Stars In His Eyes
Chapter 1083: Shen Family’s Suspicions 3

Chapter 1083: Chapter 1083: Shen Family’s Suspicions 3

"War means being homeless, displaced, without food or clothing. War is the most brutal kind of parting in this world; it ravages not only our bodies but also our minds and souls." He Zhilan raised her hand and patted the little boy. "How old are you this year?"

"I’m eight years old! This is my younger sister; she’s six!" The little boy shyly smiled, showing his white teeth, gleaming brightly like a lamp, even more dazzling than the sunlight above. "War is so scary; the Liberation Army soldiers are truly great."

"Eight years old, huh? Are you in school?" He Zhilan beckoned to the little girl hiding behind her brother. "Just the two of you playing in front of this grave, aren’t you scared?"

"Why be scared? Mom and Dad said that Brother Niu Rang is a great hero, and heroes protect us. It’s a pity, Mom and Dad say Brother Niu Rang will sleep here forever. Sister, why does Brother Niu Rang have to sleep here? There’s no house here; with wind and rain, it’ll be cold, and there’re wild beasts in the mountains. Why does he keep sleeping and not wake up? Why doesn’t he go home to sleep? Sister Xiaojia really misses Brother Niu Rang."

He Zhilan couldn’t answer the child’s innocent and romantic questions, but these questions only made her feel even more sorrowful.

If it weren’t for Gu En, Niu Rang would still be alive, living well in this world.

Thinking of this, He Zhilan grew more resentful of Gu En’s cruelty. The life she took so casually brought endless pain to Niu Rang’s family.

"Sister, are you also Brother Niu Rang’s comrade? Are you a female soldier? Grandpa said there are women in the Liberation Army. Sister, are you a female soldier?" The little boy, emboldened by her silence, tugged on the hem of He Zhilan’s clothing, his youthful and tanned face full of curiosity.

He Zhilan chuckled softly and shook her head. "No, I’m his wife," she said, pointing to He Teng, who stood motionless over there. Then she asked again, "Why aren’t you two in school? Are those herbs in your basket?"

"Go to school? There are no schools in the village, nor in the nearby villages." The little boy seemed particularly confused by the word ’school,’ but he had much to say about the herbs in the back basket, starting to teach He Zhilan how to identify them earnestly, even explaining their uses and how much money they could fetch.

Listening to the little boy speak tirelessly about the herbs, He Zhilan felt a pang of sadness. The village was underfunded, and there weren’t any schools in the neighboring villages, so the boy hadn’t been able to attend school even at eight years old.

Thinking about the He Family’s circumstances, their rural home was indeed poor, but at least there was an elementary school in the village. Children were sent to the village school when they were seven or eight years old, only returning home during the busy farming seasons when the school closed for vacation. Though the older the children got, the fewer of them remained in school, and girls were even less common, at least they still had a chance to learn.

He Teng stood by Niu Rang’s grave for about half an hour before he moved his head to search for He Zhilan, only to find his little wife sitting on the grass under a tree, like a child, talking to two children. The kids seemed to be teaching her how to weave grass.

"It’s getting late, let’s head back. After sunset, the humidity will be heavy." He Teng stepped forward.

As soon as the two children saw He Teng, they quickly stood up, standing rigidly straight with a face full of solemn respect, leaving He Teng rather puzzled by their reaction.