Chapter 32

Chen Xiaohong nudged Wang Liying, “What are you thinking about? I’ve been calling you for ages.”

Wang Liying naturally wouldn’t share her troubles with Chen Xiaohong. This person was the loudspeaker of the family compound. If she knew about it, it would spread throughout the entire family compound without having to wait until the next day.

She put on a forced smile, “Nothing. I just suddenly remembered that I forgot to send a letter home. I’ll talk to you later, I need to go cook. If Old Li comes back and finds that dinner isn’t ready, he’ll be mad at me again.”

He Shuiqing glanced at the clearly distracted Wang Liying and asked, “What’s wrong with her? She’s acting so strange. What did you say to her?”

Chen Xiaohong looked puzzled, “I don’t know what suddenly got into her. I didn’t say much. I just mentioned that I saw Xu Zhao’s wife on the way back and commented on how good-looking they were. I said Xu Zhao might have been attracted to her looks. What’s wrong with that?”

Their conversation had been going well, but suddenly Wang Liying’s mood changed, leaving Chen Xiaohong confused.

He Shuiqing leaned in eagerly and asked, “You also said Xu Zhao’s wife is good-looking. It seems they really are. Xu Zhao is universally recognized for his good looks, and if both he and his wife are good-looking, their future children will be very attractive.”

She liked good-looking people. Although her family was also from the countryside, her father was a team leader, and she was the youngest daughter with three older brothers. Since childhood, her parents had pampered her brothers. Her husband came from a poor background before joining the army. His father’s illness had depleted the family’s savings, and despite efforts, he couldn’t be saved. Her mother later remarried, leaving only her grandfather and her husband to depend on each other, surviving with help from the village. Only after her husband joined the army did their situation gradually improve.

When her husband returned home for a visit that year, she was immediately smitten. Her father was against it, saying he was from a poor family, and being a military wife would be difficult with rare meetings. She refused to listen and used all means to persuade her father, who eventually gave in.

Years have passed. Although her husband’s looks have faded due to the hard life, he still stands out compared to other men of the same age.

Chen Xiaohong rolled her eyes, “Why do you care if their children are good-looking? They’re not your children. Besides, being good-looking doesn’t mean you can eat more.”

He Shuiqing disagreed, “Of course it matters. Eating with good-looking people makes the meal more enjoyable, and I can eat an extra bowl.”

Chen Xiaohong’s expression remained indifferent, “I’d rather have an extra bowl of rice.”

He Shuiqing was left speechless, not wanting to continue the conversation.

After lunch, Jiang Leyun went for a nap.

Having slept well the previous night, Jiang Suishan wasn’t very tired. She sat in the living room on the first floor, mending one of Jiang Leyun’s shirts. She wasn’t sure how he had managed to tear a hole in the elbow area, which she noticed while doing laundry last night.

She casually asked Xu Zhao, “Do you have any clothes that need mending?”

Xu Zhao thought for a moment and replied, “I have a pair of pants that got torn by a branch.”

He brought down the torn pants.

Jiang Suishan cut the loose threads and inspected the repair. Fortunately, it didn’t look bad. Her sewing skills had improved.

“Do you mend your clothes yourself when they get torn?”

Xu Zhao looked at Jiang Suihan and replied, “What else would I do?”

He used to live alone and repaired his own clothes and socks. At first, his stitching was uneven and rough, like a caterpillar. But after numerous attempts, he got better and could manage a decent job.

This was the first time someone in the army had mended his clothes for him, and it felt pretty good.

Jiang Suihan realized she might have asked a rather pointless question and fell silent, quietly taking the pants from him.

Never mind, she should just focus on her work.

After a while, the pants were repaired, and she returned them, saying, “My craftsmanship is average, don’t despise me.”

Xu Zhao inspected the repair and said, “It’s quite good.”

Who would complain about someone mending their clothes? Xu Zhao wouldn’t be foolish enough to do that.

Jiang Suihan put away her needle and thread and mentioned their plans for the day after tomorrow: “Sister Wu said that the market day is the day after tomorrow. I want to buy some food and supplies for the house.”

The market in the brigade was quite far, and Xu Zhao worried that she might get tired walking there: “I’ll go with you the day after tomorrow.”

Jiang Suihan asked, “Aren’t you on leave tomorrow? How can you come with me the day after tomorrow?”

Xu Zhao explained, “I was injured on a previous mission, and the political commissar granted me a half-month leave. Since I haven’t used it all, I’ll take another day off the day after tomorrow.”

He already had leave, and taking an extra day off for a newlywed wasn’t a problem.

Jiang Suihan focused on the key point in his words: “You were injured before? Are you okay now?”

Xu Zhao didn’t want to worry her and casually said, “I’m fine now.”

He should have gone for a follow-up check at the hospital after returning to the army, but he had been too busy with other matters and forgot.

Jiang Suihan was skeptical: “Really, you’re okay now?”

