RMM -Chapter 235 Caught in a Dilemma

The weather had already warmed up, and the sun’s gentle warmth made even the breeze feel pleasant.

It was a rare, perfectly sunny day, with clear skies stretching for miles. Su Ruo was doing her yoga while thinking to herself.

To prevent her postpartum figure from going out of shape, Su Ruo was diligently and carefully practicing postpartum yoga. Although her body had only become more curvaceous and well-proportioned, with no signs of deterioration, she still exercised caution—more preparation could never hurt.

She didn’t want to become unattractive because of giving birth. Even if others didn’t notice, she couldn’t bear it herself. Life was still long, and she wanted to live it looking vibrant and elegant.

Lately, Su Ruo had been eating well, sleeping well, and enjoying herself fully. Her mood was cheerful and relaxed, and she felt more energetic than ever.

However…

After finishing her yoga, Su Ruo walked aside, wiped the sweat from her brow, and let out a troubled sigh.

The commander had gone to report to the unit this morning…

It made sense—this leave was unprecedentedly long for Xi Yuechen. Going to report now was more than fair, but Su Ruo still felt dissatisfied.

It had only been a few days, and now he was being called back again. They had just returned from D Province, and who knew where he would be transferred next?

What if it was somewhere remote again? Would she have to live alone in an empty house again?

How could Su Ruo accept that? She had grown used to being with Xi Yuechen day and night during this time, and the thought of him suddenly leaving again was unbearable.

But if he really was transferred, what could she do? With her current condition, there was no way she could follow him to the army. Not only would everyone at home object, she herself couldn’t bear leaving Xi Zi behind.

After giving birth to Xi Zi, Su Ruo realized just how many things a mother could not let go of—and this child was the first and most important.

Before, she didn’t understand this feeling, and had confidently insisted she would go with the commander wherever he went. But now, with a child, she understood she simply couldn’t part with her baby. All her previous decisions had vanished.

Indeed, Xi Zi was still so small. Su Ruo could go with the army, but the child couldn’t. He was just a month old—she wouldn’t dare bring him along. Even leaving aside the army environment, she wouldn’t be able to handle him alone.

Of course. With so many people around at home, she could take it easy. But if the child were left with her alone, she simply wouldn’t adapt in the short term.

Su Ruo knew her own limits. From the start, she never considered taking Xi Zi with her to the army—what suffering would that child endure in her arms? She couldn’t bear it!

So, she never raised the idea at home, avoiding unnecessary worry. First and foremost, she couldn’t even manage it herself.

Yet letting Xi Yuechen go alone was also unbearable.

Last night, when Xi Yuechen told Su Ruo he had to report to the unit today, she fell into a dilemma: neither option seemed acceptable. She was frustrated and even secretly blamed Xi Yuechen for being so professional. Why rush back? Couldn’t he stay a couple more days? Even if it was the leadership forcing him, couldn’t he negotiate a few extra days? But no, he was so eager to return—did he really want to leave her?

The news of Xi Yuechen leaving D Province had been delivered to Su Ruo after she was discharged from the hospital, bringing her equal parts surprise and joy. She had been ready for an “eight-year struggle,” but the good news came suddenly.

However, Su Ruo didn’t press Xi Yuechen on why he was leaving so quickly. Military matters weren’t necessarily understandable to her, and some things might be confidential anyway. No matter how much she asked, the commander would never reveal them.

Su Ruo had always been very aware of the nature of Xi Yuechen’s job. She never asked too much—whatever he said, she accepted. She only cared about the outcome; the reasons and processes were not important. As long as the commander handled things properly, she didn’t need to interfere.

Her focus was just on the fact that Xi Yuechen would have some leave. The exact duration was uncertain, but it shouldn’t be too short. Excited as she was, she had temporarily pushed aside any thoughts about what would happen after his leave.

So when Xi Yuechen mentioned reporting to the unit tomorrow, she realized he might be transferred after completing the mission in D Province. He couldn’t just stay at home doing nothing while the rest of the team worked.

Hearing this, Su Ruo’s heart sank. He was leaving again?

