Overturn
Gu Sheng was at a loss for words at Zhan Aiping’s sly argument. Memories from the past flooded his mind, and seeing her shamelessly bring up those promises she’d said made him clench his teeth. How did she even dare to bring it up?
His expression darkened; although he loved Zhan Aiping, he’d never planned on being the one doing all the hard work and putting up with her quirks without complaint. The idea had always been for him to keep her in line, making her the obedient one, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of their kids.
But three years in, how had he become the one to bend over backward?
The opponent who once pleaded pitifully for him to marry her was now strutting around, bossing him like a proud leader. Grinding his teeth, he said, “It’s been three years, and you haven’t kept a single promise.”
“That’s nonsense!” she replied, clearly feeling a bit guilty. She suddenly realized that her little trick was backfiring, and now, somehow, the tables had turned on her.
“Didn’t you say you wanted a real marriage? I gave you that—I’ve been your real wife, even gave you two kids,” she retorted with conviction. “And I said no divorce in three years; have I once brought up divorce? I even followed you to join the army. That’s three out of three, okay? Don’t be so ungrateful.” She conveniently brushed aside the other parts of her initial promises, smiling triumphantly.
“Laundry, cooking, and taking care of the kids,” he reminded, arms crossed.
“I do those things too,” she countered defensively. “I never made you do anything, right? Just leave it all to me.”
“Comrade Gu, believe in your revolutionary partner,” she continued, making a solemn gesture. “I swear, I really did plan to be a perfect wife from the start!”
He scoffed, though he couldn’t help smiling. “You’re just taking advantage of the fact that I’m soft on you.”
Laughing, Zhan Aiping leaned in and hugged him, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Exactly! Besides, the troops come to me all the time, saying how strict you are. I defend you, saying that my husband is the gentlest there is.”
While Gu Sheng was a tough, intimidating leader in the army, with her, he was softer than anyone could imagine. Early on, she’d at least offered to do her own laundry. But that had quickly turned into her shamelessly letting him handle all of it. She hadn’t the slightest shame about it anymore.
“Honestly,” she said, leaning on his shoulder, “I’m so lucky to have you as my husband.”
He raised an eyebrow with a playful grin. “So now you finally see my worth?”
“Yes, yes.” She nuzzled against him, playfully affectionate. In the past three years, she’d perfected the art of charming him into anything.
Holding his wife close, he sighed, realizing he was utterly wrapped around her little finger. Outside, he was a respected leader, with dozens of men under his command, but here? At home, the tables were completely turned. She was his precious little troublemaker, and somehow, he’d even ended up doing her laundry.
“Look at that, I even wash your clothes for you,” he teased, “and you don’t even care!”
“Any other family, the wife would be the one taking care of everything,” he muttered.
He hugged her tightly, laughing despite himself. “When I teach Guobaorou one day, I’ll be sure to tell him to avoid marrying anyone like his mother.”
“I’ll be his cautionary tale,” he added with a chuckle. “Our smart son needs to learn from his dad’s mistake. I was this sharp, capable man, and then I fell for a woman who’s had me wrapped around her little finger ever since.”
Thinking back on the past three years, he shook his head with a grin. “I’m truly a lost cause!”
A bachelor just three years ago, Gu Sheng never could have imagined he’d become the model husband of the family quarters. The way his name came up whenever a new family moved in, with Director Li proudly citing him as the ideal husband—how ironic! That had never been his goal. He’d wanted to be the one in control, not to be controlled.
Crossing his arms, he gazed at her seriously. “Zhan Aiping, how did I end up like this? You played the long game like a pro.”
“I really do have you wrapped around my finger, don’t I?” Zhan Aiping teased, though she felt a pang of concern. Where had this conversation gone? Had her plan to sway him backfired?
Was Gu Sheng really coming to his senses?
Seeing her look nervous, he smirked. “I think it’s time to restore my dignity in this household!”
“Oh, come on, Comrade Gu,” she coaxed, wide-eyed. “We’re doing just fine, aren’t we?”
Gu Sheng said, “That’s not right.”
“I’ve let you be smug for so long; now it’s my turn. Next time we go to my parents’ house, you’ll play the role of the sweet daughter-in-law.”
“Let me enjoy this for a bit.”
“You should serve me in front of Dad.” Gu Sheng thought this felt completely wrong; why had he forgotten his original intentions?
Zhan Aiping: “…You’re being childish, aren’t you?”
“I’m in charge now; I’m your husband, and you should look up to me.”
Zhan Aiping: “You big pig!”
“Calm down first; I don’t want to talk to you.”
Zhan Aiping deeply regretted it, thinking that one should never get too full of themselves; after a while, she realized she’d really messed up.
Before settling things with Gu Sheng, she wanted to kick out her younger brother, Zhan Mingzhao, and his sister, Gu Xiangyi.
“You two came to my house just to stir up trouble.”
Zhan Mingzhao looked baffled, “What do you mean? You and my brother-in-law are so lovey-dovey, and he’s become a model husband under your influence. Everyone in the neighbourhood praises him.”
Zhan Aiping cursed inwardly, thinking, “Your brother-in-law is now planning a rebellion, and it’s all because of you.”
