Xu Mingxuan continued, "Lan'er, tomorrow you find some time to talk to those three women properly. Ask them about their plans for the future.
After they've recovered for a while, if they don't want to leave our valley and wish to settle down and continue living here,
then you should speak to them frankly about your thoughts and your concerns for their future lives. When women talk among themselves, everything can be discussed. Try to work out a good solution together.
Of course, in the end, it will depend on their own decisions. Whatever the outcome, we must respect their choices."
Chen Lan thought about it and felt Xu Mingxuan's words made sense. This wasn't something she could decide alone. She decided to let it go for now, as things could only proceed as they were.
It would be more appropriate to ask the parties involved for their thoughts at a more convenient time, so she stopped dwelling on the matter.
Before going to bed, she checked the healing of Xu Mingxuan's wounds, applied medicine, and gave him a glass of water with sanqi tablets. The couple soon fell asleep.
Chen Lan hadn't slept well for the past two days due to her worries. She had been anxious about the bandit suppression, fearing that Xiangdong, Erhu, and Xu Mingxuan might encounter danger. Her heart had been in a constant state of turmoil.
Now that all three of them had returned safely, a heavy weight was lifted from her heart. With her mind finally at ease, she quickly fell asleep.
Xu Mingxuan had been under intense stress since receiving Erhu's message yesterday until the bandits were wiped out. He had been constantly strategizing on how to minimize casualties, annihilate the bandits, and rescue the hostages. The string of tension in his mind had been taut.
Now that he was back home, seeing his adorable children, his understanding wife, his amiable mother-in-law, Liu Mama, and his kind and warm family, his heart was completely relaxed, and he too fell asleep quickly.
The next morning, Xu Mingxuan woke up early as he had to return to the camp that morning.
Chen Lan also got up soon after, quickly washed up, and went downstairs to prepare breakfast.
Xu Mingxuan also washed up quickly, packed his belongings, and followed her downstairs to help prepare breakfast for the whole family.
In the morning, Chen Lan cooked a large pot of rice porridge and steamed two types of buns and flower rolls in a steamer.
The children's breakfast of steamed egg custard would be made later. It was too early to steam now; it would be fine to start when the children were about to wake up. Steamed egg custard didn't taste good if steamed for too long.
The couple worked and chatted softly. Chen Lan talked about what vegetables they had decided to grow in the greenhouse after winter set in, aiming to have them ready to eat before the New Year, and their plans for sowing seedlings in March and April after the New Year.
Xu Mingxuan also quietly shared some amusing stories about the soldiers' lives in the camp. As they talked, Xu Mingxuan suddenly remembered something he had been planning to discuss with his wife. He had originally intended to wait until he had time off and was home to discuss it with her.
So he said very earnestly and seriously, "Lan'er, there's something I want to discuss with you. I hope you can understand and support me."
Upon hearing Xu Mingxuan's serious and earnest tone, Chen Lan felt that the matter must be quite serious and her heart skipped a beat.
She thought, "Looking at Xu Mingxuan's serious and earnest demeanor, it must be a major issue? Could this guy be following the trend and having an affair? Found a mistress and doesn't want to be with me anymore!"
So she decided not to be outdone, steadied her mind, took a deep breath, and silently told herself to stay calm, calm. It's just a man with two legs, nothing to worry about!
She coughed and pretended to be very calm, saying, "What is it? Tell me?"
Xu Mingxuan also coughed and cleared his throat, saying, "Lan'er, it's like this."
Chen Lan thought her guess was indeed correct! Before Chen Lan could finish her thoughts,
she heard Xu Mingxuan continue, "Lan'er, many of my comrades in the same unit were injured on the battlefield, just like Xiangdong and Erhu. They've retired and returned to their hometowns. Some from rural areas have returned home to farm.
A few days ago, I heard from a comrade who was home visiting relatives that many of them are living very difficult lives because they can't do heavy work due to their injuries.
However, they are unwilling to seek help from the local government, fearing they might cause trouble."
He paused and looked at Chen Lan. Seeing her staring blankly but without any unhappy expression on her face,
he decided to continue explaining and said, "Lan'er, here's what I'm thinking. I want to contact them and ask if they're willing to come and live in our valley.
If they are willing to come, I want to arrange for Xiangdong and Erhu to go and bring them all to live in the valley. What do you think?"
After speaking, he looked at Chen Lan with apprehension, afraid she might not agree.
Chen Lan felt extremely awkward and guilty at this moment. How could she have doubted Xu Mingxuan's character? It was an insult to his integrity. Fortunately, she hadn't voiced her thoughts, or how awkward would they be right now!
To make up for her guilt towards Xu Mingxuan, Chen Lan readily agreed to his request.
So she very readily replied, "Mingxuan Ge, when you get back to the camp, hurry up and find a way to contact them! Let them bring their parents, wives, children, and elders to settle down in our valley. Our valley warmly welcomes their arrival.
Oh! Right, Mingxuan Ge, should we also give them some travel money for their journey?"
Xu Mingxuan was deeply moved by Chen Lan's words. He stepped forward, hugged Chen Lan tightly, and didn't let go, resting his head on her neck.
With a choked voice, he said, "Lan'er, my wife, thank you. Thank you for your understanding and support, and thank you for your tolerance. I know I shouldn't have put you in a difficult position by making such a request.
But they are comrades who went through thick and thin with me. I can't stand by and do nothing when I know they are struggling."
Xu Mingxuan never expected, never imagined, that his wife would agree so readily and without hesitation.
It's important to remember that most of these injured comrades couldn't do heavy labor. You could say that bringing them to the valley was essentially for their retirement.
Xu Mingxuan's sudden embrace startled Chen Lan, leaving her stunned for a long time.
When she came to her senses, she gently patted Xu Mingxuan's back and softly comforted him, "Mingxuan Ge, don't worry. Everything will gradually get better."