Chapter 50.1

The next morning, as Jiang Suihan woke up and looked at the light streaming through the curtains, she rubbed her lower back and noticed her clothes were clean.

Someone had taken care to clean her up and change her into new pajamas.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Jiang Suihan pounded the bed with her fist, feeling that Xu Zhao was too cunning, deliberately disrupting her thoughts and escaping trouble.

The coal briquettes sold outside couldn’t compare to his deviousness. They were just as dark.

Zhang Xiangqian came over, patted Xu Zhao’s shoulder, and whistled, “Oh, look at you, all bright and cheerful. You must have worked hard last night, huh?”

As a married man, such matters were well-known.

Xu Zhao glanced at Zhang Xiangqian’s smirking face. “Have you finished writing the report?”

With a resigned groan, Zhang Xiangqian complained, “Can we not talk about that? My head’s spinning, and I’ve lost a lot of hair. We’re good friends, so can you help me out?”

He had never liked studying, and reading made his head ache. Writing a report was as unpleasant as not eating meat—actually, he’d prefer not eating meat.

Xu Zhao said indifferently, “No, this is a task given by the political commissar. I can’t help out casually.”

Zhang Xiangqian moved closer but was pushed away by Xu Zhao. He didn’t mind and continued to try to please him. “Don’t be like that. This isn’t casual. Good friends should share the load. Remember last time when I gave you a heads-up? You owe me a big favor, so helping me out should be a given.”

Xu Zhao opened the door. “Come in and talk.”

Zhang Xiangqian pulled out a chair, stretched his long legs, and asked, “What’s up?”

He also closed the door, clearly indicating something unusual.

Xu Zhao spread out his hands. “I can help.”

As soon as the words were out, Zhang Xiangqian eagerly grabbed Xu Zhao’s hand, looking deeply moved. “I knew you wouldn’t abandon me. I’m really touched, brother.”

Xu Zhao pulled his hand back, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes. “Alright, enough with the act. I can help, but there’s a condition.”

Zhang Xiangqian’s expression instantly changed. He pouted and said, “I knew you were kind-hearted. What’s the condition?”

The two of them discussed in the office for a while, reaching an agreement that satisfied both parties.

Zhang Xiangqian looked at Xu Zhao with curiosity. “They say the most poisonous thing is a woman’s heart. I think you’re not far behind. The girl from the Wang family is so unfortunate to encounter a cold-hearted man like you. I’ll give her a moment of silence. To be interested in someone like you, how pitiful.”

While other men might be proud if a girl liked them and some might even boast about their charm, Xu Zhao did the opposite, showing no concern for tender feelings. Instead, he was determined to cut off all possibilities right from the source.

Actually, he did have someone he cared about tenderly—Jiang Suihan. He was gentle and considerate with her, but cold and ruthless to other women, like an autumn wind sweeping away leaves, leaving no mercy.

Tsk tsk, a double-standard man.

Xu Zhao tossed a peanut to Zhang Xiangqian, who caught it quickly. While peeling the peanut, he said, “Where did this peanut come from? Got any more? Give me some more.”

Xu Zhao ignored him. The peanuts were just a handful sent from a neighboring office’s team leader. They happened to run into Xu Zhao and gave him a handful.

“Once the matter is settled, don’t mention just a handful of peanuts. I could give you a barrel of peanut oil if needed.”

Zhang Xiangqian made an exaggerated expression. “Such generosity. Alright, for that barrel of peanut oil, I’ll make sure to handle it properly and not delay your matters.”

He quickly reached forward, snatching the peanuts from the table and slipping them into his pocket. “I’ll take a little advance. Wait for my good news, and remember, don’t make the report too impressive. Just write it at a normal level.”

If the report was too outstanding, the Political Commissar would immediately suspect it wasn’t written by him and could cause trouble. Keeping it at an average level was the safest bet.

Xu Zhao waved his hand dismissively. “Get out of here.”

Zhang Xiangqian, munching on peanuts, closed the door but not before turning back to say, “You’re really cutting ties after crossing the river, huh?”

“Sister Dai, what brings you here? Please, come in and have a seat,” Jiang Suihan said, quickly inviting Dai Jia in and getting up to pour her a glass of water.

Dai Jia explained, “I’m here to let you know that Principal Cai has informed everyone to come to the army elementary school at 8 a.m. tomorrow for an early meeting to arrange some work.”

Jiang Suihan nodded. “Okay, I understand. I’ll be there on time tomorrow morning.”

Dai Jia was holding a child around three years old. The child had large, round eyes, dark and bright, sucking on his thumb and swiveling his eyes. When he noticed unfamiliar people looking at him, he shyly turned his head and buried it in his mother’s embrace.

Jiang Suihan had no resistance to cute children. She gazed at Dai Jia’s son longingly. “So cute! How old is he?”

Dai Jia smiled warmly. “He’s three years and one month old. He’s quite mischievous at home, just like his father. The house is always a mess when he’s around. It’s frustrating because no matter how much you scold or punish him, nothing changes.”

Though she complained, the smile on her face never faded. No mother could be truly annoyed with her own child.

Jiang Suihan’s hands itched to touch the child. She gently grasped one of his chubby fingers, which was soft and tender.

Dai Jia gently coaxed her son, “Why are you still shy in front of the pretty auntie? Say hello to her.”

The child was like a little rabbit meeting a stranger—shy, a bit scared, but incredibly adorable.

Jiang Suihan flipped her right hand, revealing a piece of milk candy in her palm. “Is your name Youyou? Hello, Youyou. You can call me Aunt Jiang. Would you like some sweet and fragrant milk candy?”

