"What are you doing," Xia Yun asked in alarm, as Mai Qi, frightened, grabbed Xia You’s hand.
"Mom." Xia You held onto Xia Yun, Simon looked back at Xia You, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt and affection; he did not struggle and was taken away.
"What’s happening, why did they arrest him for no reason," Xia Yun said absently, sitting beside the hospital bed.
"How could this happen," Xia Yun murmured, the saline in the IV bag was dripping rapidly, emptying gradually. It was like Xia Yun’s heart at the moment, utterly empty.
"Mom, don’t panic, let’s think this ... " Xia You comforted Xia Yun; the things Simon was accused of were probably not easy to explain instantly.
"Xiao You, promise mom, leave the military region, don’t stay in the army anymore," Xia Yun said breathlessly and fainted, she was rushed into the emergency room.
The doctor diagnosed her with acute distress, fortunately, nothing seriously wrong. When Xia Yun woke up, she first remained silent for a long time, then grabbed Xia You and started recalling past events.
Xia Yun was seemingly fragile externally but very reserved internally. Four years of companionship and years of lonely life made her rely solely on Xia You. She no longer distinguished between her deceased husband and the current Xia You who were not biologically related; she just wanted to vent all the long-suppressed sorrow.
Maggie sat on her sister’s lap, curiously looking at her mother and sister both dressed in white hospital gowns.
"Mom isn’t making trouble without reason, nor is she ignorant of the big picture; I used to be a military spouse. Over twenty years ago, when Xiao You was just born, Changhua was still working at the Armed Department in Rand Military District," as Xia Yun recounted the past, tears unstoppable, she deliberately used the name "Xiao You" instead of saying "Xia You."
Xia You has her mother’s surname, Xia Yun once said, it was to prevent the children from remembering their deceased fathers, so except for Simon, both Maggie and she bear the surname Xia. Changhua must refer to her own biological father, it was the first time Xia You heard her biological father’s name, but she didn’t feel much.
She was surprised by her own coldness, on one hand, and on the other hand, she waited for Xia Yun
to reveal the whole truth.
"At that time, Changhua was a new recruit in the military region, his situation similar to yours now, focusing entirely on his work in the military region. The person in charge of leading him was Ding Han, a famous military genius in Hua Country at that time," Xia Yun said with tears, Xia You choked, her hand tightening on Xia Yun’s arm. For some reason, her reaction was stronger upon hearing an insignificant name over the news of her own biological father.
Perhaps it’s because that person was related to her father’s death, Xia You comforted herself. Xia Yun also interpreted her agitation as an excessive reaction to hearing her "biological father’s" death.
She patted her daughter’s hand gently, Maggie also imitated her mother, stuffing her chubby hands into both her mother and sister’s hands, tugging each one, swinging back and forth.
"They spent nearly eight years researching a secret program. Changhua mentioned that if the program succeeded, Hua Country could potentially leap as the most powerful country in the world, and the Armed Department could also hold their heads high," Xia Yun spoke of her best years when she met that simple, honest man, to whom she gave her heart and soul.
But that man loved his job and country more. How could an ordinary woman compete with the interests of a country? Xia Yun didn’t show support nor objected, she was just like numerous soldiers’ wives, preparing warm meals for her husband who came home exhausted, watching him gobble down the food.
"Until you were eight years old, Changhua mentioned their experiment had progressed to the final step, that day, like usual, he was sent out by me and Xiao You, but that night, he did not return. There was an explosion in the military supplies depot of the Rand Armed Department," Xia Yun still remembered, on that day before Changhua left, he held Xiao You high, shouting ’Long live Hua Country.’
Tears uncontrollably flowed, Xia You didn’t know why she reacted this way, like rain cut short by the wind, wetting her face. "Father and Ding... Han both died." She seemed to also remember, a little girl calling out ’Dad,’ lifted into the air, swaying, once there was such a man. Was it the one Xia Yun talked about?
A throbbing pain ensued in her temples, Xia You felt suffocated.
The male soldier with a bushy beard, his hearty laughter. Her own mother stood behind.
But the woman standing behind, her face... her face why couldn’t it merge with Xia Yun’s. The woman standing aside, tenderly admonishing the man to come back early. The woman’s face, however hard she looked, remained unclear.
"Xiao You, listen to mom, Rand Military Region destroyed your father, you must not follow in his footsteps," Xia Yun pulled back Xia You’s thoughts, observing her daughter’s distressing expression, then noticing her pointed chin become even sharper, Xia Yun regretfully blamed herself for weighing Xia You down with those past events.
"Mom, I will listen to you, but before that, I need to figure out a way to rescue big brother," Xia You could only stabilize Xia Yun for now; she actually had no idea if merely submitting a resignation letter could truly disassociate her from the military region. Could she really walk away unscathed?(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)