Chapter 396| Chapter 397| Chapter 398
Chapter 396: The Care Package from the Capital
If things had gone slightly worse back then, his entire family would have suffered. In the worst-case scenario, he might have been reassigned to the most desolate, brutal outpost in the country.
Gu Tingxiao could maintain a professional, peaceful demeanor with Deputy Company Commander Wu at work, but he refused to act as if nothing had happened in his private life. Even though Wu had married a new wife, this bicycle was part of Sheng Wanyan’s dowry. She was the one who bought it, and she had the final say.
In fact, his wife had the final say on everything at home. Since Sheng Wanyan hadn’t returned yet, Deputy Company Commander Wu and Niu Chunhua had no choice but to stand by the gate and wait.
When Sheng Wanyan finally walked up to the courtyard and spotted the couple, she felt a flicker of surprise. These two rarely had any reason to visit her home. While the other military wives frequently dropped by to chat and share gossip, Niu Chunhua kept to herself and kept her distance from their circle.
“Sister-in-law, you’re back,” Deputy Company Commander Wu greeted, stepping forward the moment he saw her. But just as he opened his mouth to state his business, he noticed Battalion Commander Wang and Yang Wanshu walking right behind her.
“Wife, you’re back. Was the package heavy?”
Gu Tingxiao had been listening for her return, worried she might be lugging something too cumbersome. He hurried out of the house to relieve her, but found Sheng Wanyan’s hands completely empty. It was Battalion Commander Wang who was carrying the massive bundle behind her.
“It wasn’t heavy at all,” Sheng Wanyan smiled. “Battalion Commander Wang happened to be at the compound gates to borrow a bicycle, so he offered to carry it back for me on the way.”
Her casual remark left Deputy Company Commander Wu and Niu Chunhua standing in awkward silence. It was painfully obvious that they had arrived at the house first.
Gu Tingxiao caught the shift in atmosphere immediately and looked at his wife. “Deputy Commander Wu came by to borrow the bicycle as well. I told him he had to wait for you to come back and make the decision.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Deputy Commander Wu,” Sheng Wanyan said, turning to him with an apologetic smile. “I already promised to lend it to Battalion Commander Wang when we crossed paths at the entrance. I suppose it’s just bad timing.”
Since she had already given her word at the compound gates, Deputy Company Commander Wu and his wife had no logical ground to stand on.
“Don’t worry about it, Sister-in-law. We’ll go look somewhere else,” Wu replied tightly.
He took Niu Chunhua by the arm and led her away. Niu Chunhua knew full well that Sheng Wanyan held absolute authority in the Gu household, and she couldn’t afford to offend her. Forcing a polite smile, she walked away beside her husband to try their luck at another courtyard.
“Just bring the package inside,” Gu Tingxiao told Wang, before gesturing toward the back of the house without the slightest hint of hesitation. “The bicycle is parked right behind the door. Go ahead and grab it.”
“Yes, Captain!” Battalion Commander Wang barked automatically.
He carefully set the heavy parcel down by the living room sofa, then wheeling the bicycle out, he and his wife happily set off toward the city.
With the guests gone, Sheng Wanyan eagerly sat down to open the package. Inside lay a fresh batch of texts and reference books forwarded by the Capital newspaper office, alongside her translation royalties from the previous month. Beneath the paperwork were stacks of brand-new clothes and shoes prepared by the Gu family elders for the holidays. Every child in the extended family had received a share, and little Yi Yi was certainly not left out.
The moment Yi Yi spotted the vibrant, beautiful fabrics, she began to prance around on her tip-toes with excitement. She waddled over and buried her entire head directly into the box.
“What are you doing, you little rascal? You look like a little mouse digging for cheese,” Sheng Wanyan laughed, gently lifting her daughter’s face out of the bundle.
Yi Yi pouted her chubby cheeks, instantly shifting into her most coquettish routine to charm her mother. She pointed her tiny finger at a beautiful little dress buried in the tissue paper, her eyes shining with adoration. “One… one?”
“Nope, this one belongs to Mommy,” Sheng Wanyan lied smoothly, her face remaining perfectly serious.
