Chapter 22: The Big Color TV

Early the next morning, before Chen Yufeng even got out of bed, she heard Political Instructor Wang Shuya chatting with Han Chao next door.

“Do you really think the accidental gun discharge was caused by Ma Shangbei?” Instructor Wang asked.

“There’s no one else it could be,” Han Chao replied. “How’s Platoon Leader Song? Has his fever gone down?”

Instructor Wang sighed. “Not yet. If this continues, he might suffer brain damage.”

“His wife is about to give birth. Stay at the hospital and make sure the doctors do everything they can,” Han Chao said.

At the mention of the name Ma Shangbei, Chen Yufeng’s ears perked up.

She knew that name well—it belonged to Zhang Yanli’s eldest son from her previous marriage. In the novel, Ma Shangbei would enlist in the Hong Kong garrison two years later.

But for some reason, Han Chao had relentlessly pursued him, eventually having him thrown into a military prison.

The details were unclear to Chen Yufeng.

But she did know that Han Chao didn’t return home for two years because of this incident, and Wang Guoguo had committed suicide. He never got to see his mother one last time before she died.

“Brother, did something happen at the camp?” Chen Yufeng asked.

Han Chao was rushing to work, and the affairs of the battalion weren’t something he could discuss with her. He accepted the warm cornbread she handed him and then passed her a completed lawsuit document, saying:

“What exactly do you want to request? Do you want the military district to return the artifacts and reclaim the Daqingshan Wholesale Market?”

He had finished drafting the complaint last night.

Chen Yufeng took the document and glanced at it. Then she looked at her husband again.

This man had been a terrible student as a child, and his handwriting had always been a mess. She had assumed this was just a draft and that she would have to copy it over herself.

But after seven years apart, his calligraphy had become sharp and commanding, yet neat and dignified—truly beautiful.

“Add one more thing,” Chen Yufeng said. “Not only should the military district reclaim the Daqingshan Wholesale Market, but they should also confiscate all profits Chen Fanshi made from its operation and use them to support military infrastructure.”

Han Chao gave his wife a long, searching look. “Are you sure?” This was practically a complete asset seizure.

And yet, as a child, she had once loved Chen Fanshi deeply.

“I’m sure. Add it, Brother,” Chen Yufeng said.

Han Chao swiftly added the clause and then said, “Tomorrow is the weekend. I’ll definitely come home in the evening.”

After all, he couldn’t just keep letting her sing “Brother, you’re not human, you left your sister so heartlessly.”

Chen Yufeng remained silent as Tiantian saw her father off. She gazed at Han Chao with eyes full of love, as if it was about to overflow.

When Han Chao was younger and sneaked out to cause trouble, he would often pass by Chen Yufeng’s house. Back then, she would also hide behind the door and smile at him like this.

Of course, if it weren’t for Chen Yufeng in Guihua Town, Han Chao would have long turned into a good-for-nothing hooligan, likely beaten to death on the streets.

Chen Yufeng sealed the lawsuit document inside an envelope, ready to send it out once her father arrived with the money. She wouldn’t mail it until she had the funds in hand. Demanding that the military district recover twelve years’ worth of profits from the Daqingshan Wholesale Market was no different from seizing all of Chen Fanshi’s assets. But she had no intention of backing down—she was determined to see this through.

In the book, when she was pregnant with her second child, she hid at Han Chao’s house to give birth, fearing that the military district would find out and discharge Han Chao.

She had a difficult labor, but if she had been taken to the hospital for a C-section in time, she could have been saved.

However, to save money, Chen Fanshi sent her to a small clinic for delivery. When complications arose, he hesitated and delayed, only taking her to a major hospital when it was too late. By the time she was on the operating table, it was already over.

It wasn’t that he deliberately wanted his daughter dead, but he was always hesitant, always weighing his own interests first.

Simply put—selfish. Incredibly selfish. And he would never reflect on his actions.

Today was Saturday, the day to pick up the television. The preschool class was on break, so she had to take both daughters with her.

Technically, she should have gone to the logistics department at the regimental headquarters to collect the TV.

But she decided to go a little farther, straight to the division headquarters’ logistics department. The reason? There was a young girl named Xu Min at the regimental logistics office—Zhang Yanli’s niece, and a known admirer of Han Chao. According to the book, Xu Min would use this opportunity to make things difficult for her.

