AYLS – Chapter 139

After raising several batches of chickens, the poultry farm gradually became livelier.

Although the breed of chickens here wasn’t as high-quality as the batch Lin Qiao and Su Weizhen had brought, under Lin Qiao and Su Weizhen’s careful care, they were growing increasingly well.

Everyone was becoming more convinced that the two of them truly had talent, so they all came to Lin Qiao for advice.

Lin Qiao decided to discuss with Su Weizhen and concluded that it would be best to set up a training class. After all, the poultry farm wouldn’t always be managed by just the two of them.

Su Weizhen thought that if she had children in the future, it would definitely interfere with her work. There was no avoiding that.

Lin Qiao, on the other hand, thought that she would definitely have to leave; Su Weizhen couldn’t manage alone.

So the two of them immediately agreed and settled the matter.

When the logistics department heard about their plan, they agreed at once.

Director Hao said, “Since you’re going to teach, can you teach a bit more?”

Lin Qiao replied, “No problem at all. It’s all lectures anyway. As long as people are willing to listen. Who else will attend?”

“There might be some veterans about to retire.”

Some veterans had served in the army for many years, but they couldn’t stay forever. Now in peacetime, once soldiers reached a certain age, they would retire and return to their hometowns.

Some could be assigned jobs, others couldn’t.

Director Hao thought it would be helpful to teach them some skills, so they could work as breeders back home.

Listening to Director Hao, Lin Qiao was excited and agreed immediately. “No problem, I’ll teach my best.”

Back at the chicken farm, Lin Qiao told Su Weizhen about this.

Su Weizhen said thoughtfully, “Our country hasn’t had it easy in recent years, and these comrades have sacrificed a lot. It’s only right that we contribute.”

“If only I had studied properly before,” Lin Qiao thought regretfully.

She had even had the chance to learn pig farming before, but she couldn’t stand the smell and only learned chicken farming.

Su Weizhen reassured her, “It’s nothing. One person’s energy is limited. If you learn too much, you end up not mastering anything, and you can’t teach others. Learning thoroughly like this is good. Only by mastering it ourselves can we truly teach it.”

Lin Qiao felt comforted. “Zhenzhen, we have to teach well. Really well. Especially you.”

After all, soon I’ll be leaving…

Thinking about this made Lin Qiao feel sad again.

Each time it hurt a little more.

She always felt that the world needed her.

The logistics department posted a notice on the regiment’s bulletin board announcing that Lin Qiao and Su Weizhen would hold classes.

They would teach chicken farm breeding techniques and farm management.

Any military family members interested could participate, and the logistics staff responsible for breeding had to attend. Other soldiers off duty could also join.

The compound became lively again.

Previously, people thought Lin Qiao and Su Weizhen were easygoing, but now they truly respected them. People with skills and knowledge deserved respect.

Especially teaching practical skills—it was like giving someone a way to survive.

Military wives didn’t have to become breeders, but at home, they could raise chickens. Learning some skills now would help them later, so the chickens would lay more eggs and cause no trouble for the unit.

After meals, everyone came to chat with Lin Qiao, discussing the technical classes.

Lin Qiao was still eating, stuffing her mouth full as people arrived.

Gu Huayuan didn’t even get a chance to remind her to drink water. Watching her rush out excitedly, he couldn’t help but smile.

Every time he saw this side of Lin Qiao, he felt even more certain: she might not be a perfect person, but she was definitely not someone who would harm others.

He hoped that the elder this time would leave without success, proving his worries were unnecessary.

He wanted this to be his only mistake.

…

With everyone’s strong support, the training class was quickly organized.

Lin Qiao and Su Weizhen both had teaching experience—they had been through countless challenges in the Construction Corps. Returning to the podium this time, they were very skilled.

Director Hao peeked in through the window and couldn’t help smiling.

Being stationed at the frontier needed some novelty to lift everyone’s spirits.

Especially military families who followed the army and endured harsh conditions—it wasn’t easy.

This setup was perfect.

Director Hao said with a smile, “Our military families are all talented. If more people like this show up, it’ll be a huge help.”

Commander Sheng said, “Let’s wait and see the results first. Don’t praise them too early.”

“Commander, are you still remembering the time Lin Qiao criticized you?”

“Who’s being petty? I’m just being careful. As long as they do well and achieve results, I’d even recommend them for party membership.”

Director Hao was excited. “Commander, you’re serious?”

“Who’s joking? Teaching our soldiers a skill so they can have a proper job when they return—we should reward that.”

“Absolutely,” Director Hao laughed too, happy for Lin Qiao and Su Weizhen.

…

Lin Qiao had been busy lately, managing the chicken farm and teaching. With fewer opportunities to meet Gu Huayuan, she felt less pressured.

Of course, he was busy too. His reconnaissance unit often trained in the field for days at a time.

Every time he returned, he was filthy.

This time, after Lin Qiao started her class, he was gone for half a month. When he returned, his clothes were in tatters and his arms covered in scratches.

Lin Qiao wanted to ask what he had been doing and how he ended up like that, but the army had confidentiality rules, so she held back.

At most, she could complain in front of him: “You’re a grown man, yet you can’t take care of yourself. I take better care of myself when I go out.”

Gu Huayuan wiped his neck and face, smiling. “It’s different from when you go out.”

“I know, but it still shouldn’t be like this… never mind. I understand—you go to harsh places. I get it.”

