RTAMEIN70s Chapter 45

Thoughtful

Captain Luo’s current wife, Zhu Hui, was previously introduced to Captain Jiang, who didn’t agree, though Zhu Hui seemed quite proactive.

Li Yuxia recalled seeing Qin Lanfang just now and thought of Zhu Hui again. Regardless of any conditions, Qin Lanfang probably couldn’t compare to Zhu Hui.

Zhu Hui is a nurse at the military hospital, not bad-looking, quite beautiful and generous. Compared to Zhu Hui’s deep features, Qin Lanfang seemed more delicate, but Qin Lanfang didn’t seem aggressive, which made her appear comforting.

Zhu Hui didn’t end up with Captain Jiang but married Captain Luo instead. Captain Luo had a previous wife and two children, unlike Captain Jiang.

Their family also had its complications. Li Yuxia had thought before, it would have been better if Zhu Hui had married Captain Jiang.

“Yuxia, have you met the one from Captain Jiang’s family?” Political Commissioner Zhang Zhenghui came back and immediately curiously asked Li Yuxia.

“I have, she seems decent.”

Zhang Zhenghui continued, “I heard she’s not very physically capable? And she’s a rural person, not young either, in her thirties, right?”

As he spoke, he found it unbelievable. Given Captain Jiang’s current status, he could easily find a young and beautiful woman in her twenties, but who knew he didn’t fancy those young girls and ended up with…

He heard it took him several years to decide. Was his eyesight not good?

“She’s a bit physically challenged, but she seems honest and decent.”

Zhang Zhenghui sighed, “No wonder he went to find Xiao Zhan to set them up. Look at this, if anyone else dared to introduce someone like this to Captain Jiang, a rural, uneducated, not young, physically challenged person, it’s not matchmaking, it’s making enemies.”

“I bet he’ll regret it.”

“Don’t talk nonsense about making enemies. Don’t forget, Captain Jiang is a faithful man.” On this point, Li Yuxia admired Captain Jiang, “Old Jiang is a faithful man.”

She had seen many men who remarried shortly after their wife’s death, but Captain Jiang, who had been thinking about it for several years, finally married her. She thought he was just like Xiao Gu, both faithful men.

“Captain Jiang definitely won’t regret it, and they won’t argue. I’m just worried about the new military wife’s adaptation.” Captain Jiang used to be a high-profile bachelor, and now he married such a wife. With her physical challenges, there would definitely be gossip behind their backs.

Zhang Zhenghui said, “With time, she’ll naturally adapt.”

“You don’t understand all the twists and turns, I understand them the best.” Li Yuxia was afraid that Zhu Hui would feel uncomfortable. She hadn’t been doing well in Captain Luo’s house. She had even expressed regret to her before. Now seeing Qin Lanfang, it was difficult to guarantee that she wouldn’t feel psychologically unbalanced.

“Okay, okay, you understand everything, I know nothing, alright.”

*

Zhan Aiping took Qin Lanfang to find Shen Liqing. The courtyard of Shen Liqing’s house was completely different from Zhan Aiping’s, very dense inside, especially in the corners where weeds had grown rampant. If one searched carefully, they could even find a small tomato plant sprouting from the grass pile.

Although they were all weeds, the weeds in Shen Liqing’s house were planned in an orderly manner, appearing messy but not chaotic. She even trimmed many of the weeds into shapes.

She had even stacked some beautiful stones to make a fake mountain. It was said that she also wanted to make a fish pond, but it remained only in plans, lacking the drive to act.

“This courtyard…”

Qin Lanfang looked at the courtyard and couldn’t help nodding. This was the trendy courtyard managed by the girl from Shanghai.

Zhan Aiping said, “You can go and see my family’s courtyard.”

The crops and vegetables in her family were neatly arranged.

Qin Lanfang smiled and said, “I like her family’s courtyard.”

She was used to seeing orderly fields and vegetable plots in the countryside, so she liked this kind of messy “trendy” style.

Zhan Aiping said, “She also said she wanted to make a fish pond.”

“A fish pond? I want one too.”

Zhan Aiping said, “Then I’ll come to your house to catch fish.”

Shen Liqing was very happy to see them. Although Shen Liqing didn’t like going out, she enjoyed making friends. She held Zhan Aiping’s arm, “Wow, Aiping, your belly has grown a lot again. It must be very hard, with two kids, really big, are you tired from walking?”

