Chapter 29: I’m Not Someone Who Stands There and Takes the Hit

Jiang Zhining was completely confused. “What living expenses?”

The woman huffed, “Commander’s wife, these kids eat at my house every day. Commander Song gives me food money every month. And that little girl—I’ve been helping him take care of her too! I’m not doing this for free, you know. It’s exhausting!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhining recalled Xia Chunyu, who came over yesterday, and immediately understood. “So my husband has been relying on you to take care of the children all this time, hasn’t he?”

“That’s right.”

“How much did Comrade Yuzhou give you each month?” Jiang Zhining asked calmly.

“Commander Song gives twenty yuan a month,” the woman replied with a smile.

“Twenty?” Jiang Zhining glanced at the thin, undernourished Song Chen and Song Ye.

In this era, twenty yuan a month for food, and the kids still ended up this skinny?

“Don’t say I’m being greedy,” the woman quickly added. “I usually buy some meat for them, and the Commander sometimes tells me to get some candy and snacks too. Twenty yuan is barely enough!”

Jiang Zhining recalled what Song Ye said the first time he had candy.

“If the kids ate meat often, would they be this scrawny? And are you sure you gave them candy?” she countered. “If you did, how come they didn’t even know what candy tastes like?”

The woman faltered, a guilty look flashing across her face, but she stiffened her neck and insisted, “I bought it. They just didn’t like it.”

Jiang Zhining gave a light laugh. “Auntie, do you think I’m a fool? What kid doesn’t like candy? You know exactly how well you took care of them.”

Being fostered in someone else’s home is never as good as being raised by your own.

Before she could finish, the woman’s voice rose sharply. “Don’t give me that nonsense. You’re just trying to weasel out of paying!”

Her raised voice drew the attention of curious neighbors peeking out.

Seeing she meant to make a scene, Jiang Zhining remained calm. “If it’s twenty yuan per month, that breaks down to about 0.66 yuan per day. It’s only the third day of the month, so I only owe you two yuan.”

“Two yuan? No way! It has to be by the month—twenty yuan!” the woman barked, hands on hips, aggressive and domineering.

She thought the gentle-looking girl in front of her would be easy to bully.

Unfortunately, Jiang Zhining wasn’t some pushover.

“Comrade Yuzhou and I are already married. From now on, the children won’t be eating at your place. Why should I pay you the remaining eighteen yuan?” Jiang Zhining said sternly. “How poor are you that you’d try to scam someone over this? Aren’t you ashamed to disgrace your son and husband like this?”

The woman’s face twisted in anger. “You—you’re insulting me? Bullying an old woman?”

“If telling the truth is bullying, then yes, I’m bullying you. Let everyone judge for themselves—why should I pay you for food the kids didn’t even eat?” Jiang Zhining snapped back. “We all live in the same military family compound. If you want to make this a big deal, I won’t hold back either.”

Just then, Sister Liu Zhilan from next door came out and said, “She’s right, Auntie.”

“I don’t care! It has to be monthly! Oh, my chest hurts, my head’s spinning… this girl’s going to be the death of me!” the woman began to wail, trying to play the victim.

Jiang Zhining turned to Song Chen. “Xiao Chen, go get the military security officer.”

Song Chen nodded. “Got it.”

The woman panicked. “Wait!”

If the military police got involved, her son would definitely give her a scolding.

Jiang Zhining gave her a cold look.

Realizing she couldn’t get her way, the woman gritted her teeth and reluctantly said, “Fine, fine. Two yuan it is. I’m generous, after all.”

Rolling her eyes, Jiang Zhining still pulled two yuan from her bag.

The woman snatched it with a venomous glare. “What a stingy little girl. So what if you married Commander Song? I’ll be watching to see how miserable you end up.”

“Then you’d better pray for a long life, Auntie,” Jiang Zhining replied smoothly. “Otherwise, you might not live long enough to see it, and that would be a pity.”

Flushed with anger, the woman stormed off, fuming.

As she left, Jiang Zhining turned back and saw Liu Zhilan looking at her in awe.

“You’re amazing, sister-in-law! Auntie Xia is the most unreasonable person in the whole compound. I really thought you’d be steamrolled.”

Jiang Zhining smiled. “Just call me Zhining. I’m not the kind of person who stands there and takes the hit.”

