Chapter 411| Chapter 412| Chapter 413
Chapter 411: Leaky Little Quilted Vest
“Three fish~”
Yiyi stretched out three tiny fingers, counting them one by one. Sheng Wanyan praised her immediately, a warm smile on her face. “That’s right, you counted all of them correctly. That’s amazing, baby!”
Yiyi beamed with pride at the praise. Holding hands, the mother and daughter walked back home, each carrying a bucket of water.
“Yiyi, let’s send one of the fish to your great-grandpa and great-grandmother first, okay?”
“That’s great~”
The atmosphere between mother and daughter was incredibly harmonious. Watching their retreating figures, the passing military wives couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.
Why is it that we can never catch that many fish?
They were all women living in the same compound, but the difference in their quality of life was staggering. Anyone could see at a glance that Captain Gu held his wife in the palm of his hand and doted on her completely. Sheng Wanyan could decide to give away their food to her relatives on a whim, without needing to ask anyone for permission.
When they reached the housing blocks, Sheng Wanyan knocked on the door across the hall before heading into her own place.
Pan Yue opened the door, and seeing who it was, she quickly ushered them in. “Wanyan, Yiyi, come in quickly and sit down.”
“Sister-in-law, I won’t go in,” Sheng Wanyan replied with a smile. “Take this fish for dinner.”
The moment Pan Yue looked down at the bucket, she knew Sheng Wanyan had gone fishing again.
“Eat~” Yiyi piped up, looking at her aunt.
Pan Yue squatted down, her eyes filled with fondness as she pinched the little girl’s chubby cheek. “Yiyi is so filial! Auntie is so happy.”
“Share, share~” Yiyi babbled.
Pan Yue didn’t stand on ceremony. She accepted the fish, went back inside, and fetched two crisp pears, placing them into Yiyi’s hands. “I just bought some pears yesterday. Take these back to moisten Yiyi’s throat. The weather has been really dry lately.”
Sheng Wanyan accepted them without hesitation, letting Yiyi hold one in each hand.
“Auntie, look!” Yiyi couldn’t resist showing off the rest of the harvest in her bucket. When Pan Yue saw the dozen or so minnows swimming inside, she immediately showered the toddler with praise.
“Yiyi is so capable! That’s wonderful. Next time, will you take Auntie fishing with you?”
Pan Yue couldn’t help but tease her. Yiyi nodded vigorously, her face lit up with joy. “Okay~”
“Brother too~”
The moment she agreed, Yiyi thought of her cousin, Huzi. He had taken a late nap today and hadn’t woken up yet.
“Yes, we’ll take your brother with us too,” Pan Yue said warmly.
Satisfied, Yiyi obediently followed her beautiful mother back across the hall.
As soon as they stepped inside, Sheng Wanyan changed her into dry clothes. The little girl had had a grand time playing in the river, and her pant legs and sleeves were damp.
“All right, Yiyi. Do you want some milk?”
Yiyi nodded. After all that running around by the river, she was quite hungry.
Sheng Wanyan went to prepare the formula. Yiyi held the bottle with both hands and drank very quickly, swallowing it down in huge gulps. It took her less than ten minutes to finish the entire bottle.
Thanks to Sheng Wanyan’s gentle structure and training, Yiyi never threw tantrums or made a fuss during mealtimes anymore. She understood that her mother would never let her go hungry, so every time food was set before her, she ate with hearty, enthusiastic bites, finding everything delicious.
Once she was done, Sheng Wanyan took the large fish to the kitchen to prep them. Mistakenly thinking her mother was going to cook her minnows too, Yiyi panicked and ran into the kitchen to stop her.
“Mommy~~~~”
Terrified, the little girl sprinted as fast as her short legs could carry her, petrified that if she were a second too slow, her precious fish would be gone.
“Don’t cook my little fishy~”
“I’m not cooking your little fish,” Sheng Wanyan comforted, amused by her panic. “I’m keeping them safe for you.”
Yiyi let out a breath and patted her chest in relief. Her little fish had almost become dinner!
“Put them inside~” She pointed toward the large basin where the big fish were swimming.