Shen Liqing and Wang Youli hadn’t planned to have children yet, mainly because Shen Liqing wasn’t ready. She said she hadn’t adapted to the environment, and Wang Youli didn’t push her. They used contraception, and Shen Liqing continued to enjoy her comfortable days at home.

The scallions that Shen Liqing planted had died one crop after another. At first, she tried to cover it up, but now she didn’t bother anymore. The “weeds” she planted, however, were thriving.

In this somewhat resentful mindset, Shen Liqing thought she might as well just plant grass.

She didn’t need to plant much vegetables for herself, as she and Wang Youli either ate at the cafeteria or cooked with store-bought vegetables. It wasn’t worth the trouble to plant her own…

“Fortunately, I’m about to unload.” Zhan Aiping held her belly, feeling somewhat anxious. She wanted to give birth more than anyone else.

Shen Liqing observed Zhan Aiping’s arms and wrists and couldn’t help but say, “Aiping, your belly has gotten bigger, but it seems like you haven’t gained much weight elsewhere. Your arms are even thinner than mine. Look at my arms, I’ve gained quite a bit of weight.”

Zhan Aiping was speechless. “Some people eat and drink well at home every day.”

Shen Liqing blushed. “…”

“I admit I stay at home every day, but eating and drinking well can’t compare to your conditions. Who wouldn’t envy you? All sorts of delicious food and drinks are constantly being sent to your home. Nobody can compare to you.”

“I envy you so much.”

After Zhan Aiping got pregnant, her family would occasionally send things over—her father, her younger brother, and on Gu Sheng’s side, his parents and several brothers would also bring things over, saying they were for her health. Even Gu Xiaomei, who was just a freeloader, would occasionally bring some meat over to improve their diet. All of this was seen by outsiders.

They also liked to give milk powder. The child hadn’t been born yet, but there was a lot of milk powder at home.

“Is this Sister Qin? Don’t laugh at my courtyard.”

Qin Lanfang sincerely said, “Not at all, I… I quite like it.”

Shen Liqing felt embarrassed about her courtyard and thought Qin Lanfang was just being polite. She urged, “Don’t stand outside, come inside.”

Once inside, Shen Liqing and Wang Youli’s house was tidy and clean. Their home was just like Zhan Aiping’s, both adopting a minimalist style with not too many furnishings or decorations.

In Shen Liqing’s study, there was also a shelf full of books, but hers were all novels and comics.

Her desk was covered with white paper, with ink and a brush beside it. When Shen Liqing was idle at home, she occasionally practiced calligraphy and painting.

Qin Lanfang sighed, “You’re really talented.”

“No, no, no, not at all.” Shen Liqing thought to herself, I just don’t want to work.

As long as she didn’t have to work, everything she did at home was interesting.

Shen Liqing’s old friend, Chen Yuan, had come to see her once before. Chen Yuan encouraged and urged her to find a job quickly, saying that only through work could she realise her life’s value. Shen Liqing always replied, “I want to give the job to those who need it more.”

Chen Yuan also advised her to get pregnant quickly, so she could tie down a man’s heart.

But Shen Liqing had procrastination syndrome, just getting by. She felt that she could live this kind of life for another three years.

Qin Lanfang felt inferior, saying, “You young girls are all too outstanding. I can’t compare even a bit.”

Shen Liqing chuckled, “Not at all, Sister Qin, you’re too good with words.”

“Sister Qin is being modest. She cooks so deliciously. There’s a doctor at our hospital who has been trying to transfer away, but can’t bear to leave her cooking.”

Shen Liqing laughed, “Really? Then I’ll be lucky from now on. I’ll have to come over to Sister Qin’s place for meals.”

Zhan Aiping raised her eyebrows, “Why not come to my house for a meal?”

“Your house has too much ‘killing intent,’ I’m afraid. I won’t be lucky to eat there.” Shen Liqing patted her chest, “Commander Gu in your house only wants to cook for his own wife. I won’t go to annoy anyone.”

“As for my husband, eating his cooking shortens your life.” Shen Liqing encouraged Wang Youli to learn to cook, but unfortunately, he was extremely clumsy, and his cooking was extremely bad. For the sake of their stomachs, Shen Liqing gave up teaching Wang Youli to cook.

