Tao Wenrui first lifted Xiao Yanyan from Wei Tiechui’s shoulders, then offered his congratulations.
Wei Tiechui replied with a thank you, while Chunhua remained silent.
Tao Wenrui patted Yanyan’s little bottom gently. "Feeling brave, are we? You aren't even as tall as your father’s leg and you dare to run away from home?"
Xiao Yanyan hugged Tao Wenrui’s neck and rubbed her forehead against his face. "Hehe..."
She was too young now to take her mother, brother, and sister out of the mountains, so she still needed this man. Besides, this man was her father; why should she let someone else get the benefit?
Wei Tiechui said, "This is my fault. I took Yanyan away without your permission."
Tao Wenrui glared at Wei Tiechui. "It is indeed your fault. My daughter is four; are you four as well?"
Wei Tiechui rubbed his nose. "I was wrong. I’ll come find you to make amends once I’m settled."
Tao Wenrui snorted. "Regiment Commander Zhang said Yanyan was the one who lured you away. Why did you listen to her?"
"I think Yanyan is very smart. She said her eldest cousin could hold down a household all by herself, so I wanted to go see for myself."
"And so you went?"
"Yes. Women are easy to find, but it’s hard to find a woman who can provide a stable home front for me."
"Hmph! I’ll spare you this time for Chunhua's sake. If there’s a next time, I’ll knock your teeth out."
"I’ll be sure to check in with you next time. Anyway, let’s head back."
"You two go on ahead. I’m going to take Yanyan into town to play for a while before we return."
"We’re off, then. Yanyan, come find your brother if you need anything."
"Okay. Dad, where are you taking me to play?"
"Where would you like to go?"
Xiao Yanyan thought for a moment. "I want to go to the bookstore. I heard they have lots of picture books, and they’re really fun."
"Alright." Tao Wenrui carried Xiao Yanyan toward the bookstore, saying, "You need to know how to read to enjoy picture books. How about Dad teaches you?"
Tao Wenrui wanted to teach Xiao Yanyan to read for two reasons: first, he thought she was smart and should be well-cultivated; second, he wanted to grow closer to his daughter.
Xiao Yanyan smiled. They were on the same page. She had asked to go to the bookstore specifically to get her father to teach her to read.
Only by learning to read openly could she read the newspapers openly. The newspapers here were similar to the official bulletins from her own time. She should be able to glean some useful information from them.
Xiao Yanyan rubbed against Tao Wenrui again. "If I learn to read, can I write letters to my mother, brother, and sister?" *Since you volunteered to teach me, I’ll give you a lead.*
Tao Wenrui was delighted to hear this. "Do you want to bring your mother, brother, and sister here? If they come, not only will there be someone to cook delicious food for you, but there will be people to play with you, too."
"I do!" Xiao Yanyan’s eyes lit up instantly. "Can I really call my mother, brother, and sister here? I miss them so much."
"You can. But you have to do as Dad says."
"Okay, okay!" Wasn't it just a matter of acting like a bratty kid crying for her mother and siblings?
"Once we get back to the family quarters, tell everyone that your mother, brother, and sister are coming in a little while."
Xiao Yanyan blinked. "Will they really come just because I say so?"
Tao Wenrui nodded. "If anyone asks why you ran away from home, just say it’s because your Aunt Su wouldn't let them come."
"But Aunt Su didn't say that."
"Do you want them to come or not?"
"I do."
"Then you have to do as Dad says, or they won't be able to come."
"Oh? But... but will Aunt Su be angry?"
"Do you want them to come?"
"I do."
"Then you have to do as Dad says."
"Fine. But if Aunt Su gets angry, you have to tell her it was you who made me say it."
"Deal."
At the bookstore, Tao Wenrui bought Xiao Yanyan some picture books and two primers. After they left, he took her out for a good meal before heading back.
After getting off the transport, Tao Wenrui coached Xiao Yanyan again.
When the residents of the family quarters saw them walking back, they teased her. "Yanyan’s back! Did your dad beat you?"
Xiao Yanyan said with great excitement, "No! My dad loves me so much. Let me tell you, my mom, brother, and sister are coming in a few days to keep me company. I’m so happy!"
Everyone looked over at Tao Wenrui.
Tao Wenrui actually said with a chuckle, "She’s too young; I couldn't reason with her."
The crowd: "..." *Does that mean you're actually going to bring your ex-wife here?*
Xiao Yanyan: "My brother and I are twins, you know."
The crowd: *We don't care about that; we just want to know if your mom is really coming.*
Tao Wenrui: "You all go ahead and chat. I’m taking her to wash up; she’s practically a mud monkey."
Xiao Yanyan: "My brother and I look exactly the same, you know."
Once the father and daughter were gone, the crowd began to gossip.
"Do you think Deputy Regiment Commander Tao will really bring his ex-wife over?"
"No way, right? If he brings his ex-wife here, won't Comrade Su give him hell?"
"Let her give him hell. It’s not like she can divorce him over it, can she?"
"If it were me, I’d definitely divorce him."
"That’s easy for you to say."
"No, I really would."
"I think Deputy Regiment Commander Tao is probably just humoring his daughter."
"Doesn't look like it. Didn't he say he treats his ex-wife like a relative?"
"You shouldn't invite that kind of relative into your home."
...
That evening, soon after Su Yuyao returned, she got into a loud argument with Tao Wenrui.
The crowd: *Looks like Deputy Regiment Commander Tao really is bringing his ex-wife here.*
Before long, everyone heard Su Yuyao shouting, "Tao! I want a divorce!"
Tao Wenrui shouted back, "Fine, let’s divorce! Even divorced, I can still find a wife!"
The crowd: *That’s not necessarily true. What woman would want to live under the same roof as her husband's ex-wife?*
The next morning, the two of them went off to get their paperwork with grim expressions.
The crowd: *My god! Are they really getting a divorce? Comrade Su is truly bold! Deputy Regiment Commander Tao is truly muddled when it comes to family matters!*
Once they had their paperwork, they went to finalize the divorce.
Nothing anyone said could talk them out of it.
After Xiao Yanyan had eaten and was full, she wanted to visit her eldest cousin's place. But before she could leave, Wei Tiechui and Chunhua arrived.
As soon as Chunhua walked in, she asked, "Yanyan, did your dad and that vixen go to get a divorce?"
"Yes. Is your place all tidied up?"
"Not yet. My husband heard from someone that your dad went to get a divorce, so we came over. Why does your dad want to divorce that vixen?"
"Because I want my mom, brother, and sister to come keep me company. Brother-in-law, why are you here at my house instead of getting a job for my eldest cousin?" There were few families accompanying the troops right now, so jobs could still be arranged. Once more people arrived, it wouldn't be so certain.
Wei Tiechui said, "You're right. Your eldest cousin’s situation is more important."
Xiao Yanyan: "Then why aren't you going?"
Wei Tiechui: "I’m going right now."
Xiao Yanyan: "Wait. It’s best if you get my eldest cousin an apprenticeship in the cafeteria. Her nose is sharper than most people's."
"I’ll do my best."
After Wei Tiechui left, Chunhua picked up the previous topic. "Did your dad really decide to divorce that vixen just because you wanted your mom, brother, and sister to come keep you company? Does your dad really love you that much?"