Chapter 58

Ruan Mingfu had been in the military for so long, but it was her first time in their office.

A young soldier led her to a door and knocked lightly. “Reporting. Sister-in-law Ruan has arrived.”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

Every time she heard that title, she felt older.

The office door was open, but standing in front of it didn’t allow her to see inside. However, she could see the opposite side of the room with a cabinet full of files, some areas of which were peeling paint. There were a few chairs by the door, seemingly salvaged from somewhere, with intricate carvings.

They looked unusual and out of place in the otherwise simple office.

Did the military personnel go crazy from poverty and scavenge from the dump?

She didn’t have to wait long. “Come in.”

The soldier looked at Ruan Mingfu. “Sister-in-law, the commander asks you to go in.”

She went in and found Xie Yanzhao in the office as well.

Relieved, she settled down.

Old Gu greeted her with a warm smile. “Comrade Ruan has arrived. Please, have a seat.”

She had met him before.

The first time they met, she saw him scolding her husband furiously. The second time was a visit to his home, where he was no longer as fierce and much friendlier.

But that was at home.

In the serious environment of the office, Ruan Mingfu felt somewhat uneasy.

She reflected on her recent actions.

She should… probably, hopefully, not have done anything too wrong?

Ruan Mingfu sat beside Xie Yanzhao, looking at him for reassurance. He only gave her a comforting look in return.

Old Gu came out of the office, grinning widely.

He picked up the tea leaves on the table, then put them back down, and turned to glare at Xie Yanzhao.

“Your wife is here, and you don’t even know how to make tea. Can’t you be more perceptive?” When he turned back to Ruan Mingfu, Old Gu’s face was once again a cheerful smile. “Comrade Ruan, don’t be nervous. We’re just having a casual chat.”

Xie Yanzhao gave Old Gu a glance and calmly made a cup of tea, placing it in front of Ruan Mingfu.

Old Gu looked at the empty space on the table. “… What about mine?”

“I’m not very perceptive.”

Old Gu: “…”

If it weren’t for Ruan Mingfu being here, he would have let Xie Yanzhao know just who was in charge.

Old Gu shot him another glare and turned back to Ruan Mingfu.

“Comrade Ruan, are you getting used to life here?”

“Used to it,” not understanding his intentions, Ruan Mingfu could only follow his lead. “The family compound is great, and the sisters-in-law are very warm.”

Having lived there for a while, she was long accustomed to it.

Old Gu sat up straight. “That’s wonderful.”

“The family compound is the rear of the entire military district. Only with a stable rear can we focus on the battle. Don’t you agree?”

“Of course.”

Xie Yanzhao placed another cup of tea in front of Old Gu. “If you have something to say, just say it directly. No need to beat around the bush.”

Old Gu: “…”

The atmosphere he had worked so hard to create was ruined by this annoying kid.

He was angry!

If it weren’t for Ruan Mingfu being here, Old Gu would have kicked this kid out.

“Yes,” Ruan Mingfu glanced at Xie Yanzhao, “Old Leader, if you have something to discuss, just go ahead.”

She had a pot of soup still simmering and was unsure how it was doing.

“Well,” Old Gu cleared his throat, his face a bit embarrassed, “Comrade Ruan, you know how tough it is for military families. Many of them are living on a tight budget.”

“I was wondering if your brother could set up a factory nearby…”

At his age, discussing such matters was quite embarrassing.

Seeing that Ruan Mingfu didn’t show any signs of disapproval, Old Gu continued, “Don’t worry, as long as your brother is willing, he won’t have to worry about anything. Our headquarters will handle it and make sure it’s implemented.”

One hundred million…

Although he couldn’t keep it all to himself, the other party’s sister was from their military region after all, so he should be able to get a share of the spoils.

If these military wives could be employed, the military could finally breathe easier.

They had also looked into Qi Yangyan’s background.

Although he lived in Hong Kong City, he was a truly patriotic businessman. When his ancestors were young, they took out most of their property to support them in the war.

Old Gu had received reports about Ruan Mingfu’s brother. He was indeed wealthy, with an initial investment of a thousand just for a small farm.

When Old Gu heard this, he nearly threw his back out.

Confirming repeatedly, he immediately called a meeting at the headquarters. However, those old coots were all crafty, pushing him out alone when it came to asking for money.

Damn!

If it weren’t for the military district’s development, Old Gu would have already thrown in the towel.

“Old Leader, I’m not thinking only of our military district,” seeing Old Gu’s hopeful expression, Ruan Mingfu felt a bit uncomfortable. “I don’t have a say in the investment matters. But my brother will come over in a few days. How about I introduce you two then?”

Ruan Mingfu didn’t think it was a big deal.

Her brother was rich enough to invest a million without batting an eye.

Moreover, those military wives were indeed having a tough time.

If she could help, she would.

“Comrade Ruan, that’s enough.”

Old Gu slapped his thigh, his voice booming.

He hadn’t expected Ruan Mingfu to take on the whole thing, just to make an introduction. After the phone call, the foreign department would likely send someone over.

Those sly foxes would squeeze every bit out of you.

By the time, they might not even get a drop of soup!

“The arrangement of the family compound is crucial,” Old Gu, after his excitement, began to feel despondent. “Our soldiers fight valiantly, but can we allow them to suffer as well? It’s just that we’re also facing difficulties.”

