Chapter 35 – Maybe Just Hungry

Qin Shuzhen looked at the woman who suddenly appeared—round face, dark skin, small eyes, and a big mouth.

In her left hand she held a flatbread, and in her right, a large scallion.

Before Qin Shuzhen could say anything, Ma Xiaolian rolled the scallion into the flatbread, took a bite, and asked while chewing, “You guys are relatives of Commander Han’s family, right? Where are you from?”

A strong stench of raw scallion hit her in the face, and Qin Shuzhen almost gagged. She quickly covered her nose with the scarf around her neck.

Ma Xiaolian leaned in closer. “Hey, how come you’re leaving during lunch? Commander Han didn’t invite you to eat?”

Qin Shuzhen took a step back in disgust. “None of your damn business!”

“…”

Ma Xiaolian was stunned by the insult, momentarily speechless.

Qin Shuzhen glanced back and muttered, “Even someone like her can be an officer’s wife.”

Luo Kangwen spoke up. “And why can’t she be an officer’s wife?”

Qin Shuzhen curled her lips. “Her demeanor and manners—does she have any? She’s rough and vulgar all over.”

Luo Kangwen scolded her. “This is a military family compound—watch what you say!”

Qin Shuzhen froze, quickly glancing around and no longer daring to speak recklessly.

Ma Xiaolian snapped out of it, watching the backs of Luo Kangwen and his wife with anger and frustration.

What the hell!

She had spoken to them so warmly and kindly, yet ended up being scolded.

If it weren’t lunchtime and everyone was home—she’d have pulled their hair and cursed them right back.

Thinking that the two were probably related to the neighbors next door, likely relatives of Luo Yaqing, Ma Xiaolian walked to the fence separating the two yards and spit toward the other side.

She muttered a few curses under her breath, afraid her husband or Han Zhixu might hear. After all, Han outranked her husband.

“Mom, what are you doing standing there?” Hu Shuangyang ran out of the house.

Ma Xiaolian bit into her flatbread. “Nothing.”

“If it’s nothing, then what are you doing?” Hu Shuangyang pressed.

Annoyed, Ma Xiaolian raised her hand to hit him, but lowered it midair. “I’m checking on the garlic sprouts. Ours are growing so well, I’m afraid someone might steal them.”

Hu Shuangyang laughed. “Every household in the courtyard grows them. Who would steal garlic sprouts?”

Ma Xiaolian patted her son’s head. “Silly boy. The neighbors didn’t plant any vegetables. We still need to be careful.”

“They’re behind the fence, they can’t steal them,” Hu Shuangyang said matter-of-factly. “Uncle Han’s family doesn’t even like garlic sprouts—they like meat.”

He could smell it.

Today the Han family made meat and egg dumplings. Yesterday, it was pan-fried flatbreads.

The day before, and the day before that—fried fish and white rice.

Ma Xiaolian grew even more annoyed and impatient. “Enough, go to school.”

“But mom…” Hu Shuangyang held out a hand.

Ma Xiaolian frowned. “What?”

He grinned. “Can you give me 10 cents?”

“What for?” she asked sternly.

“To buy a valve core—for making a slingshot,” Hu Shuangyang answered honestly.

“No money!” Ma Xiaolian snapped.

“Just ten cents, mom! Just ten! Jia Xiaoliang and Wang Xi already made their slingshots—I’m the only one without one.”

“I said no! Now go to school!”

She ignored her son’s pitiful expression and coldly shooed him away.

But Hu Shuangyang wasn’t giving up.

He imagined his friends shooting bird nests with their slingshots—so cool. He itched with envy.

His eyes lit up with an idea. “Then, mom, don’t ask me to write your letters anymore.”

Ma Xiaolian wasn’t threatened. “I can ask your brother Shan Yang to write them.”

“He’s in middle school in town. Lives in the dorms. He doesn’t come home. He has no time to help you.”

“Then I won’t write,” she said, unfazed. After all, the letter was already sent. Judging by the timing, her family back home should be arriving soon.

Hu Shuangyang huffed, “Then I’ll tell Dad that you arranged a match for San Zhuzi back home and even lied—”

“Little devil!” Ma Xiaolian quickly covered his mouth.