Youyou cautiously turned around, his eyes wide with anticipation as he looked at the candy. He had tasted milk candy before at his grandmother’s house. His grandmother had bought a bag of milk candy, giving one piece each to him and his cousin. His cousin had refused, crying for an extra piece.

That was his first taste of milk candy—sweet and milky, and it was delicious. Unfortunately, his grandmother had taken the rest away, and he hadn’t had it again since.

Jiang Suihan smiled and asked, “Would you like some?”

Youyou, being an honest child, nodded his little head and softly replied, “Yes.”

Although he wanted it badly, he didn’t reach for it, merely looking at it with yearning eyes.

Jiang Suihan glanced at Dai Jia, who gave her a nod of approval. She unwrapped the candy and placed it in Youyou’s chubby hand. “Here, enjoy it.”

The familiar sweet taste made Youyou’s eyes crinkle with happiness as he sat on the stool, his little feet joyfully swinging back and forth.

Dai Jia teased, “You really like kids. You and Xu Zhao could have one. It’s been a month since you got married, hasn’t it?”

Jiang Suihan was taken aback. Since their marriage, she and Xu Zhao had never discussed having children. She had thought about asking him before, but the busy schedule made her forget.

She liked children and wasn’t opposed to having them. Since she was still young, having a child sooner rather than later would make recovery easier.

“It’s been exactly a month. Let’s take it naturally. If it happens, we’ll have the baby. There’s no rush.”

Having a child is a matter for both partners. Perhaps she should ask Xu Zhao’s thoughts about it tonight.

Dai Jia hesitated for a moment but spoke up, “Do you know about Wang Lijuan?”

Jiang Suihan looked puzzled. “Her? I don’t know. I’ve been staying home these days. What happened?”

After the last incident, she hadn’t seen Wang Lijuan for two days and hadn’t paid special attention to news about her. Naturally, she was unaware of what had happened.

Dai Jia said, “I heard that the army plans to send her back to her hometown. It seems she’s not suited to stay in the army. The reason is something about disrupting the unity of the unit and needing to improve her ideological awareness.”

This news had spread throughout the family quarters. Everyone was focused on the Wang family, eager to gossip.

Dai Jia thought Jiang Suihan might know, but it seemed she didn’t. Perhaps due to avoiding suspicion, Dai Jia remained silent, but it turned out Jiang Suihan was completely unaware, which was quite surprising.

Jiang Suihan was quite surprised. Although Wang Lijuan had done some bad things, it seemed excessive to expel her. She had a vague feeling that someone might be intervening.

“When did the army become so strict? I heard from Sister Wu and others about some past incidents that were worse, and no one was expelled. It seems strange.”

Dai Jia looked at Jiang Suihan with pointed curiosity. “You really don’t know anything?”

Jiang Suihan shrugged, looking particularly innocent. “I really don’t know. I’m still in the dark. Didn’t Wang Lijuan make a scene?”

Dai Jia sneered. “Of course she did. I heard she cried and caused a fuss at home, wanting to confront the army leaders for an explanation. Luckily, Wang Liying stopped her. Otherwise, even Captain Li could have been implicated.”

“She wasn’t really a family member of the army. Going back home is normal and nothing is wrong. Besides, rumors about her and Xu Zhao have been spreading. I don’t believe she’s as innocent as she claims.”

Dai Jia paused, glancing at Jiang Suihan, who appeared calm, and continued, “Of course, your Xu Zhao has high standards and wouldn’t be interested in someone like Wang Lijuan. Plus, she made accusations about Principal Cai leaking questions for the elementary school teacher exam. Since she failed the exam herself, she blames others, claiming everyone else is at fault, while she’s the only one innocent and pure.”

Dai Jia had a strong dislike for Wang Lijuan, who was selfish, always thinking of herself, and lacking common sense. Although she seemed like a clever young woman, her actions were laughable.

Jiang Suihan couldn’t help but laugh, “Sister Dai, you really have a way with words. I don’t like dealing with people like her either. It’s pointless and exhausting.”

Dai Jia responded thoughtfully, “It’s better that she’s gone. It’s not about being afraid of a thief stealing but fearing that the thief keeps thinking about it. There’s no such thing as a thousand-day thief. If it were me, I’d be bothered by a fly buzzing around my ear every day, and I couldn’t swat it. It’d drive me mad.”

She found Jiang Suihan’s temperament quite admirable. Despite her man being eyed by others and having someone make threats in front of her, she remained calm and untroubled, showing no sign of worry.

Dai Jia wondered privately if Jiang Suihan and Xu Zhao had married in haste without any real feelings for each other, just because it was arranged by their families.

Jiang Suihan smiled, feeling quite pleased. “Your analogy is quite vivid. Actually, I think women shouldn’t be in a hurry to get rid of such people. Shouldn’t it be the man’s responsibility to handle the mess he created? It’s his problem, not ours. If we women have to deal with every little issue, what’s the point of having him around? Being single and free is much better, without worrying about some other woman showing up and saying nonsensical things in front of me. Only insecure women would constantly watch their men. The tighter you hold on, the more likely it is to rebound. Sometimes, you need to give men a chance to prove themselves, don’t you think?”

Dai Jia was deeply impressed and clapped her hands excitedly. “You’re absolutely right, Xiao Jiang. It makes so much sense. Those rotten men should handle the trouble they’ve caused themselves. Why should we suffer? It’s just not fair. Ever since I had my son, I feel like I don’t have any time for myself. I work during the day and take care of the child at night. My husband is okay; he helps out occasionally, or I would have kicked him out long ago.”

She laughed at herself, noting how Zhang Xiangqian was sometimes unreliable, doing risky things with their son. She would scold him every time she saw it, but he would just promise to do better and then repeat the same mistakes, which frustrated her greatly.