Chapter 115: Meeting Again
The second day of the Lunar New Year.
The sky cleared.
Great joy spread.
Lively laughter could be heard from the village early in the morning.
And the sounds of playful bickering.
All the children had gone out to play.
Even her elder sister couldn’t resist putting on her new clothes and going out to show off.
She had a new best friend now.
She didn’t know why, but after A-Cui got married, it seemed she couldn’t go play with her anymore.
A-Cui also had new companions, a group of village aunties and grandmas.
The new companions weren’t very talkative, not as fond of showing off as A-Cui, nor as annoying as A-Cui, but Jiang Yu thought about it and realized she still preferred A-Cui.
But anyone could show off new clothes.
Jiang Feng wasn’t stopped by yesterday’s heavy rain, and today with clear skies, he was nowhere to be seen.
Some grandmas also came to chat with Mother.
Today, many people came to see Father.
One after another, they visited.
Perhaps it was because there were many people in the house today.
Young Master Zi was a bit socially anxious.
Jiang Mianmian felt that Young Master Zi was a bit clingy today.
Normally, she would be the one to reach out and grab Little Bug, and he would be reluctant, secretly struggling every time.
But today, Little Bug kept holding her hand.
The little shorty even tried to hug her.
Hmph.
Jiang Mianmian wanted to walk by herself.
The sky cleared.
She wanted to give her Ant some sun.
She also wanted to pull out Dabai and rebraid the braids on Dabai’s head.
Mother spread a thick straw mat under the big tree.
And lit a small stove nearby.
The sun was bright.
It suddenly wasn’t cold anymore.
Jiang Mianmian was having a lot of fun.
She seemed to be at ease all of a sudden.
Very able to integrate into her identity.
Without the feeling of being an outsider.
Just like at the very beginning, she would think about what the Mother of this body was like.
But in reality, this body was hers.
But that’s how she thought back then.
Young Master Zi sat on the straw mat, watching her play.
Sometimes he would hand her a comb, water, or wipe her snot~~
Alright, maybe she caught a bit of a cold yesterday and had a runny nose.
Jiang Mianmian felt that Little Bug’s mysophobia was almost cured after staying at her house for a few days.
He actually wiped her snot with his own hands, truly~~
And after she grabbed Ant’s hand, she grabbed a piece of sugar cake and handed it to him, and he actually opened his mouth and ate it.
Humans degenerate so quickly.
However, after she combed Dabai’s hair and finished braiding, Little Bug picked her up to wash her hands.
Little Bug wasn’t very good at holding children; he squeezed her stomach, making it hurt…
These past two days, she and Little Bug had gotten along better than ever before.
The only problem was that Little Bug actually gave her a nickname.
He blurted out, “Little Turtle!”
Jiang Mianmian, in what way do I resemble a turtle? Even if I wear flashy, thick clothes and accidentally fall, I can get back up. Can a turtle get up by itself??
Young Master Zi saw Little Mianmian’s eyes turn red as she glared at him upon hearing the name. He quickly explained, “‘Guī’ means longevity. My Father raised a longevity turtle for me since I was little; it’s very good. Calling you Little Turtle is a blessing for you to live a hundred years.”
Heita:…Why has Young Master become so talkative? I’m not used to it. What if Young Master talks to me every day from now on? How should I answer? This job suddenly became complicated.
Jiang Mianmian:…
He’s so young and already knows how to trick children.
She replied in a childish voice, “Okay, then I’ll call you Little Turtle from now on, and you’ll live a hundred years.”
Zi Congheng:…
Just as Jiang Mianmian thought she would play with the child staying at her Father’s leader’s house for a very, very long time and develop a deep bond, his Father came to pick him up.
He actually came personally.
The great armies were fighting fiercely on the front lines.
But Commander Zi, upon learning that his son had a high fever and convulsions, actually came to pick him up personally.
He thought that the person named Jiang actually didn’t take good care of his son.
Mr. Gang had repeatedly assured him that he was a very good person.
Great Marshal Zi galloped at full speed, his subordinates unable to keep up.
He rushed over, covered in dust from the journey.
He had stayed up all night on the first day of the new year.
