"I have indeed grown taller!" He Dongxue nodded in affirmation, moved closer to He Zhilan, and stood shoulder to shoulder with her. She then measured the difference between her shoulder and Zhilan’s with her hand, saying, "When Sis-in-law left, I was this tall. I’ve grown a lot over the past year, but I’m still about your height!"
"It’s great you’re growing taller! After all, your brother is tall, so it’s no big deal if you keep growing! Let’s go home, Zhilan!" He Zhongguo bent down to pick up the belongings in He Zhilan’s hands. With He Dongxue’s hand in his left and He Zhilan’s arm hooked in his right, they headed home. The joy on his face was beyond words.
"Going home," He Zhilan softly echoed the words. Yes, going home to her house, her He family home.
Here, she had her doting father, saw her own growth, and knew her identity as He Zhilan, the He Family was where she truly belonged.
After a year, it wasn’t just He Zhilan and He Dongxue who had grown taller. The cactus tree in the He family’s courtyard had also shot up considerably. Even now, it was adorned with pale yellow flowers just like the beautiful scene when she had left last summer, looking incredibly charming.
The chicks that used to chirp under the cactus tree when she left had grown into full-size roosters. Seeing people passing by, they flapped their wings and scurried off, clucking all the while, creating quite a lively scene.
"Sis-in-law, did you miss home while you were in the capital?" He Dongxue followed He Zhilan into her room, assisting with arranging her belongings. "Knowing that you were coming back, dad and I had all the bedding in your room washed and aired. In case you needed them, we also washed the in-season clothing in your wardrobe. They’re still hanging out in the yard, I’ll help collect them in a bit!"
"Thank you! You should be enjoying your holiday, not washing my clothes!" He Zhilan looked out toward her clothes drying in the yard. Indeed, the few sets of clothes and pyjamas she had left at the He family had all been washed and were now fluttering in the breeze in the yard.
"It’s nothing, after all, you’re my sister-in-law~" He Dongxue shyly giggled, then said, "Sis-in-law, I’ve applied for the First Military Medical University in the capital. If I get accepted, my admission notice should arrive in a few days. Then, I’m really going to the capital to keep you company! I might even visit you and brother at his military post during the weekends if the school lets me leave!"
"Military Medical University is a military school, it’s quite strict. I’m not sure if you could casually leave during the weekend, but if you apply in advance for some reason, they might allow it!" As He Zhilan spoke, she considered that once He Dongxue arrived in the capital, keeping her divorce with He Teng a secret would be impossible. So, she would have to find a chance during the holiday to discuss her situation with He Teng with He Dongxue.
"Is it fun at my brother’s post? When you visit him there, does he make sure he keeps a stern face? I think my brother is just about perfect, except he isn’t very talkative and rarely shows his emotions. Even when he cares about someone, he doesn’t always show it." With all these questions and anecdotes, He Dongxue was obviously attempting to gauge the state of He Zhilan and He Teng’s relationship, judging from their phone conversations with each other.
"Your brother?" As soon as He Teng was mentioned, He Zhilan’s eyes crinkled up in laughter, "He’s been more talkative recently, and he doesn’t look as indifferent as before. You’ll see once you get to the capital. He’s become very chatty of late!"
With that, He Zhilan stood up straight, legs apart in a standard military stance, hands clasped behind her back, imitating He Teng’s tone. She mimicked, "’Don’t leave the cafeteria without finishing your meal! It’s summer, don’t try to cool down excessively! He Zhilan, be serious! He Zhilan, what’s the matter? Even a little girl can perform tasks better than you! He Zhilan, listen to me!’"