Wang Youli developed a psychological shadow from cooking, thinking it was fine for them to eat at the cafeteria.

Qin Lanfang was only somewhat confident in her own cooking skills. She generously said, “You all come to my house for a meal.”

“Great.” Shen Liqing was especially happy.

However, she didn’t expect that in the end, she only crashed someone else’s meal twice and was driven out by another person’s “killing intent.”

The three of them chatted very warmly. Later, Zhan Aiping took Qin Lanfang to meet several other military wives. After all, it was in the military camp, their first meeting, so they were all very polite on the surface.

Zhan Aiping had also fulfilled Captain Jiang’s request.

“After you move in, you’ll get used to it quickly.”

Qin Lanfang nodded, “Dr. Zhan, thank you.”

“No problem.”

*

As Captain Jiang’s wedding with Qin Lanfang approached, Captain Jiang seemed to have a bit of premarital anxiety. He always talked about how things would be after marriage, which irritated Sun Jun, the military doctor, who bluntly said, “This old man either doesn’t feel lust or becomes unbearable when he does.”

Captain Jiang had to pull Gu Sheng aside to talk, showing off overtly and covertly, “My wife sewed me a little handkerchief, it’s so beautiful.”

Gu Sheng shook his head, “I’m not looking.”

“You have to look, you must. My wife sewed me a handkerchief, and I’m going to wear it every day from now on.”

“Look at your sister-in-law’s skill.”

Captain Jiang insinuated jokingly, “Did your wife never sew you a handkerchief? Let me make you envious.”

“I’m not envious, I don’t need to look either. I’ve seen it a long time ago.” Gu Sheng couldn’t help but say, “Your wife also sewed three handkerchiefs for my wife.”

Captain Jiang was stunned, “What?”

“Your wife even made two sets of clothes for my child, do you want to see?”

Captain Jiang was a bit at a loss for words, “What?”

“And there are tiger-head shoes.”

“Sister-in-law’s craftsmanship is really good.”

Captain Jiang: “Can you ask your wife to take less things from my wife!”

If this continued, he would feel sour.

Why did Dr. Zhan have three, and he only had one?

Gu Sheng said, “I can’t control that. Can you manage your own wife and stop her from sending things to mine?”

Captain Jiang: “…”

“She even dried fruit for my wife.”

“She accompanied my wife for walks…”

“Now my wife eats the food your wife cooks for lunch, and comes back to eat what I cook for dinner.”

“She—”

Captain Jiang couldn’t bear to listen anymore, “Shut up, shut up. Don’t say anything more, or we won’t be brothers anymore.”

Captain Jiang felt bitter, “I haven’t even eaten the dishes cooked by my wife often.”

Gu Sheng comforted him, “Everyone in the hospital has had it. They eat it every day and all think it’s delicious. Commander Jiang, you’re lucky.”

Qin Lanfang was good at cooking, and everyone in the hospital could see that. As the number of people in the hospital grew, Director Hao decided to set up a small kitchen in the hospital to provide meals for the medical staff.

Anyone in need could pay with grain or tickets to eat the small kitchen meals in the hospital. Since there were not many people, it couldn’t be called mass catering.

Currently, there were Qin Lanfang and another chef with the surname Zhou. Qin Lanfang only cooked lunch, while the chef named Zhou was responsible for dinner, earning only a few yuan a month.

Commander Jiang said, “Don’t rub salt into my wounds.”

He also wanted to eat his wife’s cooking every day.

Commander Jiang had eagerly awaited this moment, and finally, his wife had moved into the family quarters. He was no longer a bachelor and was about to enjoy the life of a husband and father. Since both Commander Jiang and Qin Lanfang were not young anymore, they did not hold a grand celebration. Instead, they invited familiar people to a few small meals in the family quarters.

Zhan Aiping and her husband came to congratulate them. Zhan Aiping had gained weight, and Gu Sheng was always supporting her. He didn’t join the others in drinking but instead toasted Commander Jiang and then sat beside Zhan Aiping, accompanying her for the meal.

The political commissar from their regiment couldn’t help but say to Commander Jiang, “Look at this, look at this. The way Chief of Staff Gu is today might just be your future.”

“Impossible,” Commander Jiang said with a face full of happiness. “My wife is a very considerate and caring woman.”

