Chapter 2

Li Yannian remained silent about Song Ci’s words. To avoid discouraging her, he simply nodded. After the family finished their porridge, he gave her his monthly allowance and returned to training.

It’s better if he’s not here, Song Ci thought to herself. Although she had prepared herself mentally, she still couldn’t adapt all at once.

After dinner and washing the dishes, Song Ci looked at the pile of dirty clothes on the bed, found a basin, put all the clothes in it, and walked towards the river with Xiaoshu.

They now lived in two small red brick courtyards, one next to the other at the foot of the mountain. Just as he was closing the courtyard door, he ran into Song Zhen who was leaving.

When Song Zhen saw her, he pretended not to see her, closed the door and left.

Song Ci, however, looked at her face curiously, then stared at her enchanting back for a few seconds before nodding. She thought to herself, with this look and this figure, no wonder Gu Yiran fell in love with her. Before she could look away, Song Zhen suddenly turned his head. She quickly lowered her head and continued walking towards the river, holding Xiaoshu’s hand as if nothing had happened. It seemed she still hadn’t adapted to this new identity! She had read so many novels, and the authors always did their best to describe the heroine’s appearance, but Song Ci could never imagine how beautiful the heroines really were. Today, she finally let her imagination come to fruition.

Song Zhen felt that Song Ci was a little strange today, and the way he looked at her was a little strange. But she didn’t take it to heart, turning around and continuing to walk forward.

There were quite a few people washing clothes by the river, chatting animatedly, but someone reminded them of her arrival, and the crowd instantly quieted down. It was obvious, she was the one being talked about.

Song Ci didn’t care. She always believed that as long as no one said anything to her face, she would pretend that no one said anything to her. Seeing that no one paid attention to her, she didn’t say anything. After letting Xiaoshu play aside, she scooped up water and concentrated on washing clothes.

Seeing that she didn’t say anything, Wang Juan, who was closer to her, suddenly looked up and said to her, “Ci, I heard that your family moved to the dormitory. What happened? Tell me so I can give you some advice. What’s the big deal about the couple not living together? Maybe they have someone else outside?”

When the others heard this, they immediately pricked up their ears.

“Sister-in-law, I don’t like to hear what you said. What do you mean there is someone outside? My Yannian is the most honest person. If you don’t tell me the truth today, I will go to the political commissar and report you for trying to sow discord between us.” Song Ci put the mallet into the basin and said.

Wang Juan said embarrassedly, “I just said that, why are you angry? I’m just suspicious. You said it’s fine, why don’t you live at home and live in the camp?”

“Isn’t the military competition about to begin? My Yannian is not allowed to train more.” Song Ci said loudly.

“We hold military competitions every year, but your family has never been so active in previous years,” said Wang Juan’s mother-in-law, Mrs. Zhang.

“It’s not that I want to take the college entrance exam. My husband Yannian is afraid that I will fall behind, so he wants to keep up with my progress.” Song Ci said without blushing. Speaking of which, he should also thank Song Zhen. If he hadn’t known that Song Zhen was going to take the college entrance exam, the original owner would not have signed up.

Mrs. Zhang said, “You really can pass the exam? I heard that there are many more people applying this year than last year.”

Song Ci shook his head: “If you don’t pass this year, you can try again next year.”

“You’ve passed the exam, but are you really going to study? I tell you, a woman’s job is to stay at home and take care of the children. What’s the point of studying so much?”

“Whether it’s useful or not, Grandma Zhang, you’ll know after you look at my life. The government advocates studying, but how come you say it’s useless? If it’s useless, why reinstate the college entrance examination?”

“That’s also for boys to go to school…” Mrs. Zhang was about to speak when she felt someone pulling her clothes twice. She turned around and saw Wang Juan shaking her head at her.

She muttered a few words in dissatisfaction and said nothing more.

Wang Juan smiled and said, “I see you are quite confident. It seems you will definitely pass the exam.”

“You won’t know whether you passed the exam until you pass it. Sister-in-law, you’ll know in two months. I’m not worried. My family, Yannian, supports me in taking the exam anyway.”

“You two have reconciled. It seems you were arguing about something a while ago.”

“Hey, sister-in-law, you see, you know everything. It’s inevitable that couples quarrel. To be honest, it’s all the fault of those gossipers. I just said a few bad words about someone to join in the fun, but someone reported me and caused my Yannian to have a big quarrel with me. Who doesn’t talk about others behind their backs? Why did they use me as an excuse to criticize me? I won’t dare to talk to others easily from now on.” Song Ci looked at her with a smile.

Wang Juan immediately said, “That’s not what I said, sir. Please don’t misunderstand me. You know I can’t stand the guy next door, so why would I report you?”

“It’s good that you didn’t say it, sister-in-law, but if you know, remember to tell me secretly.” Song Ci said and glanced at the people by the river.

Wang Juan’s face turned rather grim after hearing this. She quickly picked up the basin and stood up, saying, “Look, I know I’m talking to you. The clothes are done, and I have to go home. I have things to do at home.”

No one spoke, and Song Ci could finally wash her clothes in peace.

Not long after, the people by the river went back one after another, except Liu Meihua. Liu Meihua joined the army in the same year as Song Ci. She was a petty person and not very likable. The original owner looked down on her, but she liked to get close to the original owner. Because she was easy to bully, the original owner was willing to take her with him in everything, and even gave her some benefits from time to time. But Song Ci, who had read the book, didn’t think so. Liu Meihua was indeed timid and cowardly, but she was very cunning. Not only did she secretly like Gu Yiran, but she was also the one who told Gu Yiran about the original editor Song Zhen’s lies. Of course, in the eyes of everyone, even Song Zhen, Liu Meihua was a complete victim. Now that everyone had left, she came over again.

“Sister-in-law, let me help you wash clothes.” Liu Meihua looked at Song Ci flatteringly.

“No, I don’t dare ask you to wash my clothes again. Liu Meihua, Liu Meihua, you’re really amazing. You’ve already reported me, and yet you’re still here being nice to me and my sister.” Song Ci said bluntly. She didn’t say it because she felt no one would believe her. After all, the military district had spread the news. If the person who was responsible found out about her fabricated lies, she would almost be called in for a thought lesson.

“I, I didn’t. Sister Song Ci, you must believe me.” Liu Meihua said without daring to look at Song Ci.

“Look how guilty you are. Okay, it was indeed me who made up the lie, and I have received the corresponding punishment. Your goal has been achieved. But don’t show up in front of me again in the future, otherwise I will not be polite.” Song Ci said as he picked up the basin, called the little tree back, and went back home.

Liu Meihua was left alone, pursing her lips as she watched the backs of the mother and daughter, wondering how Song Ci knew about it. Could it be that Gu Yiran had told her, but he had promised her not to tell anyone about her.