Chapter Thirty-Nine: Domestic Affairs

Ning Zhiheng watched as everyone bustled around, and noticed that Xiao Wan, timid and unwilling to speak with strangers, looked uncomfortable. To ease her discomfort, he arranged for a gentle-faced maid to take her to a guest room to rest and have something to eat. He himself waited in the dining room with his family for his father to return.

The servants moved quickly to prepare the dinner. Mother, Sang Su'e, insisted they not wait for Father, Ning Liangcai, but Ning Zhiheng dared not disobey. The Ning family had been a family of scholars for generations, one of the most prominent clans in Hangzhou. Although Ning Zhiheng's branch was merely one among many, the old rules had to be followed.

His eldest brother, Ning Zhipeng, had married and started a family three years ago. He had purchased a courtyard behind the family restaurant and moved out. Someone had been sent to notify him, so he would likely return later.

Soon, Second Mistress Zheng, hearing of Ning Zhiheng's return, hurried over to see him. Madam Zheng, in her early thirties, had been quite beautiful in her youth. After more than ten years in the family, her looks had faded but she remained a graceful woman. Truth be told, her only advantage was her youth, for Mother Sang Su'e had been just as beautiful in her younger days.

As the second mistress, Zheng's status in the household was low, especially since Sang Su'e was a formidable matriarch. On seeing the lady, Zheng quickly paid her respects, and Sang Su'e gestured for her to sit.

"Good day, Aunt," Ning Zhiheng greeted politely. He had never been particularly close to this second mistress, so he offered only a courteous greeting.

"Zhiheng, you’ve changed so much since you came back! How is it that you suddenly seem so grown up? It’s only been a few years," Madam Zheng exclaimed admiringly. She was sweet-tongued and sensible, never meddlesome—no doubt, due in part to Sang Su'e's strong hand. As a result, the household atmosphere remained harmonious.

At that moment, his third brother, Ning Zhiming, and little sister, Ning Zhen, arrived as well. Ning Zhiming, aged fourteen, was delicate-featured and introverted, but had grown quickly, nearly reaching Ning Zhiheng's shoulder. Little sister Ning Zhen, twelve years old, was lovely and lively, resembling her mother Zheng. Her cheerful nature made her the joy of the family. Being the only girl, everyone adored her.

Ning Zhiming, naturally shy, entered the room and simply nodded, calling out "Second Brother," before falling silent. His temperament was much like Ning Zhiheng's own: reserved and reticent from childhood, he had never been talkative. Only after the merging of his memories had Ning Zhiheng become somewhat more outgoing.

Ning Zhiming was even more reserved around him than around his eldest brother, Ning Zhipeng.

Little sister Ning Zhen had always been close to Ning Zhiheng. She bounced over to him, grabbed his arm, and asked, "Second Brother, did you bring me any gifts?"

Ning Zhiheng affectionately patted her head. "Of course I did. After dinner, I’ll go get them for you."

Ning Zhen, annoyed that he had messed up her hair, pouted and shook her head, flinging his hand away, then said playfully, "I want Qin Liying’s record! It’s all the rage now—so many of my classmates have it at home."

Ning Zhiheng was momentarily startled; even in this era, people were already following celebrities.

"I didn’t bring it, but tomorrow I’ll go buy it for you in town. However many you want, I’ll get them!"

Madam Zheng was delighted to see Ning Zhen chatting happily with her second brother. In this family, the eldest, Ning Zhipeng, was kind and generous, truly embodying the qualities of an elder brother. He treated Madam Zheng and her two children warmly, never regarding them as outsiders.

But the second son, Ning Zhiheng, was altogether different. Quiet and withdrawn since childhood, he kept to himself and was not easily approachable, though he always acted with decisive purpose. He had always been distant with Madam Zheng and was much colder in temperament than his elder brother.

Because of this, Madam Zheng rarely spoke freely with Ning Zhiheng; after he entered military school, she was even somewhat ingratiating in their interactions. She always felt the second son was not easy to get along with.

"Zhen, don’t cling to your second brother as soon as he comes home. Girls should be more demure—you’re always so lively you never sit still," Madam Zheng scolded lightly.

Ning Zhen paid no heed to her mother, pulling a face at her, clearly unconcerned by the admonition.

