CHAPTER 450: CHAPTER 448: DIVORCE

At noon, the whole family huddled at home, sipping chicken soup and tending to the big and small ones, with eyes that ignored outside matters.

After eating, my brother rode his bike to the factory. He’s working nine to five every day now, still new and can’t take leave casually, so he can only go to the factory on Sundays.

Mom’s wound has healed a lot, doesn’t hurt anymore, and she just needs a couple of days’ rest at home before removing the stitches.

"I have to leave at five this afternoon. Last month, the road through the city bus to the city from S City to H City opened. It passes by the base, with the commute starting from both cities at six in the morning, a trip at midday and in the evening, three times a day overall, making it much more convenient to head back to the base," Han Yi said, unable to sleep at midday, lying in bed holding Lin Wan.

"That’s great, where do you catch the ride?"

"It’s the 65 route from the public bus company, departing from over there, and conveniently passing by South Street. In the future, if you want to catch it, just wait there — it’s close to our home."

"Yeah, that’s much more convenient. I kept saying your side should have a bus, and now it’s fine; the family issue of getting out is finally solved."

Han Yi chuckled, "Our team leaders applied to the higher-ups for over a year for this; it wasn’t until this spring that the bus company began laying routes, with the bus opening last month...I’ll take some of your and the child’s stuff back first this time, to avoid you failing to bring things over later."

"No need, the stuff the child and I bring is for daily use. If I really pack, there isn’t much. I’ll just bring a small bag when the time comes."

Han Yi looked around the room — indeed, not much stuff. "Alright, let big brother send you and the child to the bus, and I’ll pick you up at the station."

"Yeah, I’ll go once Mom is better."

"I’ll buy some grain later then; since you’re not over there, I’ve been eating at the canteen alone. There’s no need to buy vegetables though; I planted quite a few in our garden plot, and now they’re ready to eat."

"Alright, just buy some rice and flour, then."

"Xiao Wan... there’s one more thing I need to tell you."

"What is it?" Lin Wan asked, noticing Han Yi’s hesitance — this was the first time he’d shown such an expression since they married.

"This is from the authorities. Our team wants to recommend five outstanding soldiers to the military academy for studies. According to internal news, I might be one of them."

"That’s great, dear!"

Han Yi only graduated high school; despite his capabilities, without a diploma and real skills, rising further would be difficult. Lin Wan knew his situation. He was in a shooting team, and within the department, many called him Captain Han, although in reality, his military rank was equivalent to a regiment commander. Now the prospect of attending a military academy was the best outcome.

In two years, a major military restructuring was rumored to start in S City. Nationally cultivated military talents wouldn’t be easily laid off.

Han Yi helplessly held her hand, "Xiao Wan, if I really get into the academy, it’ll be two years. The academy is in the Capital City, far from us now, and I might not be able to return even for a semester, and my salary might stop, possibly costing family money instead... Although there are some subsidies, they won’t be much."

Lin Wan knew Han Yi’s concerns well, blinking at him with a light laugh, "Silly, we’ve saved up money at home. There’s no need to worry; studying is a good thing, and the child and I support you. It’s just two years, and we’ll manage. Even if you can’t come back from school, the child and I can visit you. After these two years, we’ll both graduate, and by then, wherever you are in the military, we’d follow you, never separated again."

"Xiao Wan," Han Yi’s eyes reddened slightly, hugging her with gratitude and heartache, "I can’t bear to be apart from you and the child."

"Don’t seek temporary relief. Endure the current hardship for a better future. When you soar higher, you’ll create a haven for us under your wings; isn’t that better? Don’t let yourself regret later... The child and I will wait for your return at home."

Around two o’clock, Han Yi went to the grain store alone with a bicycle, buying rice and flour, peanuts, soybeans, and red beans.

Near five o’clock, Lin Wan placed the child with Mom, and while the child napped, she took Han Yi to the bus on a tricycle.

With all the grains packed together into nearly a sack, Han Yi carried it effortlessly on his shoulder. Lin Wan was relieved; she feared he couldn’t manage so much alone.

...

"Did you get the marriage certificate I asked you for?"

In Ye Qing’s room, where she was already seven months pregnant, Ye Qing looked impatiently at Li Liang, who appeared presentable.

Li Liang snorted, also impatient, pulling a marriage certificate from his pocket, "Ye Qing, get it straight, you need me now, not the other way around. Do you have any idea how many connections I pulled, how much money I spent, to get you this fake certificate?"

Ye Qing received the certificate, seeing her name and a made-up man’s name on it, laughed, finally relieved after so much concern.

Not caring about Li Liang’s impatience, she thought, "He owes me this, and won’t ever break away from me in this life."

To avoid suspicion, the marriage certificate didn’t have photos, only addresses and names, and the red stamp from their old hometown’s civil affairs office.

Now, she no longer needed to hide; her belly growing more noticeable, people would ask, making it hard to explain. Occasional household checks led her to get a fake one, mainly to avoid gossip.

"Li Liang, also remember who said in the beginning that we’d stay out of each other’s way. I did it, but you? Coming running back unable to control yourself, who else can you blame? What you’re doing now is what you owe me."

"Alright, this is the last time. We’re even now, from now on, bridges and roads go their separate ways. I won’t come to bother you anymore."

Ye Qing sneered, not saying much. His wife bore him a daughter a few months ago, a strict investigation suddenly started. His wife likely already scheduled a ligation, she thought, clicking her tongue. She knew his mother was stubborn, always wanting a grandson, and his wife was no meek person. Their family would have uproar, and he’d have troubles.

If that’s the case, she wouldn’t force him to entangle with her. Recently she heard from the supervisor that Mei Langchi might come over.

Thinking of this, Ye Qing smiled, her eyes scheming undisguisedly.

This time, with the child around, she wanted to see how Mei Langchi would brush her off with money.

After Li Liang left, Ye Qing showed a rare gentle gaze, placing a hand on her belly, "Child, do your best; Mommy must give birth to a boy, and with a good father, you’ll live above others, no longer needing to vend under the sun."

The belly kindly formed a small bulge, seemingly communicating with her.

This made Ye Qing smile gratifiedly.

Just wait, it won’t be long before Mei Langchi brings her to his side. Military personnel cheating during marriage is a dire offense, and he could risk everything.

She’s gathered a lot about Mei Langchi’s family from the supervisor recently.

His wife was also in the military, and she flew planes as a female pilot. Remarkable indeed.

But so what? A woman being too strong isn’t agreeable to all men, especially when they spend most of the year apart. Newlyweds might cope, but eventually, that mutual attraction fades. Deep down, Mei Langchi likely wasn’t satisfied with his wife, which was why he’d stayed this long without a single call or mention.

....

After Han Yi left, Lin Wan stayed at home for over a week, during which her mother-in-law came by for a couple of days to help with the child.

She checked the store. Since getting pregnant, she’d rarely visited. Her presence today startled everyone there.

Thankfully, Xiao Gu was around, so the store hosted sales and events as needed.

With experience, she preferred doing less to avoid leftover perishable goods.