By going to the division headquarters instead, she could also take a look at the family housing complex for officers at the division level.

The logistics department was set up near the family quarters to ensure supply convenience for military families.

The buildings here were twenty stories tall and had elevators. It was said that they had central heating and in-unit hot water, allowing residents to take warm showers at home. The ground floor had a barbershop, library, hardware store, and more—everything needed for daily life was within reach.

The novel’s male lead, Zhang Songtao, worked in the division logistics department. As soon as Chen Yufeng stepped into the office, she ran into him.

Zhang Songtao didn’t recognize her, but they had met just a few days prior. He said, “You’re the comrade who was asking about the restaurant last time, right? So you’re Han Chao’s wife? Let me introduce myself—I’m Zhang Songtao from the logistics department.”

“Nice to meet you, Director Zhang,” Chen Yufeng said.

“I know you. You’re from Guihua Town, same as my wife. Oh, and I also know your father—he’s quite the celebrity in our military district. Commander Luo loves playing chess with him; says his skills are top-notch,” Zhang Songtao added.

“That’s nice,” Chen Yufeng replied flatly.

Zhang Songtao personally led her to the warehouse. As they walked, he said, “I really wanted my wife to take over that restaurant, but she’s set on doing fashion instead. She’s already invested over ten thousand yuan—who knows if it’ll work out?”

“She was always capable, even as a child. I’m sure she’ll succeed,” Chen Yufeng said.

“Let’s hope so.” Zhang Songtao glanced back and noticed Mimi and Tiantian. He sighed, “These little girls are dressed so neatly. They look adorable—so fair and clean.”

“Hello, Uncle,” the two girls greeted in unison.

Zhang Songtao had recently married Qi Cailing, and she was good to his two sons. Still, he couldn’t shake a certain feeling—his wife treated his children well and treated him well, but…

She had taken ten thousand yuan from him to start her business, with no results so far. Naturally, that meant she had little time for household matters. He had stopped expecting her to cook or do laundry. Every day, she took the boys out to eat, feeding them canned food, candy, and soda. They were at the age where their baby teeth were falling out, but at this rate, their permanent teeth would rot before they even grew in.

Overall, she was a great stepmother.

Too great.

…

After personally helping Chen Yufeng carry the television out of the warehouse, Zhang Songtao asked, “By the way, are you still interested in renting that restaurant? If you are, I can give you some advice.”

Chen Yufeng certainly wanted the restaurant, but she had to settle her lawsuit with Chen Fanshi first.

“I’d like to, but I don’t have the money or the right conditions yet,” she said.

Zhang Songtao, being the novel’s male lead, was bold and generous. He said, “That restaurant is meant to be a private gathering spot for the officers. The ten-thousand-yuan deposit is just a formality. What really matters is getting the leadership’s approval. If they like you, they’ll rent it to you.

Han Chao has been butting heads with Commander Luo lately. If he apologizes and humbles himself, and you go ask for the favor, Commander Luo might just agree to let you have it.”

“My husband is at odds with Commander Luo?” Chen Yufeng was surprised.

The idea of her husband clashing with the military district’s commanding officer was rather unsettling.

As a man, Zhang Songtao knew that husbands often kept certain matters from their wives. But regarding Han Chao’s conflict with Commander Luo, he felt it necessary to explain.

“There’s a soldier named Ma Shangbei—good build, great physical fitness, a solid candidate. The garrison in Hong Kong is selecting personnel right now, and Commander Luo wants Ma Shangbei to go. But Han Chao is holding onto him and refusing to let him leave,” Zhang Songtao explained.

So it was because of Ma Shangbei again.

And Ma Shangbei… was destined to go to military prison in the future.

This meant that, while Han Chao might be defying leadership now, one day, they would realize he was right all along. Otherwise, Ma Shangbei wouldn’t end up in a military prison.

“I’ll think about it,” Chen Yufeng replied.

Just then, a chubby little boy entered the logistics office, sucking on his injured finger and crying, “Daddy!”

“Dawa, what happened to your hand? Where’s your mom? Isn’t she home?” Zhang Songtao asked.

This was his eldest son, Dawa.

Blood dripped from the boy’s finger. Zhang Songtao reached into his pocket and found only a dirty handkerchief, which he pulled out to press against the wound.

