Chapter 17 Reporting and Using Another's Strength Against Them (Fourth Update)

"Dispose of?" Aunt Yu didn't think about what to do with the things left behind by Song Fenglan and her son for the time being.

“Yes, that room has to be vacated eventually,” Jiang Yufei said. “I have nowhere to stay when I go back to my parents’ house. Song Fenglan has already moved out. Didn’t she say she wouldn’t live here anymore? She’s been married for a long time, and she should have her own home too.”

“She has her own home,” Aunt Yu said. “Your cousin said she didn’t want those things before she went there. I saw that some of those things were still in good condition and could still be used.”

"Then you two can split it." Jiang Yufei didn't want to use things that Song Fenglan had used, and she didn't want people to say that she was using things that Song Fenglan had used. Jiang Yufei cared about her reputation; even if she had no money, she couldn't do that.

Aunt Yu originally thought that Jiang Yufei wanted those things, but she didn't expect Jiang Yufei to say such a thing.

"What? Do you think I'm thinking about Song Fenglan's things? Do you think I have to take what she left behind?" Jiang Yufei said. "Those things are all old, not new, and they're all worthless. If they were valuable, why would she have left them behind?"

"Don't say that." Aunt Yu found these words a bit harsh. People had kindly left behind things they could use and told them to deal with them themselves. If it were someone else, they might not have done that. "Your cousin has already moved out and doesn't live here anymore, so don't talk to her like that. She doesn't owe you anything."

“How can we not owe each other anything? She lives here, and when I come over, there’s no room for me,” Jiang Yufei said. “Don’t say I’m married, and don’t say I only live in this city. Even if I’m married, can’t I go back to my parents’ home for a few days?”

Jiang Yufei resented Song Fenglan and felt that her biological mother valued Song Fenglan more.

“She left those things behind to treat us like beggars,” Jiang Yufei said. “She didn’t care about us at all; she treated us like nobody else.”

"How could you have such a thought?" Aunt Yu asked, puzzled. "When your cousin lived with us, she was always very careful."

Aunt Yu could sense how carefully Song Fenglan lived. Even though Song Fenglan did relatively little housework, she wasn't completely idle. Just the things the Song family had given Aunt Yu beforehand were already quite a lot.

"She's being cautious? I think she's incredibly arrogant," Jiang Yufei said. "I don't care, you guys should hurry up and pack your things, they're in the way. Make room for her, you can rent it out or let other family members move in, it's up to you. I don't necessarily have to stay in that room, so you won't say I'm meddling in things that aren't mine after I'm married."

"You, you..." Aunt Yu shook her head helplessly. She didn't know what to say about Jiang Yufei; Jiang Yufei still insisted on going against Song Fenglan. Even though Song Fenglan wasn't here, Jiang Yufei still wouldn't let her go.

On the first day of the new year, Shi Guilan was called to a stop by Madam Zhao and several other members of the Revolutionary Committee.

Someone reported that Shi Guilan was superstitious and claimed that Song Fenglan had cursed the Fang family's children. The letter was anonymous, and since it had already been sent out, the relevant personnel couldn't pretend they hadn't seen it. The letter not only reached the leaders of the Revolutionary Committee but also Political Commissar Zhao.

Shi Guilan had offended many people in the past, and those people dared not confront her directly. Coincidentally, this time Shi Guilan went to talk about Song Fenglan, the wife of Commander Qin, who was from the capital and whose in-laws were quite powerful. Some people started to have designs on her, especially since Shi Guilan had previously said in front of everyone that Song Fenglan was a jinx.

Several people heard it, not just the fat woman.

Some people heard it but pretended not to, because they were afraid of Shi Guilan's man. But there were always a few who weren't afraid, and some even thought of using her strength against her.

Staff Officer Xu hadn't even gone to the troops yet; he was eating when suddenly so many people arrived. Staff Officer Xu was still bewildered and had no idea what was going on.

"What are you doing?" Shi Guilan shouted. She couldn't go with these people; their attitude was too bad.

