Lu Jiang took large strides, moving quickly and urgently. Once he reached them, he scooped up his pudgy son, who was flapping around on the ground trying to stand, and then reached out to his wife, "Qingxue, let me see our daughter."
Feng Qingxue was cradling the child, who was bundled up in a padded cloak, thoroughly covered, much to Lu Jiang’s frustration - he could not get a glimpse of his chubby daughter beneath the cloak.
Feng Qingxue scolded, "It’s snowing heavily. What if she freezes?"
Lu Jiang gave himself a loud smack on the forehead, full of vigour.
Xibao, blinking her big eyes, pointed at Lu Jiang and said to Feng Qingxue, "Mommy, Mommy, Daddy is stupid!" The innocent child’s speech made all the adults chuckle. Wang Fengqiao said, "Lu Jiang, let’s first take shelter from the snow. Whatever needs to be said can wait until we are home, can’t it? No need to stand in the freezing wind."
"Yes, yes, yes, you’ve been so helpful on our journey from the Capital. My sincere thanks!" Lu Jiang accepted the luggage Wang Fengqiao was carrying, and Han Ping took the luggage from Gao Yuzhu. "The snow has blocked the roads and the army vehicles can’t make it through. However, I have arranged accommodation near the train station. Let’s rest there first and decide on our next move once the snow stops."
Just as Lu Jiang finished his sentence, Han Ping added, "The regiment commander and I walked all the way here. I was worried that my sister-in-law would be kept waiting."
They had set off last night and only arrived this morning. Carrying their equipment all this while had worn him out.
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Jiang interrupted sharply, "Overthinking!"
Feng Qingxue felt a mixture of concern and warmth, and she couldn’t help but scold Lu Jiang, "If we couldn’t wait for you, we would naturally find somewhere to stay. We wouldn’t let ourselves suffer. It takes half a day by car from here to the army post. How long did it take the two of you to walk here? Even if you don’t care about yourself, consider Xiaohan at least!"
"It’s cold outside, let’s get back to the hostel." Lu Jiang quickly shifted the topic, worried his wife was going to scold him non-stop.
Feng Qingxue noticed this and spared him the scolding.
Upon reaching the hostel, they brushed off the snowflakes on their bodies. A sip of hot water seemed to bring back warmth to bodies numbed by the snow.
Lu Jiang hadn’t expected Gao Yuzhu to return on the same day, but it wasn’t a problem. He had reserved three rooms when he arrived: one for him, his wife, and the kids, one for Wang Fengqiao, and one for Han Ping. Moreover, Han Ping and he had travelled together, which had been great company.
Wang Fengqiao prudently went to rest in the other room, leaving the four of them.
Once the room was void of outsiders, Lu Jiang swiftly closed the door. As he turned around, a sweet fragrance swept over him, and his wife rushed into his arms, tightly wrapping her arms around his neck, "Ajiang, we’ve been separated for so long. Did you miss me?"
"I missed you to the point of heartache!" Lu Jiang, tightly hugging his wife, whispered in her ear.
The hostel room was heated warmly by a stove.
Xibao, taking off her mink cap, stomped her feet between her parents, switching feet, "Daddy, daddy, daddy, hold me! Hold me!"
Only then did they remember their little one was also present and quickly separated.
Feng Qingxue touched her rosily heated cheeks which had been so cold from the wind outside.
"Xibao, did you miss your dad?" Lu Jiang lifted up his chubby son. Good grief! He had gained a few pounds since he left the base. His round face had not changed, and his eyes were still as bright and clever.
"Missed! I missed you a lot, to the point of heartache!"