Back To The 80s-Chapter 378 - 388: Parting _1
Liu Hongbing flicked his cigarette butt into a nearby trash can and murmured appreciatively, "More than just quite, she’s truly extraordinary. Many reputed hospitals in the Capital City sought her service but she rejected all of them, insisting to transfer to our army hospital. She arrived here just half a year ago and has already offended everyone in the hospital."
"You seem to know quite a lot," said Cheng Qijia with a laugh, looking at the gossiping Liu Hongbing.
"My father worked under her as a staff officer. They’ve maintained a good relationship even after retirement," explained Liu Hongbing.
After chatting in the corridor for a while, the two came in, greeted the Wu family and Gu Xiaobei, and then left.
Gu Xiaobei in the room was also astounded by He Qin’s words. Though they were cold and unfeeling, they were reasonable. He blamed the Wu family’s constant pestering at home and their extreme behaviors for Wu Guanghan’s injuries. He also started to become curious about He Qin; did she suffer any hardships that led her to bury her real self under an icy exterior? He could see that she wasn’t entirely without compassion. The way she showed care towards Ge Chunling in a casual tone of voice indicated the kindness and tenderness in her heart.
Once Ge Chunling finished her chicken soup, Gu Xiaobei hurriedly left to go to the shop, swapping places with Qin Li so she could rest at home.
The following week, the house was blanketed in a subtle air of sadness.
Wen Xiuqing knitted two thick woolen sweaters and a couple of pairs of woolen socks for Ji Xiangdong. Every time she thought about Ji Xiangdong leaving, she couldn’t help but shed tears.
Zhou Siping was no better. Over and over again, she reminded Bai Xiaolan to write letters home, not only when there was good news but also when things went wrong. She emphasized that Bai Xiaolan should send a telegram if she ever found herself in trouble. At the end of their conversation, she proposed, "I cannot bear it anymore, I should call your father and tell him that I also want to go with you to Shule River."
Bai Xiaolan, who was already on the verge of tears, was shocked by her mother’s words, "Mom, you are not seriously considering this, are you?"
Zhou Siping squinted at her daughter, "Can’t I go? I’m just worried about you."
"You can, you can too much indeed. Aren’t we coming back this winter? And if you join me, wouldn’t you miss my dad? If his old cold leg flares up again, there will be no one to prepare him his herbal foot baths," Bai Xiaolan hugged her mother Zhou Siping and said.
"I just can’t bear to let you go," Zhou Siping held back the tears that had formed in her eyes.
In the eastern room, Lu Songyuan was also talking with Ji Xiangdong. With a sigh, he said, "If you’re unable to come back for the New Year, we won’t blame you. Your work is important."
"Father, don’t worry, I’ll arrange everything properly," Ji Xiangdong replied, moved deeply by his father’s words.
"I bought two bottles of Maotai yesterday. Take them with you and give them to Mr. Ji on my behalf, to thank him for guiding you over the years. Without him, you wouldn’t be who you are today. Remember to show him filial piety in the future," Lu Songyuan said in a hoarse voice.
Ji Xiangdong nodded. Mr. Ji was a father figure to him and a friend, teaching him the principles of life and the philosophy of handling affairs bit by bit. Meeting Mr. Ji during his confused and rebellious years was a blessing for him.
Lu Songyuan added, "Be kind to Xiaolan. It’s not easy for a girl to follow you to such a remote place. Don’t let her feel aggrieved, for she would have nowhere to even cry."
Ji Xiangdong gazed at his father’s salt-and-pepper hair and the deep wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. He reassured, "I will take good care of Xiaolan, don’t worry. Speaking of Ruixue, try to persuade mother not to burden herself with guilt. If her path takes a wrong turn, she can only depend on herself to get back on the right track. Your concern is not helpful. Mom worries a lot, always guiding her away from dead ends. If she is healthy, she can enjoy her children’s company. Our good days are still ahead."
Ji Xiangdong had seen Wen Xiuqing wiping her tears in seclusion numerous times lately. He knew she was heartbroken for Lu Ruixue and was consumed with guilt.
His words choked Lu Songyuan up, reddening his eyes and roughening his voice, "Your mother has suffered a difficult life with me. We’ve never had one single day of happiness. When she gave birth to you and Zhanguo, I was away in the battlefield. When you were missing, I was still in the battlefield. When she was undergoing reeducation, working in the frigid winter, dragging sand from the river, and moving stones, I wasn’t with her. Back then, I thought that it was normal because all the women of our generation went through the same fate. It was only until I found out about your mother’s mental illness that I realized it was too late. Even then, I didn’t think much about it. It wasn’t until I discovered you were still alive, and learnt about the grief your mother had kept in her heart for thirty years that I woke up to my negligence. I had missed out on so many things. Now, I just want to stay by her side and protect her from any more pain. I am also to blame for Ruixue’s issues. If I had been more concerned about our family, if I had paid a little more attention to the children, this wouldn’t have happened," he said, struggling to hold back tears.
Wen Xiuqing had been standing silently at the door, intending to go in and fetch a pair of scissors. But she overheard the conversation between her husband and son and felt a sudden surge of pain in her heart.
Hearing Wen Xiuqing sniff at the door, Ji Xiangdong got up, opened the door and pulled her into the room.
He held Wen Xiuqing’s hand tightly and said, "Mom, I’ve always wanted to say this, I don’t blame you, and I can’t blame you. I hope you can let it go and live a little easier. Don’t be so cautious or reluctant. I was able to return home because I had decided willingly. No matter what the reasons were, I will accept you as my parents because I also want to know what it feels like to hold my mother’s hand, the taste of the food she cooks, and the feeling of the love hidden in her scolding..." Ji Xiangdong couldn’t continue. His eyes reddened and he looked up to hold back the tears welling in his eyes. Then he smiled at Wen Xiuqing, his gaze filled with anticipation and concern.
Wen Xiuqing could no longer hold back her tears and burst out crying while embracing Ji Xiangdong. All she could manage to say through her sobs was, "I’m so sorry, I really don’t want to be like this. But I just can’t help but feel scared, and I don’t even know what I’m scared of. I promise, the next time you visit home, I will be better."
Regardless of how much one dreads farewells, the time to part always comes.
Ji Xiangdong and Bai Xiaolan were taking the evening train. Early in the morning, Wen Xiuqing cooked a half a pot of tea eggs and kept preparing various snacks for their journey. Zhou Siping incessantly asked Bai Xiaolan if she had left anything behind and if she had packed her money. She kept reminding her not to court trouble, not to fight with anyone, and to spend money freely when she felt hungry on the way.
Bai Xiaolan was feeling upset inside, but she smiled carelessly on the outside and kept nodding her head.
Lu Zhanguo had rushed home by car from his military camp at noon. Although he usually kept his emotions in check, that day he couldn’t help but feel moved. Ji Xiangdong smiled at him, patted his shoulder, and said, "Work hard. If there’s a chance, I’d like to have a contest with you to find out exactly how formidable the ’sharpshooter’ is."
"Sure, I’ll wait for you to come back," Lu Zhanguo gave a firm handshake to Ji Xiangdong and spoke with resolve.
Everyone had initially planned to see them off at the train station. But Ji Xiangdong, not wanting to upset the mothers further, requested only Lu Zhanguo and Lu Songyuan accompany them to the station. The rest would wait at home.
With the children in their arms, Gu Xiaobei and Wen Xiuqing, along with Zhou Siping, escorted them to the gate. They watched until the car disappeared from their sight and then, wiping away their tears, turned back into the courtyard.