Yi Yi’s eyes went wide with utter disbelief. She stared blankly at the tiny garment, then looked back at her mother. Can Mommy really squeeze into clothes that small?
“Mama?” she asked again, her tone full of doubt.
Sheng Wanyan nodded with absolute solemnity. This time, the toddler fell for it.
“Ah…” Defeated, Yi Yi turned on her short legs, waddled over to the sofa, and collapsed face-first into the cushions, burying her plump little body in sheer disappointment.
Sheng Wanyan burst into laughter. Gu Tingxiao watched his wife playfully tease their daughter, a warm, indulgent smile breaking across his features as he looked at the two of them.
Having had her fun, Wanyan quickly pulled the little girl back over to explain where all these wonderful gifts had actually come from. “Look, Yi Yi. These were all bought specially for you by your great-grandparents, your grandparents, and your uncles and aunts.”
The moment the words left her mouth, Yi Yi’s head snapped up. Her eyes lit up like stars, and she scrambled back toward the box. Although the little girl could walk quite steadily now, her running form was still hilariously clumsy and top-heavy—especially bundled up in so many layers. It was terrifying to watch, but neither Wanyan nor Gu Tingxiao rushed to coddle her. She was wearing so much padding that even if she tripped and tumbled, she wouldn’t feel a thing.
Yi Yi rushed to the edge of the chest, her eyes crinkling into joyful crescents as she admired the gorgeous little skirts her extended family had picked out for her.
“Your grandparents even wrote a lovely letter to you,” Sheng Wanyan murmured, pulling out a thick handwritten letter that detailed exactly who had prepared each item.
Grandpa and Grandma Gu had sent a steady supply of high-quality milk powder, nutritious snacks, and various toys. The exquisite holiday dresses had been personally chosen by Gu’s father and mother. But the most unique item in the box was a pair of toddler sneakers—tiny, incredibly cute, and perfect for a child learning to run around. These had been purchased by Gu’s eldest brother and sister-in-law.
Even her young aunt, Gu Tingting, had picked out a collection of popular toys she knew the little girl would love.
The family from the fourth courtyard had also contributed, sending over a beautiful set of colored paintbrushes. In the letter, Mother Gu noted that it was the fourth uncle, Gu Tinghao, who had purchased them out of his own pocket. Apparently, his choice had ignited a fierce row with his wife, Wang Chunmei, who screamed that he was wasting hard-earned money on a niece while their own son didn’t even own a proper paintbrush.
Mother Gu, however, had absolutely no patience for such pettiness. If Wang Chunmei chose to be a cold, ungenerous aunt, that was her business—but she had no right to forbid her husband, Gu Tinghao, from showing affection to his brother’s child. It was the Lunar New Year, yet she was throwing a tantrum over a simple set of paintbrushes for a toddler. Throughout the entire year, this was the only gesture the fourth courtyard had made, and she still tried to play the victim.
In contrast, Gu Tingxiao and Sheng Wanyan had already prepared generous New Year gifts for every single elder and child in the capital, mailing them out weeks in advance. They hadn’t excluded the two children from the fourth courtyard despite their ongoing friction with Wang Chunmei. It was baffling how some people were so incredibly eager to receive kindness, yet fought tooth and nail when it came time to give back.
Mother Gu’s letter was filled with paragraphs of venting, her irritation practically radiating off the pages. Gu Tingxiao silently read the letter over his wife’s shoulder, his expression unreadable. He didn’t comment on the family drama; ever since he had formally told Gu Tinghao that he no longer considered him a brother, he had completely detached himself from his affairs.
Though Gu Tinghao wrote to him every single year without fail, Gu Tingxiao never penned a reply. Yet, Sheng Wanyan knew him well enough to know that he read every single word of those letters with meticulous care. Sometimes, he would even write privately to his eldest brother, quietly asking him to keep an eye on Gu Tinghao and ensure he wasn’t struggling. Gu Tingxiao never hid these private longings from his wife; he simply couldn’t tolerate watching Wang Chunmei use his brother as a doormat. Beneath his rigid, military exterior, her husband possessed an incredibly deep, sensitive heart.
