Chapter 172: The Right Thing

Xiao Jie immediately got goosebumps and quickly headed home.

His aunt was impressive, but sometimes she said the strangest things!

Cheng Jingmo gave her a doting glare, took the items from her hand, and whispered, “Don’t talk like that in front of Xiao Jie. Let’s go home.”

Yu Xiangnian leaned close to his ear and continued teasing, “Do you want me to say it to you in private?”

Cheng Jingmo, carrying the items in one hand, grabbed her sleeve with the other and led her home.

“Why did you buy these things?” Cheng Jingmo asked, looking at the hydrogen peroxide and medicine in the bag.

Yu Xiangnian cheerfully replied, “I went to watch hoof trimming today!”

“So what?”

What did watching hoof trimming have to do with buying these things?

Yu Xiangnian explained, “If a hoof gets infected, you can disinfect it with hydrogen peroxide, then sprinkle some medicine powder and wrap it in cloth to heal it.”

She had seen this procedure in hoof trimming videos.

Cheng Jingmo: “…”

Oh no! He found himself hoping for an infected hoof now!

When they got home, the family had already eaten, leaving some food for them in the kitchen.

The three of them looked and saw that the food left for them was just three buns and a few scraps of leftover stir-fried potatoes.

Cheng Jingmo rolled up his sleeves and said, “Let’s cook egg noodles.”

The Cheng family members were sitting in the main hall, resting and chatting, while the aroma of stir-fried eggs wafted from the kitchen.

Zhang Hongli greedily sniffed and said, “Mother, I think they’re doing it on purpose! They ran out during dinner and waited until we were done to eat better food themselves!”

Mu Huanzhen, who had always held a grudge against Cheng Jingmo for not letting Cheng Shuanzhu take his place in the army and for not marrying Cheng Shuanchun, looked at Cheng Huazi and said wistfully, “He’s not our own child; no matter what, he won’t be loyal.”

Cheng Huazi, smoking a pipe, glanced at Mu Huanzhen, “Don’t let Jianwa hear you say that.”

“Father, Mother, you shouldn’t talk about Brother Jianwa like that!” Cheng Shuanzhu said. “Brother Jianwa hasn’t been home much these past few years, but the family hasn’t lacked his money.”

Cheng Shuansuo complained, “Without our parents, where would he be now? What’s wrong with spending a bit of his money?!”

Li Cuihua rolled her eyes dismissively, “It’s only right for parents to spend his money, but who has benefitted the most from the money he brought back? How dare you complain!”

Cheng Shuansuo retorted angrily, “You spent some too! How dare you criticize me!”

“Enough!” Cheng Huazi banged his pipe on the ground as the argument escalated.

“The money Jianwa gave to me, I choose to spend it as I see fit! No one should criticize how much anyone else spends!”

After dinner, Yu Xiangnian took the eggs and brown sugar she had bought back to her room, not wanting to share with the family.

Seeing Cheng Jingmo carrying a water bucket outside again, Zhang Hongli sneered, “I bet it’s for his precious wife to take a bath again!”

Li Cuihua retorted, “Why are you bitter? He didn’t ask you to carry the water. Besides, fetching water used to be your job. Since Brother Jianwa came back, you haven’t carried a single bucket.”

Zhang Hongli snorted, “You’re defending them because you want to cozy up to them. Do you think you can rely on them for a good life in the future?”

Li Cuihua replied coldly, “They bring back things whenever they visit and haven’t done anything to offend you. Why do you keep targeting them?”

The two sisters-in-law had always been at odds and would argue at the drop of a hat.

Cheng Shuanzhu quickly pulled Li Cuihua away.

Jianwa’s family had come back after many years; it was best not to add to their troubles.

Yu Xiangnian could hear their conversation from inside her room.

However, she didn’t care what they said!

The water Cheng Jingmo had fetched in the morning was almost used up. He carried four more loads of water for washing clothes and bathing.

It was dark by the time Yu Xiangnian could take her bath.

Given the limited conditions, she could only bathe and change clothes every two days.

In the cowshed, lit by a kerosene lamp, Yu Xiangnian was taking a bath.

Cheng Jingmo waited outside, ready to add water if needed.

One inside, one outside, they chatted.

“Cheng Jingmo, is this the cowshed you slept in when you were a child?”

“Yes.”

“Auntie San said that back then, Uncle San gave you three yuan. Did you repay it?”

“I did.”

When he first joined the army, his salary was very low, and he had to send money home every month.

He saved up for six months, living frugally, and managed to save twenty yuan, which he sent to Uncle San.

“Listening to Monkey’s story today, I couldn’t help but think of you and feel so sorry for you both!”

Cheng Jingmo said, “This situation is common in rural areas.”

Maybe he had seen too much of it, for Cheng Jingmo’s voice was calm and devoid of emotion.

Yu Xiangnian said, “That’s why our country must become prosperous and strong! We can help ten or twenty children like this, but there are countless similar situations nationwide that we can’t help!”

“Only when our country is prosperous and strong can we solve problems like food, education, and healthcare, ensuring a secure life for the people. We are young and should shoulder the responsibility for our country’s prosperity and development!”

This was Yu Xiangnian’s most profound realization since coming to this era.

As a doctor, she could save hundreds or thousands of patients. But countless people in her country still lived in extreme poverty.

With her advanced knowledge, she should take on more responsibility and play a bigger role.

Her country needed development and to connect with the world; she wanted to become an outstanding diplomat and work tirelessly for her country’s place on the international stage.

Yu Xiangnian’s words struck Cheng Jingmo like a loud bell, reverberating in his heart. He realized that Yu Xiangnian had a broad mind, caring about the country and its people.

That pearl he admired shone brightly!

Cheng Jingmo was also inspired by Yu Xiangnian, his whole body filled with passion.

“You’re right. I also want to dedicate my life to our country’s strength! My greatest shortcoming now is my lack of knowledge, and I will commit to studying every day.”

Yu Xiangnian said with relief, “Yes! The future military will be about high technology and information. Cheng Jingmo, you must strive to be a good leader!”

The flickering light illuminated the direction of their struggle.

Inside and outside the cowshed, the sound of water played a melody, their hearts united, dreaming of the future.

Despite being tired from the day’s work, Cheng Jingmo felt especially energized while washing up.

When it was time to sleep, Cheng Jingmo held Yu Xiangnian in his arms.

“Nian Nian, in the past, I sometimes felt lost. I didn’t know what I would do if I left the army. I didn’t want to come back and live like this again. So, I worked hard to stay in the army.”

“Today, you gave me a new understanding of protecting the country, and I have a deeper appreciation for staying in the army! The best decision I ever made was joining the army and becoming a soldier. Because of that, I had the honor of marrying you!”