Field training certainly wouldn’t allow for occasional weekend returns as before, Xia Xiao nodded understandingly, fully supporting Gao Jiaxing.
This ti, on the battlefield, Gao Jiaxing and Yu Shijie had also made comndable achievents, but since they were military academy students, they received awards but weren’t promoted.
However, military achievents could accumulate, and they could be promoted after earning more rits in the future.
After this, Gao Jiaxing and Yu Shijie indeed beca even busier, to the point where in the latter half of the year, Xia Xiao only saw Gao Jiaxing return once.
In S City, Mr. Xue fell ill, and Gao Jiazhi took leave to care for him, but unexpectedly at this ti, Xiao i, who had been missing for over a year, showed up.
When Gao Jiazhi saw Xiao i, she nearly resembled a beggar, gaunt beyond recognition, not to ntion her skin-and-bones appearance; she was so dark one might think she had been mining for coal if they didn’t know any better.
Xiao i’s journey to S City had been extrely difficult; it could even be said that after more than a year of travel, without a household registration or letter of introduction, she sneaked and hid, fearing arrest, kidnapping, or being sold.
Gao Jiazhi couldn’t recognize Xiao i, and if it weren’t for her calling him "big uncle," he wouldn’t have known that the person in front of him was his niece, Xiao i.
But at the sa ti, his heart ached, "Co in first."
Gao Jiazhi had many questions to ask, but seeing Xiao i’s state, he let her co in first.
"Weilin, take your cousin to wash up, and lend her your clothes to change into," Gao Jiazhi said, looking at the frail Xiao i with a sigh in his heart.
Weilin was now eleven years old and about one ter forty tall; her clothes, when worn by Xiao i, did not seem too small.
Xiao i was one ter fifty-five, but far too thin, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.
However, seeing Xiao i, Gao Jiazhi also breathed a sigh of relief. After Xiao i had showered and changed into Weilin’s clothes, she ca over sowhat awkwardly.
Gao Jiahzi said, "Sit down and tell about what’s happened to you over this past year."
Xiao i fell silent for a mont before slowly beginning to speak, while Weilin thoughtfully poured Xiao i a glass of water and went to the kitchen to prepare sothing for her to eat.
Xiao i settled down with Mr. Xue, showing great diligence by helping out with chores and caring for the ailing Mr. Xue.
Gao Jiazhi sent a telegram to Xia Xiao’s family, notifying them of Xiao i’s whereabouts and ntioning in passing that Mr. Xue was ill.
Thinking of her "Divine Water," Xia Xiao offered to bring Xiao i’s household registration; Zheng Xianghong and Gao Guoqiang thought it would be fine to just mail it, but considering Xia Xiao might want to visit her family ho, they said nothing.
Due to Feiyang and Feiyue being in school, and the twins still young, Xia Xiao took Feiyi with her to S City.
However, by the ti Xia Xiao returned to S City, Mr. Xue had already passed away two days prior, leaving Xia Xiao with nothing but regret.
Mr. Xue had passed away peacefully, and before his death, he had told Gao Jiazhi to marry a good woman if he t one.
Mr. Xue couldn’t bear to see his grandson remain alone; after all, there was still a long road ahead in life.
"Elder brother, why not let Xiao i and Weilin co with ?" Xia Xiao said to Gao Jiazhi. If Mr. Xue were still alive, she wouldn’t have made such a suggestion, but Mr. Xue was gone, and Gao Jiazhi had to continue his studies.
Xia Xiao was now well acquainted with Lu Mingzhu, and even the Lu family, so getting Xiao i temporary work in a garnt factory was possible.
Gao Jiazhi nodded, "Alright, let Xiao i and Weilin both co over."
Xia Xiao then went to visit her parents and relatives, made a trip to her grandmother’s house, and stayed at her grandparents’ place for two days, waiting for Gao Jiazhi to take care of Weilin’s matters.
Seeing Xiao i, Zheng Xianghong couldn’t help but feel a surge of sorrow as she held her in her arms, "It’s good that you’re back."
Xiao i had also heard about Gao Yongfang’s death from Gao Jiazhi, but remained silent, having nothing more to say to this mother.
With Xiao i and Weilin around, Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong were more at ease. Feiyang, Feiyue, and Feiyi got along quite well with their elder sister Weilin, so everyone was on good terms.
After regaining so health, Xia Xiao, through Lu Mingzhu, introduced Xiao i to a garnt factory for temporary work.
At first, Xiao i was very reserved and worked hard, also feeling insecure and fearing rejection, so she was exceptionally diligent.
Seeing this, Xia Xiao, Zheng Xianghong, and Gao Guoqiang all felt a wave of compassion. Without comparison, there wouldn’t be much distinction, but Xiao i and Weilin looked about the sa age, and having endured so much hardship, their bodies could only slowly recover.
When Gao Jiaxing occasionally returned, seeing Xiao i gave him a sigh of relief, glad that she was alive.
Tears welled in Xiao i’s eyes. She was still very grateful for her grandmother, grandfather, uncles, and aunts for their care. Because she had grown up enduring hardship, Xiao i had the determination and tenacity not commonly found in others, allowing her to learn quickly at the garnt factory.
Xia Xiao was very pleased with Xiao i, and when she had so spare ti, she would let Xiao i learn together with Weilin, Feiyang, Feiyue, and even Feiyi.
Ti passed day by day, and before long, the year 1980 arrived. Xia Xiao’s life was full and busy. Although she had not yet opened a clothing store or factory, her reputation had slowly spread, her designs beca increasingly innovative, and her clothes more and more impressive.
Even Ning Hui brought Xia Xiao quite a few businesses, and even made her own and her family’s clothes through Xia Xiao.
Zheng Xianghong continued selling breakfast, but in her free ti, she helped Xia Xiao make clothes.
While Yang Xuehua was busy reviewing for exams, Xue Baozhu would co to take care of her children. During her leisure ti, Yang Xuehua would go back and forth to the Yu Family.
That year, Gao Jiaxing and Yu Shijie graduated from military academy and returned to the Flying Sword Team.
In May 1981, Gao Jiaxing and Yu Shijie went to war with their units again, and did not return ho until July.
In any case, if there was a war that needed them, they would be there.
Thus, that year, Gao Jiaxing was promoted to battalion commander with the rank of Major.
While Yu Shijie beca a company commander with the rank of Lieutenant.
Liu Yuanchao had already beco a deputy regintal commander with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He Xuegang was a platoon leader and Lieutenant, and He Xuebing had also beco a company commander and Lieutenant.
It could be said that the battlefield was the place where military exploits were most readily earned, but with "one man’s success built on the bones of thousands," the battlefield was also the place that took the most lives.
Therefore, the soldiers who defend the nation are the most admirable of people. Xia Xiao, while proud and boasting about Gao Jiaxing’s promotion and for his glory, also had innate worries and fears about war.
Although she had not been on the battlefield herself, she had seen plenty of war films on TV, filled with bloodshed and cruelty.
Nevertheless, it is through enduring these wars that future peace is achieved. Xia Xiao, even though she constantly reassured herself, trying to take a broader view, couldn’t help but worry every ti Gao Jiaxing went to war.
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