Chapter 5

“Where is your political commissar’s office?” Yu Xiangnian suddenly asked before they parted ways. “I want to report Captain Zhang for domestic violence.”

Cheng Jingmo had assumed Yu Xiangnian was just trying to scare Captain Zhang last night and didn’t expect her to actually follow through with it.

“I will report it to the commissar,” he said.

“No need. You’re all comrades. If you offend him, it will be hard to get along in the future.”

“I’m not afraid of offending people. It’s more appropriate for me to talk to the commissar than you.”

Yu Xiangnian looked at Cheng Jingmo with some suspicion.

Captain Zhang’s domestic violence wasn’t a new issue; no one had reported it to the commissar to avoid offending him. However, Yu Xiangnian didn’t say this out loud.

She wanted to test Cheng Jingmo first. If Captain Zhang didn’t face any consequences, she would go to the commissar herself.

“Alright, you go ahead,” Yu Xiangnian said.

They went their separate ways to work. As Yu Xiangnian rounded a corner, she saw Ding Yunfei and Bai Mei standing under a tree, talking.

She smirked coldly.

As soon as Ding Yunfei saw her, he left Bai Mei and ran over. “Nian Nian!”

Suppressing her disgust, Yu Xiangnian looked around nervously and then shyly lowered her head. “Brother Ding, please don’t call me Nian Nian outside. What if someone hears us…”

Ding Yunfei, trying to be manly, said, “Nian Nian, we shouldn’t be afraid. We truly love each other. As soon as you get a divorce, I’ll marry you immediately.”

Yu Xiangnian looked at him deeply. “Brother Ding… please wait a little longer for me.”

Her eyes were naturally flirtatious, and now they glistened with emotion, causing Ding Yunfei’s heart to tremble.

“Nian Nian, I’ll wait for you!”

Just as he finished speaking, Bai Mei walked over to them and said warmly, “Nian Nian, you’re here.”

The three of them chatted and laughed as they walked towards the logistics department.

Around the corner, Cheng Jingmo listened to their conversation with a blank expression. He clenched and then unclenched his fingers before turning and leaving.

He had meant to remind Yu Xiangnian that she had hit Captain Zhang last night. Although she wasn’t a soldier, the commissar would likely want to talk to her about it and give her a warning.

But instead, he overheard this conversation.

Yu Xiangnian had just sat down at her desk when Ding Yunfei entered, looking furtive and carrying a lunchbox.

“Nian Nian, I bought these meat buns just for you.” He opened the lunchbox and proudly presented it to her.

The military district was in the suburbs, and Ding Yunfei had gone to a state-run restaurant in the city after his exercises to get the buns because Yu Xiangnian was known to be picky about her food.

The smell of meat filled the air, and Yu Xiangnian glanced at the large, white buns before looking up at Ding Yunfei with deep affection. “Brother Ding, you’re so good to me!”

“Eat while they’re hot.”

Yu Xiangnian wrinkled her face in mock distress. “Oh, I feel a bit nauseous this morning. The smell is making me sick. I’ll ask Bai Mei to eat them instead so they won’t go to waste.”

Ding Yunfei tried to stop her, but it was too late.

As soon as Yu Xiangnian finished speaking, she called out, “Comrade Bai Mei! Comrade Bai Mei! Come over here!”

Ding Yunfei frantically covered the lunchbox and hid it behind him. “Nian Nian, don’t…”

Before he could finish, Bai Mei rushed in. “Nian Nian, did you call me?”

Yu Xiangnian smiled. “Brother Ding bought me some meat buns, but I’m not feeling well today. You can have them.”

Ding Yunfei and Bai Mei exchanged glances, both of their faces changing slightly.

Yu Xiangnian pretended not to notice and added, “Oh? Where are the buns? Brother Ding, why are you hiding them? You wouldn’t be unwilling to share them with her, would you? I consider Bai Mei a sister. If you’re not good to her, I won’t be happy with you.”

Ding Yunfei awkwardly brought the lunchbox out from behind him and handed it to Bai Mei with a forced smile. “Of course not. I was just afraid they’d get cold.”

“Bai Mei, go ahead and eat.” Yu Xiangnian pointed to a wooden stool across from her, indicating for Bai Mei to sit there and eat.

Bai Mei shot Ding Yunfei a glare, then took the lunchbox and sat down to eat.

She was angry that Ding Yunfei bought meat buns for Yu Xiangnian but not for her. She was also irritated by Yu Xiangnian’s words, as if her eating a bun was somehow basking in Yu Xiangnian’s glory. For Bai Mei to eat something, Ding Yunfei had to first give it to Yu Xiangnian.

However, the temptation of the meat buns was too great. Even though she wrinkled her face in embarrassment, she started eating.

Bai Mei was also an auxiliary worker in the logistics department, earning the same wage as Yu Xiangnian. Technically, one person could live comfortably on their wages.

But her parents were farmers, and they had two younger brothers to support. She had to give her parents 15 yuan each month, leaving her with only 3 yuan.

At the age of seventeen, she was at the peak of her youth and loved beauty. Her 3 yuan had to cover expenses like face powder, soap, and fabric—typical girl stuff. How could she justify spending 80 fen on a meat bun?

Yu Xiangnian watched Bai Mei devour the bun and asked, “Is it delicious?”

Bai Mei was too busy eating to answer properly, so she just nodded vigorously, “Mmm!”

Yu Xiangnian sighed in distress, “Brother Ding buys me meat buns every day, and I’m getting tired of them.”

Bai Mei choked on a bite.

Ding Yunfei actually bought meat buns for Yu Xiangnian every day, and she hadn’t had one yet!

She glared at Ding Yunfei again.

“Brother Ding, I want to eat the fermented rice-cooked eggs from that place in the north of the city tomorrow. I want three eggs. Is that okay?” Yu Xiangnian looked at Ding Yunfei eagerly.

Ding Yunfei hesitated. “…”

The barracks were in the southern suburbs, and he would have to go to the northern part of the city.

After thinking about it, he reluctantly agreed, “Of course!”

Yu Xiangnian looked at him happily, her eyes sparkling. He looked back at her.

Seeing their intimate gaze, Bai Mei endured her discomfort and stood up. “I’ve finished eating. I’ll go now.”

After a short while, Ding Yunfei also claimed he had something to do and hurriedly left.

Only then did Yu Xiangnian burst into laughter.

Uneven affection was sure to cause a scene!

Sure enough, behind the logistics department’s warehouse, Bai Mei cried out in grievance, “Ding Yunfei, do you really like her?”

Ding Yunfei quickly explained, “No! Mei’er, I’ve told you before. I’m getting close to her for our future. Once I’m promoted, won’t you benefit too?”

“Why does she get meat buns every day, and I don’t?”

“I’m just doing this to make her happy and not to upset her! I’m worried about you! She’s a married woman. How could I possibly like her? I like you because you understand me.”

Bai Mei tearfully stared at him. “I saw the way you looked at her just now. You like her!”

Ding Yunfei remembered Yu Xiangnian’s eyes, which seemed to charm the soul these past few days.

He said again, “Mei’er, if I liked her, would I let her lend you her watch and bicycle? I do this for you because I care about you! If you don’t believe me, I swear!”

Bai Mei looked at the silver watch on her wrist and then at the bicycle parked outside the warehouse. These were Yu Xiangnian’s dowry items from her marriage, which she hadn’t used. Bai Mei and Ding Yunfei had borrowed them in turn.

She quickly covered Ding Yunfei’s mouth with her hand. “Stop talking. I believe you.”

Ding Yunfei took advantage of the situation to grab her hand and kiss it.