Chapter 357| Chapter 358| Chapter 359
Chapter 357: She is a Vengeful Person
“Eat them yourself, sweethearts.”
When Mother Gu saw how much all the neighborhood children adored Yi Yi, her face broke into a proud smile. Her granddaughter was truly exceptional—just look at how popular she was!
Realizing the baby wasn’t allowed to share their snacks, the children didn’t push it and simply stuffed the dried fruit and crackers into their own mouths instead. Mother Gu then reached into her pocket, pulled out a generous handful of milk candies, and distributed them among the group, leaving the kids absolutely thrilled.
By the time Sheng Wanyan had gathered a full basket of firewood along the timberline, it was already noon. Sheng Wanze happened to cross paths with her on his way home from work, so he immediately took the heavy basket from her and carried it back to the apartment.
The moment they walked through the door, Sheng Wanyan prepared to start cooking lunch, but Mother Gu instantly shooed her out of the kitchen. “You go tend to little Yi Yi. I’ll handle the stove today.”
“Mom, let me help you,” Sheng Wanyan offered.
“No need, go on.”
It was right around the time for Yi Yi’s midday bottle and nap, so Mother Gu insisted she focus entirely on the baby. Seeing her mother-in-law’s stubbornness, Sheng Wanyan gave up the kitchen and retreated to the bedroom to nurse Yi Yi and coax her to sleep.
As the baby drifted off, her tiny lips kept moving rhythmically, suckling at the air. Sheng Wanyan had intentionally avoided giving her a pacifier, terrified that the child would develop a stubborn dependency on it. Fortunately, pacifiers were a rare luxury in this era anyway, which made enforcing that boundary much easier.
Once the baby was sound asleep, Sheng Wanyan stepped out into the dining room to share lunch with Mother Gu. Halfway through the meal, Mother Sheng knocked and walked in, carrying a basket of fresh, piping-hot meat buns she had just steamed.
“Mom, you’re just in time,” Sheng Wanyan said, pulling out a chair. “Sit down and eat with us.”
Mother Sheng waved her hands dismissively. “Oh, no, I just came to drop these off. I should get back.” She felt a bit self-conscious; with her daughter’s mother-in-law staying in the house, she worried it would look improper if she was constantly lingering around their dinner table.
“In-law, please, sit down and join us,” Mother Gu insisted warmly, stepping forward to press her into the seat. “We have more than enough food.”
Mother Gu genuinely loved a lively, bustling household. Ever since she arrived in Bing City, the apartment had felt far too quiet. Sheng Wanyan had been deeply withdrawn lately, her usual vibrant energy replaced by a heavy, fragile silence that Mother Gu found incredibly unnerving. Back when Father Gu was still here, she at least had her husband to talk to, but now she was left alone with her thoughts. Still, her primary focus was Wanyan’s health; she refused to pressure her third daughter-in-law into putting on a brave face.
The Gu family harbored a profound sense of guilt toward Sheng Wanyan. Because of that debt, Mother Gu was prepared to indulge her completely. Wanyan didn’t need to force herself to manage the household chores; as long as she took care of little Yi Yi, Mother Gu was content to handle the rest. Consequently, Mother Gu had been feeling a bit lonely herself, and having Mother Sheng around for a proper chat was the perfect remedy.
“Alright then, I won’t stand on ceremony,” Mother Sheng relented with a smile. In truth, she wanted nothing more than to watch over her daughter at a moment’s notice, but she had been hesitant to keep imposing ever since Mother Gu moved in.
Seeing her settle in, Mother Gu’s eyes lit up with a sudden idea. “In-law, why don’t you just pack your bags and move in here with me?”
Mother Gu stared at her expectantly. It would be a complete lie to say Mother Sheng wasn’t tempted. After all, she had undertaken the long journey to Bing City strictly to support Wanyan.
“Well, I’m not sure if that would be appropriate…” Mother Sheng hesitated.
“Oh, don’t overthink it!” Mother Gu urged, swatting the air. “With the two of us living under one roof, we can team up to look after Wanyan and little Yi Yi. Plus, we’ll have someone to talk to in the evenings. Otherwise, this big apartment is far too boring at night.”
Mother Sheng was thoroughly swayed by the argument, but a nagging concern still lingered in her mind. She had traveled north to live with her son and daughter-in-law to help manage their household. She worried that if she suddenly packed up to live with her married daughter, Pan Yue might harbor some unspoken resentment, feeling neglected or slighted by her mother-in-law’s sudden departure.
