Chapter 16 Lucky Bunny

The people around overheard the conversation between Jiang Qingzhou and Mrs. Han and couldn’t help but show looks of disdain. Quietly, they started pointing and whispering to each other.

“Deputy Commander Jiang is only 26, and his salary is more than enough to support his young wife. But look at her son—38 years old and still a battalion commander. With that salary, supporting a family of six, plus taking care of his unmarried younger sister? There’s just no way it’s enough!”

Mrs. Han, red-faced and embarrassed from the whispers, slunk away awkwardly.

After lunch, Xie Xiuying came into the courtyard, bustling in with her two children. The little ones were like playful deer; the moment they saw Fang Yingyue, their eyes lit up, and they ran over, clustering around her. Fang Yingyue was instantly warmed by their enthusiasm and smiled brightly, handing them a handful of White Rabbit candies.

“Thank you, Aunt Fang!”

Xie Xiuying watched with a tender gaze and teased, “Yingyue, see how much the kids like you! I think you and Xiao Jiang should hurry up and have a child too.”

Fang Yingyue’s cheeks flushed red at the comment.

Remembering the main reason for her visit, Xie Xiuying took Fang Yingyue’s hand. “Yingyue, I came today to help you find a job. As the women’s director, I also handle affairs for military wives. I wanted to ask if you’ve thought about work yet?”

“Xie Aunt, are there suitable positions available?”

Xie Xiuying clapped her hands excitedly. “Of course! I have two positions that would suit you. One is an art teacher at the island elementary school. The other is in the military’s publicity department, writing articles and planning promotional activities. Don’t rush to decide—discuss with Xiao Jiang and choose what feels best.”

“Thank you so much, Aunt Xie! I’ll talk it over with Qingzhou and let you know right away.”

Soon after, Xie Xiuying left with her two children. Fang Yingyue, holding a piece of candy, walked slowly to a chair and sat down.

In the evening, Jiang Qingzhou returned carrying bamboo he had cut from the back hill, planning to build more trellises for melon vines while the weather was clear.

“Qingzhou, come here, I want to tell you something,” Fang Yingyue said. Jiang Qingzhou wiped the sweat from his brow and sat beside her. Fang Yingyue recounted everything Xie Xiuying had told her about the job opportunities.

“The school is not too far, but it’s a 30-minute walk. On the plus side, there are winter and summer breaks. The publicity department is just ten minutes away inside the camp, with more flexible hours, handling writing and planning for the troops.”

Fang Yingyue nodded, weighing the pros and cons in her mind, and decided to choose the publicity department closer to home.

On Monday, she went early to meet Xie Xiuying and confirmed her choice. Jiang Qingzhou’s leave had just ended.

“That’s good—you can even come home for lunch. I’ll speak to them and take you to register tomorrow,” Xie Xiuying said. Fang Yingyue thanked her and started back home.

On the way, she ran into Liu Jin Hua, who greeted her warmly.

“Yingyue, going up the mountain?”

“Yes, Aunt Liu. I’ll grab a basket and be right back.” She ran home quickly.

The group headed up the mountain. Liu Jin Hua walked beside Fang Yingyue, lowering her voice into “gossip mode.”

“See that one walking with a swaying waist? That’s Lin Shishi from the Fourth Regiment. The one in the red jacket is Wu Liuzhi from the Third Regiment, living across from you—they’re always at odds. The two beside Wu Liuzhi are battalion commander’s wives. And that youngest-looking one with the big belly is Su Mingyue from the Sixth Regiment, with her mother, Aunt Huang, next to her.” She gestured with her hand. “Su Mingyue is 12 years younger than Commander Xu. The woman walking angrily, scolding along the way, is Commander Zhu’s mother, Mrs. Han. She doesn’t get along with her daughter-in-law, always complaining that she didn’t have a son, only three daughters. The soft-natured daughter-in-law is like a quail. The one dressed up fancily is Mrs. Han’s unmarried daughter, 25, looking to marry well in the army. Mrs. Han once fancied Commander Xu of the Sixth Regiment, thinking he was young, talented, and parentless. At 32, single, she hoped her daughter could marry him, live well, and still care for her own son. But Commander Xu came back from a mission and reported he was marrying someone else—it made Mrs. Han furious, and she couldn’t eat for days. Now, he’s here with his new wife in the military. She’s delicate, but nice.”

Fang Yingyue listened intently as they reached the mountaintop, rich with produce. She noticed clusters of small fruit in the trees.

“Aunt Liu, what’s this?”

“These are pitanga berries. Not ripe yet—they’ll be ready around April or May. They’ll fall all over the ground, and nobody picks them. They’re a bit sweet and juicy, but most people don’t like them.”

Her sharp eyes also spotted wild strawberries, and she excitedly picked enough to fill half a basket.

“These are really sour,” Liu Jin Hua warned. Then she taught Fang Yingyue how to identify wild vegetables, and Fang Yingyue collected a good amount.

Next, they turned to the right hill in search of mushrooms. Suddenly, a rabbit dashed in front of Fang Yingyue and collided with a tree, instantly fainting. Shocked, she muttered, “Why is this rabbit so dumb?” and tied it up with some grass.

Liu Jin Hua came over. “Oh, it’s a rabbit! Hide it so they don’t see—it’ll cause a fuss. I’ve been here a long time and never seen anyone catch a rabbit.”

“Caught it? It ran into a tree and died on its own,” Fang Yingyue said.

Liu Jin Hua quickly placed the wild strawberries on top, hid the rabbit at the bottom of the basket, covered it with cloth, and then put the vegetables on top.

By noon, everyone descended the mountain. Mrs. Han saw Fang Yingyue’s full basket and sneered sarcastically, “Oh, what treasures did you pick to fill it up?” She reached to rummage through it, saw the wild strawberries, and frowned. “Picking these sour things—what a waste.”

Fang Yingyue opened her hands defensively. “I like them; mind your own business.” Mrs. Han fell silent.

Back home, Fang Yingyue washed the wild strawberries in a basin, planning to make jam. Jiang Qingzhou returned from lunch, noticing the wild vegetables on the floor and the strawberries in the basin.

“Went to the back hill?” he asked.

“Yes, with everyone. It was safe.”

“Eat first, then I’ll handle it,” he said.

Fang Yingyue ran to the kitchen, picked up the rabbit, and said embarrassedly, “Can you deal with this? I don’t know how.”

“Caught it?”

She shook her head. “I chased it, and it ran into a tree and died. I guess I found it.”

“That counts. Alright, let’s eat. Tonight we cook ourselves.”

“Okay.”

As evening fell, the courtyard glowed in the sunset. Jiang Qingzhou busied himself in the kitchen while Fang Yingyue assisted. They occasionally exchanged smiles, filling the home with warmth and coziness.