CHAPTER 505: CHAPTER 507 XIAO MEI COMES

Field training certainly wouldn’t allow for occasional weekend returns as before, Xia Xiao nodded understandingly, fully supporting Gao Jiaxing.

This time, on the battlefield, Gao Jiaxing and Yu Shijie had also made commendable achievements, but since they were military academy students, they received awards but weren’t promoted.

However, military achievements could accumulate, and they could be promoted after earning more merits in the future.

After this, Gao Jiaxing and Yu Shijie indeed became even busier, to the point where in the latter half of the year, Xia Xiao only saw Gao Jiaxing return once.

In S City, Mr. Xue fell ill, and Gao Jiazhi took leave to care for him, but unexpectedly at this time, Xiao Mei, who had been missing for over a year, showed up.

When Gao Jiazhi saw Xiao Mei, she nearly resembled a beggar, gaunt beyond recognition, not to mention her skin-and-bones appearance; she was so dark one might think she had been mining for coal if they didn’t know any better.

Xiao Mei’s journey to S City had been extremely difficult; it could even be said that after more than a year of travel, without a household registration or letter of introduction, she sneaked and hid, fearing arrest, kidnapping, or being sold.

Gao Jiazhi couldn’t recognize Xiao Mei, and if it weren’t for her calling him "big uncle," he wouldn’t have known that the person in front of him was his niece, Xiao Mei.

But at the same time, his heart ached, "Come in first."

Gao Jiazhi had many questions to ask, but seeing Xiao Mei’s state, he let her come in first.

"Weilin, take your cousin to wash up, and lend her your clothes to change into," Gao Jiazhi said, looking at the frail Xiao Mei with a sigh in his heart.

Weilin was now eleven years old and about one meter forty tall; her clothes, when worn by Xiao Mei, did not seem too small.

Xiao Mei was one meter fifty-five, but far too thin, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.

However, seeing Xiao Mei, Gao Jiazhi also breathed a sigh of relief. After Xiao Mei had showered and changed into Weilin’s clothes, she came over somewhat awkwardly.

Gao Jiahzi said, "Sit down and tell me about what’s happened to you over this past year."

Xiao Mei fell silent for a moment before slowly beginning to speak, while Weilin thoughtfully poured Xiao Mei a glass of water and went to the kitchen to prepare something for her to eat.

Xiao Mei settled down with Mr. Xue, showing great diligence by helping out with chores and caring for the ailing Mr. Xue.

Gao Jiazhi sent a telegram to Xia Xiao’s family, notifying them of Xiao Mei’s whereabouts and mentioning in passing that Mr. Xue was ill.

Thinking of her "Divine Water," Xia Xiao offered to bring Xiao Mei’s household registration; Zheng Xianghong and Gao Guoqiang thought it would be fine to just mail it, but considering Xia Xiao might want to visit her family home, they said nothing.

Due to Feiyang and Feiyue being in school, and the twins still young, Xia Xiao took Feiyi with her to S City.

However, by the time Xia Xiao returned to S City, Mr. Xue had already passed away two days prior, leaving Xia Xiao with nothing but regret.

Mr. Xue had passed away peacefully, and before his death, he had told Gao Jiazhi to marry a good woman if he met one.

Mr. Xue couldn’t bear to see his grandson remain alone; after all, there was still a long road ahead in life.

"Elder brother, why not let Xiao Mei and Weilin come with me?" Xia Xiao said to Gao Jiazhi. If Mr. Xue were still alive, she wouldn’t have made such a suggestion, but Mr. Xue was gone, and Gao Jiazhi had to continue his studies.

Xia Xiao was now well acquainted with Lu Mingzhu, and even the Lu family, so getting Xiao Mei temporary work in a garment factory was possible.

Gao Jiazhi nodded, "Alright, let Xiao Mei and Weilin both come over."

Xia Xiao then went to visit her parents and relatives, made a trip to her grandmother’s house, and stayed at her grandparents’ place for two days, waiting for Gao Jiazhi to take care of Weilin’s matters.

Seeing Xiao Mei, Zheng Xianghong couldn’t help but feel a surge of sorrow as she held her in her arms, "It’s good that you’re back."

Xiao Mei had also heard about Gao Yongfang’s death from Gao Jiazhi, but remained silent, having nothing more to say to this mother.

With Xiao Mei and Weilin around, Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong were more at ease. Feiyang, Feiyue, and Feiyi got along quite well with their elder sister Weilin, so everyone was on good terms.

After regaining some health, Xia Xiao, through Lu Mingzhu, introduced Xiao Mei to a garment factory for temporary work.

At first, Xiao Mei was very reserved and worked hard, also feeling insecure and fearing rejection, so she was exceptionally diligent.

Seeing this, Xia Xiao, Zheng Xianghong, and Gao Guoqiang all felt a wave of compassion. Without comparison, there wouldn’t be much distinction, but Xiao Mei and Weilin looked about the same age, and having endured so much hardship, their bodies could only slowly recover.

When Gao Jiaxing occasionally returned, seeing Xiao Mei gave him a sigh of relief, glad that she was alive.

Tears welled in Xiao Mei’s eyes. She was still very grateful for her grandmother, grandfather, uncles, and aunts for their care. Because she had grown up enduring hardship, Xiao Mei had the determination and tenacity not commonly found in others, allowing her to learn quickly at the garment factory.

Xia Xiao was very pleased with Xiao Mei, and when she had some spare time, she would let Xiao Mei learn together with Weilin, Feiyang, Feiyue, and even Feiyi.

Time passed day by day, and before long, the year 1980 arrived. Xia Xiao’s life was full and busy. Although she had not yet opened a clothing store or factory, her reputation had slowly spread, her designs became increasingly innovative, and her clothes more and more impressive.

Even Ning Hui brought Xia Xiao quite a few businesses, and even made her own and her family’s clothes through Xia Xiao.

Zheng Xianghong continued selling breakfast, but in her free time, she helped Xia Xiao make clothes.

While Yang Xuehua was busy reviewing for exams, Xue Baozhu would come to take care of her children. During her leisure time, Yang Xuehua would go back and forth to the Yu Family.

That year, Gao Jiaxing and Yu Shijie graduated from military academy and returned to the Flying Sword Team.

In May 1981, Gao Jiaxing and Yu Shijie went to war with their units again, and did not return home until July.

In any case, if there was a war that needed them, they would be there.

Thus, that year, Gao Jiaxing was promoted to battalion commander with the rank of Major.

While Yu Shijie became a company commander with the rank of Lieutenant.

Liu Yuanchao had already become a deputy regimental commander with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

He Xuegang was a platoon leader and Lieutenant, and He Xuebing had also become a company commander and Lieutenant.

It could be said that the battlefield was the place where military exploits were most readily earned, but with "one man’s success built on the bones of thousands," the battlefield was also the place that took the most lives.

Therefore, the soldiers who defend the nation are the most admirable of people. Xia Xiao, while proud and boasting about Gao Jiaxing’s promotion and for his glory, also had innate worries and fears about war.

Although she had not been on the battlefield herself, she had seen plenty of war films on TV, filled with bloodshed and cruelty.

Nevertheless, it is through enduring these wars that future peace is achieved. Xia Xiao, even though she constantly reassured herself, trying to take a broader view, couldn’t help but worry every time Gao Jiaxing went to war.