“Let me head back across the path and discuss it with the family first,” Mother Sheng decided.
Mother Gu understood her hesitation completely. Navigating the delicate dynamics with a daughter-in-law could be tricky. But she also knew exactly how deeply Mother Sheng fiercely loved Wanyan. She was a mother herself; if her own daughter were navigating such a devastating crisis, she too would want to be glued to her side every single second.
Mother Sheng was a decisive woman. The moment lunch concluded, she returned to her son’s apartment and laid out her thoughts before the family.
Grandpa and Grandma Sheng naturally raised absolutely no objections. The household was running smoothly, and there were no pressing crises demanding her presence. Furthermore, Sheng Wanze was a grown man capable of handling any heavy labor around the quarters. Little Huzi was already over a year old now, meaning he no longer required the constant, round-the-clock supervision an infant demanded.
Still, while everyone agreed Wanyan needed support, managing a household with two grieving women under one roof carried its own logistical challenges. Caring for little Yi Yi, cooking daily meals, gathering wood, and prepping provisions for the harsh northern winter—stockpiling grain, coal, oil, and salt—all required an immense amount of physical labor and coordination.
With the elderly grandparents fully supportive, Sheng Wanze naturally backed his mother’s decision as well. Now, the final, crucial piece of the puzzle lay in obtaining Pan Yue’s genuine consent.
Sensing the collective gaze of the room turn toward her, Pan Yue didn’t hesitate for a second. “Mom, please go and look after Little Sister,” she said, her tone entirely earnest. “As long as I’m here, you don’t have to worry about a single thing in this house.”
Pan Yue’s words acted as an immediate wave of reassurance, completely relieving Mother Sheng’s anxieties. She had been waiting specifically for her daughter-in-law to voice her blessing. Pan Yue possessed a sharp clarity regarding what truly mattered; her sister-in-law was currently enduring the darkest period of her life, and it was only right that Mother Sheng prioritize her daughter. It operated on the exact same principle as her own mother occasionally returning to her maternal home to help out during an emergency.
“Xiaoyue,” Mother Sheng said, her voice softening with raw emotion. “Marrying you is the absolute greatest blessing our Wanze will ever receive.”
Pan Yue’s cheeks instantly flushed a deep crimson at the high praise. “Mom, please, we are all family. There’s no need for such formalities.” She felt thoroughly flattered yet utterly flustered by her mother-in-law’s sudden sentimentality, entirely unsure of how to carry herself.
With the matter officially settled, Mother Sheng wasted no time. That very afternoon, she packed her clothing and prepared to move across the path. True to her principled nature, she made sure to carry her own grain and oil rations along with her. However, the absolute moment Mother Gu spotted the ration sacks, she firmly pushed them back into Mother Sheng’s hands.
“In-law, what on earth do you think you’re doing?” Mother Gu scolded, her tone affectionate yet unyielding. “Do you honestly think our Gu family cannot afford to put food on the table for you? The day I accept your personal rations after asking you to move in and help me manage this household is the day I lose my self-respect.”
Mother Gu adamantly refused to accept a single grain. “Take them back over, or I won’t allow you to lift a finger to help me around here.”
Seeing her unyielding stance, Mother Sheng knew when to concede. She quietly carried her food sacks back to her son’s kitchen, resolving internally to simply use her own monthly salary to discreetly subsidize the household’s expenses over the coming weeks. She earned a substantial independent income and could easily afford to live comfortably without pinching pennies.
“In-law, since you put it that way, I won’t stand on politeness anymore,” Mother Sheng laughed.
Mother Gu broke into a cheerful grin. “That’s more like it! We are family now; there’s absolutely no need to calculate every single bowl of rice so rigidly. As long as we get along, that’s all that matters.”
Mother Sheng’s belongings were remarkably sparse—just a few simple changes of everyday clothing, which easily fit into a small corner of the wardrobe.
When Sheng Wanyan witnessed her mother-in-law successfully charm Mother Sheng into moving across the street, she couldn’t help but marvel at Mother Gu’s incredible interpersonal skills. In their hometown of Chengdu, Mother Sheng was a formidable force; practically no one possessed the authority to sway her choices. Father Sheng was thoroughly henpecked, Sheng Wanze and Sheng Wanyan held a healthy fear of their mother’s temper, and Grandpa and Grandma Sheng firmly believed their daughter-in-law could do no wrong. Consequently, within the Sheng family framework, Mother Sheng’s word was absolute law. If anyone dared to cross her, she wouldn’t hesitate to settle the dispute with her fists, and she had never once lost a fight. Yet, here she was, completely handled by a few sweet, persuasive phrases from Mother Gu.
