The Stunningly Beautiful and Delicate Darling in the 1980s Military Compound - Chapter 70

Songzhuang Street was small, and everyone knew everyone else. Any unfamiliar face would naturally attract the curiosity of the locals. When Song Mingyue and Zhang Jingjing appeared—looking stylish and carrying two large black bags—the neighbors leaning by the roadside immediately poked their heads out to watch, wondering who these suspicious-looking people were.

As they walked further in, two or three middle-aged men finally stepped forward and called out from a distance, “You two in front, what are you doing here?”

Song Mingyue turned back, smiling as she responded, “Uncle Wang, it’s me! I’m back to see my parents.”

When they moved closer, they saw it was indeed the Song family’s girl, Song Mingyue. Since she had left to join her husband at the military compound, her transformation had been drastic. She used to be a simple, pretty girl; now, her hair was styled in the latest, trendy “big wave” perm, and she wore a red blouse, bell-bottoms, and small leather shoes. Her every move was filled with an alluring, vibrant charm, which explained why they hadn’t recognized her at first.

After exchanging pleasantries, Song Mingyue mentioned she was heading home. Uncle Wang said, “Your parents probably aren’t home yet; they’re still at work, and your brother is at school. Do you want me to send someone to the clinic to call your mother back?”

“No need,” she said, confident in her timing. “I’ll wait at the door. Mom should be off work soon.”

“Alright then. Come visit us when you have time!”

Zhang Jingjing felt a wave of warmth. “Mingyue, the people here are actually quite welcoming.”

Song Mingyue hadn’t been back in a while, but she felt entirely at ease in this familiar land, guided by the sound of her hometown dialect. From a distance, she pointed to a house for Zhang Jingjing. “See that place with the tree by the entrance? That’s my home.”

They had been carrying the heavy bags for a long time and were dying to sit down. When they reached the door and knocked, the house was indeed empty. Just then, their neighbor, Auntie Zhang, noticed someone knocking and walked over quietly. When she caught a glimpse of that familiar profile, she asked hesitantly, “Mingyue?”

“Auntie Zhang, it’s me.”

“Oh my! It really is Mingyue! Why didn’t you let your mother know? She talks about you every single day.”

Hearing this, Song Mingyue’s eyes grew misty. She missed Wang Yufen too.

“Your mother will be back in about half an hour. Come sit at my place first.”

Exhausted, Song Mingyue accepted. Auntie Zhang lived right next door and they were very close; Mingyue had often visited her in the past. Auntie Zhang’s husband was at work and her children were at school, leaving her alone. She warmly set them up and poured water, chatting as she went: “You really needed to come back. Your mother is always missing you; seeing you back home will give her peace of mind.”

“Auntie Zhang, is my mother’s health okay?”

“She’s fine. Since your brother is at school, she’s actually a bit more relaxed than when you were all at home, but the house feels quite empty.”

A moment later, Auntie Zhang added, “By the way, did you know your second uncle’s family has become quite wealthy?”

Song Mingyue wrote to her brother, Song Mingnian, often, but he had never mentioned it. Auntie Zhang explained, “It’s your cousin, Jiajia. She’s opened several wonton shops in the city. Business is booming; she even bought a car!”

When Song Jiajia had first appeared on Songzhuang Street in a car, it was quite the spectacle. But that made sense—as someone who had been reborn, it wasn’t difficult for her to succeed in this era. Song Mingyue asked nervously, “Has she… given my family any trouble?”

“Not at all. The two families just don’t speak to each other. Your mother ignores her when she sees her, but don’t worry, she hasn’t let herself be bullied.”

Zhang Jingjing, confused, asked, “Mingyue, if your cousin is rich, why would she bother your family?”

That was a long, complicated story not worth summarizing. Before Song Mingyue could explain, her mother, Wang Yufen, returned from work. Riding her bicycle, she saw guests at Auntie Zhang’s house and casually remarked, “Oh, have you got relatives visiting again?”

Auntie Zhang walked out with a smile. “These relatives aren’t here to see me—they’re here for you.”

“Huh?” Wang Yufen hopped off her bike, confused. “My relatives? Did someone come from my side of the family?”

“Mom,” Song Mingyue called out softly from behind Auntie Zhang.

Seeing it was actually Song Mingyue, Wang Yufen froze in disbelief. “Yueyue? Is it really you?”

Song Mingyue rushed over to hug her. Only then did it feel real, and Wang Yufen began to playfully hit her back. “You brat, why did you come back without letting us know?”

“I wanted to surprise you!”

“Come inside quickly! I haven’t prepared anything—I’ll go buy that roast duck you love right now.”

Wang Yufen then asked, “Did you come back with Chen Che?”

“No, I came with a friend.” Song Mingyue pulled Zhang Jingjing forward. “This is my good friend from the compound, Zhang Jingjing.”

