Chapter 13: My Soldier Dad, Dad is a Real Man, Tuan Tuan is Not…

**Chapter 13: My Soldier Dad**

Dad is a real man, but Tuan Tuan isn't...

Were you waiting to come back and collect my corpse? Su Xiaoxiao suddenly thought—if she hadn’t arrived, today would have been the original host’s seventh-day memorial!

Zhang Huaimin returned full of joy and anticipation—only to find his world had collapsed!

For a moment, Su Xiaoxiao didn’t know whether to pity the original host or Zhang Huaimin. She simply said, “I know my parents well. We had to strike fast and not let them regroup.”

Zhang Huaimin was utterly disgusted by his father-in-law’s behavior of preying on the bereaved. The old man hadn’t even been buried before he changed his surname. With that kind of temperament, given the chance, who knew what kind of trouble he’d stir up.

Thinking of this, Zhang Huaimin couldn’t bring himself to blame his wife, but he still couldn’t help worrying and wanted to know more about what had happened those days: “When we talked about all this, besides your parents, you, and Tuan Tuan, was anyone else there?”

Su Xiaoxiao asked, “Worried about me?”

Zhang Huaimin’s mind flashed to how she had just been snarling and ready to tear into him, and instantly felt his concern was wasted. He simply went back to eating his noodles.

Su Xiaoxiao thought he was embarrassed and didn’t dare tease him further. After all, the original host had never dared to tease Zhang Huaimin—she had only ever been obedient to him. “All the neighbors were there. The police already disliked my father for being so eager to take advantage of the bereaved. My mother was afraid Chen Xue might go into early labor if she caused a fuss, so she reluctantly but quietly moved out.”

Zhang Huaimin recalled some past events—

He had come back when Tuan Tuan was born. On the morning he registered Tuan Tuan’s household registration, Liu Dajun’s smile had been forced. Though clearly bothered, he had said, “Xiaoxiao’s grandfather would rest easy knowing this.”

At lunch that day, Liu Dajun had asked Zhang Huaimin to find a match for Liu Xu. Zhang Huaimin didn’t want to get involved in the Liu family’s affairs and only said that he was much older than Liu Xu. Those around his own age wouldn’t suit Liu Xu, and he didn’t know anyone Liu Xu’s age.

Having been away from home for years, his words didn’t sound like an excuse, but Liu Dajun wouldn’t let it go. Annoyed by his persistence, Zhang Huaimin bluntly said that his military unit had many female soldiers and that he’d see about getting Liu Xu transferred to the logistics or kitchen staff.

Liu Dajun pinned all his hopes on Liu Xu’s future children—how could he bear to send Liu Xu thousands of miles away? What if he found someone well-off who demanded their children take the mother’s surname? Wouldn’t that mean he’d end up with nothing?

Terrified, Liu Dajun hastily declined the offer.

This was enough for Zhang Huaimin to imagine how frightened Liu Dajun would be if Su Xiaoxiao pressed Chen Xue for answers: “When did you realize that nothing mattered more than Chen Xue’s child?”

Su Xiaoxiao: “Chen Xue crossed the line, but my parents didn’t think so. When Chen Xue ate Tuan Tuan’s egg and Tuan Tuan watched with longing, those two actually dared to say Tuan Tuan should learn to yield to his younger sibling. That’s when I realized Chen Xue’s trick worked!”

Zhang Huaimin asked uneasily, “Have they come back these past few days?”

Tuan Tuan nodded.

Su Xiaoxiao wanted to say something but noticed the child’s greasy hands and pulled him outside.

Left alone in the kitchen, the silence felt cold and empty. After hesitating, Zhang Huaimin picked up the basin and stepped outside, watching as Su Xiaoxiao washed Tuan Tuan’s hands while instructing, “You can eat with your hands, but you must wash them before and after. Don’t wipe them on your clothes—anyone’s clothes.”

Zhang Huaimin couldn’t help saying, “It’s been tough raising Tuan Tuan alone.”

Su Xiaoxiao’s nose tingled—she knew it wasn’t her own emotion but the body’s instinctive reaction. She sniffed, raised her head, and smiled. “Then treat Tuan Tuan better in the future, so my hard work pays off.”

Despite Su Xiaoxiao’s efforts to hide it, Zhang Huaimin could still see the tears welling in her eyes under the kitchen light. His heart ached, his throat tightening: “I will…”

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t resist asking, “What about me?”

“You—” Zhang Huaimin wasn’t one for sweet talk. “My nose bridge seems swollen.”

