Chapter 40

Jiang Suihan, who was staying at home, naturally didn't know that some people had already begun to fantasize about marrying her husband after her death and living an enviable life.

There was still some leftover mutton from last night in the kitchen, and the cabbage was not finished, so she planned to cook some noodles to make do.

Xu Zhao brought back dinner from the cafeteria. Jiang Suihan didn't have to cook and was happy and relaxed. To be honest, she could cook, but she didn't like to do it every day. It felt like a task. Besides, Xu Zhao said that she could do whatever she wanted at home as long as she was happy.

I learned to make clothes in the afternoon and felt a little tired. Sometimes I just wanted to be lazy and relax.

Xu Zhao moved the braised pork ribs a little further so that Jiang Suihan could get more. "The school has been decided. Construction will start in the next two days and it will be completed soon."

There are plenty of people in the army. We just need to build a bigger house and put some tables and chairs in it. It won’t take long.

Jiang Suihan was a little surprised. "That's great. It would be great if it's completed before the start of school. Every day I see a bunch of naughty kids jumping around in the staff quarters. It would be good to let them go to school earlier. Lele can play crazy outside with Zhao Xiaojun and the others for a few more days. They've had enough fun. It's time for them to concentrate."

After the primary school is built, the little guy can go to school. After being out for so many days, he has probably forgotten most of the few words he learned before.

Jiang Leyun exclaimed in surprise: "Going to school? How come it's so soon! I have made an appointment with Xiaojun and the others to go fishing and catching crabs by the stream."

Thinking that the good days were about to pass him by, the little guy pouted and looked unhappy. He wanted to discuss with his sister: "Can I go to school later?"

Jiang Leyun was bullied by classmates in school before. He was not keen on going to school and had a nonchalant attitude. No one here knew his family situation, and no one would scold him, beat him, or bully him. If he had a choice, he didn't really want to go to school.

Jiang Suihan made the final decision, leaving no room for the child to bargain: "No, children have to go to school, this matter is not negotiable. I will go to your room tonight and check your study situation to see if you have been lazy recently. I have told you in advance that you must finish your homework before you can go out to play. This is my requirement for you, you must do it."

She had expected her brother to resist going to school. It was children's nature to love playing. It was understandable that he could not accept the fact that he had to go to school to study and could not play anymore.

Jiang Suihan didn't intend to deprive her children of the opportunity to play. She just wanted them to slowly develop good habits. It's okay to play, but the prerequisite is to complete the daily homework.

Hearing this frustrating news suddenly, Jiang Leyun wailed and lay weakly on the table, looking at his sister eagerly, hoping that his sister would show mercy to him because of his weak, innocent and pitiful appearance.

However, his sister's heart was as solid as a rock, and her attitude did not soften at all. He caught a glimpse of another person in the house, so he turned his gaze to his brother-in-law, blinking his eyes and looking at him pitifully, hoping that his brother-in-law could say a few good words for him.

Receiving the signal for help from his brother-in-law, Xu Zhao touched his nose and said carefully: "Children love to play. You can't push them too hard all of a sudden, or it might backfire. I think Lele is very sensible and obedient. Talk to him nicely, he will listen. Homework needs to be done, and playing is also necessary. This is called a combination of work and rest."

Jiang Huihan rolled her eyes at Xu Zhao. She had been the bad guy, and now he had come out to be the good guy.

"I didn't realize that you two have become so close. I was worried that you wouldn't get along because of your big age difference and different living habits. It seems that I was worried for nothing. You have become allies now."

Jiang Leyun raised his chin and said, "That's right, my brother-in-law and I are best friends. If you don't force me to read books or do homework, I will be good to you and let my brother-in-law stay away."

Xu Zhao looked at the child speechlessly and said, "Thank you so much."

As expected, his brother-in-law is such an annoying creature, he shouldn't be soft-hearted for a moment.

Jiang Huihan pretended to be in deep thought: "That does make sense. From now on, I'll leave the task of tutoring him. You can do it. I believe in you."

Xu Zhao immediately regretted taking on every thankless job here. He waved his hand and said, "You're his sister, so you should do it. He'll listen to you more."

Jiang Huihan glanced at him lightly: "Le Le just said that he and you are best friends, so you should come. He trusts you more."

Jiang Leyun snorted heavily at the two of them. They were kicking him around like a ball. Doesn't he have any dignity?

"I don't need you to teach me. I can write it myself."

It’s just homework. His teacher used to say that he was very smart and a small homework was no problem for him.

Jiang Suihan's brother's little head: "Look how proud you are, you are the smartest, okay, when you go to a new school, you are not allowed to look down on your classmates for being stupid, do you understand? Be humble, listen to the teacher, and study hard."

