Regimental Commander He Guangsheng and his wife resided within the military compound in a modest yet dignified single courtyard residence. The house, built in the traditional shikumen style, stood firm with its blue brick walls and sturdy wooden gates with a private courtyard.
On their way there, Li Guoqiang maintained a steady pace, his expression serious. From time to time, he turned slightly toward his children, his voice low but firm.
"Mind your conduct," he instructed. "Speak only when necessary. Do not behave recklessly. Remember, this is the Regimental Commander's residence."
The children nodded obediently, their earlier excitement tempered by a sense of solemnity.
When they arrived at the main door, Li Guoqiang stepped forward and knocked gently, then waited with composed patience.
Moments later, the wooden door creaked open.
Standing there was a middle-aged woman, perhaps in her late fifties.
Though the woman bore faint traces of weariness, fine lines at the corners of her eyes and a certain quiet heaviness in her gaze, there was an unmistakable elegance about her. She wore a simple floral blouse paired with plain trousers, yet carried herself with a grace that could not be concealed by modest attire.
Her posture was upright, her movements measured, and her expression calm yet warm.
In another era, she would have been the kind of woman described in old tales, like a cultivated lady from a scholarly household, someone who moved with the poise of a gentle matriarch, her demeanor akin to that of a refined shuyuan mistress or a dignified noblewoman of the inner chambers. Even in simplicity, she exuded quiet authority and restraint, as though every gesture had once been shaped by discipline and learning.
The woman's lips curved into a gentle smile.
"You must be Squad Leader Li," she said in a heavily accented Mandarin, her voice soft yet clear, carrying a natural warmth.
Li Guoqiang nodded respectfully.
"Yes, Madam He. That is correct," he replied, lowering his head slightly. "I hope we are not late."
Madam He immediately shook her head, her smile deepening.
"How could that be, Squad Leader Li?" she said kindly.
Her gaze then shifted to the three children standing behind him. There was a hint of fondness in her eyes as she looked at them.
"These must be your children?"
The three siblings straightened instinctively and greeted her in unison.
"Madam He."
Their voices were polite and respectful.
Madam He let out a soft chuckle, clearly pleased by their manners.
"Good, good… well-mannered children," she said gently. "Come in, all of you."
With that, she stepped aside and gestured for them to enter.
Li Guoqiang led the way, his children following closely behind.
As they stepped into the courtyard and then into the house, Li Shuying observed her surroundings with quiet attention.
The interior mirrored Madam He's presence perfectly.
There was no extravagance, no unnecessary decoration, only simplicity arranged with care. Clean wooden furniture, neatly folded linens, and a few potted plants by the window added a touch of life to the space.
Madam He directly led them into the main living room.
The moment they stepped inside, Li Shuying's gaze shifted and she paused, slightly taken aback.
Seated within the room was not only Regimental Commander He Guangsheng, but also another familiar figure.
Gu Zhenhua.
He sat upright beside the commander.
For a fleeting moment, Li Shuying's eyes flickered with surprise, but she quickly concealed it, her expression returning to calm.
Li Guoqiang, however, did not hesitate. Out of habit, he straightened his back and was about to offer a crisp military salute to both men.
Before he could complete the motion, He Guangsheng let out a hearty laugh.
"Comrade Li, there is no need for such formality," he said, waving his hand lightly. "You aren't reporting to the duty. You are in my home, as my honored guest."
Li Guoqiang paused, then lowered his hand respectfully. "Commander He, rules are rules. Even off duty, I dare not forget them," he replied in a steady tone. "However, since you have said so, I will not stand on ceremony."
He then turned slightly toward his children.
"These are my children, Commander He," he said. "My second and third sons, Li Jianguo and Li Jianmin, twins and this is my youngest, my daughter, Li Shuying."
He Guangsheng's gaze moved over the three children. He nodded in acknowledgment, attempting a warm expression.
Yet years spent on the front lines, followed by his position as a commanding officer, had carved a natural authority into his demeanor. Even his smile carried a certain weight, making him appear more imposing than approachable.
Li Jianmin and Li Jianguo felt the pressure immediately. Their backs stiffened, and they greeted him with visible nervousness.
"C..Commander He…" Their voices were respectful, but their unease was evident.
In contrast, Li Shuying remained calm, her posture straight yet relaxed. "Leader He," she said softly, her voice clear and steady as she met his gaze without hesitation, "I have long heard of your reputation. It is an honor to meet you."
He Guangsheng raised his brows slightly, visibly surprised by the stark difference between her and her brothers.
