Chapter 89 : Thanking My Sister

At noon, after Fang Xiaoluo and his family finished their meal, they hadn’t even cleared the table when they heard loud and synchronized slogans coming from outside.  

“Stand at attention!”  

“Turn right!”  

Curious, Fang Xiaoluo asked Shen Zheng, “What’s happening outside?”  

Shen Zheng, equally puzzled, wiped his mouth and stood up. “I’ll go take a look.”  

When he stepped outside, he was greeted by Chen Shisong leading a team of about twenty soldiers. They were all in neatly pressed military uniforms, each carrying large and small bags in their hands.  

“Chen Shisong!” Shen Zheng called out.  

Hearing his name, Chen Shisong immediately jogged over and saluted. “Here, Captain!”  

Shen Zheng raised an eyebrow. “What’s all this about?”  

Chen Shisong stood at attention and replied loudly, “Reporting to the regiment commander, all officers and soldiers of the Third Battalion are here to express their gratitude to my sister-in-law!”  

The commotion quickly drew the attention of neighbors and passersby, who came out of their homes to watch the spectacle.  

Hearing the noise, Fang Xiaoluo also stepped outside. “Comrade Chen?”  

When Chen Shisong saw her, he smiled and said warmly, “Sister-in-law, we’ve come to thank you for saving our lives.”  

Fang Xiaoluo thought back to the incident where someone had slipped laxatives into the soldiers’ chocolate during their training exercise. She laughed, “Saving your lives? That’s a bit dramatic, it wasn’t exactly life-threatening.”  

Chen Shisong insisted, “That’s not the point. Without your help, our entire battalion would have been disqualified from the exercise. We wouldn’t have had any opportunity to prove ourselves.”  

Turning to Shen Zheng, he added, “Right, Captain?”  

Shen Zheng nodded solemnly. It was true. If the Third Battalion hadn’t been able to recover in time, they would have been forced out of the exercise altogether.  

Chen Shisong then addressed Fang Xiaoluo, “Sister-in-law, this is a small token of appreciation from all of us. Please accept it.”  

He looked to Shen Zheng for approval. “Captain, may we proceed?”  

Shen Zheng gave a curt nod, signaling his agreement.  

Following his cue, the soldiers marched in, carrying their bags one by one, filling the yard with gifts.  

Staring at the growing pile, Fang Xiaoluo couldn’t help but remark, “You’ve brought so much food! How are we supposed to finish it all?”  

Chen Shisong scratched his head awkwardly. “Honestly, sister-in-law, we’re not very good at picking gifts. Everyone wanted to contribute something, but in the end, most of what we got were fruits. Thankfully, there’s also some malted milk, powdered milk, and canned goods in the mix. Otherwise, we’d really look clueless.”  

He chuckled sheepishly and added, “Next time, we’ll make sure to bring something more practical.”  

Hearing his explanation, Fang Xiaoluo smiled and shook her head. “It’s alright. Everything you brought looks great, these are all my favorites. Thank you for being so thoughtful.”  

Chen Shisong turned to his team and waved. In unison, the twenty soldiers responded loudly, “You’re welcome!”  

Shen Zheng coughed lightly to interrupt. “Are you done delivering now?”  

Realizing the hint, Chen Shisong quickly saluted. “We’ll take our leave now, Captain! Goodbye, sister-in-law!”  

With military precision, the team was gone in no time, leaving behind a yard full of goods.  

The neighbors who had gathered were amazed. They’d never seen anyone receive so much in one go!  

Looking at the piles of apples, melons, and watermelons stretching from the yard to the front door, Fang Xiaoluo sighed. The weather was scorching hot, and without a refrigerator, the fruit wouldn’t last long.  

At that moment, Shen Haifeng and Shen Jinxia ran over.  

“Mom, should we bring everything inside?” Shen Haifeng asked.  

“Put it in the living room for now,” Fang Xiaoluo replied. “I’ll figure out what to do with it all.”

