Chapter 49.2

Chen Xiangyun, pulled from behind, found herself unable to leave.

She raised her hand to stop Major Wu’s actions and said, “What’s going on here? Why are you hitting the child? Let’s talk things over calmly. There’s no need for violence.”

Major Wu, still fuming, was not in the mood to listen to advice. He tried to pull Wu Hongmei out from the side.

Although Wu Hongmei hunched her shoulders and kept her head down, she was always alert to her brother’s movements. Seeing him reach out, she immediately tugged Grandma Chen away in the opposite direction.

Grandma Chen, though well-maintained, was over seventy years old. A sudden pull caused her to stumble.

If her granddaughter hadn’t been quick to support her, Grandma Chen might have fallen and been hurt.

Seeing Grandma Chen almost fall, Su Xi was enraged.

With a stern expression, she reached out and grabbed Wu Hongmei’s wrist, applying pressure.

Wu Hongmei yelped, “Ouch, ouch,” and instinctively loosened her grip on Grandma Chen’s clothing.

Su Xi positioned herself in front of Grandma Chen, her aura intense and her gaze icy as she scolded Wu Hongmei, “Are you blind? How old is my grandmother? Do you think she can handle being yanked around like that?”

Wu Hongmei, her small eyes already swollen and red, looked hurt. She hadn’t expected that the usually gentle Su Xi would be so fierce.

She stammered, “I… I didn’t do it on purpose.”

Su Xi’s anger flared even more. “If you did it on purpose, I’d break your hand.”

Wu Hongmei was taken aback, wanting to argue but too scared to do so. She was always afraid of educated people, especially since Su Xi was not only well-educated but also quite beautiful.

Wu Hongmei had not expected such a beautiful girl to be so fierce. She had previously thought Su Xi was a good person.

Perhaps Su Xi’s anger had caused Major Wu to regain some composure. He rolled up his belt and stuffed it into his pocket.

With an awkward smile on his square face, he said, “I’m sorry, Aunt Chen. Are you alright? I lost my temper just now. It was my mistake, and I apologize.”

Chen Xiangyun gently patted her granddaughter’s hand, then stepped out from behind Su Xi, saying, “It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m just old, and I’ve recovered a bit now. My Xixi was just concerned about my old bones. Don’t mind her. She’s just a child. By the way, my Xixi is about the same age as your Hongmei, so she’s not very steady either. Let’s be understanding and talk things over calmly.”

Grandma Chen was pleased with her granddaughter’s defense but was also mindful of the girl’s reputation.

By mentioning that Su Xi was about the same age as Wu Hongmei, Grandma Chen implied that Major Wu shouldn’t be too harsh with a child.

Major Wu, catching Grandma Chen’s hint, blushed with embarrassment and quickly said, “Yes, yes, I understand. I’m really sorry. I was just enraged by my sister.”

Grandma Chen asked with concern, “Hongmei is a good kid, isn’t she? What happened? And where is your Yanzi?”

Wu Hongmei’s sister-in-law, whose real name was Wang Xiaoyan, was usually called Yanzi by Grandma Chen.

Major Wu wiped his face and stepped aside from the door, saying, “Yanzi was pushed by my troublesome sister and twisted her waist. She’s lying in bed right now. If you have time, please go see her.”

Upon hearing this, Grandma Chen’s expression darkened. She had always had a good relationship with Yanzi and knew how well Yanzi treated her sister-in-law, providing food, clothing, and even arranging matches. To think Hongmei could be so unkind.

With these thoughts, Chen Xiangyun lost her patience for scolding the brother. She pulled Su Xi inside the house without looking back.

Seeing that Grandma Chen ignored her, Wu Hongmei instinctively tried to follow, but Major Wu stopped her with a fierce glare.

As Su Xi and Grandma Chen went inside, the sounds of Wu Hongmei begging for mercy could be heard outside.

This time, neither Su Xi nor Grandma Chen furrowed their brows.

Su Xi quickly assisted Grandma Chen into Sister-in-law Wu’s bedroom, paying no mind to formalities.

Seeing Sister-in-law Wu lying on the bed with a pale face, Grandma Chen sat down on the edge of the bed with a worried expression and said, “How badly are you hurt? Why didn’t you go to the hospital?”

Sister-in-law Wu managed a smile despite her pallor, saying, “It’s nothing. Going to the hospital costs money. I’ll just lie down for a while.”

Chen Xiangyun knew Sister-in-law Wu’s situation well. Major Wu’s salary had to support a family of five, with half of it sent to his parents.

Times were tough.

