The next day when Lin Wan woke up, Han Yi was nowhere to be seen in the bed. Lin Wan had known it would be , but she couldn’t help feeling disappointed.
They had just been married for two days, and they hadn’t had a good time together, or even visited her family, and now he was gone. She didn’t even know when he would be back next time.
After feeling sad for a while in bed, knowing there were elders at home and she couldn’t be too sentimental, she quickly dressed and got up.
As she passed by the desk and picked up a hair tie, she saw a note on it.
"Xiao Wan, it’s our first separation, and I don’t want to see you sad. I’m leaving now, don’t worry, I’ll write to you as soon as I can once I’m back at the base. Xiao Wan, as a military wife, I’m proud of you, and of course... you’re my pride too. Wait for me to come back."
These few simple sentences swept away all the sadness in Lin Wan’s heart that morning. Lin Wan smiled wisely, thinking, "Fool, you’re my pride too, my pride for this lifetime."
Grandma, perhaps fearing she was sad, took Lin Wan’s hand once she came out and said, "He’s a soldier; the country needs him, and we as family members need to be understanding."
"Grandma, I know, I’m not blaming him, I’m just a little unaccustomed."
Grandma patted Lin Wan’s hand, "He left on purpose without waking you, fearing you’d be sad. Sigh... You’ll get used to it over time. When Xiao Yi first enlisted, we didn’t see him for several years. It was chaotic back then, I heard the army often went to the front lines. During that time, my heart was always in suspense, couldn’t eat or sleep well, but luckily that kid knew to write home. Although we only received one or two letters a year, knowing he was still alive reassured me."
"Grandma, you suffered a lot." Lin Wan didn’t know that Han Yi often went to the front lines in those early years, no wonder he became a major so young.
Grandma shook her head, "It’s all in the past. Look at Grandma telling you these heart-wrenching things. The meal is ready, let’s eat first. Today is your return day, Grandma has prepared everything for you. Go back and explain to your mom properly, and apologize to my in-laws on my behalf."
When Lin Wan returned with the gifts Grandma prepared, riding her bike, she found Mom and her brother waiting at home.
"Mom, I thought you and Brother went to the store."
Lin Yinghui and Mom took the things from the bike, quickly went inside, "Why didn’t Han Yi come?"
"He left early this morning. It was only a week’s leave. Couldn’t delay."
Liang Hongmei felt uneasy hearing this; her daughter had just gotten married, and the son-in-law was already gone. Also, Han Yi’s mother, she only met once during the wedding and was very distant.
With the son-in-law not there, Liang Hongmei let her daughter have some watermelon and rest a bit before going to the store.
"Did you take the exam?" Lin Yinghui was concerned about his little sister’s exam, worried she might forget.
"I did, Han Yi accompanied me yesterday."
"How do you feel about it, can you pass?"
"There shouldn’t be any problems."
"That’s good. When will you receive the notification?" Liang Hongmei felt somewhat relieved seeing her daughter speak lightly.
The three chatted for a while then each went about their business, Lin Wan and Lin Yinghui went to the liquor store.
The packaging they ordered had been delivered by the factory yesterday.
Today they needed to start packing. In recent days, Li Congnan had treated some acquaintances from the factory to dinner, hoping they could recommend their products.
It really worked for two companies, one ordered 200 boxes, and another 500 boxes.
Li Congnan’s parents used to work in a beverage factory; after the reform and opening up, his mom started her own business, while his dad stayed in the factory.
Li Congnan’s dad also helped make connections; their factory originally made beverages and didn’t plan to gift alcohol during the holidays, but some employees wanted some.
Li Congnan’s dad tallied up the orders, and the beverage factory needed 42 boxes in total.
Lin Yinghui had no connections on that side, but several supply and marketing cooperatives stocked some goods.
With a month left until the Mid-Autumn Festival, they still had time to run the business.