“You have to give a reason.” Staff Officer Xu protected Shi Guilan. Although he knew these people wouldn’t make baseless accusations, he didn’t have a good impression of those people in the Revolutionary Committee. Even though Political Commissar Zhao’s wife was also there, and Mrs. Zhao wasn’t a member of the Revolutionary Committee, Staff Officer Xu was still somewhat worried.

Shi Guilan had given birth to a son for Staff Officer Xu and was also helping to take care of his child, so he couldn't abandon his wife.

“Practicing feudal superstition,” Madam Zhao said. “She said that Commander Qin’s wife brought bad luck to Gao Xiuxiu’s daughter.”

Madam Zhao had heard what Shi Guilan had said before and thought it best to avoid trouble, so she just gave her a slight reminder. Who would have thought that someone would directly report Shi Guilan? Even though the policies have loosened now, the Revolutionary Committee still exists. How could they not take action after seeing the report?

If they don't handle this, people will say they're sucking up to Staff Officer Xu.

This time, these people have to have a serious talk with Shi Guilan. They can't just turn a blind eye to her just because she works in the Revolutionary Committee. Even if they want to smooth things over, they have to call her over and ask her questions.

"I misspoke," Shi Guilan said. "Everyone makes mistakes when they speak. I just said one sentence, that's all."

Shi Guilan didn't want to go with these people, and she didn't want others to know that she had been reported. That would be tantamount to her face being trampled on. Even if she only received a few criticisms later, losing face was a serious matter.

“Sister-in-law Zhao, I really only said that one sentence. I realize my mistake and I will reflect on it deeply.” Shi Guilan was both flexible and assertive. She also needed to maintain a good impression in front of her husband. If she didn’t admit it, the matter would only get worse. “I will write a self-criticism.”

“You still have to come with us,” the Revolutionary Committee member said.

"Well... I guess I won't go?" Shi Guilan said. "If I go... can I just pretend I'm going to work? I'll go by myself in a bit, okay?"

With so many people around, it was as if they were carrying her over, which Shi Guilan felt was unseemly.

Staff Officer Xu stared at Shi Guilan in disbelief. He clearly hadn't expected his wife to say such a thing, even if it was just a single sentence. Didn't this mean that the wife he knew before was a lie, that his wife could indeed say hurtful things? Then was what Qin Yizhou said true?

Fortunately, he had sworn to Qin Yizhou that it was a misunderstanding. Staff Officer Xu thought that if his wife could say one thing, she could say many more. While he was away from home, how many hurtful things had his wife said? Had she really made things difficult for Commander Qin's wife?

"Go now." The Revolutionary Committee members knew that if they let Shi Guilan come alone later, people might accuse them of protecting her. Of course, they didn't want to be accused of protecting Shi Guilan; there was already a report, and it wasn't just one person who heard it. "This matter is very serious."

“We’re all neighbors, what’s the big deal if we exchange a few words?” Shi Guilan still didn’t think it was a big deal.

After saying this, Shi Guilan looked at Madam Zhao, then at Staff Officer Xu. Shi Guilan didn't want to lose face like this; in the past, she was the one who arrested people and brought them to the Revolutionary Committee for criticism and struggle sessions, not the other way around.

“Since this is true, then you should go over there and cooperate with their investigation.” Staff Officer Xu could not go against his conscience and prevent these people from taking his wife away after she had already confessed.

"..." Shi Guilan felt heartbroken. Was her husband just going to watch her being taken away like this?

Shi Guilan thought again that she couldn't blame her husband. With so many people coming to their house, they were just pressuring him and her. In order to prevent her husband from losing face further, Shi Guilan had no choice but to go with those people.

This letter of denunciation wasn't written by Song Fenglan; her parents haven't been exonerated yet, so she's not in a position to write such a letter. Nor was it written by Fatty Sister; she might at most say a few sarcastic remarks about Shi Guilan, she wouldn't have written a formal denunciation letter.

Many people think that some things are trivial and shouldn't be blown out of proportion. They believe that making a big fuss is bad for everyone and can easily lead to resentment from others.

Shi Guilan was taken away by the Revolutionary Committee, and the news spread quickly.

