Chapter 159

Shi Tingyu carried her things into the courtyard and was startled by the overgrown grass.

Especially in the vegetable garden, the grass wasn’t particularly tall, but it was so lush and green that it seemed like spring had arrived, with everything thriving.

Even though the new year had passed and it was almost March, the climbing roses along their wall still hadn’t lost their leaves, and the flowers were blooming beautifully.

Was this the miraculous effect of the spiritual spring water?

Even when diluted, it still made the plants grow vigorously.

After putting everything away, Lu Weiguo began fetching water to clean the house.

Having been away for a month, the house needed a good cleaning.

Mostly it was just some dust, as they had done a thorough cleaning before the new year, so wiping away the dust was enough.

Feng Wei didn’t stay idle either. He grabbed a cloth and helped with the cleaning since it was Sunday and he had the day off.

The two men, used to doing chores, quickly finished tidying up.

Their neighbor, Mrs. Zhang, brought over a lit coal briquette, saving them the trouble of lighting the stove from scratch.

Shi Tingyu quickly took the coal tongs and placed the burning coal into the stove. Once everything was set, she handed the tongs back to Mrs. Zhang.

“Thank you, Mrs. Zhang.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. You just got back, so I won’t hold you up with your cleaning,” she said, dragging Damao away.

With the water boiling on the stove, Shi Tingyu looked around the courtyard, intending to clear out the weeds.

But the task was taken over by Lu Weiguo and Feng Wei.

“Sister-in-law, you just rest. We two men will handle this,” Feng Wei said while pulling weeds. “If you really feel bad about it, just give me some of your homegrown vegetables later.”

Speaking of those vegetables, Feng Wei couldn’t help but drool. “Sister-in-law, your vegetable growing skills are top-notch. My wife praised those vegetables you gave us before you went home so many times. After eating your homegrown vegetables, ours just don’t taste the same.”

Shi Tingyu thought, What’s missing? The spiritual spring water, of course.

She carefully observed Feng Wei’s expression, relieved that everything seemed normal.

What she didn’t know was that her vegetables had become quite famous in the camp.

Previously, she had given the surplus to the mess hall, and on the day they left, the mess hall had cooked them. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and those with connections inquired about where the vegetables were sourced from. Upon learning they were grown by Shi Tingyu, everyone gave up on trying to buy some.

But word spread that Lu Weiguo’s wife was great at growing delicious vegetables.

Feng Wei, who couldn’t stop talking, shifted from praising Shi Tingyu’s vegetable-growing skills to the vegetable garden.

“No wonder your vegetables are so good, the soil is rich. Look at these weeds, growing better than most people’s crops.”

Lu Weiguo’s eyes flickered, and he swatted Feng Wei’s thick cotton jacket with a pulled weed.

“Get back to work, less talking.”

Feng Wei chuckled, “I just can’t keep my mouth shut.”

Shi Tingyu coughed lightly and said, “Maybe my soil management is good. I compost vegetable scraps and fruit peels regularly.”

Indeed, she had set up a compost bin in a corner of the yard, layering soil with vegetable scraps and fruit peels. Once fermented, it would be mixed into the soil.

These were methods she learned in later years for gardening. To justify the vigorous growth of their vegetables, she often tinkered with such things, and now they were proving useful.

The composting method was genuinely effective, so she wasn’t worried about anyone verifying it, though it wasn’t as miraculous as the spiritual spring water.

When the vegetable garden was finally tidied up, it was almost noon. Shi Tingyu wanted to invite Feng Wei to stay for lunch, but he declined.

“You just got back, so finish up and rest. There will be plenty of time to have meals together later.”

Knowing he meant it, Lu Weiguo didn’t insist.

As Feng Wei was leaving, he remembered something.

“Oh, right, Captain Chen Qiang of the Third Battalion was promoted to deputy regiment commander. His replacement is Li Dongsheng, transferred from the southwest.

They were supposed to host a dinner earlier, but postponed it because of your family visit. Now that you’re back, I’ll let him know. The dinner should be within these few days.”

Lu Weiguo remembered that when they went home, Li Dongsheng hadn’t reported yet.

He waved to show he understood, and Feng Wei left.

For lunch, Shi Tingyu and Lu Weiguo steamed sausages and cooked a vegetable dish, making do with a simple meal.

In the afternoon, they finally got some rest.

It had been a tiring period.

The next day, Lu Weiguo woke up to the familiar sound of the reveille.

Shi Tingyu also opened her eyes, smiling at the familiar sound. “After all this time, I’m still not quite used to it.”

Lu Weiguo told her to sleep a bit longer and that he would get breakfast from the canteen.

Shi Tingyu felt the temperature outside the bed and quickly snuggled back under the covers. “Alright, I’ll sleep a bit longer.”

She wouldn’t be able to rest for many more days, as the elementary school was about to start its term.

When Lu Weiguo returned with breakfast, Shi Tingyu finally got up.

She planned to buy some vegetable seeds today and replant the garden in the courtyard.

Mrs. Zhang from next door also needed to go to the supply and marketing cooperative, so the two of them rode their bikes together.

On the way, they encountered a woman who looked unfamiliar to Shi Tingyu.

It’s not that she knew everyone in the family quarters, but she at least recognized most faces. She was certain she hadn’t seen this person before.

Noticing Shi Tingyu’s puzzled expression, Mrs. Zhang said, “That’s the new Third Battalion Commander Li Dongsheng’s wife. I heard she has a high school education and was immediately recruited by Director Liu from the Women’s Federation propaganda department.”

As she spoke, she gave Shi Tingyu a knowing look.

Since Lu Wenchan left for the cultural troupe, the propaganda department hadn’t found a suitable replacement.

Having experienced Shi Tingyu’s capabilities, Director Liu didn’t want to settle for someone like Lu Wenchan, who was more style than substance.

Li Dongsheng’s wife, named Liu Caixia, was twenty-eight years old with a five-year-old child. She was far more capable than Lu Wenchan.

Seemingly aware of the attention, Liu Caixia glanced in their direction.

Mrs. Zhang knew Liu Caixia; her husband was on the same level as Liu Caixia’s husband. But Liu Caixia didn’t recognize the pretty woman beside Mrs. Zhang.

Just looking at the 26-inch women’s bicycle the woman was riding, Liu Caixia could tell she came from a well-off family.

Thinking this, she spoke up and greeted Mrs. Zhang, “Sister, are you also out shopping?”

Mrs. Zhang smiled and said, “Yes, my kids are craving meat, so I’m off to buy some.”

Seeing Liu Caixia’s gaze shift to Shi Tingyu, Mrs. Zhang introduced her, “This is Shi Tingyu, the wife of the First Battalion Commander. She lives next door to me.”

Liu Caixia was a bit surprised. Nowadays, those who could hold a battalion command position were not young. Her husband had some connections and had only climbed to this position at thirty-three. Mrs. Zhang’s husband was even older.

But this First Battalion Commander’s wife looked very young, at most in her early twenties. How old could her husband be?