Even seasoned soldiers sometimes faltered under his gaze, yet this young girl spoke with composed confidence, neither timid nor overly bold.
A trace of amusement surfaced in his eyes.
"Is that so?" he said with a faint chuckle. "Then I do hope what you have heard of me was something good."
Li Shuying's lips curved into a small, respectful smile.
"How could it be otherwise, Leader He?" she replied gently. "The green uniform you wear represents dignity, integrity, and unwavering devotion to the nation. Matters that would tarnish such honor… naturally, none would dare associate them with you."
For a brief moment, the room fell silent.
Even Gu Zhenhua's gaze shifted subtly toward her.
He Guangsheng's eyes narrowed slightly, not in displeasure, but in keen interest.
"Then I would very much like to hear," he said, his tone half teasing, half curious, "what exactly you have heard about me, little comrade."
Li Shuying did not hesitate.
"I have heard that in your twenty-five years of service," she began, her voice calm and measured, "you participated in the War of Resistance, where you once led a small unit through enemy lines to secure a supply route when all others had failed."
"That during an ambush, you held your position long enough for your men to withdraw safely, despite being outnumbered."
She paused briefly before continuing, "And that in another battle, you carried a wounded comrade across open ground under enemy fire."
There was no childish excitement in her voice, only quiet certainty, as though she were recounting facts carved into history.
"To stand here today as a regimental commander," she added softly, "is proof enough that there are many more deeds of courage behind you, deeds that I have yet to learn."
This time, even the ever-composed Gu Zhenhua could not help but glance at her more intently.
He Guangsheng, meanwhile, looked at the girl before him with undisguised surprise.
It was not her words that impressed him. He had heard praise countless times before, but the manner in which she spoke.
Calm. Fearless. Unaffected.
There was neither flattery nor fear in her tone.
After a moment, he let out a genuine laugh.
"Comrade Li," he said, turning to Li Guoqiang with clear approval, "you have raised an excellent daughter."
With that, he gestured toward the chairs.
"Come, all of you sit. There is no need to stand."
As soon as they were seated, Madam He emerged once more from the inner room, carrying a tray with several porcelain bowls and thick glass cups. Placing the items neatly upon the table, she smiled warmly and said, "Here, have some brown sugar water before eating anything. It will warm the body and refresh the spirit."
The faint fragrance of caramelized sweetness rose with the steam. He Guangsheng gestured toward her and said. "Comrade Li, you may have already seen her. This is my wife, Lee Leiwah."
The two Li brothers instinctively exchanged a brief glance at the unfamiliar name, their expressions flickering with curiosity, though they wisely held their tongues.
He Guangsheng, perceptive as ever, noticed their reaction and chuckled. "My wife is from Shanghai. Her name carries a southern flavor, somewhat different from what we are accustomed to."
Both he and Madam He laughed softly, their amusement gentle rather than reproachful.
Li Guoqiang immediately responded with a respectful nod. "Commander He, it is nothing of the sort. My children have not seen much of the world yet. They are still learning and often find unfamiliar things intriguing. Please do not take it to heart."
Madam He waved her hand dismissively, her tone light. "It is quite all right, Squad Leader Li. Since coming to the north, I have grown used to such reactions. In fact," she added with a faint smile, "I rather enjoy seeing the different expressions people make, it reminds me how vast our country truly is."
Li Shuying, who had been quietly observing her, felt an inexplicable fondness arise in her heart. There was something refined and resilient about this woman and without quite realizing it, she spoke, "Madam He, your name suits you very well."
"Lee," she continued thoughtfully, "can be understood as the plum tree, the blossom that blooms even in the harshest winter. 'Lei' carries the meaning of standing out, both in bearing and presence. And 'Wah'… it reflects elegance, even the essence of civilization itself."
Her voice was soft, yet steady, each word spoken with quiet conviction.
Lee Leiwah froze for a brief moment, genuine surprise flickering across her composed features. "You… understand Cantonese?" she asked, unable to hide her astonishment.
Li Shuying was immediately taken aback. She had spoken too naturally, too confidently. Realizing the weight of the moment, she hesitated briefly before replying,
"I… I have learned a little from acquaintances in the south," she said, carefully choosing her words.
Her explanation was simple, yet it sufficed, after all she couldn't tell the truth that she has learnt Cantonese watching Hong Kong movies and series in her privious life.
Lee Leiwah's expression softened into admiration. "You are truly talented, little comrade," she said warmly, her eyes gleaming with both approval and a trace of envy. Such a perceptive and articulate child, Li Guoqiang was indeed fortunate.
