Chapter 37

Seeing that Lu Nong didn’t recognize her, the woman pulled Lu Nong to the left side of the living room, where there were some chairs, and quietly introduced herself, “My name is Zhao Xin. I’m from the family of Chief of Staff Song who lives in the north. I’m also a stepmother. Being a stepmother is not easy. Xiao Lu, we should unite. Look, those are our sisters over there.”

Zhao Xin said this while holding Lu Nong’s hand and pointing in a certain direction. In the small garden connected to the chairs, two or three women stood waving at Lu Nong, looking as if they were trying to lure her in like the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood.

Lu Nong: “…” It felt a bit like a pyramid scheme.

Really? Was it necessary to be so outrageous? Had this tea gathering turned into a “Stepmother Tea Party”? Would there really be such a thing as a stepmother alliance?

“No offense, but I have some things to do and can’t join you. I have to take my leave,” Lu Nong said, cutting Zhao Xin off before she could try to persuade her to stay. Seriously, being a stepmother wasn’t a covert operation. Why did it have to feel so sneaky? Just based on that, she couldn’t join them. Otherwise, she might end up in trouble one day and wouldn’t even know where to cry for help.

Zhao Xin seemed somewhat unwilling to accept this. She wanted to come over again to persuade Lu Nong, but Lu Nong tactfully retreated. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sister Qin approaching and grabbed her arm. “Xiao Lu, I have something to talk to you about. Let’s go over here.”

“Hey! Good, I was just about to look for you,” Lu Nong quickly replied, following Sister Qin away from the chairs.

Once they were out of Zhao Xin’s line of sight, Sister Qin quietly asked Lu Nong, “You didn’t go along with her, did you?”

“No, no. I just found her way of speaking a bit strange,” Lu Nong replied.

Sister Qin sighed in relief. “Good, I’m glad you didn’t listen to her. Let me tell you, she’s a bit odd.”

As soon as Lu Nong heard it, she knew there was something fishy going on. Where there was fish, there must be her. She immediately became alert and asked curiously, “Sister, is there something going on here?”

Sister Qin was easy to talk to, especially when there was gossip to share. “Of course, there is! A big issue.”

“In our compound, most couples are first marriages, but there are a few second marriages as well. Even though they are second marriages, the stepmothers are all sincere people. Life has its ups and downs, but everyone manages to get by.”

“However, ever since Zhao Xin married in two or three years ago and got close to a few of the second-marriage military wives, those families have been in constant turmoil.”

“Take the Cui family next door as an example. Before Zhao Xin married in, Huo Xiaoling and Old Cui’s two sons were getting along quite well. Huo Xiaoling’s two sons were young, and Old Cui invested most of the family resources and money into his older two sons, and she didn’t complain. The eldest and second sons of the Cui family knew their family finances were tight but never lacked for anything. It was the stepmother who was generous and didn’t care.”

“However, ever since Zhao Xin took the initiative to get close to Huo Xiaoling, the Cui household has been experiencing minor quarrels every couple of days and major fights every few days. In the end, the two sons couldn’t take it anymore and moved out. Even then, it didn’t stop. Huo Xiaoling would frequently go back to her parents’ home, and Old Cui simply stopped coming home altogether and stayed with the army.”

“I think if this continues, the Cui family will fall apart. Similar incidents have happened in other second-marriage military wives’ homes, but they’ve been better at hiding it. They’re just more cunning than Huo Xiaoling and not as blatant as the Cui family. I’m warning you for your own good. Don’t be deceived by her. Living a good life is more important than anything else.”

“Don’t worry, Sister Qin,” Lu Nong said seriously, nodding. She felt something was off. The more she thought about Zhao Xin, the more she felt she resembled a reporter.

“Since everyone can see that Zhao Xin has bad intentions, why does Huo Xiaoling still associate with her? Doesn’t anyone warn them?” Lu Nong voiced her confusion.

“Of course, someone has warned her!” Sister Qin replied indignantly. “When someone kindly warned her, she actually complained that they were meddling. Hmph, she deserves to be stirred up.”

Lu Nong: “…” The case has been solved, and the person who gave the reminder must be Sister Qin herself.

To avoid making Sister Qin feel awkward, Lu Nong decided not to call her out. Instead, she listened as Sister Qin quietly remarked, “After all, Zhao Xin is Old Song’s wife. We have no evidence to prove she’s the one instigating these issues. And look at how those young ladies like Huo Xiaoling are completely convinced by Zhao Xin. They think she’s a good person. What can we outsiders say about that?”

Although these words were only one-sided statements from Sister Qin, after talking with Zhao Xin just now, Lu Nong tended to believe Sister Qin.

Thinking deeply, Lu Nong realized that Huo Xiaoling and her friends were like modern individuals manipulated by emotional abusers. They believed wholeheartedly in these unreliable people and even defended them when others tried to reveal the truth.