Su Xiaoxiao’s smile stiffened. She lowered her head and asked, “Tuan Tuan, are you clean now?”

Tuan Tuan sniffed. “Mom, my hands smell good.”

“I can tell. It’s cold outside—let’s go back in.” Su Xiaoxiao picked up Tuan Tuan and quickly tucked him in. Watching her guilty look, Zhang Huaimin shook his head in amusement. He finished the last of his noodle soup, put the bowl in the pot, and washed it. Noticing the kettle on the stove, he touched it—it was still warm enough for a bath—then grabbed a basin and towel.

Su Xiaoxiao came out and saw Zhang Huaimin pacing between the living room and the kitchen. "What are you looking for?"

"Where's the toothpaste?"

Su Xiaoxiao: "It's on the cupboard."

Zhang Huaimin went to the kitchen and found the toothpaste, using just a bit. "Newly bought?"

"They took the furniture—even took the small stuff."

Zhang Huaimin: "Then why did they come these past few days?"

Still stuck on that? Su Xiaoxiao suspected he wouldn’t drop it until tomorrow if she didn’t clarify. "Liu Chen lost her job, and the Yuans want a divorce. She wanted to trade places with me—I’d take over my mother’s position in two years."

"She can’t take over?"

"A lightbulb factory’s no match for the post office’s prestige."

Zhang Huaimin: "..."

No wonder her sister and dad were both Lius—like father, like daughter!

Zhang Huaimin suddenly thought of something. "The Yuan family didn’t know the post office job was yours?"

Su Xiaoxiao: "The Yuan family didn’t ask, and Liu Chen didn’t tell them."

Zhang Huaimin couldn’t help but ask, "For something as major as marriage, they didn’t check?"

Su Xiaoxiao thought to herself—didn’t your own parents fail to notice how ridiculously obedient the original was?

"Who knows who they asked." Seeing him in just a thin shirt in late autumn, when catching a cold was easy, she added, "Go get cleaned up first. Oh, and change the coal briquette."

At her words, Zhang Huaimin suddenly felt prickly all over.

After scrubbing clean from head to toe, Zhang Huaimin went to the kitchen and saw the coal briquette had burned through at the bottom, so he quickly replaced it.

Closing the door behind him and turning around, Su Xiaoxiao’s breath hitched for a moment—she barely recognized the fair-skinned scholar as Zhang Huaimin.

This wasn’t a bath—it was a total makeover!

It was barely eight o’clock. Tuan Tuan was half-asleep when he saw a tall figure approaching and bolted upright. Zhang Huaimin instinctively stopped. "Not asleep yet?"

"You’re… Dad?" The child’s big, dark eyes were full of doubt.

Zhang Huaimin glanced at Su Xiaoxiao inside. Did he not recognize him again?

Su Xiaoxiao: "You look like a completely different person now."

Zhang Huaimin picked up the mirror on the desk—the scraggly guy had turned into this. No wonder Tuan Tuan was unsure. He walked to the bedside. "Of course I’m your dad!"

Seeing his mother lying still inside, Tuan Tuan realized this was indeed his father, not some stranger who resembled him.

As Tuan Tuan lay back down, Zhang Huaimin noticed his wife and child were under one blanket while he had his own. He looked at Su Xiaoxiao again, expecting an explanation.

Su Xiaoxiao was at a loss for words.

There was only one bed in the house, and Zhang Huaimin and the original host were legally married. By every measure—socially, personally, emotionally, or logically—Zhang Huaimin was meant to share the bed with her tonight.

Su Xiaoxiao had mentally prepared for this. Even with the original host’s memories, Zhang Huaimin was still a stranger yet familiar.

Su Xiaoxiao felt awkward sharing a bed with Zhang Huaimin right after meeting him, so she stayed close to the wall, put Tuan Tuan in the middle, and let Zhang Huaimin sleep on the outside. Afraid she might bump into him in her sleep, she even took out an extra blanket.

So that’s how they ended up.

Su Xiaoxiao asked Tuan Tuan, "Wanna sleep with Daddy?"

"No way!" Tuan Tuan twisted around and clung to her.

Su Xiaoxiao glanced at Zhang Huaimin—*See? It's not me choosing him over you—he won’t let go.*

Zhang Huaimin got into bed, pulled up the blanket, and leaned against the headboard. "Tuan Tuan, aren’t you a little man?"

Tuan Tuan turned back. "Yes!"

"Big boys sleep alone," Zhang Huaimin said immediately.

