Chapter 48: Finding a Way

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Finding a Way

Zhang Ru had come over to ask Su Wan if she was going to attend university.

Hearing this, she considered the task her husband, Master Ji, had given her complete.

"Wanwan, Old Ji told me that for a family member like you who got into Capital University, the military gives out a bonus. It’s about two hundred yuan. When I get back and tell Old Ji, the reward should be issued quickly."

Su Wan hadn’t expected the military to offer such good benefits.

Zhang Yun was incredibly envious. "Wow, Sister-in-law, do educated people always get treated this well? Two hundred yuan! That’s so much money."

Zhang Ru smiled and said, "Wanwan, I think you’ll get a reward not just from the military, but from your production brigade, the city, and the university itself."

"You have to take good care of yourself and not get too tired. After all, you’re pregnant."

Zhang Ru’s concern was warm and approachable.

Su Wan nodded. "Don’t worry, Sister-in-law. I’ll just finish firing these squat toilets and then I’ll stop. I know a bit about medicine myself, so I’ll be mindful of my health."

She had been taking her prenatal medication on schedule. During her time at the base, perhaps because the pregnancy had stabilized, she didn’t feel as uncomfortable anymore, just the usual backaches.

"As long as you know your limits." Zhang Ru didn’t press the issue, letting the topic drop.

After saying her piece, she stood up to leave.

Su Wan stopped her. "Sister-in-law Zhang, could you come inside and speak with me for a moment?"

Seeing Su Wan acting so mysteriously, Zhang Ru simply assumed she had some private matter she was embarrassed to discuss.

"Of course." She nodded and followed Su Wan into the main room.

Su Wan hesitated before speaking. "Sister-in-law Zhang, can you tell me what kind of mission Lu Zhengchuan is on this time?"

Zhang Ru was very confused. "Wanwan, why are you asking about this?"

"Sister-in-law Zhang, I have my reasons. Can you tell me?"

Faced with Su Wan’s pleading expression, Zhang Ru didn’t compromise her principles. She shook her head and said, "Wanwan, you should know this. Matters concerning military missions definitely cannot be discussed with others. That’s the rule. Besides, even if you ask me, I don’t know either."

"Even if I went back and asked Old Ji, he wouldn’t tell me. This is also to ensure the soldiers’ safety."

Su Wan had only been trying her luck, so she wasn’t surprised by this result.

In the end, she didn’t press the matter.

「After Zhang Ru left」

That afternoon, Su Wan was in her bedroom, drawing with pencils and colored pens.

Zhang Yun had already finished making lunch, but seeing that Su Wan still hadn’t come out, she quickly got up to find her.

"Sister-in-law." Zhang Yun knocked on the door and peeked inside. "What are you still busy with? Drawing designs for the pottery bowls? Lunch is ready, you know. It’s that fish and tofu soup you like."

"I’m almost done. You go ahead and eat first." Su Wan didn’t stop, nor did she explain that she wasn’t drawing designs for pottery bowls, but the place from her premonition where Lu Zhengchuan would have an accident.

After finishing lunch, Su Wan took the drawing and went to find Master Ji on her own initiative.

Unexpectedly, when she arrived, she was informed by Master Ji’s aide, "Comrade Su Wan, I’m sorry, but Master Ji has gone to the provincial capital for a meeting. If you have any urgent business, you can tell me, and I will help pass on the message."

Su Wan was caught completely off guard by this news; she never expected such a coincidence.

She felt a flash of anxiety but quickly thought of a solution and asked, "Then is Political Commissioner Lin here?"

"Political Commissioner Lin is here, but he’s busy with the troops’ intensive training right now. He probably won’t be back until this evening," the aide replied, shaking his head.

Su Wan pressed her lips together, her face a mask of anxiety.

She didn’t know which day the events of her premonition would occur.

So, naturally, the sooner she could tell the leadership and have them notify Lu Zhengchuan, the better.

Su Wan couldn’t help but ask, "Excuse me, could I go see Political Commissioner Lin in person?"

’I have to convince Political Commissioner Lin, make him realize I’m not joking, so he’ll take this seriously and solve the problem.’

"Well..." The aide could see how truly anxious Su Wan was. Her delicate face had turned somewhat pale, and his heart softened. "Let me ask for you."

"Thank you."

Su Wan was incredibly grateful.

The aide blushed, waved his hand to dismiss her thanks, and went straight into the office, picking up the telephone receiver and dialing a number.

Su Wan waited nervously by the side.

Her gaze fell on the clock on the wall. With its TICK, TOCK, time seemed to slow to a crawl, and every second was torture for her.

She didn’t know how much time had passed.

The sound of footsteps rang out.

Su Wan looked up urgently, her face taut with tension as she stared at the aide.

"Comrade Su Wan, Political Commissioner Lin said you have permission to go over."

"I’ll arrange for someone to take you."

Hearing this, Su Wan let out a huge sigh of relief and hurriedly followed the aide’s steps.

Perhaps her urgency spurred the aide to arrange for a vehicle more quickly.

"Sister-in-law, let me go with you. I happen to have some work to report to the Political Commissioner anyway." The aide felt uneasy seeing how distracted she was, even while walking.

Su Wan was incredibly grateful. "Thank you, Comrade."

"Sister-in-law, my name is Zhang Qiao. Zheng Chuan and I were in the same boot camp. Please, don’t be a stranger. With Zheng Chuan away, even if he hadn’t asked, it’s only right that I look out for you," Zhang Qiao said with a steady, gentle smile.

"Alright."

Su Wan hadn’t realized Lu Zhengchuan had so many friends. She thought for a moment, then pulled a handful of White Rabbit candies from her pocket and offered them to him.

"Take these back for your wife and kids to eat. Once this matter is resolved, come over to our place for a simple meal sometime."

Zhang Qiao looked at the White Rabbit candies, still warm in his hand, and felt a jolt as if his palm had been burned. He couldn’t help stealing a couple more glances at her fair face before blurting out, "Sister-in-law, I’m not married yet."

"Oh, I’m sorry, I misunderstood." Su Wan gave him an awkward smile and said tentatively, "Then... you can have them yourself?"

"Yes, thank you, Sister-in-law." Zhang Qiao closed his hand around the candies and tucked them into his pocket.

When the military vehicle arrived, he sat in the back with Su Wan, while a young soldier drove.

During the drive, Su Wan subconsciously picked at her fingers, her gaze fixed on the view outside the window as she waited for time to pass.

Zhang Qiao couldn’t help but look at her. Following her line of sight, he saw only the familiar, uninteresting scenery outside the window.

"Sister-in-law, is something urgent going on? You can tell me about it first. Maybe I can help."

Hearing this, Su Wan looked up in surprise, a little hopeful and a little nervous. "Really?"

"Of course." Zhang Qiao nodded firmly, exuding an air of steadfast reliability.

Su Wan said hesitantly, "I had a dream... I dreamed that Lu Zhengchuan was going to be in danger."

"...Sister-in-law, it seems you and Zheng Chuan have a very good relationship. He just left for his mission and you’re already so worried you’re having nightmares."

"But don’t worry. Zheng Chuan is more than capable of handling any mission the military assigns. Even if he doesn’t succeed, he won’t get into any trouble," Zhang Qiao comforted her in a gentle voice.

"He’s going to clear landmines. How can I not worry?" Su Wan’s voice was trembling slightly.

Zhang Qiao’s pupils contracted. "Sister-in-law, how do you know what Zheng Chuan’s mission is?"