“Wow! A doll!”
The heavy silence in the room was instantly shattered by a high-pitched squeal of pure delight.
Yi Yi had unearthed a beautiful stuffed doll from the very bottom of the chest and was cheering at the top of her lungs. This particular gift had been bought secretly by Gu’s father, who hadn’t breathed a word of it to the rest of the household before sealing the crate. After all, he was a gruff, hardened patriarch; if his colleagues or subordinates found out he was shopping for plush baby dolls, he would be teased mercilessly. How could he maintain his fierce reputation after that? To save his dignity, he had waited until the dead of night to secretly slip the doll into the center of the package when everyone else was asleep.
Sheng Wanyan turned the page of the letter and caught a postscript written in Mother Gu’s elegant script: “Your father truly thinks he’s a master spy and that I didn’t notice him sneaking around. It’s absolutely hilarious.”
Mother Gu had seen right through him from the start, but she had chosen to preserve the old man’s pride by staying quiet. Wanyan chuckled softly to herself. Father Gu really was an endearing character. Looking at the story, she finally understood exactly where Gu Tingxiao had inherited his quiet, deeply reserved, yet fiercely protective nature.
Chapter 397: Children’s Education Issues
“Yi Yi is so happy!”
Clutching the plush doll tightly to her chest, Yi Yi refused to let go, her big eyes crinkling with sheer joy.
“Grandpa bought this specifically for you,” Sheng Wanyan said softly.
“Pa?”
Yi Yi looked up, her large, watery eyes blinking. At her age, she could no longer picture what her grandparents in the capital looked like. She only knew that they frequently mailed her wonderful care packages and that her grandfather had given her a precious gold necklace. Her mother often reminded her that her grandparents doted on her and loved her very much.
“That’s right, Grandpa bought it for you. Do you like it?”
“Happy!”
Yi Yi waved her chubby little hands in the air. Her fingers were wonderfully plump, each featuring a deep, cute little dimple at the knuckle.
Amused by the sight, Sheng Wanyan caught one of the little hands, leaned down, and playfully nipped at it.
Yi Yi froze. Her eyes widened with absolute horror, and the fine hairs on her arms stood straight on end.
“Waaah!”
“Daddy!”
Terrified, the toddler scrambled away as fast as her legs could carry her to find Gu Tingxiao. In her mind, her mother had clearly lost her sanity and was now actively trying to eat children. Yi Yi threw her arms around Gu Tingxiao’s shin, burying her face against his leg while staring back at her mother with lingering shock.
An indulgent, gentle smile broke across Gu Tingxiao’s face as he bent down to scoop her up. The moment he lifted her, Yi Yi wrapped her arms around his neck like a lifeline.
“Mommy was just playing a game with you,” Gu Tingxiao explained patiently, ensuring she wouldn’t actually grow up believing her mother was a child-eating monster.
“Play?”
“Yes. Mommy thinks you are adorable, so she was just playing with you.”
“Go play!”
Yi Yi’s ears latched onto the word “play,” and her toddler mind instantly translated it to mean let’s go outside and play. Completely forgetting her fear, she lifted her stuffed doll in one hand and used her other chubby finger to point straight toward the front door. She wanted to take her new doll outside to make some friends!
“It’s freezing outside. Are you sure you want to go out?” Gu Tingxiao checked.
When the little girl nodded emphatically, he knew she would have to be bundled up like a round ball again.
“Bro!”
She wanted to go see Hu Zi. Hearing her request, Gu Tingxiao carried her over to fasten her red winter cloak, called out a quick notice to Sheng Wanyan, and carried their daughter across the snowy lane.
Just before they crossed the threshold, however, Yi Yi suddenly wriggled down, hurried back to the living room, and fished a shiny toy pistol out of the newly opened package. She wanted to give it to her big brother!