Tuan Tuan shook his head. "Nuh-uh! Daddy is!"

Su Xiaoxiao was stunned for a moment, not expecting Tuan Tuan to respond like that. When she snapped out of it, she couldn’t help but laugh.

Zhang Huaimin scowled. "Daddy’s got his own blanket. Shouldn’t you?"

"Daddy is a man. Tuan Tuan isn’t." Translation: We’re not the same.

Zhang Huaimin flicked the back of his head.

Tuan Tuan dove into her arms. "Daddy hit me!"

Su Xiaoxiao gasped as his little head thumped her chest and quickly held onto him.

Seeing this, Zhang Huaimin didn’t dare tease the child further. "Are you okay?"

Su Xiaoxiao sighed. "We’ll figure it out tomorrow."

Zhang Huaimin hadn’t rested well these past two days, and the cramped train had left him aching all over. He wanted to lie down early. After taking off his shirt, he asked Su Xiaoxiao if she wanted the light turned off.

Su Xiaoxiao’s gaze drifted from his abdomen to his arms—well-defined muscles, perfectly matching the saying she’d once heard: *Looks slim clothed, but built underneath.*

She was only human, after all. She cursed herself for putting the kid between them. Then again, even if Tuan Tuan were on the inside, she couldn’t exactly pounce on Zhang Huaimin in front of the child.

She looked away, sighing inwardly. "Turn off the light."

The room went dark—then a quiet laugh.

Her cheeks burned, but she kept her hands to herself, kicking at Zhang Huaimin’s leg through the two layers of blankets.

Unfortunately, Zhang Huaimin hadn’t lain down yet. Su Xiaoxiao’s kick missed, and Tuan Tuan noticed. "Mommy, what’s wrong with your leg?"

Zhang Huaimin’s reflexes were sharp—even in total darkness, he could tell his blanket had shifted. He smirked. "Mommy’s got a cramp!"

"Mommy, let me rub it for you!"

Su Xiaoxiao quickly hugged the child. "Thank you, Tuan Tuan, but no need. Rubbing won’t fix cramps—Mommy just needs more vitamins."

Tuan Tuan declared, "Mommy eat eggs!"

"Right! Mommy’ll make eggs first thing in the morning. Tuan Tuan, do you want them boiled or fried?"

After two fried eggs today, Tuan Tuan wanted something different. "I want ’em poached!"

"I'll make it once you wake up."

Tuan Tuan covered his eyes: "Mommy, I'm going to sleep."

Su Xiaoxiao lowered his hand and held him without a word. After about five or six minutes, Zhang Huaimin noticed his son lying flat and whispered, "Out cold?"

Accustomed to just her and Tuan Tuan in the room, Su Xiaoxiao was startled by the sudden voice: "You're still up?"

The bed at home was soft and the blankets warm, but Zhang Huaimin wasn't used to such comfort. "Too early—can’t sleep." There was another reason he was too embarrassed to voice—having not seen his wife for nearly two years, he missed her. "Is he out for the night?"

"See for yourself."

Zhang Huaimin knew Su Xiaoxiao understood his meaning. Seeing she didn't mind, he gently lifted Tuan Tuan’s blanket, picked him up, and whispered, "Come here."

Su Xiaoxiao moved to the middle, and Zhang Huaimin laid Tuan Tuan down, covering him with the blanket. The child turned over, and Zhang Huaimin froze, testing softly, "Tuan Tuan?"

"Mom..."

Su Xiaoxiao instinctively turned her back to Zhang Huaimin and pulled Tuan Tuan into her arms.

Zhang Huaimin’s mood soured. He gritted out irritably, "He’s getting his own bed tomorrow!"

Go to sleep. I’ve got work.

Tuan Tuan’s single call of "Mom" shattered any lingering romantic mood in Su Xiaoxiao’s mind.

Zhang Huaimin asked, "Want me to watch Tuan Tuan?"

"Drop him off at your parents’ place in the morning and come back in the afternoon. I’ll skip lunch at home."

Zhang Huaimin remembered Su Xiaoxiao always had Fridays off: "Should we all go together when you’re off on Friday?"

"Sure."

Zhang Huaimin recalled what he’d been busy with earlier: "Ever thought about relocating?"

"What about my job?" Su Xiaoxiao caught his implication.

Zhang Huaimin: "There’s a post office there. Since you’re a state-assigned graduate, transferring should be simple."

"Can we come back later?"

Zhang Huaimin: "Of course. If they cut staff, they’ll let temporary workers go first."

"Then go ahead."

