Chapter 8 Righteousness Turns Evil

Before Huo Chenzhou could speak, Zhang Weihong had already taken the wooden basin. After examining it for a moment, she said cheerfully, "It's not too badly broken. I can fix it. You're lucky. I just happened to buy some rosin blocks and fine wood shavings at the supply and marketing cooperative a few days ago, which will be enough to fill the hole for you."

She glanced at Shen Zhixia and introduced her, "This is Officer Li's younger sister, her name is Li Xiuying."

Li Xiuying was plain-looking with dry, yellow hair. Due to malnutrition, she looked thin and frail. As Zhang Weihong pulled her away, she seemed to still have a hint of resentment on her face when she turned around.

Shen Zhixia saw the look in her eyes and pursed her lips.

She had met Old Mrs. Li before; she was no kind person. She had also heard that Old Mrs. Li mistreated her youngest daughter. Although she felt sorry for Li Xiuying after meeting her today, Shen Zhixia didn't really like her.

Perhaps it was a woman's intuition, but she always felt that Li Xiuying seemed to have some feelings for Huo Chenzhou.

She went to see Huo Chenzhou, but Huo Chenzhou didn't notice these details at all. He had brought back food from the cafeteria, but the food was already cold, and he had already started to heat it up skillfully.

Shen Zhixia walked over and glared at Huo Chenzhou.

Huo Chenzhou: "?"

Shen Zhixia then asked, "What are your thoughts on Li Xiuying coming to you to fix the wooden basin?"

Huo Chenzhou asked, puzzled, "I don't think the hole in that wooden basin is very big. Didn't Sister Zhang say she could fix it? She's very capable, she can definitely fix it."

Shen Zhixia: "..."

Who asked him how to look at the hole in the wooden basin?

It's like casting pearls before swine.

But this was just her guess. Seeing that Huo Chenzhou didn't understand, she didn't want to bring up Li Xiuying's thoughts, so she didn't mention it again.

After becoming pregnant, Shen Zhixia became prone to drowsiness. In the afternoon, she took another nap and then went to the service store to buy some Golden Monkey milk candy, Qing Shi calcium milk biscuits, and canned fruit. On her way back, she ran into Huo Chenzhou, who was getting off work, and Huo Chenzhou took the items from her.

As I passed by the well, I saw Li Xiuying again. Her hands were soaking in the basin, vigorously scrubbing her clothes. She was wearing thin clothes, the same ones I had seen at noon, patched up everywhere.

The weather was already quite cold at this time. A gust of wind blew by, and she shivered from the cold, covering her mouth and coughing.

Finally, she saw Huo Chenzhou walking towards her, and Huo Chenzhou was carrying a lot of delicious food.

She was so pitiful that the people in the family compound would take good care of her, and if they bought snacks, they would share some with her.

She put on a pitiful expression and coughed loudly again, waiting for Huo Chenzhou to come and ask her questions. But after waiting for a while, she only saw Huo Chenzhou's back. He didn't even look at her. Instead, he helped Shen Zhixia away.

That woman...

Li Xiuying clenched her fists in resentment, biting her lip as she called out, "Commander Huo..."

Huo Chenzhou didn't turn around. Shen Zhixia stopped and looked Li Xiuying up and down. She said, "I'm Commander Huo's wife. Do you need to see him?"

Li Xiuying's face flushed slightly, and she said softly, "My brother said he was very grateful for Commander Huo's help and invited him to dinner tonight."

Huo Chenzhou said, "Work matters are all within my duties, so it doesn't count as helping out. I won't go over for dinner."

Li Xiuying lowered her head and said dejectedly, "I will tell him."

She seemed timid, but with her head down, she stared intently at what Huo Chenzhou was carrying, her eyes fixed on it, filled with longing.

Anyone with a discerning eye would probably have already given her something to try, but Huo Chenzhou completely ignored Li Xiuying's gaze. His eyes were fixed straight ahead, radiating an evil aura. Therefore, he made no move.

Seeing this scene, Shen Zhixia found it inexplicably funny.

"Have you caught a cold?" Shen Zhixia asked.

