Chapter 185: Chapter 183: Getting the Chance to Visit Beijing

After Mrs. Wang left, life returned to normal for everyone.

Wang Xinxin and the Chen family got along more harmoniously as well.

Su Tang returned to work at the hospital. Occasionally, when she recalled the plot of the book, she almost felt as if it had all been a dream.

It was mostly because Zhou Rui had never appeared again, as if he had vanished into thin air.

One day, Su Tang had just gotten off work from the hospital and was about to go see Little Cheng’an when Mr. Lu approached her with a letter.

"Tangtang, I have some good news! A letter just came from Lu Xiao. He says the military is allowing a family visit, and he’s already applied for you."

Lu Xiao couldn’t leave his classified post for the time being, but the military, understanding that the soldiers missed their families, had specially arranged an opportunity for visits.

Even though it was only for a single day, it would be enough to ease the ache of their longing.

Su Tang’s eyes widened the moment she heard this.

"Really?"

It had been nearly four months since Lu Xiao left home.

Of course, she missed Lu Xiao, but more than that, she was worried about him.

She worried about whether he was adapting to life in Beijing, if his training was exhausting, if he was eating well, and when he would be able to come home.

Leaving the Northwest meant Lu Xiao would have better opportunities for promotion, but it also meant they would spend much more time apart in the future.

"Of course, it’s true. It’ll be good for you to go see him. You’ve never been to Beijing, have you? Go take a look."

Mr. Lu said with a smile. Su Tang nodded in agreement.

She headed back to the hospital to request time off. As soon as her department director heard it was for a family visit, he approved it immediately and added with a smile,

"Have a wonderful reunion with Lu Xiao. It’s not easy for you two as a young couple. Don’t worry about things here at the hospital."

After thanking the director, Su Tang went home.

Then, it was time to pack.

Su Tang picked out a few of the casual clothes Lu Xiao used to wear at home, packed some of his favorite dried meat and pickled vegetables, and made sure to tuck a recent photo of Little Cheng’an into her bag.

She had specially hired someone to take it during Little Cheng’an’s one-month celebration.

The whole point was so that Lu Xiao could see his son when he returned.

Before she left, she spoke with the elders from both families.

"Mom, Dad, I’m leaving to visit Lu Xiao tomorrow. It’s only for a day, so I’ll be back soon."

she said, pulling Little Cheng’an into her arms. "I’ll have to trouble you to look after him while I’m gone."

Mrs. Su nodded at once. "Don’t you worry. Leave the baby with us. It’s not easy for Lu Xiao to be out there all by himself. You two should have a good, long talk."

Mr. Su chimed in, "That’s right. It’s not easy for you to see each other. Don’t worry about anything at home."

When Mrs. Lu heard there was news of her son, her eyes reddened.

"You’ll finally get to see him... Tangtang, tell him not to worry about us at home. Just focus on doing a good job."

"I know, Mom."

Mr. Lu, holding Little Cheng’an, said in a serious tone, "Be careful on your journey. When you get there, don’t panic. The military has its own discipline, so just follow their arrangements."

"Don’t you worry about a thing."

How could the four of them, all grandparents, not be able to look after little Cheng’an?

Little Cheng’an seemed to know his mother was about to go on a long trip, his tiny hand clutching her collar, refusing to let go.

Su Tang’s heart melted. She kissed her son’s forehead.

"Cheng’an, be a good boy. Mama is going to find Papa, and I’ll be back very soon."

Little Cheng’an simply stared at Su Tang with his big, wide eyes.

They say nothing can hold a mother back like her child. Looking at Cheng’an, Su Tang’s heart ached with reluctance to leave.

「Early the next morning」

Before the sky had fully brightened, Su Tang left the house with her bag in hand.

After a long and arduous journey involving a bus and then a ’green-skin’ train, she finally arrived at Lu Xiao’s military base, having traveled for nearly five or six days to the rhythmic CLANK-CLANK of the rails.

Thankfully, the trains were much faster than they used to be. Otherwise, she felt the journey would have taken her eight or nine days.

After a strict registration and inspection process, a young soldier led her inside.

"Ma’am, Lu Tuan is on his way back from training. You can wait for him at the guest house."

"Thank you, soldier."

Su Tang nodded, her heart starting to beat faster and faster.

’I don’t know why. We’ve only been apart for a few months, so why am I so nervous?’

Her heart was pounding, just like it did on her first day in the Northwest.

The room in the guest house was simple and clean. She had just set down her luggage when she heard familiar footsteps outside the door.

Each step was steady and powerful.

Her heart leaped into her throat.

The moment the door swung open, Su Tang looked up and met a pair of deep, dark eyes.

Lu Xiao stood there in his training fatigues, his face streaked with sweat and dirt, yet he stood as tall and straight as a pine tree.

He froze in the doorway, as if he hadn’t expected her to have arrived already. His gaze instantly softened. "Tangtang."

Su Tang’s nose tingled, and she choked out his name, "Lu Xiao."

He strode into the room and swept her into his arms.

The familiar warmth and scent of him enveloped her, and Su Tang couldn’t hold back any longer. Tears streamed down her face.

"Don’t cry."

Lu Xiao’s voice was low and husky as his fingers gently brushed away her tears. "I’m okay. I’m doing really well."

It was tiring and tough, but other than that, everything was fine.

Besides, he was truly learning a lot here.

Su Tang buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled. "I missed you."

He held her tighter, his chin brushing against the crown of her head. "I missed you, too. So, so much."

They held each other in silence for a while, neither of them speaking.

Four months of longing finally found its release in that moment.

Later, while Lu Xiao went to fetch some water to wash his face, Su Tang quickly unpacked the things she had brought for him.

"I brought you some clothes, and some food."

A smile played on his lips as he watched her bustling about.

When she came near, he suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her down to sit beside him.

"That can wait."

He gazed into her eyes, his voice low. "First, let me get a good look at you."

The tips of Su Tang’s ears grew warm, but she didn’t look away.

Lu Xiao gently traced her brow and her cheek, his fingers finally coming to rest at the corner of her lips.

The atmosphere grew thick with unspoken intimacy.

His fingertips were rough and warm, and every touch made her heart race.

"How’s Little Cheng’an?"

he asked, his voice raspy.

"He can’t talk yet, but he’ll be able to call you Papa by the time you come home."

Su Tang answered with a smile. "The next time you come home, I’m sure he’ll run right up to you shouting for you."

Lu Xiao’s gaze softened. "It must have been hard for you."

She shook her head. "Not at all."

The words had barely left her lips when he suddenly lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

It was a restrained yet gentle kiss, but it sent a slight tremor through them both.

"I’ve put in a request to have dinner with you here at the guest house tonight. I’m off-duty until tomorrow evening."

he said in a low voice. What he really meant was that they could spend the entire day together.

Su Tang looked up. "Is that all the time we have?"

"Yeah."

His thumb caressed her wrist. "Which is why we can’t waste a single second."

Outside, the sky was growing dark, while inside, the room was cast in a dim, yellow light.

The couple, separated for months, finally held each other close, as if trying to make up for all their lost time, moment by moment.

At some point, a light rain began to fall outside, a soft pitter-patter.

It was only a light drizzle, but it became a rhythmic drumbeat, sounding in time with their hearts.