Through these trainings, the young recruits, including Cen Huai Xin and Cen Huai Ze, had changed significantly.

Their demeanor and expressions showed much more maturity compared to when they first arrived.

Although they still had various small issues, they had improved.

At least they now understood what teamwork and camaraderie meant.

On New Year’s Eve, at the Cen family home, Jiang Shengnan wanted to enjoy making dumplings, but Xi Wang was completely disheartened, missing Cen Huai Ze and Cen Huai Xin.

“Dad, Mom, it’s New Year’s Eve today, and the New Year is tomorrow. Shouldn’t we bring Xiaoze, Xin Xin, and Anan back to celebrate?” Xi Wang couldn’t understand why her in-laws were so heartless, showing no concern for their grandchildren.

“There are so many soldiers who can’t go home for the New Year. Having them accompany Xiaoze and the others, this year’s New Year will be livelier than being at home,” Cen’s father said dismissively, not paying much attention to Xi Wang’s concerns.

Xi Wang wanted to say more, but Cen Zhengshi stopped her, “Let’s just make the dumplings. We can send them to Xiaoze and the others.”

Xi Wang glared at him, but Cen Zhengshi didn’t mind.

Chuxia focused on making dumplings, preparing the filling that Anan liked, waiting to send them to Cen Huai’an. As for Cen Zhengshi and Xi Wang, she didn’t care about them.

Chuxia made many dumplings, packed them in food boxes, and handed them to Cen’s father, saying, “Dad, tell Anan that if the dumplings are boiled and sent, they’ll be cold. It would taste better if cooked at the camp. Let him share them with his friends, the coach, and the other soldiers.”

Cen’s father took the boxes and glanced at Xi Wang and Cen Zhengshi, “Are your dumplings ready?”

Xi Wang wanted Cen Zhengshi to speak up and ask about the children, at least to bring them back. But Cen Zhengshi didn’t say anything and handed the packed dumplings to Cen’s father, “Dad, these are for Xiaoze and Xin Xin. Make sure they share them with others.”

Cen’s father ignored Xi Wang’s unspoken words, took the two food boxes, and left. Jiang Shengnan didn’t even get to follow, let alone Xi Wang.

Xi Wang, angry, pinched Cen Zhengshi’s waist and left the kitchen.

However, Chuxia wasn’t lenient. During the New Year’s Eve dinner preparation, she directly called Xi Wang and Cen Zhengshi to help.

Xi Wang complained, “Men shouldn’t be doing cooking chores.”

Jiang Shengnan replied, “The men in my family all work. Zhengshi did when he was young.”

Chuxia, while chopping vegetables, said, “If you don’t work, you don’t eat. Zhengshi and Anan know my rules.”

Xi Wang frowned, clearly puzzled.

Cen Zhengshi grabbed Xi Wang’s hand, “Stop complaining and help out.”

Seeing Cen Zhengshi already taking vegetables to wash, Xi Wang had no choice but to help.

The New Year’s Eve dinner was eventually prepared in a strange atmosphere. When Cen’s father returned, he appeared tired and seemed to have caught a cold from the outside.

But beyond looking worn out, Cen’s father had a satisfied look in his eyes.

Xi Wang, unable to wait, hurried to Cen’s father to ask about Cen Huai Ze and Cen Huai Xin.

“They’re doing well at the training camp, making and cooking dumplings with the soldiers. It’s livelier than at home.”

“Dad, I wasn’t asking about New Year’s. I was asking how they’ve been doing recently.”

Cen’s father replied, “That’s what I meant. They’re doing well, better than if they were with you two.”

“Dad, what about Anan? Has he mentioned missing home?” Chuxia also missed Cen Huai’an and was worried since he had been away for so long.

“No. Anan seems to have grown a lot. He’s doing well there.”

Chuxia, although not completely at ease, was less worried than before when there was no news at all.

The New Year’s Eve dinner was quieter without the children, and other families who had sent their kids for training felt the same. There was a slight regret, but it was soon forgotten after the meal.

Cen’s father brought back messages from each child and their letters to their parents. For other families, the letters were delivered by guards, but after the New Year’s Eve dinner, Cen’s father personally handed them to Chuxia, Cen Zhengshi, and Xi Wang.

Cen’s father had read Cen Huai Ze and Cen Huai Xin’s letters beforehand to see if they were complaining or mentioning any hardships and whether they had made any progress over the month. They had certainly complained, but they didn’t ask to be brought home, which Cen’s father was very satisfied with.

He didn’t worry about Cen Huai’an and didn’t read his letter.

Chuxia read it, but after reading it, she felt even more upset.

Cen Huai’an’s letter didn’t mention a single word about the hardships of the training or field exercises. It only talked about interesting things during training and field exercises, without mentioning any of the difficulties.

Chuxia, who had experienced military training herself, knew that army training was tougher and more exhausting than regular military training, with field exercises being even more demanding. But Cen Huai’an didn’t mention any of it, not wanting to make her worry. Chuxia felt her eyes becoming misty and even wanted to run to Cen Huai’an immediately and hug him.

Chuxia composed herself and began writing a letter to Cen Huai’an. Little Zhu would deliver the letters to the children the next day.

In the letter, she wrote to Cen Huai’an:

“An’an, Mom knows you’ve been working hard. You can vent all your frustrations to me. Here, you don’t have to be so sensible. If you’re tired or hurt, this will always be your final refuge…”

In addition to the letter, Chu Xia also prepared some medicine, as well as a lot of beef jerky, apples, and canned snacks. She wasn’t sure if the training camp allowed the children to eat these things, but she brought them anyway. If they couldn’t keep them, she would take them back; if they could, An’an could enjoy them.

