Chapter 215: Li Yunlong Visits
On a November night, the air in Wutaixian County already carried a distinct chill.
The evening breeze blew through, swirling up a few dried yellow leaves in the courtyard, rustling on the ground and adding a touch of desolation.
The Su Yaoyang family lived in a spacious three-courtyard residence in the center of the county town.
At this moment, after dinner, Su Yaoyang was sitting at the stone table in the courtyard with his two wives… Song Mei and Little Dew, enjoying the cool air and sipping tea.
Several windproof lanterns were lit in the courtyard, their dim yellow light stretching the three figures long, casting them on the mottled walls, gently swaying with the flickering flames.
Little Dew was carefully pouring tea for Su Yaoyang and Song Mei. She wore a simple blue long-sleeved shirt and a black skirt, her figure appearing graceful, with a gentle satisfaction unique to a young wife in her brows and eyes.
Song Mei wore a well-fitted light red cheongsam, her hair neatly coiled at the back of her head, giving her a heroic and refreshing look.
She picked up her teacup and took a gentle sip, but her gaze was somewhat wandering, as if she had something on her mind. She looked at Su Yaoyang several times, appearing hesitant to speak.
Su Yaoyang naturally noticed his wife’s unusual behavior. He set down his teacup, the bottom clinking lightly against the stone table. He turned his head, looked at Song Mei’s slightly troubled expression, and couldn’t help but chuckle as he asked: “Wife, what’s wrong with you? You’ve seemed preoccupied since dinner. If there’s something, just say it straight. Are you still hiding things from me?”
Little Dew also noticed Song Mei’s unusual behavior and asked with concern: “Yes, Sister Mei, did something unpleasant happen at work? Or… are you feeling unwell?”
Being asked this by Su Yaoyang, a faint blush rose on Song Mei’s cheeks, as if she felt a bit embarrassed. She set down her teacup, gently bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, then spoke: “Yaoyang, actually… it’s not a big deal. It’s just… John, John Miller, the regiment commander, he… he asked me to handle something for him.”
“Oh? John?”
Su Yaoyang raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. John Miller, the commander of the First Armored Regiment who had repeatedly earned merits under his command, rarely sought him or Song Mei out for personal matters outside of military affairs. He couldn’t help but grow curious: “What did he ask you to handle? Could it be a problem with the troops’ equipment or logistics?”
In his view, John was a guy obsessed with money; besides fighting wars and making money, he didn’t seem to care much about other things.
Song Mei shook her head, her expression growing even stranger, with a hint of suppressed amusement and some helplessness: “It’s not about the troops… it’s… his personal matter. He… he’s taken a liking to a girl and wants… wants me to act as a matchmaker and propose marriage to her family.”
“Propose marriage?!” Su Yaoyang and Little Dew exclaimed almost simultaneously, both showing incredulous expressions.
Su Yaoyang’s eyes widened even more, as if he had heard some fantastical tale. John Miller, that burly, unromantic American, actually had a time when he took a liking to a girl? And he even bothered the dean of the field hospital, Song Mei, to act as matchmaker? This was truly the sun rising from the west!
“Who has he taken a liking to? One of the little nurses in our hospital? Or… some blind girl in our county town?” Su Yaoyang’s curiosity was thoroughly piqued, and he pressed for details. In his impression, the women John interacted with daily were mainly the nurses from the field hospital; there didn’t seem to be anyone else.
Song Mei’s expression became even more subtle. She took a deep breath and slowly uttered a name: “It’s… Yumo.”
“Yumo?”
This name was like a stone dropped into a calm lake, instantly rippling through Su Yaoyang’s mind in layers. Past memories surged like a tide, pulling him back to Nanjing City last year amid endless war and bodies strewn everywhere…
That was when he had just transmigrated to this era, in the darkest and most desperate days just before the fall of Nanjing City.