Yi Yi had always been granted full ownership of her belongings, which had led to a solid habit of handling her treasures independently without constantly checking in with adults. Ever since she was old enough to comprehend, both Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao had subtly reinforced the idea that her things belonged strictly to her. She possessed the absolute right to decide what to do with her toys, completely free from the need to seek permission or validation from elders.
Sheng Wanyan refused to let her daughter grow into a timid child who repressed her own emotions—the type who would passively surrender her favorite toys to others because she lacked the confidence to say no. If Yi Yi liked something, she was allowed to keep it; if she wanted to share it, that was her choice. Wanyan didn’t believe in trapping a child within rigid, polite social expectations; a child deserved to be the master of her own little world.
Clutching her beloved doll in one arm and the toy pistol for Hu Zi in the other, Yi Yi marched into the Sheng household.
The moment Grandpa and Grandma Sheng saw the little girl walk through the door, they beamed with delight. They eagerly took turns cuddling her, planting big kisses on her rosy cheeks before mixing a warm bowl of milk powder for her. With that settled, the two toddlers were placed safely onto the warm kang bed to play.
“Bro, for you!”
Yi Yi thrust the toy pistol into Hu Zi’s lap. The moment the boy’s eyes landed on the shiny weapon, they lit up like stars.
“For me?” Hu Zi asked, his voice filled with cautious disbelief.
Yi Yi gave a firm nod, confirming it was a special holiday gift just for him.
“Mm!”
“Give bro…” she babbled.
Hu Zi was so overwhelmed with joy that he immediately looked around the room. He could hear his mother busy in the kitchen, while his uncle and father were deep in conversation out in the main living area. The only adults in the bedroom were his great-grandparents.
“Get down,” he whispered, gesturing to the edge of the platform.
Hearing his request, Grandpa Sheng kindly lifted the boy down from the high kang. At two years old, Hu Zi’s legs were still far too short to make the drop safely on his own.
Once his feet hit the floor, Hu Zi turned and flashed a conspiratorial grin at his great-grandfather. “Grandpa, help me keep watch.”
The old man and the little boy shared plenty of secret understandings. The moment Hu Zi spoke, Grandpa Sheng knew some mischief was afoot.
“Alright,” Grandpa Sheng chuckled, playing along. He kept a watchful eye toward the doorway, making sure Pan Yue wouldn’t suddenly walk in and catch the boy in the act.
Hu Zi darted across the room and yanked open the lower cabinet doors. He knew exactly where his mother hid the family’s finest treats. Since his little cousin had gifted him such an incredible toy, he was determined to return the favor with something equally magnificent. Without a second thought, he grabbed a massive bag of sweet pastries and dumped the entire hoard straight into Yi Yi’s lap.
Yi Yi sat frozen on the kang, looking utterly bewildered. What was her brother doing?
Seeing the boy’s aggressive generosity, Grandpa Sheng realized it was time to step in and teach a gentle lesson on boundaries.
“Hu Zi, come over here for a moment,” the old man called out softly.
“Great-grandfather?”
Hu Zi trotted over obediently, tilting his head up with a look of pure confusion.
“Hu Zi, who does that bag of pastries belong to?” Grandpa Sheng asked, pointing toward the bundle resting in Yi Yi’s lap.
“Mommy’s,” Hu Zi answered instantly.
“And did you ask Mommy for permission before taking her things?”
Hu Zi blinked, looking slightly crestfallen. He couldn’t understand why his great-grandfather wasn’t backing him up today; usually, whenever he got into minor trouble, the old man happily covered for him.
What the toddler didn’t realize was that Grandpa Sheng only shielded him from minor, harmless accidents—like muddying his clothes or accidentally cracking a ceramic bowl. Those were careless mishaps, not deliberate choices. But today’s action crossed a line regarding personal property. Even if the victim was the boy’s own biological mother, boundaries had to be respected.
“Those belong to your mother. You can only touch them after you’ve asked her,” Grandpa Sheng explained gently, patting the boy’s shoulder. “Hu Zi, whenever you want to use something that belongs to someone else, you must always get their permission first.”
