Chapter 179: Chapter 177: Leaving the Northwest?

Lu Xiao clutched the ration tickets, his heart a mix of shock and joy as he listened to his mother-in-law.

He straightened his back and gave Mrs. Su a solemn military salute. "Ma, thank you! I won’t let you down. I’ll work hard!"

Seeing his serious expression, Mrs. Su couldn’t help but laugh. "Don’t be so formal with me. Just treat Tangtang and the baby well. That’s better than anything."

She and Su Wenbin only had one daughter, Su Tang. Everything they had would one day be hers.

And naturally, it would also be Lu Xiao’s.

Paving the way for Lu Xiao was, of course, paving the way for Su Tang.

Su Tang watched this scene from the side, the corners of her mouth turning up in a smile.

Her parents’ arrival was like adding another warm fire to the home, making her feel incredibly secure.

Mr. Lu brought the simmering fish soup to the table, its rich aroma instantly filling the air.

"Come on, try some. The fish was just caught, it’s as fresh as can be."

He wasn’t a man of many words, but he expressed his welcome in the most practical way.

Mrs. Su took a sip and praised it repeatedly. "It’s so delicious! Brother Lu is a great cook."

The mood at the dinner table was full of laughter and conversation.

Mr. Su and Mr. Lu chatted about matters of the fields, and Mr. Su handed the seeds he’d brought to Wang Xinxin with some instructions.

"These seeds are drought-resistant and have a high yield. Study them well, they might prove to be very useful."

Wang Xinxin accepted the seeds, her eyes shining like stars. "Thank you, Uncle Su! I’ll definitely plant them well. Soon, everyone will get to eat fresh vegetables!"

’Maybe I can even use these seeds to develop something new.’

Wang Xinxin’s eyes were gleaming.

For days, she had already tilled a small patch of land in the corner of the yard, just waiting for the right seeds.

After dinner, Mrs. Su pulled Su Tang into the inner room to talk, asking about all the details of her childbirth. As she listened, her eyes reddened again.

"You can’t be careless during your confinement. I brought you some brown sugar and red dates. You have to eat some every day."

As she spoke, she started pulling things out of her suitcase, all of them items to help Su Tang recover her strength.

Su Tang nodded like a child.

With her mother by her side, it felt as if all her hardships had vanished into thin air.

"Ma, I don’t need so much. My father-in-law and mother-in-law have already prepared a lot."

Hearing Su Tang’s words, Mrs. Su turned her head to look at her.

"What your in-laws prepared is their kind gesture. It’s not from your father and me."

The Northwest wasn’t like Shanghai. Some things might be available, but definitely not the same variety as in Shanghai.

When Mrs. Su was preparing for the trip, she was afraid she hadn’t packed enough.

She was terrified of having brought too little for Su Tang.

"Ma, why are you so good to me?"

Su Tang went forward, wrapped her arms around Mrs. Su’s neck, and gave her a kiss.

Mrs. Su feigned annoyance and told her to move aside.

But she was clearly enjoying the interaction with her daughter.

Meanwhile, Lu Xiao was called out to the yard by Mr. Su.

"Xiao Lu, Tangtang has never really suffered since she was a child. It’s not easy for her to marry you and move out here. You must dote on her more in the future."

Mr. Su said earnestly, patting his shoulder.

"Dad, don’t worry. I will spend my whole life treating her well."

Lu Xiao’s tone was incredibly firm.

In the following days, the Lu Family home became even livelier.

Every day, Mrs. Su would whip up all sorts of nutritious meals for Su Tang, while Mr. Su would occasionally visit Wang Xinxin’s small vegetable patch to offer a few tips on planting techniques.

Lu Xiao continued to learn how to be a good father.

Under the dual guidance of Mrs. Lu and Mrs. Su.

His posture when holding the baby grew more and more practiced, he no longer fumbled when changing diapers, and he mastered the perfect water temperature for mixing formula.