Ultimately, though, this was Huo Xiaoling’s own matter. Sister Qin’s heartfelt warning showed that it’s hard to convince someone who’s determined to ignore the truth. Lu Nong didn’t want to get too involved. As long as Zhao Xin didn’t try to manipulate her, it was none of her business.

After coming to this realization, Lu Nong followed Sister Qin into the living room. At that moment, a group of people had gathered in the living room. Several older military wives were seated on the central sofa, while a few younger girls looked somewhat stiff and uneasy, indicating that the main event had started.

Sister Zheng was nowhere to be seen. Lu Nong glanced around and noticed there were more girls than expected. Weren’t there supposed to be only two or three families?

Lu Nong asked Sister Qin, “Sister, why are there so many girls?”

“Oh, the military wives living in front of our compound have a good relationship with Sister Zheng. They heard there was a gathering at her house and thought it was another chance for the young ones to meet, so they brought their daughters along.”

“Now that they’re here, we can’t let them leave empty-handed. We might as well call more people and hold a matchmaking dance. Sister Zheng is currently on the phone arranging the venue,” Sister Qin explained.

“Why are there only girls?” Lu Nong wondered aloud.

Sister Qin shrugged. “All the women here. What’s the point of letting a bunch of young men in? They can go outside and do some labor.”

Lu Nong: “…” This is very 1960s.

After a while, Sister Zheng came downstairs and called everyone, saying, “This weekend, there’s a dance party at the clothing factory, not far from here. You can take two bus stops to get there. The party will run from morning until night, and many young people will be attending. If you want to dance, you can go and join the fun. You might even have some unexpected surprises.”

Sister Zheng  didn’t specify what those surprises were, but many girls secretly blushed at the implication.

Lu Nong felt a bit envious upon hearing about the dance. She wanted to go and have some fun… Even if she didn’t dance, just experiencing a dance party in this era would be enjoyable.

“Of course, if married couples want to join in the dancing, that’s fine too. Bring your husbands along and dance freely. I guarantee no one will dare to say anything,” Sister Zheng  joked, causing everyone to burst into laughter. The older military wives took it as a lighthearted comment. To them, it seemed ridiculous for such long-married couples to learn to dance. Besides, they didn’t know how to dance anyway.

However, some of the younger military wives were stirred by the idea. Since Sister Zheng mentioned that the dance would last all day, wasn’t it reasonable for the men to join after work to dance a bit?

Wang Hongmian and Li Lingyi exchanged glances, realizing they were both interested. Feeling a bit shy, Li Lingyi blushed and asked, “Are you going to call your Old Shen?”

Wang Hongmian raised an eyebrow, glancing at Sister Qin nearby, and raised her voice, saying, “Why not? This is called romance. However, some people only know how to spend their whole lives focusing on their children. They never understand what romance is.”

Li Lingyi nudged Wang Hongmian, urging her to stop talking.

Sister Qin immediately understood the comment was directed at her. She didn’t understand what romance was, but what was wrong with focusing on the kitchen and children? She could take good care of her husband and children, which was no worse than anyone else.

Though she thought this way, a hint of disappointment crossed Sister Qin’s face. She didn’t envy Wang Hongmian for her education or good looks. She envied how she and Old Shen enjoyed a fulfilling life together. Comparing her own husband to Old Shen felt like heaven and earth apart. So, for once, she didn’t retaliate against Wang Hongmian and pretended not to hear her words.

Lu Nong noticed the trace of disappointment on Sister Qin’s face and realized she probably wanted to dance. So she suggested, “Sister, why don’t we go to the dance together? Sister Zheng said the dance is open to both single and married people, so couples can participate too.”

Sister Qin, already somewhat stirred by Wang Hongmian’s comments, felt encouraged by Lu Nong’s suggestion. She gritted her teeth and said, “Alright, I’ll call Old Zhang when I get home and tell him to pick me up from the clothing factory after work.”

At this point, Sister Qin hesitated again. “You see, I’m not bad looking, but I just can’t take care of myself. Can you help me take care of myself since you’re good-handed?”

Lu Nong smiled and replied, “Of course! I’ll make sure you look so good that your Old Zhang won’t be able to take his eyes off you!”

“Ah! Thank you so much!” Sister Qin said joyfully.

With more than half a day left until the evening dance, the two women said goodbye to Sister Zheng and returned to the Zhang household. Zhang Kaiping was at home taking care of his younger siblings. When he saw Lu Nong return with his mother, he quietly slipped back into his room. He felt nervous around Lu Nong and tried to avoid being in front of her, determined to give her no opportunity to scold him.

Neither Lu Nong nor Sister Qin paid him any mind, they were busy.

First, Sister Qin had gained weight after giving birth, and her belly had extra flesh. This was something she couldn’t easily fix and could only find ways to conceal. However, none of Sister Qin’s clothes had that capability, and Lu Nong’s clothes were too small for her.

The two went shopping, and Lu Nong helped Sister Qin choose a large floral long dress and a pair of little shoes. Sister Qin reluctantly bought them.

