Chapter 211: “doesn’t She Want To?”
That night, Meng Jiusi slept on his own bed, with his two sons nestled beside him.
Jing Mo’s eyes darted around, looking at the beams, looking at the room’s furnishings, his eyes full of novelty.
“Dad, I like it here.”
Meng Jiusi hugged his son, “I like it too.”
Jing Mo grinned upon receiving affirmation.
“It feels like coming back to our own home,” he said.
When in the capital, the Meng Family Ancestral Home also had a room for Dad, but they didn’t go often, and Uncle and Aunt didn’t welcome them.
The previous Jing Mo always felt uneasy every time he went, unable to pinpoint the reason, but after some experiences, he realized it was because the people at the Meng Family Ancestral Home were enthusiastically polite, very distant, welcoming only on the surface, not really treating them as family.
The Lin Family was different; he could feel…
Dad was liked by Grandfather and Grandmother, and he and his younger brother were welcomed and accepted by Da Dan Ge and the others.
Jing Mo lightly swung his legs a few times, burying his face into the pillow full of sunny scent, laughing freely and joyfully.
Meng Jiusi’s gaze was gentle, “This is our own home.”
He ruffled his son’s head, “This house belongs to me, and also to you and Baibai. No matter when, you have a place to go; that’s the meaning of home.”
Jing Mo leaned his body toward Dad, his eyes curving, stars seeming to swirl in his pupils, “Dad, I like it here, even more than our home.”
The home he referred to was… the staff dormitory where he grew up.
Ever since the Yuan Family forcibly moved in, Jing Mo no longer considered it his own home.
Dad said home is a warm place, a place that brings peace of mind just thinking about it; that place wasn’t.
Meng Jiusi caught the implication in his son’s words, a complex flash in his eyes, and assured him, “In the future, we’ll have our own home.”
Jing Mo raised a smiling face, “Where Dad is, that’s home.”
He sniffed the fragrant pillow again, “This is also home.”
Meng Jiusi’s heart softened, his expression gentle, “Yes, this is also home.”
Jing Mo had a sensitive temperament and thought a lot; he was a bit worried about the military region, “Dad, are the people at the military region hospital easy to get along with?”
“It’s a place that values discipline a lot,” Meng Jiusi’s voice was gentle, “Just like your aunt said, it’s relatively peaceful there, and peace is the most important thing in this world.”
He didn’t treat his son as a child who knew nothing. No matter what they asked, he would reply very seriously.
Jing Mo was silent for a moment, whether intentionally or not, he said, “I like peace.”
The always quiet Xiao Guangbai suddenly spoke up, “I like it too.”
He had a soft heart and hadn’t forgotten the other Lin Family members he’d spent little time with, “Grandfather, Grandmother… Younger Aunt, all want peace.”
Meng Jiusi’s brows and eyes were gentle, “Do you know what peace is?”
Xiao Bai nodded, “I know.”
He earnestly explained, “Peace means no one will suddenly take Dad away, and also Dad doesn’t have to work hard raising pigs; my brother and I can eat egg cake.”
Upon hearing this, Meng Jiusi’s eyes stung.
He hugged his two sons tightly, his voice tight, tone firm: “No one will ever take me away again. I’ll stay with you until you grow up; we’ll live in a big house, and you’ll have endless egg cake to eat.”
Xiao Bai thought of something, nestled into Dad’s neck, tears falling silently; his crying was soundless, only his constantly heaving shoulders betraying the little one’s secret tears.
Jing Mo knew why his younger brother was crying.
Xiao Bai was afraid that upon arriving at the military region, there would be a stepmother.
He looked up at Meng Jiusi, seeing only Dad’s superior jawline.
“Dad, when we get to the military region, will you remarry?”
“Will my younger brother and I have a stepmother?!”
Deep down, Jing Mo was a stubborn little boy; whether his heart was soft or not was unknown, but his mouth was definitely tough.
