Reborn in the 60s, I hunt to support my family and even seduce the village beauty.

Red Army soldier nodded and patted Cheng Xin on the shoulder.

"When I joined the army, I couldn't read a single character, and I couldn't even write my own name properly. After three years in the army, I learned everything when I came out."

Cheng Xin looked at him, her eyes full of envy: "Then...then can I join the army too?"

Gao Jin laughed: "Why not? You're the perfect age. Go back and have your brother-in-law ask around. There's a conscription office on the street; you can just sign up."

Cheng Xin turned his head and looked at Chang Kun.

"Okay, I'll ask around for you when I get back."

Sun Xiulan had been listening silently the whole time, but suddenly spoke up.

"Will joining the army be dangerous?"

Gao Jin waved his hand: "Old man, don't worry. Training in the army is tough, but it's not as dangerous as before. Your son is ambitious, which is a good thing."

Sun Xiulan opened her mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back.

Looking at her son's excited face, then at Chang Kun, she finally sighed.

"Then let's listen to you, but we don't know what his father's opinion is."

Cheng Xin jumped up suddenly and almost hit the roof of the food cart.

"Great! I want to join the army!"

Xiao Li laughed at him from the side, "Don't be too happy yet, you still have to get a medical check-up!"

Cheng Xin paused for a moment, then sat down again, his face beaming with smiles: "I'm in great health. I work every day, so my medical checkup will definitely be fine."

Speaking of physical examinations, Chang Kun thought of Ren Qiangdan again. It seems that once he returns to Beijing, he should find an opportunity to get his mother-in-law and brother-in-law to have her take a bite.

Cheng Min was also reluctant to see her younger brother join the army, but seeing Cheng Xin's excited expression, she could only pout and think about persuading him slowly when they got back.

Just as the family was about to reunite, her younger brother had to go to the army and leave her again, which she refused to accept.

Chang Kun, that clueless guy, even encouraged his underling to join the army. I'll give him a good scolding when we get back.

After the meal, both the host and guests were in high spirits, except for Sun Xiulan and Cheng Min, who forced smiles.

Back in the carriage, Cheng Min remained silent.

Sun Xiulan remained silent, sitting on the edge of the bed, staring blankly out the window.

The passengers were still caught up in the excitement, pressing their faces against the windows to look at the scenery outside, humming an unknown tune.

These days, most boys dream of joining the army.

Now that it's very likely to happen, he's quite pleased with himself.

Chang Kun glanced at Cheng Min, knowing that she had something on her mind.

Sure enough, after a short while, Cheng Min spoke up.

"Chang Kun, I... I don't want Xiao Xin to join the army."

Chang Kun turned to look at her.

Cheng Min lowered her head, her voice muffled.

"My younger brother was just found, and the family was just reunited... I don't want him to leave."

Chang Kun didn't say anything, but sat down next to her.

"That's what Mother thinks too. She didn't say it, but I know it." Cheng Min leaned on Chang Kun's shoulder, her voice growing softer and softer.

Cheng Xin stared blankly at his sister, then at his mother, and pursed his lips, remaining silent.

Chang Kun put his arm around Cheng Min's shoulder and said softly, "I know you and Mother are reluctant to part with him, but think about it, Xiao Xin is growing up. He can't just sit around doing nothing and rely entirely on the family, can he?"

Cheng Xin nodded emphatically: "Brother-in-law is right, I can make Mother proud on my own!"

Sun Xiulan sniffed and rubbed her son's head: "I don't expect you to be anything special, I just hope you'll stay safe and sound!"

"Mother, even if Xiaoxin can join the army, it won't happen overnight. It could take half a year to sign up for the conscription and go through the process."

"Well... what Xiao Kun said makes some sense, but the thought of Xiao Xin going to join the army makes me feel empty inside."

Chang Kun continued to persuade, "Mother, look how happy Xiao Xin was just now. He's only eighteen years old, and he has a long life ahead of him. We can't keep him tied up at home forever."

Sun Xiulan was silent for a moment, then sighed: "It's a good thing that the child has ambition, and the family has the means..."

"When we get home, let Xiaoxin spend some more time with his father and older brother."

Cheng Xin understood what his mother meant and grinned happily.

The journey was uneventful until the morning of the third day, when the train came to a slow, clanging stop.

"We've arrived in Beijing!"

The flight attendant walked down the aisle, her voice trailing off.

Cheng Xin jumped out of bed and peered out the window.

The platform was bustling with people, and passengers carrying large and small bags jostled each other. He couldn't see anything clearly, but his eyes were still wide open.

"We're here? We're here?" he called back.

Sun Xiulan sat on the edge of the bed, holding Cheng Min's hand tightly; her palms were sweaty.

She opened her mouth as if to say something, but no words came out.

"Mother, you're back!" Cheng Min gripped her mother's hand tightly, feeling her palm trembling slightly.

Chang Kun took his luggage off the bus, glanced out the window, and then called out, "Let's go, we're getting off."

The family followed the crowd toward the car door. Sun Xiulan walked in front, supported by Cheng Min, followed by Cheng Xin, and Chang Kun walked at the back carrying things.

As the train doors opened, a refreshing breeze swept across the platform, carrying the dryness characteristic of late summer in the north.

Sun Xiulan stood at the exit and glanced outside. Suddenly, her legs felt a little weak.

On the platform, Cheng Rongjiang and Cheng Jie stood at the very front.

Cheng Jie was tall, and he could see his mother in the car door at a glance.

His lips moved, but he didn't utter a sound. He wanted to take a step forward, but his legs felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Cheng Rongjiang stood to the side, his hands clenched tightly together, his knuckles turning white.

"Why hasn't it come yet? Why hasn't it arrived... Is this the right train?"

He was so anxious that sweat poured down his face.

After exiting the station, Sun Xiulan looked around.

So many people, so many houses, such a big city.

More than a decade has passed! She's finally back!

Suddenly, her eyes fixed on the old man and the young man.

More than ten years later, she recognized the old man and her son at a glance.

Tears welled up instantly, blurring my vision, and I couldn't wipe them away no matter how hard I tried.

"mother--"

With a mournful roar, Cheng Jie burst out from the crowd.

He strode over and grabbed his mother's hand.

"mother!!!"

He was so excited that he trembled all over and knelt down with a thud.

She cried out twice, and tears streamed down her face.

Sun Xiulan looked at the tall young man in front of her, at the police uniform he was wearing, and at his eyebrows and eyes that were exactly the same as hers.

"Xiao Jie... my Xiao Jie..."

She touched her son's face, her hands trembling violently.

"You've grown so much, you've really grown so much... Get up, get up quickly..."

Cheng Jie held his mother's hand, pressed it against his face, and cried like a child.

"Mom, it's me, it's Xiao Jie..."

The mother and daughter knelt on the ground, embraced each other and wept bitterly, unable to utter a word for a moment.

Cheng Rongjiang stood to the side, watching this scene, his lips trembling, tears streaming down his cheeks.

It's been more than ten years.

He searched for a partner for over a decade, thought about it for over a decade, and waited for it for over a decade.

Now that the person was right in front of him, he felt timid and hesitated to go forward.