That damaged church, those refugees trembling in fear to avoid Japanese atrocities, those figures stubbornly surviving amid the flames of war… and that courtesan famous along the Qinhuai River for her alluring charm, yet who showed astonishing courage and kindness in the crisis… Yumo.
Su Yaoyang clearly remembered that at the time, John Miller was just a down-and-out “corpse collector.”
Yumo, on the other hand, was the leader among those dust-women seeking shelter. There didn’t seem to be any special interaction between them, at least not from what he had observed then.
Unexpectedly, a year later, things had changed. John Miller had transformed from an obscure “corpse collector” into the battle-meritorious commander of his armored regiment, a iron-blooded tough guy who struck fear into enemies on the battlefield. Yumo had also washed away her past, becoming a nurse in the field hospital saving lives.
What surprised him even more was that these two people with vastly different identities, experiences, and even nationalities would develop romantic entanglements! And it was John, the dignified armored regiment commander, who had taken a liking to a woman from a brothel background!
This… this was truly… way beyond his expectations!
Su Yaoyang was momentarily lost in thought, his mind flashing with fragments from Nanjing City back then, and the figures of John and Yumo. He tried to find any traces in those scattered memories that might indicate romantic feelings between them, but found nothing.
Little Dew looked at Su Yaoyang’s thoughtful, complex expression and asked puzzled: “Young Master, what’s wrong? Sister Yumo and Regiment Commander John don’t seem to have much contact usually. How did they suddenly get together?”
Su Yaoyang snapped back, glanced at Little Dew, then at Song Mei who also had a complex expression, shook his head with a wry smile, and said: “I don’t know how they got together either, but last year John and Yumo definitely had some interaction.
However, since Yumo and those girls were from brothels and rarely interacted with others, and I was busy myself… after coming to Shanxi, I rarely dealt with them, so I’m not very clear on their affairs.”
After hearing Su Yaoyang’s account, Little Dew’s face also showed surprise and sympathy. She hadn’t expected that Sister Yumo, who worked quietly at the field hospital and seemed somewhat aloof and proud, had such a bumpy and unfortunate past.
“So… Regiment Commander John knows about Sister Yumo’s past?” Little Dew asked softly.
Song Mei nodded and continued: “Yes, John knows. He said he doesn’t care about Yumo’s past; he only likes the current Yumo. He also said that back in Nanjing, he felt Yumo was a special good girl, but at the time… the situation was special, and he had no chance to express it.
Now, he hopes to give himself a chance, and also give Yumo a chance.”
Listening to Song Mei relay John’s words, Su Yaoyang couldn’t help but feel a bit of admiration for this American. In this era, for a high-ranking officer to disregard worldly prejudices and pursue a woman from the dust, openly no less, required great courage and sincerity.
“Then… what’s Yumo’s attitude?” Su Yaoyang asked. He was more concerned about the woman’s feelings. After all, this kind of thing requires mutual consent; you can’t force a melon that’s not sweet.
Song Mei sighed, a hint of helplessness on her face: “Yumo… she refused. She said she’s not worthy of Regiment Commander John, that her past would bring trouble to him. She said she just wants to work well at the hospital now and doesn’t want to think about these things. Regiment Commander John is very troubled by this, so he asked me to… hope I can persuade Yumo, and… also ask you, the supreme commander, to put in a good word for him, or… at least not oppose it.”
Hearing this, Su Yaoyang couldn’t help but chuckle in amusement. John was a guy who commanded tanks charging into battle without batting an eye, yet on emotional matters, he was so… helpless, even resorting to pulling in his boss for influence.
“Oppose what?” Su Yaoyang shook his head with a smile. “Marriage is free, love is free. As long as they are mutually in love, what reason do I have to oppose? However…”
He changed tone, his expression turning serious: “This matter ultimately depends on Yumo’s own wishes. If she truly has no feelings for John, or harbors reservations due to her past, we can’t force her. Emotional matters can’t be forced.”
Song Mei nodded: “That’s what I think too. So, I only promised John to help him sound out Yumo’s intentions and convey his feelings to her. As for Yumo’s final choice, it depends on her.”
