After Yu Xiuyou told Lin Qingqing about the situation, she left to prepare lunch at home.

However, Lin Qingqing didn’t think much of it.

She only brought it up during lunch when Lu Cheng came to eat.

Because Lu Cheng had lost face in front of his subordinates that morning, when he walked into the cafeteria at noon, his entire face was tense.

He would likely maintain this expression for the next month in front of them.

After finishing his meal, he went to the back of the cafeteria to find Lu Haici and take him for a nap.

However, when he saw Lin Qingqing, he still felt a bit nervous.

He was anxious about the embarrassing incident in the morning and about their relationship.

Even though they were just friends now, his feelings were not something he could easily control.

Even eye contact made him feel guilty.

“Lu Cheng, there’s something I need to tell you,” Lin Qingqing said, holding his gaze.

Immediately, Lu Cheng straightened his posture, like a soldier being reprimanded by a superior. “What is it?” he asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

Lin Qingqing replied, “You ran into Qian Yuelan when you went to the hospital for a gynecological exam yesterday, right?”

Lu Cheng, being quite smart, knew immediately what she was referring to. “Did Qian Yuelan come back and talk about this?”

To him, going to the doctor when sick was completely normal, and there was nothing shameful about it.

However, Lin Qingqing wouldn’t bring this up without reason. “Did someone say something?”

“It’s not a big deal, just wanted to give you a heads-up,” Lin Qingqing said. “This morning, Zhang Hongping came to ask me about it. I made up an excuse, saying I was having stomach pains during my period, and you might have been worried about me, so you went to see a gynecologist. Then Xiuyou told me…”

Lin Qingqing recounted what happened with Yang Mailian.

Listening to her, Lu Cheng felt a headache coming on.

So, the entire family courtyard might know he went to see a gynecologist?

Just because he was willing to go didn’t mean he wanted everyone to know about it. Especially Qian Yuelan, who, as a nurse, should have kept patient information confidential.

Was this really a nurse’s ethics?

“I think that Comrade Yang Mailian might have some issues with me,” Lin Qingqing offered her opinion after explaining the situation. “Maybe it’s because Qin Ming and Haici had that fight that she holds something against me.”

“This has nothing to do with you,” Lu Cheng couldn’t help but explain. “If it’s because of the fight between Qin Ming and Lu Haici, she should also have issues with me as their father.”

After all, in everyone’s eyes, Lin Qingqing was the stepmother, and she had just arrived.

You couldn’t blame the stepmother for the issues between stepsons. “There’s something I didn’t tell you, not because I wanted to hide it, but because I didn’t think it was important. To me, it was less significant than eating.”

Upon hearing his description, Lin Qingqing found it amusing. “Eating is a top priority for people’s livelihoods.”

“…” Lu Cheng was helpless. “My bad, I didn’t describe it well.”

Lin Qingqing thought, “Isn’t this person’s attitude a bit too good?”

Lu Cheng continued to explain, “Actually, five years ago, before I married Lu Haici’s biological mother, Yang Mailian tried to set me up with her daughter, Qian Yuelan, but I rejected it at the time.”

Lin Qingqing responded, “So she might hold a grudge against me because of you. Last time Haici fought with Qin Ming, her sudden arrival could also be because of you.”

Lu Cheng didn’t deny it, nor did he confirm it.

As a grown man, he wouldn’t dwell on such women’s matters.

He simply mentioned the incident about Yang Mailian because Lin Qingqing brought it up.

Lin Qingqing added, “Now, the fact that you went to see a gynecologist might not be as important. What’s important is that you went to consult about my menstrual pain. You need to be prepared in case someone from the family courtyard asks you about it.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Cheng felt even more overwhelmed.

He thought it would be easier to go on a mission. “Got it. I’ll take Lu Haici back now.”

Lin Qingqing nodded.

In fact, Lin Qingqing’s warning was indeed timely.

When Lu Cheng returned to the family courtyard with his son, he attracted friendly glances from the women, who looked at him as if he were a rare treasure.

Some even asked, “Deputy Lu, what did the gynecologist say about menstrual pain? I also have stomach pains every time I get my period.”

“Yeah, Deputy Lu, can you share? We’d like to know.”

Lu Cheng maintained a serious expression, saying flatly, “I’ll remind your husbands to pay more attention to their wives at home.”

Hearing Lu Cheng’s serious words, the women suddenly didn’t dare to say anything more.

However, their gazes fixed on him did not disappear.