Zhang Jingjing, nervous, reached out a hand. “Nice to meet you, Auntie.”

Wang Yufen was thrilled. When her daughter lived at home, she had been obsessed with that scumbag Liu Jiabao and had barely made any friends. Seeing her daughter so cheerful and bringing friends home made Wang Yufen realize her life at the compound must be going well. She finally felt at ease.

She picked up the black bag, surprised to find it full of clothes. “Mingyue, why do you have all these clothes?”

Zhang Jingjing explained, “Auntie, these are clothes Mingyue and I want to sell at our shop.”

Once inside, Wang Yufen pulled Song Mingyue aside, whispering, “Tell me the truth—how does Chen Che treat you? Why are you out selling clothes? Are you short on money?”

“No, Mom! I just want to do something productive. Chen Che is very good to me and supports whatever I do.”

“Really?”

Song Mingyue beamed. “Really.”

When Song Aiguo came home that evening and saw his daughter, he was equally excited. He jumped on his bike to head out: “I’ll go get that roast duck!”

“Dad, Mom already bought it!”

Song Aiguo nodded, his eyes never leaving her. “You look much healthier than before. You must be doing well over there.”

Zhang Jingjing chimed in, “Mingyue and Captain Chen have a great relationship. They’re the model couple at the compound!”

Seeing their daughter so happy, Wang Yufen and Song Aiguo finally let go of their worries. With just the four of them, Wang Yufen cooked eight or nine dishes, constantly piling food onto Mingyue’s plate. “Eat more! It’s been so long since you’ve had your mom’s cooking.”

Song Mingyue took a bite of red-braised pork, satisfied. “Mom’s pork is the best.” That one sentence made Wang Yufen’s heart melt.

“By the way, Mom, is my brother not coming back?”

“His school is quite far. He usually only comes home on weekends. I’ll go to his school tomorrow and tell him. He’ll be thrilled to know you’re back.”

Song Aiguo added, “Your brother’s marriage is almost set. When that time comes, you bring young Chen home with you.”

“Of course,” Song Mingyue replied happily.

The family was wrapped in warmth. Zhang Jingjing realized that Song Mingyue was different at home; in front of her parents, she became a soft, coquettish daughter. Who would have thought that only days ago, she had been acting like a madwoman in the streets of Shanghai? Seeing this family made her miss her own parents.

Halfway through the meal, Song Mingyue suddenly felt nauseous and rushed outside to retch. Wang Yufen, frantic, followed her, blaming herself: “Is the food too greasy?”

“No,” Song Mingyue said, leaning into her mother’s arms. “I think I just got a chill from sitting on the train for too long. Mom’s food is perfect, I love it.”

Wang Yufen hugged her tightly, patting her shoulder like a child. “My daughter has really grown up. Seeing you now, I’ve realized how much you’ve changed. I’m very happy with the woman you’ve become.”

Song Mingyue closed her eyes, savoring the rare, wonderful moment.

Before sleep that night, Song Mingyue felt unwell again and stepped out into the courtyard to retch quietly before returning. Zhang Jingjing, sharing the room, said worriedly, “You must have eaten something bad these past few days. If you’re still not feeling well tomorrow, I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“I’m fine, just a minor issue.”

Lying in bed, Zhang Jingjing looked at the ceiling, envious. “Mingyue, the atmosphere in your family is so wonderful. No wonder you have such a confident personality.”

Song Mingyue nudged her. “What’s wrong? Missing home?”

With that question, Zhang Jingjing felt even worse. She turned to the side, tears streaming down her face. Pingcheng and Mo City were connected by trains, but her home was in a much more remote place; even if she wanted to go home, it wasn’t easy.

Song Mingyue comforted her: “Once we make money, you’ll be able to go anywhere. It’s just the distance of one country—if all else fails, I’ll go with you next time.”

Zhang Jingjing turned and held her hand. “Mingyue, you’re so kind. Your parents are wonderful too.”

They chatted for a while, and Zhang Jingjing said, “Isn’t it strange, Mingyue? I haven’t even thought about my husband, Old Yu, since I left. I’ve almost forgotten him. Do you miss your Captain Chen?”

She did miss him a little; they hadn’t seen each other in so long. But what could she do? Song Mingyue repressed the longing, wondering what he was doing right then. Was he working so hard he’d forgotten to eat?

In the middle of the night, Song Mingyue drifted into a half-sleep, feeling like someone was calling her name. Zhang Jingjing, who was a light sleeper, suddenly let out a sharp shriek.

Song Mingyue snapped awake. “Jingjing, what’s wrong?”

Terrified, Zhang Jingjing pulled the blanket over her head, trembling. “Mingyue, there’s a human shadow outside the window. Take a look—is it really there?”