AYLS -Chapter 159

Too many things had happened that night. When Su Weizhen returned home, she still felt somewhat dazed.

Xu Yuanzheng was no exception.

First, he learned that his wife was a transmigrator, and then Old Gu’s wife turned out to be one as well. Now he was starting to suspect whether all the military wives around him were transmigrators too.

This was truly…

Seeing his wife’s dazed expression, he sighed. “Still feeling upset about Gu Huayuan and the others’ decision?”

“I just can’t wrap my head around it. It makes sense for Gu Huayuan to think that way—but why does Xiao Qiao think the same? Isn’t she afraid of losing Gu Huayuan?”

Xu Yuanzheng said, “Zhenzhen, if you knew ahead of time that I would die in battle, would you ask me to desert? For example—if I deserted, I’d never be able to lift my head again. I’d feel guilty for the rest of my life. Miserable for the rest of my life. I might even die depressed.”

Hearing these possibilities, the “yes” that was on Su Weizhen’s lips suddenly became impossible to say.

She imagined everything Xu Yuanzheng described, and her heart twisted as she struggled internally.

Just like Xiao Qiao said—living painfully…

Su Weizhen thought for a moment but couldn’t bring herself to speak. She couldn’t fully understand it, but at the same time, she somehow did.

Xu Yuanzheng continued, “Our country has only been established for a little over ten years. Back then, I was already old enough to understand things. I witnessed war—invaders trampling our land and dignity as they pleased, bullying our people. After the nation was founded, imperialists came again. On the surface they claimed they were fighting in Korea, but in reality they were trying to put a knife to our throat. After driving away the Americans, our neighboring country acted up again—daring to infringe upon our territory. We all know the imperialists never stop wanting to destroy us. So from the moment our generation of soldiers enlist, it’s already decided—our lives belong to the motherland. The only time we can retire is when all the nations in this world no longer dare raise a fist at us. Until then, as long as we can move, as long as we can still breathe, we will never retreat.”

He looked at Su Weizhen. “So you should understand how important belief is to us. For us, becoming a deserter is abandoning our original belief. Without that belief, what is the point of living? I think Comrade Xiao Qiao understands Gu Huayuan’s thoughts—that’s why she supports him so firmly. Zhenzhen, if one day I face the same fate, I hope you can support me too.”

Su Weizhen pressed her lips together, holding back her tears.

Then she nodded firmly. “Okay.”

She remembered the things she had read before—how her country had managed to develop so quickly. Everything was built upon the selfless sacrifices and contributions of countless people, creating a miracle in the world.

A spirit of giving everything, even one’s life.

Compared to Xiao Qiao, her thinking had been behind.

What she didn’t know was that Xiao Qiao actually hadn’t thought that deeply. She herself knew very little about history. Her decision was simply because Gu Huayuan respected her choice, so she returned the same respect to him.

For example, right now—Xiao Qiao was leaning against the bed chatting with Gu Huayuan, telling him that he must be careful in the future.

Gu Huayuan asked, “What, afraid I’ll die?”

“Of course I’m afraid. Just imagine—a living, breathing person suddenly gone. How painful would that be? Fat Cat would definitely take advantage of it.”

Gu Huayuan laughed. “Then why don’t you stop me?”

“I won’t stop you. If I don’t stop you, I’ll be sad. But if I do stop you, you’ll be the one sad. My memory’s not great—I’ll probably only be sad for a while. But you might be miserable for a long time. So I’d rather not stop you.”

“…”

Gu Huayuan fell silent for a long moment, his emotions churning, unable to describe what he felt.

He thought—this must be what his mother once called a soulmate.

But compared to Xiao Qiao, he felt he hadn’t done enough. “Xiao Qiao.”

“Hm?”

“I respect your choices too. No matter whether you stay, or… leave one day. I’ll respect you. As long as you’re happy.”

Lin Qiao stared at him in surprise.

“From the moment I learned where you came from, I knew that someday, you might leave. Back then, I was selfish—I wanted you to stay. Now, I’ll respect whatever you choose. Just like you respect my choices. And don’t worry—I’ll probably only be sad for a while.”

Lin Qiao was touched at first, but when she heard the rest, she couldn’t help pounding his chest. “I’m sure you won’t even be sad for a while.”

You’ll forget me, Gu Huayuan.

So in the end, I’m the only one who gets upset. Thankfully, my memory is really bad.

Now that everything was laid out openly, nothing much changed for the two families.

If anything, they became closer and more relaxed.