Qin Lanfang was indeed very considerate. She was particularly concerned about Zhan Aiping’s condition: “Xiao Zhan, do you like today’s dish?”

“Xiao Zhan, do you like this?”

“Doctor Zhan…”

Qin Lanfang didn’t know anyone else here. There were many tall and imposing men in the army, which intimidated her. She also avoided her younger sister Qin Yanfang, fearing ridicule.

Only here with Zhan Aiping did she feel sheltered.

Gu Sheng glanced over at Commander Jiang and gave him a look: Take your wife away!

Commander Jiang: …

Nearby, someone laughed. It was Commander Luo, who thought Commander Jiang’s new wife was quite unimpressive and lacking in grace. The men in the army looked down on such timid behaviour; it was really petty.

Commander Luo’s wife, Zhu Hui, was also at the table. Zhu Hui was not very talkative and had a bit of an arrogant demeanour, usually keeping to herself and not interacting much with other military wives.

She worked at the military hospital and always had a serious expression, rarely showing any smile.

She had been courted by two Commanders. Zhu Hui was beautiful, but in a different way from Zhan Aiping’s bright charm. Zhu Hui’s features were stern and somewhat intimidating, making her seem less approachable.

Zhu Hui’s appearance was completely different from Qin Lanfang’s. Most people would first be drawn to Zhu Hui’s looks and only notice the more modest Qin Lanfang later.

The more Qin Lanfang tried to hide her timidity in public, the more apparent it became, and there was no telling how many were laughing at her behind her back.

“You’re Qin Lanfang? You sound so gentle. I’m Zhu Hui, Mrs. Luo.”

Qin Lanfang’s voice trembled, “Hello, I’m Qin Lanfang.”

Zhu Hui said, “We can chat more in the future.”

“Okay, okay.”

The nearby military wives exchanged glances and whispered, “Zhu Hui usually doesn’t interact with others, does she?”

“She’s very proud and even plays the stepmother role.”

“Why is she taking the initiative to talk to Commander Jiang’s family today?”

“I don’t know. Maybe she wants to make fun of them. Look at Commander Jiang’s family, so petty. I heard Commander Jiang used to date Zhu Hui…”

…..

After the meal and drinks, Commander Luo and Zhu Hui went home together. Commander Luo had drunk quite a bit, and he felt uneasy seeing Zhu Hui take the initiative to befriend Qin Lanfang. Once they were home, Zhu Hui went straight to their room without a word, while the sounds of their two children yelling and arguing could be heard outside.

“Why didn’t you take us to the banquet!”

“Grandma, I want a big chicken leg.”

Grandma Luo chased after her two grandsons: “Your father is back. Call him ‘Dad.’”

“Dad.”

Grandma Luo told Commander Luo, “Tonight, you’ll sleep with the children. They’re all asking for you.”

Commander Luo rubbed his forehead and said, “I’ll go talk to Zhu Hui.”

He turned and walked into the room.

Grandma Luo called her grandsons over and whispered, “That wicked stepmother is causing trouble again.”

“Wicked stepmother, so cruel.”

“Yes, she’s really cruel. If anyone asks you, just say she’s heartless… She’s only interested in your father.”

…

Commander Luo closed the door and saw Zhu Hui sitting in front of the vanity, looking at herself in the mirror without turning around.

Commander Luo, smelling of alcohol and visibly angry, said, “Why were you trying to befriend Commander Jiang’s wife? What are you up to? Are you still thinking about Jiang Rui?”

“Commander Jiang is a good man,” Zhu Hui said, not in the mood to talk.

This statement infuriated Commander Luo. “Let me tell you, you’re my wife now. Stop thinking about all this nonsense.”

“I provide for you and solve your work problems. What more do you want?”

“Jiang Rui is just an old bald man. Even after all these years, he still can’t get rid of his outdated hat. Look at him—after all these years, he ended up marrying a cripple. Only he himself isn’t embarrassed.”

Zhu Hui said, “I’m going to bed now.”

“You’re still giving me the cold shoulder? Do you dare to get a divorce?” Commander Luo had argued with Zhu Hui several times before, and whenever he mentioned divorce, Zhu Hui would stop arguing. Commander Luo knew she was reluctant to give up the title of a regiment’s wife.