The two elder women truly complemented each other flawlessly: one possessed a brilliant, silver-tongued diplomacy, while the other preferred swift, decisive action over idle chatter.
With Mother Sheng’s official arrival, the heavy, suffocating atmosphere within the apartment dissolved completely, replaced by a lively, warm energy. Sheng Wanyan could feel the immediate shift in her environment. Wrapped in the fierce, protective affection of the two mothers, she found a sense of comfort settling into her days.
Suddenly finding her burdens lifted, Sheng Wanyan utilized her free time to venture down to the base of the mountain to gather firewood, or stroll down to the riverbank with her rod. Whenever she caught a fish or two, she would bring them back alive, keeping them fresh in a water basin in the courtyard.
Meanwhile, the military wives within the residential compound no longer dared to utter a single syllable of gossip regarding her household. However, whenever Aunt Du crossed paths with Sheng Wanyan, her expression turned bitter and resentful.
How could Aunt Du possibly be happy? Her entire home had been reduced to splinters by Sheng Wanyan, yet because of Father Gu’s overwhelming authority, she hadn’t received a single penny of financial restitution. Worse yet, her son’s career had been completely derailed after offending the Commander-in-Chief, and even their most powerful connection, Chief of Staff Liang, had been thoroughly ruined because of the scandal.
Now, whenever the younger single women on the base spotted anyone from the Du family, they practically ran in the opposite direction. Aunt Du had been frantically trying to arrange a respectable new marriage for Captain Du, but her efforts were met with cold rejection. Among the decent, upstanding families within the regiment, who would ever be foolish enough to marry their daughter off to a man who had already been divorced twice and came saddled with a child?
Chapter 358: Apologize
The most important factor was that no matter how impressive a potential match’s family status was, could it ever compare to the position of chief of staff?
Aunt Du found herself with no options left. She didn’t even dare to step outside her front door lately, knowing that the moment she walked through the quarters, the neighbors would openly point fingers and whisper behind her back.
Sheng Wanyan completely ignored her. After catching her two fish, she simply carried them home. She had been trapped in a state of emotional withdrawal for some time now, so the fact that she was finally willing to venture outside at all was a positive sign. However, the fact that she managed to bring back one or two fish every single time she went down to the riverbank thoroughly astonished Mother Gu and Mother Sheng. Both mothers deeply admired her incredible luck. To catch a fish or two on every single outing was truly a marvel.
Sheng Wanyan no longer brought extra fish out from her secret spatial dimension to distribute among the other military wives. She refused to let them share in her good fortune. Ever since the incident on the riverbank, she wanted absolutely nothing to do with the other dependents in the compound, let alone gift them fresh catches for their dinner tables. Unless Grandpa Sheng accompanied her and she handed a fish directly to him, the rest of the base received nothing.
Slowly, Sheng Wanyan’s daily life drifted back into a predictable routine. To an outside observer, it appeared as though she had gradually begun to heal and move on from the tragedy of Gu Tingxiao’s disappearance.
However, on this particular afternoon, Captain Feng arrived at her doorstep, accompanied by a pale, anxious Qiao Hehua. Their arms were laden with a mountain of packages.
When Mother Gu opened the door and saw them standing on the threshold, a wave of profound sorrow tightened her chest.
“Auntie…” Captain Feng began, his voice barely a whisper.
“We came here to make amends,” Qiao Hehua added quietly.
Neither of them had known a moment of peace since the rescue team returned. The immense weight of guilt had taken a severe physical toll, leaving both of them visibly gaunt and exhausted. The offerings they had carried over represented the absolute best goods they could afford, scraped together entirely to provide some form of restitution for Sheng Wanyan and her daughter.
“Take your things and go back,” Mother Gu said, her voice flat.
“Auntie, please…” Hearing her immediate refusal, Captain Feng’s voice choked up, and his eyes welled with tears.
Mother Gu let out a heavy, ragged sigh.
Hearing the tense murmurs at the entryway, Mother Sheng stepped out of the living room. Seeing the couple standing there, she found herself entirely at a loss for words.