While everyone was busy carrying the items into the house, Fang Xiaoluo was sorting them.  

She separated the malted milk, milk powder, canned goods, and other non-perishables, organizing them neatly in the living room.  

“These can be used by both the old and the young,” she thought.  

As for the fruits, she turned to Shen Zheng and asked, “Do I have the final say on what to do with these?”  

“Of course,” Shen Zheng replied. “What they gave you is naturally yours. You decide how to handle it.”  

Fang Xiaoluo divided the fruits into several portions. She kept one share for her own family and distributed the rest.  

She gave portions to her neighbors, ensuring everyone around them got some. Each of Shen Zheng’s three battalion commanders received a share, and she even set aside one for Shen Jinxia to deliver to Yu Xiaopang. After all, it was better for Shen Jinxia to handle matters involving the Yu family that way, the children could build their friendship.  

She also sent portions to the families of Li Zhongxun and Zhang Jianhui, as well as to Liu Lijuan’s home.  

When she consulted with Zheng Lanhua, the older woman gave away two additional portions.  

Even after all this, there was still a considerable amount of fruit left.  

Once Shen Zheng had left for work at the regiment headquarters, Fang Xiaoluo found a large cardboard box, opened it, and wrote a bold line on the top:  

[All officers and soldiers of the Third Battalion of the Third Regiment of the 105th Division invite everyone to enjoy some fruit to cool off!]  

Zheng Lanhua looked at her and asked, “Are you planning to give the rest of the fruit to everyone?”  

Putting down her pen, Fang Xiaoluo nodded. “Rather than letting it spoil at home, why not share it so we can all enjoy it together?”  

Meanwhile, Shen Jinxia tugged on her sleeve, calling, “Mom, this box is too heavy. What if I can’t carry it?”  

Smiling, Fang Xiaoluo reassured her, “Don’t worry, I’ll help you.”  

Beaming, Shen Jinxia raised her little face and said, “Thank you, Mom.”  

Fang Xiaoluo took her bicycle, loaded it up with the box, and headed straight to the Yu family’s house with Shen Jinxia.  

The moment they arrived, Shen Jinxia jumped off the bike and ran ahead with her short legs, calling out loudly, “Xiaopang! Yu Xiaopang!”  

Yu Xiaopang, who had been sound asleep, woke up instantly at the sound of her voice.  

Han Weiping, on her way out for work, paused to see Fang Xiaoluo and Shen Jinxia approaching.  

Her son, who had just been groggily dreaming, now dashed outside as if his life depended on it.  

She sighed inwardly. At this rate, her son would end up moving to another household when he grew up and never look back.  

“Xiaxia, you came to see me!” Yu Xiaopang was so thrilled that his chubby cheeks stretched into a big grin, his eyes nearly disappearing.  

Shen Jinxia pointed to the items on her mother’s bicycle and said, “My mom sent some fruit, but I couldn’t carry it myself.”  

Fang Xiaoluo handed over the fruit, and Han Weiping accepted it. It included half a melon, half a watermelon, and several apples.  

“What’s the occasion? Why so much fruit?” Han Weiping asked.  

Fang Xiaoluo chuckled. “It’s because Xiaxia wanted to give it to him.”  

Yu Xiaopang jumped in excitement. “Wow, Xiaxia, you’re the best! The fruit you give me is definitely sweeter and tastier than anyone else’s. I like it the most!”  

Han Weiping cringed. Her son was so embarrassing!  

Blushing, Shen Jinxia replied, “Then you should eat more.”  

Yu Xiaopang nodded enthusiastically. “Thank you, Xiaxia!”  

Turning to her daughter, Fang Xiaoluo asked, “Do you want to stay and play for a while?”  

“Yeah,” Shen Jinxia answered.  

“Alright, then. You kids play. Sister, I’ll head back now,” Fang Xiaoluo said to Han Weiping.  

“Thank you,” Han Weiping said sincerely.  

Fang Xiaoluo waved her hand. “No need to thank me, your son already did.”