Chapter 22: I Have Something for You

After Shi Yongmeng sat down, he eagerly began eating with his chopsticks. Song Yang hadn’t quite finished, but he too liked this uncle who came home with his father. The uncle and nephew ate happily, and during a break, Song Yang asked many questions about his father’s life outside.

Wei Yao listened nearby. Shi Yongmeng’s words were half-truths, half-fabrications; she understood he was trying to subtly convey that Song Mingrui had endured many hardships these past years and deeply missed her and the children.

Wei Yao fed Song Hui some steamed eggs while attentively listening.

After feeding the child, she went to the kitchen again. On the stove, chicken soup simmered, and on another burner, some dumplings were cooking. There had to be dumplings for the New Year.

Listening to the joyful laughter outside, Song Mingrui frowned slightly, regretting bringing Old Shi along. Just as he was about to call Song Yang inside, the door to the room was pushed open.

“Here are some dumplings, and the chicken soup is hot. Eat a little. I noticed your injury still looks quite serious. Maybe after eating, you should rest a bit and then go to the hospital. Your health is important.”

Song Mingrui waved his hand, “No need. I know my own body, and the doctor said I can recuperate at home. Old Shi brought all my medicine when he came with me. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried, just eat!”

Song Mingrui: “.......”

Hadn’t he just seemed fine? Why the sudden cold expression now?

When Wei Yao came out, Shi Yongmeng had already helped clear the dishes, and Song Yang was pulling him around the yard. There was no shortage of stored coal or vegetables.

The house was neatly arranged, clearly showing Wei Yao was a woman skilled in managing a household.

“Comrade Shi, thank you for taking care of Mingrui. I’m going with the two children to visit the neighbors and pay New Year’s respects. The three of us have relied a lot on the neighbors; it wouldn’t be right not to call on them during the New Year.”

She smiled somewhat forcedly. Shi Yongmeng didn’t notice and cheerfully agreed.

Wei Yao knew she felt awkward—understanding but still uneasy. Now, whenever she saw Song Mingrui, memories of the ordeals at the Song family flooded her mind.

The matter involving Song Liping was already notorious. Although she had taken her children and separated from the family, she was still occasionally mocked when going out.

She didn’t mind much, but Song Yang was soon to start school. Hearing those nasty remarks could affect the child. Wei Yao felt a flicker of hope when Song Mingrui mentioned joining the army.

Moreover, the place he mentioned was still Yucheng—her maternal home, where her grain and oil connections remained. She hadn’t returned in years. If the army could secure a job there, she would be willing to bring the children back.

After finishing the meal, Song Mingrui covered his wound and slowly leaned against the pillow.

“I’m telling you, Captain Song, you’re truly lucky. I looked around this yard; it’s well kept. The kitchen has plenty of stored food, and your two children are well-fed and plump. I heard from Song Yang that your family often eats meat, not to mention a daily egg and a bag of milk. Your wife is really virtuous.”

“Yes, she’s always been virtuous. It’s all my fault. These past years, I shouldn’t have trapped her in the Song family’s mire, making her suffer so much.”

Shi Yongmeng frowned. “Captain Song, although this might sound improper, are you really going to let it go so easily? I saw her expression when she left—it didn’t seem like she fully forgave you.”

Song Mingrui knew this well. His eyes darkened slightly. Letting it go was impossible. Even if Wei Yao was willing, he wasn’t. Fortunately, with the mission over, some things needed closure.

Shi Yongmeng didn’t stay long. Song Mingrui’s injury looked severe, but with proper rest for about a month, it would mostly heal. Shi Yongmeng carried everything from the car inside, greeted Wei Yao, Song Yang, and Song Hui, then left.

Song Yang’s personality had become more cheerful, and his sweet talk made neighbors fond of him.

But he kept worrying about his father lying in bed, persistently urging Wei Yao to return. Unable to resist the child’s requests, and concerned about leaving a patient alone at home, Wei Yao finally agreed.

After two lifetimes, finally seeing Song Mingrui, Wei Yao felt at a loss for words. She put the two children inside the house and turned to leave.

At noon, she reheated the previously stewed chicken with some cabbage and vermicelli, steamed seven mantou buns made of wheat flour, and picked two fresh eggplants from the garden to make a claypot eggplant dish, oily and delicious, which Song Yang loved most.

She prepared chicken soup noodles for Song Mingrui, topped with a goose egg. A simple midday meal was ready.

She called Song Yang out to eat and fed Song Hui some pumpkin and pork liver rice cereal. The little girl ate heartily, unable to stop. Having once been a servant in a past life, Wei Yao knew some children were difficult to feed. Song Hui’s appetite was insatiable. Sometimes, Wei Yao felt the child had been neglected at the Song family, hence her yearning for food.

Song Hui woke early; before finishing her meal, her eyes began to droop. Without coaxing, she persisted until the last bite, then fell soundly asleep. Wei Yao held her for a while before laying her down to rest.

As soon as Song Yang put down his bowl, he rushed inside to talk to his father.

Wei Yao ate outside; the stewed chicken was so tender it fell off the bone, and the vermicelli was fragrant and spicy, satisfying and delicious.

She had gotten up early and was a bit tired. Only one room was prepared for sleeping; another was filled with daily supplies—cured meats, sausages, fresh meatballs—all stored there.

Neighbors often stopped by, and she dared not keep such things in the kitchen, which would be too conspicuous.

After much thought, she decided to sleep in her original room. What was she afraid of? Having passed the awkwardness, she felt the one who should be suffering was Song Mingrui.

After tidying up outside, she washed her hands, returned to the room, applied some snowflake cream, undressed, and got onto the kang bed. She also took off Song Yang’s shoes and pulled him into her arms.

“Sleep for a while. Don’t disturb your father. You both need rest.”

“I still want to talk to Dad, Mom. Dad said he misses me so much and misses you too. He hasn’t seen my sister yet. Dad says she looks like you and is very pretty.”

Wei Yao pursed her lips and looked up, meeting Song Mingrui’s gaze. A faint smile played on his lips, making her heart skip a beat.

Song Yang was excited to see his father but didn’t last half an hour before he clung to his father’s arm and fell asleep.

“Xiao Yao, I have something for you.”

Wei Yao lowered her head and replied softly, “What?”

Song Mingrui opened the bag Shi Yongmeng had left on the table and took out a file folder, placing it beside him.

“Don’t sleep opposite me. The bed is so big; it’s better to sleep next to me.”

Wei Yao: “.......”