The family understood rationally that Captain Feng had done nothing wrong. Unpredictable disasters were an inherent risk during any emergency rescue operation. Captain Feng had simply lost his footing on the slick, mud-covered rocks while trying to secure the area. Gu Tingxiao had lunged forward to haul him back to safety, only to lose his own balance and tumble into the raging torrent below.
Yet, even with that logical understanding, the brutal reality remained: Gu Tingxiao had been swallowed by the river explicitly because he chose to save this man. It was impossible for the family not to harbor a quiet, painful resentment. But what was the use of bitterness now? What was done was done; there was no rewriting history. This was the solemn duty Gu Tingxiao had accepted as a soldier and a leader. Even if the clock could be turned back, they all knew a man of his character would make the exact same choice.
Without warning, Captain Feng and his wife dropped to their knees on the hard ground. Mother Gu stared down at them, her eyes turning a fierce, burning red.
“Auntie, I am so deeply sorry,” Captain Feng wept, refusing to stand. If it were within his power, he would gladly trade his own life this very second to bring Regiment Commander Gu back to his family.
Mother Gu abruptly turned her head away, unable to bear the sight of the couple prostrated before her. She had lost her beloved son because of the man kneeling at her feet. If she hadn’t maintained a final, fragile thread of rational composure, she would have wanted nothing more than to claw the man to pieces.
Unable to control her rising emotion, Mother Gu turned on her heel and retreated into the back of the apartment. Watching her frantic, distressed departure, Mother Sheng knew her in-law’s heart was shattering all over again. Mother Gu had been forcing herself to put on a brave, unyielding facade ever since arriving, desperately trying to project strength so she could nurse Wanyan and the baby. But beneath that armor, she was a grieving mother. What mother on earth could easily survive the agony of burying her own child?
“Go home,” Mother Sheng said, her voice firm yet heavy with sorrow. “And please, don’t come back here again.”
“Auntie…”
Captain Feng and Qiao Hehua could only weep, begging through their tears for a single chance to offer their repentance.
“Consider it a personal plea from an old woman,” Mother Sheng interrupted, her voice trembling with a sudden, fierce protectiveness. “I cannot afford to watch my daughter completely lose her mind. I refuse to lose my son-in-law and my daughter at the same time!”
With that final statement, Mother Sheng firmly shut the heavy wooden door, cutting off their pleas. She knew her daughter was inside the apartment. She refused to let the couple’s presence trigger Wanyan into another emotional spiral.
On the other side of the closed door, Captain Feng froze, the brutal reality of Mother Sheng’s words causing the blood in his veins to run cold. Qiao Hehua stared blankly at the painted wood, entirely speechless. They realized then that even if they spent the rest of their natural lives trapped in a cycle of endless repentance and amends, it would never be enough to repair the devastation. Left with no alternative, the broken couple gathered their rejected packages and walked away.
Inside the quiet master bedroom, Sheng Wanyan was gently rocking Yi Yi. In truth, she had heard the chaotic weeping and voices out in the hallway from the very beginning. Yet she had chosen to remain locked inside. She had deliberately stayed away because she lived in terror of her own darkness—afraid that if she looked at Captain Feng’s face, she wouldn’t be able to contain the sudden, overwhelming hatred burning in her chest.
She understood rationally that Captain Feng wasn’t to blame. No one had committed a crime. The rescue team wasn’t at fault, the leadership wasn’t at fault, and Gu Tingxiao certainly wasn’t at fault. But emotional grief defied rationality. She was terrified that if she stepped out into that hallway, she would lose complete control of her senses and demand he pay for her husband’s life with his own. She wouldn’t be able to stop herself.
Forcing the dark thoughts from her mind, Sheng Wanyan focused entirely on the baby in her arms, softly humming a low, soothing nursery rhyme to lull her to sleep. Yi Yi’s tiny fingers curled tightly around her mother’s thumb, her breathing gradually turning slow and rhythmic as she drifted off.
“The dark sky hangs low, with bright stars following close behind…” Wanyan sang softly into the quiet room. “The insects are flying, the insects are flying… Tell me, who is it that you miss?”
Who was it that the baby missed? Who was it that she herself missed so desperately?
She missed him. She missed Gu Tingxiao.
The steady march of time possessed a natural ability to dilute even the sharpest of sorrows. Gradually, the heavy, suffocating cloud of depression that had paralyzed the military quarters began to lift, and life within the compound settled back into a quiet calm. It seemed the community was slowly beginning to relegate the tragedy to the past. Or perhaps, because the loss didn’t directly alter their own households, they simply chose to look forward.
