Final Chapter 35
The most comfortable time is during the New Year, especially when there are no relatives to visit. You can simply stay at home, eat, drink, and relax all day.
For instance, Xie Jingming and Lin Chuxia, being in the military camp, didn’t need to visit relatives at all. So, on the morning of the first day of the New Year, they got up early to cook noodles and then took their three little kids out to play.
That morning, many people went to the park for a walk or play. The streets were covered with red firecracker remnants, creating a festive atmosphere.
As the three kids headed out with a football, they saw their friends and waved their chubby little hands to call them over, “Huazi, we’re going to play football; are you coming?”
Their mom said football is more fun with more people. With just the three of them, they couldn’t form two teams, so they had to invite their friends.
Not every family could afford to buy a football, so when they called out, all the children, having nothing better to do on this festive day, eagerly ran after them.
Lin Chuxia watched as the group of children gathered to play and initially thought of not going. But after glancing at her husband, she said, “Let’s take a walk together.”
Following a man like Xie Jingming, who is so straightforward and unromantic, she could create the romance herself.
“Alright,” Xie Jingming agreed, not understanding why Lin Chuxia wanted to go out for a walk in such cold weather, especially since she always complained about the cold and was bundled up like a bear. Wouldn’t she catch a cold?
Luckily, he didn’t say these words out loud, or Lin Chuxia might have been inspired to grab a frying pan and hit him, just like Hong Tailang in the cartoons.
As they were heading out, Lin Chuxia packed a thermos and some snacks into a small cloth bag and handed it to Xie Jingming to carry.
Xie Jingming looked at the small bag, took it without thinking, and realized it wasn’t even heavy, leaving him wondering why she needed him to carry it.
Though puzzled, he didn’t ask and followed behind like a bodyguard, watching over the other kids in the courtyard as well.
On this clear, sunny day, the weather was pleasant with no rain or snow, and since no one was visiting relatives, many people were out strolling around.
When the children reached the park’s grassy field to play football, the older people, seeing the children playing, didn’t compete for space. Instead, they walked away slowly with their hands behind their backs, leaving the field to the little ones.
Some observers, amused by the children’s football game, stayed to watch. Lin Chuxia and Xie Jingming stood nearby, watching the kids play happily.
Lin Chuxia let out a yawn. Noticing this, Xie Jingming looked at her with concern, “Are you sleepy?”
She gave him a huge eyeroll in response. “Of course, I didn’t sleep early last night… thanks to you.”
Her playful complaint made Xie Jingming recall the events of the previous night. His ears reddened, and he quickly adopted a serious face, scolding her, “Don’t talk nonsense! We’re outside!”
It’s fine to say whatever you want indoors, but outside, you must be careful.
Lin Chuxia scoffed, unconvinced. What nonsense? She hadn’t said anything inappropriate—it was all true.
“Hmph.” She snorted in response, showing she wasn’t interested in continuing the conversation.
Xie Jingming, not knowing what he had said wrong, shifted his attention to the kids, watching them play with joy. He thought to himself, Well, sometimes wives just have bad tempers.
…….
After the New Year, work piled up, and Xie Jingming was extremely busy, sometimes not even able to come home for meals.
“Hello?” Lin Chuxia was in the kitchen preparing food when the phone rang. Sitting on the sofa, listening to a radio broadcast of *Journey to the West*, their eldest son picked up the phone.
“Tell Mom, Dad said he won’t be coming home for lunch today because he’s busy at work,” Xie Jingming informed Dazai.
“Alright, Dad.” Dazai replied and then hung up, returning to his radio show.
When Lin Chuxia finished preparing lunch and came out, Dazai, still engrossed in *Journey to the West*, suddenly remembered, “Mom, Dad said he’s not coming home for lunch.”
Lin Chuxia was not pleased. She widened her eyes in frustration. “I’ve already made lunch, and now he tells me he’s not coming home.”
Dazai, sensing her anger, felt guilty and turned his chubby body away, pretending he didn’t know anything.
Lin Chuxia immediately called Xie Jingming. As soon as he answered, she started, “You’re not coming home for lunch? Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’ve already made everything. Have you eaten yet?”
Xie Jingming, who had told Dazai about an hour and a half earlier:.
“I haven’t eaten yet; I was planning to eat soon.” Xie Jingming, knowing that Dazai had likely made a mistake, didn’t argue and answered her last question.
“I’ll bring lunch to you then,” Lin Chuxia decided. She had made so much food, and the weather was warming up. She didn’t want to risk it spoiling or having to reheat it later.
“Okay.” Xie Jingming, who had just stopped his assistant from fetching lunch from the canteen, agreed and hung up the phone.
…
That afternoon, Lin Chuxia brought the lunch to the Military Camp, and while being strict about security, the guards allowed her to pass after verifying her identity as Xie Jingming’s wife.
Xie Jingming, unaware of the gossip spreading about him in the military camp, warmly greeted Lin Chuxia when she arrived, grateful for her efforts.
However, by the afternoon, he was aware of the rumors and started thinking it might be best to take a break from the camp for a while.
Soon after, Xie Jingming was informed that he had to leave for military service. He told Lin Chuxia, “I’ll be gone for one to two months.”
Lin Chuxia was shocked. A military service? Like the ones in the TV shows? But why would it take so long?
Not fully understanding, Lin Chuxia asked him, and Xie Jingming explained briefly, not wanting to dive into military details.
Without pressing further, she confidently patted his shoulder and reassured him, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the kids.”
Xie Jingming, thinking she might at least worry about him a little, looked at her, hoping for a more concerned reaction. But Lin Chuxia, the straightforward woman she was, didn’t catch on to his feelings.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, completely unaware of his emotional state.
“Nothing,” he mumbled, turning and walking out, feeling defeated by her lack of romantic response.
Just as he was about to leave the house, she called after him, “Be safe, and come home soon.”
His steps halted, and though he didn’t turn back, his voice softened as he responded, “Mm.”
That evening, after Xie Jingming had left for the military service, the three children missed him but soon got caught up in their daily routines. Only Lin Chuxia, lying alone in their bed, found it difficult to adjust. She missed his warmth and his presence.
The children seemed to adjust quickly, though, as their days were filled with laughter and play.
When two months passed and Xie Jingming returned home, the family was reunited with warmth, love, and endless conversation about their lives while he was away.
Their peaceful life continued, and the bond between them deepened, rooted in the quiet, everyday moments that formed the foundation of their love.
—
THE END.
Translator’s Note:- Anddd Itttsss the End. I know I have made many errors here n there, but thank you so much guys for sticking with us through the end. Love you all. <3<3
There will be 15 side stories of this novel. So, how do you want me to post them ?
- All stories in one go.
- 5 stories per day i.e Mon, Wed and Fri.
