Chapter 69

“There’s a performance in the evening. Do you want to go?” Xu Zhao thought that since Jiang Suihan had been here for a while and hadn’t seen a performance by the art troupe, she might be interested.

Jiang Suihan’s eyes lit up, “Sure, when does it start?”

Since there was nothing to do after dinner, it wouldn’t hurt to go.

Xu Zhao replied, “It starts at seven. We can go early to get a good spot.”

Jiang Suihan asked, “Will you be going too?”

Xu Zhao nodded, “Everyone above the battalion level has to attend. I should be sitting a bit closer to the front. The families have designated spots.”

He wasn’t very interested in the performances; they were always similar, nothing much to see.

“I’ll have Lele accompany me,” Jiang Suihan was indifferent about these arrangements. She turned to her mother-in-law and asked, “Mom, do you want to come along?”

Su Ying shook her head, “You young people go ahead. I’ll stay home.”

She used to go to see performances almost every year in the capital. To be honest, she was a bit tired of them and didn’t feel interested. It was better to stay home and finish the baby’s clothes.

Jiang Suihan didn’t press the issue, “Alright then.”

Because she was looking forward to the performance, they had dinner earlier. After eating, Jiang Leyun stood at the door, urging, “Sister, hurry up! Why do women always take so long to get ready?”

What a typical straight man’s comment!

Jiang Suihan put on her shoes and crouched down to tie the laces. Before she could start, Xu Zhao crouched in front of her, bent down, and tied both shoelaces for her.

For as long as she could remember, besides her parents, this was the first time someone had tied her shoelaces for her.

Maybe it was because of her heightened emotions during pregnancy, but she felt a bit teary over such a small gesture.

When Xu Zhao saw her looking at him with a slightly reddened face and pursed lips, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

Jiang Suihan shook her head and took his arm, “I’m just a bit moved.”

Xu Zhao was surprised, “Just for this?”

Jiang Suihan retorted, “Can’t it be for this?”

Xu Zhao was momentarily taken aback and fell silent for a second. He then gently rubbed the corner of her eye. “Your belly is getting bigger, so bending down to tie your shoes is more inconvenient for you. Why are you so easily moved? If I did something that really touched you, would you end up crying for a whole day and night?”

He noticed that her emotions had been quite volatile since her pregnancy. She would get upset over trivial matters and be moved to tears by the smallest things, much like the weather—sometimes sunny, sometimes rainy, and unpredictable.

However, as long as you cater to her and don’t make her feel like you’re brushing her off, everything would be fine.

Jiang Suihan couldn’t help but pinch his arm. “It’s not as exaggerated as you say. I’m just feeling a bit sentimental. Are we going or not?”

Not wanting to upset her, Xu Zhao agreed, “Let’s go.”

Jiang Leyun finally saw them coming out and couldn’t help but complain, “Hurry up, or we’ll miss the best spots.”

Jiang Suihan instructed her brother, “You go ahead and grab a seat. We’ll be there soon.”

With that permission, Jiang Leyun hurried off.

Chen Xiaohong greeted Jiang Suihan with a smile, “Xiao Jiang, you’re here too. Deputy Commander Xu is here as well.”

Jiang Suihan responded with a polite smile, “I’ve never seen one before and wanted to join in the fun.”

Chen Xiaohong, placing a hand on her lower back and glancing at Jiang Suihan’s belly, said, “That makes sense. It’s natural to be curious if you’ve never seen one. When I first came here, I also wanted to join in. Since you’re pregnant, it’s good to get out and move around; it’s beneficial for both you and the baby.”

Jiang Suihan twitched her lips slightly. Chen Xiaohong’s belly should be around five or six months along, but it wasn’t at the stage where she needed support while walking. Seeing Zhang Xiaocao trying to support her mother while swaying slightly made Jiang Suihan speechless.

“How many months along are you?”

Chen Xiaohong lovingly touched her belly and said, “Over five months, almost six. Do you think my belly is round? Everyone says I must be having a boy. To be honest Xiao Jiang, don’t be upset, but your belly looks sharp, so it’s probably a girl. But don’t be sad, flowers bloom before bearing fruit.”

Jiang Suihan held back the urge to roll her eyes at Chen Xiaohong’s confident declaration that she was definitely having a son. Lately, people had been pestering her about having a boy instead of a girl, and it was really annoying.

Had she eaten your rice? Why meddle so much?

Jiang Suihan said with false politeness, “My mother-in-law told me that it doesn’t matter whether it’s a boy or a girl. They’re both treasures of the family. Xu Zhao doesn’t mind either. In fact, he’d prefer a pretty and cute daughter. They say daughters are a mother’s little warm jacket. I also think having a girl is quite nice. Boys can be too mischievous, and I’m worried about not being able to manage them well as they grow up.”

She turned to Xu Zhao and gave him a look, signaling him to show his stance.

As a good husband, Xu Zhao looked at Jiang Suihan with gentle eyes and said, “As long as it’s our child, whether it’s a boy or a girl, I’ll like it.”

Jiang Suihan winked at him, satisfied with his response.

Chen Xiaohong was feeling nauseated by their blatant display of affection. Was it really so impressive to have a good relationship? Couldn’t they consider other people’s feelings?

Jiang Suihan smiled warmly at Chen Xiaohong and continued, “Sister, you’re so lucky to have three warm little jackets. You don’t know how envious I am of you. Your three daughters are so well-behaved and understanding. Especially Xiaocao, who, at such a young age, handles washing clothes and cooking while taking care of her younger sisters without any trouble. When I was her age, my father didn’t even let me do these things, afraid I’d burn myself cooking or damage my hands washing clothes.”