I have never seen him so naughty before. After coming here, maybe his childish nature was released. Every day, the naughty child thinks about how to compete with adults and gain more benefits for himself.

She was very happy that her brother was not affected by what happened in Mingjiang City, and his mood was not as gloomy as before. He was doing very well now. The child was happy every day, and his mind was filled with fun.

Jiang Leyun made a face at his sister: "I know, I don't really dislike it."

It doesn’t matter if you’re a little dumb, as long as you’re obedient and know how to have fun.

Jiang Huihan glanced at Xu Zhao. All this was because of him. It was he who pulled her and her brother out of the quagmire and gave them the stable and worry-free life they have today.

She made the decision to get married on impulse that day, but she has no regrets. Now she is even more convinced that her original choice was the right one.

Jiang Huihan picked up a piece of pork ribs for Xu Zhao and said gratefully, "Thank you."

Xu Zhao didn't understand why and suddenly became alert: "Why are you saying thank you to me all of a sudden?"

Did he do something to move her?

He was in the army all day today. Just like usual, he got up in the morning, bought breakfast, filled the water tank with water, and returned home in the evening. Nothing special happened.

Jiang Suihan was too lazy to explain to him: "It's okay, I just want to thank you for your hard work these past few days. The training is very intense. Eat more and replenish your body."

Xu Zhao didn't ask any further questions. She didn't think that he would just stop asking, so she guessed that it shouldn't be a big deal.

Jiang Suihan asked him tentatively: "Will we recruit people after the military primary school is built?"

Xu Zhao immediately guessed what she meant: "You want to be a teacher in school?"

Jiang Suihan nodded and did not deny: "I have this idea. I have nothing to do at home every day and I am a little bored. I want to find something to do to kill time."

Some men don't like their women to work outside, thinking that he can support the family with his abilities and women only need to stay at home and take care of household chores.

After spending these days together, Jiang Suihan felt that Xu Zhao was not a male chauvinist. He was quite respectful to women and did not look down on them.

Xu Zhao put down his bowl and chopsticks. "If you feel bored staying at home and want to go to work, I support you. If you are tired from work and want to go home to rest, I have no objection. The family is not short of money. Besides, I am going to be promoted and my salary will increase a little. It is more than enough to support you and Lele. You don't have to worry about the family. Your own ideas are the most important. Do whatever you want to do. I support you."

A few days later, when Lele went to school, he was in the army during the day. Sometimes he would be away from home for a month or two due to a mission. She was alone at home with no one to talk to, and it was really boring.

It's good to be a primary school teacher in school. He will have something to do and won't have any random thoughts. Besides, the primary school is in the army, not far away, so he can go to and from get off work with peace of mind.

Jiang Huihan pursed her lips and smiled, filling Xu Zhao with love potions and saying sweet words: "I knew you were the best. I really didn't marry the wrong person."

Xu Zhao's ears suddenly turned red and the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose.

Jiang Leyun rubbed his arms subconsciously and felt goose bumps all over his body. He felt like he was brighter than the light bulb above his head.

My sister and brother-in-law are becoming more and more disgusting.

Jiang Suihan asked curiously, "You just said that your salary increased. How much did it increase?"

There are three people in the family and only Xu Zhao has a job to earn money to support the family. His salary is related to the quality of life of the family, so this needs to be clarified.

Xu Zhao: "I was a battalion commander before, with a salary of 114 yuan a month. Now I have been promoted to deputy regiment commander, and my salary has increased to 127 yuan a month."

Jiang Suihan remembered that before the accident at home, his father taught at a university and earned about 180 yuan a month. This salary level can be said to be higher than that of most people in the country. You should know that the average salary of workers nowadays is between 40 and 50 yuan. The living standard of the Jiang family used to be much better than that of ordinary working-class families.

Once when I was chatting with Wu Guihua, I heard her casually say that Captain Zhao was in his thirties and was still only a captain, and she didn't know if he could be promoted.

Jiang Suihan didn't know the promotion process in the military system. Xu Zhao was twenty-five years old this year, or even younger to be exact, as his birthday was next month. A twenty-four-year-old deputy regiment commander should not be common in the army.

Thinking of the time when Xu Zhao went to Mingjiang City to find them while injured, Jiang Huihan was a little touched, but also a little angry that he was running around instead of taking good care of his injury: "Is your promotion this time because of your last injury? Was it a serious injury?"

He also lied to her and said that his injury was not serious. If he hadn't been seriously injured, how could the leaders of the army let him rest for such a long time? She had just moved here and had a lot of things to do at home, so she didn't take it too seriously and was deceived by him.

