Cen Zhengnian received a letter from home through the guards and was about to open it when the phone rang.

He put the letter aside and answered the call, “Hello, this is Cen Zhengnian.”

“Zhengnian, I heard from Lingling that you sent a lot of things to Chu Xia and Huai’an. Is that true?”

It was Cen Zhengnian’s mother, Jiang Shengnan.

Both of Cen Zhengnian’s parents were military personnel stationed in Ganzu, northwest China.

Lingling’s parents were in the same unit as Cen Zhengnian’s, and they used to live in the same family compound when they were young.

The Tiangong Base was located in Ganzhou, not far from the military unit.

The soldiers guarding the base were transferred from the unit where his parents served.

The Tiangong Base also belonged to the military research institute of the Ganzhou military unit.

Because of this, Fang Lingling often went home.

Her mother cared for her deeply, and when she wasn’t home, her mother would send her father’s bodyguard to deliver meals to her every day.

Cen Zhengnian was the complete opposite.

He rarely went home and wouldn’t even return when his mother called. Out of ten calls, nine were unanswered.

He was fully dedicated to the projects at the base, often working through the night and sometimes even sleeping in the lab, so he paid little attention to a phone call.

“Yes,” Cen Zhengnian replied.

Jiang Shengnan’s tone was very pleased, “You’ve finally come to your senses, son! You haven’t been home for years, and I was afraid Chuxia would leave you. I still have a lot of food and supplies here. I’ll have Lingling take them over to you, and you can send them to Chuxia and An’an.”

In fact, Cen Zhengnian’s mother often sent things to the original owner and An’an, but those items were taken away by Wang Yulan.

They were all valuable items—furs, ginseng, and various types of tickets, including overseas tickets that allowed access to shops selling items unavailable elsewhere.

She worried that Chuxia and An’an might not be eating well, using the best supplies, or living comfortably.

Since she knew her son lacked empathy, she took on the task of comforting her daughter-in-law.

She was thrilled that her son was actually sending things to his wife.

Those items were meant for her daughter-in-law anyway, and now they would be sent in his name, which would help strengthen their relationship.

When Cen Zhengnian heard Fang Lingling’s name, he frowned slightly, “Mom, don’t have Fang Lingling bring them. The logistics team sends supplies to the base every day. Have Uncle Yang help deliver them.”

“Why?” Jiang Shengnan asked, confused. “Lingling is returning to the base today. If you ask Uncle Yang to bring them, it will have to wait until tomorrow.”

“She has ulterior motives. I don’t want to interact with her more than necessary,” Cen Zhengnian said plainly, not elaborating on Fang Lingling, but his dislike was evident.

Initially, Cen’s mother hadn’t considered this angle, but her son’s comment made her realize something was amiss: “Could it be… you’re married now…”

The rest of the words went unspoken as she recalled Fang Lingling’s previous marriage and divorce, and that Chuxia was no longer in Ganzhou.

Her previous doubts made more sense now.

“I understand. I’ll keep my distance from her. Zhengnian, Chuxia and An’an have had a hard time; you should care for them more and write or call them often. If they need anything, let me know. I’ll buy whatever you can’t.”

“Alright.”

After hanging up with his mother, Cen Zhengnian eagerly opened Chuxia’s letter, which contained a photograph.

He paused, his eyes instantly showing surprise as he examined the photo under the light before reading the letter.

In the photo, Chuxia was smiling and holding An’an.

The two were facing the camera, and it was clear that An’an was somewhat nervous, with a tight, unsmiling face.

Cen Zhengnian gently traced An’an’s face in the photo with his thumb.

This was An’an, whom he hadn’t seen since he was one year old.

An’an had grown up and resembled him quite a bit—his brows and eyes were like Cen Zhengnian’s from when he was young, though An’an was a bit thin.

He had seen his colleagues’ children, who were well-fed and plump.

Moreover, Chuxia also appeared thin and pale, causing Cen Zhengnian to worry: Was the money he sent not enough?

Cen Zhengnian had been out of touch with everyday life for a long time.

His memories were from harder times when even buying food was a struggle.

He picked up the letter, densely packed with writing, and an involuntary smile appeared in his eyes.

When Cen Zhengnian read the letter, his expression alternated between smiles and furrowed brows.

The letter included some of Cen Huai’an’s recent writing.

Though his handwriting was still immature, it was clear he was making progress and writing more carefully.

Cen Zhengnian thought about how his son would look if he were teaching him to write.

This thought made him smile, but soon the smile faded, as it was just a fantasy.

Due to the confidentiality of the base project, no one but the military guards and research staff were allowed inside, and even phone conversations were monitored.

After reading the letter, Cen Zhengnian called Jiang Shengnan.

“Mom, could you help me find recent college entrance exam papers? Also, ask Grandpa for some high school practice papers from Beijing, and there should be some calligraphy exercises on the second shelf of my bookcase in my room. Please send all of this to Chu Xia and Huai’an.”