Li Xiuying was taken aback when she heard her ask, and paused for a moment before replying, "I...I don't know."

Shen Zhixia smiled and said, "You've been coughing the whole time. It's getting windy now, so you should go home and rest."

After she finished speaking, she left with Huo Chenzhou.

Li Xiuying kept staring at their backs until they were out of sight. She realized that Huo Chenzhou hadn't looked at her once from beginning to end.

She clenched her hands, somewhat puzzled.

It's obvious that Huo Chenzhou and his wife have a bad relationship. His wife has been making a fuss about divorcing him. Rumor has it that Huo Chenzhou will get a divorce this month, and he's even preparing to file for divorce. Moreover, Shen Zhixia has been here for a while and has also been pestering Huo Chenzhou to get a divorce. So why are they still together now?

Even though Huo Chenzhou is divorced, he is still a very good catch and has no children. Marrying him would be the dream of many single women.

Li Xiuying was brought along by Old Madam Li to accompany the army this time, and she naturally had her own ideas. If she could marry a good man, she could change her fate.

She certainly wouldn't let such a good opportunity slip by.

But she found that things were not quite as she had imagined.

Li Xiuying returned home dejectedly. Old Mrs. Li looked at her disdainfully from the yard: "You good-for-nothing, you're finally back? Hurry up and cook dinner. I'm telling you, if you don't snag a military officer, I'll kill you."

Grandma Li didn't bring Li Xiuying here casually. Li Xiuying is 18 years old this year, and it would be best if she could snag a high-ranking and powerful son-in-law from the military camp.

Otherwise, she would collect some dowry and sell Li Xiuying to an old bachelor in the countryside, since daughters are all money-losing commodities anyway.

"Did you go see Commander Huo again today?" Old Mrs. Li asked.

The best candidate in this military camp right now is Commander Huo. Although he is already married, he is probably getting a divorce soon, so he would be a very good match.

Commander Huo is a high-ranking officer; it would be great if I could become her son-in-law.

Old Mrs. Li's eyes gleamed with shrewdness. Commander Huo's income was higher than her son's, and he would have to take good care of her after he married Li Xiuying.

“I saw he bought a lot of delicious food today, but he completely ignored me. After all, he’s married, and I think he and his wife have a good relationship.” Li Xiuying said, picking vegetables with her head down.

"Pah! What a load of rubbish! That little slut is always threatening divorce, but they're just putting on an act for the public. I bet she's carrying some bastard's child. Do you think Commander Huo can tolerate this?"

Grandma Li spat and said, "Go ahead and get close to Commander Huo. He's the highest-ranking officer right now. As long as you keep bothering him, you'll definitely succeed."

When Officer Li returned, he overheard Old Mrs. Li's words and disapproved, saying, "Mom, how could you teach Xiuying like that? Commander Huo is already married, and you're still telling Xiuying to try and curry favor with him? It's simply... simply..."

He couldn't quite put his finger on it, so he could only say to Li Xiuying, "Xiuying, there are plenty of good men in the army. If I find a suitable one, I'll introduce you to one."

Grandma Li said, "None of those people have the same rank as Commander Huo. Commander Huo is your superior. If he becomes your superior, he can promote you in the future."

Officer Li frowned and said, "This won't do either. He's married. What kind of behavior is this?"

Grandma Li said, "They're bound to get divorced sooner or later. Besides, we haven't done anything. We just introduced Xiuying to Commander Huo so that he can consider Xiuying as soon as he gets divorced."

Officer Li remained silent and did not speak again.

Grandma Li said with satisfaction, "If you marry Commander Huo, remember to give me half of his salary."

“Okay, if I can marry him, I will never forget Mom’s help,” Li Xiuying said.

Although Old Mrs. Li treated her very harshly, she felt that she should still be filial to her and that if she had money, she should send it all to her.

"Then hurry up and stop eating for free here. After things are settled, ask Commander Huo to help your second brother find a job, and have him use his savings to support our retirement." Old Mrs. Li revealed her scheming without hesitation.

Li Xiuying nodded, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.