Chapter 19: The Post Office’s Little Trumpet, Mom Lied, You Can Call Mom…

**Chapter 19: The Post Office’s Loudspeaker**

Mom lied—you can still call her Mom...

If Lin Ying was a time-traveler, Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t afraid. If Lin Ying dared to expose her, Su Xiaoxiao would drag her down too—they might as well go down together!

Ready for the worst, Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t scared anymore. “Zhang Huaimin, I can ignore whatever Lin Ying is up to, but you must remember what you just said.”

“What did I say?” Zhang Huaimin asked automatically.

Su Xiaoxiao: “That Lin Ying has no interest in you—she only came out with you because she was curious whether I’m shady or not.”

“That must be it.” Zhang Huaimin agreed, but it didn’t sit right with him. After what Su Xiaoxiao had said, he realized how strange Lin Ying’s behavior seemed too. He secretly decided not to visit the clinic anymore—whether for minor or major illnesses, he’d head straight to the military hospital.

Su Xiaoxiao asked, “Is Lin Ying an islander?”

Zhang Huaimin nodded. “The clinic is on the island. It usually only handles minor illnesses. In the past, islanders with serious conditions went to Yongcheng City. Now they go to the military hospital set up here by the army. Why do you ask?”

Su Xiaoxiao: “I just don’t want her to be some big shot’s relative.”

“So you do know you might offend someone?” Zhang Huaimin was speechless yet amused. “If she really were the commander’s niece, you—”

Su Xiaoxiao cut him off. “Impossible! You’ve got good credentials—you studied at a military academy, you’re from the capital, both your parents work stable jobs, and you’re not bad-looking—”

“Just not bad-looking?” Zhang Huaimin turned his head. “Look again before you say that.”

Tuan Tuan gave a solemn nod.

Zhang Huaimin let out a frustrated laugh and pinched the boy’s cheek.

Tuan Tuan swatted his hand away, annoyed.

Zhang Huaimin gestured for Su Xiaoxiao to continue.

Su Xiaoxiao: “You’re a catch, but there must be others like you in the army. The commander’s niece wouldn’t need to put all her eggs in one basket. Besides, if she really were a high-ranking officer’s niece, she wouldn’t need to chase after guys—she wouldn’t be working as a nurse in a clinic. At the very least, she could’ve gotten into the island’s military hospital.”

Su Xiaoxiao was spot-on! The head nurse at the military hospital was the commander’s wife. If Lin Ying were truly the commander’s niece, the head nurse would’ve taken her under her wing.

“If she’s not a big shot’s niece, why worry about offending her?”

Su Xiaoxiao: “You’ve got more than one boss. There’s the division commander, the political commissar, training officers, right? Aren’t the logistics chiefs above you too? With so many people, we can’t piss any of them off.”

“Since you know that, watch your mouth from now on.”

Su Xiaoxiao thought for a moment. “What if I slip up?”

“Then quit the army, and you’ll have to take care of me!” Zhang Huaimin said.

Su Xiaoxiao turned to him. “You’d really walk away?”

Zhang Huaimin: “I wouldn’t have before. But last year, when I saw the regiment leader a bloody mess, I realized staying alive is what matters. As for the rest—just follow orders!”

Seeing him invoke the memory of the deceased, Su Xiaoxiao knew he wasn’t lying. Hearing that, she threw caution to the wind.

Back home, the two didn’t idle. They checked what was missing in the kitchen.

Once they had a list, they took Tuan Tuan to the co-op, buying him a bottle of Malted Milk and a jar of fruit preserves along the way.

Su Xiaoxiao had originally planned to get Tuan Tuan milk candies, but the co-op only sold hard candies. In the afternoon, they washed clothes, scrubbed shoes, and hung the bedding out to air.

The next morning, the two of them tidied up the vegetable garden and went to Sister Shuang in the west to get some seeds and seedlings, replacing the plants the previous homeowner had cleared out.

With the house in order, Zhang Huaimin took Su Xiaoxiao's paperwork to the base.

On November 18th, on a clear, cloudless morning, Su Xiaoxiao carried a bag with one hand and held Tuantuan in the other as she headed to the post office.

