Thinking of his wife mentioning she would write him letters, he asked his orderly to keep an eye out for his mail. Having been away from home for years, he yearned to be part of family life, even if only through letters.
When he married Bai Xiu back then, her timid nature made her withdraw after he scolded her twice about money matters—she stopped writing, afraid he’d ask again whether the Bai family had come asking for help. His parents weren’t sentimental either, and though he visited once a year, no one ever sent him letters.
"Battalion Commander Lin, don’t worry. If your wife sends a letter, I’ll make sure to keep it safe for you. Leader Ye is waiting in his office, and he doesn’t look too happy."
Lin Han nodded in acknowledgment. Leader Ye was his direct superior, and earlier that morning, he had mentioned a military drill the division wanted him to lead. At the time, Lin Han had just received a letter from home and, fearing his wife might be hiding hardships behind cheerful words, refused. He even considered requesting another two weeks’ leave to visit, earning him a stern rebuke for lacking "progressive thinking."
"Reporting for duty!"
"Come in!"
Leader Ye’s temper flared at the sight of Lin Han. Suppressing his irritation, he reasoned, "This drill is crucial for our division. You know the terrain—leading it could bring us honor. Lin Han, you’re not a kid anymore. Think about your future!"
He expected a battle of wills with this stubborn mule, but to his surprise, Lin Han agreed, clicking his heels together in a crisp salute.
"Understood! Mission will be accomplished!"
Leader Ye: "..."
This was the outcome he wanted, so why did it annoy him so much?
"Hold on—you changed your mind just like that?"
Did his earlier lecture mean nothing? Was it all hot air?
Lin Han, a man of few words, rarely explained himself. But today, perhaps buoyed by the call with his family, he broke his usual silence.
"Leader Ye, my hometown’s been hit by drought. I just spoke to my wife—she says everyone’s fine for now."
Leader Ye kicked Lin Han’s leg in frustration. "You blockhead! Couldn’t you have said so earlier? Fine, go lead the drill. If another letter or call comes from your family, I’ll keep you updated."
"Thank you, Leader!"
After Lin Han left, Leader Ye sighed.
The man was exceptional—physically tough, resilient, a skilled soldier. This drill was meant to be his stepping stone. He just hoped Lin Han wouldn’t waste the opportunity.
---
Huaishan Town
After hanging up, the town head teased Nan Sheng, "You women—finally get to talk to your husband, and you cut it short. I wasn’t about to shoo you off."
Nan Sheng couldn’t admit she barely knew Lin Han, nor that her "husband" was a man of few words. The silence had been unbearable.
"Sir, I didn’t want to say anything wrong over a military line and cause trouble for him. Letters are better—I can write whatever I want."
Yu Feng nodded. Dealing with superiors was always a headache, and military rules were stricter. He got it.
Still, ordinary soldiers rarely had access to military phones. Nan Sheng’s husband must hold some rank…
Nan Sheng left work early to buy envelopes, stamps, and a stack of stationery at the post office. She’d also memorized the military line’s number—just in case of emergencies.
At home, she found the firewood pile suspiciously taller. The kids had disobeyed her again.
"Sizhe, you and your uncle went up the mountain, didn’t you?"
Before Sizhe could reply, Siqi tattled, "Yes! And they dumped me at Grandma’s!"
Sizhe rolled his eyes. His sister was such a snitch.
Nan Sheng read her son’s expression. "Don’t you dare sulk. It’s sweltering out—I’m stifled just sitting indoors, and you two traipse up the mountain? Trying to wreck your health?"
Sizhe knew better than to provoke an angry mother. A slap might follow. He backpedaled fast.
"Mom, I swear it’s the last time! Even if Uncle drags me, I won’t go."
Nan Sheng let it go. Wiping sweat from her brow, she soaked her straw hat in a basin to rid it of the day’s grime.
"You’re such a handful. If you’re bored, play with friends or study ahead. Stop inventing chores."
Sizhe nodded vigorously, not daring to argue. He grabbed her purchases, changing the subject.
"Mom, are you writing to Dad?"
With that much paper, she could write daily for half a year.
"He called the town today, worried about us. I’ll fill him in on everything in a letter, so he can focus on his mission without fretting.
"Take a sheet too—write to your father. He’d love to hear from you. He misses you and your sister."
Sizhe had never written to Lin Han. His birth mother hadn’t encouraged it.
Grudgingly, he took a sheet to his room. Dinner was ready—steamed buns Sizhe had made.
A bit too much alkali, so they looked rough, but they tasted fine.
Nan Sheng called out, "Wow, Sizhe! You can steam buns now? My little helper!"
Sizhe grinned in his room. Since warming up to her, he’d learned how easily she lavished praise for the smallest effort.
Siqi plopped on a stool by the stove, nudging Nan Sheng’s leg with her head—a reminder not to forget her.
"Oh! I checked on the hens earlier—plump as can be! All thanks to my little forager. At New Year’s, we’ll stew one and you get the drumstick, okay?"
Hearing this, Sizhe started his letter. He’d warn his dad: Don’t fall for Mom’s sweet talk like we do.
Stay strong!
His earlier pout was forgotten. No way was he snitching to Lin Han.
Dinner was a hearty stew with big chunks of meat. Instead of cornbread, Nan Sheng had added pumpkin, now tender and soaked in savory broth.
The pumpkin’s cloying sweetness made her save some for breakfast.
She whipped up an egg drop soup with cilantro, serving bowls all around.
Between bites of meat and sips of soup, Sizhe belched contentedly. He’d add a line in his letter: Mom’s cooking is amazing.
But it’s all a trap. Dad better not surrender too fast.
Nan Sheng asked, "How’s your aunt Zhou Wei? Did she and Eldest Brother Lin make up?"
She’d visited with two cans of fruit the day after Zhou Wei returned. The woman had clearly suffered—physically and emotionally.
Eldest Brother Lin, for whatever reason, hadn’t kicked her out but moved to the old house instead.
A married couple their age, sleeping apart—how dramatic.
"They haven't reconciled, but Auntie's health has improved a lot. She can now handle cooking and laundry, and she treats Grandpa and Grandma even better than before."
Nan Sheng didn’t ask further. Doing the math, the troublesome sister-in-law would be back soon—and that would stir up no small amount of drama.