Before he could do so, Chen Yufeng quickly took out a band-aid from her bag and wrapped it around the boy’s finger.

Dawa muttered, “Mom’s not home. She left canned food for lunch, but I couldn’t open it… and I hurt my finger.”

The child’s “mom” was, of course, Qi Cailing.

On a weekend like this, the mother was nowhere to be found. Zhang Songtao was actually quite upset, but in front of Chen Yufeng, he had to make an excuse for Qi Cailing. “Cailing has a good heart, but she lacks experience. It’s inevitable that she struggles with the kids… sigh!”

“You should hurry home and check on things, Director Zhang. Goodbye,” Chen Yufeng said.

Zhang Songtao quickly left with his son. Meanwhile, Chen Yufeng and her daughters took a ride home in a service soldier’s tricycle.

As they rode off, Tiantian turned back to look at Zhang Dawa and said, “Mom, that big brother is so pitiful.”

“Why do you say that?” Chen Yufeng asked.

“Not only is his finger hurt, but look at his pants…”

Chen Yufeng glanced back and saw that the little boy’s pants were torn at the back. Even more shocking, he wasn’t wearing any underwear underneath. As he ran, his bare skin could be faintly seen.

Looking at the boy, Chen Yufeng couldn’t help but question—was this what Qi Cailing called being a “good stepmother”?

But this had nothing to do with her. No matter how pitiful the child was, she forced herself to turn away and ignore it.

At this time, most families of company-level officers still only had black-and-white televisions.

Chen Yufeng’s new TV was the only color television in the entire family housing area. Once she brought it home, it sent the neighborhood kids into a frenzy.

Company Commander Zhao’s two sons, Zhao Wen and Zhao Wu, rushed over impatiently.

The service soldier helped install the TV, while the two boys jostled for space next to Mimi, eager to watch.

Sister-in-law Wu, heavily pregnant, also came over specifically to see the new TV. When a scene from One Plum Blossom appeared on the screen, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, color TV really is something else!”

The TV even came with a remote control. After the service soldier installed the batteries, he spent a while demonstrating how to use it.

Chen Yufeng and Tiantian were fascinated, staring at the remote like they wanted to crawl inside and figure out all its secrets. But when it was their turn to press the buttons, they couldn’t get anything to work.

Mimi, on the other hand, had been watching the service soldier closely. She had helped hold screws, passed him tools, and even climbed up to the rafters with him. The moment she got her hands on the remote, she pressed a button and immediately switched the channel.

“Sister-in-law, your son is really sharp,” the service soldier said with a smile.

“I’m a girl!” Mimi shot back.

Sister-in-law Wu laughed. “Mimi, when the uncle said you’re like a boy, he meant you’re impressive!”

“Why can’t a girl be impressive?” Mimi argued. “I can climb trees, do flips, and swim—but I’m still just a girl! I don’t want to be a boy, and my mom doesn’t need a son either!”

Sister-in-law Wu chuckled and said to Chen Yufeng, “Yufeng, this little black girl sure has a mind of her own!”

Not only did she have her own mind, but ever since her father made it clear that he didn’t care about having a son, she had grown even more confident.

Watching Mimi, Chen Yufeng thought about bringing Zhou Yafang over as soon as possible. From attitude to mindset, Yafang needed a complete transformation. She was only 43 years old—if she could remarry and find happiness again, wouldn’t that be wonderful?

At noon, Chen Fanshi arrived, dressed in a sharp suit, looking refined and poised.

He was in an unusually good mood, completely different from his usual gloomy demeanor. He strode in, pulled out an envelope, handed it to his daughter, and said, “Han Chao has no background and no credentials—he made his way up purely on his own. Seeing how his superiors value him, I’m genuinely pleased. Take this money, and make sure to speak well of Yuhuang in front of Han Chao. He’s your brother. Let Han Chao train him properly and turn him into a real man.”

A well-behaved daughter, a brother-in-law willing to mentor the younger brother—Chen Fanshi felt like his family’s future was about to thrive.

Chen Yufeng accepted the money, counted it, and then casually said, “Dad, someone told me today that Yuhuang was born in ’72. They also said that when Aunt Yanli got pregnant with Yuhuang, her ex-husband was still on his deathbed.”

