Everyone watched Lin Qingqing walk further and further away, still in shock.

Especially Chen Zhou’s mother; when she finally came to her senses, Lin Qingqing was already out of sight.

She was furious and couldn’t help but complain, “What’s wrong with her? Young as she is, she doesn’t know how to speak properly.”

However, someone present couldn’t stand her attitude, and Wei spoke up for Lin Qingqing: “How can you say that about her? Asking if she’s not having children anymore? You ask a question like that and then blame her for not having manners? Besides, what rude thing did Comrade Lin say? Isn’t it okay to ask if you don’t understand?”

This military wife was the one who consulted Lin Qingqing about her menstrual pain.

This noon, she had heard that Lu Cheng was at the hospital consulting a gynecologist about menstrual pain, and she felt incredibly envious.

She thought Lin Qingqing was lucky and felt that Lu Cheng truly cared for his wife.

Now that she had encountered Lin Qingqing, and seeing that Lin Qingqing responded politely, she felt that Lin Qingqing was a pretty good person.

If it weren’t for Chen Zhou’s mother’s rude question, would she have said anything at all?

Everyone knew what kind of person Chen Zhou’s mother was.

She treated her son like he was her lifeline and often spoke ill of others, yet she was both foolish and simple-minded.

If it weren’t for Commander Chen keeping her in check, who knows how chaotic their family would be?

Everyone laughed it off and pretended not to hear their conversation because they also realized that Lin Qingqing was not someone to be bullied.

After Lin Qingqing left, she first went home to prepare the seasoning, and then she headed to Yu Xiuyao’s house.

Yu Xiuyao was waiting for her to bring the seasoning and couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you late today?”

Lin Qingqing replied, “I was delayed for a bit when I came over…”

She recounted what had happened with Chen Zhou’s mother, “If it weren’t for the fact that Chen Zhou and Hai Ci are good friends, and that Chen Zhou’s father and Lu Cheng are comrades, I could have said something even worse.”

“Oh my…” Yu Xiuyao couldn’t believe it, “Could she really ask something like that?”

Asking someone if they were not having children anymore was indeed a tricky question.

Lin Qingqing said, “Actually, I don’t plan to have children in the next few years. First, I’m still young.

You know my grandfather is a doctor; he says it’s better for women to have children after they turn 20.

Having children too early isn’t beneficial for their health. So I’ve decided not to have children in the next few years, and Lu Cheng and I have discussed this.

Second, Lu Haici is still young. If I have children too early, people might say nasty things that could hurt him. But the main reason is that I just don’t want to have children so soon.”

Yu Xiuyao initially wanted to say that having children earlier is good, but when she heard Lin Qingqing mention her doctor grandfather, she decided to keep quiet.

Since her grandfather and family supported her decision to wait, what could she say as an outsider?

Seeing Lin Qingqing’s expression, it was clear she didn’t want to have children early anyway.

However, she added, “If you don’t get pregnant in the next six months, I’m afraid people will start to gossip. In the family compound, there are many women, and the more women there are, the more gossip there will be.”

Lin Qingqing naturally knew about such matters, but she wouldn’t care about their gossip.

People speaking behind screens through computers often say even more vicious things; compared to that, the chatter from these people was nothing.

After chatting with Yu Xiuyao for a while, Lin Qingqing went to three other households to distribute the seasonings before heading home.

Lu Haici was already fast asleep.

Lu Cheng was hanging clothes in the yard when he saw her come in.

He nodded to her, “You’re back.”

Lin Qingqing nodded and thought for a moment before saying, “I encountered some things outside just now…”

She recounted what happened with Chen Zhou’s mother and what she had discussed with Yu Xiuyao, “Don’t let anything slip.”

Hearing this, Lu Cheng was silent for a moment: “I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

He realized that if she didn’t have children in these few years, there would indeed be a lot of gossip.

However, such gossip was beyond his control; after all, people had their own mouths, and as a man, he couldn’t force anyone.

Lin Qingqing said, “It’s nothing; I can just treat their words as entertainment. They see me as a topic for gossip, so I can treat them as a topic for gossip as well.”

Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow; it was the first time he had heard such a perspective.

He hadn’t expected her to think like this. Such thinking was truly unique. “By the way, are you still planning to finish high school?”

Remembering that she was a college student, he thought she didn’t need to continue pursuing a high school diploma.

Lin Qingqing replied, “I need to. I’ll have to trouble you with this; I was a poor student when I was studying, and after so many years since graduation, my mind is a blank.”

Lu Cheng said, “That’s fine; according to our previous plan, we can dedicate an hour each night. How does that sound?”

Lin Qingqing replied, “That sounds great, thank you. I appreciate your help.”

“Not at all.” Lu Cheng replied politely, “I should also thank you for being good to Lu Haici.”

“Then let’s consider this your tuition for teaching me high school.” Lin Qingqing joked.

“Mm, that sounds good.” Lu Cheng thought it was reasonable.

Their conversation was very polite, with neither crossing the boundaries of their identities.

Although it seemed a bit formal and distant, they were both quite satisfied with this approach.

Humans differ from animals because humans have morals and conscience.

Moreover, true feelings are not about rushing forward without care, but about understanding each other’s intentions, aspirations, and the purposes behind their actions—that is enough.

After discussing their plans, Lin Qingqing went into her room.

In her room, the little one was sleeping soundly.

Lin Qingqing remembered when she was preparing the seasonings, the little one had a thin blanket over her.

Now, the blanket had rolled to one side, revealing her little belly, like a small piglet.

Lin Qingqing gently walked over, covered her with the blanket, and then took out a book to start reviewing.

Close to one-thirty, Lin Qingqing woke Lu Haici up.

After Lu Haici woke up, she washed her face and then ran next door to wait for Ji Yang, and the two went to school together.

Recently, Xu Huijuan had been working in the cafeteria.

Unlike before, she no longer kept an eye on Ji Yang or asked Ji Changfeng to move.

She had been a housewife for a lifetime in her previous life, and now as a cafeteria employee, she seemed to have found a different kind of life, and her perspective on the meaning of life seemed to have changed.

Lu Cheng and Ji Changfeng walked behind, taking the two little ones to school.

“Ji Commander, is there a Commander Chen in your regiment?” Lu Cheng suddenly asked.

Ji Changfeng replied, “We actually do have a Commander Chen in our regiment; his name is Chen Daliang. Did Vice Commander Lu want to talk to him about something?”

Lu Cheng replied, “It’s not a big deal; I heard that Commander Chen is outstanding in many areas, and I wanted to invite him to our regiment to give some guidance to our people.”

Ji Changfeng blinked in surprise.

Did he hear wrong?

Chen Daliang was outstanding in many areas?

While he didn’t want to deny his comrade’s abilities, did Vice Commander Lu really not hear wrong?

Compared to Chen Daliang, shouldn’t Ji Changfeng himself be considered more outstanding?

Of course, Ji Changfeng just thought this to himself; he wouldn’t dare to say it out loud.

However, he suggested, “Why not have Vice Commander Lu organize a friendly competition? Let our troops get a taste of the capabilities of your independent regiment’s soldiers.”

The bravery of those comrades in the independent regiment was well-known; if given the chance, who wouldn’t want to join the independent regiment?

Lu Chengyi thought, “That’s good. I’ll discuss it with the team leader this afternoon. We can organize a match between the two teams.”

Ji Changfeng said, “That’s great! By the way, I heard that Vice Team Leader Lu is getting a promotion. Congratulations in advance!”

Lu Cheng was indeed getting a promotion; the higher-ups had already decided, but it hadn’t been made public yet.

Ji Changfeng knowing about this didn’t surprise him at all.

However, since it hadn’t been announced, it meant that the decision could change at any time, so Lu Cheng didn’t confirm it, saying, “Thank you. I’ll work hard for the promotion.”

Ji Changfeng smiled, “Once you’re promoted, I expect a drink to celebrate!”

Lu Cheng replied, “No problem.”

Lu Cheng was quick to take action.

By two o’clock, the unit broadcast announced that the Independent Team and other teams would hold a match.

