CHAPTER 480: CHAPTER 480: WHAT SHOULD WE DO THEN?

Because Little Baby didn’t get the doll she liked, she went to sleep with a heavy heart. However, when Little Baby woke up early the next day, the first thing she saw was the silly-looking doll beside her pillow. She grabbed it with one hand and, wearing her pajamas, pitter-pattered over to Xu Xiuxiu with a particularly bright smile, "Mommy, I knew you loved me the most, I knew you would give me the little fish doll." Her proud little face was filled with immense satisfaction and a child’s unwavering certainty.

"Are you happy?" Xu Xiuxiu asked as she ruffled her hair.

"I love it."

"Then since Mommy has given Little Baby all her favorite dolls, does Little Baby want to give Mommy a kiss?" Xu Xiuxiu smiled and moved her cheek closer, waiting for a kiss from the little girl.

"I love you, Mommy!" Little Baby immediately planted a giggly kiss on Xu Xiuxiu.

It had to be said, Little Baby was such a darling, inheriting the best features from both parents, with skin tender as a boiled egg. No wonder the three men in the house treated her like a treasure; the little girl indeed had the charm to be held in the palm of a hand!

"Mommy loves you too." As Xu Xiuxiu sighed, she also cupped the little girl’s cheeks and gave her a kiss.

...

The family of five was living a cozy life, and Xu Xiuxiu thought time would slowly pass by through the small daily routines and the children’s innocence. However, on Wednesday, when all three kids had gone to school, she was alone at home. She was preparing to plant some flowers and had already gotten the soil and seeds ready when she saw Song Yuanhuan appear at home in a combat uniform different from his usual military attire. Xu Xiuxiu’s hand, holding a small trowel for planting, stiffened, and her heart sank at the sight of Song Yuanhuan’s serious expression.

"Yuanhuan, why have you suddenly come home?" Since Song Yuanhuan’s transfer to the Imperial Capital Military District, he hadn’t been called away for dangerous missions as often as before when he was in Z city. And it had been a long time since he’d come back home in the middle of a workday like today. Moreover, what Xu Xiuxiu found most frightening and difficult to come to terms with was that he was wearing a meticulously protective combat uniform.

"Xiuxiu, I’ve been called away for a mission. I’m not sure when it will be completed. The situation is urgent, and I didn’t want you to worry, so I rushed back to let you know. I only have five minutes," Song Yuanhuan said, looking at Xu Xiuxiu with a reluctant gaze, as if trying to deeply engrave her in his mind. Then, he strode forward, stood in front of Xu Xiuxiu, and affectionately kissed her with his hand cradling her cheek.

Xu Xiuxiu was caught off guard and instinctively embraced his passion. A moment later, she looked up, gasping for air, with her hands clutching his sturdy arms, her face a mixture of shock and loss, "Why so suddenly?" She had become accustomed to their peaceful life and had not even considered that Song Yuanhuan might still need to undertake a sudden and dangerous mission. After all, he was already in his forties; he wasn’t young anymore. How could she not worry about him?

"It’s just a sudden mission, my dear, it will be okay," Song Yuanhuan said, patting Xu Xiuxiu’s head to comfort her.

"That... be careful!" Xu Xiuxiu felt a surge of fear at the thought of Song Yuanhuan’s injury in the past. She thought she might have lost the calm she once had.

"Rest assured, I will try to come back early. Wait for me at home!" Soothing her, Song Yuanhuan was also particularly reluctant to leave, but military orders were as firm as mountains, and this mission was especially grave. He didn’t even dare to go into detail with her because he knew she would be scared. This little woman had become more and more timid, and talking more would only make her worry even more!

"You can’t get hurt, you know?" Xu Xiuxiu clenched his sleeve, demanding a promise from him.

Song Yuanhuan understood her. As a wife who had lived with him for over a decade, Xu Xiuxiu also deeply understood him. If it weren’t for the danger of the mission, he probably wouldn’t have made a special trip back home. Only when something really happened, and he himself couldn’t even guarantee his safety, would he rush back.

Moreover, his rank of Lieutenant Colonel had remained the same for many years now, and recently, the Imperial Capital Military District was in a period of positional fluctuation. She knew he had always wanted to someday become a General. After all, a soldier who doesn’t want to be a General isn’t a good soldier. After many years in the army, he naturally had those expectations.

Furthermore, he had made a promise to her, claiming that he would ensure she became a General’s Wife in this lifetime. He was taking action to fulfill the words he had spoken. But now, thinking back, Xu Xiuxiu felt particularly reluctant. If the title of a General’s Wife required trading with his safety, then she would rather have a stable life. She knew, however, that Song Yuanhuan was never a man to cling to life and fear death. He was a soldier, bearing great responsibilities on his shoulders. Even if not for himself, he would unhesitatingly do his duty. Therefore, as his wife, she felt reluctant, but still chose to take good care of the family and support all his decisions.

"I promise I won’t let myself get hurt. You and the children just wait for me at home with peace of mind." Song Yuanhuan hastily kissed her forehead, then turned and quickly left.

Xu Xiuxiu stood stiffly in the same spot, watching Song Yuanhuan leave.

After Song Yuanhuan left, Xu Xiuxiu started to feel somewhat absent-minded. She was really worried about Song Yuanhuan, which even affected how she took care of their three children, distracting her from the task. The children sensed Xu Xiuxiu’s state and guessed that it was because Song Yuanhuan wasn’t home. Song Chengguang, feeling a strong sense of responsibility, took on the burden of looking after his younger siblings.

That day, Xu Xiuxiu was preparing lunch at home. It had been five days since Song Yuanhuan went on his mission. The three children were all at school and wouldn’t come home for lunch. Eating alone, with little appetite, she carelessly cut her finger while chopping vegetables.

"Hisss!"

Xu Xiuxiu winced in pain, gritting her teeth as she looked at her bleeding finger, her eyes unwittingly reddening. It was the first time she realized how much she missed Song Yuanhuan. These days, all she could think about and yearn for was him, feeling utterly disoriented.

Yet, since Song Yuanhuan’s departure, there hadn’t been a single message from him, leaving her heart hanging even more anxiously. She thought she had concealed her worries well in front of the children, not realizing that her expressions were quite obvious, inadvertently causing the children to grow nervous as well.

As evening approached, a heavy rain unexpectedly began to pour outside. Xu Xiuxiu stood on the balcony, watching the relentless downpour, as she tried to collect her emotions. After using some Space Spring Water to treat her cut finger, she prepared to go to the school to bring umbrellas to the children. Just then, Mrs. Song, who was far away in their hometown, called Xu Xiuxiu.