Lu Cheng wasn’t angry; he didn’t care about others’ opinions.

But at that moment, the way the women were looking at him felt very unusual.

“Dad, when does your stomach hurt during your period?” Lu Haici asked, patting his stomach out of curiosity. “Dad, I’ve had a stomach ache before too; is that my period? What is a period?”

The little one’s curiosity left Lu Cheng speechless. “That’s because you ate something bad.”

“What’s a period?” Lu Haici continued, insistent on getting a clear answer.

Lu Cheng replied, “…That’s an adult matter; kids can’t ask about it.”

Lu Haici frowned a bit; he hated it when adults treated him like a little kid.

Since he couldn’t ask, he would go ask his mom.

By the time Lin Qingqing finished work, the family courtyard was even livelier.

Everyone had finished their chores and gathered in groups to chat or do handicrafts.

The residents of the courtyard loved to gather in groups to do things together.

Of course, the main topic of discussion at that moment was still Lu Cheng.

Just then, someone said, “Comrade Lin is here.”

As a result, the previously noisy crowd suddenly quieted down, all eyes on Lin Qingqing.

“Comrade Lin…” Some were scared by Lu Cheng’s words and didn’t dare to speak in front of him, but they felt brave enough to ask Lin Qingqing.

They completely forgot how Yang Mailian had suffered at Lin Qingqing’s hands.

Lin Qingqing was called to a stop, naturally halting her steps. “Hello, sisters.”

Lin Qingqing appeared delicate and soft, someone who had been pampered and raised with care, making it easy for people to overlook her combativeness when she faced off against Yang Mailian.

Seeing Lin Qingqing’s pleasant attitude, the others were also happy and quickly began to gossip. “Comrade Lin, how is your menstrual issue? Did Deputy Lu find a solution for you?”

This military wife wasn’t merely gossiping; she genuinely experienced painful stomach cramps every time she got her period.

Yet she didn’t dare to consult a gynecologist herself, so upon seeing Lin Qingqing, she hurriedly asked.

Lin Qingqing smiled and said, “About this matter, Lu Cheng went to ask yesterday but didn’t get a result because he only knows that my stomach hurts when I have my period, but he can’t say the specifics. The doctor said that it’s best for me to go in person; the doctor needs to examine and prescribe medication, and can’t just make a judgment based on Lu Cheng’s words. So, it was all for nothing.”

However, she added, “If a sister-in-law has stomach pain during her period, there is a method that can alleviate it, which is to soak your feet in hot water for half an hour every night. It’s good for menstrual cramps and overall well-being.”

“Is it effective?” the military wife asked, not quite believing it.

After all, soaking feet in hot water doesn’t cost anything; it’s something anyone can do.

Others were listening too.

Lin Qingqing said, “It is effective. Back when I was in my hometown, my cramps were even worse, but after soaking my feet regularly, my cramps got better during my period. This method was told to me by my grandfather, who is a doctor in the production brigade and has a medical license. For minor ailments in the family, we usually see him, so under my grandfather’s care, everyone in the family is in good health.”

This was something Lin Qingqing learned from the memories of this body.

However, her grandfather was indeed quite skilled when he was young; later, he moved from the county town to the countryside in the new country.

“Comrade Lin, your grandfather is a doctor? That’s impressive.”

“So that’s why Comrade Lin married Deputy Team Leader Lu. It’s no wonder; a deputy team leader like Lu wouldn’t marry an ordinary girl.”

Looking at Comrade Lin, one could see she was well-raised and was the granddaughter of a doctor, so it made sense.

The doctor who had just asked the question heard Lin Qingqing’s explanation and said, “I’ll try it next time. If it really works, I’ll come back to thank Comrade Lin.”

Lin Qingqing replied, “No need to thank me; we should help each other as military wives. Lu Cheng once told me that many sisters-in-law cared for Hai Ci while he was on a mission. I should also thank everyone here.”

“Comrade Lin, you’re such a good person.”

“Isn’t that right? You have a good temper, you’re kind, and you treat Lu Hai Ci well. No wonder Deputy Team Leader Lu married you.”

“Sisters-in-law are being too polite; you’re just flattering me to make me happy. Before I came to the military, I was worried. But seeing how warm everyone is, I feel like coming along was definitely the right choice.”

Who doesn’t like to hear nice things?

Lin Qingqing’s words flattered them all, and of course, they were happy.