He pretended to be calm, glancing at Dad, emphasizing, “You can remarry if you want; I can take care of myself and my younger brother.”
Xiao Bai stopped crying, lifting his head from Meng Jiusi’s shoulder hollow, holding his breath as he looked at him, eyes full of panic.
He didn’t want Dad to remarry.
He and his brother only had Dad now…
Thinking of Dad having a younger brother with a new mom, and he and his brother no longer being Dad’s favorite children, his eyes welled up again, his heart aching dully.
“Who told you that when we get to the military region, I’ll remarry?”
Meng Jiusi brushed aside Xiao Bai’s damp scattered hair from his forehead, looking intently at his two sons.
“I can’t guarantee I won’t remarry in the future; who knows what will happen, right?”
“What I can guarantee is that my attitude toward you will never change. And if I do remarry, the person will definitely be someone you like; only if you both agree will it go further; if you’re not happy, I’ll think it over and over.”
He could certainly deceive his sons, but lies can’t last a lifetime.
Still that sentence: he wasn’t a god; he didn’t know the future. What if there was an unexpected change?!
Jing Mo lowered his head, stuck in a rut.
He didn’t want Dad to remarry, didn’t want a stepmother; he just wanted to be with Dad and his younger brother, didn’t want strangers appearing at home.
“…Stepmothers hit kids.” Jing Mo’s heart sank instantly.
“I won’t bring anyone who hits kids in front of you,” Meng Jiusi said patiently.
He laughed helplessly, “Have a little faith in me, okay?”
“Have I ever let you down?!”
The brothers thought carefully, racking their brains, but couldn’t think of anything.
Dad was very, very good to them.
They shook their heads at the same time.
“No.”
“No!”
Xiao Bai’s freshly washed eyes sparkled like stars, “Dad is the best.”
The cubs were truly sweet when sweet; Meng Jiusi was praised into a silly dad, tucking in the quilt for his two sons.
“So what is there to worry about? Isn’t this just worrying needlessly.”
“Go to sleep; didn’t Da Dan and Er Dan say they’d take you two fishing early tomorrow? Still want to go?!”
“Go go go.” Jing Mo said “go” three times in a row, quickly lying flat and closing his eyes to sleep.
No matter how sensible the child, talk of play always excited them.
Xiao Bai, afraid his brother would leave him behind, also quickly lay down properly.
…
Meng Jiusi was about to take up his post at the military region hospital soon; time was pressing. When Lin Zhao went home that day, he and his two sons stayed at the Lin Family; Lin Heling and Song Xiwei’s urging him to stay was one reason, and Meng Jiusi also wanted to spend more time with his parents.
Once they went to the military region, opportunities would be fewer!
Lin Zhao was delighted, didn’t even try to persuade otherwise, and took Grandpa Meng away.
Old Master Meng had a good temperament and wasn’t displeased that Meng Jiusi and his two sons were close to the Lin Family; after learning that the Lin Family couple truly cared for Jiusi, he was very happy for him.
Without a word, he left.
Lin Zhao waved to the family, calling the four cubs to leave.
Lin Shichang was off duty today too and, worried about his sister and nephews and niece, proactively saw them off.
Carrying Yao Bao in front and Qian Bao on his back, striding briskly, still able to chat a few words with Old Master Meng.
“…”
Lin Zhao held the twins’ hands, hurrying to keep up.
Ahead, Lin Shichang walked side by side with Old Master Meng, sincerely thanking him: “Grandpa Meng, thank you for agreeing to let my fourth brother stay at home. I’ll always remember your kindness; if there’s anything you need help with, write to me, and I’ll certainly help if I can.”
He made the promise.
Old Master Meng didn’t take it to heart, “What’s there to thank? I listen to Jiusi; if he wants to stay, he stays; if he wants to leave, he leaves; it’s all up to his intention.”
Just like back then when Jiusi didn’t want to live at the ancestral home; if he didn’t want to, he didn’t. As long as his days were good, he wouldn’t interfere.