Before long, a few celebratory events rolled through the quarters, providing a welcome distraction. Deputy Company Commander Wu’s parents had successfully finalized a new arranged marriage for him. His new bride was the daughter of one of his father’s old factory colleagues. Still, it was hard for the neighborhood gossips not to whisper about the arrangement; it was bound to be an incredibly difficult transition for a young, unmarried woman to suddenly step into a household and become a stepmother to four young children.
The Wu family naturally guarded Deputy Company Commander Wu’s two sons with fierce partiality, ensuring the boys would never suffer neglect. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for his two daughters. With a new stepmother running the household, the young girls’ daily lives quickly became even more miserable and restricted than they had been under their biological mother’s chaotic reign.
Ever since Deputy Company Commander Wu had been formally demoted and stripped of his rank due to the public scandal surrounding Zhang Zhaodi, Wu’s mother had been entirely consumed by thoughts of his reinstatement.
“Son, listen to me,” Wu’s mother urged one evening over dinner. “Your Captain Gu has been missing for quite some time now. Surely the high command will need to officially promote someone to fill that vacancy permanent-like?”
Hearing his mother bring up the subject, Deputy Company Commander Wu felt a sudden surge of irritation. “Mom, please drop it. Even if the administration decides to push through a promotion, the first name on that list will be Sheng Wanze. It will never be mine. Besides, Captain Gu’s ultimate fate is still unconfirmed.”
“You are such a blind fool!” Wu’s mother hissed, exasperated by his passive attitude. “Even if you can’t secure the deputy battalion commander seat, you should at least be fighting to reclaim your old company commander position!”
“Mom, be realistic,” Deputy Company Commander Wu countered, his voice tight. “Do you honestly believe the leadership is going to restore command authority to an officer who is actively serving out a disciplinary punishment? The regiment is never short on qualified talent.”
His pragmatism only infuriated his mother further. She slammed her chopsticks down and launched into a familiar, bitter tirade, dragging up every past mistake. “This is entirely because you refused to listen to my warnings! You simply insisted on marrying that wretched, lower-class creature Zhang Zhaodi! Look at the magnificent ruin she brought upon your head!”
“If it weren’t for that woman dragging you into the dirt, you would likely be sitting comfortably as a deputy battalion commander this very second!”
Though his mother was relentlessly weaponizing his past choices to berate him, her words carried an undeniable, brutal truth. Deputy Company Commander Wu could only stare at his plate, entirely unable to form a single word of defense.
“Daling, please don’t be upset. Mother is only speaking out of a fierce desire to see you succeed,” his new bride murmured gently, reaching over to place a comforting hand over his knuckles.
Deputy Company Commander Wu looked at his young wife, a sudden wave of guilt washing over his chest. She was a respectable, sweet young woman who had sacrificed her youth to become a stepmother to his unruly household. “Thank you for being so understanding,” he muttered softly.
No matter how many flaws his previous wife had possessed, Zhang Zhaodi had never once offered a single tender, supportive phrase to ease his mind during a crisis. He recognized clearly now that his judgment had been entirely broken in the past, but the damage was already done. His mother refused to let the matter rest, utilizing every conversation to remind him of how colossal a fool he had been. Hearing the same biting criticisms day in and day out left him thoroughly exhausted. Who on earth enjoyed being continuously reminded of the most humiliating mistakes of their past?
Worse yet, he was a grown man with children of his own and a new wife sitting at his table. If his mother insisted on stripping away his dignity in front of his new bride every single evening, how was he supposed to maintain any shred of authority or self-respect within his own home?
Chapter 359: Preparing for the First Birthday
Mother Wu was furious, but she had no intention of separating from her son. She firmly believed she was doing all this for his own good, yet he didn’t appreciate it at all.
He hadn’t stopped to consider the reality of their situation. There were more people in the family now; how could his small, cramped house possibly accommodate them all? They might not be able to get him promoted right away, but they could certainly upgrade their living quarters! Now that Regiment Commander Gu was missing, what was the point of Sheng Wanyan’s family continuing to occupy that massive, beautiful yard?
Still, Mother Wu was well aware of the Gu family’s elite status and knew she couldn’t afford to openly offend them. She would simply have to wait for the military command to officially appoint someone else to take over Gu Tingxiao’s position. According to the regulations, the moment a new commander was named, Sheng Wanyan would be forced to vacate the residence.
