Chapter 6

Bai Mei blurted out, “What are you doing!”

Ding Yunfei grinned, “Oh Mei’er, I just adore you. Once I become a company commander or deputy commander, I’ll come to your house with a proper proposal, and you’ll give birth to five chubby boys for me!”

Blushing even more, Bai Mei retorted, “Who said I’ll be having your children!”

“Dream on, Mei’er, let me kiss you.” Ding Yunfei planted a smooch on Bai Mei’s cheek.

Having had enough of the morning’s ordeal, Ding Yunfei and Bai Mei did not come to see Yu Xiangnian for the rest of the day. She had a quiet day at work.

After work, on her way home, Yu Xiangnian coincidentally saw Cheng Jingmo and several comrades approaching.

She wanted to inquire about Zhang, the platoon leader’s situation, intending to report to the political commissar if Cheng Jingmo hadn’t done so.

“Cheng Jingmo!”

Her crisp voice rang out, and everyone turned to look. They saw Yu Xiangnian standing by the roadside.

She was dressed in a white floral blouse and black cloth shoes, her hair tied back in a ponytail, her eyes curved playfully as she gazed at them.

A gentle breeze lifted the hem of her skirt slightly, revealing a small portion of her fair and slender legs.

Other women might wear a skirt in a similar manner, but it looked particularly good on her, fitting in all the right places.

With her fair complexion, delicate features, and bright smile, anyone passing by couldn’t help but steal a glance at her.

She was undeniably beautiful, the most beautiful woman in the family quarters!

But the thought of her temper made passersby quickly avert their gaze, fearing her rebuke!

Cheng Jingmo glanced at her indifferently before looking away.

As Cheng Jingmo and his comrades approached, Yu Xiangnian waited for them and quickly walked up to Cheng Jingmo’s side, walking alongside him.

Those comrades who were originally with Cheng Jingmo hastened their pace, widening the distance between themselves and the two.

“Cheng Jingmo, have you reported Platoon Leader Zhang’s case to the political commissar?” Yu Xiangnian asked.

“I have reported it. Platoon Leader Zhang received disciplinary action, and tonight the political commissar will come to your house for a conversation.”

Cheng Jingmo thought Yu Xiangnian might be worried or nervous, but to his surprise, she responded indifferently, “Let them come.”

Well, not even a political commissar, but even if the regimental commander came, Yu Xiangnian wouldn’t bat an eye!

A few minutes later, the two arrived at the family quarters, and from afar, they saw Li Guihua and her two daughters standing there.

Li Guihua also saw Yu Xiangnian and Cheng Jingmo and hurried over, holding a large bowl with several buns inside.

“Um… Deputy Commander Cheng, Comrade Yu, thank you for last night.” Her face was still swollen, and she spoke hesitantly, “I made some plain buns. Please don’t mind them.”

Yu Xiangnian looked at Li Guihua tightly clutching the large bowl with nervousness on her face and remembered something.

On the second day of the original owner’s marriage to Cheng Jingmo, Mrs. Liu Zhen, who lived next door, kindly sent the original owner a bowl of steamed cakes.

It was common for neighbors to exchange dishes.

To everyone’s surprise, the original owner threw the bowl and the steamed cakes into the slop bucket right in front of Mrs. Liu Zhen, saying, “I don’t eat this kind of stuff!”

Mrs. Liu Zhen went home in tears and vowed never to associate with the original owner again!

Since then, no one in the family quarters has dared to give anything to the original owner.

Yu Xiangnian hesitated about whether to accept the bowl of buns.

She could tell Li Guihua was struggling financially, wearing a rough cloth dress with several patches. Last night, her man gave her five yuan to buy shoes for her children, and she was beaten.

If she took the bowl, would Li Guihua and her children go hungry? But if she didn’t take it, Li Guihua would be embarrassed.

After a moment’s thought, she decided to accept it!

When returning the bowl, she would bring something else for Li Guihua.

Yu Xiangnian took the bowl from Li Guihua’s hands and said, “Thank you, Aunt Guihua. Xiao Jie especially loves buns.”

Li Guihua rubbed her hands in relief. “I’m glad he likes them. There’s nothing else at home.”

Cheng Jingmo watched Yu Xiangnian tightly gripping the bowl, showing no intention of discarding it. He silently breathed a sigh of relief.

He feared Yu Xiangnian might throw the bowl and buns in front of Li Guihua!

Yu Xiangnian remarked skeptically at Cheng Jingmo’s assurance that Platoon Leader Zhang wouldn’t lay a hand on him again.

She disdainfully curled her lips. “If he dares to hit you again, give him a good beating! Make him afraid of you! And if you can’t beat him… run! Don’t just stand there and take the beating!”

Cheng Jingmo frowned. Yu Xiangnian’s advice was like that of a seven-year-old child, albeit slightly smarter, knowing to run away.

Li Guihua, whether touched or saddened, turned red-eyed. “I’m uneducated. Besides thank you, I don’t know what else to say.”

Yu Xiangnian waved her hand dismissively. “No need for thanks! Just remember, if you can’t fight, run! And if you can’t run…”

She glanced at Li Guihua’s two daughters beside her, not knowing their names, so she pointed at them with her finger. “Let them come find Cheng Jingmo!”

Cheng Jingmo muttered to himself, “Why not find you? You’re so fierce!”

After bidding Li Guihua farewell, they walked back home. Despite keeping a distance, they saw Dr Wu standing at the doorway, eagerly awaiting them.

She was dressed in a yellow floral dress, her hair tied with red string into two braids falling over her chest. She carried a military shoulder bag and wore yellow plastic sandals with white socks inside.

It was clear she had dressed up, but the combination seemed a bit unsophisticated.

Yu Xiangnian glanced at Cheng Jingmo, who remained expressionless.

Upon seeing them, Dr Wu immediately smiled, “Deputy Commander Cheng, Comrade Yu.”

Cheng Jingmo nodded at her. “Comrade Wu.”

Yu Xiangnian couldn’t help but suspect that these two had planned to meet at home beforehand!

With a neutral expression, she greeted them, “Comrade Wu.”

Dr Wu chuckled, “Deputy Commander Cheng, you might need to change the dressing on your wound.”

Another guise for a meeting to change the dressing!

Yu Xiangnian was willing to accommodate them, but their eagerness and lack of consideration for her feelings were frustrating.

One was her husband, the other his ex-girlfriend. Couldn’t they be more discreet? They acted as if she didn’t exist, meeting openly every day. Did they think she was invisible?!

If they made her unhappy, she couldn’t let them be happy either!

Cheng Jingmo said, “It’s unnecessary. The wound has healed.”

Dr Wu hesitated, “…”

Yu Xiangnian raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Thank you, Dr Wu. Last night, Cheng Jingmo insisted on hugging me to sleep. When I saw that huge wound, I felt so sorry for him.”

Who knew where Cheng Jingmo’s wound even was!

Cheng Jingmo twitched involuntarily at her words, about to refuse, but caught Yu Xiangnian’s sharp gaze and swallowed his words.

He took out the key, unlocked the door, and the three entered the house.