Jiang Shengnan handed the phone to Chuxia, who then walked out of the study.

“Zhengnian?”

On the other end, Cen Zhengnian’s gentle voice immediately came through. “Chuxia, it’s the Lantern Festival today. Have you had the tangyuan at home?”

“Yes, we have.” For some reason, Chuxia always felt relaxed when she heard Cen Zhengnian’s voice.

She sat in the chair, her lips involuntarily curling up into a smile.

“And you? Did the base cafeteria have tangyuan?”

“Yes, they did. The tangyuan is very sweet.”

During the Lantern Festival, one should be with family.

Cen Zhengnian felt a tinge of regret. He had never spent a Lantern Festival with Chuxia and An An.

He looked up at the moon outside, now understanding why the ancients used the moon to express their longing for family.

Chuxia smiled. “The tangyuan at home is also very sweet. An An likes it a lot.” Father and son really do share the same love for sweet foods.

Cen Zhengnian’s expression softened further, and he brought up the matter he wanted to discuss with Chuxia yesterday.

“I might be transferred to a new project. I don’t know where it will be. It might be even more remote than the northwest, or it might not.”

Cen Zhengnian was still hesitating about the matter.

His leader had mentioned that a new project was being planned, which was the most advanced research direction in their current field.

They would be selecting outstanding young talents from several bases to work on this project.

The exact location was yet to be determined, but the order had been given: Tian Gong Base also needed to select talents for this project.

Cen Zhengnian was one of the most outstanding young researchers at Tian Gong Base in recent years, and he was involved in a key project there.

Therefore, when the order came down, the leaders immediately considered him first.

Tian Gong Base didn’t want to let Cen Zhengnian go, but everything had to be prioritized for the country.

If Cen Zhengnian truly didn’t want to join the new project, the leaders would look for other candidates.

Every person at Tian Gong Base who could participate in the project was excellent.

Cen Zhengnian had only said he needed to think it over.

The leaders had given him two days, and today was the final day.

He had to give his answer tomorrow.

The new project, being the most advanced research direction, was something Cen Zhengnian couldn’t help but yearn for.

He wanted to go, but if the location was more remote than the northwest, where Chuxia could still stay with her parents, and if it was a place where communication was difficult, how would the family manage?

Cen Zhengnian thought for a long time and decided he should call Chuxia to ask for her opinion.

He had already been away from home for work in the northwest, which he felt was unfair to his family.

If the new work location was uncertain, he definitely needed Chuxia’s consent.

Chuxia listened and replied without hesitation, “I don’t understand much about your work transfer, so you can decide for yourself.”

Just like when she was applying to universities, most people were against her decisions, thinking she shouldn’t mess with a good job.

But Cen Zhengnian unconditionally supported her and even helped her find information with his parents and grandfather.

Therefore, she wouldn’t interfere with his choices regarding work.

Cen Zhengnian asked, “What if the place is extremely remote and we might not be able to communicate often?”

Chuxia laughed, her tone light-hearted. “It’s not like we won’t be able to contact each other for years.”

Cen Zhengnian thought seriously for a moment and replied, “It shouldn’t be that severe. There might be periods of a few months without communication.”

Chuxia’s smile faded, and she frowned.

A few months was not a short time.

She could support him, but what about An An?

“No matter what choice you make, I will unconditionally support you,” Chuxia said after thinking it over, her tone very firm.

Cen Zhengnian felt as if his heart was suddenly struck, like a seedling breaking through the soil and uncontrollably growing, covering his whole heart with a green hue.

He was momentarily speechless, unsure of how to respond to such support from Chuxia.

“But I think you should also ask An An’s opinion,” Chuxia added, immediately bringing Cen Zhengnian’s soaring heart back down.

She was an adult with mature thinking, able to empathize with others.

But An An was still young.

Cen Zhengnian couldn’t always be there for him, and if they lost contact for a long time, An An might not accept it.

Cen Zhengnian’s brow furrowed.

He was indeed concerned about An An’s feelings.

What if An An couldn’t accept the choice of the new project and the long-term loss of contact?

He rubbed his forehead and said, “You’re right.”

This was a dilemma: family versus work.

It has always been the case since ancient times—one must sacrifice one for the other.

At that moment, An An’s joyful and satisfied voice came from outside. “Mom! I’m back!”

Chuxia immediately said, “You talk to him.”

She walked out of the study and called An An in, handing him the phone. “Your dad wants to ask for your opinion.”

“Dad, what’s up?” Cen Huai’an asked as he took the phone, his voice still carrying the excitement from his play.

Chuxia didn’t go far, just stood nearby listening to their conversation.

Slowly, Cen Huai’an’s smile faded, and his lips tightened into a line, remaining silent.

Chuxia also didn’t speak.

The study became quiet, and the atmosphere grew somewhat tense.

After a long while, she heard Cen Huai’an speak.

“Dad, do you want to go?” His voice was calm, genuinely seeking an answer after some thought.

