Chapter 10

On June 23rd, Li Yannian was on his day off, and after breakfast, the family went to Political Commissar Zhang’s house. Commissar Zhang’s name was Zhang Weida, a slightly plump, bespectacled man with a very friendly demeanor. Upon seeing the family arrive, he immediately called out Yu Ying, who was busy in the kitchen. As the director of women’s affairs, Yu Ying had been the one who had escorted the original owner to apologize to Song Zhen the previous time. Seeing Song Ci now, her expression was somewhat awkward.

When Song Ci saw it, he said, “I was wrong about what happened last time. If sister-in-law doesn’t mind me, please assign me some work to do, and I’ll feel more at ease.”

Yu Ying smiled and said, “It’s good that it’s changed. I’m busy now, and I’d be happy for you to help me.” As she said that, she pulled Song Ci to the kitchen.

Xiaoshu wanted to follow, but Li Yannian stopped her and told her to play with Zhang Zhengwei’s grandson, Pangpang. Song Ci’s cooking was average, not very good, but not terrible either. Once in the kitchen, she didn’t initiate any conversation. While Yu Ying cooked, she simply washed and cut vegetables. Changing someone’s impression takes more than a few words, so why bother trying to please someone who didn’t like her?

When Song Zhen entered the kitchen, he saw this scene. Although he was a little surprised, he didn’t show it on his face. Instead, he smiled and said, “I’m late, Director, please don’t be upset!”

Yu Ying heard her voice and turned around quickly, saying, “Why are you late? You’ve arrived just in time. I’m lucky today. I bought two sea fish and I’m just waiting for you to cook them. Song Ci, you’ve been busy all day. Go outside and rest for a while.”

Song Ci didn’t refuse, and immediately took off her apron and hung it on the wall, “Okay.”

After saying that, she walked out of the kitchen without even looking at Song Zhen.

Seeing that she didn’t say hello to Song Zhen, Yu Ying sighed inwardly, but didn’t say anything.

When Song Zhen saw this, he said, “My dear sister-in-law, you have forgotten the old one just because you have a new one.”

Yu Ying pretended to be angry and said, “She is confused. Are you confused too? It’s my fault too. I didn’t react in time.”

Song Zhen said, “I think it’s fine now. As long as we can get along on the surface, it’s fine. If you really want us to be like good sisters, I can’t do it.”

“Since I promised Lao Zhang to be the peacemaker, I have to get the job done. When she comes in again later, I will make peace between you two. It’s not okay to meet her like this without even saying hello.” Yu Ying said helplessly.

Song Zhen knew these words were meant for her, so she nodded. Yu Ying might not have really liked her, but she was doing it for the sake of the Gu family. Thinking about having to deal with them in the near future gave her a headache. As for Song Ci, she didn’t care at all. It was just a few nice words to go along with it, so to speak.

When Song Ci came out, she saw that in addition to Gu Yiran, there was also Teacher Liu and his family in the living room. She went over to greet them and went into the small room next door to find Xiaoshu, who was sitting on the floor with Pangpang playing with toys.

She didn’t stay long. When she came out of the kitchen, the dishes were almost done. When Yu Ying came out and said it was time to eat, she went back to the kitchen to help serve the dishes. As soon as she entered, Yu Ying pulled her aside and pointed at Song Zhen and said, “Song Ci, what happened last time is over. You two are neighbors and you see each other every day. It’s not good to be so stiff all the time. Come on, listen to my sister-in-law. Just shake hands and we’ll be reconciled.”

Song Ci didn’t act pretentiously when he heard that. He smiled and extended his hand.

Song Zhenyi smiled and squeezed her fingertips, saying, “It’s not a big deal.”

“That’s it. You two have worked hard today, so you have to eat more later.” Yu Ying said as she started to serve the dishes, and Song Ci and Song Zhen naturally followed to help.

Once the table was set, it was the men’s world. Song Ci was happy not to talk, as he had to eat and watch over Xiao Shu, so he was busy. Li Yannian didn’t say much either. He was usually quiet when he was out, but he did drink quite a bit. By the time the meal was over, he was a little tipsy, sitting there blankly, looking a bit silly. So, after the kitchen was almost cleaned up, Song Ci and his family returned home.

Li Yannian lay down as soon as he came back. Song Ci also felt very tired and was thinking of lying down to take a nap when Wang Juan came to visit with Dunzi.

Now that people are here, we can’t just push them out. Xiaoshu was very happy and immediately moved his little wooden horse to play with Dunzi in the yard.

