Jiang Jianguo deliberately inflated the amount by three hundred.
He sighed, “I originally wanted to call and tell you, but your supervisor said you were out on a mission.”
Jiang Yan responded with a noncommittal “Hmm.”
After saying what needed to be said, Jiang Jianguo cautiously probed, “Was there something specific you called about today?”
Everything he’d just said was fabricated, and he worried Jiang Yan might have heard something.
Detecting the hint in his tone, Jiang Yan replied directly, “Nothing particular, just checking in to see how things are at home lately.””
Jiang Jianguo breathed a sigh of relief. “Your mother and I are fine. Your wife stole all the money, and when your second brother’s wife went to join him at the army base, the money she took was borrowed from others.”
Jiang Yan understood perfectly well what he meant—this was a request for money.
He said, “I don’t have any money to spare at the moment either. When the mission bonus comes through, I’ll send you some first.”
Although somewhat dissatisfied, Jiang Jianguo didn’t show it, knowing full well that this son always had his own mind.
He could only agree along, “Alright, take good care of yourself out there.”
After hanging up, Jiang Yan headed outside.
When he emerged, Yang Peng was drinking tea outside. Seeing him come out, Yang Peng picked up his mug and went inside.
After leaving Yang Peng’s office, Jiang Yan went to the military guest house.
On the way, he happened to run into Su Nanyue coming out with the children.
Su Nanyue nodded at him, while Da Bao and Xiao Bao still remembered him.
Especially Da Bao, whose eyes lit up at the sight of Jiang Yan. “Good Uncle.”
The “good” Jiang Yan: “…”
His gaze swept over the three of them in their thin, heavily patched clothes, and his brow furrowed slightly.
When he’d seen them dressed like this on the train, he hadn’t thought much of it—after all, they were traveling.
A young woman alone with two children, dressing shabbily was understandable.
But seeing them still dressed this way now, he suddenly recalled what Su Nanyue and Da Bao had said on the train.
After greeting Da Bao and Xiao Bao, he turned to Su Nanyue. “Where’s your husband?”
“He’s out on a mission and hasn’t returned yet.”
Jiang Yan’s brow relaxed. “It’s still quite cold here in Hei Province. The children are young—wearing so little could easily lead to a cold.”
Guessing she probably had no money or coupons, he pulled a few from his pocket. “Take these for now. Get some fabric to make thick clothes for yourself and the children.”
Because of what happened on the train, Jiang Yan still had a favorable impression of her.
He wasn’t some pure-hearted saint, but within his means, he’d help where he could.
Su Nanyue hadn’t expected him to offer money and coupons and quickly refused.
“No, no need. The Political Commissar just gave me the bonus. I was actually about to take them to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative to buy fabric.”
Hearing this, Jiang Yan didn’t insist, but he took out the cloth coupons separately and handed them to her. “Take the cloth coupons at least.”
Seeing Su Nanyue about to refuse again, he said directly, “When your husband returns, he can repay me.”
With him putting it that way, Su Nanyue didn’t refuse further.
Mainly because she truly didn’t have enough cloth coupons.
“I don’t know when he’ll be back. Let me reimburse you for the cloth coupons with money! Otherwise, I can’t accept them.”
Jiang Yan could see she wasn’t one to take advantage of others. Coupled with the fact that she’d already received her bonus, he nodded in agreement.
Jiang Yan had given her three cloth coupons, all for one chi of ordinary coarse cloth.
Su Nanyue counted out one yuan and handed it to him.
She had inquired over the past couple of days and learned that one chi of coarse cloth currently required coupons worth about ten to thirty cents.
But she had no means to obtain the coupons herself, so Jiang Yan’s timely provision of them was a true relief in her moment of urgency.
Jiang Yan took the money, his brow slightly furrowed, then pulled out seventy cents and returned it.
“It doesn’t cost that much.”
Seeing that he genuinely wouldn’t accept the extra, Su Nanyue took it back and thanked him. Beside her, Da Bao also looked up and obediently followed Su Nanyue’s lead in expressing thanks.
Xiao Bao stood next to Su Nanyue, tilting his small face—red from the cold—and gazed at Jiang Yan with a mix of curiosity and timidity.