Seeing her so understanding, Gu Huayuan felt quietly amused.

Comrade Lin Qiao never pried into his work—she definitely wasn’t a spy.

Lin Qiao said, “You’re still smiling? Hurry up, clean it, and apply some ointment.”

“Coming right up.”

The two of them had just finished fussing over it when a messenger arrived with a letter for Gu Huayuan.

The letter had been held for two days. Because the envelope stated it must be delivered to the recipient personally, it hadn’t been handed to Lin Qiao.

Gu Huayuan looked at the envelope and immediately knew who had sent it. Without showing any emotion, he took it and set it aside.

Lin Qiao asked, “Who’s this so mysterious that it has to come to you? I won’t peek.” She wasn’t that bored.

“My friend doesn’t know I’m married and was worried it might leak to outsiders.”

“You actually have friends who don’t know you’re married?” Lin Qiao’s face puffed up with indignation. “What are you implying? That I’m someone to be hidden?”

Gu Huayuan sighed helplessly and pinched her ear. “Comrade Xiao Qiao, you’re just taking the opportunity to mess with me.”

“Of course I am. Who let you not have a single secret I could catch? I have to get my revenge. When you reply to your friend, make sure to clarify that you’re married.”

“I know, I know. This time I’ll make it clear!” Gu Huayuan promised repeatedly with a smile.

Seeing Lin Qiao’s smug little expression, he felt a twinge of guilt. He felt that his thoughts weren’t worthy of someone with her nature.

That afternoon, Lin Qiao went to teach her class, and Gu Huayuan opened the letter. It was written in a special style and invited him to meet in the provincial city.

Only then did Gu Huayuan feel a bit nervous, a slight pang in his heart. He worried that something might really be uncovered.

This time his mission was long, and he had some leave after returning. When Xiao Qiao came back that evening, he suggested going to the provincial city for a trip.

But Xiao Qiao found the travel inconvenient and had classes, so she refused outright.

She wasn’t interested in shopping anymore. She preferred to finish what she wanted to do early, complete her tasks, and then wander freely in her own world.

Since she wasn’t going, Gu Huayuan could go alone.

“Since when did you start liking shopping?”

“Just to buy a few things,” Gu Huayuan said absentmindedly, holding her as they lay together. “Want anything?”

“Don’t buy randomly, save some. At most, just get some snow cream. I need to protect my skin.”

“Mm.” Gu Huayuan smiled. “I don’t know where you learned to be so particular. Using snow cream on your face, and making sure your hands and feet are treated too.”

“How is that being particular? Women have to take care of themselves. I’ve also been taking care of your skin. But now you’ve messed up your own face again.”

Gu Huayuan hugged her tightly and pressed his face against her fair skin. “You can’t complain anyway.”

“Ah, let go, let go. Annoying.” Lin Qiao pushed him away in mock disgust.

They wrestled playfully on the bed until they collapsed together.

The next morning, Lin Qiao got up to find Gu Huayuan gone.

Traveling alone was much more convenient than with her. What would have taken most of the day, he finished in a few hours.

He went straight to a local restaurant for a meal.

Inside, a man in a gray jacket was eating. Gu Huayuan approached him, and the man smiled. “You’ve grown so tall since I last saw you.”

“Uncle, you came all this way to see me?” Gu Huayuan sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and poured him some wine.

“I was passing by on work. Of course I had to stop by. Eat first. Afterward, you can show me around nearby.”

Seeing his relaxed expression, Gu Huayuan felt a weight lift off his chest.

In this public setting, they didn’t discuss much else, just some daily life topics.

For instance, whether Gu Huayuan had married yet. As a senior, he hadn’t attended the wedding, so this visit was a chance to buy gifts for his niece-in-law.

“She’s not particular about these things,” Gu Huayuan smiled.

“She’s not, but I, as a senior, have to be. Your marriage is a good thing; I’m happy for you. You were so young back then… Time flies.”

The man drank a glass of wine and laughed. “But you’ve always been smart; I trust you. Life’s treating you well, right?”

“Pretty good.”

Gu Huayuan smiled, his face full of happiness, showing everyone who knew him that he was living quite well.

After the meal, they visited a provincial park and eventually found a quiet, empty spot to talk.

“You asked me to investigate the Song family. I looked into it carefully. There were indeed issues back then. In Yuan’an County, we traced a line, and it’s been resolved.”

Gu Huayuan remained expressionless. “It’s resolved?”

“Indeed. Otherwise, would I have time to come see you? It was just minor things, insignificant. If you hadn’t asked, some locals could have handled it. Oh, I also found some old photos and used film from the Song family. The photos are blurred, and the film damaged, so they can’t be developed. They were all found in a photo studio. Take them back for your wife to identify, see if there’s any mistake. Blurry and unfamiliar, people wouldn’t recognize them. The elderly workers’ eyes aren’t so good either.”

Hearing about the photos, Gu Huayuan’s heart skipped a beat.

He took a look; the photos were old, older than the ones he had.

He checked—no Xiao Qiao.

The film contained people he didn’t recognize. Only one had a vaguely familiar outline.

It wasn’t Xiao Qiao but the Song family lady from a photo he had previously seen of her.

Gu Huayuan had an excellent memory. Even though that photo had been cut out, he still remembered its original appearance.

The film clearly belonged to those earlier photos.

What shocked Gu Huayuan was that none of the film included Xiao Qiao!