Sheng Wanyan raised an eyebrow. Are you… sure about that?
“Yiyi, if we put them there, the big fish will eat the small fish.”
“No, no, no~” Hearing this, Yiyi shook her head like a rattle, the baby fat on her cheeks trembling.
“Keep them in your little bucket for now. When Daddy comes home, I’ll have him find a proper basin for you.”
“Mm-hmm~”
Delighted by the plan, Yiyi called Maodou over. The little girl and her fluffy dog sat together on the steps by the front gate, waiting patiently for Gu Tingxiao to get off work.
Several military wives passed by and teased her. A few tried to pinch her chubby face, but she protectively covered her cheeks with her tiny hands, refusing to let them.
When Aunt Xie walked back from the supply and marketing cooperative, she was surprised to see the toddler sitting solo at the doorstep. Did she have a little lovers’ quarrel with Wanyan?
“Yiyi, what are you doing sitting out here?”
“Grandma Xie~”
“Oh, sweet girl. Here, Grandma has some candies for you.” Aunt Xie reached into her pocket to hand her a few sweets, but Yiyi shook her head, putting her hands behind her back. She couldn’t accept Grandma Xie’s things.
Her mother had taught her that one shouldn’t take gifts from others for no reason, so she couldn’t accept the candy.
“No~ I can’t take it.”
“Grandma Xie is giving it to you, it doesn’t cost any money.” Aunt Xie smiled, deeply impressed by how polite and well-mannered the little girl was at such a young age.
“Money? What’s money?” Yiyi tilted her head, looking at Aunt Xie with intense curiosity. She often heard adults mention that word, but she had no idea what it actually meant.
Aunt Xie found herself at a loss for words. A concept like currency was something the child would only slowly understand as she grew older.
“Yiyi, what are you doing out here anyway? Did your mother punish you?” Aunt Xie asked, smoothly changing the subject.
Oblivious to the diversion, Yiyi answered cutely, “I’m waiting for my daddy to get off work~”
Aunt Xie was caught off guard. This child was barely two years old, yet she was already so thoughtful that she knew to sit at the door and wait for her father to come home. No wonder Captain Gu doted on her like life itself.
“Our Yiyi is truly a filial little girl.” Aunt Xie checked her wrist watch; it was indeed almost time for the shift change. “Grandma is going to head home now. Yiyi, promise me you won’t run around, okay?”
“Okay~”
Yiyi was a good girl and would never wander off. Besides, even if she wanted to, she couldn’t escape the walls of the military compound.
Seeing how obedient she was, Aunt Xie patted her head affectionately, dropped the candies into the little pocket of Yiyi’s clothes, and hurried home.
Yiyi wanted to call her back to return them, but a toddler’s steps were no match for an adult’s swift stride. Before she could even fish the candies out of her pocket, Aunt Xie had already slipped inside her own door.
Yiyi stared at the candy, utterly helpless. What should I do? I’m in big trouble now…
“Sigh~”
The little girl let out a heavy, adult-like sigh, stroked Maodou’s soft fur, and sat back down to continue her vigil for Gu Tingxiao. Never mind. I’ll just tell Mommy and Daddy about it later.
When Gu Tingxiao finally walked up the path from work, the first thing he saw was his chubby little girl sitting dutifully by the door.
He strode over and swept her up into his arms. Startled by the sudden lift, Yiyi gasped and quickly wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
“Daddy! You’re bad~”
She had been thoroughly startled. Gu Tingxiao blinked, wondering if his daughter was a bit too easily frightened. If she was this timid now, what would happen if she encountered real danger in the future?
“It’s Daddy’s fault. I shouldn’t have snuck up on you.”
Hearing him readily admit his mistake, Yiyi instantly forgave her “old father.” Never mind, she thought magnanimously, it’s just my old father being childish again.
“What are you doing sitting out here anyway?”
“I missed Daddy~”
Hearing those sweet words, the old father’s heart melted into a warm puddle.
“Uncle!” Yiyi called out obediently, spotting Sheng Wanze walking up right behind Gu Tingxiao.
“Yiyi, how about coming over to your uncle’s house for dinner tonight?” Sheng Wanze offered with a grin.