Xu Zhao felt guilty and could no longer hide the truth, so he evaded the issue by saying, "It's okay. It's inevitable to be injured when on a mission. I was accidentally shot in the left shoulder when I was saving a teammate. I'm fine now. It's not as serious as you think."

He moved his left shoulder and gestured to Jiang Huihan.

Jiang Huihan had a cold face, not wanting to be fooled so easily: "You also said, why didn't you tell me when you were injured, and why did you do so much heavy work? Do you know that you should avoid secondary injury to the wound? If it is because of me that your shoulder cannot be fully healed and affects your career, do you want me to feel guilty for the rest of my life?"

She was really angry and felt that Xu Zhao didn't trust her and didn't tell her the truth. In fact, she could understand his thoughts. He just didn't want to make her worry.

Men are always like this, stubbornly thinking that they don't need to tell their family about things happening outside, they can solve them themselves. She doesn't like this way of getting along, family members shouldn't be kept in the dark.

Jiang Suihan looked at Xu Zhao with a serious expression: "We are a family, I hope we can be honest with each other. If you encounter something, you can tell me, don't hide it from me, we can face it together and overcome it together. If you don't tell me, it will make me more worried and have wild thoughts."

Xu Zhao carefully reached out and gently held Jiang Huihan's hand: "Don't be angry, it's my fault. I shouldn't have kept it from you. I won't do it again next time."

Jiang Suihan glared at him: "Only next time?"

A strong desire to survive emerged, and Xu Zhao almost raised his hand to swear: "I was wrong, I will tell you everything in the future, and I will never lie to you, I promise."

Jiang Suihan: "You said so, don't lie to me."

Xu Zhao nodded, his attitude very sincere.

Jiang Leyun looked at the scene in front of him and sighed silently in his heart. It was over. This family was completely controlled by his sister.

In the morning, Wu Guihua and Chen Xiuni brought some things over. Jiang Huihan accepted them and kept them, inviting them to have tea.

Wu Guihua was guiding Jiang Suihan in sewing, and couldn't help but share the latest news with her: "Xiao Jiang, have you heard? The army is going to build a primary school. Construction started early this morning. When the primary school is completed, the children in the family compound will be able to go to school. They no longer have to get up early every day and walk several miles on the mountain road. It's very convenient."

Unfortunately, the army only planned to build a primary school, so children in the family compound had to go to the county if they wanted to go to junior high school.

Wu Guihua’s eldest son, Zhao Dajun, has just finished elementary school. He will go to the county to study when the semester starts in the fall this year. He will have to live in the school and can only go home once a month during the holidays.

Chen Xiuni said with a smile: "The military leaders are great. After hearing about the children's difficulties in studying, they immediately decided to set up a primary school in the garrison. Everyone was very happy to hear the news. The children go to school in the garrison, and we adults can rest assured. It's really great."

Her two children are both of primary school age, and having a primary school run by the military really makes her feel more at ease.

Although the children could go to the primary school in the nearby brigade, the journey was long and the adults would not be able to catch up if an accident happened on the way. She was also worried that the local children in the brigade would bully the children from outside, and she would not know if her own children were being bullied.

Jiang Suihan: "I also heard from Xu Zhao yesterday that it's a good thing for the army to build a primary school. My Lele is old enough to go to school, and we can't just let him stay at home and play all day. Oh, by the way, sister-in-law, let me ask you something. Do you know how many teachers the primary school plans to recruit? What are the conditions?"

Wu Guihua glanced at Jiang Suihan in surprise: "Xiao Jiang, do you want to be a primary school teacher?"

Jiang Suihan admitted straightforwardly: "I have such an idea at the moment. There is not much to do at home. Every day I just wash clothes and cook. It's quite boring. I want to find something to do. Look, the army happened to be building a primary school, so I wanted to give it a try."

Chen Xiuni glanced at Jiang Suihan and complained to herself, washing clothes and cooking? Quite boring?

Listen to what they are saying, are you trying to show off?

They are busy at home every day, cleaning the house, cooking and washing clothes for the men and children, and planting vegetables and weeding in the fields. They have no spare time to feel bored.

You don't know how lucky you are and make others envy you.

Wu Guihua: "Xiao Jiang, are you a high school student?"

Jiang Suihan: "I studied in college for one year before."

Later, something happened at home and her father was expelled from school, so she simply dropped out.

Chen Xiuni looked at Jiang Huihan in surprise: "Xiao Jiang, you are still a college student. No wonder you are so educated. Your family is well-off. Your parents are so good to you. They let you, a girl, read so much. Unlike me, my family is from the countryside. I have two older brothers. My parents didn't let me continue studying after I finished elementary school. You are lucky to have kind and open-minded parents. I really envy you."