Xiwang’s preparations were much more extravagant than Chu Xia’s. Chu Xia only had a cloth bag, but Xiwang brought a whole suitcase.

Cen Father thought she was being unreasonable and directly questioned Cen Zheng when he saw him: “Doesn’t she understand the army’s rules? Do you not understand them either? Besides the letter and food, nothing else is allowed!”

Cen Father listed many types of food that were not allowed in the army, including snacks. In the end, Xiwang’s pile of things was sifted through by Cen Zheng and ended up being packed into two cloth bags.

Other parents either brought food or did not, but everyone wrote letters.

Since it was the New Year, Cen Father was less strict with the children, so bringing beef jerky and other items was fine. It was just right for sharing with the soldiers in the camp during the New Year.

At the Tian Gong Base, everyone was also celebrating the New Year.

This Spring Festival was particularly special for Cen Huai’an and his colleagues. They couldn’t celebrate with their families, being far away on a business trip, and couldn’t even make a phone call to wish their families a Happy New Year.

They celebrated with their colleagues. Although it was lively, eating dumplings and looking at the moon, everyone missed their loved ones and hometowns.

Cen Huai’an stood by the window, looking at the bright moon in the sky, his mind filled with images of Chu Xia and An’an.

Were they having New Year’s Eve dinner now? Would they mention him? Would they think of him?

He missed them dearly.

No matter how much Xiwang tried to persuade Cen Father, she couldn’t bring the two children back.

Until after the Lantern Festival, nearly a month had passed, and a group of thin and sunburnt teenagers returned on a military truck.

As soon as they entered the family compound, they excitedly shouted, “Dad!” “Mom!”

“We’re back!”

In addition to missing their parents, they were eager to show them how much they had changed over the month. They had grown quite a lot, and even the coach praised them before leaving.

Only Cen Huai’an and Xiao He did not return with them. However, Xiao He’s excitement was evident, and Cen Huai’an himself couldn’t wait to see his mother and grandparents.

Hearing the children’s voices, the parents at home hurried out. Xiwang was the first to run out, and Chu Xia and Jiang Shengnan quickly followed.

“Mom.”

As Chu Xia came out, Cen Huai’an was about to enter the house. Seeing her, he immediately stopped and called out, his voice filled with the affection of a bird returning to its nest.

Chu Xia opened her arms, her mouth curving into a smile.

Cen Huai’an rushed over and hugged her.

At almost 12 years old, An’an was already quite tall. Chu Xia, who was 166 cm, found that he was almost as tall as her.

Yet in Chu Xia’s eyes, he was still the little An’an who used to call her mommy with a soft voice.

“You’ve lost weight, and…” Chu Xia’s words were interrupted by exaggerated crying from Xiwang.

She and Cen Huai’an looked over to see Xiwang hugging the two children, crying uncontrollably and repeatedly saying how they had suffered.

Cen Huaize and Cen Huaxin cried along with her, and the sound was very loud in the family compound.

After crying for a long time without stopping, Cen Father spoke up, “Eldest, let them come in and cry.”

Outside, everyone was watching, and the joy of reunion with the children was overshadowed by the crying.

Cen Zhengshi took one child by each hand, and Cen Huaize went inside by himself. Finally, the whole family was in the house.

Chu Xia didn’t focus on Xiwang and her children; she was more concerned about Cen Huai’an’s situation at the training camp. She insisted on a truthful account, not allowing him to give any perfunctory answers like “not tired.”

“But Mom, I really didn’t feel tired. Plus, I had a sparring session with the coach.”

Cen Huai’an’s eyes sparkled as he talked about the sparring process with the coach and his comrades.

“Our styles have similarities and differences.”

Cen Huai’an’s martial arts teacher was also from the army. He taught a combination of their own techniques and military combat skills.

Thus, the things Cen Huai’an learned had overlaps with the combat techniques trained in the army. Although he had been practicing martial arts for many years, there was still a gap compared to the experienced soldiers who frequently fought.

It wasn’t just about age and physical stamina, but also about various combat experiences. So during the sparring sessions with the coach and his comrades, Cen Huai’an learned a lot.

After the Lantern Festival, everyone had to return.

Xiwang complained about Cen Huaize and Cen Huaxin being sent to training, but Cen Father insisted.

“Don’t over-pamper them when we get back. Don’t let the results of this training be ruined by indulgence. Also, send them again this summer.”

If one round wasn’t enough, there would be two, or three. Even if they couldn’t be shaped into An’an’s model, at the very least, their bad habits needed to be corrected.

In early March 1988, Cen Zhengnian and his team reached the most exciting moment. The mission was assembled and ready for launch.

Once everything was prepared, Cen Zhengnian directed his colleagues, Ye Xingxiu and Yu Tian, to focus intensely on their tasks.

“3, 2, 1, Launch!”

Watching the mission ascend, everyone’s hearts were in their throats, their fists tightly clenched, as they followed its trajectory.

Everyone had only one thought in their minds: Success, it must succeed!

Time passed second by second, and everyone watched the command center’s screen, holding their breath.

“Engineer Cen, it has entered the scheduled orbit.”

“It’s successful!”

“Successful!”

“Launch successful!”

Everyone was excited and in tears, embracing, shouting, and cheering. Cen Zhengnian also breathed a sigh of relief, a smile spreading across his face.