Jiang Yan was unaware of Su Nanyue’s thoughts. Seeing her like this only deepened his sense of guilt.
“What I said earlier was serious. I will definitely give you and the children an explanation for this matter. I won’t let you suffer all these years of injustice for nothing.”
Su Nanyue looked up at him, a mocking curve tugging at the corner of her lips.
“I’ve been called a slut by your family for four years, my son has been called a bastard by your family for three years, and I was almost killed by Jiang Jingzhou.”
“With all these things laid out here, what do you think you should do to give me an explanation?”
She hadn’t intended to clash with Jiang Yan.
But now, hearing him repeatedly promise to give her an explanation, she couldn’t hold back her retort.
“Jiang Yan, anyone can say nice words, but you only feel the pain when the knife cuts your own flesh.”
After saying this, she ignored Jiang Yan and walked toward the room.
Jiang Yan looked up, his gaze fixed tightly on her retreating figure.
Only after she entered the room did he quickly follow, carrying the two children, and turned on the light as he went.
The Family Compound was already electrified.
Once inside, Jiang Yan bent down to set the two little ones on their feet and removed the blankets wrapped around them.
Only then did he straighten up and look at Su Nanyue.
“If I promise something, I will do it. As for my parents, all the money I’ve sent you over the years—”
“After deducting the monthly living expenses I gave them, I’ll get the rest back and hand it over to you.”
Hearing about the money, Su Nanyue felt a flicker of interest.
However, she showed no sign of it on her face. “No need.”
She glared coldly at Jiang Yan.
“I used to resent you, but in the end, the suffering I endured was my own fault. I can only blame my own weakness.”
She curled her lips slightly, her eyes turning cold. “As for those who hurt me, I’ll take my own revenge in my own way.”
She had already taken revenge on Jiang Jianguo and Wang Xiulan.
But the others were still untouched.
Jiang Yan looked at Su Nanyue. This version of her was entirely unfamiliar.
Yet he didn’t feel any aversion; in fact, he somewhat admired her.
“Do whatever you want to do. I won’t stop you.”
His parents had done such things, so it was only natural for Su Nanyue to hate them.
As for how they would be repaid, he didn’t care.
He admitted he was somewhat cold and unfeeling, but so what?
From as early as he could remember, beatings and curses were commonplace. If it weren’t for the villagers who pitied him and couldn’t bear to see him starve, giving him food, he wouldn’t have survived.
He joined the military at fifteen and had only returned home once in all these years.
He would fulfill the obligations he owed, but nothing more.
Su Nanyue gave him a faint glance and said nothing.
Jiang Yan didn’t say more either. He lowered his head, wanting to coax the two children, but both little ones clung tightly to Su Nanyue.
Xiao Bao’s eyes were still red from what had happened earlier. He held onto Su Nanyue’s pant leg, pressing close to her side without a word.
Da Bao, however, raised his little face, bared his teeth, and glared at him fiercely.
Seeing this, Jiang Yan’s eyes darkened. Just as he wouldn’t blame Su Nanyue for hating his parents, he also didn’t blame the children for treating him this way.
All of this was his own fault, the result of missing out on too much over the years.
Fortunately, he wasn’t someone who dwelled on the past. What had happened was done; the only thing he could do now was make amends.
Thinking this, he took the initiative to speak, “Would you like to see the house?”
“No,” Su Nanyue refused directly.
Jiang Yan gave a low hum and followed her lead, “It’s indeed quite late today. We can look tomorrow instead.”
Receiving no response didn’t bother him.
He continued, “All this furniture was brought from the logistics department. Later, take a look and see if anything is missing. We can have a craftsman make it.”
Su Nanyue still didn’t speak.
Jiang Yan sighed inwardly. “Let’s go inside the room. I lit the kang this afternoon—it should be warm now.”
Temperatures in Hei Province were low, so in the Family Compound, aside from those living in tube-shaped apartments, all houses with courtyards had kangs—specifically, earthen beds. Once lit, the entire room would become warm and cozy.
