At this time, the only flour available was bean flour, and rice had disappeared from the markets. Even if you had grain coupons, you wouldn’t be able to get rice or flour, no matter how hard you tried to push your way into the supply and marketing cooperative.

As for the subsidies for poor households from the Women’s Federation, the food allowances had been delayed for who knows how long.

Right now, the vegetables hadn’t been distributed yet, and for the three daily meals, the only thing on the table, besides potatoes, was still potatoes.

The kids were eating so many potatoes that their faces had turned green.

Su Xiangwan was planning how to change things up and make a slightly better dinner tonight.

But unexpectedly, before she even entered the courtyard, she heard a woman’s voice: “Qingshan, the vice commander wants you to become a division commander, and Little Tiger has always looked up to you as a teacher. I don’t believe you won’t listen to their orders.”

Song Qingshan, with one leg in a cast, was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, his face very serious.

“I also heard that your wife weighs at least 150 or 160 pounds. You have four children, right? With so many mouths to feed, do you think your current regiment-level position is enough to support all of this?”

A woman in a military uniform stood with her back to Su Xiangwan, chattering away.

Li Chengze signaled for Su Xiangwan to stay still. He slipped into the courtyard and made a quick round before coming back out and whispering, “Aunt Su, I know this woman. Her name is Hu Min, and she’s from the National Song and Dance Troupe. Her father is a senior colonel.”

In a flash, Su Xiangwan realized that this woman was likely sent by Lin Liguo.

The events surrounding 571 started back in May. Lin Liguo’s plan was about laying mines, explosions, and long-range bomb deployments—areas where Song Qingshan excelled. But of course, it was all aimed at their so-called commander.

It was clear that Lin Liguo wanted Song Qingshan, and so, he had sent this emissary.

Hu Min kept talking, but seeing that Song Qingshan didn’t respond, she could only say, “I’ll head back to the guest house. Qingshan, you can’t afford to offend the vice commander, and Little Tiger is your loyal student. Think carefully, alright?”

Just as she turned around, Su Xiangwan saw her. Oh, it was the woman she had spoken to at the credit union earlier.

Not wanting to get involved, Su Xiangwan stepped back behind the apricot tree, avoiding greeting her.

The woman, full of energy in her military uniform, walked with such a high stride that she didn’t look left or right. Otherwise, she might have noticed that Su Xiangwan looked familiar.

The woman went straight to the house next door, where Li Yifan lived.

“Dad, why are you using a crutch today?” Lu Dan, always straightforward, asked loudly when he saw Song Qingshan with a crutch.

Li Chengze and Gou dan both quickly covered his mouth, and Song Qingshan whispered for silence.

The entire family was on high alert.

Lu Dan had no idea what he had done wrong, so Goudan and Li Chengze took him into the small bedroom to do his homework.

“She’s an emissary sent by Lin Liguo, right? This woman really is from the General Political Department. Why does Lin Liguo think she can persuade you?” Su Xiangwan asked while peeling potatoes in the kitchen.

Song Qingshan, with his leg still in a cast and using a crutch, walked in and replied, “I’ve told you before. I got out of military law because two women helped me. One was Hou Qingyue, and the other is Hu Min. Her father is a researcher in Dongfeng City and helped me by providing testimony.”

So there was a personal connection.

“How close are you two? Is it the kind of relationship where she’s your confidante?” Su Xiangwan asked, recalling that Song Qingshan had a few such confidantes.

“Do you think we’re close, or not?” Song Qingshan said, his expression righteous and unyielding. “I’ve already told you everything I need to tell you.”

On the surface, Song Qingshan seemed steady, loyal, handsome, and dependable.

But in reality, he was a bit darker than he appeared.

When Goudan encountered a tough girl, Su Xiangwan couldn’t handle it, but Song Qingshan could turn Goudan around with just a word.

He knew everything, understood everything, but pretended to be clueless in front of Su Xiangwan.

“So, what are you going to do? Are you just going to keep pretending to be sick and brush it off?” Su Xiangwan asked.

Song Qingshan replied, “Of course, I’m going to Beijing. I have no choice. This country can’t let Lin Liguo and his people keep causing trouble.”

Su Xiangwan said, “Didn’t I tell you? He has to die. It’s just a matter of time.”

Song Qingshan didn’t respond, and Su Xiangwan wasn’t sure what he was thinking.

Lin Liguo’s situation was a historical event.

When God wants to destroy someone, He first drives them mad.

Lin Liguo might be celebrating now, but by October, he would definitely be finished.

Su Xiangwan knew this for sure.

At this moment, Zhi Zhi, who had been playing next door all day, sneaked in and shook Su Xiangwan’s hand. “Mom, a woman went to Big Cat’s house, and she said you’re a fat woman.”

Su Xiangwan almost jumped up in anger. “What does that mean, calling me a fat woman?”

Zhi Zhi pouted and shook her head, speaking in a small voice. “She’s a female officer, talking to Big Cat.”

Su Xiangwan thought to herself, “Who dares to call me a fat woman?”

She grabbed a kitchen knife and stormed out the door. As she did, she saw Li Chengze, holding a broken half of an apricot tree branch, sitting on the wall and eavesdropping with his ears perked up.

He waved at Su Xiangwan, signaling her to come over.