Lin Shichang smiled, saying only, “My words will always hold.”
Old Master Meng saw his sincerity, “Good, I’ll remember.”
The Lin Family people, especially Jiusi’s biological father, from the first glance… he felt this person had an extraordinary air, not like a countryside person.
After interacting with the Lin Family children, this feeling became even more pronounced.
…
Meng Jiusi stayed at the Lin Family for about half a month, and soon it was time to leave.
This day.
Learning that their good friend was leaving, the twins were very reluctant, hugging Mao Dan’er tightly, lips pursed as if they could hang an IV bottle.
“Mao Dan’er, you must write to us,” Yu Bao said reluctantly.
Heng Bao wished he could leave with Mao Dan’er; he sighed heavily, “Mao Dan’er, do you have money and stamps? Sending letters needs money and stamps; missing one means you can’t send. If you don’t have, I’ll give you some.”
Mao Dan’er glanced at the adults also saying goodbyes, whispering, “No need, my dad will give me some.”
Leader Ning was listening to his mother chatting with the brigade members, most of his attention on his son; hearing Mao Dan’er’s “my dad,” a bright light flashed in his deep eyes, looking at Mao Dan’er with surprise.
Mao Dan’er noticed his gaze, eyes flickering, turning his head away.
Answering the twins: “I’ll write to you; as soon as I get to the military region, I’ll write. I’ll write about what I see along the way, about where I live, about my school, everything; you have to write back to me…”
He chattered on and on, gripping Yu Bao and Heng Bao’s hands, eyes full of reluctance.
“Don’t forget me,” Mao Dan’er said expectantly.
“We won’t,” Yu Bao gave him the comic book Mao Dan’er liked most.
Heng Bao gave him his favorite slingshot, “When Mom takes us to accompany the army, we can play together again. Mao Dan’er, wait for us, okay.”
Hearing this, Mao Dan’er nodded solemnly.
“I will.”
Knowing the twins would also come to accompany the army, the reluctance surging in his heart finally had a place to settle.
He reached out to hug the twins’ necks.
“We agreed, you have to write back,” Mao Dan’er emphasized again.
After Yu Bao and Heng Bao, he had made other friends, but in his heart, those two were the very best friends.
“Mm!”
After settling with Mao Dan’er, Yu Bao and Heng Bao went to say goodbye to Jing Mo and Guang Bai brothers.
The two little brothers gave them their saved candies and leftover eggs.
“Momo, Baibai, here’s food; if you’re hungry on the road, remember to eat,” Yu Bao earnestly instructed.
Heng Bao said, “My brother and I will write to you too; don’t forget to reply.”
“Okay.” The Meng Brothers agreed.
Jing Mo was looking forward to the upcoming journey; knowing there was a chance to see the twins again, he wasn’t so reluctant, a smile on his face.
“My dad says he’ll write to Aunt every month; Little White and I will write to you too.”
The twins were very satisfied, eyes simultaneously turning to Xiao Bai.
Your brother agreed; what about you?
Guang Bai little friend shyly curled his fingers, voice small and soft, “I’ll write too.”
Yu Bao instructed, “For words you can’t write, use pinyin; don’t put crosses, okay? I’m afraid I won’t guess what you mean.”
Xiao Bai’s face instantly reddened, small hands waving quickly, “No, no crosses.”
He’d only done it once!
Yu Bao, like a little adult, patted Baibai’s head, praising, “Xiao Bai is so good.”
The little friend’s cheeks flushed even more.
At this moment, the jeep specially transferred for receiving Ning Mingde appeared not far away.
The guard called out, “Leader, time to depart!”
Ning Mingde looked toward his mother.
“What are you looking at me for? If it’s time to depart, go,” Ning Lao Tai chided.
She planned to return here for elder care after Mao Dan’er grew up, so she had no reluctance; she’d come back sooner or later anyway.
Ning Mingde’s gaze swept over Mao Dan’er, Meng Jiusi, and others, seeing they’d said what needed saying, then ordered, “Depart.”