Su Weizhen also found a chance to talk to Lin Qiao. She expressed her support for her decision and that she would help change Gu Huayuan’s fate together.

“Actually… have you thought about it? The moment we arrived in this world, his fate had already changed.”

“A butterfly flapping its wings can set off a storm. We’re certainly stronger than a butterfly, right?” Lin Qiao said optimistically. “So, Comrade Zhenzhen, stop worrying. Just take good care of your health so you and the baby will both be well.”

Su Weizhen was infected by her optimism. She felt that even though both of them had transmigrated, Xiao Qiao lived much happier and adapted far better to this era. It must be because of her upbeat positivity—like a little sun.

“Then… I’ll find some pomelo leaves some time and sprinkle water over you and Old Gu.”

Lin Qiao asked, “For what?”

“To cleanse the bad luck. The way he was before… you know.” Su Weizhen whispered. “Don’t let anyone hear. This stuff is banned these days—they’ll arrest you.”

Lin Qiao: “…You actually believe in that?”

“Of course. If people can transmigrate, what’s impossible?”

“…” That actually made sense. Lin Qiao suddenly thought—this world was a game world. Who knew if the author had added weird little settings like that.

In the end, the pomelo-leaf cleansing didn’t happen. Gu Huayuan strongly opposed it, even giving Lin Qiao a whole ideological-education session and planning to make her copy Marxist-Leninist theory.

Lin Qiao said, “I really worried for nothing. If you can convince Commander Sheng, not only Weizhen—even Sheng’s wife might bring pomelo leaves for me.”

“Don’t worry. As long as the bug in your head doesn’t come out, I’ll prove my ability in no time,” Gu Huayuan said confidently.

Hearing that reminded Lin Qiao of Fat Cat. To be honest, ever since Fat Cat lost its energy and stopped whispering nonsense in her ears, she had been much happier every day.

But they couldn’t let it go on forever.

She was afraid that if Fat Cat died, something bad might happen.

She shared her concern with Gu Huayuan.

Gu Huayuan asked, “How is it now?”

Lin Qiao glanced at it. “Still lying on the ground. Eyes dull. Looks like it’s given up on life.”

Hearing that almost made Fat Cat vomit blood. Try being starving and paralyzed on the floor for days—see how you like it!

Gu Huayuan asked, “Can you communicate with it?”

“It can hardly talk now. Should I… give it a bit of energy?”

“…No.” He knew giving energy would make Lin Qiao uncomfortable, so he didn’t like the idea. “Forget it, let it lie there a few more days.”

Lin Qiao was about to agree when Fat Cat suddenly struggled, finally dropping the act. It squeezed out every bit of strength it had left and said, “No, no—let’s talk this out!”

Lin Qiao lit up. “It can talk!”

Gu Huayuan said, “Ask it—does it have any use? If it’s useless, ignore it. If it’s useful, then we’ll talk.”

Fat Cat didn’t even wait for her to translate. It mustered all its strength to answer. For example, it knew the plot that would happen in the future.

Even more than Su Weizhen. She only knew the events from her previous life, but Fat Cat knew the events of this life.

Lin Qiao instinctively asked, “Will anything happen to my Gu Huayuan?”

“…No.”

“Oh, you damned fat cat! My Old Gu is fine, but you still tried to mess with him. You’re horrible!”

Then she complained to Gu Huayuan, “Gu Huayuan! You were supposed to be fine, but this fat cat wanted to cause trouble for you, forcing your fate to change. It’s evil! Let’s ignore it.”

Fat Cat was furious yet helpless. It didn’t even have the strength to argue.

Its remaining energy made talking difficult as it was.

Gu Huayuan soothed Lin Qiao, saying there was no need to argue with an insect.

If they got upset and the fat cat accidentally picked up some benefit from the situation, that would be bad.

Then he had her tell Fat Cat that its foretold events were useless. Ever since Xiao Qiao and the fat cat entered this world, the world had already begun changing. Knowing too much only made things more chaotic. As for large-scale future trends, Su Weizhen was enough—they didn’t need it.

Fat Cat: “…”

Why is this man so sharp?

Realizing Gu Huayuan wasn’t easy to fool, and desperate for energy to relieve its suffering, Fat Cat brought out real value. “I… I have knowledge stored in my database related to this game—this world. That won’t change, right? No matter how the world shifts, knowledge is always useful.”

Lin Qiao’s eyes widened. Back when she asked Fat Cat for help, the damned thing only showed her novels and cartoons. If it had provided something useful back then, she would have gone to the capital long ago to present treasure!

Picking and choosing who to help—how shameless!