“Your brother-in-law is bringing up old grievances with me.”
Zhan Mingzhao: “…What kind of old grievances?”
Zhan Aiping replied, “Before we got married, I told him I’d handle all the housework—laundry, cooking, taking care of kids.”
Zhan Mingzhao: “…Sis, that’s…”
He suddenly felt a bit sorry for his brother-in-law, who had been deceived mercilessly by a woman.
Zhan Aiping continued, “I also told him I would be a virtuous wife.”
Zhan Mingzhao gulped, “…Sis, you should go pacify him.”
Zhan Aiping said, “I can keep him in line. Just don’t you and Xiaomei cause me more trouble.”
Gu Xiangyi came over, looking amused. “Sister-in-law, is my brother finally planning a revolt?”
Zhan Aiping glared at her, “Whose side are you on?”
“Sister-in-law, I was originally on your side, but my brother’s so weak with you—he has no fight in him at all. I’ll side with whoever’s weaker.”
Zhan Aiping: “…”
Annoying. Every single one of them was annoying.
Gu Xiangyi and Zhan Mingzhao had a secret conversation afterward.
“Maybe we should exchange letters in the future,” Gu Xiangyi thought with a sly grin, wondering if she could learn from her sister-in-law’s methods. If her brother and Sister-in-law, who initially were like fire and water, could end up together, why couldn’t she and Zhan Mingzhao have a chance?
With her sister-in-law as a role model, she figured she could use similar tactics to keep Zhan Mingzhao in line. Men were all the same.
First, she’d paint a beautiful picture for him…
Zhan Mingzhao blinked and gave her a glance, “Alright, let’s stay in touch.”
He thought Gu Xiangyi was a bit naive, easy to fool; it might actually be feasible to marry her and have her listen to him on everything post-wedding.
This unsophisticated girl hadn’t seen much of the world and would likely fall right under his sway.
Unlike his sister, Zhan Aiping—a “ruthless” woman if ever there was one.
But he? He was nothing like his brother-in-law, who, having met few women, got completely wrapped around his sister’s finger.
Zhan Mingzhao thought, “I’ve seen so many women over the years. I’ve navigated through countless relationships without ever getting entangled. If any woman could control me, I would’ve already been in a relationship.”
Zhan Mingzhao and Gu Xiangyi agreed to keep in touch.
Before the holiday ended, Zhan Mingzhao had a heart-to-heart with his sister, Zhan Aiping, “Sis, you should be grateful for my brother-in-law’s simplicity. He grew up in the military, went straight to military school after graduation, and then stayed in the army. He hasn’t seen many women outside. After three years of being a soldier, even a pig could look like Diao Chan. That’s how you managed to keep him under control.”
Zhan Aiping ground her teeth, “Are you implying something?”
What “a pig looking like Diao Chan”?
**Nomad: Diao Chan was one of ancient China’s Four Beauties, famous for her extraordinary looks. Saying even a “pig” could look like Diao Chan means that in a place with few women, like the military, someone ordinary might seem exceptionally attractive.**
Where did you get the nerve to talk to your sister like that?
“Do you think I’m not attractive?”
Zhan Mingzhao said, “Aside from your looks, you don’t have any other feminine charm.”
“Sis, someone like you wouldn’t attract men out there. You can only fool someone like my brother-in-law from the military.”
“You should cherish my brother-in-law. Don’t let him retire; let him keep working there so he won’t see many women for the rest of his life.”
Zhan Aiping replied, “If it weren’t for the fact that you’re grown up now, I’d give you a good lesson.”
Zhan Mingzhao shrugged, “Sis, I’ve said my piece.”
Zhan Aiping looked at his smug expression, thinking she had to find a strong sister-in-law who could keep her little brother in line. That person certainly wouldn’t be Gu Xiangyi; her little sister-in-law wasn’t up to the task.
“Let’s wait and see.”
After the New Year, Zhan Mingzhao and Gu Xiangyi happily took off, leaving a mess behind for Zhan Aiping to deal with. She found that Gu Sheng was becoming difficult; he seemed genuinely intent on reasserting his authority as the head of the household and setting a good example for their child.
Her obedient, easy-going husband was gone.
Now he had ambitions to act like a “big pig’s trotter” (meaning he was being selfish and stubborn).
No matter how sweetly she painted the picture for him, one day it would fall apart. Zhan Aiping was utterly frustrated—how had her married life taken such a turn?
“All because I spoke without thinking.”
The villain always dies by talking too much; she should’ve kept her mouth shut.
But Zhan Aiping wouldn’t give up. She’d find a way to handle this “big pig’s trotter.”
Gu Sheng even tried to track down an old comrade from his revolutionary days—Wang Youli. Old Wang was a good comrade, but when Gu Sheng called him out, Wang didn’t look too well. Before Gu Sheng could say much, Wang suddenly doubled over.
“Ouch, ouch, ouch, it’s killing me.”
Gu Sheng ended up roped into an impromptu duty, rushing him to the hospital.
Wang Youli had acute appendicitis, and the surgeon on duty was none other than…Zhan Aiping.
Wang Youli’s scalp prickled: “…” Comrade Wang suddenly felt the world go dark. Couldn’t they assign him a proper doctor?
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