Chapter Fifteen: Living Up To Expectations

“Dad, Mom, thank you for trusting me and not thinking me foolish to entrust Zhu Zhu to my care. I solemnly swear before those I admire that I will cherish her as you have, supporting the career she loves! From now on, you must treat me just like you treat Jing An and Jing Ping—feel free to give me orders anytime!”

“You know my father’s temper well. If I ever wrong Zhu Zhu, he’d be the first to deal with me!”

Yin Zhen assured them firmly. It was only natural that Zhu Zhu’s parents-in-law would worry about her being taken so far away, given how much they cherished her.

“Ah, well, well, Da Zhen, you’ve always been a good boy. Your parents trust you; it’s just that we can’t bear to part with her! From now on, you two as a couple must support each other and live well! Zhu Zhu is the youngest at home, so we’ve naturally spoiled her a bit—you must understand! Zhu Zhu, Da Zhen is a soldier, protecting the country away from home; as a military family member, you must be understanding and patient!”

Hearing their child speak so earnestly stirred a flood of emotions in the elders.

This child was far from ordinary—tall, handsome, and capable beyond doubt, embodying the virtues the nation instilled. They had no complaints whatsoever.

Had it not been so rushed, they would have been completely at ease entrusting Zhu Zhu to such a person.

“Zhu Zhu, if anything troubles you, you must tell me. If you want anything, call your big brother; he’ll send it. He’s always here; don’t be afraid!”

Jiang Jingping’s eyes welled with tears as he spoke, usually so proud, now abandoning all pretenses, endlessly urging Jiang Jingzhu with his words.

Then, turning fiercely to the culprit who was taking away his little sister, he growled, “Yin Zhen, if you dare mistreat Zhu Zhu or do her any wrong, your brother and I will haunt you even beyond the grave!”

“I understand, I understand perfectly. Dad, Mom, big sister, big brother, rest assured, I will take good care of myself and live well. Haven’t you all known how reliable I’ve been since childhood?

Big brother, once I’m away from home, with big sister working and big brother in the army, you’ll be the pillar holding up our family, taking care of Mom and Dad and yourself!”

The whistle blew; the train was about to depart. In the final moments, Jiang Jingzhu wiped away the tears at his eyes and earnestly encouraged and reminded her.

“For the rest of your life, you and Dad, along with Nan Jie, Jing An, and Jing Ping, are always welcome to watch over us!” Before boarding with Jiang Jingzhu, Yin Zhen raised his hand in a formal salute to the Jiang family, thanking them for their trust in entrusting their beloved daughter and little sister. He vowed never to fail them.

“All right, all right, Da Zhen, Zhu Zhu, hurry inside! Take care of each other and be well!” urged Tong Shufen.

They knew Zhu Zhu had been steady and intelligent since she was young, reliable in all she did. Yet as parents and siblings, worry clouded their hearts. Their child was heading thousands of miles away; no matter how capable, concern was inevitable.

The old train chugged and steamed with its plume of white smoke, clanking steadily as it pulled away.

The whole family followed along the platform, waving incessantly, eyes fixed on the receding train, unwilling to look away even a moment.

No matter how much worry or unwillingness to part, all could only turn to fervent prayers and blessings that Zhu Zhu’s journey south would be smooth and happy.

“Dad, Mom...” Jiang Jingzhu waved vigorously through the window until her family disappeared from sight.

Settling into their lower berth, Yin Zhen soaked a handkerchief in warm water from his military canteen and handed it to Jiang Jingzhu. The spring winds in Wanning were still biting; she needed to wipe away her tears quickly to avoid chapping.

Their large luggage had been loaded earlier: two wicker suitcases and a brand-new reddish-brown leather trunk—dowry gifts from her eldest sister, the most fashionable and rare bridal trousseau of the time.

Over one hundred yuan—enough for a family of several to live comfortably for a few months, an amount many rural households earned in a year.

Yin Zhen’s luggage was negligible; his two bags contained Jiang Jingzhu’s professional books and notes. The portion kept at her eldest sister’s house was brought by her brother-in-law this time, while the family would send the rest of her belongings and books after returning home.

The remaining bag held her simple personal clothes and essentials, carefully prepared by her family for easy travel. The popular three-piece sets and numerous stockings were too cumbersome to carry; her family regretted this but found various ways to replace and upgrade her portable items.

Inside the small pocket of her coat, tightly sewn shut, were twelve hundred yuan stashed by her parents and siblings.

Three hundred from her eldest sister, three hundred from her big brother, and six hundred from her parents.

If not for concerns about safety on the road, they would have given her more.

The border garrison’s pay wasn’t high; her parents’ combined wages were just over a hundred yuan. For years they had supported all four children through school and her eldest sister’s wedding without saving anything. Only recently, with her going to university and her brother working, no longer needing extra tuition expenses, had they slowly managed to save some money.

What they gave her now was likely most of their family savings—a heavy weight of love she felt over her heart.

Away from home, thousands of miles apart, they all hoped to prepare as thoroughly as possible, bringing more money for emergencies.

“Sorry, time was too tight, and we left in such a rush! Once we reach Qiongzhou, I can apply to make a phone call at the base,” Yin Zhen apologized, feeling guilty that they hadn’t managed to give the bride a proper wedding.

“No matter, it’s something we all must go through sooner or later!” The family’s concern never ceased, and neither did her own worries for them.

No matter when they parted, it was always like this.

Jiang Jingzhu never cared much for wedding pomp, and her simple ceremony was due to her own circumstances.

Wiping away the last traces of tears, she composed herself. Sentimentality was never her nature; living well and thriving was the best reassurance she could give her family.

The northern night fell early. Through the window, faint light revealed patches of the desolate winter landscape still lingering outside, mingled with the sparse greenery of early April’s spring—a vivid display of life.

“Are we going to take the train all the way?” It was her first time traveling so far in this era, and Jiang Jingzhu was curious.

Although civil aviation existed then, tickets were expensive and flights limited and irregular, not accessible to ordinary people. For long-distance travel, the train was still the best option.

“We’ll first reach Shengjing and stay there for a day. I have some tasks to wrap up. At ten at night, we’ll take the express train from Shengjing to the capital and arrive early the next day. Mom and Dad will meet us at the station. Then we’ll head south from the capital to Yangcheng, and finally take a ferry to the island.”

When Yin Zhen came, he rode on a transport plane. Trained to endure any environment, the noise didn’t bother him; he could sleep soundly despite it.

“The journey will be somewhat arduous with transfers. I arranged for sleeper tickets from Shenyang to the capital. Mom and Dad will buy soft sleeper tickets from the capital to Yangcheng!”

“There are flights from Shenyang to the capital; next time, we can try those—they’re faster!” But this time, their schedule couldn’t keep up with flight times.