Initially, Zhu Hui was determined to climb the social ladder. She didn’t succeed with Commander Jiang but managed to marry Commander Luo, becoming a regiment’s wife smoothly.

Now that Commander Jiang had married a cripple, where could she go to be a regiment’s wife if she divorced Commander Luo?

Commander Luo left the room, and Zhu Hui undressed and crawled into bed, shedding a few tears.

The next morning, she went to work. Commander Luo had already left. At home, only Grandma Luo and her two stepsons, Dabao and Erbao, were left.

Grandma Luo said, “Take your medicine before going out.”

Zhu Hui pinched her nose and drank the black, foul-smelling medicinal soup. Taking her things, she went out, with the wind still carrying the sounds of Erbao calling her “eggless old hen.”

“She’s just a wicked, black-hearted stepmother.”

…

Once she left the family quarters, Zhu Hui felt completely relaxed. Her job had been transferred to the military hospital, where she worked as a nurse. Zhu Hui was also known for being a lone wolf at the hospital, with a quirky temper and not well-liked.

People talked behind her back, calling her the regiment’s wife, saying she had a bad temper, and labelling her as a stepmother.

Zhu Hui spent the day at work like a ghost, not wanting to go back home, but where else could she go?

Returning to the family quarters, Zhu Hui found that Commander Luo was busy and hadn’t come home. The only ones there were Grandma Luo and the stepsons. Not wanting to go back, Zhu Hui thought about Qin Lanfang, whom she had met the previous day, and couldn’t help but want to see her again.

Unfortunately, Zhu Hui didn’t get to see Qin Lanfang the previous day. Disappointed, she went back home. The next day, she didn’t go to work and couldn’t help but seek out Qin Lanfang again. By the afternoon, she finally managed to catch her.

When Qin Lanfang saw Zhu Hui, she was very shy and invited her inside.

Unlike what others might expect, Zhu Hui didn’t hold any hostility towards Qin Lanfang. In fact, she envied the thirty-year-old woman with a limp before her. She had heard that Commander Jiang had liked her for many years and, even knowing that she couldn’t have children, he was still willing to marry her.

“Zhu… Nurse Zhu, please come in. We don’t have much in the house right now.”

Zhu Hui said, “Hello, I just wanted to make a friend.”

“Alright, alright,” Qin Lanfang nodded eagerly, “Let me make you a cup of tea.”

Zhu Hui, like Qin Lanfang, came from a humble background. She used to be in a performing arts troupe and relied on her beauty to aim for a higher social status, wanting to marry a cadre.

Commander Jiang was a significant figure. Although he had a previous wife, she had died before they could consummate their marriage. Not long after, his wife passed away, and despite being a widower, he was essentially like a first-time groom. Zhu Hui had initially set her sights on Commander Jiang.

Zhu Hui pursued Commander Jiang actively, but he showed no interest in her. After some time, she was eventually won over by Commander Luo.

Commander Luo was shorter than Commander Jiang but looked better. Zhu Hui figured that since both were regimental leaders, it didn’t matter whom she married, so she focused on Commander Luo, determined to become his wife.

Before marrying Commander Luo, Zhu Hui enjoyed a period of sweetness and seemed to have achieved her goal of living a life envied by many as a regiment’s wife.

However, soon after the marriage, Commander Luo’s mother and his two children from his previous marriage moved in. Grandma Luo constantly criticized Commander Luo for not sending enough money home and accused him of being ungrateful. Since his marriage, the amount sent home had decreased by half, leading Grandma Luo to berate him for being heartless.

Feeling guilty, Commander Luo agreed to send half his salary home to support the two children, but Grandma Luo was still dissatisfied. She settled in the family quarters with the children.

Initially, Zhu Hui tried to get along with her mother-in-law and stepsons, but Grandma Luo set strict rules:

“Men should not do any housework, or they will lose their luck. You can’t obstruct my son’s future.”

“Women’s clothes should not be placed on top of men’s clothes; it will affect their luck. And don’t put them on the bedding or pillows; it will also affect their luck…”

“Don’t keep long hair. Women with long hair are troublemakers. Stepmothers with long hair attract lice…”

…

Thinking of herself as marrying up, Zhu Hui endured it all. She did the housework and even cut her hair, trying hard to please the stepsons. Despite her efforts, the stepsons continued to insult her outside, calling her a “heartless stepmother” and “wicked stepmother.”