Yiyi was momentarily tempted, but the thought of her tiny fish waiting for a proper home made her shake her head firmly in refusal. “No, no. Yiyi has to help them settle down first~”
“Settle down?” Sheng Wanze repeated, entirely perplexed.
Hearing the commotion at the door, Sheng Wanyan walked out of the house with a smile, ready to explain the mystery of the tiny fish to the men.
Chapter 412: Her Birthday Surprise
“She’s actually sitting out here waiting for you to come back and build a proper basin for those fish she caught this afternoon.”
Gu Tingxiao understood the situation immediately. He looked down at Yiyi, a playful glimmer of reproach in his eyes.
Yiyi suddenly looked very guilty. Just a minute ago, she had sweet-talked him into believing she was braving the elements purely because she missed her old father. Now, she had dug a hole for herself and let the cat out of the bag.
“Daddy, kiss~”
Hoping to appease her wounded father, Yiyi quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a wet kiss on his cheek.
“What a little heartbreaker,” Sheng Wanze sighed, shaking his head. She was barely two years old and already had Gu Tingxiao wrapped around her little finger. What would happen when she grew up? Who knew they had a master manipulator in the family?
“Better a heartbreaker than a pushover,” Gu Tingxiao shot back defensively. In his mind, it was far better for his daughter to have a bit of a sharp edge than to be played around with by whatever boys she met outside in the future.
Seeing that the conversation was turning increasingly ridiculous, Sheng Wanyan quickly stepped forward to put an end to it. “What on earth are you two bickering about? Whether it’s a boy or a girl, you shouldn’t be raising them to be troublemakers.”
Hearing his wife’s tone sharpen, Gu Tingxiao wisely shut his mouth. If he pushed her any further, she might just pack her bags and take their daughter with her.
“Let’s go inside and eat,” Sheng Wanyan said, scooping Yiyi into her arms and turning back toward the house. She couldn’t believe these two men were discussing such nonsense right in front of the little girl, entirely oblivious to how much a toddler could absorb.
Yiyi, watching her uncle and father get thoroughly scolded, let out a grin that was brighter than a blooming flower. Sure enough, the moment her mother took charge, everyone had to fall in line. Fortunately, Mommy and I are on the same side and stand at the top of the family food chain. Hehe… Yiyi is truly a genius!
That very night, Gu Tingxiao constructed a small wooden basin for Yiyi to keep her fish in. From then on, checking on her pets became a daily ritual. She would squat by the basin, babbling to the minnows in her sweet, childish voice, wishing for their speedy development.
“Fishies~ grow up fast~”
“When you grow up, I can eat you~”
The minnows: “…”
Overhearing this, Sheng Wanyan rubbed her temples. She had never expected to raise such a shameless little foodie.
As it turned out, Yiyi’s appetite brooked no delay. The minnows hadn’t even been in the house for a month before she decided she wanted them fried.
The minnows: “…” We made a tactical error. Why didn’t we just slip through her fingers at the river?
Sheng Wanyan had no choice. Since they couldn’t possibly eat the pet minnows by themselves, she went down to the river a few more times during the week. Combined with Yiyi’s original catch, they finally had enough small fish to make a decent dish.
“Are you absolutely sure you want to eat them?” Sheng Wanyan asked, double-checking.
“Eat them!” Yiyi nodded with absolute certainty.
Sheng Wanyan set to work with practiced efficiency, gutting and frying the entire batch. When the crispy, golden dish was placed on the dining table that evening, Gu Tingxiao hesitated, his chopsticks hovering in mid-air.
Weren’t these her prized treasures just yesterday? Why are they currently deep-fried?
He shot a questioning look at his wife, and Sheng Wanyan simply shrugged. “She insisted on having them fried.”
Sheng Wanyan picked up a crispy minnow and took a bite; it was perfectly seasoned and delicious.
“Wahhh… Wuuu…”
Suddenly, a loud sob echoed through the room. “The poor fishies died so horribly~”
Sheng Wanyan nearly choked on her food. She looked over to see Yiyi weeping inconsolably—even as she greedily chewed on a small piece of fish that Gu Tingxiao had carefully deboned for her.
