Chapter 9

In the past, the original owner frequently quarreled with Cheng Jingmo, often resulting in smashing things around the house, leaving them with only two or three bowls.

The original owner ate out every day, while Cheng Jingmo and Xiao Jie usually ate cafeteria food or made do with whatever dish they could manage.

Today there were more dishes and more people, but not enough bowls.

Cheng Jingmo said somewhat awkwardly, “Xiao Jie, go borrow four bowls from Auntie Liu Zhen next door.”

Xiao Jie replied, “We’re only short of three bowls.”

“Borrow four.”

In no time, Xiao Jie returned with four large bowls.

Cheng Jingmo took one of the bowls first, filled it with braised pork, then placed the vegetarian buns Li Guihua had given into the steamer and also scooped some braised pork into the bowl.

It seemed that when returning the bowls, he also provided a bowl of braised pork as a gesture of goodwill.

Surprisingly, this dog of a man was quite adept at social niceties.

After scooping two bowls, there was only half a basin of braised pork left.

“Let’s eat,” Cheng Jingmo asked, “Who wants the vegetarian buns Li Guihua gave?”

Li Guihua had given three vegetarian buns, but Yu Xiangnian didn’t want to eat them, and conveniently, there were three men, one for each.

After dinner, Yu Xiangnian wanted to wash the dishes but was stopped by Yu Xiangyang. “Let him do it! Why should you do these chores after marrying him?”

Indeed, he was her real brother! He was so protective!

Cheng Jingmo didn’t show any expression and obediently started cleaning and washing the dishes.

Xiao Jie lifted a bowl of braised pork, ready to return it to Auntie Liu Zhen’s house, when Yu Xiangnian said, “There are four haws in the crock. Take two for those two little girls and eat the remaining two.”

“Okay, Auntie.”

In the main hall, now with only the two siblings, Yu Xiangyang lowered his voice and said, “Nian Nian, don’t let your mind wander. Where else will you find such a good man as Cheng Jingmo if you divorce him?”

Yu Xiangyang began enumerating Cheng Jingmo’s virtues. “He handles all the housework and doesn’t let you do anything. He’s frugal with money and gives you a generous allowance every month. Despite your constant quarrels, he always tolerates you… Look at you, so fierce, lazy, and capricious, yet he treats you like an ancestor!”

Yu Xiangnian: “…” Did he really need to praise him so highly while putting her down?

“Besides his somewhat reserved nature, he’s perfect! No, Mom says he’s not reserved, he’s deep and introverted, a man cut out for great things! Look at him, he’s the youngest deputy battalion commander in the army. You’ll have good days ahead with him!”

Yu Xiangnian thought to herself that Cheng Jingmo was indeed outstanding, but their relationship was bound by this so-called “marriage,” which was not meaningful at all!

Glancing at Cheng Jingmo, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, Yu Xiangyang took out several large unity bills and some tickets from his jacket pocket and stuffed them into Yu Xiangnian’s hand.

“I brought this much today. Take it and buy whatever you want. If you run out of money later, let me know. Don’t ask Cheng Jingmo for it again. I don’t need much money anyway!”

He paused and added, “Also, see if Xiao Jie needs anything. Buy him something too, so he doesn’t spend it all alone.”

Yu Xiangyang had grown closer to Cheng Jingmo, so he was well aware of the state of their marriage. Therefore, from time to time, he would buy some things for the household, quietly give Yu Xiangnian some money and tickets, essentially helping her to maintain that precarious marriage.

Yu Xiangnian hesitated for a moment, then put the money and tickets into her bag. She and Cheng Jingmo were now both without money, and there were still expenses at home. Moreover, if she didn’t accept these things, Yu Xiangyang would be unhappy and suspicious.

Yu Xiangyang then said, “By the way, I heard you punched Zhang, the platoon leader, yesterday. The political commissar will come to talk to you at home later.”

“Yeah, he hit his wife, so I hit him.”

“As long as you think you did the right thing, I support you. I’ll be here when they come to talk. Don’t be afraid.”

Yu Xiangnian was touched. In the original owner’s memories, her father and three brothers had always pampered her, which had made her spoiled and willful.

She smiled, “With you here, I’m not afraid!”

Just then, Commissar Su Mingliang entered with a subordinate.

“Deputy Battalion Commander Cheng, truly a model husband in our 9th Army,” he smiled upon seeing Cheng Jingmo washing dishes in the kitchen.

Yu Xiangyang immediately stood up upon hearing his voice and saluted loudly, “Commissar Su!”

Commissar Su: “Comrade Yu Xiangyang is here too.”

Yu Xiangnian also stood up, smiling, “Commissar Su, you’ve come.”

Commissar Su nodded with a smile towards Yu Xiangnian, “Comrade Yu, sorry to bother.”

Upon hearing the voices, Cheng Jingmo also came out from the kitchen and likewise saluted, “Commissar Su!”

Commissar Su waved his hand, “At home, let’s all be informal.”

“Commissar Su, please have a seat,” Yu Xiangnian invited them to sit on stools around the Eight Immortals table, as there were no other tables available at home.

She then fetched a tea caddy from the top shelf of the cupboard, brewed four cups of tea, and placed them on the table in front of them.

Cheng Jingmo watched Yu Xiangnian’s actions with mixed emotions—bewilderment, surprise, and a hint of satisfaction. This time, Yu Xiangnian hadn’t embarrassed him!

Commissar Su, his subordinate, Yu Xiangyang, Cheng Jingmo, and Yu Xiangnian each sat on one side of the Eight Immortals table. After finishing her tasks, Yu Xiangnian sat next to Cheng Jingmo on the same stool.

Commissar Su took a sip of tea and cleared his throat, “Here’s the thing, today Comrade Yang Qing’an and I are here to discuss with Comrade Yu Xiangnian about the incident of Captain Zhang Hongzhi’s domestic violence yesterday.”

Commissar Su first expressed the military’s stance—such behaviors like domestic violence were strictly prohibited—and praised Yu Xiangnian for her bravery.

Then he offered some advice to Yu Xiangnian, emphasizing not to act impulsively and to consider the consequences. In case of such incidents in the future, she should report them to the regiment instead of taking matters into her own hands.

Yu Xiangnian nodded solemnly and said seriously, “Commissar Su is right, I accept his advice. But next time I encounter such a situation, I will still take action.”

The four men exchanged looks, unsure how to respond.

Commissar Su cleared his throat with a fist to his mouth and continued, “Comrade Yu has a straightforward temperament, but the regiment is concerned that your well-intentioned help might lead to accidental injuries.”

Yu Xiangnian replied, “Oh, I’ll be careful. If I can’t win, I’ll run.”

Commissar Su: “…” This conversation seemed to be deviating from the usual course.

Yu Xiangyang held back a smile and intervened in time, “Commissar Su, my sister isn’t very good at speaking, but she has taken in all your words.”

Finding a way forward, Commissar Su took another sip of tea and turned to Cheng Jingmo, “Vice Regimental Commander Cheng, I heard that Comrade Yu is pregnant?”