her head to adjust her belt.

An An looked at her somewhat unfamiliar mother and stretched out her hand for her to hold. 

Jiang Rou adjusted her belt, picked her up, and gave her a kiss.

Li Xiao’s voice was a bit hoarse as he said, “This really suits you—you look so good in it.”

Jiang Rou responded with a confident smile, “Of course.”

Her tone was confident.

Li Xiao stared at her in a daze. 

He had never seen her this confident before. It seemed that her whole body was glowing, and the military uniform seemed to integrate perfectly with her.

She didn’t ask, “Really? ”Nor did she modestly say, “It’s okay.” At that moment, Li Xiao felt he understood something.

His gaze lingered on her clear, clean eyes, and he felt a warmth in his heart.

He thought that she must have been a great person in her past.

—o—o—o—

At five-thirty, Jiang Rou left, and Li Xiao carried An An on his back, wrapped in a blanket. As they walked, An An kept turning her head to look at her mother. Eventually, she seemed to resign herself to the situation and lay listlessly against her father’s back.

In the following days, Jiang Rou lived a rigorous military training life, but her physical condition was so poor that she fainted twice during the process.

She didn’t dare to tell Li Xiao about this. For some reason, she felt that if he knew, he would definitely make a fuss.

The military training lasted a full forty days, and by the end, Jiang Rou felt utterly exhausted, never having been this tired before.

Despite her physical limitations, the instructor praised her for her excellent attitude and standard movements. She was always the first to arrive and never complained about the hardships.

Jiang Rou felt ashamed—considering the training she had undergone before was far more grueling.

—o—o—o—

That evening, after the training ended, Jiang Rou lay on the bed, barely able to move. Li Xiao expertly massaged her calves while An An, who was happy to see her mother every day at this time, walked clumsily around them.

Without Jiang Rou knowing, An An had learned to walk without support.

However, she still staggered around like a clumsy penguin, making people worry about her falling.

Li Xiao’s strong hands applied just the right amount of pressure on Jiang Rou’s legs. However, as he continued, he began to take liberties, which made Jiang Rou feel ticklish. Annoyed, she kicked him. “Be serious.”

Li Xiao raised his eyebrows, “What’s wrong with you?”

When An An heard her mother’s voice, she turned around clumsily, looked at her mother, then looked at her father.

After some thought, she then walked over without hesitation and stretched out her hand to slap her father.

Jiang Rou saw this and laughed happily.

Li Xiao, feeling helpless, turned to his daughter and said, “You’re so biased towards your mother.”

An An sat down on the bed and crawled to her mother. 

Jiang Rou hugged her and gave her a kiss.

An An’s round eyes curved into a smile.

When Li Xia saw the joyful interaction between mother and daughter, she couldn’t help but smile.

—o—o—o—

Later that night, after they managed to get An An to sleep, they sneaked out.

Jiang Rou initially didn’t want to move, but Li Xiao insisted, carrying her in his arms. “I’ve been waiting for a month. In a few days, your period will come again.”

Jiang Rou hit him angrily, “You are really… obsessed.” 

He was even keeping track of the days.

Li Xiao chuckled, letting her complain.

Outside, their whispers and gasps filled the air. 

The process was far from pleasant, as they were both inexperienced and disorganized. 

They finished their first time in a chaotic manner and only sneaked back into the room around one or two in the morning.

Not surprisingly, both of them got up late the next day.