Chapter 94

Chapter 94

She was going back to her hometown and moving into a new home.

Even though the two old professors were reluctant to part with Feng Xia, the move had to happen—staying in someone else's home forever wasn't proper. But the two households were neighbors, so the couple could drop by anytime.

With Zhang Ying and Jiang Long helping, they got everything sorted in two or three trips. Feng Xia's new home was a small two-story house, much smaller than Professor Zhu Guangya and his wife's residence, but it was more than enough for Feng Xia alone.

There was one room on the first floor and two on the second. Zhang Ying and Feng Xia slept upstairs, while Jiang Long took the ground floor. He could drive and had been a cook in the army before being discharged, so he took charge of Feng Xia's meals from then on. Feng Xia was generous and directly gave Jiang Long 200 yuan, telling him to ask for more if it wasn't enough. Her only request was that, since she had a big appetite, each meal should have larger portions and more meat. Jiang Long patted his chest and promised to make sure Feng Xia ate well and was full.

The house arranged by the higher-ups was very thoughtful—the furniture was all ready to use. Feng Xia's room even had a large wardrobe, plenty of space for her clothes. The three of them spent the whole day busy with the move and requesting leave from the research institute. Though Feng Xia was physically strong, she was tired by evening, so they just went to eat at the state-run restaurant. After eating their fill, they planned to set off for home tomorrow.

This time, they drove back. The higher-ups had assigned a car to Feng Xia. She had taken trains and planes before, but this time she had brought so many things for the New Year that she thought driving would be easier. She had expected the road to be bumpy, but once they were on the road, it wasn't as difficult as she had imagined. Zhang Ying and Jiang Long took turns driving, while Feng Xia leaned against the rear window looking out.

It had to be said, the Flower Kingdom was truly a powerhouse of infrastructure. When Feng Xia went to Dongshan last year, there were still many potholes and rocks on the roads. But just a year and a half later, many roads had been widened considerably, and some city roads had been replaced with wide new roads—astonishing.

The two drove quite boldly, but Feng Xia was fine with it. They had food and drink in the car, barely stopping along the way, and managed to drive back to Antai City in Dongshan within two days.

Once in the city, they filled up the gas tank and then continued toward the village. It was still early. Zhang Ying looked at her wrist—a beautiful blue-and-white porcelain watch was wrapped around her wrist, the hour hand pointing straight at 2. Sure enough, it was only 2 PM.

Zhang Ying turned the steering wheel and asked Feng Xia, "Should we go straight back, or stop by the town to buy something?"

Feng Xia leaned lazily against the back seat, her voice tinged with the same lazy tone: "Not going home first. Let's go to the Field Army base. My leave request should have reached Regiment Commander Qian by now. Let's go straight there."

"Alright." Zhang Ying turned the wheel and made a U-turn. The people who had gathered to watch quickly stepped aside—this was a military jeep with Beijing plates, not to be messed with. Better stay clear.

In those days, anyone who could afford a car was trouble. Anyone who could afford a Beijing-plated car was even more trouble.

Feng Xia was familiar with the road to the Field Army base. She moved to the passenger seat and guided Zhang Ying. From a distance, they could see the soldiers on guard outside the base—steel rifles, stern eyes, an aura of inviolability.

Zhang Ying pulled over and stopped. Feng Xia took out her ID for inspection. The young soldier took it, read it, and gave Feng Xia a warm smile: "So you're Comrade Feng Xia! We all know about you. The company commander said you might come back in the next couple of days. Yesterday, the regiment commander even came to the gate to check, but you only arrived today. Come on in, come on in—everyone's waiting for you."

He waved them through. The first checkpoint was passed smoothly, and the ones after that were the same. It was clear the higher-ups really valued Feng Xia. The three of them drove straight through the base gate and headed toward the family quarters.

The streets in the family quarters were too narrow for the jeep, so they had to park outside. Carrying their things, they walked toward Old Lady Wu's house. Feng Xia had brought a lot back—the trunk was stuffed full. Now the three of them had their hands full, too. People passing by couldn't help muttering—whose relative was this, so generous, carrying so many things? Or were these someone's children who had made good?

Old Lady Wu, seeing the sun was bright, had moved a chair into the yard to bask in it. She chatted occasionally with the old women passing by while making a pair of cloth shoes. The stitches were fine and close, and the shoes seemed to be for a young girl—bright colors, small size. An elderly woman glanced at them from a distance, seeing how lovingly Old Lady Wu handled them, and knew the old lady was missing Feng Xia, who was in the capital.

"Oh dear, these shoes you're making are so pretty! When you're done, you have to show me. I'll make a pair just like them for my girl." The old woman was full of praise. Old Lady Wu's shoes really were beautiful.

Old Lady Wu smiled as she answered, "Alright, I'll show you when they're done. Who knows if my girl's feet have grown by now? I'm just figuring things out as I go—can't say for sure."

They chatted about everyday things for a while until the elderly woman spotted three figures approaching from afar. She was over seventy and couldn't see clearly until they got close—a man, a woman, and a young girl. That girl looked so familiar. She thought for a moment and realized it was Old Lady Wu's girl!

The three greeted the old woman. Feng Xia was overjoyed to see Old Lady Wu. She dropped her things on the ground, the noise startling the old lady, who had been absorbed in her sewing. When the old lady looked up and saw the girl she had been longing for standing right in front of her, she was afraid she was seeing things—until the girl hugged her tightly.

Her eyes reddened instantly. Her rough, dry hands gently stroked the young girl's hair. Her girl had grown up so much—she was even taller than her now. Her voice shook a little as she whispered, "It's good you're back. It's good you're back!"

Feng Xia nestled close to the old lady and introduced Zhang Ying and Jiang Long: "Grandma, they're my colleagues. They saw I was young and specially came to send me home. They'll be spending the New Year with us." Strange are the ways of fate. Old Lady Feng and Feng Xia couldn't stand each other—they were like two fighting roosters—yet Feng Xia got along wonderfully with this widowed old lady. No blood relation, but closer than family.

The old lady held Feng Xia's hand, noticing it was a bit cold. She pulled her along, inviting Zhang Ying and Jiang Long inside, saying as she walked, "Good, good—our house has plenty of rooms. We'll celebrate the New Year together. Thanks for bringing this girl back. You must be exhausted."

Zhang Ying and Jiang Long, seeing the old lady about to help carry things, quickly stopped her from doing it. She looked to be in her sixties or seventies—how could they let her carry anything? Seeing the crowd outside getting bigger, they quickly grabbed the bags and followed her inside.