Xibao had already skilfully climbed onto the bed following Shang Kun’s leg, reaching out for the milk candies in the plate. His chubby hands could only grab two or three at a time, and they kept falling out from his grip.
"Candy, mine, mine!" He said to Shang Kun.
Yang Fengying stifled a laugh, and Shang Kun replied, "Yes, the candies are yours, Xibao. No one’s going to snatch them from you."
"Hm!" Xibao nodded with his little head, conveniently sitting next to the table. He reached out and offered a milk candy to Yang Fengying, merrily exclaiming, "Mine, mine!"
Feng Qingxue had already left, and Yang Fengying was unable to understand his meaning. She asked, "Is this for me?"
With a swift movement, Xibao snatched back the candy from her hand, grumpily declaring, "Mine!"
Shang Kun had interacted with Xibao quite a few times and quickly understood what Xibao meant. "Xibao, do you want us to help unwrap the candy wrapper for you?"
Xibao’s eyes lit up, "Hmm hmm!"
Shang Kun helped him unwrap the candy. The instant the milk candy was handed back to him, he promptly popped it into his mouth, his large eyes instantly squinting into crescents.
Thanks to Xibao’s interruption, the awkward atmosphere between the two was somewhat alleviated.
Shang Kun took the initiative to tell Yang Fengying about his age, interests, salary, allowance, and information about his parents and hometown. "My identity has destined me to have a life committed to my country, with no room for a home. Before this, both my parents have passed away. I have an elder brother who is ten years older than me. He’s already married and farming at home. Occasionally, I send him some of my salary and grain tickets to support his life. There are no other burdens. If Comrade Yang Fengying thinks I am suitable, then in the future, you will manage most of my salary."
Handing over the salary, according to Lu Jiang, was the best demonstration of a man’s ability to provide for his family, giving his revolutionary partner a greater sense of security.
Yang Fengying also shared her own detailed circumstances with Shang Kun. "I too am a soldier, albeit only a cultural soldier. I have my own salary and benefits, sufficient for my own expenses, so there’s no need for you to support our family single-handedly. Having long been wandering among the troops, I’ve seen all kinds of soldiers. I understand the weight of the term ’soldier’, I respect your duty, and hope you can respect my work as well. I told Comrade Qingxue that I may not make a good partner because many frontier soldiers need our songs and dances to heal their post-war psychological trauma. Unless the country no longer needs me, I’m going to stay in the cultural troupe and do what little I can."
Shang Kun gave her a thumbs-up, signaling that no further words were needed.
Anyway, Feng Qingxue was outside for just about ten minutes. Shang Kun walked out, smiling, "Sister-in-law, thank you for your trouble. I’ll report to the team right away. If approved, we’ll get married immediately."
Feng Qingxue was stunned. "So soon? You’ve both made up your minds?"
Just met, had a chat for about ten minutes, and they already confirmed each other as their other half?
Oh, it would be inappropriate to say ’other half’ now. Even the term ’husband’ was rarely used; one should say ’revolutionary partner.’ Love was referred to as ’revolutionary emotions,’ and marriage was called ’revolutionary family.’
"We have." Shang Kun confirmed. He figured no one would be more suitable for him than Yang Fengying.
The mindset of the two, their jobs, and their plans for the family were strikingly compatible. If he missed her now, Shang Kun was worried he would never meet another woman as intelligent and talented as Yang Fengying in his lifetime.
Strike first and gain an advantage. Hesitate, and suffer the loss.
Once decided, it’s best to act swiftly to avoid any complications.