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t have a bike and had to walk. Not wanting to be late on her first day, she ate early and set off early, only to run into a crowd of students on their way to school.

Unfortunately, they weren’t going the same way. At the intersection, Su Xiaoxiao parted with the students, leaving Tuantuan looking wistful. Su Xiaoxiao teased him, “Want to go to school with the big kids?”

Tuantuan decisively wrapped his arms around his mother’s neck.

Afraid her little rascal might hug her too tight and cut off her air, Su Xiaoxiao quickly said, “Mom was just teasing you. Tuantuan, walk on your own for a bit, and I’ll carry you again after a rest, okay?”

Tuantuan got down and ran ahead.

After running over two hundred meters, his little face turning red, Su Xiaoxiao picked him up again. She carried him for a while before letting him run again. Mother and son made a game of their walk, taking half an hour to reach the post office.

The post office had just opened.

The one who’d opened the door was none other than Su Xiaoxiao’s neighbor, Wu Shuang.

Wu Shuang had arrived earlier than Su Xiaoxiao. She had entered through the back door, tidied up a bit, and then opened the front door from inside.

Seeing Su Xiaoxiao, Wu Shuang instinctively asked, “Sending a letter home?”

Su Xiaoxiao reflexively replied, “No.” Realizing something, she inwardly cursed Zhang Huaimin—he never mentioned the important stuff but could drone on about nonsense. “Sister Shuang, you’re with the post office too?”

Wu Shuang nodded, then also realized something. “Wait—when the director said a capable new colleague was coming in… that was you?” She looked regretful. “I should’ve guessed it was you. We haven’t had new hires straight out of school in ages, and you’re the only new arrival in the residential area lately. Who else could it be?”

Su Xiaoxiao said, “Could’ve been a discharged female soldier too.”

“Army girls wouldn’t know the first thing about our post office.”

Su Xiaoxiao was curious. “The director didn’t tell you?”

“Your file must’ve come in yesterday, right? I was off yesterday.”

Mentioning days off, Su Xiaoxiao thought of herself. “Sister Shuang, when do you think I should take my days off?”

“You?” Wu Shuang actually knew. “You don’t need to. You get weekends off. We all discussed it—you’re sharp, so you can show us the ropes later.” She then reassured her, “Don’t feel burdened. Honestly, you might not know, but weekend passes are like gold for officers here. Don’t laugh, but I prefer weekdays off so I can make a proper meal for my man.”

Su Xiaoxiao understood. “I appreciate you all working it out.”

“No trouble at all. With you taking weekends off, the rest of us can each have two weekends a month. On Sundays, only two of us are here—the others are off.”

Hearing this, Su Xiaoxiao let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

Wu Shuang opened both doors and waved her in. “This isn’t Beijing now. The director’s the highest authority, and counting the on-duty staff and you, there are only nine of us. But if something comes up, you can take leave—no docked pay—just don’t empty the place out.”

Su Xiaoxiao understood and led Tuantuan inside.

Wu Shuang couldn’t help but ask why Tuantuan wasn’t sent to daycare.

Su Xiaoxiao replied, “He’s still shy in a new place. But don’t worry—Tuantuan’s been to the post office with me before.”

Tuantuan chimed in, his little voice earnest, “I help Mama work.”

"You know how?" Wu Shuang teased him.

Tuan Tuan nodded: "Yes!"

Wu Shuang didn't believe it in her heart but said, "You're so clever, Tuan Tuan!"

Embarrassed by the stranger's praise, Tuan Tuan turned to hug his mother's leg.

Su Xiaoxiao bent down to pick him up and went with Wu Shuang behind the counter, asking where to put the lunchbox.

Wu Shuang led her to the backyard and opened a small room containing two stoves. She pointed at them: "One steams rice and one heats dishes. But we only bring meals from home in winter."

Su Xiaoxiao said, "Huaimin told me it gets very hot here even in summer and spring."

Hearing that she already knew, Wu Shuang skipped further explanations and opened the cupboard. Su Xiaoxiao placed two lunchboxes inside.

This post office was half the size of the one in the capital. Tuan Tuan soon found it boring after wandering around and reached out to be carried. Seeing no customers, Su Xiaoxiao picked him up first.

