Chapter 252: A Mother’s Worry
After watching the bus disappear into the distance, Sheng Wanze and Gu Tingxiao stayed behind to ensure Father and Mother Sheng safely transitioned to their connecting transport into the city. Back at the military compound, Grandpa and Grandma Sheng lingered outside, gazing wistfully down the empty road.
“Grandma, let’s head inside,” Pan Yue urged gently. She could see how disheartened the elderly couple was, and with the biting cold, staying out any longer would only cause them to catch a chill.
“Alright, let’s go.” Grandpa Sheng sighed, turning to lead the way back into the courtyard.
Grandma Sheng followed closely behind. The moment Father and Mother Sheng left, a palpable, heavy silence settled over the entire household.
Little Huzi was still an infant, but he was incredibly sensitive to the sudden drop in the atmosphere. Sensing that something was wrong, he immediately burst into loud, distressed tears. Pan Yue hurried to rock and soothe him, but no matter what she did, the baby refused to stop crying.
Usually, whenever Huzi cried, Mother Sheng would immediately scoop him into her arms, swaying gently until he calmed down. Now, missing his grandmother’s familiar embrace, the little guy instantly felt the difference. Pan Yue’s coaxing was futile, Grandma Sheng’s attempts to comfort him failed, and even Grandpa Sheng stepped in to keep him company, but Huzi just kept wailing.
Having exhausted all their tricks to no avail, the family could only watch helplessly until the baby finally cried himself out and drifted into a fitful sleep.
“This child can already tell people apart at such a tender age,” Grandma Sheng murmured with a sigh, amazed that a two-month-old infant could be so sharp.
“Huzi is probably just missing the ones who doted on him the most,” Pan Yue said softly.
Truth be told, the people who poured the most affection onto Huzi weren’t his own parents, but his grandparents. People always said that the bond between grandparents and grandchildren was uniquely fierce, and it was absolutely true. Even Grandpa and Grandma Sheng didn’t dote on the little boy quite as intensely as Father and Mother Sheng did.
Meanwhile, at the station, Gu Tingxiao and Sheng Wanze stood by the bus doors. Mother Sheng was practically overflowing with last-minute instructions, repeating them over and over before she finally stepped on board.
Father Sheng simply patted his son and son-in-law on their shoulders. Between men, heavy words weren’t necessary.
“Mom, Dad, please don’t worry. I will take absolute care of Yan’er,” Gu Tingxiao promised earnestly. He understood his parents-in-law’s deep anxieties, and as a son-in-law, he knew he had to demonstrate the right attitude. After all, he had married away their precious treasure; it was his duty to guard her with his life.
“Good. Leaving Yan’er in your hands gives me peace of mind,” Father Sheng replied.
As a father, he had spent the last few months closely observing how much Gu Tingxiao cherished his daughter. A person could fake affection for a short while, but they couldn’t maintain a charade day in and day out. Gu Tingxiao’s devotion to Wanyan was undeniable—in fact, he hovered over her even more protectively than her own parents did. With such a reliable son-in-law, the older couple felt a profound sense of relief leaving their daughter behind.
“Mom, Dad, I’ll also take excellent care of Grandpa, Grandma, Xiaoyue, and the baby,” Sheng Wanze chimed in quickly, eager to show his own reliability. He knew that aside from his sister, his mother’s biggest worries were the elderly and the newborn left in the compound.
“Sheng Wanze, you’re a father now,” Father Sheng warned, his voice turning stern. “It’s your job to shield your wife and child from life’s storms. You can’t afford to be as careless and detached as you used to be.”
His son’s naturally easygoing, sometimes thoughtless demeanor often grated on his nerves. Though he knew Wanze was an incredibly capable soldier in his own right, seeing his reckless streak at home always made Father Sheng want to lose his temper.
“I understand, Dad,” Sheng Wanze replied, his expression completely serious. He genuinely felt the shifting weight of responsibility on his shoulders since his son’s birth. In the past, he hadn’t fully appreciated his parents’ constant nagging, tuning out whatever he didn’t care to hear. But now that he had a child of his own, he finally realized that every piece of advice had been purely for his own good.