He was so angry he wanted to kill someone.
But when he arrived.
He saw the big tree, the sunlight, and his son, who had always been serious, rarely spoke, and would wash his hands eight times if his own Father touched him because he thought it was dirty, was sitting there, helping a little child in a floral padded jacket blow her nose…
The little child had two small green onion-like braids on her head, one on the left and one on the right; she must be a girl.
Great Marshal Zi was stunned.
He even instantly wanted to turn around and leave.
He realized he had come at the wrong time.
He was wrong; his son had hinted at it. He should stay, he should stay, and he had even specially sent willow branches.
“Father!” Zi Congheng was also startled to see his biological Father, then exclaimed in surprise.
He stood up and walked to Father.
He looked at Father with surprise.
But showed no intention of embracing him.
Only a smile appeared on his face.
Great Marshal Zi discovered for the first time that his son was also wearing a floral padded jacket, which was very amusing.
He couldn’t help but reach out, pick him up, and lift him high.
“Father, put me down!” Zi Congheng shouted loudly.
Jiang Mianmian looked at the tall man in front of her, with a full beard; he was so strong.
She realized for the first time that a man with a full beard could also be very handsome.
He had a heroic handsomeness.
Unlike her Father.
Father was demonically beautiful.
This uncle in front of her was heroically handsome, cheerful, with a wild kind of beauty.
Jiang Mianmian watched and watched, drooling… She quickly wiped it with her sleeve.
It was normal for a child to drool.
Qin Luoxia and Jiang Changtian saw the newcomer.
And heard Young Master Zi call the newcomer ‘Father’.
Heita called him ‘Lord’.
They were both startled.
This was the rebel leader, Great Marshal Zi?
Then they saw the dense rows of soldiers in the village; the entire village fell silent, even the chickens stopped crowing.
Their beaks were held tightly shut.
Qin Luoxia was a bit flustered.
Jiang Changtian admired him in his heart. Indeed, Great Marshal Zi was just as rumored.
Meeting him instilled a sense of admiration.
He had the natural aura of a leader.
He even had an impulse to pledge allegiance.
“Commander Zi, I didn’t know you would come. I apologize for not greeting you properly. Please come in quickly.” Jiang Changtian suppressed his excitement, a sincere smile appearing on his face, friendly, gentle, and full of joy.
Great Marshal Zi laughed heartily.
“I heard my son was sick, and I missed him terribly, so despite the advice against it, I came to see him. I apologize for the disturbance.”
He put his son down.
Following Jiang Changtian inside, he said, “Qichi praises you constantly in front of me; my ears have grown calluses from hearing it. Meeting you today, I realize his words were not true; he praised you too conservatively.”
Great Marshal Zi thought, this Mr. Jiang is so beautiful, his daughter must also be very good-looking. No wonder his son even personally wiped the little girl’s snot. Should I arrange a child marriage?
Forget it, let’s talk about it after my son turns ten.
By then, either the world will be the betrothal gift, or everything will vanish into thin air.
His voice was bold and sincere, making people feel very happy to hear it.
“My sister-in-law is also excellent; she clearly looks like a heroine among women.” Great Marshal Zi praised Qin Luoxia.
Jiang Mianmian noticed that Father was very happy and proud.
When someone praised Mother, Father seemed even happier than when he was praised himself.
Zi Congheng, who was being tossed and thrown by his Father, felt a little awkward.
He considered himself an adult in front of Little Turtle, but he, an adult, was also being tossed and flown.
Little Turtle loved it when her family picked her up and tossed her around.
She would always cackle non-stop, her little teeth showing.
Zi Congheng took Little Turtle’s hand and led her into the courtyard together.
“Brother Chong, your Father is so handsome,” Jiang Mianmian said.
Zi Congheng wiped away her drool…
“I look like my Father,” he said.
Jiang Mianmian looked up at the fair-skinned Zi Congheng and shook her head.
No, no, you don’t look like him. Your Father’s full-bearded demeanor is completely different from a little kid like you.
Some people with full beards look messy and disheveled, like Uncle Heita.
Some people with full beards are clean, elegant, dashing, and heroic, like your Father.