When someone arrived, she placed him on her seat.

After lunch, Tuan Tuan napped in Su Xiaoxiao's arms. When he woke up, he zoned out for a bit before regaining energy. With nothing to play with, he leaned on the table and peeked outside.

After three days, Tuan Tuan caught on. Whenever someone approached his mother, he would ask in his childish voice, "Mailing something, comrade?"

The first time, not only the customers but even the staff were taken aback.

Later, they got used to it and started using him as a little greeter.

Tuan Tuan lived up to expectations. Within half a month, he became the post office's tiny volunteer helper—everyone on the island, soldiers and fishermen alike, knew about the adorable little helper at the post office.

Seeing her son become more comfortable with strangers, Su Xiaoxiao decided to send him to kindergarten after the New Year.

If a child interacts with adults too much, they could grow up too fast. Looking back when older, they might feel regretful and struggle to connect with kids their own age.

In early December, when Zhang Huaimin came home at night, Su Xiaoxiao shared her thoughts with him after Tuan Tuan fell asleep.

Zhang Huaimin calculated the time: "The day after tomorrow is the weekend. Why don’t you take Tuan Tuan out and see how he plays with other kids?"

"We go out every weekend, but the problem is he doesn’t play with kids his age. He always wants to play with San Wa from Regiment Commander Zhong’s family. That kid is eight—either playing cops and robbers with wooden guns or running all over the mountains and sea. How can they play together?" Su Xiaoxiao looked at the little one sleeping between her and Zhang Huaimin. "Tiny but mighty."

Zhang Huaimin chuckled: "Kids naturally look up to bigger kids—they admire strength."

"What should we do then?" Su Xiaoxiao thought for a moment. "What if Tuan Tuan invites them over for some treats?"

Zhang Huaimin shook his head slightly.

Though he had only been there five years and didn’t know the Zhong family well, he had heard plenty from the late former regiment commander. The Zhongs marched to their own beat.

Zhang Huaimin explained, "They think differently—maybe because they’re both college graduates, they believe raising strong, knowledgeable kids is better than saving money for their future marriages. Teacher Song doesn’t hold back on anything good for health or learning. To put it simply, though the Zhong family has many children, they’ve tried every fancy food and read all sorts of books. My old regiment commander once figured their monthly expenses—at least fifty, sometimes even seventy or eighty."

Su Xiaoxiao sat up in surprise: "They spend that much?"

"Absolutely. The youngest is a wild child who listens to nobody. Tomorrow morning, I’ll go with you to the Nonstaple Food Factory and see if we can spot the older Zhong kids. The eldest is quite responsible." Zhang Huaimin pulled the blanket up. "Let’s rest early."

The next morning, Su Xiaoxiao got up and dressed Tuan Tuan before carrying him downstairs.

After washing up, Zhang Huaimin got the stove going and woke Tuan Tuan to wash his face, while Su Xiaoxiao went to wash up.

Then, the couple grabbed a basket and their child and headed toward the Nonstaple Food Factory.

Even if they thought they were early risers, they still didn’t get up as early as the Zhong children. This time, the youngest wasn’t there—it was the teenage boy who had poked Tuan Tuan’s little face, accompanied by his two brothers.

Zhang Huaimin asked Tuan Tuan, “Wanna play with the big boys?”

Tuan Tuan had gotten braver after weeks at the post office, but he still didn’t dare play with kids much older than him.

Zhang Huaimin smiled and said, “This is Da Wa, his big brother, from the same family as San Wa. If you go with him, you’ll get to see San Wa.”

Su Tuantuan’s eyes lit up.

Zhong Da Wa blinked in surprise: “San Wa’s already a big brother now? Su Tuantuan wants to play with San Wa? Then how about coming home with me?”

Tuan Tuan looked for his mother.

Su Xiaoxiao asked, “When Mommy finishes cooking, should I ask Daddy to pick you up?”

“Promise you won’t lie?”

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head, laughing. “Mommy fibs. Go ahead, call me a big fibber!”

Tuan Tuan turned and looked hopefully at Zhong Da Wa.

Zhong Da Wa handed the seafood he was holding to his brother and stretched out his hand. “Let’s go, little post office announcer!”