After returning home, Lu Nong made some alterations to the dress. She changed the collar to a V-neck and cinched the waistline. At least from the side, the extra flesh was no longer visible. With Sister Qin’s fair skin, the dress gave her a slightly plump yet beautiful appearance.

Next came the hair. Sister Qin’s hair was of medium length. Usually, for convenience, she tied it back, exposing her wide forehead. In reality, she looked better with bangs.

Tony Lu came online and successfully gave Sister Qin a flattering bob hairstyle that made her face appear slimmer. The bangs were slightly longer, and the two side strands were curled around a hot stick for a perfect fit. The rest of her hair was tied back, and with this new hairstyle, she looked at least ten years younger.

Paired with a floral long dress, it was both youthful and attractive.

Finally, for her makeup. Compared to her outfit and hairstyle, it was the simplest part. Sister Qin had fair skin, and a little makeup could hide a multitude of flaws. Lu Nong only gave her a fresh and elegant look, which instantly transformed her aura.

When Sister Qin returned home from the Pei family, Zhang Kaiping was taken aback. “Who are you?” he exclaimed.

Sister Qin placed her hands on her hips and shouted, “You little brat, I’m your mom!”

“Mom?” Zhang Kaiping’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. “How did you get so young?”

Hearing this, Sister Qin happily replied, “It’s all thanks to your Aunt Lu. I don’t know how she does it, but her hands are just magical!”

However, thinking about all the bottles and jars in Lu Nong’s house made Sister Qin shiver. All that snowflake cream must have cost a fortune. Plus, Lu Nong had spent fifty or sixty yuan shopping without even blinking today. Sister Qin couldn’t help but feel for Old Pei. It wasn’t easy to marry a beautiful wife.

“Hurry up, call your dad and tell him to pick me up from the clothing factory tonight. I want to go to the dance. If he doesn’t go, that’s fine. I’ll dance with someone else.”

In just one day, Sister Qin had absorbed a lot of Lu Nong’s ideas about women seeking happiness. She realized that dressing up wasn’t just for others. it was for her own joy. Dancing wasn’t just for her husband, it was for her own happiness. The more she thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.

Especially after Lu Nong had done her makeup, Sister Qin looked in the mirror and was genuinely stunned by her appearance. Seeing herself so beautiful made her feel bright and cheerful. No wonder Wang Hongmian always flaunted her outfits. Sister Qin now wanted to show off too.

As Sister Qin blossomed, Lu Nong also took the time to prepare herself. She chose a sky-blue long dress perfect for dancing and braided her hair with a matching headband, tying it at the back.

When she came downstairs, Pei Zheng stared in surprise at Lu Nong’s new look. “Are you going too?”

Throughout the day, he witnessed the lengths women would go to for beauty, even using hot sticks for curling hair. It was astonishing.

Even more surprising was the transformation of Aunt Qin. She looked fantastic, but she didn’t resemble her former self at all, leaving Pei Zheng feeling awkward.

Lu Nong brushed her hair and said, “Yes, I’ve never been to a dance before. I want to see the Western-style event and join in on the fun. Are you going? I heard there will be little cakes at the clothing factory dance. It’ll be worth it.”

Pei Zheng was unusually obedient today, doing whatever was asked without complaint. He jokingly criticized Lu Nong and Sister Qin for curling their hair with hot sticks, yet he was quick to help them, heating the sticks to a safe temperature for curling.

Lounging on the sofa, Pei Zheng thought about how he had been to dances before. They were just gatherings of men and women swaying together. What was so interesting about that? The little cakes at the dance were delicious, but since Lu Nong made them at home, why would he go all the way just to eat a cake?

“I’m not going,” he said firmly. He preferred to stay home and play with Huaihuai. Besides, with Lu Nong out, he could sneak out for a quick game of basketball.

Lu Nong replied, “Alright then, I’ll head out. Don’t forget to study hard. I’ll come back to check your homework, and if you haven’t completed it, you’re dead.”

Her last words had a chilling tone, causing Pei Zheng to shiver unexpectedly.

Pei Zheng: “…”Are you a devil?

As Lu Nong was about to step out, Pei Zheng suddenly realized something was off. He called out to her in confusion, “Aren’t you going to call my dad?”

Sister Qin had said she would call Uncle Zhang when she got home, so he thought Lu Nong would do the same.

Lu Nong waved her hand dismissively. “No need, I can manage on my own.”

Pei Zheng: “…”! ? You can’t!

After Lu Nong left, Pei Zheng couldn’t shake the feeling that he had made a mistake. He should have accepted her invitation to the dance. He needed to go to protect her from those creepy guys.

And he definitely had to call his dad. If Lu Nong wanted to dance, she should be dancing with him, not some other guy!

Absolutely not!

Pei Zheng jumped up and rushed to the phone, dialing the number. “Please connect me to the xx Military District Staff Department…”