Daily Life in the 70s
Chapter 103: Separation

Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Separation

Chapter 103: Parting

Shen Yiguang paused for a moment, then turned his head to look at her and said softly, "You sleep a little longer."

Yang PeiMin struggled to get up, "No, I want to see you off."

Shen Yiguang felt pained and didn’t want her to get up. He knew better than anyone just how tired she was. "There’s no need to see me off. Let’s not fuss over this, it will only make it harder later."

Yang PeiMin shook her head and still got up, organizing herself and then checking over Shen Yiguang once more.

Outside, the sky was still dim; Chen Guizhi had already gotten up in the dark to prepare breakfast, and when she saw the two of them come out, she kept calling them to wash their faces with scoops of water.

Yang PeiMin couldn’t help feeling guilty, "Mother, I’m sorry, I should have gotten up earlier."

Chen Guizhi smiled kindly, "It’s nothing. I couldn’t sleep, and getting up early to cook a meal for my son actually settles me."

After she finished speaking, seeing them standing like wooden stakes, moved, she hurried them along, "Quickly go wash your faces."

The breakfast was lavish: white flour buns, stewed meat, boiled eggs, and tinned meat.

"Eat more. On the vehicle, you’ll only be able to nibble on dry rations."

"Brother, write home more often."

"Don’t think about home all the time. Do your job well and get along with your comrades."

"Apply for your family to join you in the military as soon as you get there, got it? Your mother and I don’t need to worry; we’re both in good health."

"I’ve packed some boiled eggs and buns for you to eat on the road. When you’re away, you should also take good care of your health and not worry too much about home. We’re all fine."

Suddenly, everyone had endless advice to give.

The air was filled with an indescribable sadness.

Shen Yiguang acknowledged each piece of advice. He took them all to heart seriously.

After the meal, he took his belongings, planning to take the bus from the town to the railway station.

The Shen family accompanied him to the village entrance. Shen Yiguang’s gaze swept over his family members’ faces one by one, finally lingering on Yang PeiMin’s face.

It was windy in the morning. Yang PeiMin wrapped her scarf thickly around her head and neck, leaving only her face, which was as white as snow, exposed. The redness around her eyes and nose stood out strikingly against her pale skin, and her dark eyes shimmered with moisture. Shen Yiguang’s heart throbbed with a surge of emotion and unwillingness to leave. He couldn’t resist giving her a hug, and then they parted. "Take care of mom and dad at home, and take care of yourself, too. If anything comes up, ask Zhao ManCang and the others for help. I’ve already spoken to them. And remember to write to me."

Although he had already given these instructions, Shen Yiguang couldn’t help but repeat them once more, unable to contain his impatience.

Yang PeiMin was the least able to bear such farewell scenes; she had thin tear ducts.

From the wedding to the departure, it was only a week’s time. She had heard that it usually takes about three weeks to form a habit, and she didn’t know whether she had become accustomed to his dominant presence. But right now, she really wanted to cry; a strong emotion of reluctance thickly clutched her heart and would not dissipate.

"Don’t cry," Shen Yiguang coaxed her in a low voice. "Look, you’ve even made mom cry."

Yang PeiMin nodded, but her tears fell like an unstoppable string of broken beads, "I’m sorry..."

She wiped her tears dry, "I’m fine, I’m a Military Wife now, I can’t shame you."

Shen Yiguang reached out to stroke the back of her head.

He had to leave, and Zhao ManCang, along with another childhood friend, brought over an ox cart, while his jeep was returned to the military commission above.

"Even a thousand miles of escort must end with parting."

Shen Yiguang left.

Not until his figure disappeared from sight did Yang PeiMin go over to support her mother, Chen Guizhi’s, arm, "Mom, let’s go back."

Since it was still early and there wasn’t much to do at home, Shen Erniu decided that everyone should go back to bed and lie down for a while more.

Yang PeiMin couldn’t sleep and wondered whether Shen Yiguang had caught the train, whether he was soaking the steamed buns in hot water before eating...

It took a whole day for her to barely get herself in order.

She was going to start teaching classes.

There was a bicycle that came as part of her dowry at home, and from now on, she was to ride the bike to and from work.

Before, Shen Yiguang had worried that she didn’t know how to ride a bike, a time different from the future where bikes were affordable for every family, and in this era, many children had never even touched a bike, let alone learned to ride one. So, Shen Yiguang put on a display, ready to teach her how to ride with great flourish.

But she had learned in the first grade in her previous life, taught hand-in-hand by her cousin, and she had ridden to and from school, although the school was very close to her home. Back then, she was also keeping up with the trend, not stopping until high school.

It had been several years since she last touched a bike, so her slight rustiness became her cunning smartness in front of Shen Yiguang, "Wife, you got it right on the first try, how come you’re so smart? Now I don’t have to worry about our children anymore, with such a smart mother, they probably won’t turn out too bad."

Yang PeiMin just rolled her eyes at him then.

Shen Yiyue suggested she accompany her, but Yang PeiMin refused, laughing, "I’m not a child, who ever heard of family members following behind when you go to work?"

Shen Yiyue laughed as well, playfully saying, "Sister-in-law, don’t say that, we do worry a bit. Compared to us, you really do look like a student."

Being called young, regardless of whether she looked like a child or not, was something Yang PeiMin gladly accepted.

In the end, she insisted on going to the school by herself.

The commune’s primary school was small, a row of bungalows surrounded by several trees, which actually made it seem quite lively.

First, she reported to the principal, and then she was shown to Teacher Hu’s desk, who was going on maternity leave. The teaching materials were all there, and this would also be her resting place during breaks.

There were not many teachers in the office, and some even taught multiple subjects. When they saw her arrival, they all offered words of welcome and spoke of progressing together.

After getting to know the other teachers, classes started soon.

The curriculum for grades one and two wasn’t difficult for her, and the students were all very understanding and well-behaved, because educational opportunities were scarce and everybody cherished them. Looking into the students’ pairs of pure, clear eyes under the lectern, she suddenly felt completely moved.

Yang PeiMin became even more patient, introduced herself to the students, and then started teaching. After one lesson, the students quickly accepted her.

After school, she hurried home with her teaching materials; it was just past six, getting home early she could help with cooking.

But when she got to the village entrance, she surprisingly saw Chen Guizhi standing at the side of the road, looking in the direction Yang PeiMin was coming from. Yang PeiMin quickly rode up close to her, "Mom, is something the matter?" hoping nothing had happened for her to specially wait here.

Seeing her, Chen Guizhi also showed a smile, "Nothing’s the matter, let’s go, we’re having dinner at home. You must be hungry after teaching all day, right?"

Yang PeiMin was somewhat confused and walked next to her mother with the bicycle, "Mom, if nothing’s the matter, why are you here? Did you come to wait for me?"

Chen Guizhi smiled and nodded, and after a while, she said, "Yiguang has left, and I was worried you might not be used to it..."

Yang PeiMin suddenly stopped walking, and tears surged forth.