Now that the sons had gradually grown up, she had to save money for their weddings. With three sons close in age, she could hardly spare a penny, let alone spend on hospital visits.

Every family has its own struggles. Chen Xiangyun felt it was inappropriate to insist too much but still pulled her granddaughter aside, saying, “Xixi, help check on your Sister-in-law Wu. If there’s a bone injury or something, it can’t be left untreated.”

As a doctor, Su Xi didn’t decline. She rolled up her sleeves and began examining Sister-in-law Wu.

While Su Xi was examining Wang Xiaoyan, Chen Xiangyun asked, “What’s wrong with your sister-in-law? Wasn’t she quite sensible before?”

Sister-in-law Wu lay on the bed, occasionally making gasping sounds as Su Xi pressed on her. Hearing Grandma Chen’s question, her round face showed a look of distress.

She had been holding this in for many days, not daring to speak out before due to family shame.

Now, feeling hurt by her sister-in-law, she couldn’t help but start to vent her grievances: “Don’t even mention it. Remember last year when my sister-in-law came and I wanted to introduce her to a soldier?”

Chen Xiangyun nodded, indicating she remembered.

Sister-in-law Wu continued, “I had good intentions, thinking it would be honorable to marry a soldier. I took her to see quite a few, and she almost looked at all the good prospects under Old Wu. But she didn’t like any of them. Fortunately, the men didn’t know about it. I was taking my sister-in-law secretly; otherwise, I’d be embarrassed.”

Chen Xiangyun had a different perspective: “Could it be that Hongmei doesn’t like soldiers? Did you ask her? There’s a saying that everyone has their own preferences. Marriage is a big deal and should be something the children are willing to do.”

Sister-in-law Wu protested, “You know me. I’m not the type to force her. It was she who called Old Wu herself, saying she wanted to find a soldier, so Old Wu brought her here.”

Grandma Chen pondered, “Then what’s the reason? What did Hongmei say?”

When this topic came up, Sister-in-law Wu’s face turned slightly red with embarrassment. “Aunt Chen, to be honest, Hongmei’s heart is set on something else. Ever since she saw your Su Dong, she wanted someone refined. But our family also knows its place. Even if Su Dong wasn’t with someone, he’s not someone Hongmei, who can’t even read, could reach.”

As she spoke, Su Xi happened to finish her examination and looked towards Sister-in-law Wu. She hadn’t expected that this involved the eldest brother as well.

Sister-in-law Wu noticed Su Xi pulling down her lifted shirt and turned to ask, “Doctor Su Xi, is my waist alright?”

Su Xi rolled down the sleeve of her wrist and replied, “It’s nothing serious, just a sprain. Rest more in the coming days. If you can handle it, apply cold compresses for the next couple of days. If not, wait for 48 hours and then use hot towels. I’ll bring some blood circulation and bruising plasters for you tomorrow.”

Recalling Sister-in-law Wu’s frugal nature, Su Xi comforted her, “It’s very cheap. A few dozen cents for two plasters. It’s not worth skimping on this, or it will hurt more in a few days.”

Sister-in-law Wu thought that a few dozen cents could buy quite a lot, but since Su Xi was helping her without mentioning payment, she felt embarrassed to say she wouldn’t buy the plasters.

“Oh! You were only halfway through your story earlier!” Grandma Chen urged, clearly eager to hear the rest.

Su Xi: “…”

Sister-in-law Wu, accustomed to chatting with Grandma Chen for over a year, didn’t feel offended. She immediately continued, “Hongmei isn’t entirely clueless. She knows she’s not worthy of Su Dong and wouldn’t dare to have such thoughts. She just thinks he’s pleasant to look at.”

Su Xi understood; this was similar to how people in later times liked celebrities.

Chen Xiangyun proudly said, “Of course, all three of my grandchildren are good-looking. Looking good is part of being seen. There’s nothing to it.”

Sister-in-law Wu nodded vigorously, appreciating her good friend’s perspective. “I agree with you. Who doesn’t like a handsome young man? Even at my age, seeing your Su Dong makes me happy. But Hongmei seems obsessed, insisting on finding someone good-looking, even if they’re poor. She’s willing to settle for a soldier, but they must be good-looking.”

Chen Xiangyun responded with understanding, “Hongmei’s thoughts aren’t wrong. In life, one should seek what they like. It’s not unreasonable to want something beautiful, even if the family background isn’t perfect. There are plenty of spirited young men in the military.”

