Chapter 21: Apology and Rumors

Because of this whole mess, the deputy commander and his wife quarreled fiercely. A city woman like her, always proud, naturally hated to bow her head.

“Why should I apologize? You were the one bullied. And you didn’t even dare ask the leaders for fairness… you’re nothing but a coward!”

**“Nonsense. How could I go to the leaders with this? The drill was meant for training. Losing just means I wasn’t good enough; he was right.

Besides, do you really think it was a coincidence that the very day after you picked a fight with his wife, suddenly our regiment and theirs were ordered into a match? You insulted her, and the next day, we’re facing off. That’s no accident.”**

The deputy commander winced as he spoke, rubbing his ribs. They still ached from Lin Xingchen’s blows. Nothing broken, but the pain would last for days.

Complain to the leaders? On what grounds?! That Lin Xingchen had taken personal revenge? A few bruises on the ribs hardly counted. Soldiers got knocked around all the time. Who would respect an officer whining about a little rough play?

No matter how unwilling, the deputy commander’s wife couldn’t defy him. For all her arrogance outside, at home, she had to listen. She had no job, no income; every penny came from him. Naturally, her voice carried little weight.

As for her dowry? Being from the city didn’t mean much. Most families gave fifty yuan at best, unless they were truly well-off or doted on their daughters. It wasn’t any better than the countryside.

Their houses were separated only by a wall. When Xingchen was home, he often didn’t bother locking the front gate.

So when they came knocking and found the door unlatched, they simply pushed it open.

“Vice Commander Lin, what on earth are you doing?”

They both froze. Right in the middle of the courtyard, Lin Xingchen was scrubbing clothes.

“Washing laundry. Why, what brings you here?”

“Vice Commander Wang, Sister-in-law Wang, come in and sit.”

Su Momo wasn’t angry anymore. Xingchen had already stood up for her. This hadn’t been deep hatred to begin with. Now that her temper had been vented, she was ready to let it go.

“Have some mung bean water, it’s been cooled in the well.”

**“Thank you, Sister-in-law. I actually brought my wife here to apologize. I heard everything about the other day. It was her fault. That’s just her temper – sharp tongue, but no bad intentions.

Please be generous and don’t hold it against her.”**

Seeing Xingchen doing laundry at home, they assumed he must have little authority here. As long as Momo agreed to let things go, the matter would be settled. After all, she was clearly the one who ruled this household.

“I have one good trait – I never hold grudges overnight. Usually, I settle them on the spot. Once it’s over, it’s over. There’s no need for apologies. In the end, it was just a small matter. We’re neighbors, peace matters most.”

Her words sounded generous, and that was all that was needed. The matter was closed. But if they dared provoke her again, she wouldn’t hesitate to strike back.

“Yes, yes, Sister-in-law is right. Jinling, look—she’s younger than you, yet so reasonable.”

“…I was just impulsive. It won’t happen again.”

Her smile was stiff, humiliation written all over her face.

After a few more polite words, they left. Before going, the deputy commander shot Xingchen a frustrated look—as if blaming him for being too obedient.

Momo sighed. “I’m guessing your doing the laundry won’t stay a secret for long. Sister Xu says she’s notorious for gossip.”

Xingchen wrung out a shirt and hung it up. **“So what? Isn’t it normal to work in your own home? Or should I go wash at someone else’s?

Wife, I told you, let me handle the potatoes. Put them down. It’s too hot for you to be lugging them around.”**

Momo glanced at the few potatoes in her hands – barely three or four jin in total. Still, since someone cared enough to fuss, she might as well enjoy being spoiled.

As expected, the very next day, Sister Xu and Sister Meng came over, their words full of envy, praising her for knowing how to “manage her husband.”

Momo didn’t deny it. To her, it was just the natural rhythm of marriage – nothing shameful. Others might think Xingchen too strict to joke with, but behind closed doors, they had their own way.

When Xingchen’s rest day came, the two of them woke early. They’d already invited everyone for dinner the next day.

“Wife, let’s go.”

After breakfast, they set off on the bicycle. Momo sat in the back, enjoying the ride without having to pedal.

The bike now had a basket in front. Xingchen had woven two large trays for the cellar, and with leftover materials, Momo had suggested making a bike basket. It turned out perfect – just right for water bottles and lunch boxes.

With Xingchen’s strength, they covered what was usually an hour’s ride in just forty minutes.

“A-Chen, let’s get in line.”

She tugged him to the end of the queue. A moment later, several more people had already joined behind them – just in time.

Arriving earlier than last time meant more choice at the butcher’s stall. Last trip she’d bought scraps and offcuts, which turned out delicious. This time, she simply took the lot. Those didn’t even require ration tickets, just a token payment.

**“Comrade, I’ll take all the big bones, offal, pork heart, liver, trotters, and half a pig’s head. Four jin of ribs, too.

And give me a jin of first-class meat and a jin of pork belly.”**

The best meat was for rendering lard, which could be stored in the cellar for months without spoiling.

Thankfully, Xingchen was there to carry it all; Momo could never have managed.

The butcher already knew her by sight. No one else bought like this. Strange woman: frugal enough to scoop up unwanted scraps, yet not stingy, since the total still added up.

“This should last us a while.”

“Wife, do we need anything else?”

“Let’s get mung beans. When we’re back, we can trade soybeans from the village head. I want to sprout them.. mung bean sprouts, soybean sprouts, both are good.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

At the grain stall, she noticed new ribbon hair ties for sale. Xingchen bought two. His monthly allowance was ten yuan, and since they ate well at home, he rarely spent it.

“Look..! Do you like them?”

“They’re pretty. I braided my hair in double twists today – help me put one on.”

She was only eighteen. The blue bow matched her floral dress perfectly. Thank goodness he hadn’t chosen garish pink.

“Beautiful.”

“Come on, let’s eat at the state-run restaurant. Tonight you’ll help me prepare more marinated dishes at home.”

At the restaurant, they ordered candied sweet potatoes, braised pork with vermicelli, and each had a bowl of rice.

As they ate, Momo asked, “A-Chen, do you have any comrades from the coast?”

“Of course. From all over. Quite a few from southern fishing villages.”

“Do you think you could ask them to send some seafood by post? Kelp, dried shrimp, dried fish, anything. Imagine hotpot in winter with dried fish, or dumplings stuffed with shrimp skin…”

She was practically drooling at the thought.