Just then, someone asked, “Comrade Lin, when will you have good news?”

Ah?

Lin Qingqing looked at the woman, “And you are?” She pretended not to understand the question.

No one in her family was urging her to have children, and Lu Cheng’s aunt wasn’t pushing for marriage either.

Who was this woman to be asking?

The woman replied, “I’m Chen Zhou’s mother. Our Chen Zhou is a good friend of Lu Haici from kindergarten.”

So it’s her.

Lin Qingqing recognized the woman but didn’t have a good impression of her.

After all, whatever she said to Chen Zhou had already been relayed to Lu Haici, and hearing Lu Hai Ci’s recounting, Lin Qingqing couldn’t possibly like her. “So you’re Chen Zhou’s mom. Hello, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Oh, you’ve heard of me?” Chen Zhou’s mom was somewhat surprised.

Was she that famous in the family quarters?

Lin Qingqing was implying, “I heard it from Chen Zhou.”

However, she didn’t state it clearly, as she wouldn’t embarrass the other person in front of so many people.

Hearing her son mention her in front of others made Chen Zhou’s mom very proud. “Our Chen Zhou just likes me. Ah, Lin Comrade, you haven’t said when you’ll have good news? We also have a stepmother in the family quarters, which is Comrade Xu Huijuan from the Ji regiment. She said before that Ji Yang is like her own son, so she doesn’t plan to have more children. What about you? Are you the same as Comrade Xu Huijuan?”

Once these words left Chen Zhou’s mother’s mouth, everyone turned to look at Lin Qingqing.

They weren’t fools; they could tell that this question was a bit excessive and filled with malice.

Lin Qingqing certainly felt this malice. Since she had come into this world, even though she had conflicts with Zhang Hongping and Yang Mailian, those conflicts hadn’t felt malicious.

Although there was some distance between her and Xu Huijuan, she hadn’t sensed malice from her either.

But from Chen Zhou’s mother, she felt clear malice.

From her words and her gaze, she sensed the hostility.

Chen Zhou’s mother indeed harbored malice towards Lin Qingqing.

After Chen Zhou went home yesterday, he actually got angry with her and said he wouldn’t allow her to speak ill of Lu Hai Ci’s mother and Ji Yang’s mother anymore.

How could Chen Zhou’s mother tolerate her son being angry for someone else?

So today, while washing clothes, hearing Yang Mailian’s words, she mistakenly thought that Lin Qingqing had a gynecological disease but didn’t expect it was just menstrual cramps.

Lin Qingqing said, “Having children is something that should happen naturally. Speaking of this, Chen Zhou’s mother, I would like to ask you something.”

After her response, she immediately took control of the situation; she didn’t want to hand over the initiative to Chen Zhou’s mother anymore.

Who knows what else she might ask?

Chen Zhou’s mother, hearing that the other party wanted to consult her, felt quite pleased with herself and posed, “What is it? You can ask.”

Lin Qingqing smiled slightly: “I want to ask you, what does da qiufeng mean? We don’t have this saying where I come from, so I’m curious since it’s the first time I’ve heard this expression. Is it related to the seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter?”

Suddenly, everyone was stunned.

Their curious expressions were still in place.

Meanwhile, Chen Zhou’s mother, who had been proud, suddenly stiffened.

She looked at Lin Qingqing and somewhat understood that she had asked this on purpose.

Yet Lin Qingqing maintained her smile, looking at Chen Zhou’s mother.

Everyone must take responsibility for what they say.

If you don’t give face to others, why would others give you any?

“I… I don’t know either,” Chen Zhou’s mother didn’t know how to respond.

Lin Qingqing didn’t force her to answer: “That’s fine. I’ll ask someone else. Sisters-in-law, do you know what ‘da qiufeng’ means?”

Regarding the matter of ‘ da qiufeng,’ Lin Qingqing specifically sought Chen Zhou’s mother to ask because some people knew that she liked to take good things back to her family, and Chen Zhou’s father teased that her family was like ‘da qiufeng.’

However, since everyone was more familiar with Chen Zhou’s mother and had known her for a long time, they wouldn’t explain this to Lin Qingqing, so they could only smile awkwardly.

Lin Qingqing continued politely, “Since the sisters-in-law don’t know, I’ll ask someone else. Our country is very large, and local customs can make communication difficult, but it’s alright; asking questions is how we can communicate well. By the way, if I find out, I can tell all the sisters-in-law.” After saying this, Lin Qingqing left.