If anything went wrong at home, like if a grandson fell, Grandma Luo would scold her, “It’s your bad luck and harsh nature that’s affecting our family’s fortune.”

“My son’s career stagnation is all your fault.”

…

Initially, Commander Luo defended Zhu Hui, but since Grandma Luo was his biological mother, the conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law couldn’t be too severe. Zhu Hui didn’t dare to escalate the situation, but the more she retreated, the worse Grandma Luo became.

Grandma Luo took half of Commander Luo’s salary, claiming it was for supporting the two grandchildren. She used various excuses to extract money from him, which she then used to support her own children.

She would often say, “Eldest, you’ve become successful. You can’t ignore your siblings at home. Now that you’re a Commander, do you think your brothers are no longer your responsibility?”

Most of Commander Luo’s salary ended up in Grandma Luo’s hands. Zhu Hui, as the new wife, lacked the confidence to confront Grandma Luo. She couldn’t win any argument or confrontation.

She was a stepmother, and with the old lady bringing along her two grandsons, Zhu Hui could hardly compete with them. The old lady and her grandsons often tarnished her reputation outside, constantly calling her a wicked stepmother.

Zhu Hui didn’t think about divorce; instead, she mustered her strength, hoping to have a child with Commander Luo. She thought that having a child would give her some leverage. However, after two or three years, there was still no sign of pregnancy.

Grandma Luo said she was like an old hen that didn’t lay eggs.

“No wonder she wanted to be a stepmother, she’s just like an old hen that doesn’t lay eggs.”

Zhu Hui left the performing arts troupe and went on to study nursing. She was transferred to the military hospital as a nurse. Although she worked at the hospital, she didn’t dare to get a gynaecological check-up, fearing ridicule from others.

People said she was a stepmother, that she didn’t have children, and that her desire to have a child was merely a ploy to manipulate others.

Grandma Luo claimed that Zhu Hui’s inability to have children was due to some medical issue. She even found an old Chinese doctor who diagnosed Zhu Hui with gynecologically problems and prescribed a special formula for conceiving, which she was to drink regularly.

Over the years, Zhu Hui’s spirit was worn down.

The greatest regret of her life was marrying Commander Luo and becoming a stepmother.

Qin Lanfang poured tea for Zhu Hui, who smiled shyly and seemed quite embarrassed, “Please have some tea. This is tea from my hometown.”

“By the way, do you prefer tea or coffee?” Qin Lanfang wasn’t sure how to entertain her guest. She had heard that many city people liked coffee and enjoyed listening to symphonies.

Zhu Hui replied, “Next time, come to my place for a visit. I have an old-fashioned record player, and we can listen to music together.”

Qin Lanfang said, “Good, good. We can invite Dr. Zhan as well.”

Qin Lanfang was scared of meeting new people and preferred to have Dr. Zhan by her side for security.

“Dr. Zhan, is she the wife of Chief of Staff Gu?”

Qin Lanfang nodded nervously, “Yes, Dr. Zhan is very kind, beautiful, and a wonderful person.”

Zhu Hui also nodded nervously, “Yes, yes.”

Although Zhu Hui had a “stern” appearance, her personality was quite similar to Qin Lanfang’s. She came from a poor background, and during her time with the performing arts troupe, her family situation was poor, and her clothes were tattered. She was ridiculed then, and she had only one goal: to marry someone well-off and become a regiment’s wife.

Zhu Hui had realized her wish and became a regiment’s wife. However, she soon began to worry about being mocked as a country bumpkin and a stepmother.

Because of this, Zhu Hui was solitary and hesitant to engage with others, and people perceived her as aloof.

Qin Lanfang, being weak and non-threatening, was someone Zhu Hui dared to befriend. She was particularly intrigued by people like Dr. Zhan and Shen Liqing. Especially Dr. Zhan, who had a good family background, with a mother who was a martyr and a veteran, and who had high education and broad experience…

Zhu Hui had never dared to approach Dr. Zhan, fearing she might look down on her for being a stepmother.

Qin Lanfang and Zhu Hui chatted for a while, discussing the tea from Qin Lanfang’s hometown. They found common ground and, knowing that Qin Lanfang was left with only her elderly mother and herself, Zhu Hui also mentioned that her family was small. They talked more, and Zhu Hui invited Qin Lanfang to visit her home.

