Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Xie Junli was indeed exhausted, on the verge of collapse.

In pursuit of the fugitive, he and his comrades had been tirelessly running around for days, deprived of food and sleep. If it weren't for the proximity of his home, he wouldn't have been able to make it back.

Xie Junli thought that at home, there would at least be a warm meal waiting for him, and some tender words of concern. However, things remained the same; in his mother's eyes, there was only Xiao San, and even his second brother seemed more important than him.

Though he knew there were reasons for this.

He slowly extended his hand, the icy fingers touching the cloth, warmth seeping into his bones. He wrung out the cloth and wiped his face, finally able to move again after being caked with mud, feeling alive once more.

"I found your pants. I'll go out, you change and lie down on the bed. I'll prepare something to eat."

Xu Yuqing said, having managed to find Xie Junli's pants amidst the clutter in the trunk. Her forehead was slightly damp with sweat as she handed over the pants and carried out the basin of muddy water.

Opening the door, He Xiuhua was nowhere to be seen, surprisingly in the kitchen.

Xu Yuqing entered, spotting sweet potato porridge. "Where are the eggs?"

Her voice was filled with impatience and disgust. Every day, Xie Yunli, who worked as a temporary laborer, would return home to a boiled egg from He Xiuhua, fearing he might lack nutrition. Xie Junli, clearly worn out from a significant ordeal, was only offered sweet potato porridge.

What kind of mother could be so biased.

He Xiuhua wasn't one to hold her temper back either. Upon hearing Xu Yuqing's tone, her eyebrows shot up, turning to face Xu Yuqing as if ready to unleash a torrent of abuse. But—why was this wench so aggressive? Perhaps realizing she was in the wrong, He Xiuhua's face fell. "There aren't any!"

None...

Xu Yuqing looked down on He Xiuhua even more. She didn't say much, turning to leave. The supply store wasn't too far away; if she quickened her pace, she could be back within half an hour. During this time, her health had improved somewhat, no longer gasping for breath after a few steps.

Consider it repayment.

Xu Yuqing told herself, considering it repayment to him. With this thought, her steps quickened even further.

Without delay, she bought eggs and immediately returned. No one was in the kitchen; He Xiuhua was nowhere to be found. The sweet potato porridge had diminished, presumably already served to Xie Junli. However, how could a tall and strong man like him be satisfied with just one bowl of porridge?

Xu Yuqing scooped out the porridge, struggling to clean the pot. She wanted to fry some eggs, making them salty enough to pair well with the porridge. She desperately scraped out a bit of lard from the empty bowl, unable to buy meat without ration coupons. But this small amount would suffice. Cracking three eggs, sizzling sounds filled the air as the fire blazed.

Xu Yuqing's hands didn't stop moving. As soon as the whites in the pan formed, she broke them apart, covering them with yolks, frying them until they were golden and fragrant. Quickly pouring in soy sauce.

Serving it into a bowl, Xu Yuqing washed the pot clean, avoiding any confrontation with He Xiuhua when she returned. Although she didn't know where she had gone, fewer arguments meant better moods.

Carrying the eggs and two bowls of porridge, Xu Yuqing struggled to reach the room.

"Are you asleep?" she whispered softly, watching as the man on the bed, who had been closing his eyes, quickly opened them.

Xu Yuqing set down the bowls. "I have eggs. Would you like to eat some more?"

"I'm not hungry. You eat," Xie Junli said, closing his eyes, looking tired.

But in the next moment, his stomach growled, swiftly contradicting his words. Xu Yuqing couldn't help but laugh, telling him, "I've already eaten. You've been taking care of me, why should you save these few eggs for me? Come on, I still need you."

Hearing this, Xie Junli still hesitated. He knew what his mother was like. Looking at Xu Yuqing, he could see she appeared much more haggard, her hands roughened.

"Come on, there's something I want to discuss with you later."

Xu Yuqing said expectantly. All she hoped for now was that Xie Junli would eat well, be full, and have the strength to take her along on military service.

Not having to see He Xiuhua's harsh face was his greatest wish right now.

Xie Junli finally sat up, approaching the trunk. Seeing the greasy eggs, he was taken aback. Indeed, a bowl of sweet potato porridge could barely fill half his stomach, let alone satisfy him. The aroma from the kitchen earlier had already made his mouth water.

Picking up the chopsticks, he first placed the largest piece of egg in Xu Yuqing's bowl before slowly starting to eat.

Xu Yuqing held her bowl, sitting on the bed, staring blankly at the piece of egg.

How could such a good person appear in this family?

Xie Junli ate neatly, though quickly, without spilling or making any noise.

Before long, the bowl of porridge was consumed, but half of the eggs on the plate remained. Xu Yuqing couldn't help but frown. There were only three eggs in total, and the piece in her bowl was almost equivalent to an entire egg. She snatched Xie Junli's chopsticks, piling all the eggs into his bowl, sternly saying, "Eat it all!!"

Xie Junli initially wanted to give some back to her, but seeing her expression, he felt strangely amused. Recently, he found her appearance akin to a cat trying to look fierce.

Obediently finishing the eggs, Xie Junli finally earned Xu Yuqing's approving gaze. Under her urging, Xie Junli lay down on the bed once more.

Lying in bed, Xie Junli watched Xu Yuqing, who was sitting seriously. Straightening his expression, he said, "Go ahead, I'm listening."

"Well, I want to ask you, did you really mean it when you said you'd take me along on military service if I wanted to?"

Xu Yuqing said anxiously, relying on him temporarily in these turbulent times.

"Of course, whenever you're ready."

His firm words gave Xu Yuqing a small shock. Looking into his serious eyes, she turned her head, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"I want to join the military service. Can I? Take me with you when you go."

