Lu Zheng’an only skimmed over the rest of the letter, his attention completely fixed on that first sentence. He read it back and forth several times in shock.
In his memory, Su Yuanyuan’s appearance had already become blurry, but he remembered that his wife had always been soft-tempered. Combined with her poor health, she had always seemed rather delicate. He could believe that she was incapable of doing heavy work, but he absolutely did not believe that she had run away with another man.
But then he remembered what Song Han had said yesterday. It had indeed been more than three years since he had gone home. He had even forgotten what she looked like. A woman, especially one who was in poor health, having to live alone in the village for several years without her husband—her days must have been difficult.
If that man could treat Su Yuanyuan well, Lu Zheng’an had no face to condemn what she had done.
“Brother Lu, they’re calling for us over there.” Song Han shouted from a distance.
This mission was urgent. They would be leaving in another half an hour.
“Okay.”
Lu Zheng’an put the letters away. Once this mission was over and he returned, he would deal with the family matters, make up the money his family had lost, and then submit a divorce application. He would consider it repayment for setting Su Yuanyuan free.
Since he had already read one, he simply opened both letters. He also wanted to know why the two letters had been sent separately and what else had been written.
When he opened the second letter, Lu Zheng’an froze. A trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.
It was a letter from his wife.
My husband, Lu Zheng’an, I am your wife, Su Yuanyuan…
Su Yuanyuan did not mention anything about the family in her letter. She only said that the two of them had been separated for years, and that she had decided to leave home and come find him. From now on, she intended to follow him with the army in Jingbei and would not return to the village.
There was very little content in the letter. She simply explained her intention to join him in the army and said nothing about what had happened at home.
The contents of the two letters were completely contradictory.
After reading both letters, Lu Zheng’an was a little confused.
Which one was telling the truth?
He checked the dates. Both letters had been sent from Bajiao County, but they had been mailed at different times.
Su Yuanyuan’s letter said she was coming to join him and asked him to pick her up at the train station. But he had been on a mission yesterday and had never received the letter.
Judging by the timing, Su Yuanyuan should already have arrived in Jingbei. Yet now he had to leave on an emergency mission and had no way to go find her.
Since his wife had already arrived in Jingbei, there must have been some misunderstanding. He would ask her about it once she came to find him.
Thinking back to the brief time he had spent with his wife, Lu Zheng’an found it hard to believe that she would run away with another man.
If she really had left with another man, then it could only mean that life at home had been extremely difficult for her. He had been too busy and had neglected her. A woman in poor health living in the village alone would certainly have had to endure criticism and gossip from her sisters-in-law and other family members.
He sent most of his salary home every month precisely because he wanted his family to take better care of her.
But he had been gone for more than three years. How could he not know what kind of people his parents and older brother were?
Whether his wife had genuinely come to join him in the army or had come to find him to settle things and ask for a divorce, he would deal with it properly after completing his mission.
Lu Zheng’an quickly put the letters away. When he looked up, he saw Han Xiao walking past outside.
“Old Han.”
Lu Zheng’an hurried over and stopped him.
Han Xiao did not need to participate in this mission. Perfect.
“Zheng’an, you’re not leaving yet?” Han Xiao was surprised to see that he had not gone to assemble with the others.
“Old Han, I need a favor. Recently, could you check the various military compound reception halls for me? If someone claiming to be my wife comes looking for me, as long as she can produce our marriage certificate or an introduction letter proving her identity, please arrange for her to stay in the family housing apartment I just applied for.”
Lu Zheng’an thought for a moment before adding, “She’s rather delicate and isn’t in very good health. There are still quite a few things that haven’t been purchased for the apartment. Take this money first. If she needs anything, please help her arrange it. If it isn’t enough, I’ll pay you back when I return.”
Lu Zheng’an had applied for a family housing apartment some time ago. He had originally been considering having his wife come and join him in the army.
The year before last, his family had written to tell him that his wife was in poor health. He had actually been worried about her. It would be more reassuring to bring her over.
If Su Yuanyuan had come this time without intending to ask for a divorce, then she could simply settle into the family housing apartment. From then on, they could live together in Jingbei.
Unfortunately, the apartment had not yet been fully furnished, and now that the mission was urgent, he had to leave as soon as possible. There was no time.
Everyone in the unit knew that Lu Zheng’an had a wife. They just had never met her, and he rarely mentioned her.
This was truly a first.
Han Xiao did not bother being polite and accepted the money.
“Leave it to me. Go ahead and carry out your mission. I’ll keep an eye out for her.”
Everyone helped each other normally. Being too formal would only make things awkward.
“Brother Lu!” Song Han called anxiously from a distance.
“Thanks. I’ll go first.”
They were almost at departure time. Lu Zheng’an had no time to say more, so he thanked Han Xiao and ran to catch up with Song Han.
“Brother Lu, did something happen at home? If you need your brother’s help with anything, just say the word when you get back.”
The two headed toward the main gate to assemble. Their comrades had already carried their equipment over.
Lu Zheng’an shook his head.
“Nothing happened. My wife is coming to Jingbei to join me in the army.”
Song Han stumbled and nearly fell. Once he regained his balance, he excitedly congratulated Lu Zheng’an.
“That’s great! What married couple stays separated for years without seeing each other? Is she arriving in the next few days?”
Judging by how anxiously Lu Zheng’an had just been giving Han Xiao instructions, it seemed that was the case.
Lu Zheng’an nodded.
He hoped this mission could be completed successfully as soon as possible so that he could return early.
By the time they arrived, the other soldiers had already boarded the truck. After confirming their information, Lu Zheng’an climbed into the passenger seat while Song Han got into the back of the truck.
The truck drove out of the military compound and quickly headed toward its destination.
As they passed Jingbei Railway Station, Lu Zheng’an glanced toward the station.
He wondered whether his wife had arrived yet.
……
“Achoo!”
Su Yuanyuan turned her head and sneezed.
After washing her hands, she carried the freshly cooked noodles outside.
Today she had made vegetable soup noodles. She had deliberately made small portions. Otherwise, if she ate too much and her stomach became too full, she would not be able to pretend to be pitiful later.
Although the portion was small, the soup base was made with bone broth, with just a couple drops of oil drizzled over the top.
It smelled incredibly good.
The two children had excellent table manners. Without Su Yuanyuan having to remind them, the siblings washed their hands on their own and came back to sit down, eating slowly and properly.
Su Yuanyuan glanced at them before lowering her head and eating her noodles.
The weather in Jingbei was dry and cold this season. Su Yuanyuan had originally wanted to put some Snowflake Cream on the children, but then she remembered that they would be meeting Lu Zheng’an soon.
If the children’s skin looked rosy and healthy, they would hardly look like children who had been living a hard life.
Well…
She would put just a little on them.
Otherwise, their skin might crack from the cold, and that would be even worse.
After the three of them finished their noodles, Su Yuanyuan cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks and came back out.
Lu Mingzhu and Lu Siyuan had already washed their mouths and hands. Their little cloth bags were ready, and they sat obediently waiting for Su Yuanyuan.
Looking at the two little ones sitting so straight and proper, Su Yuanyuan found it incredibly amusing.
“Are you really that eager to see Daddy?”
The two children nodded in unison.
“Once we see Daddy, we’ll have somewhere to live!”
Su Yuanyuan was amused by their words. She crouched down, hugged them both, and kissed each of them on the forehead.
“Then let’s go find Daddy now and see which military compound he’s stationed at.”