Qin Yuanzheng packed very lightly. He brought a change of clothes and some dry rations; these items did not even fill his backpack.
He still had to make a trip to the military base shortly to pick up some weapons and tools.
After finishing this, he took off his military uniform and changed into a black outfit.
They would be setting off overnight tonight, and upon arrival, they would have to operate in the dark.
He also brought a camouflage jacket, as they would still need disguise for daytime operations in the mountains and forests.
Qiao Lanshu watched him pack, feeling a bit uneasy. "Brother Zheng, is this mission very dangerous?"
Qin Yuanzheng walked over with his backpack and gently hugged Qiao Lanshu. He said in a low voice, "It is not very dangerous. Do not worry, I will be careful. Wait for me at home, and do not go running around by yourself. If you want to go out shopping, have the people from the logistics department accompany you. They should be coming over tomorrow."
Because Qiao Lanshu was not used to having outsiders in the house, Qin Yuanzheng did not have them stay over.
The logistics department would arrange for a driver to pick up and drop off Qiao Lanshu for work every morning and evening.
Then, a female comrade specifically assigned to take care of her would come over every afternoon to deliver food. The meals, packed from the headquarters cafeteria, would be brought to her every evening. The comrade would stay with her for an hour or two, and only leave with the lunchbox after Qiao Lanshu finished eating and was ready to rest.
Although Qiao Lanshu felt this was a bit exaggerated—having someone drive her to and from work was already good enough, and she could cook for herself—Qin Yuanzheng worried about her being alone and did not allow her to refuse.
So, Qiao Lanshu just followed Qin Yuanzheng's arrangements.
Qin Yuanzheng told Qiao Lanshu, "When I am not home, if you need anything, go find my cousin or our neighbors. They will all help you. Do not be shy about it, okay?"
Qiao Lanshu nodded, looking at Qin Yuanzheng with reluctance to part.
Qin Yuanzheng also could not bear to leave his little wife.
He walked to the door, kissed Qiao Lanshu again, and said to her, "It is cold outside. Go back in."
With that, he turned to leave, telling Qiao Lanshu, who was standing at the door, "Be good, go back inside."
Then, he closed the door.
Hearing the footsteps echoing in the stairwell, Qiao Lanshu confirmed that Qin Yuanzheng had truly left.
She ran to the kitchen window and looked outside.
In the darkness, she saw his tall figure walk into the night, quickly disappearing at the intersection.
Qiao Lanshu sighed softly, feeling a sense of emptiness in her heart.
This was the first time she had watched Qin Yuanzheng leave for a distant mission.
Qiao Lanshu sighed again, went back inside, and tightly closed the front door and windows. After making sure they were deadbolted, she straightened her clothes and went to the kitchen to cook herself some simple porridge.
Afterward, she sat on the sofa, turned on the radio, and read her high school textbooks while listening to the broadcast.
Not long after, Huang Erling from next door came knocking.
Huang Erling actually quite enjoyed chatting with Qiao Lanshu, especially after Qiao Lanshu got pregnant—there were just so many topics about children to discuss.
However, when Qin Yuanzheng was home, he was intensely protective of his wife, so Huang Erling usually did not dare to come over at all.
Now that she knew Qin Yuanzheng had left, she immediately came knocking, holding a bowl of braised meat and vegetables in her hands.
Qiao Lanshu opened the door and smiled instantly upon seeing her. "Sister Ling, you are here?"
Huang Erling came in with the bowl of piping hot braised food, smiling. "I heard Regiment Commander Qin is going on a long trip? Did the people from the logistics department come over?"
Qiao Lanshu shook her head. "They should be coming tomorrow evening. They said they will bring me dinner."
Huang Erling immediately said, "Our men protect our homes and defend our country, and the military treats us family members very well. In the past, when my Lao Zhao went on a long trip, the military even arranged for two older sisters to come over and help me watch the kids."
At that time, Zhao Jiannong had just been promoted to battalion commander, and Huang Erling had only recently joined him at the military base. She had no relatives or friends in this city and had two children with her, one three years old and the other a year old.
The military needed Zhao Jiannong for a task, and to ensure he had no worries back home, they arranged for two female comrades from the logistics department—both mothers themselves—to come and help her take care of the children. Even after Zhao Jiannong returned, those two comrades would still drop by occasionally to see the kids.
Huang Erling placed the bowl on the table and said to Qiao Lanshu, "I guessed you had not eaten yet, so I saved a bowl of this braised dish for you. Eat it while it is hot. I just made it tonight, with potatoes and pork."
The New Year was approaching, so the supply and marketing cooperative had a small amount of pork available.
Over the past few days, everyone had been lining up to snatch up meat. Qiao Lanshu and Qin Yuanzheng had also bought quite a bit of pork and mutton.