Father and Mother Sheng had invested all their hopes into Sheng Wanze, wishing for nothing more than a smooth, honorable life for him. What parent didn’t want their son to become a pillar of society and their daughter to blossom into a secure, happy woman?
While they felt secure about Wanyan’s future, they still harbored lingering worries about their son’s household.
“Xiao Ze, as a husband and a father, you must treasure your wife and child,” Mother Sheng added, her eyes softening as she looked at her son. “Most importantly, you must be attentive to Pan Yue’s emotions. Remember, a woman walks through the gates of hell when she gives birth. She endured that immense suffering for you. As her husband, you must never allow her to feel neglected or disappointed. Even if you can’t fully understand what she’s going through, you can never leave her to bear the burden entirely alone.”
Sheng Wanze nodded vigorously. Like most men of this era, he had his blind spots, but his love for his wife was fierce and genuine. Most importantly, he was willing to listen to criticism and truly felt a deep, protective sorrow for the hardships Pan Yue had endured.
In truth, Mother Sheng hadn’t directed those words solely at her son; she had deliberately spoken them to keep Gu Tingxiao mindful as well. She wanted to ensure her son-in-law wouldn’t simply stand idly by when Wanyan went through her own postpartum confinement period. No matter how perfect a son-in-law seemed, a mother’s heart could never be entirely at ease.
Mother Sheng herself had survived the grueling trials of childbirth. Conditions had been far worse during her youth, forcing her to give birth in a primitive village with scarce food supplies. When Sheng Wanze was born, the country was still ravaged by war. At that time, she and her husband hadn’t yet secured stable factory jobs, and Father Sheng was still a student relying heavily on family support.
Fortunately, Grandma Sheng had been an exceptional mother-in-law. She had never treated her harshly, nor did she ever look down on her for being a simple high school graduate marrying a college man. During her confinement, Grandma Sheng had scraped together the absolute best of what little they had. Even if it was just a tiny morsel of minced meat on rare occasions, Mother Sheng knew it represented the family’s entire livelihood.
Surviving that chaotic era was a miracle in itself, especially with the constant terror of enemy soldiers raiding the village. With Grandpa Sheng away on the front lines, the household had been held together by just two vulnerable women and a young student, living in perpetual anxiety. When Grandpa Sheng finally returned victorious, the family could finally breathe, and their circumstances steadily improved.
Mother Sheng had carried a lifelong debt of gratitude to Grandma Sheng for shielding her and providing for her during those dark days. A daughter-in-law would remember a good mother-in-law’s kindness for the rest of her days.
Because of that legacy, Mother Sheng had spared no effort in taking care of Pan Yue during her recent confinement. She refused to let Pan Yue suffer the isolating, bitter hardships that so many young wives in the countryside endured—the physical toll of labor, the strain of poverty, the cruelty of a harsh mother-in-law, or the cold indifference of an unfeeling husband. Just the thought of her own children enduring that kind of misery felt like a knife cutting deep into her heart.
Even though the world was peaceful now, the raw agony and danger of bringing a child into the world remained unchanged.
Gu Tingxiao perceived the depth of Mother Sheng’s anxieties clearly. He knew that words alone would only convince his parents-in-law halfway; his future actions would have to speak for themselves.
“Mom, Dad, when Yan’er’s time comes, you absolutely must come back down,” Gu Tingxiao urged gently. “Having you here will give her the greatest peace of mind.”
Hearing his thoughtful invitation, Mother Sheng smiled and nodded. “Alright. Your father and I will definitely make the time to come.”
With the bus about to depart, Mother Sheng cut the conversation short to avoid missing their transport. The older couple waved a final, fond goodbye from the window as the vehicle rumbled to life, embarking on the long journey back to Chengdu.
Once the bus pulled away, Sheng Wanze and Gu Tingxiao didn’t head straight back to their military units. Since it was a rare occasion for them to be out in the city, they naturally wanted to forage for some special gifts to surprise their wives. Knowing both Pan Yue and Sheng Wanyan took great pride in their appearance, the two men immediately set off toward the commercial district, intent on hunting down the finest fabrics, clothes, and shoes available.