“That’s good. Too soft and you’ll just suffer,” Liu Zhilan nodded approvingly.

After a few polite words with Liu Zhilan, Jiang Zhining took the kids and left the military family compound.

Since she had already told Song Yuzhou she’d be going out, he had arranged for a driver to wait outside the gate and take them into the city.

Back in Beicheng once again, Jiang Zhining followed her memories and brought the children to a department store.

Even though it was the 1980s and not as prosperous as modern times, people’s love for children remained the same no matter the era.

“I brought enough ration coupons today—let’s shop without worry!”

As a regiment commander, Song Yuzhou naturally received more ration coupons than most. The ones he’d saved up were more than enough for Jiang Zhi Ning to splurge a little.

Though children’s clothing in the mall wasn’t as varied as in modern times, there were still a few well-fitting and decent options to choose from.

“Song Chen, try this one on.”

Jiang Zhi Ning picked out a white short-sleeved summer outfit with simple colorful stripes at the cuffs and pant legs. It was plain but looked fresh and clean.

Song Chen looked at the outfit and refused,
“No need, I already have clothes.”

Jiang Zhi Ning tugged at his pant leg,
“Look at these pants—they’ve turned into capris. Do you want people to think your dad is neglecting you?”

At her words, Song Chen went silent for two seconds, then quietly took the clothes.

Next, Jiang Zhi Ning picked out outfits for Song Ye and Xi Xi.

“This little blue dress is cute, with a few little flowers on the skirt. Xi Xi, do you like it?” she asked gently.

Xi Xi nodded enthusiastically,
“Yes! I love it!”

Smiling, Jiang Zhi Ning helped her change into it.

Xi Xi happily twirled around in her new dress while Jiang Zhi Ning’s eyes sparkled with joy.

In the end, she bought two to three outfits for each child.

Song Ye and Xi Xi hugged their new clothes with delighted grins.

Just as they were about to leave, Jiang Zhi Ning suddenly called out:

“Song Ye, come here.”

Song Ye looked at her, puzzled.

Jiang Zhi Ning took his hand and walked into a children’s shoe store nearby.

Noticing a pair of Warrior brand basketball shoes on the shelf, she picked them up and handed them to him.

“Your shoes are worn out. Try these on.”

Song Ye was overwhelmed,
“No—no need.”

But seeing the desire in his eyes and his hesitation, Jiang Zhi Ning knelt down and took action.

To his shock, she removed his worn-out shoes and personally helped him put the new pair on.

“Stand up and walk around—see if they’re comfy.” she said while pressing her finger at the heel to check the fit.

When he looked up, his eyes were red.

Startled, Jiang Zhi Ning gently cupped his face and wiped his tears.
“Why are you crying? You don’t like them?”

Song Ye shook his head and choked out,
“This is the first time anyone’s ever helped me put on shoes.”

Jiang Zhi Ning’s heart clenched hard.

“Silly child,” she said gently,
“You have a mom now. I’ll take good care of you from now on.”

At the mention of “mom,” a flash of fear crossed Song Ye’s eyes.

What Jiang Zhi Ning didn’t know was how deeply traumatized they were by their birth mother.

“Walk around a bit,” she urged him.

Song Ye stood and walked a few steps, joy lighting up his face.

Seeing the shoes fit well, Jiang Zhi Ning decided to buy three more pairs for the kids to rotate and wash.

“No, don’t buy more. They’re too expensive.” Song Chen whispered after checking the price,
“It’s not easy for Dad to earn money.”

He knew that having three extra children put a lot of financial pressure on Song Yuzhou, even if he earned a hundred and forty to fifty yuan a month.

He just didn’t want to be a burden.

“I’m using my own money to buy your clothes and shoes,” Jiang Zhi Ning said with a bright smile.
“In the future, I’ll earn money to support you, too.”

Though she had some savings, raising children meant growing expenses. She was determined to raise them well—or not at all.

And Jiang Zhi Ning had no intention of being a freeloading housewife. In her mind, no matter the era, a woman should have her own source of income.

Song Chen’s heart skipped a beat. In his cold, always-guarded eyes, something flickered.

Jiang Zhi Ning paid for everything, holding Xi Xi in one hand and bags in the other.

“Um…”

Jiang Zhi Ning turned around, puzzled, and saw Song Chen standing still, nervously clutching his shirt.