Moreover, in Qin Yuanzheng's mining area unit, they were raising some chickens, ducks, and geese that his comrades had given to Qiao Lanshu to nourish her body.
Qin Yuanzheng had originally planned to slaughter a chicken for the New Year, as Qiao Lanshu loved eating chicken.
But he had to leave for a mission today, and it was unknown if he could make it back in time for New Year's Eve to prepare the chicken for her.
Looking at the fragrant bowl of food, Qiao Lanshu did not stand on ceremony. "It smells amazing. Thank you, Sister Ling. I have not cooked any dishes yet, so you have really done me a huge favor."
With Qin Yuanzheng going far away, she was not in a great mood and had no desire to cook.
She had originally planned to just make do with whatever for tonight.
As a result, receiving the food from Huang Erling made her very grateful, and she pondered what to give in return later.
In the afternoon, Qin Yuanzheng had bought her a box of apples, so she could definitely give Huang Erling a couple of those.
Huang Erling smiled and said, "You do not need to be so polite. We are neighbors, so helping each other is only natural. You eat first; I will stay here and chat with you for a bit."
Her Lao Zhao had returned. The two kids were close in age and both in elementary school now. Usually, when the sisters came home, they would read and do homework together, or listen to the radio together, so Huang Erling did not have to worry much.
Now that Huang Erling had more free time, she spent her days doing some sewing and mending, living quite a leisurely life.
Qiao Lanshu pulled up a small stool, served herself some sweet potato porridge, and asked Huang Erling, "Sister Ling, have you eaten yet?"
Huang Erling sat on the sofa, listening to the radio while examining the sweater Qiao Lanshu had half-knitted. She nodded and said, "I have eaten. Hurry up and eat, do not worry about me. It is going to get cold soon."
Qiao Lanshu placed the small stool next to the sofa and ate her porridge with the braised dish.
On the radio, the news was reporting that the state-run restaurant would be unsealed tomorrow and could officially reopen for business.
However, the broadcast did not mention why the state-run restaurant had been sealed off, nor did it reveal anything about the mine clearance.
Qin Yuanzheng had earned merit for clearing the mines. As for what class of merit it was, Qiao Lanshu did not know yet because the approval had not come down.
And now, Qin Yuanzheng had gone off to execute another mission.
As Qiao Lanshu slowly ate, Huang Erling asked her, "How does it taste? I added Sichuan peppercorns for seasoning. Are you used to the flavor?"
Qiao Lanshu nodded and said, "I am used to it. Sister Ling, your cooking is really delicious."
She actually wasn't quite used to the food, as it was a bit salty, but it went perfectly with the porridge. Huang Erling was a good cook, and the dishes she made were quite delicious.
Before she knew it, Qiao Lanshu had eaten all the food and porridge.
Huang Erling then started chatting with her. Not many people know about the mine clearance at the state-run restaurant this time. Look, even the radio hasn't mentioned it. It seems there must be something else behind all this.
Qiao Lanshu's expression also grew somewhat serious.
Huang Erling picked up the sweater Qiao Lanshu had half-knitted and naturally helped her continue knitting it.
Huang Erling knitted very fast; she didn't even need to look at it.
Listening to the radio and gossiping with Qiao Lanshu at the same time, her hands moved at lightning speed. Qiao Lanshu was stunned watching her.
Seeing Qiao Lanshu's expression, Huang Erling couldn't help but smile and say, Practice more in your free time. Practice makes perfect. In the future, you might even knit better than me.
As she spoke, she flipped the sweater over. Looking at the light yellow garment, she asked, Is this for the baby? Is it a top or a onesie?
Qiao Lanshu replied, I want to make a onesie, the kind that covers the feet, so the baby will be warm.
It was just a bit difficult to knit, and Qiao Lanshu really struggled to learn how to do it.
Huang Erling smiled and said, Alright, I'll help you knit it.
Saying that, she thought of something else and whispered to Qiao Lanshu, Xiao Qiao, the mission Regiment Commander Qin went out for this time might be related to the mine clearance at the state-run restaurant.
Qiao Lanshu had actually thought about this, but she hadn't asked Qin Yuanzheng.
She whispered back, Maybe he went to catch Liu Zhengxing's accomplices?
Huang Erling nodded, lowering her voice even more. When I was in the courtyard this afternoon, I heard the neighbors say that the spy warfare seems to have intensified recently. Investigators have even come to Longcheng. I'm guessing they discovered something here in Longcheng. Your Regiment Commander Qin suddenly going on a long trip is probably to catch spies.
People in their military unit tended to know more news.
Of course, they only chatted about it in the courtyard and wouldn't go out and spread rumors.