What a confusing speech. Wasn't he talking about the military primary school? Why did he suddenly talk about her family and complain to her about her parents not treating her well?

Jiang Suihan didn't want to talk about her family situation with others, nor did she want to know about other people's family affairs as they had nothing to do with her.

She pulled the corners of her mouth and smiled faintly: "There are no parents who don't love their children. Your parents may have their own difficulties. Let's not talk about this for now. The topic has gone off track. Let's get back to the topic just now. Do you know about the recruitment of teachers for elementary schools?"

Wu Guihua glanced at Chen Xiuni and said, "If you can't talk, just say less. It's annoying to listen to you."

"I'm not sure about the details. A teacher must be literate and able to teach children. I guess at least a junior high school degree is enough. You are a college student, so there is absolutely no problem for you to teach children. It's a waste of talent. Many of us family members are from rural areas and have only received a few years of education. If you, Xiao Jiang, become an elementary school teacher, I will be the first to raise my hand to support you."

Jiang Suihan quickly explained: "Sister-in-law, you misunderstood. I didn't finish college and dropped out. Strictly speaking, I don't have a college degree, I'm just a high school student."

Wu Guihua said nonchalantly, "I don't understand the difference between you college students and high school students. Anyway, you have been to high school and college, which means you are better than many people. If you don't become a teacher, who else has the ability to do so? People like us can't read a word, and it would be a joke to ask us to teach children."

She felt that Jiang Suhan had the temperament of a cultured person, was polite to others, was logical in what she said and did, and was gentle and patient with children, so it was perfect for her to be an elementary school teacher.

Chen Xiuni was unhappy. Both of them ignored her, which made her feel uncomfortable, so she quickly interrupted.

"Guihua is right. The number of people who have graduated from high school in the family compound can be counted on one hand. Xiao Jiang, you are a college student, better than the rest of us. No one can compete with you. You can rest assured that there will be a place for you as a teacher. At the very least, Captain Xu will help you. It's nothing for me to go there. It's useless if I don't have enough education."

Before, Xu Zhao's family background had been privately rumored in the family compound. It was rumored that Xu's grandfather was an old revolutionary who knew many important people. Xu Zhao's parents were high-ranking officials and his family was very powerful. Someone saw with their own eyes that the commander of the army once talked to Xu Zhao, and the commander also asked Xu Zhao to help convey greetings to his grandfather.

The elders in the family knew the commander, and the commander took good care of Xu Zhao. He became a battalion commander at a young age, and I heard that he would be promoted again. How could such a family background not be impressive?

Jiang Suihan rolled her eyes silently. People who didn't know the inside story would think that she got the job through the back door.

I didn't have much contact with Chen Xiuni before, so I didn't know her very well. I didn't expect her to be such a person. To put it nicely, she speaks bluntly without thinking, and offends people without knowing it. To put it bluntly, she doesn't know how to read people's faces and has low emotional intelligence.

Rather than being with someone like this, she would rather stay at home and make clothes. It might be a bit boring, but she doesn't have to deal with these annoying things.

Wu Guihua tugged at the corner of Chen Xiuni's clothes, glared at her, signaled her not to speak, and then turned to Jiang Huihan: "Your sister-in-law Chen doesn't know how to talk, Xiao Jiang, don't mind it, she is just like that, she doesn't have any bad intentions, sometimes she says something unpleasant, just ignore it."

I should have known not to ask Chen Xiuni to come to Xu's house. I don't know what medicine she took wrong today. What she said was so tiring to listen to.

Chen Xiuni knew she had said the wrong thing and smiled awkwardly: "Xiao Jiang, don't be angry with me. I am just like that. I don't think very well. I just said it casually. I didn't mean anything else."

She felt somewhat unhappy because many family members who came here were unemployed, and the army did not have enough positions to accommodate so many people. Some family members had been waiting in line for two or three years but still had not received a job.

Jiang Suihan had been with the army for only a few days when the army happened to build a primary school. She had a high level of education and Xu Zhao was a capable man, so it was a sure thing for her to get a job as a primary school teacher.

How can one not feel a little jealous with such good luck?

Chen Xiuni felt sour in her heart that she couldn't help but say a few sour words. She thought she was popular in the family compound and was eager to help family members in need. Everyone had a good opinion of her. However, she was not as lucky as Jiang Huihan, who was good-looking, well-educated, and married well.

Some people are born to be envied, and comparing yourself with others will only make you feel pissed.

