Ji Shuyu listened quietly without immediately stating her position.
She understood her mother-in-law’s concerns—what mother wouldn’t want her child to be safe and secure?
But she also knew that He Han was no longer a child who needed his mother to arrange everything for him.
He Ze enjoyed business, while He Han loved being a soldier. The personalities of the two brothers were completely different.
Yet both had their own goals to pursue.
Her mother-in-law couldn’t ignore her son’s preferences just because of her own worries.
She gently held her mother-in-law’s hand and spoke softly, “Mom, I understand your concern. You’re afraid Xiao Han will suffer or face danger. Every parent feels the same way.”
Border security wasn’t entirely stable at the time, and in that era, anything could happen.
Her mother-in-law was afraid of outliving her own child.
Wang Shufen nodded repeatedly. “Yes, the artillery unit is so much better. It’s a technical role and relatively safer…”
“But, Mom,” Ji Shuyu gently shifted the tone of the conversation, looking at Wang Shufen.
“Have you asked Xiao Han why he wants to transfer to the reconnaissance unit? Is it because he wants to challenge himself despite the hardship, or does he genuinely have the passion and drive for it?”
“He Han has grown up. He’s a soldier with his own ideals and aspirations.”
She paused, meeting her mother-in-law’s eyes. “The path we think is good might not be the one he wants to take.”
“Forcing him onto a path he doesn’t like might keep him safe, but he won’t be happy deep down. He might even resent you for not understanding him.”
“Besides, although reconnaissance soldiers face hardship and danger, it’s also a crucial role in defending the country. It better reflects a soldier’s value and courage.”
“The fact that He Han wants to go shows he has the bravery and sense of duty. We should be proud of him.”
Ji Shuyu’s words flowed like a gentle stream, slowly soothing Wang Shufen’s anxious heart.
Wang Shufen listened in a daze, seemingly somewhat convinced, but the worry between her brows remained. “That makes sense… but I’m just afraid…”
“Mom, children have their own destinies,” Ji Shuyu patted the back of her hand.
“What we can do is support him and believe in him. He Han is a fine young man. Since he’s made his choice, he’ll surely be able to handle it.”
“And if worse comes to worst, his older brother is watching over him. Do you really think He Yuan would let him act recklessly? He’ll definitely consider everything carefully. You should relax a bit and wait to see your younger son achieve great things!”
Just then, there seemed to be a very faint sound outside the door, but neither of the two inside paid it much attention.
Wang Shufen felt considerably comforted by Ji Shuyu’s words. Though she was still worried, she no longer dwelled on it as stubbornly as before.
“You’re right… Mom was overthinking it, always wanting to keep him sheltered. Oh well, the child has grown up. Let him go… as long as he stays safe and sound.”
Wang Shufen was relatively open-minded and not overly rigid.
After all, he was still serving in the military, and with He Yuan keeping an eye on him, she could rest easier.
However, Ji Shuyu hadn’t expected that He Han would get injured not long after transferring.
It wasn’t a major issue initially. After He Han transferred, he had been very happy and always charged ahead in everything he did.
But during a training exercise, he misjudged the terrain and ended up breaking his arm.
The injury wasn’t too severe—it would heal with time—yet it caused an uproar.
Wang Shufen wiped her tears, sobbing to her husband, He Junshan.
“He’s only been in the reconnaissance unit for a few days, and he’s already injured! The bandages on his arm made my heart ache just looking at them! The artillery unit was so much better—safe and steady. Why did he have to go to that reconnaissance unit?”
“Climbing and crawling all day, wielding knives and guns—is that any place for a person? No! Absolutely not! Old He, you need to talk to our third son and get Xiao Han transferred back immediately!”
He Junshan frowned, his heart aching for his youngest son, but he still said, “You old woman, how can you be a soldier without getting injured? It’s the child’s own choice…”
“Besides, our third son and fifth son aren’t even stationed in the same place. How can the third son manage him?”
“I don’t care! Choices or no choices! Safety is what matters!”
Wang Shufen wouldn’t listen at all, her tears falling even harder.
“I have nightmares every night—dreaming of him falling off a cliff or getting shot. My heart… it’s almost broken!”
As she spoke, the second son, He Hai, and his wife, Su Wenjuan, arrived after hearing the news.
He Hai adjusted his glasses and said, “Mom, what’s going on? Crying over my brother again?”
“If you ask me, Xiao Han just needs more training. Getting injured isn’t entirely a bad thing—it’ll teach him a lesson.”
What kind of man doesn’t have a few scars?
Su Wenjuan quickly nudged him and gently comforted her mother-in-law, “Mom, don’t worry. I asked about Xiao Han’s injury—it’s nothing serious.”
“The reconnaissance unit’s training is tough, but he’ll improve quickly. With his personality, forcing him to stay in the artillery unit would only make him sick with frustration.”
“What’s the use of improving quickly? If he loses his life, there’s nothing left!”
Wang Shufen still shook her head in disagreement. Just thinking about her nightmares terrified her.
At that moment, He Yuan and Ji Shuyu also arrived.
He Yuan, in his military uniform, looked stern, and before he even spoke, the room quieted down.
Ji Shuyu quietly walked over and sat beside her mother-in-law, gently holding her hand.
“Mom, I understand your worry. There isn’t a mother in the world who doesn’t care deeply for her child. You’re afraid something will happen to Xiao Han—we all understand that.”
Wang Shufen, as if finding a kindred spirit, nodded repeatedly and gripped Ji Shuyu’s hand.
“Shuyu, you understand me. The artillery unit was so much better—a technical role, sheltered from wind and rain, and relatively safer…”
Before she could finish, He Yuan spoke up.
“He’s grown up now. He can bear the consequences of his choices, whether good or bad. It’s his own decision. For a soldier, injury is a common occurrence, no matter where they are.”
They are there to protect the country, not to live a life of comfort.
He Yuan spoke at the right moment, his voice steady and forceful as he continued, “Mom, I’m aware of Xiao Han’s situation. This was an accident. I’ve reviewed the training syllabus—there are risks, but they’re within controllable limits.”
“He has the makings of a great reconnaissance soldier. We can’t let him give up over a minor setback.”
He Hai quickly chimed in, “Exactly, Mom, don’t worry unnecessarily.”
With her sons and daughters-in-law saying this, Wang Shufen couldn’t find the words to argue further.
Everyone advised her against worrying, but she still couldn’t feel at ease.
Even at night, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep, which kept He Junshan awake too. He sat up.
“Old woman, what are you doing?”
“I just can’t sleep. Whenever I think about Xiao Han…”
Wang Shufen lit the lamp, sat up, and leaned against the headboard with a sigh.
“He’s not a child anymore. Soon, he’ll go out into the world, get married, and support a family. Can you worry about everything for him?”
He Junshan put on his clothes and got out of bed to fetch some water.
“You didn’t listen to a word the children said today.”
“Ah, what can I say? I’m a mother who can’t help but worry.”
No sooner had she spoken than He Ze’s voice came from outside.
“Mom! Mom! Come out quickly!”
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