"Comrade Fan Juan is visiting! How's work been lately?"
Army Commander Liao smiled warmly as he saw Fan Juan and Qin Nian step out.
"Everything's going smoothly. You seem especially cheerful today," Fan Juan replied with a smile.
"I'm happy because my troublesome son finally got some time off and came to see me. Comrade Fan Juan, did you get a chance to see him?"
"We were inside with Nian Nian the whole time—maybe we just missed him. No wonder you're so happy to see your son," Fan Juan said casually.
"Hahaha, yes, yes!"
Commander Liao studied the expression on Fan Juan’s face and felt a sudden pang in his heart. Damn, no wonder his son was putting on a pitiful act in front of him—Fan Juan really wasn’t interested in his boy.
"Comrade Fan Juan looks a bit thinner than before. Work must be tough, huh?"
Commander Liao quickly changed the subject. The useless kid can’t be a drag.
"Not tough at all, very fulfilling. I’ve even gained some weight," Fan Juan answered sincerely. Since returning home, she had been eating well despite being busy. But it seemed Commander Liao was paying her extra attention.
Qin Nian said nothing. She exchanged a glance with Fan Juan, then looked at Commander Liao.
"My son, Comrade Fan Juan, you know him too. He came today, said he was visiting his old man, but actually, he was here to brag—he told me he’s found a truly exceptional girl.
I told him, how could such a fine girl possibly be interested in him? She’d have been snatched up long ago. But when he said her name, I realized she really was a rare gem."
Commander Liao took the initiative to speak, and Fan Juan suddenly remembered someone upon hearing the name.
"So Liao Yuanjie is your son? I didn’t know that before," Fan Juan said, suddenly wanting to leave.
"Yes, that stubborn kid takes after me—headstrong. But one thing: both he and I carry their mother’s surname. In our family, girls and boys are treated the same. We have three daughters—two are soldiers, one is a military doctor. Each one is more determined than the last, but I think that’s a good thing."
Commander Liao suddenly shared some family matters. Fan Juan was slightly taken aback—so much was conveyed in just a few words.
"We all come from tough times and have long seen through it all. In this life, we ask for little—just to live with a clear conscience and act rightly. What do you think, Comrade Fan Juan?"
Commander Liao looked at Fan Juan with kindness. She nodded slightly.
"Grandpa Liao, are you going to tell us another war story? We want to hear it too!"
Li Wu suddenly jumped up excitedly.
"Alright, alright, I’ll tell you one you haven’t heard before."
Commander Liao stopped talking about other things and began telling stories to the group of children.
"You knew and didn’t tell me?"
Fan Juan looked at Qin Nian.
"I only found out at the social gathering today. We came back together all along, but I didn’t do anything," Qin Nian said innocently, refusing to take the blame.
"Sigh, why do you think people get married?"
Fan Juan asked suddenly. Qin Nian was momentarily stunned—why did people get married? She wasn’t really sure herself.
"Why did you get married in the first place?"
Fan Juan’s curiosity was piqued.
"To avoid trouble," Qin Nian answered.
The four words slipped out of Qin Nian’s mouth so suddenly that even she was momentarily stunned.
“But wouldn’t getting married just bring more trouble?”
Fan Juan winced at the thought of all the complications marriage would bring. Even before tying the knot, she was already feeling overwhelmed.
Qin Nian remained silent. When she thought about her own married life, she admitted it was indeed complicated. But ever since her mother-in-law arrived, all those troubles seemed to dissolve. Her mother-in-law took care of everything, allowing Qin Nian to focus wholeheartedly on her career. The initial worries she had were gradually eased by her mother-in-law’s every move.
“Sure, there are troubles, but I have a good mother-in-law. Military marriages are protected—I don’t have to worry about anyone interfering. His work keeps him busy, so we don’t spend much time together. I have my own career and don’t follow the army around. It’s not like the troubles other families have.”
“Talking like that, aren’t you afraid someone might hit you? Ah! I wish I had a mother-in-law like Aunt Yang. Then I wouldn’t have to fear the headaches marriage brings.”
Fan Juan sighed with envy.
Shen Xianjun and Liao Yuanjie were outside gathering firewood when they overheard the conversation through the thin wall. The outdoor setting offered no soundproofing.
“If you married Liao Yuanjie as a revolutionary partner, it seems like there wouldn’t be any mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts. His sisters are all busy too.”
“He’s a good guy, but I want to prioritize my career. All these years of hard study weren’t to marry into a good family, but to use my talents to contribute to society’s progress.”
Fan Juan was clear-headed.
On the other side of the wall, Shen Xianjun patted Liao Yuanjie on the shoulder, then carried the firewood into the kitchen to continue working.
Liao Yuanjie stared at the wall for a long moment. Giving up was out of the question. His mother had died early, his father never remarried, and a mother-in-law like Aunt Yang was definitely hard to find. But he had his own strengths!
The men in the Liao family were loyal to the core!
“Hey, do you think if I apply to the cooking squad for a few months, I could learn some good cooking skills?”
Liao Yuanjie suddenly spoke up. Shen Xianjun’s hand trembled slightly, then he burst out laughing.
“You didn’t believe me before, did you?”
Hearing Shen Xianjun laugh, Liao Yuanjie quickly covered his mouth, embarrassed. Was he shameless?
“Do you really think someone at your rank has a chance to get into the cooking squad?”
“Then how did you get in?”
Liao Yuanjie was curious.
“When I was a rookie, during field training, I was good at cooking, so they transferred me to the cooking squad. Besides, my mother never spoiled me growing up. When she was busy, I had to cook; otherwise, we’d all go hungry.”
Because of this, his grandmother once caused a scene in the village, complaining that his mother was unfilial. Looking back now, he was already eight years old then, spoiled by his grandmother. If his mother hadn’t been so tough, he probably wouldn’t have made it this far.
For the first time, Shen Xianjun felt like his childhood self was somewhat pathetic. His mother’s disdain never stopped her from taking care of him—she was truly his biological mother.
The lamb stew was nearly done, and Shen Xianjun added the radishes.
Hu Jun and Lin Hui rode their bicycles to the noodle shop and saw Yang Yufen still busy inside. They locked their bikes and stepped forward to lend a hand.
“Aunt Yang, I’m here. Mind if I crash dinner at your place tonight?”
Lin Hui stepped forward to help carry the table.
“Not at all, not at all. The more, the merrier,” Aunt Yang replied warmly.
Yang Yufen glanced at Lin Hui—this young man had definitely left a strong impression on her.
After closing the shop, the group returned to the courtyard. Dean Hu was already chatting with Army Commander Liao, while Qin Nian and Fan Juan stood nearby, surrounded by a circle of children, the atmosphere lively and bustling.
“Mom, big brother, you’re back just in time. Dinner’s almost ready.”
Shen Xianjun and Liao Yuanjie carried tables outside. With so many people, it was better to eat in the yard where there was plenty of space, and the kids had room to run around.
“Long time no see,” Lin Hui greeted Shen Xianjun. The two hadn’t been in the same place since starting their advanced studies.
“What brings you here?”
Shen Xianjun hadn’t forgotten Lin Hui—during their time studying, this guy had been a constant source of trouble for him.
