20: We, your comrades, are your sons.

"To be honest, Old Comrade, for these years, I haven't had any news of them. It is I who have failed them..."

When the eldest son sacrificed his life, she came to the Military Unit just to see the Eldest Sons Wife. However, the Eldest Sons Wife was overwhelmed by the shock and fainted. She gave all of the eldest son's pension to the Eldest Sons Wife, but the people from the Eldest Sons Wife's side came and returned the money.

Later, she wrote many letters and even asked people to send some money to the Eldest Sons Wife's maiden home, but she never received a reply.

What?

Old Chief Gu was stunned for a moment.

No news of them? Failed Comrade Xiao Zhan's wife and child?

Could there be some misunderstanding in all this?

Over these decades, Old Chief Gu has seen too many people. Seeing Grandma Xiao's appearance, he did not feel that Grandma Xiao was a bad mother-in-law, nor the type to bully or abuse her daughter-in-law.

But now, with so many people present, it was not appropriate for Old Chief Gu to ask too closely.

"Sister-in-law Xiao, once we reach the Military Unit, I will talk to you about it in detail."

Grandma Xiao nodded.

Grandma Xiao came to the Military Unit also to ask comrade Wang Aiwu if there was any news about the Eldest Sons Wife and the Grandson.

At her current age, she didn't know how much longer she could live, and she wanted to see her Grandson and Granddaughter-in-law.

And Niannian, she wanted to ask someone to help Niannian find her biological parents.

She felt that Niannian's parents would never have abandoned Niannian back then.

Something must have happened, which is why Niannian appeared there.

After a few more hours, the train arrived at the station.

Old Chief Gu invited Grandma Xiao and Xiao Niannian to ride in the car.

"Old Comrade."

Before Grandma Xiao could finish her refusal, Old Chief Gu spoke up.

"Comrade Xiao Xiao Shu."

"Here."

Xiao Xiaoshu now knew that Old Master Gu was the original Old Chief of their Military Unit, so he immediately replied.

"Help your Sixth Aunt and take Niannian to ride in the car."

"Yes."

Grandma Xiao got into the car, and Xiao Niannian followed.

She examined the car. This was a car from the 1970s, a BJ212 car. Compared to decades later, it could be said to be very rudimentary, but nowadays, it was something everyone envied and wanted to touch. Being able to ride in a car once was the kind of thing you could brag about for a lifetime.

After riding in the car for over an hour, they finally arrived at the Military Unit in Yangcheng.

"Sister-in-law Xiao, we have arrived."

Hearing Old Chief Gu's words, Grandma Xiao nodded with a smile.

"It was really hard work for you today, Chief, and thank you and the several comrades..."

Hearing Old Chief Gu's words, he said.

"Sister-in-law Xiao, you are too polite. It is too late today. Let Lu Jing and the others take you and Niannian to the Guesthouse to settle in first. After resting well tomorrow, I will talk with you and Niannian again."

"Okay."

Lu Jing took Xiao Niannian and the others to the Military Unit Guesthouse.

Because it was ordered by Old Chief Gu, the Guesthouse staff prepared the best room for Xiao Niannian and the others—a two-bedroom suite with a living room and a bathroom for Grandma Xiao and Xiao Niannian, while Uncle Xiao Shu stayed in the room next door.

After entering the door, Grandma Xiao saw such a house and couldn't help but praise it.

"Niannian, look, how nice this house is."

Xiao Niannian gave a hum of agreement. In this era, such a house was already the ceiling for most people; 99% of people had never lived in such a house. This was reserved for old cadres, division-level leaders, and the like.

Xiao Niannian put down her luggage; she wanted to take a shower.

After Lu Jing helped Xiao Niannian and the others put away their luggage, he spoke up.

"There is a bathroom in your room. You can take a hot shower directly; there is no need to go to the bathroom at the end of the corridor."

What?

In a room like this, there is actually a bathroom? There is hot water?

Xiao Niannian looked at Lu Jing in surprise. She had originally intended to ask Lu Jing to fetch some hot water.

"However, the water might not be enough. I have already asked someone to fetch some hot water."

"Thank you."

Hearing Lu Jing's words, Xiao Niannian expressed her thanks.

This was hot water! She hadn't showered in three days. As long as she wasn't on a mission, she showered every day. After coming here, she finished fighting, went to Tenth Grandfather's house, and then had been on the train the whole time without any chance to shower. The smell on the train wasn't good either. At this moment, she was really a bit disgusted with herself. Fortunately, it was winter.

Seeing Xiao Niannian's happy expression, Lu Jing curled the corners of his mouth.

"Grandma, you go take a shower first; I'll wash later."

Seeing that Grandma looked a bit tired, Xiao Niannian persuaded her.

"Niannian, you wash first; Grandma will wash later."

Grandma Xiao had always doted on her Granddaughter; no matter what it was, she wanted her Granddaughter to go first.

"You go first."

After Grandma Xiao entered the bathroom, Xiao Niannian, Uncle Xiao Shu, and Lu Jing went to the living room.

"Your father, Comrade Xiao Zhan, is in the Martyrs' Cemetery in the county town. Tomorrow, I will accompany Grandma Xiao and you all to pay your respects."

Hearing Lu Jing's words, Xiao Niannian expressed her thanks.

"Thank you."

"Tomorrow morning, Regiment Commander Wang will come to see you..."

They had just talked for a while when they heard the sound of many people talking outside.

Hearing the knock on the door, Xiao Niannian opened it.

She saw several comrades in military uniforms standing at the door. The leader was around fifty years old, and the others beside him were also in their forties.

"Hello, Commanders." Lu Jing immediately saluted the group.

"You must be Niannian, right? I am the Division Commander of your father's unit. My surname is Yu; you can call me Uncle Yu."

Division Commander Yu, Regiment Commander Wang, and the others had all rushed back from the units below.

After seeing Old Chief Gu just now, they had come specifically to see the family of Comrade Xiao Zhan.

"Hello, Uncle Yu."

Division Commander Yu introduced the other leaders to Xiao Niannian.

"This is Deputy Division Commander Uncle Huang, this is Chief of Staff Uncle Liao... This is comrade Wang Aiwu, your Uncle Wang."

Xiao Niannian greeted the Commanders.

Looking at Xiao Niannian, the Commanders all smiled and responded kindly.

"Hello, Niannian."

Xiao Niannian spoke up.

Xiao Niannian had also finished showering and walked out at this time.

"Hello, Grandma Xiao."

Division Commander Yu led the Commanders to salute Grandma Xiao.

"Hello, Commanders."

Seeing them, Grandma Xiao's eyes turned red again.

She had met several of the Commanders here before at her son's memorial service.

After the Commanders talked with Grandma Xiao and Xiao Niannian for a while, they left.

Looking at Grandma Xiao, Regiment Commander Wang knelt down directly in front of her.

"Mother Xiao."

"Regiment Commander Wang, what are you doing? Get up quickly."

Grandma Xiao did not expect that Regiment Commander Wang would kneel down directly in front of her.

"Niannian, quickly help Grandma support your Uncle Wang and help him up."

Xiao Niannian immediately stepped forward to support Regiment Commander Wang.

After Regiment Commander Wang stood up, he said.

"Mother Xiao, Comrade Xiao Zhan has sacrificed his life; we, his comrades-in-arms, are your sons..."

Back then, they, those people, had also said the same thing in front of Grandma Xiao.