“Left already?” Guan Xianzhi was slightly startled, then nodded after a moment. “Did you get her address or phone number?”
“No,” Zhou Hongbing shook his head. “That comrade said we’re all revolutionaries—helping others in danger is only natural. But I did fix her bicycle.”
Thinking of the woman who had saved him—how fearless she had been even in the face of enemy agents—Guan Xianzhi nodded again.
She was someone unrestrained by trivialities. Admirable.
After sending Zhou Hongbing off to rest, Guan Xianzhi turned to look out the window.
The glass reflected his cold, handsome face and deep-set eyes.
In this city, there was someone he longed to see.
But unfortunately, he was in the middle of a classified mission. Enemy agents were still lurking in the shadows, and the slightest mistake could ruin everything—and endanger the people around him.
So, he still couldn’t go see her… or the children.
Guan Xianzhi withdrew his gaze, his eyes sharpening again. He took out paper and pen, carefully reviewing every detail of the mission, trying to find any possible oversight.
His posture was as straight as a pine tree, his back perfectly upright. His fingers were well-defined, and every word he wrote carried the discipline and integrity unique to a soldier.
He needed to finish the mission as soon as possible—then go bring back his wife and two children.
And then, he would take them to find the woman who had saved his life and properly thank her.
It was too late, so Wen Qiqi didn’t go to the black market.
Even though she had called ahead, Seventh Great-Uncle and his wife, along with the children, had been worried sick.
As soon as Ping’an and An’an saw her, they rushed into her arms. Seventh Great-Aunt grabbed her, anxiously inspecting her from head to toe.
“You child—how old are you, and you already dare to play the hero? You even got hurt! Honestly!” she scolded worriedly.
“Well, she’s back now. That’s what matters,” Seventh Great-Uncle said, puffing on his cigar.
“You think everyone’s like you, reckless and shameless?!” Seventh Great-Aunt snapped, then added in confusion, “Why do I feel like Qiqi got thinner after going out? Even her skin looks better…”
Seventh Great-Uncle glared at her. “My grand-niece was always pretty!”
He still remembered how Wen Qiqi had looked like a doll when she was little—fair and beautiful.
After her grandfather passed away early, Seventh Great-Uncle had treated her like his own granddaughter, often taking her out to play.
A film director had even once come to take her to act in movies—only to be beaten up and thrown out by him.
Wen Jinkang had done unforgivable things—allowing that mother and daughter to poison her!
If not for his grand-niece stopping him, Seventh Great-Uncle would never have let them off!
“But she does seem a bit thinner,” he muttered, puzzled. In just half a day, the plump Wen Qiqi seemed to have shrunk a bit.
“At the hospital, the doctor gave me a serum shot,” Wen Qiqi said with a smile, recounting what had happened. She also quietly mentioned how she had written a report letter and how a young soldier had taken it straight to the neighborhood committee.
Seventh Great-Uncle burst into laughter, repeatedly praising her: “Well done!”
He had been frustrated about not being able to deal with Wen Jinkang himself, but now his mood had improved greatly.
“Great-Uncle, do you have a way to help me exchange for some ration coupons?” Wen Qiqi asked.
Truthfully, she wasn’t sure whether Guan Xianzhi would treat her well.
Although she had helped take care of his two children for over a year, they had never actually met.
And now she had gained quite a bit of weight.
She couldn’t gamble her future on a man’s sincerity and sense of responsibility.
So she needed to prepare for herself.
If things didn’t work out between her and Guan Xianzhi—or if he disliked her for being overweight—she wouldn’t force it.
After all, forced love never ends well. If they couldn’t be husband and wife, they could still be like brothers.
“There are plenty of coupons. Your aunt and I have already prepared them for you,” Seventh Great-Uncle said, taking out a small box filled with grain coupons, cloth coupons, and dessert coupons.
“If that’s not enough, I’ll get you more.”
“That’s more than enough!” Wen Qiqi nodded repeatedly. She tried to give him money, but he refused stubbornly, even glaring at her.
Unable to argue with the old man, she had no choice but to give up.
Tomorrow, she would buy some supplies—and then set off.
Wen Qiqi secretly went to the black market twice, buying an entire pig and over a hundred eggs.
She had plenty of cash, and the storage space she possessed had time frozen inside—so no matter how much she bought, it wouldn’t spoil.
As a big customer, the young butcher helped her cut the pork into different portions. The old woman selling eggs even gifted her a few chicks.
Delighted, Wen Qiqi also bought some ducklings and two goslings.
Once placed into her storage space, these small animals would basically take care of themselves, finding suitable places to live.
All Wen Qiqi needed to do later was collect the eggs.
Zecheng was a relatively prosperous city. By luck, she encountered two vendors selling imported foods.
She bought chocolate, pastries, jam, and even bread—an excellent haul.
Before leaving the black market, she also bought a harmonica and a few picture books.
Life in the military district might be tough. Music and stories would be the best nourishment for the children.
Wen Qiqi didn’t know whether she would be a good wife, but she wanted to be a good mother.
Even if that role might not last forever.
Well, whatever—she would take things as they came.
With everything prepared, Wen Qiqi took the two children and boarded a train bound for Jinzhou.
A woman traveling alone with two delicate, doll-like children quickly drew attention.
She remained tense the entire time, not daring to drink much water or fall asleep.
The children were well-behaved—silent and calm, clinging tightly to her. No matter who tried to talk to them, they didn’t respond.
“Your children are adorable,” an elderly woman said, walking over and offering them two pieces of candy. “What are your names?”
An’an didn’t dare take it and looked at her brother.
Ping’an shook his head without speaking, gripping his sister’s hand and leaning into their mother.
Wen Qiqi looked at the old woman coldly.
Unprovoked kindness often hides ulterior motives.
The old woman, snubbed, muttered, “What could I possibly do? I just like children…”
She then handed the candy to a four- or five-year-old boy sitting diagonally across from Wen Qiqi.
The boy was traveling with a round-faced middle-aged woman, who cheerfully accepted the candy and even started chatting with the old woman.
“Mom… candy…” An’an said softly, looking up at Wen Qiqi with pleading eyes.