The quiet things this man did for her, some she knew about, and some she probably didnât.
They now lived apart, but his devoted love to her would never result in betrayal.
Such a man was worth being with for a lifetime; not like those in later generations, many of whom just accept what life throws at them, make do with what they have, get divorced, causing the divorce rate to rise year after year.
âLetâs take a break!â
Meng Yunhan shakes her head, âIâm not tired.â
With him by her side, she was full of energy. And she had been taking excellent care of her body. Even pregnant and with a baby bump, she walked steadily.
Along the way, they held hands, their fingers intertwined, never letting go of each other.
The town was small today, yet because it was the first day of Lunar New Year, it was bustling with many people. The commotion was primarily due to there being only one cooperative store that sold goods, and nowhere else.
Without taking Meng Yunhan to the crowded store, Yun Hao planned to stroll around the town with her.
âWhy did you bring me here?â Meng Yunhan asked as Yun Hao led her down an alley.
âTo have a meal,â Yun Hao gently replied to his vigilant wife.
A meal?
âDo you know someone in town?â Meng Yunhan guessed the possibility in the next moment.
Yun Hao silently nodded.
âThe old man is the father of my squad leader, who lost his life in a war. Now, only the squad leaderâs father is left in their family.â Yun Hao explained to Meng Yunhan.
Seeing Meng Yunhanâs continued suspicious look, he added, âI had planned to bring you here last year during Lunar New Year, but because we only had a few short days, it was postponed.â He said, then coughed lightly to mask his embarrassment.
At that time, finally having married the woman he loved, with her constantly hanging around him, he didnât want to be away from his wife. The time was also short, so he postponed it.
âAre we going empty-handed? Isnât it impolite not to bring any gifts when visiting someone?â
âWe are going empty-handed, and the old man will still be very happy,â Yun Hao assured her and carried on chatting so buoyantly that Meng Yunhan became a little jealous. Usually, when he talks to her, he uses simple and short sentences. Why does he have so much to say when it comes to this âold manâ?
âItâs not far ahead.â
Indeed, after a few steps, they stopped in front of a door with festive couplets pasted on it.
Yun Hao knocked a few times before calling out, âOld man, old man.â
After a good while, a voice came from within, âComing, coming.â
Meng Yunhan felt the voice sounded familiar but didnât give it much thought. There were many people in the world who looked and even sounded similar. In the later generations, there were even people who could imitate celebritiesâ voices.
When Meng Yunhan saw the man who opened the door, she exclaims in surprise, âUncleâ¦â
âLittle Meng is here. Come in, come in.â
Yun Hao also entered the house, and only then did they learn from Old Zhao about his wifeâs acquaintance with him.
âThatâs fate. Thatâs fate,â Old Zhao was saying cheerily.
âHanhan, how did you make acquaintance with the old man?â The old man lived in the town, and his wife lived in the countryside. The two had no contact at all.
âUncle works at the waste station, I visited the waste station to pick textbooks for the children. Thatâs how I met him.â Meng Yunhan explained to Yun Hao how they got to know each other.