Chapter 36.2

Chen Xiuni’s expression changed slightly, and she said with some grievance, “Liying, you’ve misunderstood me. I didn’t mean it that way. Besides, I have no intention of teaching you a lesson. I’m just concerned that your disagreement with Xiao Jiang might affect our relationships, so I wanted to help. If you think I’m meddling, then I’ll stay out of it to avoid making you dislike me.”

Her intentions were genuinely to ease the tension between Wang Liying and Jiang Suihan. Jiang Suihan was new to the compound and young, while Wang Liying, as the older sister-in-law, was also impulsive. The situation was worrying.

Wang Liying pursed her lips, clearly displeased, “It’s better if you don’t get involved. I’m afraid that listening to you might escalate things from mere verbal sparring to a full-blown argument, like with Mrs. Cao. For everyone’s sake, it’s best if you stay out of it.”

With that, she was ready to leave immediately, not wanting to stay a second longer. Annoying.

Good intentions went awry—Chen Xiuni’s meddling had made everyone uncomfortable, and people preferred to avoid her rather than blame her, trying to keep their distance.

Chen Xiaohong, munching on melon seeds, said, “Alright, we know you meant well, but Liying doesn’t want your help. Let’s just leave it at that. If she doesn’t want it, we shouldn’t force it. It’s better for everyone.”

With Chen Xiaohong mediating, Chen Xiuni felt she had a way out. Her expression was a bit downcast as she said, “You’re right. Let them sort it out themselves. I’ll keep out of it to avoid making things worse.”

Chen Xiaohong wiped her hands on her clothes and added, “That’s the right attitude. Other people’s affairs aren’t worth sacrificing your own happiness. Isn’t that the point?”

Chen Xiuni glanced at Chen Xiaohong’s clothes and found her quite interesting. Comparing her figure with her three daughters, it seemed Chen Xiaohong’s words rang true—personal happiness was most important.

Having such a self-centered wife at home, Chen Xiaohong’s husband, Captain Li, must have his own thoughts on the matter.

So, things have soured?

Jiang Suihan raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but after sweeping the floor and putting the broom away in the corner of the courtyard, she happened to overhear their conversation. She didn’t expect Wang Liying’s dislike of Chen Xiuni, but Chen Xiaohong’s behavior surprised her. Though she seemed greedy and opportunistic, she had a touch of insightful simplicity.

In just two days in the compound, Jiang Suihan had a premonition that future troubles were likely.

In any era, more women meant more complications. Jiang Suihan decided to treat the compound residents as ordinary neighbors and focus on her own life.

She picked up the book she hadn’t finished yesterday and read for about half an hour. Feeling restless and bored, she decided she needed to find something to do.

She tore a piece of white paper and listed potential jobs. With the military planning to build a primary school, her qualifications might allow her to become a primary school teacher, so she checked that option. The military also had a hospital. Since she wasn’t trained in medicine, being a doctor was out of the question. There might be a chance to become a nurse, but it was uncertain, so she checked that as well. The cafeteria was unlikely, her cooking skills weren’t great, and many residents didn’t work, so she crossed that off.

Analyzing the options, she felt becoming a primary school teacher was the most feasible. Now, she just had to wait for the school to be built.

“Sister, is there any food? I’m so hungry,” Jiang Leyun said, returning from outside with a rumbling stomach. His face was relatively clean, but his hands were dirty, with grime under his nails.

Jiang Suihan lightly patted his head and put down her book, saying, “Oh no, I forgot to cook. Go make a cup of milk powder and have a couple of cookies to fill your stomach.”

Xu Zhao had left a note in the morning saying he wouldn’t need lunch as he would eat at the military cafeteria. Jiang Suihan took out the beans that Wu Guihua had given her yesterday, cleaned and cut them into small pieces, and planned to make scrambled eggs with beans.

She had bought nearly fifty eggs, enough to last for a while.

She also chopped up some sauerkraut and used hot water to quickly soften the vermicelli, preparing to make a simple sauerkraut vermicelli stir-fry.

With just the two of them at home, two dishes were enough.

Half an hour later, the food was ready.

Jiang Leyun glanced at the table and looked disappointed, “No meat.”

Jiang Suihan said tersely, “Where’s the meat for you to eat every day? It’s already good enough that you’re full. If you don’t want it, don’t eat. I won’t spoil you.”

The kid had been acting spoiled these days. Before Xu Zhao came to the Jiang family, the siblings had barely enough to eat, and meat was a rare luxury.

Jiang Leyun realized he had misspoken and shrank back, “Sorry, sister. I just said that casually. Please don’t take it to heart. You’re an adult, so don’t hold it against a kid like me.”

Jiang Suihan lifted her eyes, “Now you’re a kid? Weren’t you always flaunting yourself as the only man in our family? How come you’re so fickle now, more so than a young girl?”

He was a boy, not a delicate young girl.

What to do? Hard to argue with his sister.