The fat woman even came over to tell Song Fenglan that Song Fenglan was having Qin Zihang try on clothes at the time.

Song Fenglan finished embroidering the adorable little dog, and it was so lifelike.

"Is this Fu Wangwang?" Qin Zihang pointed to the little dog on the clothes.

“Whoever you say it is, that’s who it is,” Song Fenglan said. “Take it off first, then…”

"Mom, can I wear it now?" Qin Zihang didn't want to take off his clothes; he wanted to keep them on. "These clothes are so pretty; I have to wear them."

"Okay, you can wear it." Song Fenglan didn't make her son take off his clothes. The clothes weren't that dirty. If her son wanted to wear them, then he could.

Children are like that; when they get new clothes, they can't wait to put them on.

"Did you embroider the dog on this?" the plump woman asked in surprise.

"Yes, my mom embroidered it," Qin Zihang said proudly. "Isn't it pretty?"

"Beautiful, beautiful!" the plump woman praised highly. "It's so beautiful. I couldn't embroider such a beautiful dog."

"Doesn't Brother Tiger have one?" Qin Zihang asked.

“He didn’t,” said the plump woman.

"There's nothing I can do about it. My mom embroidered this for me." Qin Zihang didn't say, "I want my mom to embroider one for me." He didn't want his mom to go through all that trouble to help others. This was his mom, and it was enough for her to help him.

Song Fenglan chuckled. Her son was still spinning around in circles, wasn't he afraid of getting dizzy?

"Isn't Brother Xiaohu here?" Qin Zihang wanted Zhang Xiaohu to see his new clothes.

"Him? Tell him to come over and play with you later," said the plump woman.

“It doesn’t matter that he didn’t come,” Qin Zihang said. “This was embroidered by my mother.”

"Okay," the plump woman nodded.

Song Fenglan gently patted her son's head, letting him sit beside her and play for a while. She also planned to knead some dough; although it was hot in the summer, it would help the dough rise. Song Fenglan intended to make some steamed buns for her son, as he preferred meat buns. When he went to the cafeteria with his ration coupons, he always got fewer meat buns; making them herself would allow her to make more.

Sister-in-law Pang arrived, and Song Fenglan didn't plan to knead the dough so soon; she could do it later. The meat buns she made were for dinner, but if she made them first, they could eat them then. Song Fenglan planned to make a dozen or so buns—just a small number, not too many. She didn't intend to give the meat buns away; if she were to give them away, vegetable buns or steamed buns would be much better.

"Chief of Staff Xu's wife, Shi Guilan, has been taken away by the Revolutionary Committee!" Fat Sister remembered the purpose of her visit.

"Doesn't she work at the Revolutionary Committee?" Song Fenglan had heard about it before.

“That’s right,” said the plump woman. “I heard that someone anonymously reported her for engaging in feudal superstition and said that she bullied others at will because she was Staff Officer Xu’s wife.”

"Feudal superstition?" Song Fenglan wondered if this had anything to do with her.

“Yes, she said before that you brought bad luck to Gao Xiuxiu’s daughter,” the plump woman said. “Several people heard it. In the past, if she said something like that, no one would dare to report her. But this time, it’s different. You’re Qin Tuan’s wife, so everyone thinks you’re very capable.”

"They're using me against me." Song Fenglan immediately realized that even though she hadn't gone out much these past few days, others were still making small moves behind her back.

Song Fenglan didn't think the person who reported Shi Guilan was wrong. If it were her, she would have chosen to report her at this time as well. With others taking the lead, people might not suspect that she wrote the report. This person still has some brains; she even knows to write the report at this time. Even if the report is useless, it's anonymous, and if it goes undetected, then there won't be any problems.

"Are you... unhappy?" the plump woman asked.

“What do I have to be unhappy about?” Song Fenglan said. “Chief of Staff Xu’s wife has a problem with me. She doesn’t like me and talks badly about me behind my back. I should be happy that someone reported me.”

"You didn't report it, did you?" the fat woman said.

"Of course not, I'm a party involved. If it were up to me, I wouldn't remain anonymous."