She paused, then said with some worry: “However, Yaoyang, you know Yumo’s background… is rather special. If she really ends up with John, will there be gossip in the troops? Will it affect Regiment Commander John’s prestige?”
This was indeed a practical issue. In this era, people’s mindsets were still relatively conservative. A battle-meritorious armored regiment commander marrying a former brothel woman would inevitably draw some criticism.
Su Yaoyang pondered for a moment and slowly said: “There will definitely be rumors. But a clear conscience fears no shadows. As long as John and Yumo truly love each other and face it openly, I believe they can overcome these difficulties.
Moreover, our militia isn’t like those old armies obsessed with family background. We value a person’s character and ability more. Though Yumo came from the dust, her actions in Nanjing and her work at the field hospital prove she’s a kind, brave good girl.
That John took a liking to her shows he’s also a man who values affection and doesn’t judge by worldly eyes. Such two people together would be a good thing, in my opinion.”
He looked at Song Mei and smiled: “So, Mei’er, if Yumo has feelings for John but hesitates due to too many concerns, you might guide her a bit and help them along. Helping others achieve their happiness is a virtuous deed.”
Hearing Su Yaoyang’s words, Song Mei showed a relieved smile: “Yes, I know what to do. I’ll have a good talk with Yumo.”
Little Dew listened on the side and said softly: “I hope Sister Yumo can be brave and seize her happiness. I think Regiment Commander John is a decent man, worthy of entrusting one’s life to.”
“Hey… don’t count your chickens.” Su Yaoyang waved his hand: “No matter how good John is, he’ll eventually return to America. If Yumo girl follows him, won’t she have to go to America too?
A girl abandoning her homeland to follow a foreigner across the ocean, with no one she knows, might not be a good thing.
So you must make this clear to Yumo in advance, or she’ll blame you later.”
“Alright… I’ll make it clear to her.”
At this point, Su Yaoyang suddenly remembered something else. “By the way… has Old Li been discharged? How’s he doing with that Nurse Wu?”
Hearing this, Song Mei playfully glared at her husband. “You, and you’re supposed to be his superior.
Old Li was discharged three days ago. I’ve already helped mediate things between him and Little Wu. They’ll hold their wedding in ten days, and if you as his boss don’t even show up, that’d be too much.
Don’t forget, Old Li knew you back in Nanjing and now voluntarily serves under you. You can’t chill his heart.”
“Hahaha… don’t worry, I won’t.”
Su Yaoyang laughed: “I’ll definitely give them a generous gift then. By the way… I remember Old Li is a Rat zodiac, right?”
“Don’t know… why?”
“Nothing… alright… it’s getting late, let’s rest early.”
“Mm…”
After speaking, the fellow put his arms around his two wives and entered the room…
The night passed uneventfully.
Early the next morning, while Su Yaoyang was still sleeping soundly in the room, Little Dew woke him up.
“Young Master… wake up… someone outside is looking for you.”
“Who?”
Just awakened, Su Yaoyang was puzzled. There didn’t seem to be any urgent matters these past few days, so why was someone disturbing his sweet dream so early?
“Someone from the Eighth Route side came.”
“Eighth Route… who?” Su Yaoyang forced his eyes open and asked groggily.
“I heard it’s a commander named Li Yunlong. He just entered the city and will arrive at our house in a moment.”
“Li Yunlong?” Hearing this name, Su Yaoyang’s sleepiness vanished by more than half.
“Why is this guy here? What does he want?”
Su Yaoyang was baffled. Though he had been in Shanxi for some time, he hadn’t dealt much with Li Yunlong. He had sent supplies including medicine to the Eighth Route Army through Li Yunlong, but their relationship was just so-so—not particularly good or bad. So why had this guy come personally now?
But since he was here, courtesy demanded he greet him personally.
Soon, after washing up, he went to the front hall to receive the guest…