Jiang Leyun felt the pressure of family ties and scooped a spoonful of the scrambled eggs with beans into his sister’s bowl, smiling ingratiatingly, “Sister, try it. I think your cooking skills are getting better and better. It smells so good.”

Jiang Suihan helplessly rubbed her forehead, feeling the kid had become too carefree and was no longer the polite Jiang family young master he once was.

“Stop buttering me up. Eat quickly and then go to your room and sleep.”

Jiang Leyun lowered his head, pursed his lips, and muttered to himself that women’s thoughts were really hard to understand—this is not okay, that is not okay. It’s better to be a man.

After lunch, the siblings enjoyed a quiet nap without any interruptions.

When they woke up, Jiang Suihan tidied up the house and continued reading the book she hadn’t finished in the morning. Noticing that it was almost time for dinner, she started preparing the meal.

The ham that Zhang Xiangqian had brought last night smelled delicious when she opened it. She cut a small portion to make ham and scrambled eggs, saving the rest for another time.

Glancing at her watch, it was nearly six o’clock. She thought Xu Zhao should be back by now. Just then, she saw him standing at the door.

Xu Zhao handed her a lunchbox. “The cafeteria had braised pork tonight, so I brought a portion back.”

Jiang Suihan looked inside, a little surprised. “Your cafeteria has such good food? Lele was just complaining this afternoon about wanting meat. If he knew, he’d be over the moon.”

Xu Zhao walked over to the water tank, scooped some water into a basin, and bent down to splash his face with the cold water, which instantly cooled his flushed skin.

Seeing his rough way of washing his face, Jiang Suihan couldn’t help but laugh. “You’d be better off using a towel. You can’t get your face clean like that.”

Xu Zhao casually wiped his face and ruffled his hair. “No need, this way is refreshing.”

Jiang Suihan asked, “Was work busy today?”

Remembering his previous injury, although he had been checked at the hospital and it was nothing serious, she was still a bit concerned.

Xu Zhao emptied the basin of dirty water. “Not too bad. I was in the office all day and didn’t go out for training.”

The political commissar was worried that his injury hadn’t fully healed and advised him to take a few more days off from training.

Jiang Suihan was relieved. She looked toward the door and said, “It’s almost dinner time. Where’s Lele? I’ll go find him.”

After making new friends, Lele was always eager to play outside and would stay out until he was starving before coming home.

Since school hadn’t started yet, Jiang Suihan didn’t mind letting him play. She hoped he enjoyed himself, but when school started, he would have to finish his homework before playing.

Xu Zhao offered, “I’ll go.”

Jiang Suihan agreed and went back to the kitchen, worried that the soup might boil dry if she didn’t keep an eye on it.

Xu Zhao followed the sound and found the group of children. Captain Zhao ‘s youngest son was carrying a wooden gun, with one eye closed and the other open, making “bang bang” sounds. He was followed by five or six boys of similar age, sneaking around.

“Report, enemy spotted.”

Zhao Xiaojun asked, “Where’s the enemy? Let me, General, lead you all into battle. Charge!”

And then Xu Zhao was surrounded by a bunch of little rascals.

Jiang Leyun scratched the back of his head, grinning widely. “Brother-in-law, what are you doing here?”

Xu Zhao said, “Your sister made dinner. It’s time to go home and eat.”

Jiang Leyun turned to Zhao Xiaojun. “Brother Xiaojun, I’m going home to eat now.”

Zhao Xiaojun replied, “Okay, we’ll play a bit longer.”

As long as he hadn’t heard his mother’s loud voice calling him home for dinner, he could play a few more minutes.

On the way home, Jiang Leyun excitedly talked to Xu Zhao about the day’s play. “Brother Xiaojun had a gun. He’s the general, so we all follow him. I played the enemy twice today. I wasn’t fast enough and got caught. Next time, I’ll run faster.”

The wooden gun Zhao Xiaojun had was made by his father. Captain Zhao had learned some woodworking skills from a carpenter when he was young. When Zhao Xiaojun saw other kids with wooden guns, he asked his father for one. Captain Zhao spent two days making a small wooden gun, which made Zhao Xiaojun overjoyed. He played with it every day.

Every boy dreams of being a soldier, and Jiang Leyun envied Zhao Xiaojun’s wooden gun. Although he didn’t dare to ask Xu Zhao for one, despite his kindness, he felt uncomfortable asking for more. Having experienced family upheavals, he was sensitive and didn’t want to trouble others.

He cherished his current life, with his sister and brother-in-law, and was happy with their family.

Xu Zhao saw through his little brother-in-law’s thoughts and said, “I’ll get you a better one later.”

Jiang Leyun’s eyes widened with excitement, and he looked up at Xu Zhao with sparkling eyes. “Really?”

A gift better than a wooden gun? Maybe a toy car or an airplane?

Xu Zhao teased, “I can’t tell you yet. It’s not ready.”

Jiang Leyun wasn’t disappointed and cheerfully ran around Xu Zhao.

Xu Zhao smiled, thinking that children’s happiness is quite simple.