Everyone knew the risks of being a soldier, yet there were those willing to join the army, and those too afraid of death.
Wang Zhengguo had seen over half a century of life, what hadn’t he experienced or seen?
In the past two years, life in the production brigade had been hard. Many of the boys who turned eighteen were willing to enlist, simply for a full meal. Regrettably, most of them were disqualified during medical examinations for being underweight. The two who were accepted didn’t survive to return home. Their parents, fainting several times from heartbreak and grief.
This year’s abundant harvest had ensured sufficient food for everyone, and although many envied the salary of the soldiers, they preferred the warmth of family and home. Consequently, fewer people were willing to join the army.
That was human nature.
Of course, there were still plenty of hotheaded young men willing to join, and many who saw it as an opportunity to escape rural life.
Wang Zhengguo didn’t share these thoughts with Lu Jiang. He finished his cigarette, patted Lu on the shoulder and said, "Well, I’m going to go home for dinner. You should go home too, spend some time with your family."
Only when Wang Zhengguo had walked a good distance away did Lu Jiang pick up the pole and carry the two buckets of water into the kitchen, carefully covering the water tank with a wooden lid.
While he was busy with chores outside, Feng Qingxue was educating their son.
"Xibao, that’s your daddy, do you understand? You cannot treat him ; it will make him sad."
Xibao was trying to stuff Feng Qingxue’s scarf into his mouth, but she took it out decisively. "You cannot eat this, it’s very dirty," she said, leaving the bedroom to tell Xiaoxue to inform Lu Jiang to wash a radish and cut a piece for Xibao.
"What does he need a radish for?" Lu Jiang asked, entering with a radish in his hand.
Feng Qingxue chuckled, "Your son’s teething, it’s for him to gnaw on."
"Oh!" Lu Jiang moved towards his son, offering him the radish. To his surprise, the little fatty turned his head and buried his face into Feng Qingxue’s bosom, giving Lu Jiang a stout view of his back.
Lu Jiang was taken aback, "What’s his problem? I’m his father, why is he ignoring me?"
Before Feng Qingxue could answer, Lu’s father came in, warmed his hands over the brazier, shrugged off the cold, took Xibao, and ranted impatiently, "Look at your face, it barely looks human! Even I find it unbearable to look at, let alone my grandson. Go immediately and ask Xiaoxue to apply some medicine, take good care of your skin, and only hold Xibao after you’ve recovered. Don’t want to scare him!"
Feng Qingxue understood Xibao’s temperament well, Lu’s father, who often held the grandson, must have noticed it too, right?
Sneaking the radish from Lu Jiang’s hand to Xibao, Feng Qingxue gave Lu Jiang a little push. "Go wash your face and brush your teeth, I’ll put some medicine on you when you come back to the room."
Lu Jiang’s eyes glistened. He washed up, then skipped to the bedroom, sitting on the bed’s edge, eagerly waiting for his wife’s touch. His eyes were as bright as the light in Xibao’s eyes when he was nursing.
"Wife, you’re so kind!" The medicine stung a little on his face, but her hands were very soft and gentle.
The medicine Feng Qingxue applied was Snake Oil Cream, which she kept in a Snowflake cream jar to avoid attracting attention, "This is Snake Oil Cream, not Snowflake cream, it’s very effective for frostbite and chapped skin. Apply it in the morning and evening for several days, and your face will heal. When you return to the army, I’ll pack you a couple of jars. Keep using it, don’t let yourself get in this state again."
If Lu Jiang’s already handsome face was well-taken care off, he’d surely be a very handsome man. Then Xibao wouldn’t ignore him!
Regarding her son’s eccentric behaviour, Feng Qingxue felt rather exasperated.
Before leaving the room, Feng Qingxue reminded him, "Eat less in the morning, just until you’re half full."