Looking at these two children, Jiang Yan inexplicably recalled what Jiang Jianguo and the others had said over the phone.
That woman had also borne him two children.
By his reckoning, those two children would be three years old this year, not much older than these two.
And for some reason, seeing Xiao Bao’s eyes reminded him inexplicably of that woman.
That morning, when those people had burst in, she had looked at him with that same timid expression.
He shook his head, dismissing the chaotic thoughts from his mind, and continued on his way to the guest house.
When he arrived at the guest house, he learned that Su Nanyue had just taken the two children out.
He didn’t leave but waited right at the entrance of the guest house.
At this time of year, the weather outside was still bitterly cold.
Yet he seemed impervious to the chill, lighting a cigarette and leaning back against the outer wall of the guest house.
His mind began to ponder why that woman had suddenly brought the children to the military base.
As for his parents’ words, he didn’t fully believe them.
Tian Meilin and Wang Juan had just stepped out of the Cultural Work Troupe and were chatting when Wang Juan suddenly nudged her arm.
“What is it?” Tian Meilin asked softly.
Wang Juan gestured with her eyes toward the side.
Following her gaze, Tian Meilin spotted Jiang Yan at once.
Wang Juan teased with a smile, “Go on, find your Deputy Regimental Commander Jiang. I’ll head to the cafeteria myself and won’t disturb you two.”
A blush instantly spread across Tian Meilin’s cheeks. She shot Wang Juan a coquettish glance but said nothing.
After Wang Juan left, she adjusted her clothes and smoothed her hair before walking toward Jiang Yan.
Hearing footsteps approach, Jiang Yan lifted his head.
Seeing Tian Meilin before him, he tossed the cigarette—still a third left—onto the ground and crushed it under his foot.
Watching his actions, Tian Meilin felt a sweet warmth in her heart.
“What a coincidence! It’s just lunchtime—shall we eat together?”
“No,” Jiang Yan refused outright. “I’m waiting for my wife and children.”
At his words, Tian Meilin’s expression stiffened.
She was aware of Jiang Yan’s marriage, but she’d heard it was an arranged match and that the two didn’t get along.
He didn’t like that woman, which was why he’d returned to the military base right after they registered their marriage.
Her eyes flickering slightly, she feigned confusion. “Didn’t you return to the base right after registering? How could you have children?”
Jiang Yan lifted his gaze and gave her a cool, sweeping look.
Tian Meilin couldn’t miss his displeasure.
A sudden thought crossed her mind: Could it be that the child isn’t his?
As soon as the idea formed, her eyes brightened.
A man as proud as Jiang Yan would never raise another man’s child.
Perhaps they were here to get a divorce.
Thinking this, she grew completely excited. “Just let me know anytime you need help.”
As long as he mentioned divorce, she would definitely have Uncle Zhang expedite the approval.
“No need.”
Jiang Yan’s tone was flat, carrying a clear sense of detachment. “Is there anything else?”
Tian Meilin inwardly cursed him for being ungrateful, but her expression remained unchanged.
“Nothing else. I’ll let you get back to work then. Come over for dinner sometime—Uncle Hao has been talking about you constantly.”
Jiang Yan responded with a noncommittal “Mm.”
Commander Hao had been his mentor, someone he regarded as both teacher and friend.
Though reluctant to leave, Tian Meilin could sense Jiang Yan’s impatience.
Her gaze lingered on him with longing, but receiving no response, she finally turned away unwillingly.
The moment she turned, her expression instantly turned cold, a strong obsession flashing in her eyes.
She had fallen for Jiang Yan at first sight.
So what if he was married?
She’d long heard that he had no feelings for that rural woman he married.
They would divorce sooner or later, and when that happened, he would belong to her alone.
Walking too quickly, she accidentally bumped into someone.
A glance at the other person’s patched clothing made her face twist with contempt and disgust.
She couldn’t be bothered to engage and immediately tried to step away.
But as she lifted her foot, her wrist was seized in a firm grip.
She looked up and met the other’s strikingly beautiful, radiant face.
A flash of jealousy crossed her eyes, her tone turning sharp. “Let go.”
Su Nanyue not only didn’t release her but tightened her grip. “Apologize.”