Mother Sang Su’e suddenly remembered that her son was still at military school, so why had he come home so unexpectedly? She asked, "Zhiheng, aren’t you still studying at military school? Why did you suddenly decide to come back?"

Ning Zhiheng rubbed his head sheepishly. In the ten days since graduation, he had been so busy he hadn’t even thought to send a telegram home about it. He replied, embarrassed, "Mother, I graduated from the Army Officer Academy half a month ago. This year’s class graduated half a year early."

"What? You’ve graduated already? You didn’t tell us! Which unit were you assigned to?" Sang Su’e’s heart leapt with worry.

Her son had always been stubborn, refusing advice, determined to join the military and sit for the Army Officer Academy entrance exam. She had been strongly opposed—after all, the saying goes, 'Good iron is not used for nails, and good men should not be soldiers.' In these troubled times, with warlords fighting everywhere, being a soldier meant going off to battle. What mother would willingly let her child risk his life on the battlefield?

Yet Ning Zhiheng had persisted, leaving home under family pressure, and registered for the officer academy with his classmates. Only after he was admitted did he notify the family. Seeing that persuasion was futile, they reluctantly accepted his decision.

Now, in the blink of an eye, he had graduated and was about to join the army. How could she set her mind at ease?

"Mother, please don’t worry. Upon graduation, my teacher arranged a good position for me. I’ll be working in Nanjing, in the military government’s logistics department—no need to go to the front lines!"

Ning Zhiheng knew exactly what his mother feared, so he quickly reassured her. Of course, he did not mention that he worked in the Military Intelligence Bureau—she would neither understand nor need the trouble of a lengthy explanation about those military departments.

"Logistics is good, very good! No wind, no sun, no fighting, and plenty of benefits!" Madam Zheng slapped her thigh in delight.

"Our family finally has a soldier. Zhipeng will support the family business outside, and Zhiheng will safeguard us. The Ning family is bound to flourish."

She smiled warmly at Ning Zhiheng. "Don’t forget to look after your brother and sister. The whole Ning family depends on you two."

"Don’t be silly! They’re siblings—no need for you to say such things," Sang Su’e, her worries eased, was in excellent spirits. Her tone softened even with Madam Zheng.

"Of course, of course! I spoke out of turn. You always see things so clearly, elder sister," Madam Zheng replied, flattered by Sang Su’e’s chiding and smiling apologetically.

As they spoke, footsteps sounded outside, and Father Ning Liangcai entered.

Of the four children, Ning Zhiheng resembled his father most.

Ning Liangcai wore a well-tailored blue satin robe, its white lining showing at the cuffs. His short hair and mustache gave him a refined air; his eyes gleamed with wisdom, making him appear younger than his true age.

On seeing his father, Ning Zhiheng quickly stood up. "Father, you’re back!"

Upon entering, Ning Liangcai had already heard from the servants that his second son had returned. Looking at him now, he felt the boy had changed significantly—his speech was measured, his bearing more composed. He silently thought how military school had shaped him—the once youthful, naive child had swiftly matured.

After just a year’s absence, his temperament was markedly different. Ning Liangcai nodded inwardly in approval, though his words took the tone of a strict father. "Whatever you do, do it well. If you’re studying at the officer academy, you must act like a soldier. Why did you come back so suddenly?"

Sang Su’e, sitting nearby, was displeased that her husband’s first words upon seeing their son were stern. She glared at him, saying, "The child’s been graduated half a month, and you didn’t even know? Clearly, you don’t care about your children—what are you thinking all day? Zhiheng was lucky this time; he stayed in Nanjing after graduation and works in the military government’s logistics office. That’s a tremendous blessing!"

"Graduated? Wasn’t there another half year?" Ning Liangcai asked in surprise. "How did you get assigned to the military government’s logistics department? That’s not a place just anyone can enter."

Having been in business for years, Ning Liangcai was shrewd. To serve in the capital’s military government logistics was no ordinary feat.

Ning Zhiheng played along, explaining, "My teacher, He Feng, has many connections in the army and arranged this position for me."

Ning Liangcai was greatly pleased to hear this. Although he grumbled, he truly did not want his child to be sent off to battle. He had not expected Ning Zhiheng’s graduation to yield such a satisfactory assignment. He nodded and smiled, "It really is a good thing—worth celebrating with a few drinks."

Everyone agreed, and as Ning Liangcai took his seat, the family enjoyed a lively reunion dinner together.