Su Xiangwan climbed up to the wall, stepping on the dog’s nest, and slapped Li Chengze on the back. “Why are you eavesdropping again? Didn’t I tell you, eavesdropping is not the behavior of a gentleman?”

Li Chengze smiled, his eyes gleaming mischievously. “Come listen, it’s really interesting.”

In the courtyard of the military officers’ housing area, which consisted of two large rooms and one small room, with a bathroom inside and public toilets outside, visitors were often entertained at the stone table in the yard when the weather was hot.

After leaving Song Qingshan’s place, Hu Min went next door, where Li Yifan had just returned, and the two of them were sitting by the stone table.

“Don’t tell me about how beautiful Qingshan’s wife is. What, is she like Yang Guifei? Even her underwear has to be the biggest size. Everything’s been brought by Hou Qingyue—even her skirt is as wide as a sack. Do I not know this?” Hu Min was saying.

Li Yifan was a meticulous person, not saying a word, just quietly listening.

She was willing to scold those she found somewhat pleasant, but if she didn’t like them, she’d stay silent.

“Also, according to Vice Commander Lin’s orders, whether you like it or not, immediately gather all the girls aged 18-20 from the entire county, and I’ll pick the prettiest one,” Hu Min continued.

Li Yifan, whose father held an important position, was sensitive to political matters. She knew that the rising star Vice Commander Lin surely had ulterior motives. However, that was a matter for those in power, and she couldn’t worry about it.

Moreover, if she didn’t listen to Vice Commander Lin, she was sure that one phone call could lead to an investigation into her father or even her father in Gubei.

So, Li Yifan said, “Alright, tomorrow I’ll have the Women’s Federation gather people for you. Where are you staying tonight?”

“Can I stay at your place?” Hu Min asked with confidence. “I want to meet Song Tuan‘s family. You know, if it weren’t for her dragging Song Tuan down, he probably wouldn’t have spent a year in prison. That fat woman, she really ruined Song Qingshan.”

Li Chengze turned around, laughing, and asked Su Xiangwan, “Auntie Su, what should we do? Should we go over now and give that woman a hard time?”

Su Xiangwan listened and quickly understood the situation.

This Hu Min, in her thirties, seemed to have some hidden affection for Song Qingshan.

She was also somewhat indebted to Song Qingshan.

Her visit wasn’t just to push Song Qingshan to go to Shanghai but also to make a big show of selecting a girl for the General Political Department Song and Dance Troupe. On the surface, it seemed like she just wanted to join the troupe, but it was obvious that there was more going on.

“What are we going over there for?” Su Xiangwan asked Li Chengze.

Li Chengze, crouching on the wall, gestured with his hands. “To compete in beauty. You can totally crush her.”

When it came to beauty, Su Xiangwan thought to herself, “Not only could I crush her, but I could also make her lose face tomorrow. But is this really about beauty? I’m already beautiful, thin, and young, no need to compete.”

“I’ll just crush her so badly she won’t even have the strength to breathe.”

Jumping off the dog’s nest, Su Xiangwan shouted to Song Donghai, “What do you want for dinner tonight?”

Song Donghai poked his head out the window. “Isn’t it just potato noodles? Whatever, just don’t ask me again.”

“You always complain that I don’t care about you, but now, yesterday it was Gou Dan, today it’s Chengze, tomorrow Zhi Zhi. You all take turns, tell me what you want, and I’ll make it for you,” Su Xiangwan said.

Song Donghai stretched his neck out further. “Then I want to eat a big duck.”

In the spring, Su Xiangwan had bought a few ducks to raise. They were still small when she bought them, but now they had grown pretty big.

After the New Year, when meat and vegetables were scarce, the only food left was potatoes. Now Song Donghai wanted to eat one of the ducks that were clucking around the yard.

“Ducks aren’t available. I’ll make potatoes for you,” Su Xiangwan replied.

Song Donghai quickly pulled his head back inside. “If you’re making potatoes, don’t call me, I’m sick of them.”

Kids are like that—if you’re strict with them, they’re as good as gold. But if you’re a little nicer, they’ll take advantage.

“Song Xiling, today I’m going to grate the potatoes into fine strips, then mix them with sweet millet flour, stir it all together, and make it into a pancake. We still have some chili peppers at home, right? I’ll cut them into strips, stir-fry with soy sauce and vinegar, and you’ll have the pancakes.”

Su Xiangwan said, rolling up her sleeves and reaching under the kitchen counter for a few large potatoes. As she peeled them, she glanced up and saw Song Donghai grinning as he squatted by the stove. “Mom, can I help you add some coal?”

“I’m using a honeycomb stove, no need for coal,” Su Xiangwan pointed her finger at his forehead and threw the potato at him. “Hurry up and peel them, or I’ll spank you.”

At this time, Hu Min, who had overheard the sounds of a woman’s voice from next door, guessed that Song Qingshan’s family must have returned.

She took her pretty handbag, pulled out her makeup kit, and carefully retouched her makeup.

Then, with a confident stride, she headed next door.

Of course, looking at herself in the mirror, Hu Min was very confident—an estimated 150-pound woman—this time, she planned to use her aura, beauty, and new military uniform to crush Su Xiangwan into the dirt.