Before dawn the next morning Jiang Shuiying got Niannian up and ready.
The train steamed into the station whistling loudly. It was Niannian’s first time on a train and his face glowed with excitement. Mother the train is so long.
The carriage was packed with people. She had bought a standing ticket so she found an open spot set their bundle on the floor and let Niannian sit on it.
She leaned against the carriage wall feeling both excited and nervous.
The journey from Sichuan to the Northeast would take three days and three nights.
Every so often she patted her pocket. The money was still there the half silver lock was still there and Qingnian’s letter was still there.
Just as she was drifting off someone touched her pocket.
She snapped awake. A hand was reaching inside her tunic pocket.
Jiang Shuiying reacted instantly catching the wrist in a firm grip. What do you think you are doing.
Caught red handed the thief showed no fear instead glaring at her fiercely. What nonsense. I was not stealing anything.
Your hand was inside my pocket and you say you are not stealing. Everyone come quick stop the thief.
Panicked the thief struggled to break free but Jiang Shuiying held fast and he could not pull away.
He raised his hand to strike her but before it could come down someone grabbed his arm from behind.
What do you think you are doing. A young soldier in uniform pushed through and seized the thief by the collar. Stealing in broad daylight. How dare you.
At the sight of the uniformed soldier the thief’s defiance crumbled. He was marched away to the train police.
Jiang Shuiying let out a breath her palms damp with sweat. She checked her pocket. The money was safe.
Ma’am are you all right. The soldier returned after handing the thief over. He was in his early twenties with thick dark eyebrows and a smile that showed bright white teeth.
I am fine thank you. I could not have managed without you.
It was nothing. The soldier scratched his head. Where are you heading. Traveling alone with a little one cannot be easy.
Heishiling in the Northeast. I am going to join my husband.
Heishiling. The soldier’s eyes lit up. That is where my unit is posted. We are going the same way. I am Wang Jun from the Reconnaissance Company Unit 308. Which battalion is your husband in.
Jiang Shuiying’s heart beat fast. First Battalion. His name is Lu Qingnian.
Captain Lu. Wang Jun stared in surprise. Ma’am you are Captain Lu’s wife.
Her eyes glistened. Yes I am his wife.
What a wonderful coincidence. Captain Lu is admired by every soldier in our regiment.
Wang Jun hurried away and soon came back accompanied by a conductor. Ma’am there are seats available in the dining carriage. Please come with me.
I could not possibly impose like that.
It is no imposition at all. Captain Lu is a hero and his family deserves every care. Please follow me.
Wang Jun carried their bundle while Jiang Shuiying led Niannian toward the dining carriage. Niannian looked up at him. Uncle is my father very brave.
He is exceptionally brave. Captain Lu is the finest soldier we have. Enemies fear him just hearing his name.
Niannian puffed out his chest proudly. My father is the bravest person in the world.
Watching her son’s proud face Jiang Shuiying’s thoughts drifted back to long ago.
Even though she was two years older Lu Qingnian had seemed like a grown boy even then. He had always looked out for her. Whenever the world felt too heavy and she thought everything was falling apart he would kneel down gently wipe her tears with his sleeve and tell her not to cry that everything would be all right.
He would often meet her at the village entrance and pull a warm roasted sweet potato from his pocket saying he had saved it just for her. She would hold the warm sweet potato in her hands and tears would fall. He would look worried and ask if it was not sweet enough promising to find a bigger one next time. She would laugh and break half of it to share with him but he would shake his head and give it back telling her to eat it that as the older boy it was his duty to look after her.
Sixteen years had passed since then. The boy who had said he would always look after her had grown into a hero admired by all.
Mother why are you crying. Niannian reached up to wipe her cheek.
I am not crying she said smiling and pulling him close. Mother is just very happy.
Outside the sky darkened and passengers dozed all around them. Niannian fell asleep leaning against her lap his cheeks flushed pink.
Jiang Shuiying stayed awake. She took from her inner pocket the last letter Qingnian had sent three years before. The edges were worn soft from being read so many times she knew every word by heart. He had written that he would come home on leave after his mission and bring her pine nuts from the Northeast. She had never received the pine nuts only the notice that he had fallen in action.
She folded the letter carefully and put it away then touched the half silver lock in her pocket. Qingnian what truly happened to you. Why have you not written all these years.
Later in the dining carriage Wang Jun gave Niannian a boiled egg and the boy ate it happily with yolk smudged on his face. Jiang Shuiying wiped his face gently and asked Comrade Wang how is Captain Lu doing at the base.
He is truly remarkable Wang Jun said eyes shining brightly. Three years ago his unit was trapped inside a collapsed mountain tunnel. He led us in digging our way out for three days and three nights without rest.
Jiang Shuiying leaned forward anxiously. And then what happened.
He sustained severe head injuries Wang Jun said scratching his head. He was hurt quite badly and lost some of his memory. He cannot remember much from before the accident.
Jiang Shuiying’s hands clenched tightly. So it was true. He had not stopped writing because he did not care. He simply could not remember.
There is something else Wang Jun said lowering his voice. When they rescued him three years ago he kept a crumpled letter close to him. It was addressed to him from someone named Shuiying. Doctor Zhao Xueting took charge of it to keep it safe and said she would look after it for him.
Jiang Shuiying caught her breath. That was my letter. Has Doctor Zhao kept it all this time.
Yes Wang Jun nodded. She has taken very good care of him and visits often with medicine and food. Everyone has noticed how kind she is to him. Please do not misunderstand though.
Jiang Shuiying stayed quiet and looked down at Niannian. Zhao Xueting she would remember that name. That letter was hers and she would get it back.
The train rattled onward for three days and three nights. On the third evening they arrived in the Northeast and traveled several more hours by bus to reach Heishiling.
Wang Jun carried their bundle and led the way to the base. The final stretch was over twenty kilometers with no public transport so they walked for more than two hours before arriving.
A sentry stood guard at the gate beside a large sign marked Unit 308 in bold characters. Wang Jun spoke briefly with the sentry then turned back looking sorry.
Ma’am I am sorry but without official authorization you cannot enter the base.
Jiang Shuiying stared at him. I have no letter of introduction but I am truly Lu Qingnian’s wife and this is his son. Please let me see him just once.
Ma’am these are strict military regulations. No one may enter without proper identification.
Then can you ask Lu Qingnian to come out and meet me.
Captain Lu is away on duty today. We do not know when he will return. It could be tonight or tomorrow. Perhaps you should return tomorrow.
Niannian held onto the iron gate and peered through eyes wide with wonder. Mother look there are so many soldiers and big trucks. He turned to the sentry and asked in a small clear voice Sir does my father carry a gun. Is he brave when he fights bad people.
The sentry’s serious expression softened. He knelt down to speak with him. Your father. Who is your father little one.
My father is Lu Qingnian and he is a Captain Niannian said standing tall and proud. My mother says he is taller than our house.
The sentry looked surprised then glanced toward Jiang Shuiying but said nothing.