She then remembered that he occasionally supported his shoulder and realized she hadn’t paid attention to it before, and he hadn’t mentioned it.

Xu Zhao assured her, “I’m really fine. If you don’t believe me, I’ll go to the hospital for a check-up this afternoon.”

Jiang Suihan glared at him, “Good, then we’ll go this afternoon. You shouldn’t ignore an injury. If I hadn’t asked, would you have just kept it to yourself and let it slide?”

Her fierce little expression was quite cute. Besides the political commissar, it had been a long time since anyone had dared to scold him like that.

Xu Zhao, feeling a bit guilty, rubbed his nose, “I didn’t think to mention it to you at the time. It wasn’t a big deal, and it was almost healed. I didn’t want to worry you.”

Jiang Suihan put her hands on her hips and looked at him seriously, “I won’t hold past things against you, but from now on, you mustn’t hide anything from me, understand?”

She could understand why Xu Zhao did it—he didn’t want his family to worry. But now they were a family, and such a significant matter as an injury shouldn’t be kept from her. She had to make him promise to be honest from now on.

Seeing his survival instinct kick in, Xu Zhao quickly agreed, “Okay, I’ll do as you say. I won’t hide anything from you in the future.”

He paused and added, “Just so you know, things related to the army can’t be shared outside. It’s not that I meant to keep it from you.”

Jiang Suishan responded grumpily, “I know, no need to explain. Oh, and have you checked on my younger brother’s schooling?”

It was better to get him into school early. Having something to do would keep him occupied and reduce the chances of getting into dangerous situations like climbing trees.

Xu Zhao replied, “Not yet. I’ll find someone to ask tomorrow. What happened with Lele?”

The sudden mention of her younger brother’s schooling made Xu Zhao wonder if Lele had done something to upset his sister.

Jiang Suishan couldn’t help but vent, “When you weren’t here, Lele was learning to climb trees. If he hadn’t let it slip, I would still be unaware. Climbing trees is dangerous—what if he falls and hurts his head? Do you think he’s too bold and I’ve been too lenient with him?”

He had guessed correctly.

Xu Zhao instinctively defended her younger brother, “Boys are naturally tough. I was very mischievous when I was young too, always climbing and playing with other kids, teasing cats and dogs. People and animals both found me annoying. But as you grow up, you naturally become more sensible. Don’t worry too much.”

Jiang Suihan stared at him with a bit of excitement, “You used to be annoying to both people and animals? Tell me more about how you climbed and played with animals.”

Xu Zhao awkwardly looked away, embarrassed to talk about his foolish childhood antics, “That was so long ago, over a decade. I don’t really remember. I’m thirsty, I’m going to get a drink.”

Jiang Suishan huffed as she watched him retreat. The abrupt change of topic had made the conversation awkward and uncomfortable.

After her nap, Jiang Leyun eagerly looked at the courtyard gate, thinking about finding his new friends to play with.

Jiang Suihan glanced at the scorching sun outside and thought it was more comfortable to stay indoors. However, she didn’t stop him. If the child wanted to go out, let him, but she reminded him not to do anything dangerous.

Jiang Leyun stuffed a few hard candies into his pocket and ran out happily.

After a while, Xu Zhao returned.

Seeing him come back sweating, Jiang Suihan poured him a glass of water and asked, “What did the doctor say?”

Xu Zhao took the glass and drank half of it, partially truthfully and partially not, “The doctor said the recovery is going well. Are you relieved now?”

The doctor who treated him had a bad temper and disliked patients who ignored medical advice. On seeing his wound, the doctor was upset, asking if he didn’t care about his shoulder. He had been warned to take good care of his injury, and seeing the wound again made it clear that it had reopened.

The doctor changed the bandages and instructed that he couldn’t do any heavy work for three days. Otherwise, the wound would keep reopening and healing, affecting his future life.

The doctor said, “I know soldiers think they’re invincible and that even serious injuries are minor, but I need to repeat myself. Training isn’t going anywhere, but your health is crucial. Proper healing is necessary to be able to do meaningful work. You young people are always impatient and lack patience.”

The doctor was an old military physician, stubborn but skilled and highly respected. Xu Zhao listened silently, responding only with “yes,” and was promptly ushered out after the doctor finished changing the bandages.

Jiang Suihan did not doubt him. “Help me kill the chicken.”

She planned to make chicken soup and potato stew with the chicken.

Without a word, Xu Zhao walked to the corner of the yard and picked up the chicken. Jiang Suihan went to the kitchen, fetched a knife, and handed it to him.

At first, he was a bit inexperienced, trying to figure out the best way to start. After a few seconds, he made a decisive cut on the chicken’s neck, and blood flowed everywhere.

However, the chicken didn’t die immediately. It flapped around in his hands and managed to escape.

Jiang Suihan was stunned and stood there frozen. “The chicken has run away!”

This is so embarrassing. I actually failed.