"The organization has reviewed your qualifications, Nian, and found you highly suitable for the publicly funded study abroad program. The duration is two years. To retain talent, your current position will be held for you. The children and your mother-in-law can choose to either accompany Xianjun to the military base or stay at the research institute—the benefits will remain the same."
Having children and a military spouse meant more ties to home, increasing the likelihood of her return. Moreover, Qin Nian was sharp-minded and had a solid foundation in foreign languages.
"Take some time to think it over and discuss it with Xianjun and the family."
Dean Hu watched Qin Nian leave, privately hoping she would go. But he also had to consider Yang Yufen, Shen Xianjun, and the children, so he left the decision to her.
Qin Nian walked home in a daze, unsure of what to do.
Meanwhile, at home, Shen Xianjun scratched his head, stealing repeated glances at his mother.
"Mom."
"Spit it out already. You’re making my hair stand on end."
Yang Yufen was preparing sugar-coated tomatoes for the kids with freshly picked tomatoes.
"Mom, maybe you should move back in? I might not be home for more than three days."
"Are you sure your injury won’t be a problem?"
Yang Yufen glanced at Shen Xianjun, her eyes lingering on the wound on his abdomen.
"It’s not training—it’s for studies. But I won’t be able to come back. It’ll take half a year."
"You just got back, and now you’re leaving again for half a year!"
Yang Yufen was stunned.
He’d returned just to recover from his injury, barely doing anything at home. Sometimes she wondered if he’d married his wife for himself or for her, his mother.
Yang Yufen turned and headed to the backyard.
"My own flesh and blood, my own flesh and blood, my own flesh and blood!"
She swung the hoe, muttering under her breath.
When Qin Nian returned, Shen Xianjun immediately pulled her into their room.
"Sweetheart, can you talk to Mom for me? I’ve been assigned to Party School for advanced studies. It’s a rare opportunity, personally arranged by my superior. I don’t want to miss it."
Qin Nian blinked in surprise.
"You’re also going for studies?"
"What do you mean, ‘also’? Are you going too?"
Shen Xianjun’s question hung in the air, and the couple fell into silence. Qin Nian was the first to break it.
"My professor said there’s a publicly funded study abroad slot available, but it’s for two years."
Her heart pounded nervously.
"Two years? Then my six months is nothing in comparison."
Shen Xianjun’s eyes lit up, as if he’d just found the perfect counterpoint.
Qin Nian, who had been agonizing over the decision, nearly rolled her eyes.
"Do you think I should go?"
She quickly changed the subject—this man could turn anything into a competition.
"Of course you should. The only problem is Mom. She just said she wanted to move out, and when I offered to buy her a bicycle for commuting, she refused. I doubt she’ll agree easily."
Shen Xianjun spoke matter-of-factly, then rubbed his nose. The biggest issue was that if they both left, the kids would be left entirely in his mother’s hands.
"You’re okay with me going?"
Qin Nian had expected him to object.
"Would you oppose me going to Party School?"
Shen Xianjun countered.
Qin Nian shook her head, then noticed his expression shift. "Why would I oppose it?"
"Exactly. Before we got married, we agreed—I’m a soldier, and I might not always be able to prioritize family. You said you understood. Likewise, I knew about your career and accepted it. I’ve even prepared myself to give everything for my country if needed. The only thing I regret is letting you down."
"I think the person you’ve let down the most is Mom."
Qin Nian’s words made Shen Xianjun go quiet again.
"And now, maybe the two kids as well."
The couple looked outside, where Dabao and Erbao were happily eating their sugar-coated tomatoes.
Meanwhile, Yang Yufen had vented her frustrations by tilling a patch of earth. Fine, he was her own flesh and blood. If anything, she felt worse for her daughter-in-law.
She put away the hoe, steadied her emotions, and returned to the front yard to find the young couple bathing the children.
She had hoped they’d spend more time bonding, but at least they seemed to be getting along well now.
"Mom, there’s rice porridge in the kitchen. You should eat first."
Shen Xianjun nudged Qin Nian, who took a deep breath and forced a calm tone.
"Alright."
Yang Yufen went to the kitchen. By the time she finished eating, the kids had been scrubbed clean and were playing on the bamboo bed again.
"Mom, Nian has something to tell you."
Seeing his wife hesitate, Shen Xianjun took the lead.
He only had three days left!
"Nian has something to say?"
Yang Yufen’s voice was gentle as she turned to Qin Nian.
"Yes, Mom. Please sit down first."
Qin Nian forced a smile, then discreetly pinched Shen Xianjun, who gritted his teeth in silent amusement.
"Mom, my professor told me today that the research institute’s study abroad quota has been approved. I meet the criteria. During the program, there’s no salary, but the stipend is higher than my current pay. The only thing is… it’s for two years."
She blurted it out, too nervous to look Yang Yufen in the eye. Shen Xianjun was equally tense, wondering how to intervene.
"Two years? So far away, in an unfamiliar place—how much hardship would you have to endure?"
Yang Yufen’s brows knitted tightly.
Shen Xianjun had been ready to jump in, but his mother’s words left him speechless. Was this really his mother talking?
"Mom, I—"
Qin Nian instantly regretted bringing it up and was about to say she wouldn’t go—until her mother-in-law’s next words stunned her.
"We should take a family portrait before you leave."
Yang Yufen’s sudden shift made Shen Xianjun stand up abruptly.
"Mom, I’m your actual child!"
"If you weren’t, would I be here dealing with your mess?"
Yang Yufen shot him a glare, and Shen Xianjun immediately deflated.
"But this is blatant favoritism."
He grumbled under his breath.
"Look at what you’ve done! I raised you all these years, but I didn’t raise Nian. Dabao and Erbao are your own flesh and blood—if you hadn’t ‘planted the seeds,’ would they have just popped out on their own?"
The words slipped out before Yang Yufen could stop herself. Qin Nian flushed red, while Yang Yufen coughed awkwardly.
"So, Mom, you’re agreeing? What about Auntie?"
Shen Xianjun hurriedly steered the conversation back.
"Always finding ways to dump work on me. Aren’t you leaving in three days? Go pack your things and spend time with the kids. Stop meddling where you’re not needed."
Yang Yufen huffed. If not for him, she wouldn’t have said something so crude.
"I’ll go put the kids to sleep."
Shen Xianjun bolted. Now that his mother had agreed, he wasn’t sticking around to bear the brunt of her temper.
Qin Nian watched her fleeing husband and suddenly understood why her mother-in-law got so mad at him.
"Mom."
"Ah—"
Yang Yufen sighed deeply.
"I’m sorry."
Qin Nian lowered her head.
"You have nothing to apologize for. When do you leave? Spend as much time as you can with the kids before then. Your mother here is still strong—I can handle a few more years of this."
