Chapter 37: You Again

Shen Huaixu was surprised that Tang Xiaorou knew medicine, but saving someone was a good thing, so he praised her.

Tang Xiaorou smiled. “It’s nothing.  A doctor wouldn’t stand by and watch someone die.” She changed the subject to the family quarters. “Since we have the house, I’ll clean it tomorrow.”

Qin Xueqiong said, “I’ll go too.”

Xiaoyan and Xiaoliang raised their hands. “We’ll go too!”

Shen Huaixu said, “I’ll clean the house.”

“Xiaoshen, you’ll be busy alone.  With so many of us, we’ll finish quickly.  You’re so busy, don’t worry about this.”

Shen Huaixu didn’t insist. “Mom, thank you for your help.”

“You’re welcome.”

Qin Xueqiong smiled and asked about Shen Huaixu’s family. “Xiaoshen, does your family know you got married?”

“Yes, I contacted them and told them about the wedding.”

Qin Xueqiong was relieved.  Even if Shen Huaixu married quickly for the children, telling his family showed his seriousness.  The marriage was real. “Then, when we have a chance, our families should meet.”

“Mom, we’ll definitely meet. When I have leave, I’ll have my parents come, or we’ll go to Beijing.” Shen Huaixu had considered this.  The families needed to meet to avoid awkward encounters.

“Okay, we’ll wait until your next leave.”

Qin Xueqiong agreed readily.

Grandma Yao remained quiet, observing Shen Huaixu. He was handsome and well-mannered, a good young man. However, as husband and wife, they seemed unusually distant.

But she didn’t think much of it. They had just gotten married after their second meeting.  It was natural for them to be reserved.  They would develop their relationship gradually. “I won’t interfere. Bingcheng can help with the cleaning.”

“Okay, Grandma, I’ll definitely help clean.”

After making arrangements, they chatted. After dinner, Shen Huaixu took them back to the guesthouse.

“Shen Huaixu, go rest. We’ll clean tomorrow. You can wait for us at the gate.” Tang Xiaorou saw Shen Huaixu was tired. He had just finished a mission and then met them. He hadn’t rested properly.

Shen Huaixu nodded. “Okay, I’ll wait for you at the gate at eight tomorrow morning.” He said goodbye to Xiaoliang and Xiaoyan.

“Bye, Dad.”

The children were reluctant to let Shen Huaixu go, but they were closer to Tang Xiaorou and Qin Xueqiong.

Seeing this, Shen Huaixu knew Tang Xiaorou and her mother had taken good care of them. “Goodbye.”

After Shen Huaixu left, Grandma Yao looked at Tang Xiaorou. “Xiaorou has good taste. Shen Huaixu is a good young man.”

Qin Xueqiong agreed. “Yes, Xiaorou has excellent judgment. Huaixu is handsome and has good character.”

Tang Xiaorou smiled at their praise. “I’m also excellent. Shen Huaixu is lucky to have a wife like me.”

“Hahaha…”

Grandma Yao laughed. “Yes, Xiaorou is excellent. Shen Huaixu is lucky to have you.”

Qin Xueqiong smiled at her confident daughter.

The next morning, Shen Huaixu brought breakfast to the guesthouse. After breakfast, Grandma Yao stayed behind, and the others went to clean the family quarters.

“Commander Shen, who are they?”

The residents of the family quarters were curious to see Shen Huaixu with so many people.

Shen Huaixu introduced them.  “This is my wife, Tang Xiaorou.” He then introduced Qin Xueqiong and the others.  The residents knew Xiaoliang and Xiaoyan were Old Cui’s children from Shen Huaixu’s unit, now adopted by him.

“So, Xiaorou will be moving here with the two children?”

Tang Xiaorou nodded confidently. “Yes, please take care of us, sisters.”

“Of course! We’ll help each other. Just ask if you need anything,” the military wives said warmly.

After Tang Xiaorou and the others left, the wives gossiped.

“I heard she’s from the countryside. She’s really thin and small.”

“Yeah, she’s average-looking, not a match for Commander Shen.  And she even brought her mother! Will she always bring her mother?”

“Who knows?  Commander Shen might end up supporting her whole family.  He already has two children to raise.”

A tall, thin military wife showed discontent. “Commander Shen is really something. Even with two children, many women would marry him. I wanted to introduce my niece to him, but he got married without a word.”

The other two wives quietly stepped back.

The outspoken wife was Li Meilian. Although from the city, she had five sisters and a brother living in a cramped apartment building. 

Their family was poor. If she hadn’t married, she’d still be living there. Her brother was spoiled and jobless. His daughter didn’t even finish elementary school.  It’s no wonder Shen Huaixu wouldn’t be interested in her.

“Sister Li, we have something to do. We’ll go back first.”

Meanwhile, Shen Huaixu took everyone to their assigned quarters.

“Huaixu, go ahead if you’re busy. We’ve got this.”

Shen Huaixu did have things to do. He nodded. “Mom, I’ll go. I’ll bring lunch later, and I’ll prepare something for Grandma Yao.”

Qin Xueqiong smiled. “Okay, go ahead.”

After Shen Huaixu left, Tang Xiaorou and Qin Xueqiong cleaned the room. Xiaoliang and Xiaoyan played, and Yao Bingcheng helped carry heavy items.

After a busy morning, the yard was tidy, but the room wasn’t finished.

“Mom, Xiaorou, lunch is ready.”

Shen Huaixu brought lunch and called them to eat.

Xiaoliang and Xiaoyan ran over. “Dad, we helped too!”

“Yes, we…pulled…weeds…” Xiaoyan nodded.

Tang Xiaorou smiled and asked, “Did you take food to Grandma Yao?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Okay.”

Shen Huaixu put down the food and called everyone to eat.  Suddenly, a surprised voice came from outside. “Commander Shen, you chose this yard! We’ll be neighbors!”

Tang Xiaorou raised an eyebrow and turned to see a familiar face.

Lu Shan saw Tang Xiaorou and shrieked, “You… it’s you again! What are you doing here?!” She never expected to see Tang Xiaorou again. That woman had humiliated her on the train, and now they were neighbors.

Shen Huaixu looked at Tang Xiaorou in surprise. “Do you know each other?”

Tang Xiaorou shook her head. “No, just a brief encounter.”

Lu Shan looked at Tang Xiaorou and then Shen Huaixu.  She remembered the rumors she’d heard and pointed at Tang Xiaorou. “You… you’re Commander Shen’s new wife?”

Seeing Lu Shan’s shocked expression, Tang Xiaorou smiled. “Yes. Let me reintroduce myself. I’m Tang Xiaorou, Shen Huaixu’s wife.”