“Dad, don’t lie to me.” He said again, his tone serious.

Cen Zhengnian said something on the other end, and Cen Huai’an asked, “Dad, do you love Mommy and me?”

Chuxia listened to these questions, imagining what Cen Zhengnian might say. But the current An An was something she hadn’t anticipated.

Just after his sixth birthday, how was Cen Huai’an when she first met him?

He was fierce and domineering, like a stray wolf cub, wanting to bite anyone who came near and distrusting everyone, even her, his mother.

Cen Huai’an at that time was pitiful, but now, he was even more heart-wrenching.

He didn’t have to be so understanding.

He had the right as a child to directly demand that Cen Zhengnian stay and not go, which was his privilege as a child.

But he didn’t.

After thinking for a long, long time, despite clearly being reluctant to part with his father, he bit his lip and said quietly, “Dad, go ahead.”

Chuxia walked over and gently patted his head.

His head rested on Chuxia’s shoulder as he continued speaking to Cen Zhengnian: “I like playing chess. If Mom didn’t let me play Go, I’d be very sad too. Dad, I don’t want you to be sad.”

Chuxia felt a lump in her throat and quickly looked up, blinking hard to hold back tears.

She gently patted Cen Huai’an’s back, her heart filled with indescribable emotions.

She felt that Cen Zhengnian’s feelings were probably the same as hers.

Indeed, when Cen Zhengnian heard Cen Huai’an’s words, his heart ached with a tingling pain.

In that moment, he particularly wanted to see Cen Huai’an and hug him.

“An’an…” Cen Zhengnian forced himself to control his emotions and said, “Thank you. Dad will always love you and Mom.”

Cen Huai’an hugged Chuxia and, after hesitating for a moment, shyly said, “Dad, I love you too.”

Chuxia took the phone from Cen Huai’an and, taking a deep breath, said, “Zhengnian, don’t overthink it. You already know An’an and I’s answer. Just follow your path firmly.”

The path Cen Zhengnian wanted to take was a great one.

Chuxia actually felt a bit selfish because she didn’t want Cen Zhengnian to regret not going in the future due to her and An’an.

After hanging up, Cen Zhengnian sat in the chair for a long time, then wiped his face and stood up, walking resolutely towards his superior’s office.

The day after the Lantern Festival in the northwest, Chuxia and Cen Huai’an were to return to Liangzhou.

Cen Huai’an said goodbye to the new friends he had made one by one.

Hu Pandeng, who was the most emotional, hugged Cen Huai’an and cried loudly.

“An’an! When will you come back to the army? I don’t want you to leave! If you go, Xiao He will definitely drag me to play chess. I don’t know how to play chess!”

Cen Huai’an pushed him away with some disdain, but Hu Pandeng was too strong and older, so he couldn’t push him.

Xiao He tugged at Hu Pandeng’s coat from behind.

Cen Huai’an pushed with all his strength and finally managed to push Hu Pandeng away, letting out a sigh of relief.

“Mom said she will bring me back when summer vacation comes.”

Xiao He, who had been a bit down, immediately perked up and said, “I’ll definitely have learned Go by summer vacation. I want to play Go with you then.”

Cen Huai’an accepted the challenge fearlessly: “Okay.”

The other kids were also very reluctant to see An’an go, each saying something to him.

“An’an, don’t forget us when you go home.”

“An’an, we will miss you!”

“An’an, you must come back to the army during summer vacation!”

Only one person was happy about Cen Huai’an’s departure, and that was Liu Qi, who had caused a military discipline rectification due to playing chess with Cen Huai’an.

Since the army had been on alert, the atmosphere at Liu Qi’s home was very tense.

His father, who loved him dearly, had beaten him several times, and even his mother and grandmother couldn’t protect him.

He felt wronged and hated Cen Huai’an deeply.

Now that An’an was leaving, he felt like celebrating with firecrackers.

Unfortunately, Cen Huai’an had long forgotten who he was.

His emotions had nothing to do with An’an.

Cen Huai’an exchanged addresses with his friends, saying they would write letters to each other.

He waved goodbye to Hu Pandeng and the others, and got into the car with his mother.

Xiao Liu and Jiang Shengnan went to see them off.

As the car left the army base, Jiang Shengnan pointed to the distant white poplar trees in the west and said, “An’an, your dad’s workplace is over there.”

Cen Huai’an leaned on the car window, hoping to see his father suddenly appear and smile at him, saying, “An’an, Dad came to see you off.”

But obviously, this was impossible.

Cen Zhengnian had taken time off for the New Year, and now was busy.

The base wouldn’t give him any more leave.

So, Cen Huai’an looked out the window all the way to the train station, but did not see Cen Zhengnian.

His eyes showed disappointment, and Chuxia also felt a pang in her heart.

She too wished Cen Zhengnian could appear.

They were about to leave the northwest.