“Come to my place and look at some old photos,” Zhu Hui said excitedly. “I have many pictures from my time in the performing arts troupe. I can even dance for you.”

In the past, Zhu Hui had grown tired of dancing and had no interest in it. She had to practice every day, which left her with many injuries. She had desperately wanted to marry a good man and escape from performing.

Now, away from the troupe, she began to miss that period of her life and took the initiative to talk to Qin Lanfang about it.

Qin Lanfang had never seen such things and was full of curiosity. Her reactions gave Zhu Hui a strange sense of satisfaction, and her once lifeless heart felt revived.

“Great, I’d love to see your photos.”

“I also want to see you dance!”

Zhu Hui was the first military wife in the family compound to actively befriend Qin Lanfang, who was very pleased. The two went to Zhu Hui’s home to look at photos.

“You’re really beautiful! Dancing, huh? I’ve never danced before.”

“I can teach you to dance.”

“No, how could I possibly dance…”

The two quickly became friends, chatting happily and losing track of time. However, when Grandma Luo returned with her two grandsons, both chubby and holding a mango, the atmosphere shifted.

The two boys had lived with Grandma Luo since they were small, following her every command. They were domineering and unpleasant.

When they saw an unfamiliar woman—one who walked with a noticeable limp—standing beside their stepmother, they began to taunt.

The older boy clapped and shouted, “Lame old cripple, stinky cripple, a cripple with the wicked stepmother!”

The younger boy imitated Qin Lanfang’s limping walk, prancing around and shouting, “Ouch, ouch, my foot is broken, my foot is broken!”

“Brother, brother, I’m a cripple now, my foot is broken, my foot was broken by the stepmother!”

Zhu Hui’s face fell, and Qin Lanfang’s expression also soured. Grandma Luo, seeing this scene, showed no embarrassment and said to Qin Lanfang, “Don’t mind them, they’re just kids. Don’t take their words to heart; children speak without thinking.”

“Since you’re with their stepmother, they think anyone with her must be bad. Just pay attention to that in the future.”

Grandma Luo dismissed the matter, not feeling her grandsons had done anything wrong. She thought Qin Lanfang deserved the mockery for being associated with a stepmother.

Qin Lanfang said, “So a stepmother is a bad person? You’re their grandmother; shouldn’t you be teaching them proper manners?”

Grandma Luo retorted, “My grandsons are very well-behaved. If they think the stepmother is bad, it’s because she’s been unkind to them. And if you’re with her, you can’t be anything good either.”

Qin Lanfang was furious, “That’s not how you raise children…”

Zhu Hui felt powerless, “Lanfang, don’t say any more.”

Seeing Qin Lanfang “bullying” his grandmother, the older boy rushed over and shoved Qin Lanfang, mimicking her limp, “Lame person, doesn’t know how to behave, lame person!”

He spat at Qin Lanfang.

Qin Lanfang grabbed the boy’s collar and slapped him hard, shocking everyone. She then pushed the boy toward Zhu Hui, “A stepmother is still a mother. Zhu Hui, you need to discipline the child!”

“Where do you find children so rude? Is he some village troublemaker?”

The boys kept shouting “lame” with loud, piercing voices that seemed to tear at the ears. Qin Lanfang, feeling overwhelmed, was driven to a breaking point.

She hated being mocked for her leg. When she first arrived at the family compound, she feared others would notice her limp, and now the two children were openly mocking her. It brought back painful memories of her past.

Her mother was a widow, she was a cripple, and her younger brother was adopted from the mountains. If not for their dog, they might have been bullied even more. Village children had laughed at her for being a “lame old cripple” and mimicked her walk.

Though she had been timid in the past, she could no longer endure the humiliation.

Was she to be laughed at and pushed around as before? She was a person of dignity—what did it matter if she was a cripple? Was she condemned to live with her head bowed just because of her limp?

Qin Lanfang, overwhelmed with anxiety, finally exploded in frustration.

Zhu Hui was startled by her reaction. Dabao was pushed to her side, but she didn’t want to touch her stepson at all, so she pushed him away again, and Dabao sat on the ground.

Grandma Luo was furious, “You’re a wicked stepmother, and you’re a wicked cripple. Neither of you are worth anything. Shameless!”

