After Han Jingchen confirmed that Yu Xinyan was indeed his daughter, he could hardly wait any longer: "Jingsong, go book the tickets, the earliest train possible."
Su Jingsong dared not delay and immediately turned to leave.
The therapist who had come along advised him to watch his emotions, as getting overly excited was not conducive to his recovery.
But Han Jingchen ignored him, staring at the photo - sometimes smiling, sometimes worried, sometimes sighing. He imagined all kinds of scenarios of meeting his daughter, fearing that she would reject him, or resent him, and he couldn’t calm down for a long time.
In the end, the therapist directly lit some calming incense for him, and after much persuasion, he agreed to at least complete today’s therapy session first.
By the time Su Jingsong returned, Han Jingchen had already fallen asleep.
However, with his mind preoccupied with things, just as Su Jingsong was about to leave the room, he heard the person on the bed, who seemed to be asleep, speak up: "When is the ticket for?"
Su Jingsong quickly stepped forward: "Mr. Han, the ticket is for this afternoon."
Han Jingchen sat up immediately: "Before we leave, let’s make a trip to the Zhang Family. Regardless, I must visit in person."
Su Jingsong frowned slightly: "Mr. Han, in what capacity are we going?"
Han Jingchen had already thought it through: "Didn’t we check before, the elder’s two sons were martyrs, so we’ll go as his sons’ comrade-in-arms."
His daughter hadn’t acknowledged him yet, so it wasn’t appropriate to disclose his identity. Still, having come this far, he couldn’t not pay a visit.
Su Jingsong went to arrange for a car and quickly bought some rice, flour, grain, oil, and meat before heading together to the Zhang Family.
When they arrived, Granny Zhang was tidying up the house, thinking that Xinyan might come back in the next few days, and she was quite in a good mood.
Just as she was busy, she heard someone outside shout: "Aunt Zhang, someone is looking for you."
Granny Zhang put down her work and went out of the courtyard, seeing the neighbor bringing in visitors: "Who are you?"
Su Jingsong stepped forward: "Good day, Elderly madam."
He pointed to Han Jingchen behind him: "This is our superior, a comrade of your son. Passing by here, he specially came to visit you."
Upon hearing that they were her son’s comrades, and seeing their military pants, Granny Zhang’s eyes couldn’t help but redden.
Han Jingchen stepped forward: "Greetings, kind lady."
Seeing Han Jingchen reminded Granny Zhang of her son. If they were still alive, they’d be about this person’s age: "Good, good, please come inside and sit."
Seeing the moisture in the elderly lady’s eyes, Han Jingchen felt a bit guilty. Coming so abruptly in the name of her son’s comrade might remind her of her son and recall sad memories; it was indeed somewhat reckless of him.
Granny Zhang invited them into the house and started chatting casually.
Speaking of which, Han Jingchen did indeed have some connections with Granny Zhang’s oldest son. Although they weren’t in the same unit, they had worked on tasks together.
Granny Zhang, seeing Han Jingchen, seemed to see her own son and insisted they stay for a meal. Understanding her sentiments, Han Jingchen didn’t refuse.
And so, they enjoyed Granny Zhang’s specialty homemade pulled noodles, not dumped into a pot all at once like factory-made noodles, but pulled out one by one, very chewy.
After the meal, Su Jingsong said: "Elderly madam, we should be going; we still need to catch the afternoon train."
Granny Zhang seemed a bit reluctant, but knew she couldn’t keep them any longer: "Alright then, take your time on the road. If you ever pass by again, I’ll make you noodles again."
Han Jingchen glanced at Su Jingsong, saw him nod, and then stood up, giving Granny Zhang a solemn military salute: "Kind lady, we’ll be off now. Take care, and if I have the chance, I’ll come visit you again."
Granny Zhang held back for a long time but still ended up with reddened eyes: "Ah, yes, alright."
After sending them off, Granny Zhang returned to her room, looking at the only photo left by her eldest son: "Shanzi, your comrades came to visit home, and brought lots of food and drink for me. Seeing them felt like seeing you brothers, I miss you all."
Once she calmed down, intending to put the photo back, she noticed the other side of the pillow felt different than usual. Moving the pillow, she discovered twenty yuan and a few ration tickets underneath.
She couldn’t help but murmur to her son’s photo again.