"It's a direct, named report," Song Fenglan said. "With anonymous reports, those people probably don't take it seriously. But with my real name, sitting right at the Revolutionary Committee's gate, they'll have to handle things properly, don't you think?"

"That's true," the plump woman nodded.

“Throwing a tantrum can solve a lot of problems. If it’s an old man or woman throwing a tantrum, it can basically solve 90% of the problems,” Song Fenglan said. “If we have any shame, others may not take us seriously.”

The portly woman was surprised; she hadn't expected Song Fenglan to have such thoughts. She had assumed Song Fenglan was a well-educated and reasonable person, the kind of person who liked to put on airs and lecture others.

“Sometimes, the true principle doesn’t matter,” Song Fenglan said.

“What you said makes a lot of sense,” said the plump woman.

"I'll knead the dough in a bit and make some steamed buns for my son," Song Fenglan said. "He likes steamed buns, but you can't buy many from the cafeteria. If I make them myself, I can make more."

"You can make steamed buns?" The plump woman was shocked again.

Damn it, Fatty Sister felt she shouldn't have believed her husband's words about not being able to cook. She thought Song Fenglan's cooking skills were quite good.

"Yes," Song Fenglan nodded. "As long as I don't have to cook, it's fine. Steaming and boiling are both okay. I'll make a few more later so Xiaohu and the others can try them."

“No, no, no, that won’t do,” said the plump woman. “We also have flour at home. How about this, I’ll bring the flour, and we can cook the vegetables and meat together.”

“That works too,” Song Fenglan said.

“I can make tofu,” the plump woman quickly replied, not wanting others to think she was getting the better deal. “When it’s time to make tofu, I’ll do it. My tofu is very tender, and I’m good at making soy milk, tofu skin, and fried tofu.”

"I can't make tofu, it's quite difficult," Song Fenglan said. Her mother had only taught her to make delicate pastries, things that looked good and tasted good. "I'll wait for you to make tofu another day."

“Okay, okay,” said the plump woman. “I’ll go back home to get some flour. I also bought a pound and a half of meat.”

"Okay." Song Fenglan nodded. "Do you have any radishes?"

"Yes," said the plump woman. "Do you make radish buns?"

"Radish and vermicelli buns," Song Fenglan said.

"I'll go get it," said the plump woman. "Little Tiger drank the mung bean soup you made and kept saying he wanted you to be his mother. Being a mother is fate."

"This is my mother." Upon hearing his aunt's words, Qin Zihang quickly hugged his mother's leg, "My mother."

"Yes, it's your mother," said the plump woman. "I'll go get my things and be right back."

When Fatty Sister went home, she was about to leave with her things when Zhang Xiaohu peeked out from the other side.

"Mom," Zhang Xiaohu said softly.

"What's wrong?" the plump woman asked.

"Is Zihang writing?" Zhang Xiaohu asked.

"Afraid of writing?" The plump woman immediately saw through her son's thoughts. "No one asked you to write; Zihang wrote it himself."

“He’s writing… but I’m older than him, so I feel bad not writing.” Zhang Xiaohu felt that seeing Qin Zihang practicing writing made him feel embarrassed to just stand by and play without writing, so he had to write something too.

"I didn't write it," the plump woman replied.

"I want to go there, I want to go there!" Zhang Xiaohu exclaimed excitedly. "Mom, what are you holding?"

"Don't you think your Aunt Qin's cooking is delicious?" the plump woman said. "They're making steamed buns, so I'll take our ingredients over and we can eat together."

"Okay, okay," Zhang Xiaohu said. "Zihang's mom is amazing. I wish she were my mom."

"Zhang Xiaohu, do you want to get beaten up?" the fat woman said.

"No, that's not it." Zhang Xiaohu rubbed his bottom, he wasn't asking for a beating. "Mom, hurry up, hurry up. If we don't go now, it'll be too late, Auntie needs to go."

Zhang Xiaohu quickly grabbed his mother's clothes, urging her to leave. But his mother was so heavy, he couldn't possibly move her.