After walking all the way, even with Jiang Yan’s jacket over her clothes, Su Nanyue was thoroughly chilled.
Following Jiang Yan into the room, a wave of warmth washed over her, and she shivered.
The house had three bedrooms and a living room, but due to the rush, only one room had been tidied up. The mattress on the kang was one Jiang Yan had brought from his dorm.
Jiang Yan placed the quilt on the kang, fetched water to wash the two little ones’ faces, and then carried them onto the kang.
He sat at the edge of the kang talking with the children, but his gaze involuntarily drifted toward Su Nanyue, who had finished washing up and was leaning against the kang wall.
He watched her yawn repeatedly.
Knowing she was sleepy, Jiang Yan stood up. “It’s getting late. You should rest early. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow morning to go into the city.”
Hearing this, Su Nanyue looked up at him. Her eyes were watery from yawning, and her expression held a hint of charming innocence. “Where will you stay?”
Jiang Yan replied, “I’ll stay at the dorm.”
Su Nanyue had only asked casually. Learning he had a place to go, she nodded.
“The thermos was filled with hot water this afternoon. You can pour it directly when you want a drink.”
“Mm.”
Su Nanyue was truly tired. With no phone or TV, and given her body’s extreme weakness, she had been going to bed early every night.
After Jiang Yan left, she lay down, pulling the two little ones into her arms, and fell asleep.
Early to bed, early to rise.
The next day, just after Su Nanyue and the children had finished washing up, the front door was pushed open, and Jiang Yan walked in carrying breakfast.
Overnight, the once-warm kang retained only a trace of residual heat, and the room had grown cold.
But after so many days, Su Nanyue had already grown accustomed to it.
Jiang Yan set the food containers on the table and called them over for breakfast.
He then headed into the room, opened a trunk placed in the corner, and took out his army coat along with two of his jackets before walking back out.
Breakfast consisted of steamed buns and porridge.
Su Nanyue had already portioned out the meal.
Seeing Jiang Yan, she said, “Come eat first.”
Jiang Yan hummed in agreement and handed the coat to Su Nanyue.
Without any fuss, Su Nanyue reached out and took it.
She had never been one to deprive herself—if there were clothes to wear, she naturally preferred not to endure the cold.
Watching her put on the coat, Jiang Yan breathed an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
He then went over to Da Bao and Xiao Bao, draping the remaining two jackets over them.
His clothes were so large that the hems dragged on the floor. Seeing this, Su Nanyue couldn’t help but laugh.
Xiao Bao’s cheeks were flushed red, looking somewhat bashful.
Su Nanyue couldn’t resist pinching his chubby cheek, and Xiao Bao even leaned his face further into her hand.
Noticing this small gesture, she gently stroked his cheek after pinching it. Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, she caught the anticipation and longing in Da Bao’s eyes.
Her palm changed direction and landed on Da Bao’s face, giving it a gentle pinch. “Hurry up and eat before it gets cold.”
Da Bao happily nodded with emphasis, “Mm!”
After breakfast, Jiang Yan took the initiative to wash the lunchboxes while Su Nanyue didn’t sit idle either.
She crouched down and rolled up both children’s sleeves, exposing their small hands.
By the time she finished adjusting their sleeves, Jiang Yan had returned with the clean lunchboxes.
Placing the lunchboxes on the table, he bent down and scooped up both children in one motion, then turned to Su Nanyue. “Let’s go, we should get there early to secure good seats.”
They were going to follow the military procurement truck to the city, which was parked at the army compound’s main gate.
It was just past six in the morning, with dawn breaking but the sun yet to rise.
When they arrived, there were already two or three people seated in the truck – all military wives, though Su Nanyue didn’t recognize any of them.
Wang Jian Guo was driving again today. Seeing Jiang Yan’s family arrive, he opened the door and stepped out. “Deputy Regimental Commander, why don’t you take the wheel? Let your wife and children sit in front – I’ll move to the back.”