Chapter 72: Unwilling to Discuss This Matter with the Child

Xia Yan tried her best to make her expression appear more natural; she didn’t want to discuss this matter with the two children right now. Especially when she saw Lin Hongzhuo’s smiling face, she was even more determined not to make the child sad.

She forced a smile. “It’s nothing, I just rushed to the regiment headquarters to call your father and got a bit out of breath.”

Lin Hongzhuo grinned and moved closer. “Heh, Mom, did you miss Dad?”

His mischievous look actually lifted Xia Yan’s spirits a little. She reached out and flicked the little fellow’s forehead. “This is grown-up business; children shouldn’t meddle.”

“Brother, Mom’s bullying me.”

Lin Hongzhe, on the other hand, remained unmoved, sending his younger brother next door while he stayed behind to watch Xia Yan. “Tell me, did something happen?”

“I told you, I just ran too fast.” Xia Yan felt uneasy under the boy’s gaze, as though his eyes could pierce straight through her heart.

Lin Hongzhe shook his head. “Do you think I’m three years old like my little sister?”

“All right, Xiao Zhe, Aunt Xia wants to ask you: what if your father and I can’t get married?” Xia Yan took out the envelope from her pocket.

Lin Hongzhe accepted the envelope with some suspicion, opened it, and frowned as he read the words. He hadn’t called Xia Yan “Mom” like his brother, but seeing how much his siblings liked her, he had already accepted her in his heart.

But now the marriage application had been rejected, and even he couldn’t accept it for a moment.

“My brother and sister really like you. Dad will find a way, so don’t worry.” Lin Hongzhe carefully returned the letter to Xia Yan, hesitated a moment, and added, “Don’t tell Hongzhuo about this. He’d be really upset.”

“Okay, I understand. Go over to Uncle Ruan’s house for now; Auntie will go wash her face.”

This meal, apart from Xia Yan and Lin Hongzhe who carried worries in their hearts, was a happy occasion for everyone else. Especially Lin Hongzhuo, who called out “Mom” from left and right at the table, as if afraid others wouldn’t know.

Around eight o’clock, Xia Yan helped Wang Guilan tidy up the kitchen before returning home. By then, Lin Nuannuan was already asleep, and Lin Hongzhe had taken his brother to their room to do homework.

Xia Yan shut herself in her room and took out her diary. She had kept the habit of journaling even before she crossed over.

“January 20, 1977. It was supposed to be a busy and happy day, but a piece of bad news in the afternoon ruined everything. I’ve known Lin You for half a month now. I thought coming to the Northwest was a forced choice, but only after arriving did I realize it might be fate. He seems cold, but he has a warm heart.

The three children feel as if Heaven sent them to me. Nuannuan is just like her name, a warm little sun. Every time I hold her, my mood improves. Though Hongzhuo disliked me at first sight, he was the first to call me Mom. His smile is healing. As for Hongzhe…”

At this point, Xia Yan paused, got up, and gently opened the door to the next room. She saw Lin Hongzhe tutoring his brother, his demeanor strict and impatient, occasionally giving him a little smack.

She smiled, went back to her room, and picked up her pen again.

“Hongzhe’s personality is so much like Lin You’s—he’s practically a miniature version. Lin You said that Hongzhe was present when his parents had their accident, which must have been a huge blow to him. Since then, the boy hasn’t smiled. I’m ready to be a good mother, but… why was the marriage application rejected…”

Elsewhere, Lin You rushed overnight to the family quarters in the military district and knocked on the political commissar’s door.

It was Zhou Shimao’s wife, Lü Hongxia, who answered. She looked at Lin You, panting at the door, with confusion. “Lin, what brings you here?”

“Auntie, I need to see the commissar.”

Lin You stated his purpose directly. Seeing his anxious expression, Lü Hongxia let him inside. “Come in first; Old Zhou should be home soon.”

“The commissar is still at the military district? I’ll go find him.”

As Lin You turned to leave, a car pulled up outside. It was Zhou Shimao who got out. Seeing Lin You, he immediately guessed the reason for his visit. “I knew you’d come.”

“How could I not, Commissar? I finally found someone I’m happy with, and you just went and rejected my marriage application.”

Lin You’s tone was tinged with resentment.

Lü Hongxia stepped forward. “Old Zhou, what’s going on? Why did you reject the boy’s marriage application? Was it Old Zhu who wouldn’t approve it? He won’t even let his own daughter marry Lin…”

Zhou Shimao glared at her. “What are you saying? It wasn’t Old Zhu. It was Commander Peng who wouldn’t give approval.”

Lü Hongxia fell silent at that. She might dare to complain about Zhu Zhengshan, but never the commander.

(Zhu Zhengshan is Zhu Yan’s father.)

“Go make a few dishes. I’ll talk with Lin as we eat.”

Lin You’s face was cold. “No meal until you explain.”

Zhou Shimao coughed several times, annoyed. “You brat, your temper hasn’t changed a bit. If I don’t eat, where will I get the energy to talk? Come inside and drink with me.”

“I’m injured, I can’t drink.”

“You… Then come in and watch me drink.” Zhou Shimao glared at him and turned inside.

In the living room, Zhou Shimao popped a peanut into his mouth, took a sip of liquor, and was about to pick up another dish when Lin You grabbed the plate. “Commissar, you’ve already had several sips.”

“Put it down! How can I talk with you if I don’t drink?” Zhou Shimao glared at Lin You and continued, “What’s the matter with you this time? Old Zhu’s daughter treated you so well; when Old Zhu’s family disagreed, you didn’t seem anxious at all. What’s going on now? Did that girl bewitch you somehow?”

“Xia Yan is different from Zhu Yan.”

When Lin You mentioned Xia Yan, he couldn’t help but smile.

“Oh, look at you, actually smiling! Seems you really like that girl.” Zhou Shimao smacked his lips, took another sip.

“If you know I like her, why did you reject us?”

Lin You poured Zhou Shimao another drink.

Zhou Shimao shook his head. “I told you, it wasn’t me who disagreed. It was the commander’s idea.”

“And you didn’t ask why?”

“Do you think I wouldn’t? I brought you into the army myself, and I only have one daughter in this life. I treat you like my own son.”

He downed the small glass in one gulp. “Fill it up.”

“Lin, the problem isn’t with you—it’s with your fiancée. Did you know she tried to take her own life before?”