When the broadcast was heard, both the Independent Team and the team Ji Changfeng was in were stirred up, except for Lu Cheng and Ji Changfeng, who already knew about it.

Ji Changfeng thought to himself that this match was actually his suggestion.

The reason he proposed it was simple: Chen Daliang caught Lu Cheng’s attention, and Ji Changfeng wanted to compete as he considered himself more outstanding than Chen Daliang.

Of course, this competition was friendly; he didn’t want to create conflict among his comrades.

Moreover, this match would help everyone recognize their shortcomings, preventing them from becoming overly arrogant.

The competition between the two teams attracted a lot of attention.

The Independent Team, led by Lu Cheng, had no objections from the current team leader.

Lu Cheng was about to be promoted, while the team leader was about to be transferred elsewhere.

The Independent Team had nine battalions, and the other team also had nine battalions, totaling about 1,600 people gathered together.

The other team was led by Team Leader Li, who was significantly older than Lu Cheng.

When Lu Cheng approached him to discuss the match, he didn’t hesitate.

At that moment, Team Leader Li looked at the soldiers below and said sternly, “This competition will have three matches for each level—from soldiers to squad leaders, then to platoon leaders, company leaders, battalion leaders, and finally the team leaders. Each match will be a best of three. As for the rewards for winning, I won’t mention that now, but I can tell you the punishment for losing: you will go mountain climbing on an empty stomach tonight. Do you understand?”

One comrade raised his hand, “Team Leader, I have a question.”

Team Leader Li replied, “Go ahead.”

“Team Leader, you just said that there will be three matches for each level; does that mean the team leader will also have three matches?” The implication was whether the team, which had one team leader and two deputy team leaders, would have to compete.

If that were the case, the Independent Team would definitely have an advantage since its leaders were younger than those of the other team.

Team Leader Li responded, “I’ve discussed this with the Independent Team. The team leader’s match can be represented by the battalion leader. Don’t feel aggrieved; if the battalion leader doesn’t want to represent the team leader, he can refuse. You should know, a soldier who doesn’t want to be a general isn’t a good soldier, and a battalion leader who doesn’t want to be a team leader isn’t a good battalion leader.” This was actually Lu Cheng’s suggestion.

However, Team Leader Li found it acceptable; after all, he didn’t want to embarrass himself by competing with the team leader of the Independent Team.

As for whether the battalion leader would feel embarrassed, he actually hoped to challenge them a bit. “Does anyone have any other questions?”

“No.”

Everyone replied in unison.

Thus, the intense competition began.

In one afternoon, there were fifteen matches, each lasting about twenty minutes, which went by quite quickly.

The Independent Team won most of the early matches, but once it got to the company leaders, the competition became much more evenly matched.

When it came to the battalion leaders, Team Leader Li sent out Ji Changfeng first.

After sending Ji Changfeng, Team Leader Li said, “Lu Cheng, Changfeng is our team’s most outstanding battalion leader; you need to be careful.”

Team Leader Li was very confident in Ji Changfeng.

Lu Cheng replied, “We’ll send out Wang Wu from our team.”

Wang Wu, the battalion leader Lu Cheng sent out, was somewhat weaker in combat but had excellent stamina.

The strategy was to exhaust Ji Changfeng.

However, as the father of the male protagonist, Ji Yang, he shone with his son’s brilliance.

Although his physical ability wasn’t as good as the Independent Team’s battalion leader, his advantage in combat allowed him to win that match.

After Ji Changfeng won, Team Leader Li proudly said, “Lu Cheng, I told you, Changfeng is the best here. Why didn’t you send out your team’s Zhang Jin’ao?”

He had heard of Zhang Jin’ao from the Independent Team, who was said to be the second Lu Cheng and was promoted and trained by Lu Cheng himself.

Lu Cheng smirked slightly, “You’ll have a chance to see him.”

When Team Leader Li sent Chen Daliang out, Lu Cheng sent out Zhang Jin’ao and instructed him, “Take him down as quickly as possible. Don’t waste time on him. Can you do that?”

