Once Xu Yaoyao finished eating everyone got into the car and headed for the station. Old Master Jiang stood at the gate watching them leave. The train station was crowded with people hurrying about carrying bags and bundles. Both sets of parents stood on the platform talking to them.
“Young man take good care of your wife. If she suffers even the slightest wrong I will deal with you” Jiang’s mother said glaring at him. Then she took Xu Yaoyao’s hand her expression softening “Daughter let Chiye handle the household chores. Do not try to do everything yourself. A husband should be guided and directed. Do not be too kind to him.”
“If you are unhappy there or miss home you can come back anytime. Your mother and I will always be here waiting for you.”
Jiang Chiye looked displeased and spoke up “Mother can you not wish me well? Of course my wife will stay with me.”
“You do not understand. You are always so busy and Yaoyao would be all alone in the house with nothing to do. In my opinion this is all your fault” Jiang’s mother said.
Jiang Chiye looked confused “What exactly is my fault?”
His mother glared at him “If you had put in more effort you might already be assigned here in the capital instead of staying in Yangcheng. Yaoyao should not have to follow you and endure hardship.”
Xu’s mother stepped in linking arms with her to smooth things over “Sujuan do not say that. Chiye has already done remarkably well. How many people his age become regimental commanders?”
Jiang’s mother nodded “That is true.”
The train pulled in slowly as they spoke. It was time to say goodbye again. Xu’s mother’s eyes turned red instantly “Daughter look after yourself. The things I sent should arrive around the same time you do remember to collect them.”
Xu Yaoyao hugged both mothers gently and comforted them “I will take good care of myself. You must look after yourselves too.” She pulled back and teased her mother to lighten the mood “Ms Chen do not start shedding little pearls the moment I step onto the train. I would feel terrible seeing you sad.”
Xu’s mother laughed “I will do no such thing. Now that you are gone your father and I will finally have some time just for ourselves.”
“Ms Chen you do not love me anymore!” Xu Yaoyao said drooping her eyebrows in mock sorrow.
“Enough of this fussing get on the train already! And do not bully Chiye.”
Xu Yaoyao lifted her chin “Am I that kind of person? I would be happy enough if he does not bully me.”
“Hmph do you really not know what you are like?” Xu’s mother chuckled dryly. She knew her daughter’s habits all too well.
“Fine then. Some people get a new son in law and forget their own daughter. I am leaving now do not miss me too much” Xu Yaoyao waved cheerfully and walked toward the carriage.
Jiang Chiye set down their luggage and bowed respectfully to Xu’s father and mother. “Father Mother please rest assured. I will take good care of Yaoyao and never let her suffer any hardship.”
“Go on then. Yaoyao has a strong temper so be patient with her. Write to us once you arrive at the base.”
“I will” Jiang Chiye picked up their things and boarded the train. Behind him Xu’s mother could not help wiping away tears. Xu’s father put an arm around her waist comforting her “We will see them again. Chiye will come home on leave before you know it and maybe by then you will even have a grandchild.”
“I just cannot bear to see her go” she said. She enjoyed teasing her daughter but seeing her leave and not knowing when they would meet again hurt deeply. She knew it was selfish to wish otherwise newlyweds should not be separated for long or problems would surely arise.
Inside the carriage. Jiang Chiye made his way through the crowd to their sleeper compartment. He found his wife sitting alone on the bed quietly wiping away tears looking so pitiful that his heart ached. He set down the luggage sat beside her and wrapped his arms around her “What is it my dear?”
“Nothing something got into my eye” she said turning her face away stubbornly. Since coming here only Ms Chen and Old Xu had truly cared for her. This was the first time she had been away from them and it was painful.
“Do not cry my dear. If someone comes in they will think I have mistreated you” Jiang Chiye said softly.
Xu Yaoyao glared at him with red puffy eyes “This is your fault. Yangcheng is so far away how will I ever come home?”
He held her tighter “I promise you we will return to the capital one day. Just give me a little time.”
“Do you really mean that?” she asked doubtfully.
“Yes.”
“Very well then” Her eyes brightened and she felt a little better. She pushed him away “Do not hold me it is summer and you feel all sticky and warm. Even I can smell it.”
Jiang Chiye sniffed gently “You smell lovely. You always smell good. I do not mind at all.”
Just then a woman stood at the door looking shy and nervous. She spoke quietly “Excuse me this is my seat.” She glanced at Xu Yaoyao struck by how pretty she was then looked down at her own hands feeling out of place clutching her luggage tightly.
Xu Yaoyao pushed Jiang Chiye away and checked her own ticket. It clearly showed this was her seat. “May I see your ticket please?”
The woman nodded and handed it over looking at Xu Yaoyao’s slender fair hands with a hint of envy. “Sister your berth is over here” Xu Yaoyao said pointing to the one beside her.
The woman looked embarrassed “The conductor told me it was this side. I cannot read I am so sorry.”
“It is quite alright” Xu Yaoyao smiled and returned the ticket “What a coincidence we are both going to Yangcheng.”
The woman’s eyes lit up “You are heading there too?”
“Yes.” She placed her luggage sat down and looked at Jiang Chiye’s uniform her expression hopeful. She turned to Xu Yaoyao “Your husband is a soldier are you going to join him at the base?”
Xu Yaoyao paused to answer but Jiang Chiye spoke first “Why do you ask?” He looked at the woman sharply his tone cold and wary.
Startled by his stern look the woman waved her hands hurriedly “No please do not misunderstand. My husband is also stationed there. I am going to join him. I just wondered if you might know him.”
“What is his name?”
“Zhao Guoqing” she said nervously swallowing hard.
Jiang Chiye looked surprised “What is your relation to him?”
“I am his wife. My name is Zhou Daya. We have been married five years. He rarely comes home and we do not have children yet so my mother in law suggested I come live with him at the base so we can grow closer.” She looked at him hopefully “Comrade Officer do you know him?”
“I know him” Jiang Chiye said calmly “But as far as I know Zhao Guoqing’s wife is not you. She has been living at the base all along and I hear she is very beautiful.”
Zhou Daya looked as though she had been struck by lightning. She sank onto the bed her face pale and lifeless staring blankly at him her mouth falling open.