The commotion grew louder and louder, drawing the attention of the women’s committee director, Li Yuxia, who arrived to see what was going on. A crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle.

Qin Lanfang’s eyes lit up when she saw Director Li. She remembered what Li had said before and quickly went up to her, “Director Li, you’re the women’s director. You must uphold justice. How can those children behave like this? They insulted me in front of you, calling me a ‘lame cripple’ and even spat on me!”

Grandma Luo shouted loudly, “She’s in cahoots with the stepmother! It’s the stepmother who brought these nasty people here. Zhu Hui, I knew from the start you were nothing but bad luck. Since the eldest married you, nothing good has come of it…”

“Stop arguing! Stop arguing!”

Li Yuxia’s head was throbbing; this was a major issue. She had originally thought that the conflict was between Zhu Hui and Qin Lanfang, but it turned out to be a dispute involving Qin Lanfang and Zhu Hui against Grandma Luo and her grandsons.

Li Yuxia decided to take a neutral stance: “Those from General Jiang’s family, be more tolerant. Children speak without thinking; don’t take it to heart. Go home for now. When Commander Luo returns, I will speak with him about how he’s raising his children.”

“Grandma Luo, you should go home too. Stop causing a ruckus. It’s inappropriate to label someone as a wicked stepmother. Don’t teach the children to insult others or call them lame.”

“Zhu Hui, you need to handle things better. You’re the children’s mother now. When their father isn’t around, you need to take more responsibility.”

Zhu Hui’s eyes were red, “How am I supposed to manage them? They’re not my biological children. Why should I have to?”

Grandma Luo jumped up angrily at Zhu Hui’s words, “Listen to her! This is the kind of wicked stepmother she is. If it weren’t for me, who knows how she would mistreat my grandsons…”

“Alright, alright, stop arguing. Go home. We’ll discuss this further when Commander Luo returns.”

Li Yuxia was extremely frustrated. The last thing she wanted was to deal with the unreasonable Grandma Luo. When she got home, she complained to Political Commissioner Zhang, “I really don’t want to do this women’s work anymore.”

“I much prefer dealing with educated military wives; at least they’re reasonable. Do you know why rural women are so aggressive and unreasonable? It’s because everyone around them is unreasonable. Being reasonable doesn’t work; they won’t listen.”

“Whoever makes the most noise gets the most attention. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

The more Li Yuxia worried about others’ domestic affairs, the more she realized how difficult it was to manage. Meddling in other people’s disputes often made things worse.

“Commander Luo’s family is also a problem. They have such a troublesome mother. Even if she’s unreasonable, she still sticks around.”

Li Yuxia had already spoken to Commander Luo several times about his mother’s behaviour. It didn’t help much. As long as the grandsons were here, Grandma Luo insisted on staying. Despite her efforts, the situation remained unchanged.

Li Yuxia, feeling helpless, sighed. Normally, she would mediate and try to reconcile conflicts, but in this case, she felt that a divorce might be for the best. Zhu Hui was still young and attractive; she could find someone else and avoid further suffering under her mother-in-law’s oppression.

However, there were many women who endured such hardship with their mothers-in-law, and who could guarantee that the next situation would be any better?

When Commander Luo returned home, he was furious. The stress from work combined with his embarrassment made him feel like a fire was burning inside him. He first sought out Zhu Hui: “Why are you arguing with my mother again? This has become a public spectacle. Aren’t you embarrassed? I am embarrassed enough. Didn’t I ask you not to fight with my mother? Can’t you just keep to yourselves?”

“Why do you always have to air our dirty laundry for everyone to see and make me the laughing stock?”

Zhu Hui retorted, “Keep to ourselves? Your son started by calling General Jiang’s wife a cripple, and now even outsiders can’t stand it!”

Commander Luo shot back, “Then why did you invite her into our home? What are you scheming? Why did you get to know General Jiang’s wife?”

“You know my mother and the children have issues with you. You shouldn’t have gotten close to General Jiang’s wife. With her around, the children are bound to misunderstand.”

“Are you doing this on purpose? Are you deliberately causing trouble?”

“Yes! I’m doing it on purpose!” Zhu Hui’s eyes were red with anger. “Luo Pingwei, I can’t live with you anymore. I’m done being a stepmother!”