With so many people, they had to squeeze; kids sat on adults’ laps to save space.
On the train.
The decisive and brave Leader Ning in the troops, holding his son’s soft body, didn’t know where to put his hands and feet.
Ning Lao Tai glanced at her son, “Promising.”
Leader Ning ignored her, utterly unshaken.
He’d never held a child; being stiff was normal.
“Uncomfortable?” Leader Ning looked at his son with gentle eyes.
Mao Dan’er kept a straight face, body rigid, “Not uncomfortable.”
Actually, it was uncomfortable. His dad’s posture was ramrod straight, all muscles, harder than the stone at the village entrance; sitting was tough on the buttocks.
Mao Dan’er was uncomfortable, but Mao Dan’er didn’t say.
“If uncomfortable, adjust your sitting posture; don’t hold it in,” Leader Ning was always patient with his son.
Mao Dan’er gripped the back of the front seat to steady himself, nodding in response.
Ning Lao Tai felt bad for these two.
She couldn’t stand it, patting Mao Dan’er’s back.
“Why sit so straight! You’re sitting in your dad’s bosom; he’s not a tiger, relax. Being so tense, by the time we reach the train station, your limbs will be stiff. Lean back; what’s there to be formal with your dad.”
This was Ning Lao Tai’s first time intervening in the father-son interaction; Ning Mingde gave her a grateful look.
Mao Dan’er wasn’t used to it, face showing discomfort.
Not wanting to trouble Grandmother, he closed his eyes and leaned back, his thin back against the hard, warm chest.
…It was Dad’s embrace.
He froze for a moment, expression somewhat dazed; Dad’s embrace was different from Mom’s—Mom’s was fragrant and soft; Dad’s… very solid, and very… safe.
Mao Dan’er looked at Ning Mingde, meeting a pair of deep, smiling eyes.
He instinctively closed his eyes, burying his head into Dad’s shoulder, ears bright red.
On the surface avoiding closeness to this person, but once really close, joyful bubbles rose in his heart; strangely happy.
Jing Mo and Xiao Bai were riding this vehicle for the first time; the brothers examined the interior, looking out the car window at people outside, spotting Aunt and waving their arms.
“Aunt!”
Lin Zhao waved, “Sit properly, safe travels.”
The twins stepped forward a few paces, saying in unison: “Mao Dan’er, Momo, Baibai, safe travels.”
The brigade members also offered blessings.
“Safe arrival at your destination.”
“Come back to visit when you have time.”
…
After everyone boarded, the door closed.
The car started slowly, moving forward.
Dust flew up from the dirt road.
Gradually, the jeep drove out of the village entrance, then accelerated away.
Soon disappearing from Lin Zhao and the others’ sight.
“Mom, why didn’t we go to the train station to see them off?” Heng Bao lowered his head; the usually energetic little friend now looked like a wilted eggplant.
“That’s called… seeing a guest off a thousand miles, eventually you must part. No matter where we see them to, we still have to separate,” Lin Zhao said gently.
Previously when seeing off her dad, once the train left, the two cubs cried their hearts out; she didn’t want a repeat!
Yu Bao looked up, “So Grandpa and Grandma didn’t come, right?”
“…Not exactly,” Lin Zhao said. “Your grandpa and grandma are adults; they can go anywhere conveniently. If they miss your fourth uncle, they can go to the military region to see them.”
“Then why can’t we go to the military region to see Dad?” Heng Bao asked immediately.
Lin Zhao countered with a question: “Why do you think?”
Was it that she didn’t want to?! (_。)
Yu Bao tugged his younger brother’s sleeve, “Because we’re too small; Mom has to take care of us, can’t go too far.”
Lin Zhao: Mm-hmm~!
Heng Bao touched his nose tip, not daring to speak again.
Back in the village, seeing Lin Zhao’s mood improve, he said, “Growing up is really great.”
Lin Zhao fell silent.
Not necessarily.
Every stage has its troubles.