Once that happened, and her son was reinstated as a company commander, it would be perfectly reasonable for him to apply for a transfer into that specific courtyard. Mother Wu had admired Gu Tingxiao’s yard for a long time. It was beautifully maintained, complete with a modern kitchen and a charming pavilion. Moving in would require absolutely no extra renovations on their part.
She sighed, irritated by her son’s complete lack of ambition. Did he genuinely intend to remain a deputy company commander for the rest of his life? She could only hope Captain Gu’s family would move out soon so they could claim the space. It felt entirely unreasonable for a lone widow and her child to monopolize such prime real estate.
Sheng Wanyan had no idea that someone was already coveting her home. But even if the military rules eventually forced her to move, she would tear down the pavilion and every custom addition she had built before handing over the keys! If anyone else wanted a beautiful yard, they could build it themselves; she wasn’t about to coddle a bunch of freeloaders. Besides, the high command had issued no such orders, so Mother Wu was merely daydreaming.
Unbothered by the neighborhood schemes, Sheng Wanyan focused entirely on preparing for Yi Yi’s first birthday. The baby would turn one in a week. Rather than hosting a massive, high-profile celebration, Sheng Wanyan preferred to keep it intimate—just a quiet, special dinner shared among family. They would host the traditional Zhuazhou ceremony at home, letting the baby pick various symbolic items to predict her future, allowing the family to enjoy the milestone in peace.
During the days leading up to the birthday, Mother Sheng and Mother Gu occupied themselves by sewing a brand-new set of bright red celebratory clothes for Yi Yi, carefully crafting the garments by hand.
To prepare for the event, Sheng Wanyan decided to head into the city to pick up some birthday gifts for the baby. Naturally, Mother Sheng and Mother Gu were thrilled by her decision. This was the absolute first time since the tragedy that Wanyan had voluntarily expressed a desire to leave the house. Eager to see her relax and clear her head, the two mothers quickly ushered her out the door.
Sheng Wanyan pedaled her bicycle toward the city. Along the dirt road, she crossed paths with Captain Fang’s wife, Xu Guihua, who was also cycling toward the urban district. Xu Guihua was traveling with her two children; her son was balanced precariously on the front handlebars, making the ride incredibly cramped and awkward.
“Yan’er! Are you heading into the city too?” Xu Guihua called out warmly, slowing her pace. It had been quite some time since she last saw Sheng Wanyan.
She was well aware of the devastating rumors clouding Wanyan’s household over the past few weeks. Initially, she had wanted to stop by the apartment to offer her condolences, but she quickly changed her mind. She realized that if she were facing such a nightmare, the last thing she would want was for the entire base to swarm her home with pity and empty sympathy. Consequently, she had kept her distance, resolving to check in once the dust settled.
Sheng Wanyan returned the greeting with a polite smile. After all, she still intended to collaborate with Xu Guihua on future projects once the political climate shifted. “Yes, Sister-in-law. Why don’t you let one of the children sit on the back of my bike?”
“Oh, no, I wouldn’t want to trouble you,” Xu Guihua declined quickly. “I can manage just fine.”
“It’s no trouble at all, Sister-in-law. It’s far too cramped for the kids to ride like that, and safety comes first. Let me help.”
Recognizing the genuine concern in Wanyan’s voice, Xu Guihua finally conceded. Her son was getting quite heavy anyway, so lifting her young daughter off the front handlebars was a massive relief. She carefully settled the little girl onto the sturdy rear rack of Sheng Wanyan’s bicycle.
“Thank you, Auntie!” the little girl chimed sweetly.
Sheng Wanyan’s heart melted at her polite manners. “You’re very welcome, sweetheart. Make sure you hold on tight to my waist.”
The moment she felt the little girl’s arms wrap securely around her middle, Sheng Wanyan pressed down on the pedals, accelerating toward the city streets.
Upon arriving, she and Xu Guihua headed straight for the grand supply and marketing cooperative. Since they both had completely different shopping lists to fulfill, they agreed to part ways and meet up later for the return trip.