Besides the day Cen Zhengnian came to pick them up, Chuxia and An’an had only spent two days with him during the New Year.

They hadn’t seen him for over ten days, and neither Chuxia nor An’an had stopped missing him.

As Jiang Shengnan and Xiao Liu helped carry Chuxia and An’an’s luggage and were about to send them into the station, they suddenly heard a familiar male voice: “Chuxia! An’an!” The voice was tinged with urgency.

Chuxia and An’an widened their eyes in disbelief and immediately turned around.

They saw Cen Zhengnian getting out of a car, quickly running towards them, looking disheveled and dusty, his hair tousled by the wind.

“Zhengnian, how did you catch up?” Chuxia’s eyes were filled with surprise and joy, and she couldn’t help but smile.

Cen Huai’an rushed to Cen Zhengnian: “Dad!” His tone was both excited and happy.

Cen Zhengnian picked him up in his arms.

Jiang Shengnan pulled Xiao Liu aside to give space to the family of three.

Cen Zhengnian ruffled Cen Huai’an’s hair and looked at Chuxia warmly, saying, “I’m glad I made it. I told my superiors that if my work was transferred, I wouldn’t know when we’d meet again, maybe not for several years. They let me come.”

After sending them into the station, he had to rush back and couldn’t stay with them or wait until they boarded the train.

But that didn’t matter.

Just seeing Cen Zhengnian before leaving made Cen Huai’an and Chuxia very happy.

Cen Zhengnian held Cen Huai’an in one arm and Chuxia in the other: “Chuxia, An’an, I’m sorry…”

Before Cen Zhengnian could finish, Chuxia interrupted him: “Are you going to say this as we’re about to leave? Say something else.”

Even if she and An’an were not angry with him, and even if they were, his job couldn’t be changed now.

At the beginning of summer, Chuxia mentioned the small orange lanterns she and Cen Huai’an had made yesterday, and Cen Huai’an excitedly shared with Cen Zhengnian the scene of him and his friends playing with the small orange lanterns the night before.

“The small orange lanterns are very pretty,” he said.

Cen Huai’an ran over to Jiang Shengnan, retrieved the box containing the small orange lanterns from his bag, and quickly ran back, lifting his short legs.

He looked up and handed the tin box to Cen Zhengnian.

“Dad, this contains the small orange lanterns Mom and I made, for you.”

Cen Zhengnian cherished the box, gently touching its exterior before carefully opening it to reveal two delicate orange lanterns inside.

His eyes revealed a warm expression, and his lips curved into a smile that didn’t fade.

“I really like them. I will treasure them,” Cen Zhengnian said as he closed the tin box and held it carefully.

The three of them chatted for a while longer before Jiang Shengnan and Xiao Liu came over. “It’s about time. Chuxia and An’an need to go in,” she said.

Cen Zhengnian furrowed his brow, feeling that time had passed too quickly. He felt like he hadn’t had enough time to talk with Chuxia and An’an.

However, he knew he needed to send them in to avoid missing the boarding time.

Cen Zhengnian walked Chuxia and An’an to the station, settled them in, and stood up to leave.

But seeing them, he couldn’t help but pull them into an embrace, saying with deep reluctance, “I’m leaving.”

“Mm.” Chuxia and An’an nodded.

Cen Zhengnian let them go, exchanged a few words with Jiang Shengnan, and then turned and walked out quickly.

He stopped at the door, turned back, and made eye contact with Chuxia and An’an, who were watching his retreating figure.

He gave them a warm smile, waved goodbye, and gave them one last look as if trying to imprint their figures in his mind before turning to leave and disappearing through the door.

As Cen Zhengnian walked away, Chuxia felt a sudden emptiness in her heart, and An’an’s mood also sank.

Jiang Shengnan and Xiao Liu stayed with them but weren’t sure what to say to comfort them; any words seemed insufficient at the moment.

However, Chuxia quickly composed herself and sat with An’an on a chair, talking to Jiang Shengnan.

She had been very comfortable staying at the Gansu military base, thanks to Jiang Shengnan’s thoughtful care.

She really liked her ideal mother-in-law, and after staying there for several days, Chuxia found her very pleasant.

Jiang Shengnan was not only impressive at work but also a very upright person.

Cen’s father was the same.

Perhaps it was because of their qualities that they raised Cen Huai’an, who was both well-mannered and cultivated.

The train ticket was for 11 a.m., and Jiang Shengnan had also bought sleeper tickets for Chuxia and An’an.

She and Xiao Liu saw them onto the train and found their seats before leaving.

Before they left, Jiang Shengnan said to Chuxia, “I’ve informed the staff at the station. If you need anything, ask the conductors; they will help you.”

“Okay, thank you, Mom,” Chuxia replied.

“Goodbye, Grandma,” Cen Huai’an said, looking out the window at Jiang Shengnan’s departing figure, feeling even more downcast. “Mom, I don’t want to leave Grandpa and Grandma.”