Fubao was just fifteen days old when Feng Qingxue, with her and Xibao, moved out of the army base with the help of Lan Tianming and other guards. Since she was still in her postnatal confinement period, Guo Yan moved in with them, with Fubao always in her arms.
The home of Wang Xinsheng’s old war buddy was fully furnished, there was no need for them to buy anything. The kitchen was stocked with a large pile of honeycomb briquettes.
Moreover, the old war buddy had said to Lan Tianming before leaving, "There are mounds of winter reserve vegetables like cabbages, radishes, and potatoes in the kitchen. Have the child eat to their heart’s content. Use the briquettes as you wish, don’t be shy."
Why was he so kind to Feng Qingxue and her child?
Young Lan Tianming didn’t know the reason, but Wang Xinsheng and Guo Yan did.
The old war buddy, named Hong Zhanjun, had joined the army with his younger brother. Both were injured on the battlefield. If the first aid practices of today were applied, both their lives could have been saved. However, at the time, there weren’t enough medics and first aid techniques were not as advanced. Hong Zhanjun who had more severe injuries, was treated first. By the time it was his brother’s turn, it was too late, resulting in his young brother’s untimely sacrifice.
Feng Qingxue’s main task in the Capital was to teach relevant battlefield first aid techniques as well as advanced medical knowledge. Hong Zhanjun, although retired, stayed informed and understood this very well. Hence, he highly valued Feng Qingxue and believed that even the slightest improvement in medicine could save more comrades on the battlefield.
The courtyard was not big, only having a main house with three rooms, a kitchen, and a toilet, with no side houses or wing rooms.
However, it was very close to the large courtyard and was convenient to travel back and forth. Thus, upon Feng Qingxue’s suggestion, Guo Yan stayed in the small courtyard during the day to care for her and Fubao. At night, she would take Xibao away, and come back the following morning.
Finally, Feng Qingxue could relax and use the food from the storage space to replenish her nutrients, and use diapers for Fubao at night.
Every time Guo Yan came over in the morning and helped wash the diapers, she couldn’t help but say, "Fubao is really good! She only uses one or two diapers at night, it seems she really loves her grandmother."
Feng Qingxue secretly laughed till her stomach hurt.
Those one or two dirty diapers were used because she didn’t want to arouse suspicion, using them for Fubao after dinner or early in the morning.
"Poop!" Xibao pointed to the diaper while squatting at the basin.
As Guo Yan washed on the washboard, she laughed and said, "Yes, it’s poop, stinky right? Xibao, does your poop smell?"
"Stinky!" Xibao pinched her nose with one hand, and fanned herself in front of her face with the other.
Just as Guo Yan was about to praise his cuteness, there came a knock on the door. Xibao quickly stood up, and with chubby hands opened a crack in the wooden door. Looking up at the people at the door, he suddenly yelled, "Grandpa! Grandma!"
Guo Yan stood up with her hands full of soap suds, and indeed saw two elders about the same age as her husband.
Next to them, stood a woman in her forties or fifties.
"Seeing Xibao, we knew we are at the right place!" The middle-aged woman came in with bags and a basket, courteously said to Guo Yan, "Hello comrade, I’m Wang Fengqiao, Xiaoxue’s aunt. This is my elder brother Wang Zhengguo and Xiaoxue’s father-in-law, Lu Zhiyuan. We rushed here as soon as we received the telegram about Xiaoxue giving birth. We finally found the place!"
...Yesterday, I was specifically reminded about what not to write, so it immediately disrupted my original plan, causing a bit of a block in the story. I’ll update a bit first, and I’ll continue writing. Please support me with your votes.