Sister-in-law Wu sighed, “If only it were as you say. Old Wu told her that soldiers are exposed to the elements, and no matter how good-looking they are, they end up sunburned and dark. Hongmei stubbornly argued that Yan Nan and Commander Xie are also soldiers, so why are they so good-looking? I’m not belittling my own sister-in-law, but with someone like Commander Xie or Yan Nan, does Hongmei really match up?”

Hearing this, Grandma Chen’s expression darkened. Finding Yan Nan attractive was understandable, as he was still single. But finding Commander Xie attractive—he was her own granddaughter’s fiancé! Hongmei really had misjudged her position.

Sister-in-law Wu, oblivious to Grandma Chen’s changing demeanor, continued her lament: “Eventually, Old Wu and I had no choice but to ask some familiar military wives for help. Our first requirement was that the person had to be good-looking, and surprisingly, we did find someone.”

Chen Xiangyun immediately set aside her earlier displeasure and instinctively moved closer to Wang Xiaoyan, asking with curiosity, “Isn’t it good that you found someone? From your expression, it seems you’re not satisfied?”

Sister-in-law Wu’s complaints continued, “Let me explain. The young man we went to see last month was quite fair and clean, not comparable to Su Dong, but still more handsome than many others. He looked refined and gentle. At first sight, both my sister-in-law and I were quite satisfied. But the house was small, only about thirty square meters, and it housed nine people. I thought, since they’re city folk and I saw that half the wall was covered with food storage and a good amount of fine rice, they must have some wealth. If it worked out, it would be a good match. You know, nowadays, appearances and status are all superficial. Having food to eat and not going hungry is what truly matters.”

Chen Xiangyun nodded vigorously.

Sister-in-law Wu, as if she had found a sympathetic ear, grew more agitated: “Who would have thought that this family was full of fraudsters?”

“Why are they fraudsters?” Grandma Chen asked, her curiosity piqued.

Sister-in-law Wu began to rant: “They are indeed fraudsters. In all my years, I’ve never encountered such deceitful people. You wouldn’t believe it— they borrowed many rice measures from their neighbors, the kind woven from willow branches, and stacked them all together, sealed tightly. The ones visible at the bottom were filled with mud, and only the top layer had a thin covering of fine rice. We couldn’t see what was inside the stacked measures. If Hongmei hadn’t twisted her ankle and accidentally knocked over the stack, revealing all the empty measures, we would have believed them when they said they had plenty of grain. Disgusting!”

Su Xi: “……” could it be like this?

Chen Xiangyun frowned: “It’s wrong to deceive people. But would Hongmei be willing to be deceived?”

At this point, Sister-in-law Wu, enraged and forgetting her injury, tried to stand up but cried out in pain and fell back onto the bed.

Su Xi, watching Sister-in-law Wu’s pained expressions with a mix of amusement and sympathy, said helplessly, “Sister-in-law, you need to be careful not to make your condition worse. It won’t just be a few dozen cents if it gets worse.”

Sister-in-law Wu’s face twisted in pain but she still denied any worsening of her injury. “I’m fine, I’m fine, it didn’t get worse. What was I saying?”

Su Xi reminded her, “Grandma Chen said Hongmei is dissatisfied.”

“Yes, yes! Hongmei was initially upset about being deceived and came back with me, angry and resentful. It was all fine until something changed. Later, when Hongmei went to the city to buy something, she insisted on seeing that pretty boy again, even though he had no proper job. I realized she was completely infatuated with him and didn’t see the reality. Old Wu and I knew it wasn’t a good match. Marrying into such a family is like stepping into a fire pit.”

Chen Xiangyun was surprised by the twists in the story, which reminded her of the old operas she had seen. “So, your injury was from stopping her from meeting that young man?”

Sister-in-law Wu murmured, “She’s been causing a fuss at home for nearly half a month. Old Wu and I haven’t given in. Who knew she would be so bold as to take some money and try to sneak off to the city? When I caught her, we had a scuffle, and I fell. Old Wu came back just in time to see me on the ground and was so furious he wanted to beat her.”

Chen Xiangyun clicked her tongue. “She deserved a beating. At that age, if she doesn’t understand reason, a beating might be necessary. If one beating isn’t enough, she should get a few more.”

Sister-in-law Wu agreed wholeheartedly. “She definitely needs to be disciplined. That girl is getting out of hand.”

Su Xi twitched her lips, deciding to remain neutral and not comment.

However, Sister-in-law Wu, as if struck by a brilliant idea, turned her head with effort to look at Su Xi, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Su Xi: “……” had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, Sister-in-law Wu smiled ingratiatingly. “Su Xi, can I ask you for a favor?”

Su Xi: “……” was not very keen on agreeing!