Jiang Shengnan was surprised. “Why do you need these? I don’t remember Chu Xia’s family asking for college exam materials.”

Cen Zhengnian explained, “Chu Xia needs them.”

Jiang Shengnan didn’t ask further and immediately agreed. “Alright, those are easy to find. Is there anything else?”

“I haven’t taken the college entrance exam myself. Mom, ask Grandpa if there’s anything else needed for the exam and send that as well.”

He was worried that he might overlook something and delay Chu Xia’s progress.

He was pleased with her desire to continue learning and was willing to provide all the support he could.

Cen Zhengnian picked up his pen and wrote a reply to Chu Xia.

He thanked the colleague who suggested sending beef jerky and dried fruits and said he was relieved they liked it.

He wrote that he was very proud of Cen Huai’an’s independence and that she had taught him well.

He fully supported her desire to continue studying and encouraged her to let him know if they faced any difficulties at home.

He assured her that he would find a solution and wished them all good health.

He sealed the letter and planned to send it along with the items his mother would bring the next day.

The next day, when Cen Zhengnian handed over the items to the guards, Yu Tian saw him and was surprised. “Didn’t you just send something? Why is there so much more?”

Cen Zhengnian explained, “These are things my mom prepared.”

Yu Tian couldn’t help but admire, “Your family treats your wife so well! If I’d known, I would have married my sister to you!”

Cen Zhengnian smiled, “Well, don’t think about it. I’m already married.”

Yu Tian clicked his tongue. “Back then, with your focus solely on work, who would dare to marry you?”

Indeed, Cen Zhengnian hadn’t been interested in marriage or children back then.

If his parents hadn’t pressured him into blind dates, he might still be single.

The small photo Chu Xia had sent fit perfectly into his jacket pocket.

However, as the project neared its end, it was the busiest time, and he had no chance to look at it.

He was practically living in the laboratory every day and didn’t even have time to check if Jiang Shengnan had prepared the materials.

Busy Cen Zhengnian was unaware that an unexpected visitor had arrived at Chu Xia’s place.

“Elder sister?” Chu Xia’s brow twitched when she saw it was Luo Chuyu and stepped aside to let her in.

Luo Chuyu’s life was much better than the original owner’s, thanks to her influential mother-in-law.

Though she was concerned about her family, she couldn’t contribute financially and had her wages controlled by her mother-in-law.

While she had no freedom, she wasn’t in want of food or warmth, as her mother-in-law provided for her, leaving her only the task of taking care of her husband, who had the intelligence of a seven- or eight-year-old child and was very dependent.

If a mother truly loved her daughter, she wouldn’t agree to let her marry into any family, no matter how well-off they were.

Wang Yulan clearly didn’t consider her daughter’s well-being; she only thought about the benefits the family would gain from the marriage.

Unfortunately, her calculations were in vain.

Luo Chuyu’s marriage wouldn’t bring much to the family, and she would have to follow her mother-in-law’s orders.

Of course, the Luo family did gain some benefits, such as Luo’s sister-in-law getting her job confirmed and recent housing allocations.

Luo Chuyu’s intentions were clear to Chuxia as soon as she arrived.

Indeed, she sat down in the chair, looking at Chuxia with disapproval: “Second sister, you really shouldn’t.”

Luo Chuyu, with a character similar to the original owner’s, was soft and submissive, always obeying Wang Yulan and valuing sons over daughters.

Chuxia raised her eyebrows, nudging Cen Huai’an to go inside.

Cen Huai’an leaned closer to Chuxia, looking at Luo Chuyu with hostility and not moving.

Seeing he was unwilling, Chuxia didn’t insist.

She pulled over a small stool for him to sit on and then turned her attention back to Luo Chuyu.

“What shouldn’t I do?”

Seeing that Chuxia seemed completely unconcerned and didn’t think she was in the wrong, Luo Chuyu furrowed her brows tightly and said in distress, “Our parents are struggling, our elder brother has young children, our younger brother is getting married, and our younger sister needs to go to school. Yet you went to ask Mom for money? And you even moved the TV and refrigerator over here. Have you considered Mom’s feelings? Do you know she’s been so upset she’s gotten sick? Our elder brother and dad sigh when they talk about you! Without a maternal family, no one will back you up if you’re wronged in the future!”

“Sick?” Chuxia smiled, “Have I been sick less before? Elder sister, don’t stand there and talk about things you don’t understand. You haven’t experienced hunger and cold; you have no right to advise me. It wasn’t you who was tormented by Mom.”

Chuxia spoke with resentment, making Luo Chuyu’s heart tremble.

She hadn’t realized how deep the rift between Chuxia and their mother was.

Her lips moved as if to speak, “Second sister…”

“If you keep trying to persuade me, don’t blame me for showing no mercy and kicking you out.”

Chuxia’s face turned cold, giving the impression she was about to eject her guest.

Luo Chuyu, brainwashed by Wang Yulan since childhood, was beyond reason.

Chuxia had no intention of arguing further with her.