Qi Taiguo had breakfast at his father-in-law’s house and then returned, stuffing fifty yuan into Father Cheng’s hand before leaving, saying it was from Cheng Su.
"I’m going now. Next time, I’ll come back with Susu to visit you if I have time," Qi Taiguo said.
"Okay, okay, take care on the road, be careful," Father Cheng and the others reminded him.
"Alright!"
Father Cheng and Mother Cheng watched until their son-in-law’s shadow was out of sight before turning back inside, saying, "This time, it seems Taiguo has made a lot of progress; he looks more stable and reliable."
Mother Cheng listened to the praise in his words, gave him an annoyed look, and said, "This progress comes with a price, alas."
Father Cheng understood what she meant, knowing it was about the child’s situation, and sighed, "Growth comes with a price, that’s inevitable. I just hope everything goes smoothly in the future without any more disturbances."
Qi Taiguo hurried home again, and Mother Qi, who had just prepared breakfast, asked when she saw him return, "Where did you go so early? Come and have breakfast!"
"I’ve already eaten, at my father-in-law’s house," Qi Taiguo said. "I’m heading back to Qing City, so you don’t need to set a place for me."
Mother Qi’s face immediately fell upon hearing this. Where did he go so early? Turns out he went to his wife’s family to curry favor!
Hmm! He doesn’t even stay at home for a full day, rushing off to his in-laws’ place early in the morning, as if the Yue family is more important than his own!
"You’re leaving already? You didn’t stay long; is the house filled with nails that you can’t sit still?" Mother Qi said sourly.
"Taiguo can’t leave the army easily. You shouldn’t have told him about my foot problem, making him rush back and forth," Father Qi reiterated the old complaint and added to Qi Taiguo, "You go ahead; don’t worry about the house."
"Okay!"
Mother Qi was so angry she glared. She thought, had she known her son would come back just to please his in-laws, she wouldn’t have told him!
She sat there sulking, feeling more blocked the more she thought about it. Out of the corner of her eye, Qi Taiguo appeared, carrying a backpack, and she quickly stood up and said, "Then stay for lunch before you go!"
"Mom, it’s really hard for me to leave the army. I have to go back and be on duty again. I’ll find time to visit you all later!" Qi Taiguo said.
Mother Qi looked reluctant.
"Go on, go. The army is important," Father Qi urged him out the door.
Qi Taiguo responded, took out another fifty yuan, and pushed it into his father’s hand, saying, "Cheng Su asked me to give this to you. Buy some good food to strengthen yourself, get some big bones to make soup and strengthen your walking strength."
"What are you giving me this for? You already gave me some during the new year; I don’t need it!" Father Qi refused.
"Just take it; it’s a token of thought. It’s not much money. I’m leaving now!" Qi Taiguo pushed it back, picked up his bag, and left.
Mother Qi looked on expectantly, chasing him to the door, but Qi Taiguo didn’t look back, and her nose immediately tingled with sourness.
It wasn’t until he was out of sight that she returned to the house with red eyes. Seeing this, Father Qi said, "Now do you understand how it feels?"
"What do I understand?" Mother Qi glimpsed the few Great Unity RMB notes in his hand, her face turning dark.
"If you keep being stubborn like this, Taiguo will definitely become more distant from you. By then, you’ll have no tears left to cry. Do you still not understand his attitude this time around?" Father Qi glared coldly at her.
Mother Qi pursed her lips: "I know, I know, not even close to his own mother, just going to please his in-laws early in the morning!"
Seeing her stubbornly getting into a deadlock again, Father Qi lost his temper, propped up his cane, and went inside, leaving behind the words, "Then you keep being stubborn!"
Mother Qi sat on the threshold, wiping her tears.