Hu Zi was a sharp child who processed instructions quickly. He wasn’t the type to exhaust his elders with a hundred thousand questions; if a respected elder laid down a firm rule, he would follow it, even if he didn’t fully grasp the grand moral philosophy behind it yet. The old man didn’t need the two-year-old to understand the deep ethics of property rights just yet; he simply wanted the boy to build excellent social habits from the ground up.
“Okay,” Hu Zi mumbled.
He immediately spun around, dashed into the kitchen, and grabbed Pan Yue by the apron, tugging her into the bedroom. Pan Yue was completely mystified by his urgency until she walked in and spotted the massive sack of family pastries piled high in Yi Yi’s tiny lap.
“Mommy, this is a present for my sister,” Hu Zi announced proudly.
“Oh? And why are we giving Sister a present?” Pan Yue didn’t scold him. Instead, she knelt down to his eye level, keeping her tone warm and inquisitive.
“Sister gave me a wonderful toy, so I want to give her something delicious to eat!” Hu Zi explained, pointing proudly to the toy pistol resting on the mattress.
A wave of profound relief and pride washed over Pan Yue. It was a beautiful thing to see that her son already understood the virtue of gratitude and reciprocity.
“That is very sweet of you, Hu Zi. But your sister is still too small to eat these heavy pastries.”
In reality, Yi Yi was technically old enough to nibble on soft baked goods, but Hu Zi didn’t understand the nuances of toddler diets; in his mind, the rich, dense pastries were simply the ultimate luxury.
“Ah?”
“Sister’s tiny teeth can’t chew these safely yet,” Pan Yue explained gently. “How about Mommy helps you trade this for something she can actually enjoy?”
Hu Zi leaned over to inspect Yi Yi’s mouth. The little girl already possessed fifteen teeth, but they did look incredibly small and delicate. Besides, the store-bought pastries were far too rich and packed with processed sugars, making them entirely unsuitable for a child her age.
“Okay!” Hu Zi agreed readily.
Pan Yue smiled, walked over to the pantry, and returned with a premium tin of imported malted milk powder—something Yi Yi could easily drink.
Yi Yi stared blankly at the massive tin placed in her arms. Why was this thing practically bigger than she was?
“No, no…” she babbled, pushing it away with a tiny pout. The container was far too heavy; her small body couldn’t possibly carry it!
Amused by her sheer cuteness, Pan Yue reached out and affectionately pinched her soft cheek. Staring up at her beautiful aunt, Yi Yi’s eyes suddenly sparkled with adoration. She raised both her chubby arms in an explicit demand to be held. Pan Yue’s heart melted, and she swiftly gathered the little girl into her arms.
“What is it, sweetheart?”
“Smells pretty,” Yi Yi babbled, snuggling against her shoulder.
Her aunt’s scent reminded her of her own mother; the little girl was naturally drawn to pleasant, sweet aromas. Pan Yue had applied a layer of fragrant vanishing cream to her skin that morning, leaving behind a subtle, lovely scent that the baby’s sharp nose picked up instantly.
Pan Yue burst into a bright laugh, turning to Gu Tingxiao. “My goodness, this little girl’s nose is incredibly sensitive, isn’t it?”
Chapter 398: Fever
Every time Pan Yue saw how cute and well-behaved the little girl was, she couldn’t help but wonder if she should have a daughter of her own. But then she would remember that Hu Zi was only two years old; having another baby so soon might not be the best thing for him.
She decided it would be better to wait a few years until Hu Zi was old enough to understand what a younger brother or sister actually meant. At the very least, she wanted to get his approval first. Otherwise, it would be awful if the two siblings grew up harboring resentment toward each other because of perceived parental favoritism during their early childhood.
“Yi Yi is amazing!” the little girl declared, looking up at her aunt with a proud, chubby face. Her parents praised her all the time, so in her mind, she must be an exceptionally great kid.
Pan Yue was thoroughly amused by her confident little display. This child was simply too lovable. “Yes, our Yi Yi is definitely the best.”
Pan Yue cuddled her warmly for a long while before setting her back down on the kang to play with Hu Zi. It was a rather magical sight: one child was focused entirely on a toy gun while the other played with a doll, yet they managed to share the space in perfect harmony.
