Chapter 168: Chapter 166: The Uniform Is My Faith, But Xinxin Is My Home

The night before their departure, Chen Zhengnian arrived at the Lu Family’s home, carrying bags of all sizes.

In addition to the initial meeting gifts for Wang Xinxin’s parents, he had also specifically bought many local specialties and asked Mrs. Lu to help see if they were appropriate.

Wang Xinxin sat to the side, watching him earnestly discuss which gifts to bring and what to say with Mrs. Lu. Her heart was a mix of sweetness and anxiety.

She couldn’t help but ask in a small voice, “Are you nervous?”

Chen Zhengnian’s hands, busy organizing the items, paused. He turned his head. “How could I not be nervous about meeting my future in-laws?”

He admitted it frankly, but then his tone shifted, and his gaze grew even more resolute.

“But this bit of nervousness is nothing compared to putting you in a difficult position. Don’t worry, I’m here.”

His simple words completely put Wang Xinxin’s heart at ease.

Lu Xiao, who had been away on a mission, rushed back before the two departed.

Of course, he had already heard about everything from a call with Su Tang.

“I’m impressed. You’ve really got some backbone.”

Hearing Lu Xiao’s words, Chen Zhengnian slightly raised an eyebrow.

“At my age, the most important thing is finding a wife.”

As for everything else, Chen Zhengnian didn’t care.

“My aunt is an accountant at the factory. She’s not the easiest person to get along with, but she should like you.”

Lu Xiao remarked that his aunt might seem cold, but she was actually the most soft-hearted person there was.

Wang Xinxin was her only daughter, so of course she would be extra considerate of her future.

“Thank you.”

Chen Zhengnian thanked Lu Xiao with genuine sincerity.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Chen Zhengnian, dressed in a crisp and clean military dress uniform, boarded the train to Shanghai with Wang Xinxin, carrying their luggage.

The green-skinned train chugged along, the scenery outside the window flying backward.

Wang Xinxin sat by the window, looking at Chen Zhengnian, who sat opposite her with a straight posture, his eyes closed in rest.

The lines of his profile looked especially sharp in the morning light.

She quietly reached out and covered the back of his hand, which was resting on his knee.

Chen Zhengnian turned his hand over and clasped hers, their fingers intertwining tightly.

He didn’t open his eyes, but the curve of his lips deepened slightly.

“Get some sleep. We have a long way to go.”

“Mm.”

Wang Xinxin leaned back against her seat, thinking to herself: ’No matter what Mom says, no matter what difficulties lie ahead, as long as he’s by my side, I’m not afraid of anything.’

Leaning against the seatback, Wang Xinxin’s eyelids gradually grew heavy.

In a daze, she felt a jacket with the faint scent of soap draped over her.

Looking down, she saw that Chen Zhengnian’s hand was still resting on her shoulder.

The warmth of his palm seeped through the fabric, comforting and reassuring.

When she woke again, the setting sun outside the window was like molten gold.

Chen Zhengnian had gone to get hot water with a thermos and returned with two meal boxes in hand.

“I just passed by the dining car and bought these. Eat while it’s hot.”

He handed her a meal box. Inside was white rice and a stewed dish.

Wang Xinxin spoke with Chen Zhengnian as she ate.

“When my mom was young, she was the belle of the factory. So many men pursued her.”

“My dad passed away early, so she raised me all on her own. She’s a bit short-tempered, but she really doesn’t have a bad heart.”

Chen Zhengnian swallowed his food and nodded earnestly. “I know.”

He had seen too many people whose rough edges were honed by life’s hardships, let alone a mother who had supported a family on her own.

“Don’t worry, I’ll communicate with her properly.”

In any case, his self-restraint wouldn’t allow him to argue with an elder.

It was early morning when the train arrived at Shanghai Station.

The humid air was a stark contrast to the dry, biting cold of the Northwest.