Wang Juan glanced at the courtyard gate, then came up to Song Ci and said, “Ci, I heard that Director Yu invited your family and Song Zhen’s family to dinner?”

“Yeah, I just came back from dinner.” Song Ci nodded.

Wang Juan winked and said, “Didn’t you two fight?”

“Comrade Song Zhen and I don’t have any deep hatred, and I have apologized. I have also reflected deeply at home these days, and Comrade Song Zhen has accepted it. Why should we fight?” Song Ci pretended not to understand.

Wang Juan smiled awkwardly, “I was just joking. No, you didn’t say that on purpose because you were afraid I’d tell others, did you?”

Song Ci nodded decisively: “I am a little scared, but I don’t trust others, but I definitely believe you, sister-in-law. What I say is the truth.”

“You’re unlucky. Everyone says something bad about others behind their backs, but you got caught. It’s also Song Zhen’s fault for being unreasonable. I don’t believe she didn’t say anything bad about us behind our backs.” Wang Juan pouted.

“I don’t know about others, but I won’t tell anyone about them in the future. I’ve already embarrassed people once, and if I do it again I’ll be too embarrassed to stay here.” Song Ci said righteously.

Wang Juan then asked her, “You haven’t told me why the political commissar invited you to dinner? I heard the division commander was there too.”

“How would I know? My husband Li didn’t tell me. I went because he invited me. Why don’t you ask Director Yu?” Song Ci shook his head.

“It’s rumored outside that Gu Yiran is going to be the group leader, and your Li Yannian is going to be the deputy group leader.” Wang Juan whispered more and more.

“Ah? Who said that?” Song Ci asked in surprise. Are gossips so accurate nowadays?

“How would I know who said that? Just pretend. You must have known it a long time ago. Look at you, is it really that serious? You were not like this before.” Wang Juan complained.

“I dare not talk about this matter casually. Last time, I almost implicated my husband Li and almost drove me back to my hometown. Sister-in-law, I advise you not to talk about it outside. The appointment has not been made, and you dare not tell others about uncertain things.” Song Ci said with a wry smile.

“Does your husband Li really want to send you back to your hometown? No wonder you have been staying at home every day. I think he is just talking, and you haven’t done anything big wrong. Let me tell you, men cannot be spoiled.” Wang Juan said disapprovingly.

Song Ci had no choice but to say, “I am not in the wrong!”

Wang Juan found it boring. Seeing that it was raining outside, she stood up and said, “It’s raining. I have to go back and collect my clothes.”

When he reached the door, he also called Dunzi away.

When Xiaoshu saw Song Ci coming out, he immediately shouted, “Mom, it’s raining.”

After that, he moved the wooden horse under the eaves. Song Ci invited him to sit over and told him a few stories, all of which she adapted from what she had seen and heard as a child. After all, she only remembered the general plots of many of the stories.

At Political Commissar Zhang’s house, Zhang Weida was talking to Yu Ying.

“Comrade Song Ci seems to be much quieter this time.” Zhang Weida put down the teacup in his hand and said.

“I guess he has really learned a lesson this time. Not only has he become much quieter, but he is also not as arrogant as before.” Yu Ying touched Fatty’s head and said.

Zhang Weida nodded: “That’s good, Li Yannian is a good soldier.”

“No matter how good he is, can he be as good as Gu Yiran? Come to think of it, Li Yannian is several years older than Gu Yiran. I was thinking of matching him with Nian Nian earlier, but I didn’t expect him to get married so soon.” Yu Ying said disapprovingly.

Zhang Weida frowned. “You’re already married, why are you still bringing this up? I see you and Comrade Song Zhen have a pretty good relationship, don’t you?”

“It’s all your fault, old man. I asked you to go and talk but you refused, saying that Nian Nian is not worthy of Gu Yiran and that Song Zhen is from the countryside. You don’t know how good Gu Yiran is to Song Zhen.” Yu Ying became more and more excited as he spoke, feeling that he had missed out on a good son-in-law.

“Don’t say this in front of Nian Nian,” Political Commissar Zhang reminded her.

“I know, I just feel it’s a pity.” After Yu Yingcai finished speaking, he saw Zhang Niannian standing at the gate and asked with a smile, “Why did you come back today?”

“Dad, Mom, what did you just say about not telling me? Are you secretly eating something delicious without telling me?” Zhang Niannian walked in and said.

“You kid, you only care about eating. You’ve been working for a year, but you didn’t even bring anything back.” Yu Ying scolded.

“Then you just keep urging me to find things.” Zhang Niannian said and went into her room.