Shen Qingran said, “Aunt Zhang, I’m heading to the countryside immediately!
“There’s hardly anyone left at the Shen household over there!
“The other uncles in the Shen family aren’t close to us at all!
“You see, with everything that’s happened recently, did you notice anyone else stepping forward to help?”
Aunt Zhang shook her head. “I didn’t see a single person from the Shen family!”
“Yes, exactly!
“I’m going to the countryside right away! Who knows what the situation will be like there?”
Shen Qingran was speaking the truth. Ever since she had started going to the countryside in 1968, she had broken preconceived notions.
Many people thought that after going down for a while, one could return home easily.
But after two years, they realized that not everyone sent to the countryside could return smoothly.
Some educated youths even married locally, and some had children!
This completely severed their chances of returning to the city.
The future was uncertain. Staying in the capital with Aunt Zhang and her grandmother was still comparatively better.
The rural environment… Shen Qingran only had to think about it to know how harsh it was.
In her previous life, the muddy roads, the old ox carts that took an entire day and night to reach the youth camps…
The large communal dorms, the mountains with no visible future…
Shen Qingran drifted into memories, only returning to the present when Aunt Zhang called her a few times.
“Also, if you notice anyone suspicious there, send me a telegram!
“When I get there, I’ll give you the contact information!”
Aunt Zhang wiped the corner of her eyes with her sleeve.
“Miss, will the Wan family treat you well?”
Aunt Zhang asked sincerely.
Shen Qingran wasn’t sure about others, but she knew Wan Ning well!
Yes!
She was about to go to the countryside and should notify him in advance.
“Don’t worry, Aunt Zhang! I’ll be happy for sure!”
Shen Qingran said firmly.
Her grandmother called out: “Granddaughter, when you get there, make sure you give me the contact info!”
Shen Qingran nodded.
After calming everyone down, Shen Qingran stopped her grandmother from calling the Wan family herself.
She was grown now—no need for her grandmother to fight her battles for her.
But Grandmother Shen didn’t listen.
Helplessly, Shen Qingran gave her the phone number Wan’s mother had given last time.
“Hello, is this the Wan family?”
“I’m Shen Qingran’s grandmother!”
“Oh, Grandmother Shen!”
Wan’s mother answered.
The two women chatted back and forth, one praising Wan Ning’s talent and youth, the other praising Shen Qingran’s beauty.
Once they’d exchanged pleasantries, Grandmother Shen got straight to the point.
“I heard last night your daughters-in-law called my Qingran over!
“This isn’t Qingran tattling—what exactly is going on in your family?”
Wan’s mother was taken aback. Grandmother Shen’s words carried weight in the Shen family.
Her son’s image must not be tarnished.
“Oh, Grandmother, don’t worry. I’ve checked on my side—it has nothing to do with little Shen! Just a misunderstanding!”
Grandmother Shen let out a long, meaningful “Oh.”
Wan’s mother, worried the Shen family might regret, hurriedly said, “By the way, my Wan Ning is in excellent health!
“I’m counting on this young couple to give me grandchildren!”
Grandmother Shen’s face lit up. “In excellent health?
“How so?”
Hahaha!
Laughter filled the room. Shen Qingran blushed, thinking her grandmother was so playful and silly.
However, after living a full life, Shen Qingran had seen it all—long, short, thick, thin!
Honestly!
Who hasn’t seen the world?
It’s just a little thing!
Shen Qingran cleared her throat and returned to normal.
Aunt Zhang stood nearby, laughing with delight. When her young mistress had children, she’d be the first to care for them—no one could take that role from her!
By the end of the conversation, Grandmother Shen’s tone softened.
Wan’s mother, afraid of saying the wrong thing again, gave Grandmother Shen Wan Ning’s contact information.
Grandmother Shen was ecstatic, planning ahead in her mind.
…
Elsewhere, on an island:
“Commander Wan, your telegram!”
“Return the call immediately!”
Wan Ning, patrolling the island, looked at the soldier beside him.
“Are you sure you read it right?”
Wan Ning, in full military uniform, looked handsome and commanding.
The soldier scratched his head and read the words again: “Yes! From the capital!”
Wan Ning scowled impatiently. He had been stationed on the island for years.
He had already told his family not to contact him unless necessary; he was busy!
Why couldn’t they remember?
Wait!
The last telegram had been three years ago, when his grandfather passed away. Due to his mission, he couldn’t return in time.
Impossible!
His grandparents were still in good health!
Private Chen spoke apologetically: “Commander, I’ve double-checked—it’s definitely from you.”
Wan Ning waved, acknowledging it.
The family really had too much free time. When he returned, he would have to give them a lesson!
Chen, seeing the commander’s dark expression, worried for whoever sent the telegram.
The commander was notorious for his temper—everyone on the island knew.
Except in military matters, the commander had zero tolerance.
Last time, someone tried to set him up with a girl. She was stunning, but he replied coldly: “Too ugly.”
Embarrassingly, the girl confronted him at the dorm.
In front of everyone, she expected mercy, but Wan Ning simply repeated: “You’re too ugly.”
The girl reportedly cried for a long time and eventually requested a transfer.
That incident made Wan Ning infamous.
Afterward, no one dared matchmake for him.
Chen had once timidly asked why.
The commander said he didn’t like it.
Chen broke out in a cold sweat. Did the commander like men?
He never dared ask again.
This became a mystery for the entire island.
Afterward, no matchmaking or introductions disturbed the commander.
Many who didn’t know him, or met him for the first time, gave up trying once they heard the story.
Especially the Wan family in the capital!
The commander couldn’t be bothered.
Chen looked at him with admiration.
If this commander, who had survived multiple AAA-level missions, really liked men… that would be a huge loss!
“Stop standing there, drive! I want to see who sent me this telegram!”
Wan Ning crumpled the telegram in anger.
Is everyone with the surname Wan in the capital really that idle?!