Xi Yuechen felt a pang seeing her sorrowful expression, but what could he do? He was a soldier, and that meant Su Ruo’s days would be difficult—beyond her control.

Going to report at this time was already a favor. Even if Xi Yuechen had accomplished great feats, he wouldn’t automatically get more than a month of leave. The reason he got a full month was partly because he had just returned from D Province, needed to be assigned a suitable position, and mostly because he had fought for it himself.

Su Ruo didn’t know that this leave had been fought for; otherwise, even twenty days would have been generous. The rest of the task force was already diligently at their posts, while he alone enjoyed idle time at home.

“Ah…he’s not back yet. Could he have been transferred to that remote area again?”

Su Ruo lay on the bed helplessly, muttering to herself.

Life, oh life, why are you so cruel? All she wanted was to be with her husband—how could it be so difficult?

“Ruo Ruo, come feed Xi Zi!”

Just as she was lamenting, the door was knocked. It was Shen Liang, calling her to hurry.

“Coming, coming!”

Su Ruo called back, then grimaced. Look at that, her son couldn’t be away from her even for a moment—how could she go with the army now?

After sighing, she dragged herself to the door and headed downstairs.

“Ruo Ruo, are you okay? You look so listless. Are you tired?”

Shen Liang handed the baby to Su Ruo and noticed her expression, concern evident.

“I’m fine,” Su Ruo instinctively said, then thought better of it. “Mom, what if the commander gets transferred again?”

Shen Liang and the others already knew Xi Yuechen was returning to the unit and likely to be reassigned, so they fell silent for a moment.

They knew if he was transferred again, Su Ruo would suffer the most. They had just reunited, and now he would leave again.

“If it weren’t for Xi Zi, you could have gone with him this time,” Shen Liang sighed. She didn’t want them to live apart, but there was no better solution. Once Xi Zi was older, she could let Su Ruo go with the army, but he was just a month old—how could she be left alone to care for him?

“I wish the commander could stay in B City,” Su Ruo murmured, eyes dull, lips pressed together.

Shen Liang sighed silently. When Xi Zi was six months old, she would let Su Ruo go with the army and bring the child along. By then, taking care of him wouldn’t be so difficult. Otherwise, constantly being apart wasn’t fair to the couple.

Though she wouldn’t see her grandson every day, she could visit them and allow Su Ruo to come home more often.

Soon, Shen Liang had made her decision in her mind.

“If it’s far away, once Xi Zi grows a bit, you can take him with you. It’s no big deal.”

Su Ruo, still frowning, was stunned. She had thought she understood this herself—but for her mother-in-law to make such a decision so quickly, so liberally? She loved Xi Zi so much she would have plucked the stars from the sky for him, yet now she was allowed to take him with her?

She had expected to struggle over this.

“What if I take Xi Zi with me? What will you do?” she asked rationally.

“We’ll manage. Why worry about that? Just feed my grandson.”

Shen Liang pretended to be impatient, lightly tapping Su Ruo on the forehead, unwilling to discuss further. Though it was only talk, just thinking of leaving her grandson would make her heart ache.

“Okay, I’ll head back to my room first, Mom.”

Su Ruo could see the pain on Shen Liang’s face. Smart as she was, she ignored the principle—what else could she do? She couldn’t leave Xi Zi behind to go with the army alone.

“Mm, after feeding him, let me hold him,” Shen Liang said, composing herself.

Since the living room was busy with people coming and going, Su Ruo never fed Xi Zi there. She preferred to go to her room, even if it was more tiring. She couldn’t risk exposing herself in broad daylight.

“Mm, got it,” she replied, heading upstairs.

Baby, for the sake of your parents’ happiness, grow up quickly. Otherwise, Mom will truly become the legendary “waiting stone”…

So, my son, our future rests on you—you’d better make us proud.

Watching Xi Zi with his eyes closed, cheeks puffed, drinking milk, Su Ruo thought to herself, feeling slightly mad. Such a small child, how could he understand anything?

But… she really didn’t want to be separated from the commander!