Upon seeing Yan Huan in such a state, Qin Jian instructed Xiaozhou, "Go and give Comrade Yan a hand, she’s too scared to move after seeing the blood."
"Yes, Commander!" Xiaozhou replied.
However, he was quite puzzled as to why she joined the army if she was so timid.
After all, getting scratches, breaking legs, and bleeding are common during military training. Even though won might fare better, their chances of getting injured are still higher than ordinary civilians.
Xiaozhou walked up to Yan Huan, intending to support her, but noticed she was walking unsteadily, as if she had no strength in her legs.
"Comrade Yan, how about I carry you?"
"Sure. Thank you, Xiaozhou!" Yan Huan agreed without hesitation.
At that mont, she truly felt as if all her strength had been drained away, leaving her unable to muster any energy.
She originally intended to go out for so fresh air but ended up witnessing such a gory scene.
.........
He Fusheng returned from the fields, sitting on the northern porch while smoking a cigarette, watching his wife under the peach tree in the yard, stitching shoe soles.
The peach blossoms had already fallen, leaving small green fruits hanging from the branches, gently swaying in the warm spring breeze.
Liang Xiuzhu bowed her head, threading a hemp rope through the needle, passing it through one side of the shoe sole, then swiftly drawing it out from the other side, tightening it with force. Her actions were skillful, with her hands working in perfect rhythm.
The sound of the awl and thimble clicking together was music to He Fusheng’s ears.
If it weren’t for his diligent and capable wife managing the household with care, they couldn’t possibly enjoy their humble life this much today.
"Xiuzhu, take a break if you’re tired," He Fusheng said with a smile, "You’ve made about ten pairs of these layered soles. We won’t finish wearing them in three to five years."
Liang Xiuzhu looked up and smiled at him, "I’m stitching the soles for Chenguang, making a few pairs of cloth shoes we commonly wear in the village."
"True. City kids all wear leather shoes. But I say, nothing beats the cloth shoes our ancestors have worn for generations!" He Fusheng laughed, "When it cos to stitching soles and making cloth shoes, your skill is unmatched in this village!"
"Practice makes perfect," Liang Xiuzhu laughed.
Seeing his wife smile made He Fusheng’s heart feel content. He glanced up at the sun, noting it was almost noon, "Xiuzhu, it’s ti to make lunch! The three kids will co back soon, clamoring about being hungry!"
"Alright." Liang Xiuzhu tidied up her unfinished work, putting the needles, thread, and shoe soles into a basket, and stood up, "I’ll make homade noodles for lunch today. I noticed Guangguang loves it. Last ti I made noodles, he ate two bowls in one go."
"You rember everything, don’t you?" He Fusheng chuckled, "That little rascal is really clever, always full of tricks! The more I look at him, the more I like him!"
"I like him too," Liang Xiuzhu said, "They sent their good boy over here, and his parents gave us so much. We must take good care of him!"
"Absolutely. Go on, go on! By the way, I’ll head to town to get two pounds of at for lunch. Let’s have at sauce!"
"Alright."
He Fusheng stood up, dusted off his pants, and was about to head out when he heard He Yue’s voice from outside, "Dad, Mom! We’re back, and we brought along my big brother’s mom and dad too!"
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