Ruan Mingfu understood his meaning.

“Don’t worry, Old Leader. I will definitely talk to my brother.”

“… That’s not exactly what I meant.”

At the final moment, Old Gu still hesitated.

“Are you done?” Xie Yanzhao interrupted Old Gu impatiently. “We need to get going.”

Old Gu: “…”

You scoundrel!

He held it in and held it in but couldn’t keep it any longer. Pointing at the door, he glared at Xie Yanzhao. “Get out!”

Xie Yanzhao swiftly pulled Ruan Mingfu away.

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

Impressive.

Xie Yanzhao escorted her to the door. “You go back first. I still have some things to handle.”

“Okay.”

She glanced back at Xie Yanzhao, who stood behind her.

The dog man stood tall, hands in pockets, his dark eyes fixed on her. Ruan Mingfu’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t help but turn away.

The dog man standing in the sun is surprisingly pleasing to the eye.

Damn it!

She had to admit, even though the man had a fierce demeanor, he still had some charm about him.

She took a few more steps but then remembered something.

“Sister-in-law is coming to our house for dinner today. You can ask Xu Zhu to come along.”

Xie Yanzhao agreed with a nod. “Go ahead.”

…

Recent heavy rains had caused a lot of weeds to grow in the vegetable patch. Today, Ruan Mingfu and Gu Yilin were clearing the weeds from the radish bed.

Gu Yilin pulled up a handful of weeds. “Let’s make another radish dish today.”

She smacked her lips, seemingly still savoring the flavor of the dish.

The plastic friend man’s cooking was quite good.

He had cut some dried chili peppers, added garlic to the hot oil, and simply stir-fried it with pork fat—it smelled incredibly delicious.

“Alright.”

Ruan Mingfu stood up. “You pick the small ones.”

Remembering what had happened earlier, Ruan Mingfu felt a bit embarrassed.

She had pulled up the large radishes without realizing it was an issue until she saw Hu Wanning doing it and had to ask.

Gu Yilin picked through the radishes, selecting many that she liked.

“I want a garden like this too,” she said, hands on her hips as she looked at the vegetable patch, “with vegetables planted like this.”

Even though her family had a standalone house too.

Her mother’s fussy ways were quite similar to Ruan Mingfu’s.

The nice garden had been covered with stone slabs; not only could she not grow vegetables there, but even the hoe would spark on it.

“It’s simple. You can just buy one in the future.”

“Can you buy one here?”

“…You’re dreaming.”

The family compound for military personnel was not open to outsiders. Even though Qi Yangyan was her real brother, because of his sensitive status, Ruan Mingfu didn’t dare to be too close to him in public.

Even though they were about to collaborate, the military wouldn’t allow him to enter the military district.

After meeting him, Ruan Mingfu went to the army to report immediately.

She was always worried that because of her relationship with him, Xie Yanzhao would come home and eat her…

“Hmph! If not, I’ll just have my dad build one for me.”

She must own a beautiful and comfortable house like this!

Ruan Mingfu patted her waist, tossing the weeds aside. In a month or two, under the effects of nature, they would turn into natural fertilizer.

Just as she was about to call Gu Yilin inside, she noticed a corner of a piece of clothing sticking out from the gate.

Ruan Mingfu frowned.

In broad daylight, in a family compound, could someone be causing trouble?

She picked up a stick nearby and quietly approached. Seeing her, Gu Yilin also wisely fell silent.

At the gate, as Ruan Mingfu was about to strike with the stick, she saw a familiar, frail figure.

“Tiezhu, what are you doing here?”

She threw the stick aside, staring at the visitor in surprise.

Tiezhu stood up awkwardly, “Sorry, sorry. I’ll leave right away.”

He thought Ruan Mingfu was here to chase him away.

Some people in the family compound were very particular about having ragged individuals near their doors, believing it would affect the place’s fortune. Tiezhu didn’t know that and didn’t dare to ask.

Later, he had squatted in a corner by the wall, hoping no one would drive him away.

But today, after working all day, he was tired and hungry, and didn’t notice he had ended up at someone’s front door.

“Wait!”

Ruan Mingfu stopped him, noticing the bruises on his arms and legs.

“Did your stepmother hit you again?”

Tiezhu’s eyes filled with fear as he thought of his stepmother’s fat body and fierce face… He nodded halfway before quickly shaking his head.

“No, my stepmother didn’t hit me.”

Noticing Ruan Mingfu’s gaze, he hid his hands behind his back. Unable to hide his legs in torn shorts, he moved backward, hoping Ruan Mingfu wouldn’t see them.

But the large bruises were visible, and Ruan Mingfu was not blind.

He tried to cover up, saying, “This… I just fell.”

Ruan Mingfu looked at him and sighed.

“Tiezhu, help me clear the weeds in the vegetable patch, and I’ll give you two steamed buns. How does that sound?”

“Huh?”

“What do you mean ‘huh’?” Ruan Mingfu snapped. “Are you going or not?”

“…Okay.”

Tiezhu looked at the clean and beautiful garden, feeling embarrassed about his dirty feet. Seeing Ruan Mingfu had already gone inside, he hurried to follow.

Gu Yilin, observing the shabby Tiezhu, nudged Ruan Mingfu.

“What’s going on?”