Chapter 46 Argument

Jiang Zhizhi was so startled by Widow Ma's words that she almost dropped the teacup in her hand.

It's likely that Yang Fengmei spoke to her privately, and Widow Ma is known throughout the village for her kind heart.

Zhou Xiye was stunned for a moment, a strange emotion welling up inside him, a momentary discomfort, even a touch of bitterness. He frowned and said, "Auntie, I'm afraid that won't work. We're strictly forbidden from dating local girls here. Besides, we won't be here for long; we'll be leaving in the winter."

Widow Ma didn't understand Zhou Xiye's tactful refusal, and slapped her thigh: "I understand, you soldiers can't date the girls from the garrison, but officers can, right? I think Company Commander Zhang is pretty good... Does he have a girlfriend?"

Jiang Zhizhi probably felt guilty discussing this issue in front of Zhou Xiye, and couldn't help but blush, her ears turning red and her face flushing. She secretly tugged at Widow Ma's sleeve, telling her to stop talking.

She's completely lost face!

Widow Ma glanced back at Jiang Zhizhi and saw that her face was flushed. She completely misunderstood and thought that Jiang Zhizhi was embarrassed. She smiled and patted her hand: "It's nothing. Men should marry when they are of age, and women should marry when they are of age. There's nothing to be embarrassed about."

He then pressed Zhou Xiye, "Does Xiao Zhang have a girlfriend?"

Zhou Xiye also misunderstood the two's meaning and really thought that Jiang Zhizhi had taken a liking to Zhang Zhao. For some reason, he felt a sour feeling in his throat, which spread down his throat and all the way to the tip of his heart. He lowered his voice a few degrees and said, "No, Company Commander Zhang is still single."

Widow Ma turned to look at Yang Fengmei, somewhat excited: "Isn't this perfect? ​​I think Company Commander Zhang is a good person, good-looking, young, lively and with a good personality. He'll definitely treat his wife well in the future."

Jiang Zhizhi wished she could bury her face in the ground. If she had known they would be so direct, she definitely wouldn't have come.

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and grab Widow Ma's arm, saying, "Auntie, I don't want to find a partner right now. Let's not talk about this anymore. You all have to go back to work, so let's hurry back."

Widow Ma nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, we'll go to work first, and then we'll leave it to Captain Zhou to take care of things."

As she spoke, she stood up and winked at Zhou Xiye: "The young lady is shy and embarrassed to talk about this. Captain Zhou, you must take it to heart."

Zhou Xiye nodded without saying a word, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Zhizhi's drooping head, where he could see her earlobes, which were red as if they were about to bleed.

Widow Ma and Yang Fengmei felt they had accomplished their task and happily pulled Jiang Zhizhi back home quickly, hoping to earn two more work points if they returned early.

Zhou Xiye watched with deep eyes as Widow Ma and Yang Fengmei pushed their cart away into the distance, along with Jiang Zhizhi beside them.

Does she like lively young people like Zhang Zhao?

Zhang Zhao distributed the mooncakes and pears to each platoon, then went to check on them again. When he returned, Jiang Zhizhi and the others had already left. He approached Zhou Xiye and asked curiously, "Xiao Jiang and the others left? Why didn't they stay for a meal?"

Zhou Xiye glanced at him: "In a little while, give me your performance review summary for this month."

Zhang Zhao scratched his head, somewhat confused. Why was there suddenly an assessment summary? "Boss, we've been on the mountain for the past two months. Didn't we say the assessment summary would be given when we got back?"

I had a feeling that in just a short while, the boss was very cold to him, not just cold, but freezing cold!

He racked his brains but couldn't figure it out. What had he done wrong in such a short time to make his boss so angry?

Zhou Xiye wasn't too happy about the emotions that had suddenly appeared out of his control. He pinched the bridge of his nose and said, "Just now, Aunt Ma from Qingquan Village wanted to play matchmaker for you and asked if you were willing?"

Zhang Zhao blinked: "Really? That's great! I'm already twenty-five, it's time to find someone. Who is Auntie planning to introduce me to? I like girls who are a little chubby."

Zhou Xiye glanced at him: "Technician Jiang."

Zhang Zhao was so shocked his jaw almost dropped. His eyes widened in astonishment: "Who? Technician Jiang? No, no, that won't do."

Zhou Xiye's brows relaxed slightly, and he asked with some confusion, "Why not?"

Zhang Zhao scratched his head: "She's too thin, and if we really got married, I wouldn't be able to beat her."

I thought to myself, you can't possibly agree to that.

Now he finally understood why his boss had been so cold earlier!

He quickly added, "Boss, I prefer girls who aren't too tough. I like gentle girls, and they should be a little chubby, so they look lucky and can give birth to sons."

Zhou Xiye kicked him: "Keep dreaming, get back to work."

Zhang Zhao laughed loudly as he ran away, shouting, "Boss, don't forget to tell your aunt about my criteria for finding a partner."

...

In the afternoon, Zhou Xiye went to the military sub-district for a meeting on National Day preparations. After the meeting, he made a phone call home from the political commissar's office.

It was my father who answered the phone, and his first words were, "Has Zhizhi arrived yet?"

Zhou Xiye calmed himself down and said, "Dad, Jiang Zhizhi and I are not suitable for each other. The marriage application can be withdrawn even if it is approved."

Zhou's father spoke calmly, yet with an undeniable authority: "Cancel what? The marriage application has already been approved. Just live a good life with Zhizhi. I'll ask your Uncle Jiang again where she's going."

Zhou Xiye was puzzled: "She hasn't come yet, so she must be unwilling. Do you think a marriage based on obligation can last?"

Mr. Zhou was a little angry: "Why can't it last? Isn't that how every family's wedding is?!"

Zhou Xiye rubbed his throbbing temples: "I don't want to argue with you. I will absolutely not agree to this marriage. Even if I see Jiang Zhizhi, I will tell her."

This time, Zhou's father was furious: "Zhou Xiye! Do you think that just because you're in the Northwest, I can't control you? Back then, if you had listened to me, you would have stayed in the Beijing Military Region! Instead, you're still stuck here! You ran off to the Northwest for a woman..."

Zhou Xiye was also a little angry: "I've said it before, I didn't come to the Northwest for anyone else. I just wanted to uphold my ideals. I joined the army not to get promoted or make money! I just want to use my youth and passion to protect the peace of my country!"

Mr. Zhou wouldn't listen to a word and slammed his fist on the table in anger: "You think you're so great? Where were you when I was fighting the enemy with all my might? Weren't your mother and I doing it for your own good?"

Zhou Xiye felt there was no point in arguing any longer: "Since you've been through it, you shouldn't be stopping me! Back then, I was already on the front lines, and you transferred me to the rear with a single order. Did you even consider my feelings?"

"What did I do? I deserted in the face of battle, I'm a coward!!"

Mr. Zhou took a breath and realized that they had wronged Zhou Xiye back then. His tone softened: "It's all in the past. We won't interfere in your life now, but you must listen to me regarding your marriage with Jiang Zhizhi!"