Chapter 40.2

In the morning, Wu Guihua and Chen Xiuni brought some items over. After Jiang Suihan accepted them, she invited them to stay and have tea.

Wu Guihua, while guiding Jiang Suihan on sewing, couldn’t help but share the latest news: “Xiao Jiang, did you hear? The military is building a primary school. Construction started early this morning. Once it’s done, the children in the family quarters will be able to attend school without having to walk several miles each day. It will be very convenient.”

Unfortunately, the military only planned to build a primary school, so children who needed middle school education would still have to go to the county.

Wu Guihua’s eldest son, Zhao Dajun, had just finished primary school and would be going to the county boarding school this autumn. He would only return home during the holidays.

Chen Xiuni smiled: “The military leaders are kind. Upon hearing about the difficulties children had with education, they immediately decided to build a local primary school. Everyone is very happy about it. The children can attend school nearby, and we adults can be at ease. It’s really great.”

Her two children were of primary school age, so the new school eased her worries considerably.

Although the children could attend a nearby village school, the distance was a concern. Accidents on the road or bullying by local children were worries she had.

Jiang Suihan said, “I heard Xu Zhao mention the new school yesterday. It’s a good thing. Lele is at the age for school now. He can’t stay at home playing all day. Oh, and Sister-in-law, I want to ask if you know how many teachers the primary school will hire and what the requirements are?”

Wu Guihua looked at Jiang Suihan in surprise: “Xiao Jiang, are you thinking of becoming a teacher at the primary school?”

Jiang Suihan straightforwardly admitted, “Yes, I’m considering it. There’s not much to do at home—just washing clothes and cooking. It’s quite boring. I’m looking for something to do, and since the military is building a primary school, I thought I’d give it a try.”

Chen Xiuni glanced at Jiang Suihan with a hint of disdain, washing clothes and cooking? Boring?

Listen to what they are saying, is this showing off?

They are busy at home every day, cleaning the house, cooking and washing clothes for the men and children, planting vegetables and weeding in the fields. They don’t have any extra time to feel bored.

You don’t know how lucky you are, and make others envious.

Wu Guihua asked, “Xiao Jiang, are you a high school student?”

Jiang Suihan replied, “I attended university for a year.”

Later, when something happened at home and her father was dismissed from his job, she decided to withdraw from school.

Chen Xiuni looked at Jiang Suihan in surprise and said, “Xiao Jiang, you’re actually a university student? No wonder you’re so knowledgeable. Your family must be well-off, and your parents must be very good to you, allowing you, a girl, to study so much. Unlike my family, we’re from the countryside. I have two older brothers, and after I finished elementary school, my parents didn’t let me continue my education. You’re so lucky to have such kind and enlightened parents. I really envy you.”

This was confusing. They had been discussing the military and the primary school, and suddenly Chen Xiuni shifted to talking about her own family and complaining about her parents.

Jiang Suihan didn’t want to discuss her own family situation or get involved in others’ family matters. It was irrelevant to her.

She forced a smile and said calmly, “No parents would not love their own children. Your parents might have their own difficulties. Let’s not dwell on this topic. Returning to the original subject, do you know anything about the primary school hiring teachers?”

Wu Guihua gave Chen Xiuni a look, thinking it was better to say less if one didn’t know how to speak properly. Listening to her was frustrating.

“I’m not sure about the specifics. Teachers definitely need to be literate and able to teach children. I’d guess they need at least a middle school education. A primary school diploma might not be enough. Since you’ve attended university, teaching children would be no problem for you. It would be a waste of talent. Many of us here are from rural backgrounds and haven’t had much education. If Xiao Jiang became a primary school teacher, I would be the first to support it.”

Jiang Suihan quickly clarified, “Sister, you misunderstood. I didn’t finish university, I dropped out. Strictly speaking, I’m not a university graduate. I’m just a high school graduate.”

Wu Guihua shrugged it off, “I don’t really understand the difference between university and high school graduates. Anyway, you’ve been to high school and university, which is already impressive compared to many others. If you don’t become a teacher, who else could have that capability? We barely know how to read and write, and it would be a joke for us to try teaching children.”

She felt Jiang Suihan had a cultured demeanor, was polite, logical, and patient with children. Becoming an elementary school teacher seemed perfect for her.

Chen Xiuni felt awkward as both women ignored her, making her uncomfortable. She quickly interjected, “Guihua is right. There are very few people in the compound who have completed high school. Xiao Jiang, you’ve even been to university, so you’re more capable than us. Rest assured, there will definitely be a position for you as a teacher. If not, Captain Xu will help. Unlike me, no matter how much I want to, my qualifications aren’t enough.”

There had been rumors in the family compound about Xu Zhao’s background, saying that Xu’s grandfather was a revolutionary, well-connected with many prominent figures. Xu Zhao’s parents were high-ranking officials, and the family had significant power. Some even claimed that the military commander had once spoken with Xu Zhao and sent his regards to Xu Zhao’s grandfather.

With such influential connections and favorable treatment from the commander, Xu Zhao, a young man, had already become captain and was rumored to be getting a promotion soon. Such a background was undeniably impressive.

Jiang Suihan silently rolled her eyes. People who didn’t know the details might think she had connections and was getting special treatment.

She had had little interaction with Chen Xiuni before and hadn’t expected her to be like this. At best, she was straightforward but thoughtless; at worst, she lacked social awareness and emotional intelligence.

Jiang Suihan preferred staying at home making clothes. It might be dull, but it spared her from dealing with annoying people.