Chen Xiaohong’s discomfort grew as she listened, and it took her a while to realize that Jiang Suihan was subtly mocking her.

She immediately glared, “Xiao Jiang, what are you implying? What have I done wrong by Xiaocao? I provide for her, let her go to school, and I’m doing my best as a mother! My own mother didn’t even let me read.”

Jiang Suihan glanced at Zhang Xiaocao, who had her head lowered, her hands clenched subconsciously.

“You’re only interpreting it that way. I didn’t say anything wrong. I was just sharing my thoughts and a bit about my own family. Is there a problem with that?”

Chen Xiaohong was at a loss for a moment, glaring at Jiang Suihan in anger. She wanted to continue arguing but, seeing Xu Zhao standing by Jiang Suihan’s side, she didn’t dare escalate the situation and had to drag Zhang Xiaocao away, begrudgingly.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, her eyes fixed on Zhang Xiaocao. “Is that what you think too?”

Zhang Xiaocao, aware that her mother was upset and not daring to defy her, answered obediently, “Mother gave birth to me, raised me, and allowed me to go to school. I’m very grateful to her. When I grow up, I’ll definitely be a good daughter and take care of her well.”

Hearing this, Chen Xiaohong’s anger subsided a little, and she said grumpily, “Just as long as you know.”

Wu Guihua stood up and waved to Jiang Suihan, “Over here.”

Xu Zhao carefully maneuvered through the crowd, ensuring Jiang Suihan was safely seated. “I’m heading over there now. Here are some snacks. If you get hungry, eat some.”

He took out a cloth bag and handed it to Jiang Suihan, then turned to Wu Guihua. “Sister-in-law, she’s not very comfortable, so please keep an eye on her.”

Wu Guihua smiled and nodded, “Don’t worry. I’ll sit with Xiao Jiang. Everything will be fine.”

Xu Zhao wanted to pat her head but realized it wasn’t the right moment. His hand, eager to move, quietly fell back to his side. “Stay here and don’t wander around. If you feel unwell, let someone find me. Don’t eat too many snacks, they might keep you up at night. The thermos has hot milk. Remember to drink it.”

He was a grown man, and the women sitting around him were all sisters-in-law from the family compound. They all pricked up their ears and stared at the two of them with shining eyes. Xu Zhao didn’t think there was anything wrong, but Jiang Suihan felt a little embarrassed.

“Got it. Why are you being so chatty? Hurry up and go,” she said.

Xu Zhao noticed she was a bit uncomfortable and stopped talking.

Several women, all smiling, gathered around, one after another.

“Look at this couple. They’ve been married for months and are still so clingy.”

“Men and women are all about fate. Xiao Jiang is Xu Zhao’s fate. But then again, if I were a man, I’d also like a girl like Xiao Jiang—beautiful and cultured.”

“Hey, Xiao Jiang, tell me, how did you teach him? Xu Zhao used to be so indifferent, and now he’s changed completely—considerate, gentle, caring, even helping with chores. I’d like to turn my own husband into that kind of person and enjoy a few days off from housework.”

“That’s right, I didn’t think of that. You’re so clever. Xiao Jiang, teach me too. I want to learn.”

Jiang Suihan’s smile stiffened on her face. Looking at these faces full of flattery mixed with gossip, she felt utterly exhausted.

Who will save her?

“Sister-in-laws, you’re thinking too much. I don’t know how to do that, it’s really not like that.”

“Oh, Xiao Jiang, don’t be modest. We’re all women here, there’s no need to be shy. Are you and your husband’s nightly activities very exciting?” One woman winked at Jiang Suihan.

Jiang Suihan: “……”

Can we please not misuse idioms? I’ll never be able to face the phrase ‘exciting’ the same way again!

“Don’t forget, Xiao Jiang has been pregnant for several months. No matter how exciting, it can’t compare to the wedding night,” another woman said with a hint of a smile.

“That’s right. On my wedding night, my husband was so eager, he practically threw me into the bed. At first, he couldn’t find the right place, making things awkward. It only got better later.”

“It’s the same with my husband. The first time was so painful, I impulsively kicked him out of the bed.”

Jiang Suihan felt numb, her mind blank, and kept telling herself to ignore them.

She wanted to shout: Please, ladies, spare me!

Has the depth of married women’s conversations sunk so low?

The enthusiasm of the group made Jiang Suihan feel out of place, sitting silently on the side.

One woman, noticing Jiang Suihan’s silence, joked, “Xiao Jiang, are you shy? You’re going to be a mother soon, why are you still so shy like a young girl?”

Jiang Suihan lowered her head and smiled shyly. At this moment, it was better to remain silent.

Wu Guihua tapped the woman on the shoulder. “Alright, don’t tease Xiao Jiang. Not everyone has thick skin like you.”

Jiang Suihan gratefully smiled at Wu Guihua. The awkward topic was almost too much for her.

Gradually, the hall filled with more people, completely packed.

The performances by the art troupe began. While the acts weren’t very new, Jiang Suihan was quite engaged.

Wu Guihua whispered, “The girl in the middle is the best dancer. She’s also quite pretty.”

Jiang Suihan nodded in agreement. “She’s flexible, with graceful movements. She dances very well.”

The girl was the lead dancer, standing out in the group dance. Everyone’s attention followed her.

Wu Guihua shared some gossip. “I heard she’s related to Political Commissar Zhou—she calls him ‘uncle.’ She’s twenty-two and not married yet.”

Jiang Suihan looked up, surprised. “Sister Wu, where did you hear this gossip?”

Wu Guihua smiled confidently. “I have good connections. People like to chat with me.”

After the last performance, Xu Zhao was pulled aside for a talk by his superiors. Jiang Suihan waited for him in the corner.

“Hello, are you Jiang Suihan?”