CHAPTER 199: 189 THE MELANCHOLIC SON WANTS TO TURN INTO A FISH

After the earthquake, some children became orphans. Coincidentally, in the disaster relief military unit, there were couples with kind hearts who, due to specific reasons, didn’t have children of their own. They selected children they felt connected to and adopted them. These children, having endured trauma, varied in their reactions—some became silent and withdrawn, while others were overcome with emotion, clinging to their new parents and crying uncontrollably.

The disaster relief troops came from all directions. When it was time for them to leave, the locals expressed their heartfelt gratitude. As the rescue work wrapped up, the soldiers’ tasks were temporarily over. The rest, ultimately, wasn’t within their responsibility and would be handled by other specialized personnel.

Two different vehicles moved in opposite directions, growing further and further apart.

"Let’s first get the paperwork done. Then I’ll submit an application to my superiors. You and Yanyan can join the military family program," Jiang Jinghuai said gravely, standing beside Meng Shuyan and holding her in his arms. "Before the application gets approved, I’ll arrange a place for you both to stay. When I get leave, you can come with me to Beijing to meet my family. And we’ll make time for you to introduce me to your family too."

Everything seemed to fall into place seamlessly.

"Military family program?" Tian Sangsang was stunned. Meeting each other’s parents suddenly felt like a minor issue in comparison.

Thanks to Jiang Jinghuai, she got to travel back in a military vehicle. Standing at the rear, facing the wind, she watched as the small town grew more and more blurry in the distance. Before she could sing a farewell tune to express her feelings, Jiang Jinghuai’s unexpected words made her stop cold.

Honestly, she hadn’t really thought it through yet. But this moment came so quickly. To join the military program meant many things would be inconvenient. For instance, she had a secret space that absolutely no one could know about. As for her son, it wasn’t much of an issue. But faced with a sharp and intuitive man like Jiang Jinghuai, Tian Sangsang suspected her clumsy mind wouldn’t be able to outsmart him.

During their time in the disaster zone, he seemed to have been suspicious of her. Though he never explicitly said anything.

Seeing her hesitate, Jiang Jinghuai suddenly lifted Meng Shuyan high above his head, a subtle smile at the corner of his mouth. "Yanyan, do you want to join the military family program? Live with Dad together?"

"Ah! Yes, I do!" Meng Shuyan couldn’t wait and nodded eagerly like a pecking chick, adding, "Mommy too!"

This boy... Couldn’t he be reserved for even a second? So quick to jump into the wolf’s den...

"What about you?" Jiang Jinghuai turned to look at her, his deep, dark eyes shining with a resolute determination...

"I respect my son’s opinion." Tian Sangsang forced a smile, trying to appear convincing. "Of course, wherever my son is, that’s where I’ll be."

This Jiang Jinghuai—the audacity to use her son to pressure her! Did this mean she’d have to let him take the lead from now on? No way. She had to establish her own authority somehow! Just wait and see!

Right now, her son was just excited to see his dad—it was only natural. But once the novelty wore off, he’d undoubtedly become less attached. However, her son would never grow tired of her. They’d been together for so long already, hadn’t they?

The scope of the earthquake’s impact was significant, yet Jiang Jinghuai’s unit wasn’t stationed in Nanyang. Though Nanyang was almost completely flattened, other areas remained more intact. Tian Sangsang couldn’t help but think of Zhao Chun—his address... She hoped he was okay. Besides, schools should be reopening now. As she recalled, his school was located in a relatively safe area.

Jiang Jinghuai found a hotel. Tian Sangsang followed behind him, carrying Meng Shuyan. After registering their information, the proprietor handed them keys and led them to check out the room. The room was decent—clean and tidy—with pristine white walls, a single lightbulb, pale curtains, a kettle on the bedside table, and a bed, some chairs, and a desk. It was bare but adequate.

Tian Sangsang placed Meng Shuyan on the bed and grabbed a cloth to wipe things down. Meanwhile, Jiang Jinghuai boiled some water.

Turning back, she saw her son seated on the bed, gazing out the window as if lost in thought. Since it was the second floor, the bed was next to the wall and window, just at the right angle to view the bustling crowd below.

"Yanyan, what are you daydreaming about?"

"Mom, I’m thinking about what you told me last time—about ’The Little Mermaid.’" Meng Shuyan sighed softly, his young voice gentle and contemplative. "You said the mermaid traded her beautiful voice for legs. When she walked on land, her legs felt like she was stepping on knives. Just how painful is that? Is it as painful as when I soak my feet in medicine? Is it worse to have nails piercing your feet or blades cutting them?"

But the mermaid could still walk. If he tried to walk, would it hurt as much as it did for her?

"Hmm..." Tian Sangsang leaned her face on her palm, pondering. "All your ten toes are connected to your heart, so it’s not just the physical pain. Her heart must have hurt too."

"Mom, I feel like I’ve turned into that little mermaid..." Meng Shuyan’s jet-black eyes were wide and glassy as he mumbled, "What can people do without legs? Like fish, maybe? Just swim around in the water..."

"Stop right there!" Tian Sangsang immediately detected something wasn’t quite right. "Yanyan, you’ve got some dangerous thoughts. Don’t even think about that again." Oh no, her son, unable to walk, was already spiraling into an overthinking abyss—thinking about becoming a fish! That’s unacceptable. Too many people have fallen into ruin from overthinking and underacting. Most of those melancholy poets succumbed to such ways.

The sweetness of braised squid!

Once such thoughts start, it becomes hard to pull oneself out. Whether you’ve endured the Vietnam War, survived Nazi concentration camps, or faced a nuclear explosion—if your mind reaches that psychological level, it’s almost impossible to heal and find redemption. Of course, there’s still a chance at healing and redemption if luck is on your side. But if luck turns its back, no matter how much effort you put in, it’ll all be in vain.

Tian Sangsang shot Jiang Jinghuai a pleading look, which he happened to catch.

"Yanyan," Jiang Jinghuai’s deep voice broke the silence. He extended his strong arms and embraced him. "Why are you suddenly thinking about fish?"

"Dad," Meng Shuyan murmured softly, finding comfort in his father’s arms. "It just crossed my mind—because fish don’t have legs."

"But you have legs." Jiang Jinghuai’s broad palms gently rubbed his head. "Don’t overthink things. With the time you’re spending thinking, you might as well think about something practical."

"Mm?" Tian Sangsang and Meng Shuyan both tilted their heads up simultaneously, staring at him intently.

"For example..." His deep and pleasant voice paused briefly. "What should we have for lunch today?"

Right! Meng Shuyan rubbed his little belly. He was indeed feeling a little hungry. His big eyes twinkled as he tugged at Jiang Jinghuai’s clothes excitedly. "Let’s eat what Mommy cooks. Mommy’s cooking is super delicious! Dad, it’s really good!"

Jiang Jinghuai raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Dad, what do you like to eat? Let Mommy make it for you." Meng Shuyan blinked his big eyes at him gleamingly, his face full of anticipation. "Mommy said that you like her cooking the most. She said it was because you love her cooking that you fell in love with her."

Jiang Jinghuai gave Tian Sangsang a calm, meaningful glance before turning back to Meng Shuyan, his gaze steady. "What I like to eat is similar to you. What’s your favorite?"