Wu Guihua tugged at Chen Xiuni’s sleeve and gave her a stern look, signaling her to stop talking. She then turned to Jiang Suihan, “Your sister-in-law doesn’t know how to speak properly. Xiao Jiang, don’t take it to heart. She’s just like that—no ill intentions, just speaks without thinking sometimes. Just ignore it.”

She regretted inviting Chen Xiuni to Xu’s home. Whatever had gotten into her today, her words were exhausting to listen to.

Chen Xiuni realized she had spoken inappropriately and awkwardly smiled, “Xiao Jiang, don’t be upset with me. I’m just like that, not very quick-witted, and speak without thinking. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

She felt a bit disgruntled. Many of the family members here were without jobs, as the military couldn’t accommodate so many people. Some had been waiting for jobs for two or three years without success.

Jiang Suihan had just joined the military and was already facing the opportunity to become a teacher with her high education level. With Xu Zhao’s capabilities, getting a position as a teacher was almost certain.

Such good fortune was bound to provoke envy.

Chen Xiuni, feeling envious, couldn’t help but say a few more spiteful remarks. She prided herself on her good reputation in the compound, being helpful to those in need, and receiving good evaluations. However, she couldn’t match Jiang Suihan’s luck, beauty, education, and marriage.

Some people are simply enviable by nature. Comparing oneself to others can be disheartening.

Living in the same compound, where they often saw each other, Jiang Suihan didn’t let Chen Xiuni’s few words cause her to make things difficult for her. She smiled and said, “It’s alright.”

For the rest of the time, Chen Xiuni was much quieter, only occasionally chiming in.

Perhaps finding Jiang Suihan easy to talk to, she tentatively asked, “Xiao Jiang, why isn’t your brother living with your parents? Instead, he came all the way here to follow you in the military. Conditions here are poor and life is inconvenient. I see you and your brother have both studied. Your family must be in good shape. How did your parents agree to let your brother come here and endure this hardship? Doesn’t your in-laws have any objections?”

In the past, when a daughter got married, it was common for her family to offer some support. Even after marriage, a daughter remained her parents’ child and would not abandon her family. However, this was Jiang Suihan’s first encounter with a situation where a daughter not only brought her own family with her but where the husband’s family did not oppose it.

Chen Xiuni wondered if there was something unusual about Jiang Suihan’s family. Could it be that Jiang Suihan and her brother were seeking refuge due to some trouble at home?

Jiang Suihan’s expression suddenly grew cold. She knew there were many people in the compound curious about why her brother was with her and speculating about it—both well-meaning and malicious. She chose not to explain, partly because it was a family matter that didn’t need to be discussed with outsiders, and partly because she simply didn’t want to bother with it.

Sometimes, not discussing something only makes people more curious. Jiang Suihan decided to clarify things once and for all: “My parents are no longer alive, and there are no other relatives. My brother is young, and as his older sister, I can’t just leave him alone. If I did, I’d be afraid that my parents would come to scold me in my dreams.”

“As for whether my in-laws have any objections to my brother living with us, I can assure you that my father-in-law and mother-in-law are very understanding of our situation. Xu Zhao supports me completely and treats my brother as if he were his own sibling. You might think my brother is a burden and shouldn’t be supported by Xu Zhao, but that’s our family matter. We’re happy as long as we’re content.”

She hoped that after this conversation, no one would ask her about Xu Zhao supporting her brother again.

Chen Xiuni awkwardly laughed, “You can’t put it that way. Xiao Jiang, you’re still too young. Just because your in-laws don’t object doesn’t mean they’re truly happy about it. To put it bluntly, you and your brother are spending Xu Zhao’s salary. Raising a child is not as simple as you think; it involves expenses for food, clothing, and other needs. When you and Xu Zhao have your own children in the future, expenses will increase. At that point, your in-laws might not agree to their son using his money to support another child. Don’t you think that’s how it works?”

Young people often think in simple terms and don’t consider the future. Chen Xiuni believed that once married, a person should focus on their own family, and biological children will always come first over stepchildren.

Chen Xiuni felt Xu Zhao was too kind—marrying someone with a younger brother and supporting him was clearly being taken advantage of.

She didn’t believe Jiang Suihan’s claim that there were no other relatives. Surely there were some distant relatives left. It was more likely that Jiang Suihan couldn’t trust anyone else to care for her brother and had no choice but to bring him along. Xu Zhao probably had no alternative but to agree.

Jiang Suihan didn’t like people who lacked boundaries, who tried to involve themselves in everything and make themselves appear very kind and righteous.

She replied calmly, “Maybe you’re right, but those are future concerns. Xu Zhao said our family doesn’t lack the means to support a child. Last night, he was happily telling me that he’s getting promoted and his salary is increasing. He insisted that I spend as I wish; he can support both of us.”

Chen Xiuni looked surprised, “So he’s becoming a deputy regiment commander? Is Xu Zhao already twenty-five?”

Jiang Suihan smiled calmly, “Not yet, but he will be soon.”

Women often focus on either their careers or their family. Since she currently has neither, she had to showcase Xu Zhao’s achievements.

A deputy regiment commander under twenty-five, compared to her own family’s deputy regiment commander who is nearly forty and still stuck at that level, was a significant difference. Her family’s deputy regiment commander had been waiting for a promotion for years and was about to retire.

There was a big difference in their positions, despite having the same title.

Chen Xiuni’s face fell slightly, and she forced a smile, “That’s impressive. Few young deputy regiment commanders exist in the army, unlike my husband, who is in his thirties, approaching forty, and still stuck in the same position.”

She paused, rubbing her hands, and added with a hint of flattery, “By the way, Xiao Jiang, did Deputy Regiment Commander Xu tell you how he got his promotion so suddenly?”