Just moments ago, Chen Fanshi had been beaming with joy. Now, he looked as if he had been struck by lightning. His voice turned cold. “Who said that?”

“Someone I don’t know. They also told me that if I wanted to uncover the truth, I should go to Tianjin to investigate. And they said I shouldn’t be compromising myself by maintaining a good relationship with you. Instead, I should find out the truth and report it to the military district’s leadership—because back then, you deliberately used our family’s antiques to make money for Yuhuang.”

She was lying, of course. But Zhang Yanli’s hometown was in Tianjin, and she had indeed gotten pregnant around the time her ex-husband died. Two years later, she married Chen Fanshi.

A widowed military wife couldn’t have given birth inside the military compound—she must have found somewhere else to hide during her pregnancy.

So Chen Yufeng had made a guess and bet on Tianjin.

Seeing her father’s face turn ashen, sweat beading on his forehead, she knew she had guessed right.

Chen Fanshi stammered, “No matter who said this nonsense, you can’t believe it.”

The truth was, back in ’72, he and Zhang Yanli had been together briefly. Later, he returned to Guihua Town, and out of guilt, he had treated Chen Yufeng well. In ’74, Zhang Yanli showed up with a son, and only then did he make up his mind to divorce and move to the capital.

But Zhang Yanli had kept everything tightly under wraps. Other than her own family, no one should have known about it. Who could it be? Could one of Zhang Yanli’s old enemies have leaked this to stir up trouble, using Chen Yufeng as a pawn?

They had made plenty of enemies in business—was it possible that someone had overheard something and was now trying to manipulate Chen Yufeng into reporting him to the leadership?

But then, Chen Yufeng said, “I don’t believe it. And I would never report something like this. After all, Dad, you have such a good relationship with Commander Luo. If he found out about this, what would he think of you?”

In today’s society, connections couldn’t directly turn into money—but they were the key to opportunities.

The reason Chen Fanshi was respected in business, and why so many people wanted to partner with him, was because he was a chess-playing friend of the military district commander.

Retired military officers worked in various government agencies, and a single word from a high-ranking officer was more effective than months of effort from an outsider.

But if Yuhuang’s situation was exposed, Commander Luo would likely cut ties with him entirely.

“Feng’er, you’re right. You should trust me and not believe baseless rumors,” Chen Fanshi said.

Chen Yufeng then added, “That person also said that you have a lot of money, but Aunt Zhang controls it all. So even if I ask for money, you’d only give me a little, just enough to brush me off. He told me to dig up the truth… But Dad, I actually feel sorry for you. I won’t make things difficult for you.”

From authenticating the antique to requesting five thousand yuan, and now still not satisfied—at this point, Chen Fanshi should have sensed something was off.

But no man can resist a provocation, and no one likes being told they have no authority in their own home. Besides, Chen Yufeng had played the part of a well-behaved daughter perfectly.

She wasn’t greedy or demanding, didn’t believe in rumors, and only trusted him. This deeply moved Chen Fanshi.

So, he took the initiative and said, “Dad has money. Just tell me how much you want.”

“How about twenty thousand? I’d like to try my hand at business,” Chen Yufeng said as she raised her hand. “I only trust you, Dad.”

Zhang Yanli was currently raising funds to invest in a mine and had gathered thirty thousand yuan. If Chen Fanshi took control of the money, he could invest only ten thousand and give twenty thousand to his daughter. After all, he had already spent thirty thousand buying a house for Ma Shangbei—giving his daughter twenty thousand was nothing in comparison.

“I’ll give you the money in a few days,” Chen Fanshi agreed. “But don’t get involved in business. The capital’s business world is where I operate, not a place for a country girl like you.”

He could give her money, but he didn’t believe she could succeed in business.

This foolish girl—what did she know about business?

“Okay, Dad. Goodbye, Dad,” Chen Yufeng replied obediently.

Chen Fanshi’s fortune was far greater than twenty-five thousand, but she only needed this amount. The rest? He could hand it over to the military district.

With this money, Han Chao wouldn’t have to bow to his superiors.

From acquiring the restaurant to renovations, she could cover all costs.

And of course, the moment she received the twenty thousand, she wouldn’t waste a second—she would immediately file a lawsuit against Chen Fanshi.