When it was time to go home, Yi Yi toddled back across the lane carrying her new doll in one hand and the massive tin of malted milk in the other.
Sheng Wanyan had long since grown used to this. Every single time her daughter went over to play across the street, she never returned empty-handed; Pan Yue was always letting her bring something back.
“Did your aunt give you that?” Wanyan asked as she helped her through the door.
“Mm-hmm!” Yi Yi nodded eagerly. Wasn’t it given to her by her beautiful, gentle, and wonderful-smelling aunt?
“And did you remember to thank her?”
“Thank you!” the toddler babbled. To prove her gratitude, she had even planted a giant, wet kiss on her aunt’s cheek before leaving.
“Good girl.”
Sheng Wanyan praised her generously, and Yi Yi’s face practically glowed with delight at her mother’s approval.
“Yi Yi is great!” the little girl cheered, waving a tiny fist to encourage herself. It was an incredibly endearing sight.
Sheng Wanyan smiled and shook her head. With lunch now ready, the family sat down to eat a hearty meal before settling in for an afternoon nap. After Yi Yi finished her milk and filled her diaper, she was cleaned up and fell fast asleep, clutching her little plush rabbit tightly in her hands.
Around four o’clock that afternoon, Battalion Commander Wang rode into the courtyard to return their bicycle. This trip into the city had been a monumental one for his family; they had finally purchased a brand-new bicycle of their own.
A proud, bright smile rested on Captain Wang’s face. When Yang Wanshu rode their new vehicle back toward the main apartment building, it caused an absolute sensation among the residents.
Everyone in the compound knew that because of their youngest son An An’s fragile health, the Wang family had spent the last two years buying expensive fine grains to keep the boy nourished. The medical and dietary expenses had completely drained their life savings, leading the neighbors to assume they were trapped in perpetual financial hardship.
But since the start of this year, An An’s health had stabilized enough for him to transition to regular whole grains, significantly easing the strain on their household budget. Combined with Captain Wang’s recent promotion and subsequent salary increase, buying a bicycle was well within their means. Yang Wanshu had managed to secure a bicycle coupon through her eldest brother, whose city residence granted him access to better supply channels.
Even so, the neighbors were green with envy. In these times, a bicycle was a major financial milestone, carrying the same status symbols as a luxury sports car would in later generations. How could it not turn heads? In an instant, the Wang family had transformed from a household everyone pitied into one that felt completely out of reach, sparking a wave of quiet jealousy throughout the compound.
But there was little anyone could do about it. Captain Wang’s new salary could easily support the purchase, and his future in the military looked incredibly bright.
“Captain, Sister-in-law, I’ve brought the bicycle back fully intact,” Captain Wang announced, stepping into the house. Before making the trip back, he had meticulously wiped down every speck of dust from the frame, treating the borrowed vehicle with the utmost care.
“Just leave it parked behind the door,” Gu Tingxiao replied. He was sitting in the living room playing with Yi Yi.
As Captain Wang turned to leave, he fished a dozen sweet candies from his pocket and handed them to the little girl. He knew his commander would flatly reject any formal gifts as a thank-you for the bicycle, so offering a few sweets to the child was the most respectful way to show his gratitude.
“There’s no need for that, Old Wang. Take them back for your boys,” Sheng Wanyan intervened gently. Captain Wang had two growing sons who were at the perfect age to crave treats, whereas Yi Yi was still far too small to be eating candy.
“Sister-in-law, please, it’s just a small token of my appreciation,” Captain Wang insisted. “I’ll be taking my leave now!”
The moment the words left his mouth, he bolted out the door as if a ghost were chasing him. To him, it didn’t matter which child ended up eating the sweets; the gesture itself was what mattered.
Sheng Wanyan shook her head helplessly, immediately gathering the candies from the table and locking them away to ensure Yi Yi wouldn’t accidentally choke by secretly stuffing them into her mouth. Yi Yi didn’t mind the confiscation at all; since she hadn’t yet discovered the taste of sugar, the treats held no value to her.