Huang Erling added, The radio didn't mention the mine clearance at the state-run restaurant, probably to block the news and prevent it from spreading outside.
Both Huang Erling and Qiao Lanshu guessed that this mission would be very dangerous.
Qiao Lanshu fell completely silent.
Sitting on the small stool, listening to the sounds from the radio, she suddenly felt a wave of unease.
If Qin Yuanzheng's mission this time was indeed related to Liu Zhengxing...
Liu Zhengxing had been able to plant landmines everywhere right here in Longcheng.
Wouldn't it be even more dangerous for Qin Yuanzheng going out of town, especially into those remote mountain villages?
Would they have planted landmines everywhere over there too?
Qiao Lanshu's palms sweated from tension, and she began to panic.
Huang Erling knitted the sweater and comforted her, But Xiao Qiao, you don't need to worry too much. This isn't the first time for such a mission; they've been happening constantly over the past few years. My Lao Zhao has carried out several himself. They are experienced and have enough manpower, so don't worry.
What Huang Erling didn't say was that if Qin Yuanzheng successfully completed the mission this time, he would probably earn a first-class merit upon his return.
By the time he reached the right age, he would undoubtedly be a division-level cadre.
Although she loved gossiping about these things, she figured Qiao Lanshu wouldn't want to gossip about Qin Yuanzheng earning merits at a time like this.
Huang Erling quickly suggested, Xiao Qiao, how about we change the channel?
Qiao Lanshu nodded. Alright.
Saying that, she moved to the sofa, switched to a classical literature appreciation channel, and then studied how to knit the sweater with Huang Erling.
When it got late, Huang Erling prepared to head back.
Qiao Lanshu gave her two apples to take back for her children.
Huang Erling didn't refuse. Just as she had said before, as neighbors, there was no need to be overly polite;
only with give and take could they get along in the long run.
Before leaving, Huang Erling asked Qiao Lanshu, Xiao Qiao, are you scared being alone at night?
Qiao Lanshu smiled and shook her head. I'm not scared.
The military compound was the safest neighborhood in the city; there was no fear of bad guys sneaking in.
At most, she was just a little afraid of the dark, so whenever Qin Yuanzheng wasn't home, Qiao Lanshu slept with a small oil lamp lit.
Hearing her say this, Huang Erling went back next door. Before leaving, she added, I'll come over to keep you company tomorrow night if I'm free.
Qiao Lanshu gratefully thanked her again, watched Huang Erling return home, and then closed her door.
...
Qiao Lanshu read until very late before finally lying down and pulling up the covers.
She placed the small oil lamp on the bedside table and didn't fall asleep until the late hours.
However, after tossing and turning until midnight and finally falling asleep, she had a nightmare.
Since her rebirth and getting together with Qin Yuanzheng, and after Sun Mingyong was sent to a labor camp and Chu Liangjun was executed by firing squad...
she had barely dreamt about anything from her past life.
But tonight, for the first time in a long while, she dreamt of it again.
She dreamt of the forty-year-old Qin Yuanzheng. After they got married, while they were lying in bed together, he revealed the massive scars on his back.
In the dream, Qiao Lanshu stroked his scars and asked him, Brother Zheng, how did you get all these scars?
These hideous scars covered almost his entire back, even extending down to his buttocks and thighs.
With such extensive wounds, could they be burn marks?
In the dream, Qin Yuanzheng gently held her hand and whispered, I got them during a mission. They're all healed now. Did I scare you? Don't be afraid, they're just scars.
Qiao Lanshu felt a stinging sensation in her eyes; she wanted to cry.
After this dream sequence, she suddenly dreamt of a Qin Yuanzheng who was ten years younger. Dressed entirely in black and carrying a bag, he left the house. Then, just as he reached the main gate of the compound, there was a sudden boom, and an explosion went off right outside the gate.
Qin Yuanzheng, who had just walked past, was instantly engulfed in a sea of fire.
Qiao Lanshu woke up with a start!
She sat bolt upright in bed, her face covered in tears, and her pillowcase soaked.
Sitting on the bed, Qiao Lanshu breathed heavily, her heart in a frantic panic.
She instinctively got out of bed, ran barefoot to the kitchen window, and looked down at the courtyard below.
The courtyard was pitch black and completely silent.
At this hour, there was no one in the courtyard. Only the guardhouse was still lit, with a guard on duty inside.
The guard also kept a military dog, which lay quietly at the compound gate, not barking like other dogs.
Qiao Lanshu stared in the direction of the main gate for nearly ten full minutes.
Then, feeling a bit cold, she gently stroked her belly, turned around, and went back to the bedroom.
Only then did she notice the small desk clock on the bedside table. The time showed that it was already five o'clock in the morning.
She wondered if her Brother Zheng had reached his destination by this time.
