The meal came to an end.
"Auntie, let me handle the dishes. You’ve already prepared such a lavish meal for us—you must be exhausted. Zhenghao, a real man should always be ready to help, don’t you think, brother-in-law?"
Hu Jun shot a glance, and Hu Zhenghao immediately stood up to assist. Shen Xianjun nodded in approval.
"Boys really shouldn’t be coddled too much."
As Shen Xianjun spoke, his gaze drifted toward the twins, only to meet his mother’s withering look of disappointment.
Yang Yufen clenched her teeth, forcing a smile. What a complete fool. No wonder he managed to blend into the enemy ranks without being exposed—who’d suspect a reckless brute of being an undercover agent?
And the way he passed messages, always implicating his own family—as if he was determined to spare his comrades and bring disaster only to his kin.
Unable to hold back, Yang Yufen rolled her eyes skyward.
Shen Xianjun’s lips twitched. What’s gotten into her now? Couldn’t she at least save me some face in front of everyone?
"Dabao, Erbao, go play with your sister Yaoyao."
Yang Yufen shooed the children outside to walk off their meal. Wang Shuo also rose to help clear the table, while Zhou Ang pulled Qin Nian along to watch the kids. Yang Yufen, Professor Wen, and Aunt Wang huddled together before stepping out as well.
In an instant, only Dean Hu and Shen Xianjun remained in the room. Shen Xianjun suddenly felt a pang of nervousness. His abrupt disappearance on a mission had undoubtedly been unfair to his wife.
Dean Hu was his wife’s mentor, but his status was practically paternal—effectively his father-in-law. Add to that the man’s intellectual stature, and Shen Xianjun couldn’t help but swallow hard.
"Let me pour you some tea," Shen Xianjun offered, standing up.
"No need for formalities. Your injuries haven’t fully healed yet. Let’s see what you’re reading—since I’m free today. I recall you graduated high school? It’s good to keep learning. What else interests you? I believe you can drive, right?"
"Yes, I can drive. I also know some basic car repairs. I never had much time to study before, but I’ve just started. Niannian gave me a dictionary." Shen Xianjun chose his words carefully.
"Mmm, starting with a dictionary is the right approach. If you like mechanics, I’ll dig out some books on mechanical principles for you. The country is developing rapidly, and soldiers must expand their knowledge too. If you can fix a car, you can fix a tank. Learn more, and someday even repairing planes won’t be beyond you."
Dean Hu made it sound effortless, but Shen Xianjun felt the weight of expectation crushing him. This is way too much faith in me.
In the kitchen, Wang Shuo wiped sweat for his sworn brother—mostly out of sympathy, but also relief that it wasn’t him.
Outside—
"I should head home now. There’s still the little one, and Little Fang has lessons to prepare and papers to grade."
"Of course, go ahead."
Yang Yufen didn’t press Aunt Wang to stay—after all, they were neighbors and could chat anytime.
Now only Professor Wen and Yang Yufen remained.
"You really made the right call buying property. Prices have skyrocketed lately—the place you bought earlier has already gone up by fifteen hundred."
Professor Wen’s remark caught Yang Yufen off guard.
"That much?"
"Yes, and it’s still rising."
Having helped Yang Yufen purchase two properties, Professor Wen had kept a close eye on the market.
"That’s two or three hundred a month… Well, we have enough space to live in. No more buying. Once the kids are older, that place near the military compound is right by the street—I’ll start a small business there and move out so the young couple can have their space."
The early profits had been a matter of timing. Now that others had caught on, Yang Yufen knew better than to push her luck.
"You’re moving out?" Professor Wen paused mid-step.
"Not now. Xianjun’s still recovering, and the children are small. Niannian has her job too. Before, it was just Xianjun being away, but things are different now. Besides, the place isn’t far from the compound—if anything happens, I can be there in no time."
Yang Yufen had always been comfortable on her own. With everything looking up, she saw no reason to meddle further.
"The household registration’s already transferred. Going back to farmwork would risk me being too far if Niannian ever needed me. Staying close is better, especially with all of you in the compound to watch over the kids. The school there is safe too."
She sighed. "Those two have been married three years, but they’ve barely spent any time together—practically strangers."
Professor Wen nodded. "You’ve thought this through well. Still, it’s a shame you have to make the sacrifice."
"Hardly a sacrifice. I’ll enjoy the freedom. Besides, I need to whip that blockhead into shape so he stops upsetting Niannian. She’s too gentle—never fights or complains. That’s not good for a marriage or a family."
Yang Yufen absently touched the thick gold bracelet wrapped with red string around her wrist. That useless son of mine never even bought me a scrap of yarn. If not for my daughter-in-law, where would I get such a bracelet?
Now registered as a city resident under Niannian’s household, she had more than most could dream of.
Professor Wen compared herself to Yang Yufen and suddenly realized that her own thoughts weren’t as clear-headed as those of Yang Yufen, who had never even attended school.
“I saw the bamboo weaving you did before—it was quite good. The furniture you made was also nice. If you move out, what do you plan to do?”
“That’s just average craftsmanship. I’ve seen others do much better. The cabinets in the department stores are so stylish. Only my own family would tolerate my work. Weaving everyday items doesn’t fetch much money, and it’s time-consuming. I’m thinking of going into the food business instead.”
Yang Yufen happily shared her plans with Professor Wen.
Professor Wen nodded and offered some advice.
“Then sell noodles. Your hand-pulled noodles are chewy, and the toppings are hearty. The flavor may not be the absolute best, but it’s still very good. They’re suitable for both hot and cold weather, and they’re not too troublesome to make.”
“That’s a good idea. I’m good at that.”
Yang Yufen nodded, feeling much more settled now that she had a clear goal.
“Later, I’d like to take that rascal and his wife, along with the kids, to visit my late husband’s grave once he’s recovered.”
“That’s only right. Otherwise, once they get busy with work, they might not find the time. And once the kids start school, they’ll only have winter and summer breaks free.”
“Yes. After this trip, who knows when the next chance will be.”
Yang Yufen couldn’t help but sigh.
That evening, Professor Wen’s husband brought up the matter.
“Niannian should indeed go back to pay respects. I’ll arrange some leave for her later.”
Dean Hu nodded in agreement.
“Why are you pulling out so many books?”
“To make sure Xianjun studies more. Otherwise, the gap between him and his wife will grow too wide, and they’ll have nothing to talk about.”
Dean Hu answered without hesitation.
“But this is too much.”
Professor Wen watched as her son quietly added even more books to the pile—clearly, he had sneaked in some personal favorites.
“Niannian’s there. If he doesn’t understand something, she can teach him.”
