"Chief, this is unacceptable!"
The crowd was stunned.
"What’s unacceptable about it? Every extra day means another day of military expenses being wasted. Redirecting those funds to weapons research is far more productive than this. It’s settled!"
The decisive, resounding voice silenced everyone.
"But with a hundred thousand people involved, failing to properly appease them could lead to chaos."
"I’ll personally speak to the old comrades. As cadres, we must have high ideological awareness! Everything is for the nation’s greater development!"
Hospital
"Old man, I’ve earned some money. Look, this is what I made today. You must focus on recovering—our Ershun needs us."
Gui Xiang showed her husband the scattered bills, their family’s fragile hope.
"Good, good."
The old couple understood each other without words. Though his body was immobile, he nodded.
Gui Xiang glanced at her son, unwrapped a piece of candy someone had pressed into her hand, and popped it into Ershun’s mouth. The boy grinned up at her.
Back at the Courtyard
Gui Xiang stopped Yang Yufen from her chores.
"I want to call home. I wonder how our eldest is doing."
"You should. Come on, I’ll head back too—something feels off."
Yang Yufen wasn’t one to hesitate. She took Gui Xiang to make the call, then left for the family quarters.
Logically, she knew Shen Xianjun was home, but that rascal’s presence was precisely what worried her.
Passing their old courtyard—now occupied by strangers—Yang Yufen paused at the sight of lush grapevines before moving on.
Family Quarters
"Grandma!"
Yang Yufen froze as her two grandchildren barreled toward her. Weren’t they supposed to be at daycare?
"Oh, my dears!"
She scooped them up, their tiny arms clinging to her neck, nuzzling like sticky rice cakes. Aunt Wang followed them out.
"Thank heavens you’re back. These two cried so hard at school the teacher sent them home. Xianjun couldn’t calm them down."
"Missed Grandma that much, huh?"
Yang Yufen’s heart ached between amusement and frustration. Then came the anger.
Useless boy. Can’t even comfort his own kids.
"Take them inside first. They barely ate lunch or napped." Aunt Wang fretted over the children.
"Alright, I’ll get them settled."
The kids refused to let go. Dabao, usually lively, was eerily quiet—no poking or giggling. Their silence twisted her heart.
Inside
"Mom, you’re finally back." Shen Xianjun exhaled in relief.
Yang Yufen’s withering glare bounced off him. He was immune to her disdain by now. As long as the little terrors stopped wailing, he’d endure anything.
"Mom, how about I buy you a bicycle? Don’t move out. The kids only want you."
Shen Xianjun weighed the situation. Helping Gui Xiang was nonnegotiable, but the children’s attachment to their grandma was unbearable. One day of this was worse than boot camp.
Suddenly, he understood why his mom found him exasperating.
Yang Yufen adjusted her grip on the kids, sparing him only a glance. No words needed.
"Come, Grandma will make you something tasty. Hungry?"
"Hungwy!"
Only after confirming Grandma wasn’t leaving did they speak.
Shen Xianjun rubbed his nose, ignored.
"Scallion egg pancakes! You’ll help Grandma gather eggs, and Dabao-Erbao, pick scallions. Deal?"
"YES!"
The kids cheered, sliding down to clutch her hands, their earlier despair forgotten.
"Mom, save some for me."
Shen Xianjun interjected, fearing exclusion. He could cook, but never like her.
Kitchen Chaos
The siblings hovered by the stove, noses twitching as golden pancakes crisped. Yang Yufen split the first one, blowing off heat before handing it over. Their giggles erased all traces of morning meltdowns.
She kept frying, stacking pancakes in a bowl—yet it mysteriously never held more than one at a time.
The kids gaped at their father’s bottomless stomach.
Yang Yufen white-knuckled the spatula.
"Full yet? Go play outside. Grandma will find you later."
"Okay!"
Bellies stuffed, they scampered off, secure in Grandma’s presence.
Another pancake hit the pan. Shen Xianjun’s hand crept forward—whack!
"All you do is eat! Can’t soothe your kids, can’t leave food for your wife—scram!"
He snatched the pancake anyway, dodging another swipe.
"Mom, they missed you! How’s that my fault? And there’s plenty of batter left—my wife eats like a bird."
"Am I invisible? Don’t I eat?"
Yang Yufen brandished the spatula.
"You never used scallions before. I thought they tasted bad."
He muttered. Only in the army did he learn scallions were delicious—turns out Mom was just picky.
"Go. Watch. Them."
She couldn’t bear his wasted cleverness.
Nap Time Troubles
Post-pancakes, Yang Yufen tucked in the kids. They death-gripped her arms.
She lay wide-eyed. This was the flaw in her plan: giving the young parents space while the kids, raised by her, couldn’t bear separation.
Two attempts to slip free made Erbao whimper in his sleep. She froze.
After naptime, she took them out, resigned.
Meanwhile, Gui Xiang
Her two-minute call left her shaken.
"Mom, my second son’s in-laws took his wife away—only Qing remains. How are Dad and Second Son?"
"Mom, my mother-in-law’s here too. Threatening to split the family unless they take my wife."