Zhang Jin’ao replied, “I guarantee I will complete the mission.”

This was the first time Lu Cheng had set a requirement for him, so he was determined to succeed.

Zhang Jin’ao had followed Lu Cheng since joining the unit and understood Lu Cheng’s character very well.

It wouldn’t be that simple to take down Chen Daliang as quickly as possible.

He was somewhat looking forward to what Lu Cheng would do next, as he didn’t understand how Chen Daliang had offended Lu Cheng.

It seemed there would be an exciting show to watch.

Chen Daliang confidently stepped onto the stage, but when he saw that the Independent Team had sent out Zhang Jin’ao, he felt somewhat dizzy.

Why did the Independent Team let Zhang Jin’ao fight him?

He had heard of Zhang Jin’ao’s reputation; since joining the army, he had been known as the King of Soldiers, and it was said that he was once a troublemaker until Lu Cheng took him down.

Chen Daliang was most afraid of troublemakers.

“Captain Chen, please take care of me,” Zhang Jin’ao said with a smile.

Chen Daliang also smiled and said, “I hope Captain Zhang will go easy on me; I dare not advise you!”

Zhang Jin’ao gave a salute, “Then I apologize in advance.” Without further ado, he took action.

“That’s a sneak attack! That’s too much!”

“What’s too much? Once both people step onto the competition stage, the match has begun. Should I remind you?” Team Leader Li immediately countered upon hearing that.

“Do your enemies remind you when you step onto the battlefield?” another leader added.

The person who spoke earlier fell silent, realizing he was wrong.

He knew the principle but had only shouted for attention.

Chen Daliang hurriedly tried to evade, but he wasn’t quick enough and was still hit by Zhang Jin’ao’s fist.

Zhang Jin’ao had been waiting for him. As Chen Daliang dodged, he anticipated his movements and attacked again.

His speed and precision were impressive.

Following Lu Cheng’s orders, he took down Chen Daliang as quickly as possible, and Chen Daliang hadn’t even reacted.

Damn it…

Chen Daliang wanted to curse; the Independent Team’s battalion leader was too fierce!

Although it was said that one must fight hard on the battlefield, even in a friendly match, they should leave him a little dignity!

Chen Daliang shook his head, awkwardly leaving the stage. “Sorry, Changfeng; I ruined the situation you worked hard to create.”

Ji Changfeng said, “It’s normal to win or lose in a match.”

Another battalion leader confidently stated, “No problem; now it’s my turn.”

This battalion leader was full of confidence, but unfortunately… he was evenly matched with the Independent Team’s battalion leader.

Both battalion leaders fought to exhaustion, lying on the ground without a clear winner or loser.

Finally, it was time for the team leader level matches, which everyone was looking forward to the most.

Team Leader Li said, “I’m getting old and won’t compete in this match. The Independent Team’s Lu Cheng will represent; who among you dares to challenge him?”

When Team Leader Li finished speaking, the room fell silent.

It was impossible for everyone to be unaware of Lu Cheng’s achievements.

He graduated from the military academy with the highest honors and became a deputy battalion leader upon joining the army.

In two years, he was promoted to battalion leader, and three years later, he became the youngest deputy team leader in the unit. Who didn’t know him?

So everyone was too afraid to step forward to compete.

Seeing everyone silent, Lu Cheng said, “How about this? I’ll call names; whoever I call will compete. How does that sound?”

“No objections,” Team Leader Li said.

“We have no objections either,” the other soldiers echoed.

Although they feared Lu Cheng, being called by him was also an honor.

Lu Cheng looked at Chen Daliang: “Having watched so many matches, I think Captain Chen Daliang still hasn’t shown his full potential; for my first match, I challenge Captain Chen Daliang.”

He didn’t ask if the other party was willing but stated it as a fact.

Chen Daliang stood up and saluted Lu Cheng, “Yes, Vice Team Leader Lu.”

Being called upon by his superior made him very happy; even if he lost, he felt honored because he was losing to the Vice Team Leader Lu.

Lu Cheng returned his salute and then said apologetically, “Please take care of me.”