Just as Qin Yao was about to lift the pale pink suitcase, a rough, time-worn hand pressed down on it.
It was Qin Guoqiang.
He looked at his daughter, his eyes filled with worry and reluctance. Those broad palms that usually carried heavy burdens now trembled slightly.
“Yao Yao, are you really… going alone?”
Qin Guoqiang’s voice was hoarse, his eyes red-rimmed.
He never imagined that his precious daughter, cherished in his hands for eighteen years, would leave home right after graduation, heading to an unfamiliar place to “trial-marry” a man she had never met.
Qin Yao looked at her father, warmth surging in her heart.
She knew her father was worried about her and couldn’t bear to let her go.
She gently patted his hand, soothing him in a soft tone.
“Dad, I’m not alone.”
“Grandpa Huo, Uncle Huo, and Aunt Huo have all been very kind to me. Once I get to the military base, someone will surely take care of me.”
“Besides, I’m going this time to resolve things clearly, not to live a life of luxury.”
“If you and Mom come along, it might only escalate tensions and make things more complicated.”
Qin Guoqiang fell silent after hearing his daughter’s words.
Though he often spoke harshly, he knew deep down that his daughter was right.
If he went, he would inevitably argue with the Huo family, and if the two families clashed, it would only make things harder for his daughter.
Wang Xiulan also walked over, carrying a heavy cloth bag.
“Yao Yao, your dad is right. If your dad and I go, we’ll only cause trouble.”
“But I really can’t rest easy with you going alone!”
She stuffed the cloth bag into Qin Yao’s hands, tears beginning to fall again.
“This has some money, grain coupons, and cloth coupons I prepared for you.”
“Once you’re there, don’t skimp on food or clothing. If you need anything, buy it yourself—don’t deprive yourself!”
Qin Yao opened the cloth bag and saw it was packed full.
A thick stack of ten-yuan bills, colorful national grain coupons, cloth coupons, meat coupons, and even a few industrial goods coupons.
In this era, these were all hard currency, painstakingly saved penny by penny by Wang Xiulan.
Qin Yao’s eyes instantly reddened.
“Mom, I don’t need this much.”
“Silly child, of course you do!”
Wang Xiulan stroked her daughter’s head, her voice choked with emotion.
“When you were studying at university in Beijing, I knew your expenses were high.”
“At the military base, in an unfamiliar place, you’ll need even more money.”
“Just keep it. If you run out, write home, and your dad and I will send you more!”
Qin Guoqiang also pulled a handful of small change from his pocket and insisted on stuffing it into Qin Yao’s hands.
“Take this change for snacks or little things.”
“Don’t let the Huo family think our Qin family is stingy or that we’ve treated you poorly!”
Qin Yao’s brothers also gathered around, offering their advice one after another.
“Little sister, if anyone bullies you at the base, just tell us, and we’ll rush over to back you up!”
“That’s right! No one messes with the Qin family!”
“Make sure you eat well—don’t let yourself get too thin!”
Qin Yao looked at her family, who loved her so deeply, and warmth filled her heart.
She knew that no matter where she went, her family would be silently supporting her from behind, and this filled her with courage.
“Dad, Mom, brothers, don’t worry, I’ll take good care of myself.”
She forced back her tears and managed a smile.
“I promise, I won’t let you down!”
In the end, the Qin family couldn’t persuade Qin Yao otherwise and could only watch helplessly as she boarded the Green-Skin Train bound for Haifang Island.
Huo Yuxuan personally escorted Qin Yao to the station and gave her some reminders.
“Yao Yao, this is the Travel Permit for Haifang Island. Make sure to keep it safe.”
“Once you arrive at the military base, someone will meet you. Just go with peace of mind.”
Qin Yao took the Travel Permit and thanked him earnestly.
She knew that from this moment on, she would be facing an unknown chapter of her life alone.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away at the military base.
“Report! Battalion Commander Huo, there’s an urgent telegram for you!”
A signalman rushed into Huo Jingshen’s office, his voice urgent.
Huo Jingshen was studying the Combat Deployment in front of the Sand Table. Frowning slightly, he took the telegram and tore open the seal.
When he saw the contents of the telegram, an expression of disbelief flashed across his stern face.