Xie Junli didn't hesitate for a moment. "Alright." Internally, he pondered something.

Receiving a satisfactory answer, Xu Yuqing finally smiled, her stunning beauty momentarily dazzling Xie Junli's eyes. He turned his head away, closing his eyes, feigning sleepiness.

The bed was occupied by Xie Junli. Although Xu Yuqing was somewhat sleepy, she could endure it. Sitting on a chair, she scribbled on a notebook. The sun grew increasingly intense, although it wasn't stiflingly hot in autumn, but during nap time, it was impossible to resist. With a thud, Xu Yuqing collapsed onto the trunk, falling into a deep sleep.

Xie Junli was a light sleeper. Hearing the sound, he sat up, seeing Xu Yuqing's sleeping form. Her face was red, peaceful, somewhat childlike.

He stood up, walking to Xu Yuqing's side. Taking a deep breath, one hand behind his back and the other on his knee, he gently lifted her up. How light she was, Xie Junli frowned, hadn't she eaten?

Xie Junli carefully approached the bed. This bed was one he had made himself, large and wide. Kneeling on one knee, he placed Xu Yuqing in the middle of the bed. The soft sensation disappeared from his hands, Xie Junli clenched his fists, somewhat reluctant to let go.

Tucking her in and listening to her faint breaths, Xie Junli lay down by the bed's edge. Despite Xu Yuqing being right in the middle of the bed, they were still a person's width apart as he drifted off to sleep against the mattress's edge.

Inhaling the familiar scent of wood, Xie Junli also fell asleep.

Xu Yuqing had a good night's rest, only to be awakened by the noise outside her door. He Xiuhua's shrill voice was piercing and unpleasant.

"Mom! Big Brother is really back!!"

Who could this be? Xu Yuqing hesitated to open her eyes, but her mind was already racing, frowning at the familiarity of the voice. Was this—Xie Yunli's voice?

Big Brother?! Xie Junli is back! Xu Yuqing sat up abruptly, surprised to find that it was already dark outside. She was alone in bed, still in the middle, what on earth! Did Xie Junli not sleep at all? How could his exhausted body go without rest!

With these thoughts, Xu Yuqing hurriedly got out of bed, put on her shoes, and opened the door to search for any sign of Xie Junli.

In the courtyard stood He Xiuhua and Xie Yunli, mother and son. The second son of the Xie family was absent, and Xie Junli was nowhere to be seen. "Xie... um, Junli?"

He Xiuhua shot Xu Yuqing a look filled with disdain. "You lazy woman, the moment Big Brother came back, he went up the mountain to chop firewood. And you, shameless, sleeping until dusk. Disgusting!"

It was clear that if not for the previous threats, He Xiuhua would have devoured her alive.

Xie Yunli also frowned, his gaze toward Xu Yuqing less than kind.

He had intended to buy something nice with some money to appease her, but who knew what this eldest sister-in-law was up to, treating his mother so poorly that he couldn't get a single coin. Now, he was in a bind, utterly clueless about how to proceed.

Xu Yuqing, having navigated society's rough waters for several years, could tell at a glance that each of them harbored their own schemes. But none of that mattered to her, because she was about to join the military!! She was about to leave this godforsaken place! Now, she needed to find her sugar daddy!

She stepped over the two of them and strode towards the gate, intent on heading up the mountain to find Xie Junli and see how he was faring.

Stepping out of the courtyard, she hadn't taken more than a few steps when she noticed someone in the distance who looked remarkably like Xie Junli, carrying a basket on his back.

"Xie Junli!" Her shout caused the gate behind her to open, not just the one behind her, but also the gates of neighboring courtyards. Everyone in the village who heard her call emerged to see.

"Oh my! It's really Big Brother Xie! You're back!"

"Why aren't you wearing your military uniform?"

"Exactly!" "Brother Xie! You've finally returned! I've even gotten married!"

The chatter filled the air, leaving Xu Yuqing somewhat stunned. This Xie Junli, was he so popular? Xie Junli seemed accustomed to such scenes, calmly walking over to touch Xu Yuqing's hand, signaling for her to return inside while he turned around to exchange a few words with everyone else.

Finally, showing signs of fatigue, Xie Junli was able to retreat indoors.

Upon entering, he felt the intense scrutiny from Xie Yunli and He Xiuhua, but paid no heed, setting down the basket. "Mom, I'm tired, I'll rest for a bit."

He Xiuhua furrowed her brow, about to scold him upon seeing the small load of firewood, but was stopped by Xie Yunli. "Mom!"

Xie Junli ignored their silent quarrel, pushing open the door to enter.

Locking the door, "I just bought tickets; we leave tomorrow night. But I haven't filed the application for you to join me yet, so you might have to stay at the guesthouse for a while."

!!!!

Xu Yuqing's eyes lit up, gazing at Xie Junli with excitement, speechless.

"It's hard to buy cotton coats here, fortunately it's not too cold yet. Once we reach the Military District, I'll take you shopping, though you may have to endure a bit, as I could only get soft seats."

"No hardship! No hardship! I feel no hardship at all!" Xu Yuqing earnestly told Xie Junli.

To leave this place, no hardship was too great.

Xu Yuqing could almost see her career prospects unfolding before her eyes!

And Xie Junli, looking at Xu Yuqing's demeanor, felt even more heartache. After buying the tickets and settling his identity, he had returned immediately. While chopping firewood, he encountered villagers who informed him of Xu Yuqing's return date. No wonder she was so eager to leave.

He knew his mother was harsh.

But he didn't realize she could be so cruel to his wife.

If he had known, he should have bought tickets for the morning departure.