They all lived in the staff quarters, so they saw each other every day. Jiang Suihan would not embarrass Chen Xiuni for a few words, so she smiled and said it was okay.

In the following time, Chen Xiuni became much quieter, occasionally agreeing with a few words.

Perhaps because she thought Jiang Suihan was easy to talk to, she began to speak tentatively: "Xiao Jiang, why doesn't your brother live with your parents? Instead, he came all the way with you to join the army. The conditions here are not good and life is very inconvenient. I see that you and your brother have both been educated, so your family conditions should be good. Why did your parents agree to let your brother come with you to suffer? Doesn't your in-laws have any objection?"

In the past in her hometown, it was very common for a girl to support her parents’ family if she could, after getting married. She was still her parents’ daughter after marriage and would not abandon her parents’ family. However, this was the first time she had seen a girl marrying with her younger brother, and the husband’s family did not object.

I feel that the Jiang siblings are a little strange. Could it be that something happened in Jiang Suihan's family, and she and her brother came here to seek refuge?

Jiang Suihan's face suddenly turned cold. She knew that many people in the family compound were curious about why her brother followed her. They had all kinds of speculations, both good and bad. She didn't explain because she thought it was her family's business and didn't need to be told to outsiders, and also because she was too lazy to say it and thought it was unnecessary.

Sometimes hiding something only makes people more curious, so Jiang Suihan simply said it all at once: "My parents are gone, and there are no other relatives at home. My brother is young, and as a sister, I can't just leave him alone. If that happens, I'm afraid my parents will scold me in my dreams at night."

"As for your concern about whether my in-laws have any objections to my brother living with me, I can tell you with certainty that my parents-in-law are very nice people and are very understanding of my family's special situation. Xu Zhao is even more supportive and treats my brother like his own brother. You may think that my brother is a burden and that Xu Zhao should not be allowed to support his brother-in-law, but so what. We don't need outsiders to interfere in our family affairs. We just need to live happily."

I believe that after this conversation, no one will ask her about Xu Zhao raising a brother-in-law.

Chen Xiuni smiled awkwardly, "You can't say that, Xiao Jiang, you are still too young. Just because your parents-in-law have no objection doesn't mean they are really happy about it. To put it bluntly, you and your brother are spending Captain Xu's salary now. Raising a child is not as simple as you think. Food, drink, and defecation all cost money. When you and Captain Xu have your own child in the future, there will be many places to spend money. By then, your parents-in-law may not agree with their son using his own money to raise someone else's son. Don't you think this is the truth?"

Young people think simply. Jiang Suhan only thinks about the present and does not see the future. Now that a woman is married and has a family, how can she still be thinking about her parents' home all the time? No matter how close her younger brother is, he can never be closer than her own child.

Chen Xiuni felt that Xu Zhao was too kind. He married a wife and brought a brother-in-law with him, and he also had to raise the brother-in-law. It was obvious that he was being taken advantage of.

She didn't believe that the Jiang family was really like Jiang Huihan said, that they had no relatives left. It couldn't be that all their relatives were dead. There must be some aunts and uncles still around. It was very likely that Jiang Huihan was worried about leaving her brother to be raised by others, so she had to keep him by her side. Xu Zhao had no choice but to agree to her request.

Jiang Suhan doesn't like people who have no sense of boundaries, no sense of propriety, and who want to have a hand in everything, as if to show that they are warm-hearted, kind, and just.

She said calmly, "Maybe you're right, sister-in-law, but that's for the future. Xu Zhao said our family doesn't lack the money to raise a child. Last night at dinner, he happily told me that he was going to be promoted and his salary would increase. He kept telling me that I could spend money however I wanted and that he could support us."

Chen Xiuni was surprised: "Doesn't that mean he is the deputy head of the group? Is Xu Zhao already 25 years old?"

Jiang Suihan smiled calmly and said, "Not yet, but soon."

A woman either strives for her career or for her husband and children. Now she has neither a career nor children, so she can only pull Xu Zhao out to show off.

The deputy head of the regiment is less than 25 years old. Compared with the one in her family, he is almost 40 years old and still only a deputy head of the regiment. He can't be promoted no matter what. He has been in the position of deputy head of the regiment for several years and is about to retire and return to his hometown.

They are both deputy group leaders, why is there such a big difference?

Chen Xiuni looked unhappy, but she forced a smile. "That's pretty impressive. There aren't many deputy commanders this young in the army. Unlike my old Hong, who is in his thirties or even forties, he's still in the position of deputy commander."

After a pause, she rubbed her hands, her smile revealing a flattering look: "Um, Xiao Jiang, did Deputy Captain Xu tell you how he got promoted so suddenly?"