Sheng Wanyan began browsing the counters, using her monthly funds to purchase supplies. Even though Gu Tingxiao’s ultimate fate remained unconfirmed, his official status meant his military salary continued to draw every single month. Sheng Wanyan had collected this month’s pay alongside a substantial mission bonus. Standing at the clerk’s counter, she could feel the heavy, pitiful stares of the employees. Everyone in the administrative loop knew that if Captain Gu had returned safely from this disaster relief mission, a major promotion would have been waiting for him. What a devastating tragedy…
Sheng Wanyan consciously ignored the looks of pity. Right now, her sole focus was protecting little Yi Yi and securing a brilliant, stable future for her. As for Gu Tingxiao, she would continue to maintain her quiet wait until the day a body was placed before her eyes. She firmly believed that somewhere out there, hidden in some unknown corner, her husband was clinging to the exact same conviction.
She purchased a mountain of supplies, focusing almost entirely on items for Yi Yi, before stocking up on a large batch of winter coal briquettes. Afterward, she walked over to the local post office to mail out the monthly allowance and food coupons for Gu Tingxiao’s parents, ensuring every familial obligation was meticulously met.
Before leaving the counter, she bought a fresh sheet of collectible postage stamps, a habit the postal clerks had grown thoroughly accustomed to. Gu Tingxiao had amassed a vast collection of rare military stamps during his service, all of which she had carefully cataloged and preserved. In the decades to come, these collectibles would skyrocket in value, serving as a reliable financial safety net if the family ever fell on hard times. It was a practical way to let Gu Tingxiao continue contributing to his daughter’s future as a father.
Gu Tingxiao: “…” Wife, I’m pretty sure I’m still coming back?
Gu Tingxiao had no idea his wife was already managing his legacy with such clinical pragmatism. If he knew, he would have dragged his bruised body out of whatever ditch he was stranded in just to prove he was breathing.
With her purchases secured, Sheng Wanyan’s mind drifted toward the future. The national college entrance examinations were scheduled to officially resume next year. She briefly debated whether she should capitalize on the shifting economic tide to amass a fortune through the underground black markets. With enough liquid capital, she could easily secure a massive piece of the pie across various emerging industries once privatization went public.
But the thought of Gu Tingxiao’s delicate military standing gave her pause. If she operated illegally and drew the attention of political rivals, the blowback could ruin her family. It was far safer to stick to her legitimate translation work and invest heavily in the stock market later on. There were endless avenues to wealth; there was no need to invite unnecessary risks upon Gu Tingxiao’s legacy—even if her husband was technically presumed dead. After all, out of respect for the absent, she had to tread carefully.
Gu Tingxiao: “…..”
Sheng Wanyan prepared to head back to the quarters. She intentionally avoided riding back with Xu Guihua this time, needing a private window along the road to discreetly retrieve extra goods from her secret spatial dimension. She pulled out a large stash of fresh apples and pears—Yi Yi’s absolute favorite fruits, which luckily blended right in with the seasonal produce of the era.
The moment she pedaled into the courtyard, Mother Sheng hurried out to greet her, reaching down to help unburden the bicycle. “Mercy, child! Why did you buy so many things?” she muttered affectionately, lifting the heavy sacks.
“I want to make sure Yi Yi has a proper, full celebration for her first birthday,” Sheng Wanyan explained, walking inside. Even though Gu Tingxiao wasn’t present to witness the milestone, she refused to let her daughter miss out on a single shred of the comfort and joy she deserved.
“There’s simply no winning an argument with you,” Mother Sheng sighed, a wave of tenderness washing over her chest. “Go on inside and rest your legs.” As a mother herself, she understood the fierce, protective instinct driving Wanyan’s actions. She intentionally avoided mentioning Gu Tingxiao’s name, terrified of triggering her daughter into another exhausting spiral of silent grief.
In the yard, Mother Gu was sitting on a low stool, watching Yi Yi play with Maodou. The moment she spotted Wanyan walking up the path, she scooped the baby into her arms and strolled over. “Look, Yi Yi, Mommy’s back!”
“Mom~” Yi Yi babbled, her plump little arms waving enthusiastically. Seeing her chubby limbs, Sheng Wanyan leaned down and affectionately pinched her soft cheek.
Yi Yi immediately leaned forward, reaching out her arms to demand a hug. But Sheng Wanyan was covered in a thick layer of road dust from her long ride and stepped back. “Mommy’s dirty right now, sweetie. Let me wash up first, then I’ll hold you.”
Yi Yi’s lower lip trembled, a sudden pout forming as tears wellled in her eyes. But hearing her mother’s reassuring voice, she clamped her mouth shut and bravely held the tears back, waiting patiently on her grandmother’s hip.