Gu Tingxiao headed into the kitchen to prepare dinner, while Wanyan led Yi Yi back to the bedroom. The living room sofa was comfortable, but it couldn’t compete with the deep, radiating warmth of the bedroom kang.
Yi Yi lay down, snuggling her nose against her plush rabbit. She had developed a deep emotional dependence on the little doll. Sheng Wanyan pulled out her current translation text and focused on her work, content to let her daughter play quietly by her side.
Before long, Yi Yi crawled over and rested her small body across Wanyan’s lap. Just looking up at her mother’s calm face filled the toddler with a profound sense of security, and she remained perfectly still, making no noise or fuss. When Wanyan’s eyes grew tired from staring at the manuscript pages, she would lean down and playfully pinch her daughter’s soft cheeks to relax. Playing with children at this stage was a joy; they were truly at their most enchanting age.
Yi Yi lay contentedly with her legs crossed, patiently waiting until Gu Tingxiao finished cooking and brought in her freshly mixed bottle of milk. Once she had the warm bottle in hand, she propped her feet up like a tiny, satisfied old man, her eyes full of absolute bliss. Sheng Wanyan couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight; this child truly knew how to enjoy the finer things in life.
The warmth and excitement of the New Year celebrations gradually faded, and the calendar quickly turned to mid-March.
Gu Tingxiao went to the military hospital for a formal follow-up on his injuries. The doctors confirmed that the wound was healing beautifully, but strictly forbade him from engaging in any strenuous physical training; a fractured bone required long-term, cautious care.
With the holidays over, the regiment resumed its rigorous daily routines, and the sharp, clear call of the morning bugles echoed across the fields once more. Sheng Wanyan, however, possessed the rare gift of sleeping soundly through any level of external noise; unless her body had naturally completed its rest, nothing could shake her awake.
Before long, a deployment order came down, requiring a large contingent of soldiers to head out on a field mission. Because Gu Tingxiao was still technically on medical convalescence, he was barred from joining them. Instead, Sheng Wanze led his squad out to execute the mission. With the bulk of the men deployed, the family compound plunged into a deep, quiet calm, leaving only the military wives behind.
Gu Tingxiao, however, was a man incapable of sitting idle. Blocked from active deployment, he took on several administrative and instructional duties, stepping in to supervise the training regimens of several different regiments. He became incredibly busy. There were days when the training schedule was so packed he couldn’t even manage the walk home for lunch, forcing him to eat a quick meal in the base cafeteria.
Feeling deeply sympathetic toward his heavy workload, Sheng Wanyan began packing a hot lunch and carrying it to the training office whenever her schedule cleared, determined to save him from a constant diet of cafeteria food.
Clever little Yi Yi seemed to sense that her father was carrying an immense burden and that her mother was managing the household alone. Almost overnight, she transformed into an incredibly well-behaved child. Unlike the boisterous, demanding routine she put on when Gu Tingxiao was home to play with her, she now stayed quietly by Wanyan’s side, completely abandoning her usual mischievous explorations.
Sheng Wanyan found herself stretched thin during these weeks. With Gu Tingxiao consumed by military duties, the entirety of the household chores fell squarely onto her shoulders. Most importantly, with the season transitioning, she had to be hyper-vigilant about keeping Yi Yi warm to prevent any sudden winter illnesses.
Yet, early one morning, Wanyan woke up to find an unsettling change in her daughter. The little girl was curled in her bedding, weeping in a quiet, breathless whimper.
Sheng Wanyan didn’t even pause to grab a bite of breakfast. She pulled out the thermometer and checked her temperature: 38 degrees Celsius. Panic flaring, she quickly bundled the flushed child into her winter coat to rush her to the hospital.
Gu Tingxiao was completely unreachable, currently pinned down on the training grounds with hundreds of drilling soldiers relying entirely on his supervision. Left with no other choice, Sheng Wanyan carried the sobbing child out into the cold alone, her heart heavy with the realization that her baby might need an injection. Yi Yi cried miserably, her little face and eyes turning a stark, heartbreaking red against the snow.
