The night was so deep and so long.
Early the next morning, at four o’clock, Gao Jiaxing had already gotten up.
When Gao Jiaxing stepped out of the house, Zheng Xianghong was already preparing breakfast. Seeing him, she said, "Why are you up so early?"
"I’m leaving soon," Gao Jiaxing replied.
Zheng Xianghong said, "Why so quickly? You said this morning, but it’s still dark now."
"If we delay any longer, we’ll miss the ride," Gao Jiaxing said.
Zheng Xianghong sighed, "Can you at least wait for breakfast? It’s already cooking, almost done."
Gao Jiaxing nodded, "Yes, I can wait. I’ll go after I eat."
Zheng Xianghong breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Gao Jiaxing, "You haven’t woken Xia Xiao up, you’re just going to leave like this?"
Gao Jiaxing shook his head, "Let her sleep, don’t wake her up."
Observing Gao Jiaxing, Zheng Xianghong said, "Just like your father."
At that mont, Zheng Xianghong also rembered when Gao Guoqiang had left, in the sa way, leaving quietly before dawn without waking her.
Gao Jiaxing said, "I can’t stand the weeping, it’s not a matter of life and death."
At these words, Zheng Xianghong glared at him, "Why say such unlucky things, tsk tsk tsk."
Gao Jiaxing explained, "I don’t know when I’ll be able to co back this ti, and within the first three months I don’t even know if I’ll be able to send a letter. Waking her up would just make it hard for her and for ."
Zheng Xianghong nodded, feeling that it was almost ti, lifted the lid of the pot, revealing so sweet potatoes, eggs, and rice balls.
Tears welled up in Gao Jiaxing’s eyes, "Mom, why did you prepare so much?"
"You take them for the road," Zheng Xianghong said.
Gao Jiaxing shook his head, "The rice balls and sweet potatoes are enough, keep the eggs for yourselves, one each."
Zheng Xianghong said, "We have plenty at ho anyti. All these are for you, don’t refuse them. Eat up quickly, I’ll pack the rest for you."
After eating hurriedly, Gao Jiaxing went back to his room and looked at the sleeping Xia Xiao before finally grabbing his luggage and stepping out the door.
Zheng Xianghong saw her son off at the door, watching his figure walk further and further away, waving her hand while tears ford in her eyes.
A mother worries when her child travels afar.
Gao Jiaxing was going to the military and an unknown small island, and Zheng Xianghong was worried, having not slept well all night.
That’s why she got up early to make breakfast. After seeing Gao Jiaxing off, Zheng Xianghong returned to the kitchen, tidied up a bit, and then went back to her room.
Inside, Gao Guoqiang hadn’t slept, and he was sitting on the bed. When Zheng Xianghong ca in, he said, "Jiaxing has left?"
"Just left," Zheng Xianghong replied, "Why didn’t you go out to see him off?"
"What’s there to see off? A tearful farewell is not seemly," Gao Guoqiang said.
Zheng Xianghong smiled helplessly. Father and son were alike. She said, "It’s still early. You didn’t sleep well all night, go to sleep now."
Zheng Xianghong began to laugh, "Alright, it’s my fault. Go to sleep; I told them yesterday that I won’t be going to the cafeteria today."
Gao National Defense moved over to make room and lay down with her, sighing, "When our son was young, we hoped he would grow up fast. Once grown, we hoped he would get married, and after he got married, we hoped for a grandchild. It’s never-ending."
Zheng Xianghong said, "Isn’t that how all parents feel? Stop overthinking it. Your son and daughter-in-law are seldom together now; what you should hope for now is that your son does well so your daughter-in-law can accompany him in the military, and then grandchildren will co sooner."
Gao Guoqiang had nothing more to say, and Zheng Xianghong didn’t add anything else. Slowly, they fell asleep.
This morning, when Xia Xiao woke up, it was already broad daylight.
The side of the bed had cooled, and Xia Xiao was startled and exclaid as she noticed that Gao Jiaxing’s luggage was gone.
The doors to Zheng Xianghong and Sun Yuhua’s rooms were wide open. Gao Guoqiang and Gao Jiazhi were not at ho. Sun Yuhua was feeding Weilin, while Zheng Xianghong was washing clothes.
"Mom, where’s Brother Gao?" Xia Xiao asked, trembling, even though she already knew the answer but still felt the need to ask.
"Xia Xiao, you’re awake. Jiaxing, he left early in the morning. He told not to wake you up," Zheng Xianghong replied, looking at Xia Xiao’s expression and added, "Don’t worry about him. He said he would write to us once he arrives. I’ve cooked breakfast, eat if you’re hungry."
"Oh," Xia Xiao responded, then silently went back to her room.
She locked the door behind her and entered another space.
Shitou said, "What’s the matter? You look like you’re about to cry."
Xia Xiao said, "Gao Jiaxing just left without saying goodbye, that liar."
At that mont, Xia Xiao was annoyed, itching with frustration, wishing she could bite Gao Jiaxing to vent her anger.
"Isn’t it better this way? It spares you the pain of watching him go," Shitou said.
Xia Xiao pouted and didn’t reply. Now that Gao Jiaxing had left, she felt very hollow, even more listless than before.
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