Wait… if you feel that bad, why are you still swallowing it?!
“Waaah…” Yiyi blubbered, tears streaming down her face. “But it’s so delicious! I want to eat them again next time~”
Then, remembering her grief, she covered her face with her tiny hands and resumed waailing. “Waaah… the fishies are so pitiful~”
Sheng Wanyan: “…”
Whose child is this? How can someone be so hilariously contradictory?
Unable to deal with this emotionally volatile toddler, Sheng Wanyan promptly handed her over to the old father to manage. Yiyi finished her dinner through a storm of tears, and neither parent tried to comfort her. After all, she was the one who demanded they be cooked! In this house, if you make a decision, you bear the consequences.
The very next day, however, the existential dread of yesterday’s dinner was entirely forgotten. Yiyi excitedly tugged at Sheng Wanyan’s sleeve, begging to go back to the river.
“Yiyi wants more fried fish.” She licked her lips, her eyes wide with anticipation.
Sheng Wanyan shook her head, thoroughly amused. “Are you going to cry while eating them this time?”
“No cry…” Yiyi promised. Her little mind was currently filled only with the savory aroma of crispy seafood; there was no room left for grief.
“Alright, then. Mommy will take you.”
Sheng Wanyan expertly guided her back to their usual spot by the riverbank. Counting the days, it was already early October. It’s almost time, she realized silently. The official announcement to resume the college entrance exams will be delivered any day now.
That night, Yiyi finally got to enjoy her hard-earned fried fish, and true to her word, she didn’t shed a single tear.
Later, as the house quieted down, Sheng Wanyan sat by the bed, softly coaxing her daughter to sleep. Suddenly, Yiyi opened her eyes, reached under her small pillow, and began rummaging around for something.
With an air of great secrecy, the little girl pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. On it was a crude drawing of three stick figures—two large, one small.
“Happy birthday, Mommy~”
Sheng Wanyan froze in surprise. Yiyi actually knew it was her birthday?
Today was October 5th, Sheng Wanyan’s twenty-fourth birthday. She never expected her toddler to not only remember the date but also painstakingly prepare a gift for her.
“Yiyi… thank you, sweetheart.” Sheng Wanyan pulled her into a tight embrace, her throat tightening. This child constantly brought so much unexpected joy into her life.
She finally understood why so many mothers were easily moved to tears by their children’s milestones. It wasn’t just about watching them grow; it was about experiencing the purest, most unadulterated love a child could offer.
“Happy birthday, wife.”
Sheng Wanyan turned around at the sound of the deep voice. Gu Tingxiao was standing just inside the bedroom, holding a small paper bag.
“Daddy!” Yiyi cheered, pointing at him happily.
Over the past two years, ever since Yiyi’s birth, almost all the family’s focus had naturally shifted to the child. Birthdays and wedding anniversaries were usually celebrated quietly by the couple in the fleeting moments after she fell asleep; there was rarely time for a grand celebration. Combined with the high-stakes, unpredictable nature of Gu Tingxiao’s military duties, finding a moment where they were both fully present was a luxury. In previous years, he had often been away on missions during their special milestones.
While they always exchanged thoughtful gifts every year, having the entire family gathered together like this felt incredibly rare.
“Wife, this is for you.” Gu Tingxiao wrapped his arms around her from behind. Held against his broad chest, Sheng Wanyan’s petite frame seemed almost swallowed up, highlighting the stark contrast in their sizes. Yet, they looked perfectly harmonious together.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Sheng Wanyan reached into the bag and pulled out a small jewelry case. Opening it, she found a pair of matching silver bands. She gasped, genuinely stunned.
“I heard that couples overseas always wear a matching pair of rings,” Gu Tingxiao explained softly, his chin resting against her shoulder. “We didn’t have much when we registered our marriage, so I asked my eldest brother to source a proper pair for us from the Capital.”
The gesture struck a deep chord within her. In the modern era she came from, exchanging rings was a fundamental part of getting married. But in the late 1970s, a marriage was finalized by a simple trip to the local bureau to register.
“How… how did you even know my ring size?”
