The Stunningly Beautiful and Delicate Darling in the 1980s Military Compound - Chapter 105

Early the next morning, when Chen Che woke up, he saw that Wang Yufen was already taking care of Yao Yao. To let the young couple sleep a little longer, Wang Yufen had taken the baby out into the courtyard. The morning sunlight was peaceful and warm. Wang Yufen held the child and whispered softly, “Mommy and Daddy are still sleeping. Shall Yao Yao have breakfast with Grandma?” The little one, not yet understanding the words, gripped Wang Yufen’s sleeve tightly with both hands and beamed brilliantly at the sun.

Watching this, Chen Che thought back to what Song Mingyue had told him the night before.

From the moment of conception, Song Mingyue had been the one making all the sacrifices. During the most difficult times, she had endured the discomfort of pregnancy while struggling to keep her business running. If not for this child, Mingyue would not have spent the previous year suffering from edema, irritability, and all sorts of other ailments. After the birth, it was Wang Yufen who took over the care, as he was always too busy with work to handle such things. If it weren’t for Song Mingyue, he might never have had the chance to see his daughter with his own eyes.

So, does it matter whose surname the child carries? Chen Che realized it didn’t matter at all. With that thought, he felt a sudden sense of clarity.

However, when he mentioned it to Wang Yufen, she immediately disagreed. “This is a matter between two families. You agreed just because Mingyue made a fuss—have you asked your own parents?”

“Mom, they probably don’t even know Yao Yao was born, nor have they ever asked about her.”

“But they are still my parents, after all.”

“My parents and I haven’t really taken care of the child, so they have even less of a right to speak on the matter.” Chen Che asked again, “Do you think it’s better for her to take your surname or Mingyue’s?”

Wang Yufen naturally sided with Song Mingyue. “The child is hers, so it is only natural she takes her surname. But Xiao Che, you really must tell your parents; this is not a small matter.”

In this era, people placed immense importance on surnames. Unless a man was marrying into the woman’s family, it was unheard of for a child to take the mother’s surname. Chen Che, however, was indifferent. “Why don’t I just marry into your family? You’ve been the one taking care of us all this time anyway.”

“Oh, you child, what nonsense are you spouting? Only useless men marry into the woman’s family. You are a Battalion Commander; wouldn’t people laugh themselves to death if they heard that?”

Chen Che didn’t care about such things. He had never paid any attention to what others thought—otherwise, he wouldn’t have remained unmarried for so long despite everyone’s meddling. In the end, Yao Yao took Song Mingyue’s surname and was named Song Zhiyao. Since the baby now carried her daughter’s surname, Wang Yufen, who already adored the child, became even more inseparable from her.

The rainy season finally passed, and the long-awaited early autumn arrived. After Mingyue finished her confinement, Wang Yufen prepared a grand feast, and Chen Che’s close friends from the unit came to celebrate. A baby’s “full month” ceremony was usually an important ritual, but given the limited resources in their remote location, they had to make do with what they could find. The group gathered at the military base, rowdy and cheerful, to celebrate Song Xiaoyao’s 30th day of life.

Afterward, it was time for Song Mingyue to pack up and head back. Watching her act so efficient and composed, a wave of melancholy washed over Chen Che. He felt that Song Mingyue had changed—that she no longer cared about him, or else how could she be so happy to leave?

Song Mingyue was humming a tune while packing, clearly in high spirits. Suddenly, she turned and saw him staring at her with a look of resentment. She set her things down and walked over to him. “Well, Mr. New Dad, why the long face? Why don’t you tell your big sister here what’s bothering you?”

Chen Che blushed instantly. “How did you become my big sister?”

“Sometimes ‘big sister’ is just an expression. You don’t like it?” Song Mingyue thought that he wouldn’t understand such nuance; he was just too rigid. But she could guess what was really bothering him—it was the fact that they were leaving. He must be missing his daughter. Putting herself in his shoes, if she had to leave and leave the baby behind, she would be devastated too. But there was no choice; the living conditions here were too primitive, and she had never truly grown accustomed to them.

She patted him on the shoulder. “We’re leaving, which means you’ll have more energy to work! As soon as you finish your duties here, hurry back.”

Chen Che shook his head and muttered under his breath, “That’s not it.”

“Then what is it?” She truly couldn’t fathom it. She hadn’t expected Chen Che to be such a wooden block, preferring to let her misunderstand him and let their relationship suffer rather than speak his mind. He simply felt she didn’t care about him anymore.

The train ticket was for the night after next. They would have to leave at dawn to make it to the county town in time. Song Mingyue didn’t want any discord with him at this moment. That night, she moved closer to him. “Handsome, tell me—what’s really bothering you? Is it work-related?”