Sometimes, Su Tang would wake up in the middle of the night to see Lu Xiao gently pacing the room with Little Cheng’an in his arms, humming an out-of-tune lullaby.

Wang Xinxin’s small vegetable patch also showed signs of progress. The seeds broke through the soil, sprouting tender green shoots.

She checked on them several times a day, as meticulously as if she were caring for a child.

One day, Lu Xiao came back from the regiment, his face beaming with irrepressible joy.

"Tangtang, Ma, Dad, I have great news for you all!"

He shouted as soon as he entered the door.

Everyone looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"We heard back from Beijing! They’ve approved me to go there for a period of study. There might be a new assignment for me when I return!"

Lu Xiao said excitedly.

Su Tang sat bolt upright, her eyes filled with surprise and delight. "Really? That’s wonderful!"

Mrs. Lu and Mr. Lu were also grinning from ear to ear, and Mr. and Mrs. Su were equally thrilled for him.

"This is fantastic news,"

Mrs. Lu exclaimed. "Our Xiao Lu is so promising!"

Little Cheng’an seemed to sense the joy in the house, too. He giggled in Su Tang’s arms, waving his little hands as if applauding his father.

"But... this is just for study, so I can’t bring family. And Tangtang just gave birth..."

Lu Xiao said this after the initial excitement had passed.

His wife had just given birth and needed his company now more than ever.

If he left now for his studies in Beijing, it would be for a few months at the very least, and possibly more than half a year.

He would miss so much of his child’s growth and wouldn’t be able to take care of Su Tang.

On top of that, with the situation in the Northwest, Lu Xiao truly couldn’t rest easy.

"Mr. Lu, look how many people are here doting on me,"

"You can go without worrying. I can take care of myself."

Su Tang reassured him, then added softly, "Our family’s future depends on you having a good one."

Lu Xiao looked into Su Tang’s clear eyes, his heart feeling both warm and bittersweet.

He reached out and pulled his wife and child into his arms, resting his chin on the top of Su Tang’s head. His voice was a little hoarse as he said, "When I get back, I’ll definitely make it up to you and the baby."

Mrs. Su wiped the corner of her eye from the side and chimed in with a smile to smooth things over.

"What is there to make up for? A man has to build his career. Xiao Lu, you go without any worries. Your mother and I are here to look after things. We guarantee we’ll keep Tangtang and the baby well-fed and chubby."

Mr. Su also nodded. "Go to Beijing and learn as much as you can. Don’t worry about home. If you need anything, just send a letter back. Your mother and I will help in any way we can, no questions asked."

Lu Xiao looked at Su Tang. Although he was reluctant to leave, he had to admit she was right.

Only if he had a future could they have a future.

For the next few days, Lu Xiao spent every free moment with Su Tang and Little Cheng’an, arranging everything he could think of in advance.

The night before he left, Lu Xiao sat by the bed, gazing intently at the sleeping Little Cheng’an.

The baby’s eyelashes were long and thick, his little mouth was slightly pouted, and he would occasionally smack his lips a couple of times.

He couldn’t resist reaching out to gently touch the baby’s soft cheek, his heart filled with reluctance to leave.

Su Tang leaned against his shoulder and said softly, "Take care of yourself in Beijing. Eat on time, and don’t stay up too late. Write to me if anything comes up. I’ll manage everything at home."

Lu Xiao squeezed her hand tightly and said solemnly, "I will. You take care of yourself, too. Don’t overwork yourself. When I get back, our family will live a good life together."

Early the next morning, before the sky had lightened, Lu Xiao set off.

Su Tang, holding Little Cheng’an, saw him off at the door with the rest of the family.

Lu Xiao looked back at them and waved, then turned and left with long, quick strides.

Su Tang watched his retreating figure until it disappeared from sight, and only then did her eyes begin to redden, unable to hold back her tears.

According to how the story would normally go, Lu Xiao’s studies in Beijing would allow him to meet many influential figures and build a wide network of connections.

In the future, he would enjoy a meteoric rise, getting promoted every year, his prospects shining brightly.