Inside the house.
Jiang Mianmian saw Little Bug’s Father sincerely grasp her Father’s hand, shaking it up and down, excited and genuine, his eyes even reddening.
Oh my, it felt like watching two movie emperors battling it out.
So scary.
Zi Congheng also closed his eyes, too embarrassed to watch.
Jiang Changtian sincerely said, “Changtian’s abilities are meager. To be valued by the Great Marshal, I will certainly guard the rear for the Great Marshal.”
“My dear brother Changtian, you are too modest. I see your extraordinary demeanor; you are destined for greatness. Are kings, marquises, generals, and prime ministers born with their status? In the future, the world will surely have a place for you.”
Jiang Changtian sincerely grabbed Commander Zi’s hand, shaking it even harder, his eyes even more earnest: “Changtian is merely a scholar. I have a wife, a son, and a daughter, and no great ambitions. I only wish to protect them and live a good life. Big Brother, you think too highly of me.”
The two went back and forth, back and forth.
In the middle of winter, their hands probably got sweaty from all the gripping.
Jiang Mianmian felt that her Father was at a disadvantage compared to Little Bug’s Father, so she prepared to rescue her Dad.
She wobbled over, poured water, and handed it to the guest.
“Uncle, drink water!” Jiang Mianmian’s little green onion braids swayed, a big smile on her face, revealing four newly emerged little teeth.
Great Marshal Zi had no daughters at home, and for a moment, he was delighted by this address of ‘Uncle’.
This little child was too cute; no wonder his son didn’t want to leave.
He reached out and tugged at the little green onion braid on the little child’s head, then pulled a token from his bosom and gave it to the little child, saying, “From now on, you can come find Uncle with this token. Uncle can grant you three wishes, as long as Uncle can do it.”
Seeing Father tug Little Turtle’s braid askew, Zi Congheng reached out and straightened her braid again.
Jiang Mianmian:…
She rolled her eyes at Little Bug.
Look at your Father, he’s like Aladdin’s lamp, granting three wishes, while you just tug my hair every day. My hair is almost gone.
“Thank you, Uncle.” Jiang Mianmian smiled even more happily, and after getting the token, she handed it to Father.
“Father, please keep it for me.”
Jiang Changtian clasped his hands deeply in a salute to Commander Zi.
Commander Zi didn’t even eat lunch.
After a conversation, he took Little Bug and left.
Jiang Mianmian saw Little Bug’s eyes turn red.
He looked back at the small figure standing under the tree at the village entrance, waving goodbye to him.
He let go of his Father’s hand and ran back.
He picked her up and said, “Little Turtle, you kissed my left cheek last time, but not my right.”
Jiang Mianmian:…
He’s killing her OCD.
She leaned in and kissed his right cheek.
“Goodbye, Brother Chong.” Hurry and leave; if you don’t, my Father’s smile will freeze on his face.
Young Master Zi then said to Aunt Qin, “Auntie, goodbye.”
He said ‘da’ very softly, and ‘niang’ very loudly.
Qin Luoxia’s eyes immediately reddened, and she shed tears.
In front of Great Marshal Zi, she finally hugged Young Master Zi and gave him a good squeeze.
“Be good, go back and be good with your Father. If you miss Auntie, come back, and Auntie will make you delicious food.”
Zi Congheng’s hair was ruffled.
He smiled and nodded to Mr. Jiang: “Farewell, Mr. Jiang.”
He turned and ran back to Father.
He would return, if he was still alive then.
Zi Congheng didn’t look back again.
He worried that if he looked back, he wouldn’t be able to bear leaving.
So people have seven emotions and six desires. So, he really wanted to live.
He mounted his horse.
The sun was bright, and the weather was excellent.
The horse moved forward.
He didn’t look back; he just turned his head and saw Little Turtle.
Little Turtle had climbed onto her Father’s shoulders.
That falsely smiling, hypocritical, and sick man, holding a little child high on his shoulders, had a very genuine smile at that moment.
Jiang Mianmian sat on Father’s shoulders, watching the large army march, feeling deeply awed.
“Father, they are so many people.”
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