Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Eager to Return, One Tree Does Not Make a Forest

Xu Huai’an never expected he’d have such an opportunity again, and for a moment, he was stunned.

On one hand, he knew very well that both his personality and abilities were best suited for life in the military—he thrived there, free and at ease. This was an even bigger stage than the Western Guang Military District; to be honest, it was very tempting.

But on the other hand, he simply couldn’t let go of Gu Qinghuan.

The experiences of the past two years had changed him a lot, making him cherish everything he had now even more.

Yes, he admitted he was sentimental, attached, and unable to let go.

Not seeing her these days, only able to comfort himself with her photos, was pure torment.

What’s more, if he really did return to the army, he’d have to leave both children to her alone. Although she would never refuse, it would be far too unfair to her.

Zhuo Yifan had expected a straightforward answer, but was surprised to see Xu Huai’an hesitate.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

“General Zhuo, I know it might seem ungrateful to say this, but please allow me some time to consider.

You might not know, but I have two children at home. My wife takes care of them alone and keeps the family together—it’s exhausting. I can’t bear to let her shoulder it all by herself.

So, I need to think it through carefully. May I give you my answer after I’ve considered it?”

Zhuo Yifan raised his eyebrows.

“You’re the first one who’s ever asked for time to think about my offer! But I get it—being a military spouse isn’t easy. You should discuss it with her before making a decision.

How about this: the New Year is almost here. Go home and have a good holiday with your family. Give me your answer after the New Year. It’s fine if it’s a bit late—I can wait. Here, take down my number.”

Not only was Zhuo Yifan not angry, he liked Xu Huai’an even more. After all, who could refuse someone who was both capable and valued loyalty and relationships?

Ability alone, without loyalty, would never take a person far.

“Thank you, General Zhuo!” Xu Huai’an stood and bowed.

Just the fact that he was given this opportunity was worth his gratitude.

“Don’t be so formal with me. You’ve made a major contribution this time. If you have any requests or difficulties, just let me know.”

“Thank you for your concern, General, but I have no requests or difficulties.”

Xu Huai’an was eager to return home. Despite still nursing some minor wounds, he left the Ministry of Defense and headed straight for the villa, only to find that Gu Qinghuan had already taken the children back to her hometown. The family had left him a letter.

There were still three days until the New Year.

He wanted to go home and reunite with them.

At the train station, he discovered that all trains had been suspended due to heavy snow.

With no other options, he had to call Zhuo Yifan for help.

He’d just said he didn’t need any help, and now, not even two hours later, he was already asking for a favor. Xu Huai’an felt a bit embarrassed.

But Zhuo Yifan didn’t laugh at him. Instead, he called the aviation department and found out there was a flight to the northeast the next morning.

He pulled some strings and got Xu Huai’an’s name on the list.

This was entirely thanks to Zhuo Yifan’s personal connections, though he didn’t mention it to Xu Huai’an.

At this time, flying wasn’t something you could do just because you had money. Only state officials of a certain rank, or special groups like overseas Chinese and foreign guests, could fly.

Xu Huai’an, anxious to get home, packed up that night and boarded the plane early the next morning.

—

Today was the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.

As the folk song goes: “On the 28th, start leavening the dough; on the 28th, make cakes, steam buns, and put up decorations.”

By tradition, on the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, every household would start preparing staple foods for the New Year, whether it was leavening dough or making buns.

Zhong Zijun and Gu Lanting, mother and son, chatted about everything. Zhong Zijun now knew all that had happened in Beijing, including what had happened to Zhong Luoning.

She felt heartbroken for her niece and grandniece, but was also pondering how to break the news to the two elders at home.

Zhong Luoning was the only biological granddaughter of the Zhong family elders, raised like a princess—gentle, elegant, and poised.

Back then, the elders themselves had approved her marriage. Now that she had suffered so much, Zhong Zijun worried the old couple wouldn’t be able to take it.