“You’re my wife,” he chuckled, his voice laced with warmth. “How could I not know?” He paused, a trace of apology entering his tone. “Though… given the current political climate, you won’t be able to wear it openly outside. I’m sorry to make you hide it.”
Sheng Wanyan’s eyes welled with tears. In truth, she had always secretly longed for a pair of wedding rings. But she knew the strict societal rules of this era wouldn’t look kindly on such displays of materialism, so she had locked that desire away, accepting it as a minor regret of her new life.
Chapter 413: The Resumption of the College Entrance Examination! A Historic Day!
But Gu Tingxiao had seen right through her thoughts. He was doing everything in his power to fulfill her wishes and make up for whatever they lacked.
“I don’t feel wronged at all,” she said softly. “On the contrary, I’m the lucky one to have married you.”
Sheng Wanyan truly felt blessed. Having a man like him by her side was her greatest fortune.
“Wife… let me put it on for you.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded. It was a simple, unadorned sterling silver band. Yet, as he slid it onto her finger, she felt it was more beautiful than any extravagant jewelry in the world. Her hands were fair and slender, and the silver ring only accentuated their elegance, making them look as delicate as carved jade.
Seeing this, Gu Tingxiao couldn’t help but regret not fulfilling his wife’s wish sooner. “It looks beautiful.”
“You’re just flattering me,” she smiled.
Since arriving in this era, Sheng Wanyan hadn’t worn a single piece of jewelry; she had almost forgotten what it felt like. She gazed down at her ring finger. To her, a soul from the future, this simple band brought an immense sense of peace and belonging.
She then picked up the other ring and slid it onto Gu Tingxiao’s finger. His large, tanned hand next to her small, pale one—the contrast was striking, yet perfectly harmonious.
Gu Tingxiao bent down and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. The couple was so lost in their sweet moment that they completely forgot about the little spectator watching them.
“Oh~” a tiny voice giggled. “Daddy and Mommy, shame on you~”
The chubby little girl covered her eyes with her hands, though her fingers were spread wide open so she could peek.
Hearing her daughter’s teasing, Sheng Wanyan quickly slipped out of Gu Tingxiao’s embrace, blushing at the thought of displaying anything inappropriate in front of the child.
“It’s really time for Yiyi to sleep in her own room,” Gu Tingxiao muttered through gritted teeth. If the kid wasn’t here, he and his wife would already be in bed discussing their “marital harmony.”
“Yiyi is only two years and two months old. I can’t believe you’d even suggest that,” she scolded lightly.
“Well, just wait a few months. Once we move back to the Capital, she’s getting her own room.”
Yiyi: “…” Won’t I still be two years old then? Mommy, how could you agree so easily?
Knowing it was unsafe to flaunt jewelry publicly given the current political climate, Sheng Wanyan planned to put the ring away whenever she went out. Gu Tingxiao couldn’t wear his either; it would be too conspicuous during his daily training, and he risked losing it. So, he handed it over to Sheng Wanyan for safekeeping until the day they could wear them openly.
Sheng Wanyan placed the rings into her dowry box, though in reality, she securely tucked them away inside her spatial domain. Once the college entrance exams resumed and free trade was restored, they could finally wear them without worry.
Following Sheng Wanyan’s birthday, mid-October arrived in a flash. During this period, Grandpa Gu sent letter after letter. The topic was always the same: the college entrance examination.
After all, there were only three people in the Gu family eligible to take it: Sheng Wanyan, Gu Tinghao, and Wang Chunmei.
Neither Gu Tinghao nor Wang Chunmei were particularly academic. Grandpa Gu didn’t expect them to ace the exams; he just hoped they could manage to scrape their way into a university. Gu Tinghao was putting in a lot of effort, but Grandpa Gu knew all too well that the Gu family children simply weren’t built for studying. They had inherited the Gu family’s martial genes. Why else was the old man so desperate for the men in the family to marry intellectuals? Wasn’t it precisely to dilute the family’s “illiterate” lineage?
Fortunately, Mother Gu had strong genes of her own, allowing Eldest Brother Gu, Second Sister Gu, and Gu Tingxiao to successfully pass their military academy exams and earn their diplomas. Eldest Sister-in-law Gu had also graduated before the country suspended university admissions, making her a legitimate college graduate as well.
