novellhall Chapter 178 Absence Makes the Heart Blossom
Chapter 178 Absence Makes the Heart Blossom
"Sanqiang, I won't be by your side, but I must make these unpleasant points clear from the start."
Joan's expression turned serious, which was uncharacteristic of hers. "These days, I've been helping you make money and broaden your horizons because I consider you brothers and business partners."
"Remember this: don't let petty gains ruin your bright future, understand?"
Feng Sanqiang instantly understood Qiao An's words.
"Big sister, we three are where we are today because of you. Grandma always says you are our lucky star. We three will follow you for the rest of our lives. If you tell us to go east, we will never go west."
"Okay, I believe you."
Feng Sanqiang knew perfectly well that those bosses in the south were all brought in by Dong Dahai from Sanhe Garment Factory.
They were only considering Dong Dahai's reputation, while Dong Dahai relied on Qiao An.
Ultimately, it all comes down to Joan.
He understood this principle: their livelihood was provided by Qiao An, and whether they could hold onto it well depended on their abilities.
Joan, heavily pregnant, boarded the train with her four children.
The checked luggage also departed with the vehicle.
Qiao An wanted to buy a soft sleeper ticket, but unfortunately, the letter of introduction she had wasn't high enough to qualify her for it.
She simply bought all the hard sleeper berths in one room so that others wouldn't disturb them.
Joan couldn't sleep well at night either.
She was traumatized by the last time her child was abducted.
So I always stay vigilant at night, afraid that someone might abduct my child.
After enduring two days like this, the scenery outside the train window turned into an endless expanse of Gobi Desert and grassland.
Occasionally, you can also see lakes with a clear, azure hue.
The children had never seen such a sight before, and they all pressed their faces against the car windows, staring wide-eyed at the outside.
It occasionally let out a surprised "wow" sound.
We arrived in Amutu at 9:00 AM.
Huo Jiyun had been waiting here for almost an hour.
Behind him was a military truck and more than a dozen young soldiers.
Seeing Huo Jiyun constantly looking around, Huang Minsheng couldn't help but make a few sarcastic remarks.
"It's like an iron tree that has been dormant for a thousand years has finally blossomed. I've been completely captivated by my wife for the past three months since I came home. I wonder what she's capable of."
"You don't understand, my wife is the best in the world."
Huo Jiyun stared at the exit, not even glancing at him.
"Yes, yes, yes, your wife is the best, isn't she?"
Huang Minsheng thought to himself: What a pathetic guy.
Finally, people carrying large and small bags emerged from the exit.
Huo Jiyun took a few steps forward, anxiously searching for Qiao An and the child.
After more than ten minutes, a look of joy appeared on his face.
She rushed forward, calling out, "Qiao An!"
He waved, his smile as warm as the winter sun.
Qiao An spotted her husband immediately; he was tall and had a pine-like demeanor.
She was carrying a bag, and surrounded by four children.
Huo Jiyun ran up to her, quickly took off her bag and carried it on her own.
"Let's go, let's rest in the car first, I'll take some people in to get the luggage."
Qiao An followed Huo Jiyun outside.
Huang Minsheng finally saw the wife that Huo Jiyun had been talking about all the time.
She was pretty and had fair skin; she didn't look like a country woman at all.
She wore two jet-black ponytails, each tied with a colorful bow ribbon at the end.
He was wearing trendy clothes that he had never seen before.
He looks like the child of a cadre in a big city.
"Let me introduce you. This is our regimental political commissar, Huang Minsheng. He's older than us, so just call him Brother Huang. We're neighbors."
"Brother Huang, once I've settled things at home, I'll go see your wife and get to know her."
Qiao An spoke confidently and without any hesitation.
Huang Minsheng had a very good first impression of his sister-in-law.
His gaze fell on Qiao An's protruding belly, then he punched Huo Jiyun on the shoulder.
"You're quite lucky, kid."
Huo Ning and Huo Chen hugged Huo Jiyun's legs, calling him "Dad" over and over again.
Huo Fang stood aside, watching them with a smile.
Wen Xiaoxiao hid behind Huo Fang, somewhat frightened.
Qiao An pulled Wen Xiaoxiao aside and pointed at Huo Jiyun.
"Look, this is your dad. He's a soldier. What do you think? Not bad looking, right?"
Hearing Qiao An's witty remark, Wen Xiaoxiao's panic lessened considerably.
"Hmm, he's handsome." Wen Xiaoxiao looked up at the tall man in front of her. "Not as handsome as Mom."
Huo Jiyun was already looking forward to seeing what kind of child Qiao An insisted on adopting.
I saw it today.
She's cute and pretty, and her eyes blink a lot when she talks, just like Huo Ning.
"Indeed, Dad isn't as good-looking as Mom."
After saying that, he picked up Huo Ning and Wen Xiaoxiao, one in each arm.
Wen Xiaoxiao had never been held so high before, and her face turned pale with fright. She then clung to Huo Jiyun's neck and wouldn't let go.
Huo Jiyun was amused and burst into laughter.
Huo Chen wasn't unhappy that he wasn't hugged.
He's a little man, of course he can't be like a child, being held by his father all day long.
Huang Minsheng was moved when he saw Huo Jiyun laughing heartily.
This cold, aloof person has finally shown a bit of humanity.
Not easy.
Soon, something even more exciting happened to Huang Minsheng.
He saw Joan's luggage.
A brand-new sewing machine, a bicycle, an electric fan, more than a dozen elm wood boxes, and... a nearly brand-new jeep.
"This... Sister-in-law, where... where did you get this car?"
Huang Minsheng stutters when he speaks.
Huo Jiyun, standing to the side, raised his chin proudly, "I told you, my wife is the best in the world, do you believe me now?"
I believed it, I believed it too much.
"However, with so many items, we'll probably need to register their traceable origins. Given your special status, this will prevent people from gossiping about you."
After Huang Minsheng finished speaking, he glanced at Qiao An, fearing that Qiao An's things were of dubious origin.
Many officers in the military were ruined by their own family members, ultimately losing any hope of promotion or even being hastily demobilized.
Huo Jiyun has a bright future ahead of him; he can't let it be ruined by the people around him.
"No problem, Brother Huang, you're right to remind me. But all these sources are legitimate. I'll register with you after I move. You can check if you don't believe me."
Seeing her candid answer, Huang Minsheng breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, okay, I was just reminding you in case there's any misunderstanding later."
The military compound is only six kilometers away from the train station.
Huo Jiyun drove Qiao An's car, with her and the child in tow.
Huang Minsheng's car and truck followed behind.
"Honey, I've missed you so much."
After saying that, Huo Jiyun couldn't help but touch Qiao An's belly.
"The child is still here."
Joanne slapped his hand.
Huo Jiyun chuckled and withdrew his hand.
He was so happy.
I was even happier than during the three months I spent visiting relatives in Jinshui Town.
Qiao An has finally arrived in the Northwest. From now on, he can sleep in the same bed with his wife every day.
I can eat delicious meals that only my wife can cook every day.
This life is more comfortable than that of a god.
Throughout the entire journey, Huo Jiyun's lips never left his mouth.
Qiao An looked around and began to observe Amutu City.
It wasn't the desolate and dilapidated place she had imagined.
As the largest city in Northwest China, Amutu is already very prosperous.
Moreover, there are many small vendors selling things on the street.
There are even privately owned small shops now.
This remote city is developing at a faster pace than Yuncheng.
It really made her look at things in a new light.