And then there was Youran’s illness, another problem.

Heavens, why couldn’t fate be kinder to them? Why not let the older generation bear the hardships instead?

She wasn’t old-fashioned, thinking a woman couldn’t live without a man.

She just felt sorry that her niece had to pay for someone else’s mistakes and have her life ruined—it was such a pity.

Gu Qinghuan got up early to cook, only to find Zhong Zijun had beaten her to it.

After chatting with Gu Lanting the night before, Zhong Zijun hadn’t been able to sleep, weighed down by her worries.

Unexpectedly, Zhong Luoning also got up early. Now that she was much better, she didn’t want to trouble her cousin anymore and naturally wanted to help with the chores.

Zhong Zijun set aside her sadness.

The three of them made breakfast together.

For their first breakfast back home, they prepared several baskets of red date and brown sugar steamed buns to replenish their energy, and cooked a big pot of soft, fragrant corn grits porridge.

There were also all sorts of pickled vegetables and dried radish that Gu Qinghuan had brought all the way from Beijing, perfect to go with the porridge.

After a hearty breakfast, Zhong Zijun got ready to head to the cowshed to fetch the two elders of the Zhong family.

Originally, everyone wanted to go together, but there were too many of them—it would draw too much attention.

So, it was decided that Gu Lanting and Zhong Zijun would go to the cowshed to bring the elders over for the reunion.

Zhong Weiqian and Cheng Shuying had been waiting eagerly at home. When they heard not only their granddaughter but also their grandson and biological granddaughter had returned, they were moved to tears as they hugged Lanting and hurried over to Gu Qinghuan’s place.

The family was finally together again—only the eldest uncle and aunt were missing.

Before coming, Zhong Zijun had already given the elders a heads-up, briefly telling them about Zhong Luoning’s situation.

The two elders were even stronger than she’d imagined. After all, they’d weathered so many storms.

Back then, Gu Yunchuan and now Xu Jianguo had both kicked them when they were down—petty, despicable men.

Cheng Shuying, letting go of her usual restraint, cursed the Xu family up and down, her eyes brimming with tears for her granddaughter.

“I was wise all my life but muddle-headed for a moment. I should never have agreed to Zijun and Luoning’s marriages. It’s my fault they’ve suffered!”

Zhong Zijun hugged her mother, and the two wept together. With Lanting’s comforting words, they gradually calmed down.

After drying their tears, they arrived at Gu Qinghuan’s place in high spirits. After all, it was the New Year—no one wanted to bring up bad memories or spoil the festive mood.

Seeing her long-lost relatives, Zhong Luoning was so moved that she burst into tears, and even Youran was swept up in her emotions.

The family sat together in the main room, chatting and catching up, the atmosphere warm and lively.

Gu Qinghuan returned from outside, dusty and windblown, with a sack slung over her shoulder and a basket in her hand—both filled with goodies.

Yes, she’d gone to the commune early that morning after breakfast.

The family had plenty of vegetables, but not much meat. She had some in her space, but couldn’t just take it out openly.

So she made a point of going to the commune, then bringing things back—making it all seem natural.

With the New Year coming, the family would go through supplies quickly, and she needed to prepare some for her grandparents as well. Plus, since Ji Linhai had saved Zhong Zijun, she needed to show her gratitude, so she brought back a lot this time.

Last night, while everyone was asleep, she’d snuck into her space and harvested a bunch from the farm.

She’d gathered all sorts of wild eggs—pheasant, “flying dragon” (hazel grouse), turtledove—filling a whole basket, enough to last a while.

She’d killed three wild pheasants and three wild rabbits, and took only one flying dragon since there weren’t many. Fortunately, a new brood of flying dragons had just hatched on the farm, so next year they’d have plenty.

As for wild boar, she just couldn’t bring herself to do it, so she bought a big slab of pork—over ten jin, with the hoof still attached—from the vending machine in her space.

She also brought back some spices and other household necessities.

Zhong Zijun and Gu Lanting hurried over to help her with the sack.

“Jie, why did you buy so much? If I’d known, I would’ve gone with you,” Lanting said.

Gu Qinghuan, sweating despite the winter cold, was much stronger now thanks to the spring water’s nourishment, so carrying all this was no trouble at all.

If Xu Huai’an were home, this would’ve been his job.

“It’s fine, I can handle it.”

Everyone gathered around to see what she’d brought.

When she pulled out a big chunk of pork, everyone was stunned.

“Huanhuan, where did you get this? Didn’t you need ration coupons?” Cheng Shuying asked.

“No coupons needed—I know someone.”

They all understood immediately.

The family always assumed she had connections with black market dealers.

Next came three skinned pheasants and wild rabbits, and even a rare flying dragon, freshly killed and not yet plucked.

“Jie, can you really hunt in the middle of winter?” Lanting asked, intrigued—boys always loved dangerous things.

“Don’t even think about it. With the mountains snowed in, only those desperate for money would risk it. Just these few wild animals cost me a lot. With your small frame, don’t even think about going up the mountain,” Gu Qinghuan quickly shot down his adventurous ideas.

Everyone started helping—boiling water, plucking feathers, preparing lunch, and cutting up the pork.

As they worked on the wild game, they chatted, the scene warm and lively.

Ming Ruxue wanted to help, but the adults shooed her out of the kitchen and told her to take the three kids to play in the village.

Gu Lanting complained, “I’m a kid too—why can’t I go out and play?”

Everyone burst out laughing.

Gu Qinghuan comforted him, “Hurry up and pluck the flying dragon. I’ll cook it for you tonight—it’s a real treat, you’ve never had it, right?”

Since it was such a rare reunion, Gu Qinghuan decided to stew the flying dragon for dinner as a special treat.

“This is a flying dragon? It just looks like a big bird to me. There’s hardly any meat on it!” Lanting said, holding up the two birds in surprise.

Zhong Weiqian laughed, “The so-called ‘flying dragon’ is actually the hazel grouse. Its meat is tender and snow-white. Back in the Qing dynasty, only the emperor could eat it—it was a tribute bird.

It’s a rare bird, usually weighing just half a jin, but it’s said to be incredibly delicious.

I’d heard about flying dragon back in Beijing, but never tasted it. Today, thanks to Huanhuan, I get to enjoy it.

‘Dragon meat in the sky, donkey meat on the ground’—that’s what they say about flying dragon.

Such a delicacy is best stewed in soup, not stir-fried.”

Hearing it was something only emperors could eat, Lanting got excited and started plucking the feathers with gusto.

Gu Qinghuan gave Zhong Weiqian a thumbs-up. “Grandpa, you’re so knowledgeable!”

He chuckled, “You little flatterer—but I’m happy to hear it.”

Gu Qinghuan and Zhong Zijun started preparing lunch.

She planned to make a big stew for lunch.

Dabao and Beibei took Ming Ruxue and Youran to wander around the village.

All of them wore beautiful clothes, looking completely different from the local kids—making them the envy of everyone.

Some kids recognized Dabao and Beibei. One, not quite sure, called out softly, “Are you Dabao?”

Dabao turned and saw it was Shitou, Da Cheng’s former sidekick.

Remembering how Shitou had once stood up for him, Dabao nodded, letting bygones be bygones. “Shitou, it’s me. My mom and I are back from Beijing. Here, have some fruit candy.”

He pulled out a few regular fruit candies from his pocket.

Gu Qinghuan never restricted them from eating snacks, but always explained the downsides of eating too much, so the kids weren’t obsessed with sweets anymore. Dabao brought these candies to share with the village kids.

He used to think he didn’t need friends, but after traveling around with Gu Qinghuan, he’d learned a lot.

He now understood that a single thread can’t make a line, and a single tree doesn’t make a forest. His mindset had changed a lot."