Therefore, Grandpa Gu’s anxious gaze bypassed them entirely and landed squarely on the unlucky Gu Tinghao.
Even though Gu Tinghao struggled with the material, he was at least diligent, so there was still a glimmer of hope. Wang Chunmei, on the other hand, grew easily distracted the more she studied, constantly sneaking out to shop or taking her son out to play.
Meanwhile, Uncle Gu’s family lived in Hai City. His youngest daughter, Gu Tingying, was twenty-three this year and could have made a solid attempt at the exams. However, she was already married with a one-year-old child and had moved south to follow her husband’s military deployment. She was entirely on her own, making her academic prospects uncertain.
Ultimately, Grandpa Gu pinned all his hopes on Sheng Wanyan. The wife of his third grandson was a true intellectual—she knew foreign languages and even understood medicine. He was certain she could get into a top university and bring glory to the Gu family.
Because of his profound respect for scholars, his letters arrived incessantly, each one inquiring anxiously about her study progress. No matter how many times Sheng Wanyan assured him that her review was going well, the old man remained anxious. The Gu family couldn’t survive indefinitely with only military generals; they needed literary scholars too! After all, the country’s decision to reopen universities clearly signaled a shift toward valuing knowledge. If the Gu family didn’t adapt to the times, they risked falling behind in the future.
Sheng Wanyan could easily guess Grandpa Gu’s underlying thoughts. Coming from a future driven by technology and the internet, she understood the vital importance of education better than anyone.
“Wife, don’t put too much pressure on yourself,” Gu Tingxiao said, noticing the stack of letters. He worried his grandfather’s sky-high expectations would weigh her down. “Even if you don’t get into a university in the Capital, going to another city is perfectly fine. Wherever you go, I’ll find a way to transfer my post to be with you.”
“I know, but I still want to be admitted to a university in the Capital,” she replied. “My review has been going very well, so it should be fine.”
Sheng Wanyan had always been a dedicated student; she was a top achiever in her past life, and there was no reason for her to slack off now. While she didn’t expect to become the top scorer in the entire nation, she was confident she could get into her school of choice. Besides, if Gu Tingxiao actually transferred to another city just to follow her, it would severely complicate his chances of returning to the central command in the Capital later on.
“Plus, this way, Yiyi will be able to see her great-grandparents more often,” Sheng Wanyan added, glancing at their daughter, who was sleeping soundly nearby.
They were careful to only discuss these sensitive matters while Yiyi was asleep. The toddler was too young to understand the political dangers; if she accidentally let something slip to an outsider, it could bring disaster upon their family.
“I believe in you, wife,” Gu Tingxiao said gently. “And you have to believe in me too. Even if you don’t make it to the Capital right away and we have to move elsewhere, I have the ability to fight my way back to the Capital eventually.”
He was an ambitious and highly capable man in his career, and Sheng Wanyan had never doubted him.
“I know, but I don’t want you to miss out on any crucial career opportunities because of me,” she insisted. “Besides, Yiyi needs a good educational environment too.”
Gu Tingxiao followed her gaze to their sleeping daughter. Parents always felt that whatever they gave their children wasn’t quite good enough. Of course, there were some parents out there who failed to provide and then blamed their children for not succeeding. Sheng Wanyan absolutely refused to be that kind of mother. Since they had the ability to secure a bright future for Yiyi, why should they settle for less?
Time flew by, and soon it was October 21st.
When people woke up early that morning, the entire country was thrown into an absolute uproar.
The nation had officially resumed the college entrance examination!
This momentous news was broadcast everywhere—plastered across the front pages of newspapers, echoing from community loudspeakers, and dominating the radio and television broadcasts!
The criteria were broad: workers, farmers, educated youth who had been sent to the countryside or returned home, demobilized soldiers, cadres, and recent high school graduates who met the basic requirements could all voluntarily apply.
Even more shockingly, there was no age limit. As long as you could pass the exam, you would be admitted!
And it wasn’t just the major universities opening their doors—vocational colleges were being restored as well!