Song Mingyue’s warm breath brushed against him. Since her pregnancy, they hadn’t shared a bed. Now, looking up at her glowing, fair skin, Chen Che felt like he was being tortured. He involuntarily turned away, asking her to just lie still. Song Mingyue assumed he was annoyed with her and took the initiative to ask, “Is this because of me?”

Chen Che moved even further away, closing his eyes. “Yueyue, please don’t get close to me.”

Seeing his face flushed like a steamed bun, Song Mingyue finally understood what was happening. How should she put it? Physical intimacy with someone you love is a beautiful thing, and her body certainly craved it. But she had just given birth; even though she had mostly recovered, her vitality had been severely drained. Still, a little bit shouldn’t hurt. Instead of moving away, she leaned half her body toward him and intentionally touched his face. “What’s wrong? Are you shy?”

Chen Che: “…”

Wasn’t she being a bit excessive? He was a normal man, after all. Just as Song Mingyue was about to tease him further, Chen Che suddenly turned, took the initiative, and pinned her beneath him. His voice was hoarse with deep restraint. “Yueyue, don’t provoke me.”

Song Mingyue’s eyes sparkled like crescent moons as she laughed and quickly kissed his lips. “It’s been so long. Come on.”

“No, your body has only just recovered.”

He sighed, intending to change the subject, but the truth he had been hiding now became his excuse. “I’m just a bit lost. You seem so happy to be leaving, as if you don’t miss me at all.”

Lying beneath him, she rested her hands on his cheeks, feeling both amused and touched. “You really are a fool.” She didn’t know what was going on inside his head. If she really didn’t miss him or care for him, why would she have traveled such a long, arduous way to be here? But she would never tell him the true reason.

The stubborn man finally couldn’t help but ask, “So, will you miss me? Will you think of me?” He was miserable; he had barely slept in days. He missed his daughter, but he missed her even more. He had never been a sentimental man—having been in the military since he was young, he had never felt homesick—but the woman before him had taught him the true meaning of longing.

Song Mingyue had originally planned to tease him, but seeing his nervous, earnest expression, she couldn’t bear it. She knew he must have struggled with this question a thousand times in his heart.

“Of course I will,” she said tenderly. “And I hate that we have to part. But we both have our own lives to lead. To be honest, every day I’ve spent here, I’ve been worried about my business back home.”

Chen Che told her to stop talking; it was enough just to know she cared. Just as he started to pull away, Song Mingyue held him close. “Just be gentle. Who knows when the next time will be?”

Chen Che was worried about hurting her. He could endure anything, but her health was the most important thing. Seeing he was still hesitant, she had to resort to provocation. “Brother, are you… not up to it?”

The man didn’t focus on the “not up to it” part, but rather on the word “Brother.” Throughout the night, she had been his “big sister” and his “brother,” and to Chen Che’s ears, the words were intoxicating.

“Yueyue,” he whispered hoarsely, kissing her. I will love you forever.

On the day of their departure, Chen Che took a day off to see them to the train station. Song Mingyue had just finished her confinement; Chen Che carried the luggage, and Wang Yufen held the baby. Song Mingyue walked ahead alone.

She was about to return to Mo City. She had been looking forward to this, but now that the day of parting had arrived, she felt a profound sense of reluctance. People are creatures of habit. While the living conditions here weren’t as good as in Mo City, the people were wonderful, and she had grown to like the atmosphere of the military compound. Every evening, she could sit under the old locust tree and enjoy the scenery. Most importantly, as long as she sat there waiting, she knew she would always eventually see the person she longed for. Back in Mo City, she feared she wouldn’t have such a peaceful life.

As they boarded the truck to the county town, Wang Yufen handed the baby to Chen Che. “Hold her for a while, Daddy. Once we’re on the train, you won’t be able to hold her for a long time.”

Chen Che took her carefully. Compared to when he first saw her, his little daughter seemed to have grown quite a bit. She kicked her feet and put her little hands to her mouth, looking at Chen Che with a face full of smiles. Chen Che smiled back, whispering instructions for her to listen to her mother and grandmother when she got back.

Song Mingyue thought the moment was perfect. Chen Che held her the entire way; even when Wang Yufen offered to switch, he insisted it was fine.

Song Mingyue whispered again, “When you’re finished here, hurry back. By then, she’ll have grown even more.”

“I will. As soon as I’m done here, I’ll return.”

The truck drove for most of the day, finally reaching the county train station by afternoon. They had two hours left, and Wang Yufen urged Chen Che to head back, otherwise he wouldn’t make it home until the middle of the night.

“Mom, let me wait until you’re on the train.”

Song Mingyue sat to the side, silent. She realized she was constantly parting, constantly fearing the goodbye. She had lived in fear and trembling for his safety, and now, they were being separated again. Yet, she knew that since she had chosen this man, she had to embrace both his strengths and his shortcomings. He was doing great things—what right did she have to complain?

Chen Che held her hand, sensing her unhappiness. “Yueyue, thank you.”