“We’re here, this is the place.”
Fu Weicheng led Song Yuntang and her two children to a small bungalow.
Song Yuntang looked around left and right, surprised at how good the Family Quarters were. She had expected something like the old tube-style buildings from the seventies or eighties—each person in a tiny room, five or six people packed into a few dozen square meters.
But this house had a front yard with a tree, spacious and clean. The house itself was square and tidy, with two bedrooms and a living room, facing south for excellent sunlight.
In the capital, such a house would be worth a fortune in the future!
Song Yuntang was astonished just looking at it, and the children were even more amazed.
For Niannian and An’an, the nicest house they had ever seen was the village chief’s—but that was just mud with wooden beams. Not even an ordinary brick house.
This house was entirely brick, plastered with cement. A kick to the wall wouldn’t make dust fly, only stub a toe.
Fu Weicheng pushed open the door and stepped inside. The house had some existing furniture. It looked a little worn but very clean, clearly well cared for by the previous residents.
He explained, “This house was originally occupied by Political Commissar Chen of the regiment. He was transferred to another military district last month. Other family houses have all been assigned; only this one remains empty. If you don’t like it, I can file a request for another house, but that will take some time.”
Fu Weicheng, as a widower who lost his wife early, was mostly living like a single man in the barracks. He hadn’t expected to apply for family housing.
Since Song Yuntang had arrived suddenly, he wanted to keep her, so he had Lin Xiangdong tidy up the house.
It was clean enough, though he worried she might be dissatisfied.
He added, “The furniture is old. If you want new furniture, we can have a carpenter make some.”
“No need, really no need,” Song Yuntang replied, satisfied with the environment. Compared to the barn she had lived in before, it was a world apart. But then she muttered softly to herself, “Anyway, I won’t be living here for long.”
After all, they were still going to divorce.
Fu Weicheng heard her muttering and frowned but ignored it.
Niannian and An’an followed closely by her side, wide-eyed with curiosity, looking around left and right, unable to hide their amazement.
Niannian asked quietly, “Mommy, are we going to live here?”
“Yes, tonight we’ll stay here.” Song Yuntang crouched down to their level, asking, “Niannian, An’an, do you like it here?”
Niannian, cautious and worried, whispered, “Really… can we… won’t bad people kick us out?”
An’an, wide-eyed and innocent, said, “Mommy… it’s so big… and it has a roof. If it rains, it won’t leak.”
Song Yuntang patted her little ones. “This house has more than a roof. There are beds and blankets. Niannian and An’an won’t have to sleep on the floor anymore. Do you like it?”
“Yes, yes, we like it!” both children nodded eagerly.
Once Song Yuntang had comforted the children, she stood and noticed Fu Weicheng, who had somehow removed his uniform jacket, revealing a white shirt underneath.
The sleeves of the shirt were neatly rolled up, exposing strong forearms, and he held a basin of water in his hands.
He turned to her. “You take the kids and look around. I’ll clean the dust.”
Song Yuntang was surprised. Although Fu Weicheng had been assigned elsewhere for a while, he was still from a high-ranking family. She hadn’t expected him to do household chores.
If he wanted to do it, she wouldn’t stop him.
Without any hesitation, she followed his suggestion, taking the kids to familiarize themselves with the house, including the kitchen.
In the capital, there was no need for a traditional stove anymore. The kitchen had a clean coal stove and a gas stove.
Even just the gas stove was enough to surpass ninety percent of stories set in that era.
Niannian and An’an were curious about everything, wanting to touch it but too cautious to reach out, eyes wide with wonder.
After their tour, Fu Weicheng had already finished cleaning the house efficiently.
A voice called outside: “Regiment Commander Fu!”
It was the familiar Lin Xiangdong, delivering dinner.
Fu Weicheng put down the cloth, smoothed his sleeves, and said, “Lin Xiangdong is here with dinner. I’ll go get it.”
“Okay,” Song Yuntang replied, hearing a small rumble from An’an’s stomach.
The little girl had slept and was now very hungry.
Song Yuntang smiled. “Niannian, An’an, come wash your hands with Mommy. Always wash your hands before eating. It keeps you healthy and prevents stomachaches.”
Having a slight cleanliness obsession and medical student habits, she cared deeply about hygiene.
Niannian and An’an had grown up dirty out of necessity. Now they had the means, and Song Yuntang wanted to give them the best and teach them well.
She showed them how to turn on the tap, letting water flow into the basin, placing their small hands under it, and lathering with soap.
“When you wash your hands, be patient and go slowly. Soap must be used. Rub every finger carefully… good, now it’s clean. Smell it—isn’t it nice?”
Niannian and An’an skeptically brought their hands to their noses. Indeed, they smelled clean and fresh.
“It smells nice! Mommy, really nice!” An’an exclaimed, her dimples showing.
“To stay nice and clean, you must remember to wash your hands often.”
Song Yuntang took a towel and dried their hands.
She also had something important to tell them.
“Niannian, An’an, listen. Fu Weicheng—that uncle from before—is your father. This house is also your father’s. That’s why we can live here.”
An’an blinked, confused. “An’an has a daddy?”
Song Yuntang didn’t know how to explain adult matters to such a small child. She said, “Of course you both have a father. Your father—”
“No!” Niannian interrupted, his small face stubborn. He hugged Song Yuntang tightly. “Mommy, Niannian doesn’t want a daddy, only Mommy.”
Feeling Niannian’s emotional turmoil, Song Yuntang gently asked, “Niannian, why?”
Niannian buried his head against her. “Daddy doesn’t want Mommy and us, so I don’t want Daddy either.”
Song Yuntang’s heart tightened sharply.
Niannian’s early intelligence exceeded her expectations. The malicious rumors in the village, especially from Song Mingde’s family, had repeatedly instilled in him the idea that “Fu Weicheng doesn’t want you,” to prevent the original mother and children from escaping. It had taken root deeply, forming a mental knot.
Even Song Yuntang had not noticed this.
If Niannian grew up with this mindset, it would affect his psychological health.
She gently patted Niannian’s head. “Niannian, that’s not true. You’re too little to understand. Mommy can’t explain everything, but trust me. Daddy didn’t abandon you and An’an. He had reasons and didn’t know you existed, which is why you were separated for so long.”
Niannian tried to understand, slowly lifting his head, eyes slightly red, and whispered, “…Really?”
“Really. Niannian, whether Daddy is a good father, a good man, you’ll see for yourself when you spend time with him. If after a while, you don’t like it here, Mommy will take you away.”
Song Yuntang reassured them seriously while making a promise.
Niannian thought for a moment, then nodded slowly. “Okay, I’ll listen to Mommy.”
Finally feeling relieved, Song Yuntang sensed a gaze on her and looked up to see Fu Weicheng standing at the doorway.
He had heard everything. Niannian had just said he didn’t want a daddy? As a father, that must have hurt.
Fu Weicheng’s face revealed little emotion.
He spoke. “Time to come out and eat.”