Wang Xinxin held Chen Zhengnian’s hand as she stood at the entrance of a narrow alley. Looking at the ivy crawling over the mottled walls, she suddenly felt a bout of stage fright.

“Don’t be afraid.”

Chen Zhengnian squeezed her hand, his gaze sweeping over the colorful shirts hanging out to dry in the alley.

“An ugly daughter-in-law has to meet the in-laws eventually, and it’s not like I’m an ugly son-in-law.”

Wang Xinxin chuckled at his joke. Just as she was about to take a step, a second-floor window creaked open, and Wang Mu leaned out.

Seeing the man in the military uniform below, her expression instantly darkened, and she slammed the window shut with a BANG.

An intimidating welcome before they even stepped inside. Wang Xinxin’s heart grew even more worried.

Inside the house, Wang Mu sat in a wicker chair knitting a sweater, not even bothering to lift her eyelids.

A cup of strong tea steeped on the table. Through the swirling steam, her voice was detached.

“You must be Comrade Chen? Our Xinxin isn’t good enough for a great hero like you.”

“Our families are not of the same social standing. I think we should just forget about this whole thing.”

Hearing this, Chen Zhengnian placed the gifts on the table.

“Auntie, I know what you’re worried about. I was injured on the battlefield, but the military doctor said it won’t affect my ability to have children. If you’re still concerned, we can go to the hospital for a check-up.”

His tone was frank, showing no trace of embarrassment or offense.

“But my feelings for Xinxin can be proven without any check-up.”

Wang Mu’s knitting hands paused, and she looked up to size him up.

The man before her had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his uniform worn perfectly straight. His features held the unique fortitude of a soldier, yet when he spoke of Xinxin, his eyes softened like water.

Her heart stirred, but her words remained harsh. “What’s the use of just talk? One of you is in the Northwest, the other is in Shanghai. How will you live your lives in the future?”

“I’ve already applied for a transfer.”

Chen Zhengnian took a piece of paper from his pocket.

“As long as the organization approves it, I can be discharged from active duty and transfer to a job in Shanghai.”

His superiors had spoken with him, asking if he wanted to stay in the Northwest or transfer to a civilian post.

Chen Zhengnian felt that if he truly wanted to get away from his family, transferring to another place was the best option.

This way, he could be with Wang Xinxin, and she wouldn’t have to deal with his family.

He knew his family members were all old-fashioned and stubborn; Xinxin, with her free-spirited nature, wouldn’t be able to stand it.

Wang Xinxin looked up at him in surprise, her eyes instantly turning red.

’She knew how much he loved that uniform, yet for her sake…’

Wang Mu looked at the transfer application form, then at her daughter’s reddened eyes, and felt as if something had struck her heart.

“For Xinxin’s sake, you’re willing to transfer to Shanghai?”

In Shanghai, no one would be calling him Commander Chen anymore.

Chen Zhengnian straightened his back, meeting Wang Mu’s scrutinizing gaze without a hint of hesitation in his voice.

“The uniform is my faith, but Xinxin is my home. As long as I can be with her, it doesn’t matter where I am.”

“Shanghai is where Xinxin grew up. She can’t bear to leave the neighbors here, and she can’t bear to leave you. If I transfer here, I can both watch over her and help her fulfill her filial duties to you.”

Wang Mu stared at Chen Zhengnian for a long moment. “Talk is cheap. We live in this old alley like it’s a pigeon coop. You’re used to spacious military compounds. Can you handle it?”

Chen Zhengnian glanced around at the faded New Year’s paintings on the mottled walls.

“I lived in a foxhole for half a year,”

“It leaked during downpours and frosted over in the winter. It was ten times harder than this.”

Wang Xinxin knew he was telling the truth. The scars etched on his body were the best proof.

Wang Mu’s expression softened. After a long pause, she finally said, “Let’s eat. Don’t just stand there.”

“Since you’re home, why don’t you stay for a few days.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep