"The list for government-sponsored study abroad has been finalized, and we’ll have about a month before departure."
Qin Nian couldn’t help but feel her nose sting with emotion.
"A month is plenty of time to prepare. Can we keep living in this courtyard? The orphanage is doing well."
"Yes, all my benefits will remain intact. But I’ll be gone for two years, and Xianjun’s Party School training is only six months. Mom, won’t you move in with Xianjun?"
Qin Nian hesitated before asking.
"No, I’m settled here. The kids’ grandparents are nearby—it’s convenient. Tomorrow, let’s take a family photo. Last time, you left in such a hurry we couldn’t even get the pictures developed. This time, we’ll do it early."
Shen Xianjun, eavesdropping from the corner, felt as if a knife had been plunged into his chest. His mother’s disdain was painfully obvious—wasn’t the military family compound good enough?
But even as he thought it, he had no intention of actually moving his mother and kids there.
"Once you’re in those foreigners’ territory for your studies, Nian, maybe you should ask your eldest brother to teach you some self-defense? A month is enough time to practice."
Yang Yufen was already worrying.
"Mom, I can teach her too," Shen Xianjun chimed in.
"Always sticking your nose in! With your two or three days off, focus on yourself first."
"Mom, I actually know some already. I’m not that fragile," Qin Nian said, amused.
Yang Yufen nodded in relief. If she already knew, that was good. Still, with a month left, she’d make sure Qin Nian was well-nourished.
"Mom, it’s just… I feel bad leaving you with so much work."
Qin Nian’s voice was heavy with guilt.
"You’re not doing this for yourself. Get some rest."
Yang Yufen returned to her room, and only then did Shen Xianjun slip back into theirs.
"Mom really plays favorites," he grumbled, hoping Qin Nian would join in. But after a long silence, she didn’t respond.
"Wife, what are you doing?"
Shen Xianjun noticed Qin Nian rummaging through the dresser.
"We’re leaving soon. Mom will need money to take care of the kids. If anything happens, having cash on hand will make things easier. She spent all her savings helping others—she probably doesn’t have much left."
It dawned on Shen Xianjun then. During his training, everything would be covered by the state, but his mother’s situation was different. This wasn’t the countryside.
"I’ll borrow some from my comrades," he offered after a moment.
"No need. I have some here—not much, but it should be enough for Mom. If you send your monthly allowance to her, she won’t have to worry about money while raising the kids."
Qin Nian glanced at the savings book, then snapped it shut as Shen Xianjun leaned in for a look.
"Oh, alright."
He didn’t object.
"Every month, Mom and the kids’ needs come first. If you ever think of lending money to your comrades, I hope you’ll prioritize our family."
Qin Nian chose not to mention the rental income they had—some things were better left unsaid.
"No problem. I’m a father now—I know my responsibilities."
Shen Xianjun gave his word.
Qin Nian took a day off, and the family of five went to a photo studio together.
"Why’d we have to buy new clothes just for photos?"
Yang Yufen fidgeted with her fresh outfit.
"I won’t have time to shop with you later. This suits you."
Qin Nian didn’t elaborate, simply guiding her mother-in-law to pose.
They took pictures of the children, a full family portrait of five, and just one of the couple alone. But Qin Nian insisted the photographer take two extra solo shots of Yang Yufen, plus one of her and her mother-in-law together.
That evening, both families gathered for dinner.
Shen Xianjun was pulled aside by Hu Jun, while Yang Yufen sat with Professor Wen over tea.
"Thank you for supporting Qin Nian’s career, Mother-in-law."
Professor Wen began with gratitude.
"Of course we support her ambitions. But I’ve been meaning to ask—Nian mentioned subsidies, but I’m still afraid she’ll struggle overseas. I don’t know what else to do."
Yang Yufen had barely slept the night before, her mind restless all day.
"Don’t worry about that. Government-sponsored students are well provided for. The only challenge is adjusting to foreign food, and crossing the ocean makes it hard to bring much along."
Yang Yufen grasped the meaning immediately.
"If we can’t pack things, we’ll give her more money to buy what she needs there. No reason for her to go without."
She landed on the simplest solution.
"Our currency isn’t usable over there."
"What about foreign exchange certificates? Could those work?"
Yang Yufen suddenly thought of Fan Juan.
"Mother-in-law, there’s no need to trouble yourself. Hu Jun and I will handle it. The state provides allowances too."
"Allowances are one thing, but it’s always better to travel rich. At home, we can scrape by, but abroad? Even sending money isn’t easy."
All Yang Yufen wanted was for her daughter-in-law to return safely after two years.
Then, her eyes lit up—she’d thought of the perfect solution.
"Mother-in-law, what do you think of this? In case of emergencies, it’s easy to hide and carry."
Yang Yufen adjusted the bracelet on her wrist slightly, revealing a glimmer of golden shine beneath.
"This... this will do."
Professor Wen fell silent for a moment after seeing it.
"Good, good. In a month’s time—since the property we bought earlier has appreciated so much—we can sell one and exchange it for gold to give to Qin Nian when she leaves."
Yang Yufen was indeed short on cash, but that didn’t stop her from finding ways to secure funds.
"No, no, dear in-law. A child carrying gold through a bustling market is far too dangerous. Preparing too much might only make Qin Nian a target."
Professor Wen quickly intervened.
"Ah, you’re right to remind me. Let me think of another way then."
Yang Yufen couldn’t help but feel reluctant to part with the bracelet—after all, it was a gift from her daughter-in-law.
"Don’t worry, dear in-law. Old Hu and I will also prepare something for Qin Nian. Besides, she can call home every month."
"But wouldn’t that be too expensive? A telegram would suffice."
Yang Yufen couldn’t help voicing her concern.
Meanwhile—
"I’ll pick you up the day after tomorrow for the Party School. We’ll go together."
Hu Jun spoke bluntly.
"Oh, and bring those books you’ve been reading. No need to pack anything else."
"Understood."
Shen Xianjun responded, though inwardly he groaned. He had assumed that once he got to the Party School, there’d be no more surprise quizzes. Not that he minded studying—it was just the constant pressure of being tested that kept him on edge.
"What do you think about Qin Nian studying abroad?"
Surprisingly, Hu Jun poured him a glass of water.
"Education is always a good thing."
Shen Xianjun answered without much thought.
"Good. I’m glad you see it that way."
Hu Jun was instantly satisfied, and his usual sternness toward Shen Xianjun softened.
"Though my mother and the children will have to trouble my in-laws to look after them."
Shen Xianjun added.
"Don’t worry about that."
Hu Jun then steered the conversation toward the military downsizing. Shen Xianjun listened attentively, and the two spent a long time discussing military affairs—until Qin Nian came to call them away.