She gave in, pulling coins from her pocket—three of them.

Hu Shuangyang’s eyes widened. “Mom, that’s not enough.”

She added one more.

“Still not enough!” he whined.

Irritated, Ma Xiaolian raised her hand. “How about this—enough?!”

Staring at the palm hovering in the air, Hu Shuangyang shrank back. A wise man doesn’t fight when the odds are bad.

Survival first.

“It’s enough.”

He took the four cents and ran off. Once he was out of the courtyard, he turned to glance back.

He could skip the candy, but a valve core cost five cents—you couldn’t buy one with just four.

Adults break promises, so don’t blame kids for doing the same.

He was getting that valve core no matter what.

Ma Xiaolian watched her son run off, then turned toward the neighboring yard and spat another wad of phlegm.

…

Their peaceful lunch ruined, Luo Yaqing reheated the dumplings on a bamboo steamer.

While waiting, she poked the man’s arm. “Why did you help them? Did you see how over-the-line they were today? So shameless.”

Han Zhixu replied, “They promised me they wouldn’t bother you again or interfere in your life.”

Luo Yaqing’s heart thumped hard, moved nearly to tears.

This man…

She took a deep breath. “You fool. You actually believe them?”

Han Zhixu said calmly, “Don’t worry. I won’t let them show up in Beicheng again.”

Today was a fluke. Luo Kangwen wasn’t usually someone so inconsiderate.

Coming to say goodbye before leaving was probably an attempt to keep the family ties.

But Qin Shuzhen’s drama ruined everything.

With all that commotion, it was a clean break.

Luo Kangwen wouldn’t have the face to return. Nor the guts to test the waters in a military compound.

The two words he had said—”Don’t worry”—gave Luo Yaqing a profound sense of security.

She smiled, eyes twinkling. “Han Zhixu, you’ll always protect me, right?”

Han Zhixu nodded.

Luo Yaqing grinned and, filled with joy, wrapped her arms around his neck and sat on his lap. “You’re so good to me.”

Han Zhixu didn’t dare move. “Don’t… don’t do that…”

Luo Yaqing tilted her head, confused. “What’s wrong?”

“…”

“Your face is so red, Han Zhixu. Are you feeling sick?”

“…No.” He grabbed the hand she’d placed on his cheek.

She blinked. “Then what is it? Do you feel unwell? Do you need a doctor?”

Han Zhixu swallowed hard. “I’m fine. Maybe just… hungry.”

Luo Yaqing burst out laughing. “You should’ve said so earlier. I was starting to worry!”

She got up to get food, but he was still holding her hand.

She chuckled. “Let go first. I’ll go get your food.”

He let go abruptly, flustered, and started wiping the table to hide his embarrassment.

Luo Yaqing lifted the lid of the steamer. “Careful with that. Don’t scrub off the paint.”

“I won’t,” Han Zhixu answered quickly.

She brought the heated dumplings to the table. “Stop wiping. Sit and eat.”

“Okay.”

Han Zhixu put down the cloth and awkwardly sat down, picking up his chopsticks and nearly burying his face in the bowl.

Luo Yaqing sat across from him and pushed the dipping sauce toward him. “Dip them in this.”

Han Zhixu obediently dipped a dumpling into the sauce.

She rested her chin in her hands, watching him with an uncontrollable smile.

Han Zhixu looked up. “Why aren’t you eating?”

“I’m just thinking about something,” she giggled. “Something about you.”

He looked surprised. “?”

“I’m wondering—before we got married, did you ever like anyone?”

“No,” he replied instantly, without hesitation.

“Then… did any girls confess to you? Say they liked you?”

“No.”

“Really? Not even a nurse from the military hospital? Or a female soldier? There are so many pretty girls…”

“No. Don’t make things up.”

“…”

Luo Yaqing didn’t believe it. How could such a handsome, dashing officer not attract attention?

Oh well, not important.

What mattered was, he had no romantic past.

Emotionally clean. No third-party drama.

Han Zhixu finished his dumplings and got up, putting on his coat.

“I’m heading out.”

Luo Yaqing looked at him. “Come back early tonight—I still want you to hold my hand.”