Chapter 39: God-Grandmother, Dry Maternal Uncle
When He Xiulan saw that drawing, her hand trembled so much she nearly dropped the teacup she was holding.
She looked at the picture of Little Tongtong smiling brightly on the paper, then at her grandson’s profile—still silent, but noticeably softer—and felt a deep sense of relief. Her eyes reddened.
She excitedly hugged her grandson: “Good boy… Grandma’s Xinxin is such a good boy! You drew it so well!”
Her Xinxin was so outstanding.
Her daughter-in-law, watching from heaven, must be at peace now.
Xinxin’s body stiffened for a moment, but he didn’t struggle violently as he used to.
After a long while, he very slowly raised his hand, gently touched his grandmother’s back, and uttered a few indistinct syllables from his throat: “…Grand…ma…”
He Xiulan jolted, almost unable to believe her ears!
How many years had it been!
Her grandson had finally called her on his own!
Overwhelmed with emotion, tears streamed down her aged face as she hugged her grandson, crying and laughing.
This improvement felt so precious yet fragile. He Xiulan suppressed her overwhelming joy, turned to wipe away her tears, and cheerfully responded.
“Tongtong, thank you, thank you!” The old lady held Tongtong’s chubby little hand as if cradling a great treasure, saying excitedly, “What would you like to eat tonight? Grandma will make it for you right away!”
Xinxin turned his head to look at Tongtong.
He would eat whatever his little sister ate.
Tongtong immediately straightened her small frame and said crisply, “I want to eat fishy fish!”
“Alright, alright! Grandma will cook fish for you tonight!”
At this point, even if Tongtong wanted the stars from the sky, she would try to pluck them for her!
…
Commander Liu returned from his meeting and had just stepped into the yard when he heard a mix of childish, clear laughter and the old lady’s cheerful chatter. A warm, yellow glow spilled from the glass window.
Commander Liu wondered who was at home to make his mother so happy.
As he walked in and pushed open the door, he heard another sound.
—A very soft, faint, slightly hoarse laugh belonging to a little boy!
Commander Liu was utterly shaken!
Was that… his son’s voice?
His heart raced wildly.
Commander Liu quickly glanced around and saw the two little ones sitting on the sofa, chatting and laughing.
Xinxin’s perpetually cold little face now held warmth, and his usually vacant eyes were sparkling brightly.
He almost didn’t dare to look further.
Afraid it was all just his imagination.
He Xiulan was just coming out of the kitchen with a plate of fruit, smiling as she said to those on the sofa, “Xinxin, look who’s back?”
Liu Zhenjun held his breath and looked at his son again, not daring to blink.
Xinxin looked up, his gaze meeting his father’s for a moment before quickly lowering his head again.
Tongtong tilted her head and said softly and politely, “Hello, Uncle.”
After a brief moment of disappointment, Commander Liu’s stern face softened into a gentle smile. “It’s Tongtong. Hello to you too.”
But just then, he heard Xinxin, in a very, very small voice, clearly call out: “…Dad…dy…”
Boom!
That sound, like heavenly music, instantly struck the softest part of Liu Zhenjun’s heart!
This iron-willed soldier, who had faced gunfire and rain of bullets on the battlefield without flinching, felt his eyes redden sharply. Overwhelming joy and sorrow surged in his heart, tightening his throat and leaving him speechless for a long moment.
He strode over, wanting to hug his son but afraid of startling him.
In the end, he just vigorously ruffled his son’s hair, his voice hoarse with emotion: “Hey! Dad’s back! Good boy!”
He Xiulan’s eyes also reddened. She sniffled and smiled, saying, “Look, this is what your son painted today. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Liu Zhenjun’s heart trembled. His gaze moved past his son and landed on the painting that the old lady had already framed—it was Tongtong, smiling like a little sun.
It was painted so vividly, so full of life.
He could hardly believe this was actually painted by his own son!
“Mom, what exactly is going on?”
Liu Zhenjun looked at his mother, his voice trembling slightly.
It was no wonder he was so emotional. Ever since his wife’s accident, his son had become like this.
For years, guilt and worry had tormented him day and night.
At just fifty years old, his temples were already streaked with gray.
This was his greatest heartache!
He Xiulan pursed her lips into a smile and explained how Tongtong had been coming over every day these past two days to keep Xinxin company and talk to him.
Liu Zhenjun listened intently.
After a long moment, he wiped his face.
He looked at Tongtong, who was sitting on a small stool, swinging her short little legs and munching on an apple, his eyes filled with boundless gratitude.
He crouched down, trying to soften his tone, but still unable to hide his excitement: “Tongtong, thank you! Thank you for helping Brother Xinxin! Uncle… Uncle doesn’t know how to thank you enough!”
Tongtong swallowed her apple, tilted her head, her rosy little face serious: “Uncle Liu, no need to thank me!”
“Brother Xinxin’s mom is a great hero. Helping Brother Xinxin is what Tongtong should do! Brother was already really great!”
Although she was just a little system, she often heard her mother talk about China’s history.
She knew that the peaceful and prosperous era of later generations was bought with the blood and sacrifices of their predecessors.
Heroes deserve to be remembered and revered by everyone.
The descendants of heroes also deserve to be treated well!
Liu Zhenjun was both amused and moved by these grown-up words from the little one.
Looking at this jade-like, adorable, clever, and thoughtful little girl, a sudden idea popped into his head.
He looked excitedly at the little milk dumpling before him, his eyes sparkling: “Tongtong, Uncle Liu likes you very much. How about I become your godfather?”
Upon hearing this, Tongtong immediately scrunched up her little bun-like face, shaking her head like a rattle-drum: “No, Uncle! Tongtong already has a godfather! Uncle Gu Yanbin is Tongtong’s godfather! You can’t have two godfathers!”
Liu Zhenjun was taken aback at first, then burst into hearty laughter: “Hahaha! Okay! Okay! Uncle was being silly!”
“Then… if not a godfather, how about being your dry maternal uncle? Tongtong can be Uncle’s dry niece (sister’s daughter)!”
As for why not a dry niece (brother’s daughter), well, Tongtong’s father… better not mention him!
He Xiulan also chimed in with a smile: “That’s right! Then I’ll be Tongtong’s god-grandmother! When your mom comes back from training, Grandma will talk to her about recognizing her as my dry daughter, and we’ll officially become family! From now on, all the delicious food here at Grandma’s will have a share for Tongtong!”
Tongtong blinked her big eyes, processing the meanings of “dry maternal uncle” and “god-grandmother.”
It seemed… they didn’t conflict?
And there would be lots of delicious food?
Most importantly, her mother, who had no one to rely on, could have a godmother and a godbrother to care for her!
She immediately broke into a big smile, her voice sweet and crisp: “Okay! Dry maternal uncle! God-grandmother!”
He Xiulan and Liu Zhenjun both responded happily, “Yes!”
Xinxin, who had been quiet all along, seemed to be infected by the atmosphere as well. Looking at Tongtong, he revealed an extremely shy yet genuine smile and softly but clearly called out, “…Little sister…”
“Brother Xinxin!” Tongtong replied cheerfully.
That evening, the courtyard of Commander Liu’s home was filled with long-awaited laughter and joy, bustling with excitement.
Even Liu Zhenjun, as rough as he was, couldn’t help but be moved by the cheerful atmosphere.
Looking at the smile on his son’s face, the tears in his mother’s eyes, and the little ray of sunshine who seemed to radiate happiness, his heart was filled with gratitude and warmth.
This little angel who had fallen from the sky was truly a blessing for their family!
The worries and guilt that had lingered in his heart for years were finally washed away today.