STG 36

Chapter 36: Fool

Chen Muye glared at Wen Qimo.

Wen Qimo straightened up and said seriously, “Ma’am, here’s the thing. Lin Qiye originally signed up to go to Qiqihar, but later he agreed to be reassigned to Urumqi.”

Auntie looked skeptical. “What about his documents?”

Wen Qimo took out a thick stack of documents from his briefcase, placed them on the table one by one, and pushed them toward Auntie.

“All of Lin Qiye’s paperwork is here. Please keep it safe.” Wen Qimo thought for a moment and added, “There might be some additional documents coming later. We’ll visit again to deliver them.”

Auntie narrowed her eyes and held the documents at arm’s length, scrutinizing every word carefully, afraid she might miss something important.

After a long while, she finally set the papers down and sighed deeply.

“That child… his eyes just got better. I’m worried something might go wrong while he’s in the army…”

“Don’t worry. We’ve already conducted a thorough examination of Lin Qiye’s eyes. There won’t be any issues—he’s perfectly healthy.” Wen Qimo’s voice softened. “Besides, children grow up. They need to step out from under their family’s wings and gain some experience, don’t they?”

Auntie opened her mouth as if to say something but could only sigh helplessly in the end.

“Ma’am, this is the enlistment subsidy for Lin Qiye. Please take it.” Chen Muye took out a thick envelope and pushed it toward Auntie.

Auntie lifted a corner of the envelope, then froze in shock as she looked at the two men.

“This… this is too much?!”

“The country provides excellent benefits for military personnel now. And Lin Qiye’s unit is somewhat special, so the subsidy is slightly higher than usual,” Wen Qimo explained.

“Special? Does that mean it’s dangerous?” Auntie’s expression changed.

“Not at all. ‘Special’ here just means… it’s quite far away,” Wen Qimo said with a straight face, spinning the lie effortlessly. “After all, it takes a long time to get from here to Urumqi.”

“Oh, I see.” Auntie clutched the envelope, fidgeting uneasily.

She had never seen so much money before.

“Comrades, could you send this money to him instead?” Auntie asked worriedly. “He’s going so far away alone—what if he doesn’t have any money on him? And keeping this much at home… I wouldn’t feel safe!”

“He won’t need that much money in the army. Besides, it’s a rule—this money is for the family. You must take it.” Wen Qimo’s eyes narrowed slightly, his tone growing firmer.

“As for safety… don’t worry. As long as we’re around, no one will dare touch you.”

“When will he be back?”

“Ten years.” Chen Muye suddenly spoke up, his eyes serious. “Ten years from now, he’ll definitely return.”

“Ten years…” Auntie repeated the words softly, then glanced back at Yang Jin and murmured, “In ten years, Ah Jin should be in college…”

Wen Qimo and Chen Muye chatted with Auntie a little longer before standing up to leave when the time felt right.

“By the way, can we call him there?” Auntie suddenly thought of something.

“Of course.” Wen Qimo nodded. “I’ll give you a number later. As long as it’s not during training hours, you can reach him.”

“Good, good.”

Auntie saw the two men out, then stood alone at the door for a while before slowly returning to her seat, staring blankly at Lin Qiye’s room.

Her eyes gradually reddened.

“Mom… Ge joining the army is a good thing,” Yang Jin said, hugging Xiao Heilai as he stepped forward to comfort her.

“I know.” Auntie wiped the corner of her eye. “Children grow up. They need to go out and see the world. It’s good for him to toughen up in the army.

“When he comes back, he’ll be a veteran. By then, when I start looking for a wife for him, there’ll definitely be plenty of girls lining up!”

Yang Jin: “…”

“I just… can’t help worrying.” Auntie looked out the window, lost in thought.

.

.

“It’s time to go.”

Chen Muye walked downstairs and patted Lin Qiye, who had been secretly watching from the window.

Lin Qiye kept his eyes fixed on Auntie on the balcony and asked softly, “How did it go?”

“She believed it.”

“That’s good… Did you give her the money?”

“Yes.” Chen Muye paused. “That was all your subsidy and an advance on a year’s salary. If you gave it all to them, what will you do?”

“I’ve saved up some money over the years. If I’m careful, I can manage for a year.”

Chen Muye fell silent for a moment before adding, “If you’re free, you can come to the agency for meals.”

Lin Qiye looked surprised. “I thought provisional members don’t get room and board?”

“Provisional members don’t get room and board, but…” Chen Muye patted his shoulder and walked toward the parked van.

“My own cooking doesn’t count.”

Lin Qiye froze, then smiled.

Ring ring ring—!

Just then, the newly issued phone in Lin Qiye’s pocket rang.

“Hello?”

“Xiao Qi? Is that you?”

“It’s me, Auntie.”

“You silly child, joining the army without even telling me! If you wanted to go… I wouldn’t have stopped you! Do you not see me as your aunt anymore? Huh?”

“I’m sorry, Auntie… I was wrong.”

“Sigh… Are you on the train now?”

“Yeah.”

“How long until you arrive?”

“I heard it’ll take about two days. The little green train is kinda slow.”

“Once you get to the barracks, make sure to eat well! Don’t wear yourself out!”

“I will, Auntie.”

“Oh, and I got your subsidy. I’ll put it aside for now—when you come back, we’ll use it for your wedding.”

“Auntie, the army pays well. I’ll get plenty of money every year. You should use that money for yourself.”

“You silly boy, you don’t know how to save at all! Keep your money and make sure you live comfortably, understand?”

“Understood, Auntie.”

“Good. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now.”

“Okay. Goodbye, Auntie.”

“Wait… when you get to Qiqihar, remember to let me know you’re safe.”

“I will. Goodbye, Auntie.”

The line fell silent for a long time before Auntie’s slightly hoarse voice sounded again.

“Mm. Goodbye…”

Beep, beep, beep…

The call ended. Auntie clutched the phone tightly, sitting motionless like a statue.

Then, two streams of hot tears rolled down her cheeks.

She slowly slumped over the table, burying her face in her arms, crying silently…

Beside her, Yang Jin sighed softly.

He turned to look out the window and murmured:

“Ge… you idiot…”

.

.

Outside the old residential area.

“Qiye, it’s time to go.” Chen Muye turned back and said calmly.

Lin Qiye put away his phone, took one last look at the distant small house, and nodded.

A strong wind rose.

Lin Qiye’s black bangs fluttered slightly. He tightened his collar and turned to walk into the wind.

Their clothes flapped wildly behind them!