Idiot

Chen Muye shot Wen Qimo a glare.

Wen Qimo said seriously, "Ma'am, here's the situation: Lin Qiye originally listed Qiqihar as his preferred destination, but he later accepted reassignment and was sent to Wulumuqi."

Aunt was only half-convinced. "Then where are his documents?"

Wen Qimo took several thick stacks of documents from his briefcase, placed them on the table one by one, and pushed them toward Aunt.

"All of Lin Qiye's paperwork is here. Please keep it safe." Wen Qimo thought for a moment, then continued, "There may be some additional documents sent over later. When that happens, we'll come visit again."

Squinting, Aunt held the documents far from her face and read through them word by word, afraid of missing any important information.

Only after a long while did she put the documents down and let out a long sigh.

"That child... his eyes have only just recovered. I'm afraid something might happen to them again while he's serving in the army..."

"Please rest assured. We've conducted a detailed examination of Lin Qiye's eyes. There won't be any further problems; he's in very good health." Wen Qimo's voice gradually softened. "Besides, children grow up. They have to leave the shelter of their families and temper themselves, don't they?"

Aunt opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she could only sigh helplessly.

"Ma'am, this is Lin Qiye's military allowance. Please accept it." Chen Muye took out a thick envelope and pushed it in front of Aunt.

Aunt lifted one corner of the envelope, and her entire body jolted. She looked at the two of them in shock.

"Th-This is way too much, isn't it?!"

"The country provides excellent benefits for soldiers these days. And Lin Qiye's unit is somewhat special, so his allowance is a little higher than elsewhere," Wen Qimo explained.

"Special? It won't be dangerous, will it?" Aunt's expression changed.

"It won't. What we mean by special is... that he's stationed rather far away." Wen Qimo lied with a straight face. "After all, Wulumuqi is a long way from here."

"I see." Aunt held the envelope in her hands, unable to sit still.

It was the first time she had ever seen so much money.

"Comrade, could you help me mail this money to him?" Aunt asked anxiously. "He's going so far away by himself. What if he doesn't have any money on him? And with so much money kept at home... I won't feel at ease either!"

"You won't need that much money in the army, and we have regulations—this money is for the family. You must accept it." Wen Qimo narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice gradually turning stern. "As for your safety... rest assured. As long as we're still here, no one will be able to touch any of you."

"When will he come back after leaving this time?"

"Ten years." Chen Muye suddenly spoke, his eyes filled with sincerity. "In ten years, he will definitely return."

"Ten years..." Aunt murmured those words, then turned to look at Yang Jin and muttered to herself, "By then, A Jin should be in college..."

Wen Qimo and Chen Muye stayed and chatted with Aunt for a while longer. When it was about time, they got up to say goodbye.

"Oh, right—can you make phone calls over there?" Aunt suddenly remembered something.

"Of course." Wen Qimo nodded. "I'll give you a phone number later. As long as he isn't training, you'll be able to reach him."

"Good, good."

Aunt saw the two men out, then stood alone at the doorway for a while before slowly returning inside. She sat down and blankly stared at Lin Qiye's room.

Her eyes gradually reddened.

"Mom... it's a good thing that Brother joined the army." Yang Jin walked over while holding Xiao Hei Lai, trying to comfort her.

"Mom knows." Aunt wiped the corner of her eye. "Once children grow up, they have to go out and see the world. Getting some training in the army really is a good thing.

When he comes back, he'll be a veteran. When Mom starts looking for a wife for him, there'll definitely be plenty of people fighting to marry him!"

Yang Jin: ...

"Mom just... can't stop worrying." Aunt raised her head and stared blankly out the window.

"Time to go."

Chen Muye came downstairs, patted Lin Qiye, who had been secretly staring at the window, and spoke.

Lin Qiye kept his eyes fixed on Aunt on the balcony and softly asked, "How did it go?"

"She believed us."

"That's good... Did you give her the money?"

"I did." Chen Muye paused. "That was all of your allowance, plus a year's salary advanced in full. You gave all of it to them—what are you going to do?"

"I've saved some money over the years. If I'm careful with it, I can manage for a year."

Seeing this, Chen Muye fell silent for a moment before adding, "If you have nothing to do, you can come to the office for meals."

Lin Qiye asked in surprise, "Don't temporary members have to cover their own food and lodging?"

"Temporary members do have to cover their own food and lodging, but..." Chen Muye patted him on the shoulder and headed toward the van parked in the distance. "The meals I make myself are an exception."

Lin Qiye froze for a moment, then a smile appeared on his lips.

Ring, ring, ring—!

Just then, the newly issued phone in Lin Qiye's pocket rang.

"Hello?"

"Xiao Qi? Is that Xiao Qi?"

"It's me, Aunt."

"You child, you went off to join the army without even telling me. If you wanted to go... I wouldn't have stopped you! Do you not think of me as your aunt anymore? Hmm?"

"I'm sorry, Aunt... I was wrong."

"Sigh... You're on the train already?"

"Mm."

"How long until you get there?"

"I heard it'll take two days. The old green train is a bit slow."

"Once you get to the camp, make sure you eat more. Don't wear yourself out!"

"I know, Aunt."

"Oh, and Aunt received all those allowances of yours. I've put them away for now. When you come back, I'll use them to get you a wife."

"Aunt, the benefits in our unit are very good. I get a lot of money every year. You should use that money first."

"You child, you don't know how to save at all. Keep that money for yourself and make sure you live a better life, hear me?"

"I hear you, Aunt."

"Mm, if there's nothing else, Aunt will hang up first."

"Okay. Goodbye, Aunt."

"Oh, right... Once you get to Qiqihar, remember to let Aunt know you arrived safely."

"I definitely will. Goodbye, Aunt."

Silence hung on the other end of the line for a long time before Aunt's slightly hoarse voice sounded again.

"Mm... goodbye..."

Beep, beep, beep...

The busy tone came through from the other end. Aunt gripped her phone tightly, sitting there motionless like a statue.

Then, two streams of hot tears spilled from her eyes.

She slowly leaned over the table, burying her face in her shoulder as she wept soundlessly...

Beside her, Yang Jin let out a soft sigh.

He turned to look out the window and murmured to himself:

"Brother, you idiot..."

Outside the old residential complex.

"Qiye, it's time to go." Chen Muye turned back and said calmly.

Lin Qiye put away his phone, gave the distant low house one last look, and nodded.

The wind gradually picked up.

Lin Qiye's black bangs fluttered lightly in the breeze. He reached up to tighten his collar, then turned and walked into the wind.

Their clothes snapped loudly in the gale!