Chapter 296: 296 leaves
"Mom?"
"Shi Jing, you're still young, and even when you're older, Mom doesn't want you playing with firecrackers. It's a dangerous thing, and you're Mama's treasure. If something happened, Mama would be very sad."
"Mom."
"Shi Jing, can you not play with firecrackers, please?"
Jiang Shijing nodded, "Mom, I won't play with them."
Jiang Xinyu happily hugged her son and gave him several kisses.
"Mama's good baby, don't make Mama sad."
"Mm."
Wei Kaiyun didn't dare to speak up either, as his wife had already given him several glaring looks.
Jiang Xinyu hugged Shi Jing, "Son, let your dad set off the firecrackers, and we'll watch from the side, okay?"
The little guy clapped excitedly.
"Wife, aren't you worried that I'll be in danger?"
"You're an adult, and besides, you bought them, right? We can't just leave them there."
Wei Kaiyun was responsible for setting off the firecrackers while the mother and son watched. After all, Shi Jing was a boy, and he still loved these things. But Wei Kaiyun deliberately acted scared, leaving an impression on Shi Jing's mind.
At night on the kang, Wei Kaiyun admitted his mistake to his wife, "I'll pay more attention next time."
"Mm, I'll forgive you this time, but tomorrow morning, you have to take Shi Jing outside, especially to the hospital entrance to see. It's better if there are no injured people, but if there are, let him see."
Wei Kaiyun nodded, thinking this was a good way to educate the child.
"Wife, today's a good day, you can't refuse me."
Jiang Xinyu thought to herself, to Wei Kaiyun, every night is a good day.
The following day, on New Year's Day, there weren't any familiar people around here; the neighbors on both sides were not familiar, just nodding acquaintances.
So Jiang Xinyu stayed on the kang playing with her daughter. This little one was too lazy and would absolutely not move if she didn't have to.
Wei Kaiyun really took his son, dressed festively, out.
At the hospital, they did see several firecracker-related injuries, which frightened Shi Jing a bit.
"Son, did you see that? Was your mom right?"
"Yes."
"Then you must listen to your mom from now on, okay?"
The little guy nodded, knowing nothing but remembering that firecrackers are scary, and he should listen to his mom.
On New Year's Day, Bai Hongying's two daughters were going to visit to wish the elders a happy New Year.
"Xinyu, I have to go home for a bit. It's not appropriate to stay here with you."
"Okay, Aunt Bai, take six loaves of bread back with you, and let the kids try the snacks we made."
Bai Hongying didn't decline since the bread was truly delicious.
"Oh right, Aunt Bai, take some food back with you, but make sure to have your daughter stay for a meal, okay?"
Jiang Xinyu prepared quite a bit of meat and flatbreads for Bai Hongying to take.
For lunch on New Year's Day, Jiang Xinyu made rice, meat, and fish. She also steamed egg custard and tried feeding it to Jiang Feifei. The little girl ate joyfully.
In the afternoon, Master Shang took Shi Jing out to play, leaving just the three of them at home.
Jiang Xinyu read a book while Wei Kaiyun played with his daughter. Although the little girl was indifferent, she didn't cry. When really annoyed, she would just close her eyes and ignore him.
"Wife, I've arranged for someone in the Capital to send over ten bags of milk powder, and there will be another ten bags every six months."
"Is there any malted milk?"
"Yes, but I don't know how much."
Jiang Xinyu nodded, knowing there was still some in her pantry, enough for a few months for the two kids.
"When is it expected to arrive?"
"It should be soon, maybe delayed because of the New Year. I see there are still three bags in the cupboard, enough for the kids for two months, right?"
Jiang Xinyu nodded, "It should be enough. I'll also check at the building."
The little girl fell asleep, and Wei Kaiyun moved close to Jiang Xinyu, holding her from behind. They sat there warmly, cherishing the rare quiet moment.
Bai Hongying returned in the evening, but her smile seemed a bit forced.
Jiang Xinyu didn't ask much, as long as she made sure the two kids were treated well, it was fine.
On the sixth of the New Year, they received a notification that a package had arrived.
It was the milk powder sent from the Capital, along with three cans of malted milk.
"This should last the kids for a while."
Jiang Xinyu started preparing food for Wei Kaiyun to take on the trip.
She packed a big bag with food and a few changes of clothes.
On the evening of the sixth, Jiang Xinyu gave Wei Kaiyun a thousand yuan.
"I won't use that much."
"Take it, better to have more on the road. Are you out of money now?"
"Yeah, I gave Master Shang five hundred before the New Year."
"Then how should I give Master Shang the money after you leave? And how much?"
"Five hundred a year should be fine, and everything like clothes and shoes is ready."
"Okay, I got it."
Wei Kaiyun hugged Jiang Xinyu, letting her sit on his lap, "Wife, what to do? I want to take you back with me."
Jiang Xinyu didn't speak, feeling sad inside about the impending separation of the family again.
She hugged Wei Kaiyun back and said sullenly, "I don't want to leave you either."
Wei Kaiyun understood his wife's difficulties, having to study and take care of two kids. He felt like an inadequate husband.
They both put in effort to memorize each other, enjoying this time together.
On the tenth, early in the morning, Bai Hongying got up to make dumplings, prepared by Jiang Xinyu the day before.
After breakfast, Wei Kaiyun held Shi Jing, "Son, Daddy is going home first, waiting for you. Is that okay?"
"Daddy, I'll be good."
"Great, my son is a good boy. You need to protect your mom, okay?"
"Mm, I will."
Jiang Xinyu wanted to see Wei Kaiyun off but was refused.
"I'll go by myself, wife. I'll wait for you at home."
Jiang Xinyu nodded with teary eyes. In the past, she wasn't this reluctant, but living together for a year and having two kids had changed her feelings.
"Remember to call me every week, I'll be waiting for you."
Shi Jing, seeing his mother's sad expression, cried too.
Wei Kaiyun held him, kissed him several times, and promised to wait for him at home, which stopped his tears.
Watching Wei Kaiyun leave with his bag, Jiang Xinyu also cried; it wouldn't be easy to see each other again, as they were too far apart, and Wei Kaiyun's job was demanding. Her time during the summer vacation was enough, but what about the kids?
Wei Kaiyun arrived at the station, waiting in the waiting hall.
He felt even more reluctant, but there was no choice; he couldn't be selfish. His wife had worked hard to get into university.
Their family would endure a long period of living apart.
Having a sleeper ticket was quite comfortable. There were quite a few people heading North at this time, so all four berths were occupied.
Jiang Xinyu had prepared many newspapers, novels, and magazines for him, making it a good way to pass the time.
The compartment had two men and two women; the other three seemed to be around twenty.
Wei Kaiyun was the eldest, but he never joined in their conversations.