Zhang Huaimin had spent the whole trip figuring out how to convince her. He never expected it to be this easy—so much so that he almost couldn’t believe it: "You understand?"

Su Xiaoxiao: "You want me to be a military wife, huh?"

Zhang Huaimin turned and pulled her into his arms. Su Xiaoxiao jumped and whispered, "Hands off."

Afraid of waking the little one, Zhang Huaimin didn’t dare move further. "Should we tell your mother about this?"

"No need." Su Xiaoxiao thought about how she’d just troubled her boss recently. "How long are you staying?"

Zhang Huaimin: "Heading back at the start of next month."

"Then I’ll work till the end of the month. I’ll sort out the paperwork with the director on the first."

Zhang Huaimin grunted, then felt a hand brush the back of his. His hair stood on end—Su Xiaoxiao’s arm was under his, so it couldn’t have been her touch.

Zhang Huaimin immediately flicked on the light and saw his son’s little hand resting on his own. Annoyed, he gave his son’s cheek a light pinch. “You don’t even recognize your dad? Now you’re trying to scare him to death?”

Tuan Tuan opened his eyes. Zhang Huaimin nearly died of fright himself, stammering anxiously, “H-he’s not going to cry, is he?”

Su Xiaoxiao pushed aside the heavy arm draped over her and hugged her son tightly. Su Tuan Tuan clutched his mother’s shirt and quickly fell asleep again.

Zhang Huaimin lay flat, muttering, “Tomorrow I’ll buy him a bed.”

……

Zhang Huaimin woke up to a bright room. Rubbing his eyes as he started to get up, a small head suddenly appeared in front of him, startling him into reflexively raising his hand—thankfully, his brain reacted fast enough to realize it was his son. He pulled the boy onto his lap instead. “Up so early?”

“I woke up ages ago.” Once was strange, now it’s familiar. After Su Xiaoxiao got up, she told Tuan Tuan to play with his dad, so the boy wasn’t afraid of his father anymore. He puffed out his cheeks and blew. “I already washed my face and brushed my teeth!”

Zhang Huaimin rubbed his eyes, pulling the boy up with him. “Was I really that out cold?”

“Mom said you’re worn out,” Tuan Tuan asked curiously, “Dad, do you farm? Mom said farming’s hard!”

Zhang Huaimin wanted to call Su Xiaoxiao in—not only had she not shown their son his photos, but she hadn’t even told him he was a soldier. “I’m a soldier.”

“What’s a soldier?” Tuan Tuan couldn’t picture it.

Zhang Huaimin almost said “defending the country,” but worried the boy would ask more questions, so he said, “Like in movies—the guys with guns who fight bad guys.”

But Tuan Tuan was only three—he hadn’t even seen a movie yet.

Hearing the noise and worried Tuan Tuan might fall, Su Xiaoxiao waited outside when she saw Zhang Huaimin was awake. From the doorway, she added, “He’s like the men with the big hats.”

Tuan Tuan’s eyes lit up excitedly. “Dad, are you a police uncle?”

Zhang Huaimin sighed helplessly. “I’m your soldier dad!”

Su Xiaoxiao bit back a laugh and returned to the kitchen to peel potatoes.

Tuan Tuan babbled excitedly, “Is soldier dad tougher or police uncle tougher?”

“They’re both tough!” Zhang Huaimin got up, placing his son back under the covers. “Dad’s gonna get dressed.”

Wrapped in the blanket, Tuan Tuan nodded. “Dad, I’ll get dressed too.”

Zhang Huaimin put on gray trousers, a white shirt, and a wool vest. After stepping outside to check the weather, he came back to dress his son in pants and a coat. “You’re already clean—wanna nap again?”

“Mom said I gotta look after you.”

Zhang Huaimin didn’t believe it. He carried his son to the kitchen and asked Su Xiaoxiao, “Does he need a nap?”

Su Xiaoxiao: “I didn’t want him near the kitchen knife, so I put him on the bed.”

Zhang Huaimin had planned to ask Su Xiaoxiao to watch the child, but after hearing this, he carried his son to the outhouse. Tuan Tuan scrunched up his nose at the stink and refused to go in.

Just then, Auntie Zhao came out of the women’s restroom with a bedpan. Seeing Tuan Tuan, she instinctively offered, “I’ll keep an eye on him.”

Zhang Huaimin went inside, and Auntie Zhao finally realized, “Tuan Tuan, that your dad? When’d he get back?”

“Last night!” Tuan Tuan tilted his head up and asked in his childish voice, “Auntie Zhao, you know my dad? You know he’s strong? Same as the cops!”

Auntie Zhao wasn’t very familiar with Zhang Huaimin—he rarely came home, and when he did, he stayed here for a few days, and at his parents’ house for ten or more. Faced with Tuan Tuan’s question, she could only say, “Yeah, I know him.” Zhang Huaimin came out, and Tuan Tuan grabbed his arm. “Auntie Zhao, this is my dad—he’s a soldier! His name is Zhang Huaimin!”

Zhang Huaimin was mortified, finding his son’s behavior quite embarrassing.

Auntie Zhao found it amusing. “I know your dad’s name, and I know he’s a soldier.”

“Did you know my dad can shoot a gun?”

Auntie Zhao suspected that if she said no, the little troublemaker would keep going, so she asked, “Your dad is that amazing?”

“Yes, yes! My dad is the best!” The kid beamed proudly.

Auntie Zhao said, “Go show everyone then.”

“Okay!” Tuan Tuan tugged his father toward the alley, boasting to anyone he met, “This is my dad, my soldier dad!”

Zhang Huaimin wished he could sink through the floor—he was just an ordinary officer, after all.

Auntie Zhao followed behind the father and son, watching Zhang Huaimin with ears turning red as he dragged Tuan Tuan back home, unable to hold back her laughter. Even when they reached the courtyard, she was still grinning.

Her older daughter-in-law asked, “What’s got you so happy?”

Auntie Zhao whispered, “Tuan Tuan’s dad is back. The kid keeps telling everyone his dad is a soldier, boasting as if his dad is some kind of superhero. His dad’s so embarrassed by all the praise.”

Her older daughter-in-law laughed, “Tuan Tuan’s still young and doesn’t understand. The other day, the police helped Xiaoxiao, and since the police and military are brothers in arms, Tuan Tuan must think his dad is amazing. But why didn’t we hear Xiaoxiao mention this?”

Auntie Zhao replied, “How could she know when the military takes leave? Is the food ready?”

“Almost. Go wash your hands.”

Next door, Su Xiaoxiao also called for Zhang Huaimin to wash his face and brush his teeth.

Tuan Tuan was fascinated by his “soldier dad.” As Zhang Huaimin squatted to brush his teeth, the boy squatted beside him, tilting his head to study him. When Zhang Huaimin stood to wash his face, Tuan Tuan stood up too, still staring.

Zhang Huaimin grabbed his hand to wash it, but the child protested, “I already washed!”

“You went to the toilet with me. Wash again.”

Tuan Tuan shook his head. “No, you don’t wash me! Your hands have knives!”

Su Xiaoxiao stepped out. “What knives?”

Zhang Huaimin was puzzled too and spread his hands. Su Xiaoxiao figured it out. “He thinks your hands are rough. There’s hand cream on the windowsill—put some on, and give Tuan Tuan some too. Tuan Tuan, these rough patches on your dad’s hands are from holding guns.”

Tuan Tuan went from disgust to curiosity. After Zhang Huaimin applied the hand cream, the boy turned his father’s hands over, inspecting them closely. Then he asked, “Where’s Dad’s gun?”

“At work.” Zhang Huaimin led his son to the kitchen and saw the sliced potatoes and onions Su Xiaoxiao had prepared. “One dish is enough.”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded. “It is one dish. Take the pot to the main room. Tuan Tuan, get the bowls and chopsticks. Mom will be done soon.”

Tuan Tuan carried the bowls and chopsticks, following his father. Su Xiaoxiao added the potatoes to the pan, stir-frying until they started to brown before adding the onions. Once the onions were cooked, the potatoes were sure to be done.

She turned down the stove, placing a kettle full of cold water on it to heat for doing the dishes later.

Zhang Huaimin had assumed the pot contained porridge and steamed buns, but inside were steamed buns, three soft-boiled eggs, and a bowl of fish soup. Combined with the plate of vegetables Su Xiaoxiao brought out, Zhang Huaimin marveled, “This is quite a spread!”

“The fish was bought yesterday. Tuan Tuan hasn’t had anything good to eat lately, so I thought I’d treat him while I have time.”

Zhang Huaimin turned to his son. “So I’m getting special treatment because of you?”

“Dad, don’t be polite!” Tuan Tuan handed him a steamed bun. “Here, Dad!”

Su Xiaoxiao was puzzled. “Since when are you two so close?”

Zhang Huaimin, not wanting to hear “my soldier dad” from his son again, cut in, “Let’s just eat.”