Chapter 155: Enlisting, Farewell

Yun Linhai scratched his head. "But I can’t just go around shouting to everyone I see that my two boys are going to be soldiers."

’How embarrassing would that be? It would make me look like such a show-off.’

"And why not? It’s a glorious thing! If you ask me, your whole family is just too reserved."

Yun Chendong and Yun Chenxi were surrounded by the villagers, gawked at like they were some rare spectacle.

The expressions on their faces were growing stiff.

The most outrageous part was that some people were even trying to play matchmaker on the spot.

"You boys are at the age where you should be getting married. My niece is a real beauty, and she’s a hard worker, too. When are you leaving? Why not go meet her first?"

"Ah, Chendong, this auntie watched you grow up. We all know each other inside and out. I have a niece..."

Yun Chendong and Yun Chenxi: ...

’Save me, save me!’

They kept pleading for help with their eyes.

Yun Jiao squeezed in, intending to rescue them, but she was quickly overwhelmed and beat a hasty retreat.

She had bravely stood in front of her brothers, and her eldest brother had picked her up.

But the next second, several pairs of hands landed on her, patting her hair, pinching her little face, and not even sparing her small arms and legs.

"You boys should hurry up and get married, then you can have a beautiful baby just like Jiaojiao."

"Aiyo, her little face is so tender! In our whole village, Yun Jiao has the softest, fairest skin. What a wonderful child."

"That’s right, if you get married soon, Yun Jiao and Little Nine can even be your bed-warming children."

Tears welled up in Yun Jiao’s eyes.

’I can’t beat them, I can’t beat them! Brother, put me down, I have to escape!’

In the end, Yun Chendong felt bad for Yun Jiao and quickly let her go.

’Good heavens, these aunties and grannies are terrifying.’

After they finally managed to deal with the crowd, the Yun family home gradually quieted down. Everyone sat on their chairs, completely drained.

Yun Chendong and Yun Chenxi looked as if they had lost the will to live.

Yun Linhai wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Good thing we didn’t announce it beforehand."

’Otherwise, how could we have gone on with our lives!’

Yun Chendong and Yun Chenxi nodded.

Granny Yun said, "However, they did have a point. You two are at that age, you should..."

Yun Chenxi immediately stood up. "I have something to do. I’m heading out."

With that, he grabbed Yun Jiao and dashed off in a flash.

Yun Jiao: ’Wait, what does this have to do with me?’

Yun Chendong also found an excuse and slipped away.

Granny Yun: ...

"Those two little rascals. Why did they run off so fast after I said just one thing?"

After running a good distance away, the two of them carried Yun Jiao for a walk along the quiet seaside.

They carried Yun Jiao because they were leaving the next day, and every moment they had with their little sister was precious.

Yun Chenxi nuzzled his sister’s soft, tender cheek. "Jiaojiao, from now on, remember to mail your big brother a photo every year on your birthday."

During the first two, or even three years of military service, they basically couldn’t come home.

Not being able to see each other for three years would be a real shame.

Yun Jiao nodded, hugging her brother’s neck and snuggling affectionately against him.

"Jiaojiao knows."

The moment she finished snuggling, Yun Chendong picked her up.

The two brothers held Yun Jiao, only returning home as it was getting dark.

The next day, the two of them changed into olive-drab military uniforms, looking sharp and incredibly handsome.

The whole family went to see them off.

The procession of new recruits was lively. They all wore big red flowers pinned to their chests and spoke with their families.

Some started crying as they spoke.

Affected by the atmosphere, Yun Jiao, who couldn’t bear to part with her eldest and second-eldest brothers, felt her eyes turn red.

"Everyone, assemble! Assemble! The train is here."

No matter how reluctant they were, the time for departure had come.

Yun Jiao watched her two brothers leave to get in line, watched them board the train, and her tears could no longer hold back, pitter-pattering down her cheeks.

"SOB SOB SOB... Big Brother, Second Brother."

The rest of the Yun family also had red eyes. Some cried outright, while others stared longingly as the two boarded the train.

Fortunately, they sat by a train window and leaned their heads out.

Held by her dad, Yun Jiao reached out for one last hug around her brothers’ necks, pressing her chubby little face against their cheeks.

"Be good, Jiaojiao. Your brothers will write to you."

Yun Jiao’s tears fell even faster. She sniffled.

"I... I’ll also study hard to learn how to read and write, so I can write letters to my brothers."

"Good. Jiaojiao is so amazing."

Partings are the most painful. The train whistle blew, and no matter how much they cried, all they could do was watch the train depart.

The relatives chased the train for a short distance, crying and shouting, until all they could see was its tail end rushing into the distance.

After seeing the two off and returning home, the whole family’s spirits were low.

They had lived together for so many years. Even knowing they were leaving for a bright future, the sudden departure still made everyone reluctant to let them go.

They would be missed. They would be thought of.

"Alright now, once they’re settled in, we’ll take the train to their station to visit them."

Yun Jiao nodded.

"Is Xinjiang far?"

That’s right, both of them had been assigned to train in Xinjiang.

"It’s far."

They were in the south, and Xinjiang was in the north. Of course it was far.

"But by train, you’ll get there in no time."

Two days after Yun Chendong and Yun Chenxi left, the Yun family had fully recovered.

Life had to go on.

However, it was time for Yun Xiaowu and the other kids to go to school.

Ten-year-old Yun Xiaowu and Yun Xiao Liu were starting second grade.

Although they had never attended school before, they had Third Brother Yun, Yun Chen Nan, at home—a natural-born genius who loved to play teacher.

He had already tutored them through the entire preschool and first-grade curriculum.

It was just that... they hadn’t learned it very well.

Yun Xiaowu was a bona fide slacker, while Yun Xiao Liu’s grades were a bit better.

But they had no problem testing into second grade.

Yun Xiaoqi and Yun Xiao Ba were in first grade.

Yun Xiaoqi was a good student, but Yun Xiao Ba... not so much.

He was always impatient with his homework, preferring to draw strange things in his notebook instead.

Then he would get his ear pulled and his bottom spanked by Wang Mei.

Shen Yunlian fretted, "My sons... why isn’t a single one of them good at school?"

Only Yun Xiao Liu was decent, but he was just upper-middle-of-the-pack—not great, but not bad either.

Yun Xiaojiu was starting preschool, so it was too early to tell how he’d do.

But he was the type who didn’t like homework.

"Your Chen Nan and Chen Shu will definitely have no problem getting into university."

’Why couldn’t I have given birth to a smarter son?’

Wang Mei said, "And your eldest and second sons have even joined the army. I’m so envious."

"Sigh, why is it so lopsided? If only we could even things out. Most of your boys are rambunctious and have good stamina. But look at my boys... look at the fourth one, he spends all day with his woodwork. And the third one just loves to stay home and read. I think he’s becoming obsessed."

Shen Yunlian complained, "I’m very smart! I was first in my class when I was in school. Those kids definitely take after their dad."

Wang Mei heartily agreed, "The dullness of my sons must have come from their dad too."

Yun Linhai and Yun Linhe, who were walking past not far away: ...

’Fine, it’s all our fault.’