From the side, Gu Zhenhua, who had remained silent thus far, suddenly spoke, his tone calm yet carrying a subtle note of intrigue. "You are full of surprises, Comrade Li."
Li Shuying merely nodded in acknowledgment, offering no further reply. She lifted the glass of brown sugar water and took a small sip, letting the warmth settle within her. Yet inwardly, she felt a faint unease. Gu Zhenhua's gaze lingered just a moment too long, sharp, probing, almost as if he were trying to see through her.
He Guangsheng, noticing the exchange, raised an eyebrow slightly. "Do you know each other, Officer Gu?"
Gu Zhenhua nodded. "We traveled together by train from Taonan County. One could say we are acquainted."
Madam He then gently pushed forward a plate of sunflower seeds and another of roasted peanuts toward the Li siblings. "Have some of these as well," she said kindly. "They are quite good."
He Guangsheng turned his gaze toward Li Shuying, his expression no longer merely cordial, but carrying a trace of quiet scrutiny.
"Little comrade," he said, his tone measured, "I heard from your father that it was you who brought those apples."
Li Shuying had already anticipated this question.
She placed her cup down gently, her small hands resting neatly on her lap, and nodded without hesitation.
"Yes, Leader He," she replied calmly. "The apples were indeed brought by me."
She continued after a brief pause, choosing her words with care. "My father later told me that the apples seemed to have… unusual effects. To be honest, I do not fully understand how such a thing could happen. They are, after all, only fruits."
Her gaze shifted slightly toward Madam He, softening.
"But hearing that they were of help to Madam He," she added gently, "I am very glad."
Lee Leiwah looked at the young girl before her, her eyes carrying a depth of emotion that was not easily revealed. "Whether directly or indirectly, it was your apples that brought me a night of peaceful rest after a very long time, for that alone, little comrade, you have my thanks."
Her voice was gentle, yet it carried a weight that only those who had suffered long could understand.
Li Shuying shook her head immediately.
"Madam He, I truly did nothing," she said earnestly. "Even now, I am not certain whether it was the apples that caused such an effect. It may simply have been coincidence. You must not credit me for something so uncertain."
Her tone was neither falsely modest nor overly eager, only sincere.
At that moment, Li Jianmin, who had been listening attentively felt the entire idea of apples being unusual rediculous and could not hold back his thoughts any longer.
"Maybe…" he began hesitantly, "maybe it was your brother in heaven who blessed you, Madam He."
The words fell into the room like a pebble into still water.
The atmosphere stiffened almost instantly.
Li Guoqiang's expression changed sharply. He shot a stern glare at his son.
"What nonsense are you speaking?" he reprimanded in a low, firm voice. "Do not speak such words lightly."
Li Jianmin immediately shrank back, his earlier enthusiasm replaced by unease.
Li Guoqiang turned at once toward He Guangsheng and Lee Leiwah, his tone respectful yet apologetic.
"Commander He, Madam He, please forgive him," he said. "He is still a child and does not understand the weight of his words. I will make sure to teach him properly, such superstitious talk should not be spoken carelessly."
He Guangsheng had indeed felt a slight discomfort, not because of any ideological impropriety, but because the topic touched upon a wound that had never truly healed.
For a fleeting moment, his expression hardened.
Yet when his gaze fell upon Li Jianmin's frightened face, the boy clearly realizing his mistake, he chose to remain silent.
Beside him, Lee Leiwah's expression had stilled, the faint smile on her lips fading into something more distant.
For a brief moment, she said nothing.
Then, as though gathering herself with practiced restraint, she drew in a quiet breath. The flicker of vulnerability vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced once more by her usual composed elegance.
"L...let me prepare some tea for all of you," she said, her voice gentle, though carrying the slightest trace of strain. "I am sure you will enjoy it."
She turned, intending to move toward the tea set on the table.
But before she could take more than a step, a small hand reached out and lightly held her wrist.
Lee Leiwah paused.
Li Shuying looked at her, her expression calm, but her eyes held an understanding far beyond her years.
In that fleeting moment, something within her stirred.
For a heartbeat, she was dragged back into the shadows of her previous life, into the cold emptiness that had followed the loss of everything she once held dear. The silence of a home that no longer had voices. The ache of memories that lingered too long in the night.
She knew this kind of sorrow… could not be concealed forever. It could only be endured.
Her grip was gentle, almost hesitant, "Let me do it," she said softly.