Chapter 19: Su Qiao Returns Home

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In those days, a family of three able to live in two rooms was already the sort of household people envied bitterly.

Even with secrets of her own, Su Qiao did not dare ask for too much. In those years, it was common for several members of a family to share a single room.

With her right hand resting against her forehead, Su Qiao stared at the ceiling and mentally sorted through the few households with whom the former owner had been close, their images flashing through her mind like scenes from a lantern show.

Their home stood beside the road. The neighbors on the right were the Guos, and both Brother Guo and Sister-in-law Guo were good people.

A few days ago, the former owner had overheard Sister-in-law Guo saying that their family wanted to build another room in the courtyard. The Guos had four children, and their eldest son had gone to the countryside two years earlier. This time, the factory had received a limited number of internal positions and was recruiting some workers’ family members as temporary employees. As long as they made no mistakes, they could become permanent employees after three months.

The moment the Guos heard the news, they hurried to secure one of the positions for their eldest son.

She figured Guo Dajiang would be coming back in a few days.

At that thought, Su Qiao suddenly remembered those temporary positions. Since Xiaoying had not yet returned and Xiaofeng was still too young, the former owner had never applied for one.

Now that Xiaoying was back, she ought to go to the factory leaders and ask for a position too.

…

Early the next morning, Ye Ting and the young soldier rose. The two of them ran two laps around the guesthouse before buying breakfast and heading to the hospital.

Su Qiao had slept poorly again the night before, and dark circles were clearly visible beneath her eyes.

When Ye Ting saw them, he grew anxious as well. “This cannot continue. Fang Xiaoying’s health has not yet recovered, and now she is going to wear you down as well.”

“It is all right. Xiaofeng and the others are coming back today. I will just have to trouble you, Comrade Ye, to go to my home and deliver a message to Xiaofeng.”

“Of course. We can go now.”

“All right.”

Su Qiao led Ye Ting outside and carefully described where she lived.

“My family lives in the residential compound of the Machinery Factory. Follow the road along the west wall of the factory all the way forward. The last row of houses—the one at the easternmost end—is ours.”

“Fine, I’ll remember it. Your home should be easy enough to find.”

“Yes, it is easy to find, and convenient to get in and out of.”

After bidding farewell to Su Qiao, Ye Ting drove along the main road toward the Machinery Factory.

The young soldier noticed that their regimental commander had not stopped to ask for directions and was driving straight ahead. Watching the streets flash past the window, he asked, “Commander, do you know where the Machinery Factory is?”

“The Yang City Machinery Factory is a large enterprise with more than ten thousand employees, one of the city’s several leading companies.” Ye Ting fell silent for about two minutes, as though lost in memory, before continuing. “I once came here to collect new recruits.”

“Oh.”

The young soldier admired his commander, who had been to so many places.

“We’ll be entering the factory grounds soon.”

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“We’ve arrived already?”

“Not so quickly. Comrade Su Qiao’s home is outside the western wall of the factory, still several stops away.”

“Oh.”

…

As soon as Su Mu and Fang Xiaofeng got off the bus, they ran toward the residential compound. After only a few steps, the two of them spotted Ye Ting’s military jeep in the distance.

“Uncle, Uncle Ye and the others are here too.”

“Come on.” Su Mu felt that the regiment commander’s presence could not be a good sign. “I’m worried about Xiaoying’s illness…”

One should never leave words unfinished. After hearing his uncle, Fang Xiaofeng began running as well.

The young soldier had kept his eyes fixed in that direction. When he saw Su Mu and Fang Xiaofeng running toward them, panting heavily, he reminded his commander, “Commander, Comrade Su Mu and Comrade Fang Xiaofeng are back.”

“Yes, I see them.”

When Su Mu and Xiaofeng came closer, Ye Ting got out of the vehicle as well.

“Commander Ye!”

“Comrade Su Mu, I came to let you know that Comrade Su Qiao and Comrade Fang Xiaoying are at the First People’s Hospital.”

“My sister…? How is Xiaoying?”

“Comrade Fang Xiaoying was diagnosed with a concussion and soft-tissue injuries in several parts of her body.”

“Damn it…” Su Mu hated himself for not reaching out that day.

“Comrade Su Mu, this is not the time for cursing. Comrade Su Qiao’s condition is rather poor. She needs rest.”

“I’ll go take my mother’s place.” Remembering how his mother had collapsed unconscious earlier, Fang Xiaofeng’s face turned white with fright. “After my sister’s accident, my mother fainted. They had to revive her in the factory clinic.”

Ye Ting had not known about this and immediately said, “Then I’ll take you there now so you can relieve your mother.”

“All right. Thank you, Uncle Ye.”

When Su Mu saw Ye Ting and the young soldier preparing to leave, he explained his own plan. “I’m going back to Su Family Village. I need to send word to the elders at home.” He felt that he should bring his grandparents over from the village. Although they were retired, they were still strong and healthy. They could help his sister by cooking and taking care of things.

Su Qiao was brought home by Ye Ting. The moment she arrived, she collapsed into bed and fell asleep.

Standing beside the heated brick bed, Ye Ting looked down at the woman sleeping so deeply that she was unaware of the world around her. He did not know whether to laugh or cry. Did she trust him that much? Or was it…?

Fortunately, Su Mu returned quickly, accompanied by four elderly people—two old men and two old women.

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The four elders had not expected to find a man in military uniform standing inside Su Qiao’s room.

Ye Ting had been sweating inwardly as well. If he had not been wearing that uniform, the uncle who had entered first would certainly have attacked him.

“Grandpa, Grandma, this is Commander Ye. He is the leader of Xiaoying’s partner in the army. We owe Commander Ye a great deal for looking after us during our trip to Shanshi.”

“Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie. You can just call me Ye Ting.”

“Ah, how is Xiaoqiao?” Su’s mother was still most concerned about her daughter.

“Comrade Su Qiao is not seriously injured. The doctor said she needs plenty of rest.”

“That is good.”

Seeing that his sister needed to rest, Su Mu knew they should not remain inside the room. He brought several small stools into the courtyard. “Commander Ye, the room is too stuffy. Let’s sit outside.”

“All right.”

After Su’s father and Second Uncle Su went outside with the others, Su’s mother and Second Aunt Su moved closer to Su Qiao. Su’s mother touched her daughter’s forehead, then let out a relieved breath.

“Thank goodness, she doesn’t have a fever.”

Second Aunt Su studied Su Qiao’s complexion carefully before whispering to her sister-in-law, “Sister-in-law, Xiaoqiao looks awfully pale. I’ll slaughter one of the chickens we brought. We need to nourish Xiaoqiao and her daughter.”

“All right. I brought mushrooms and dried gourd strips. Which one should I soak?”

“Let’s soak the gourd strips. Xiaoqiao said that chicken stewed with gourd strips looked appetizing.”

“In my panic, I completely forgot about that.”

“It’s all right. I didn’t forget. It’s all that cursed Fang family’s fault. If that old bastard had acted like a decent human being, our Xiaoying wouldn’t have suffered like this.”

“That’s right. Once our Xiaoqiao is feeling better, I’m going to scratch that old bastard’s face to pieces.”

“Sister-in-law, don’t rush. When the time comes, the two of us will go together.”

“All right. I’ll go outside and pull up a couple of scallions.”

“When we first arrived, I noticed that the vegetables Xiaoqiao planted were growing quite well.”

“That row of chives is especially beautiful. Tomorrow we’ll make dumplings for the mother and daughter.”