"Mom, hurry up, hurry up!" Zhang Xiaohu urged.

"I've already spoken to your Aunt Qin, she'll wait," the plump woman said. "Are you really that disgusted with the food I cook?"

"It has to be made by Zihang's mother," Zhang Xiaohu said.

The plump woman gave her eldest son a few instructions: if he wanted to stay home, he could stay home. She then took her things and went next door. She couldn't let Song Fenglan do everything; the plump woman had to do some things too.

After Fatty Sister arrived next door, Song Fenglan prepared the food in half portions for each side. This made it easier to divide the food. Proportional portions were fine, but half and half was better.

As for whether the flour is of the same quality, don't worry about it; it's all the same. Flour bought from the same place will have the same price and the same quality.

Song Fenglan went to knead the dough, and she asked the fat woman to wash the pork and chop it into minced meat. Rice noodles, shredded radish, and other ingredients also needed to be prepared and ready. Radishes are high in water content, so they needed to be drained.

"See that? A little puppy, my mom embroidered it." Qin Zihang deliberately showed Zhang Xiaohu the little puppy on his body.

"It's so beautiful," Zhang Xiaohu said. "Your mom is amazing! Can't your mom be my mom?"

“No, everyone has their own mother, and my mother can’t be your mother,” Qin Zihang said. “You should ask your mother to embroider for you.”

“My mom doesn’t know how.” Zhang Xiaohu pouted. “She doesn’t know how to do these things.”

"Didn't your clothes get made by your mother?" Qin Zihang asked.

"It doesn't look good," Zhang Xiaohu said.

Sometimes, Fatty would ask others to make clothes for her, but the clothes she made weren't very nice. Fatty felt that everyone made clothes, so why weren't hers as good? Today, after seeing the clothes made by Song Fenglan, she instantly realized that her own clothes weren't just a little ugly, even the simplest designs; they were simply inferior to Song Fenglan's. Fatty didn't believe a word of anyone who said Song Fenglan couldn't cook or wasn't virtuous.

Song Fenglan can bake pastries, sew clothes, and raise children so well. Fatty Sister thinks Song Fenglan is amazing. A woman who is so beautiful and has so many skills is like a woman who has stepped out of a painting—too perfect.

Fatty Sister-in-law and Song Fenglan were in the kitchen, and they could also hear what was happening in the living room.

“The clothes my mom makes are really ugly, really ugly,” Zhang Xiaohu said. “The sleeves are all different lengths.”

"They're the same length." Qin Zihang looked at his own clothes, then at Zhang Xiaohu's. "I can't tell."

“I can tell,” Zhang Xiaohu said. “People have been laughing at me. If your mother were my mother, I could wear such nice clothes too.”

“That’s my mother. I can’t give my mother to you,” Qin Zihang said. “Children’s clothes are either made by their own mothers or bought from outside.”

Qin Zihang never thought of having his mother make clothes for Zhang Xiaohu, while Zhang Xiaohu really wanted Song Fenglan to make clothes for him.

"Auntie, Auntie, can you make me some clothes?" Zhang Xiaohu couldn't help but run to Song Fenglan.

"The clothes my mother makes are the most heartwarming," Song Fenglan said.

"It's so hot. If it gets any warmer, we'll be in real trouble," Zhang Xiaohu said.

The fat woman was washing vegetables, her hands still wet, when she reached out and grabbed Zhang Xiaohu's ear.

"What are you saying?" the plump woman asked.

"Ouch," Zhang Xiaohu said, "It hurts, it hurts, Mom, it hurts."

"You're already in pain before I've even used any force," said the plump woman.

"Don't pull a child's ears. If it affects their hearing, it will be too late to regret it," Song Fenglan said. "Children are still young and fragile, and many things are more fragile than for adults."

The plump woman let go, saying, "You're the one who knows how to raise children, sister-in-law."

"Auntie, can you make me some clothes?" Zhang Xiaohu asked.

"Making one is fine, but making more is not an option." Song Fenglan didn't have that much time to make clothes for these people, nor could she allow them to take advantage of her.

"One piece is fine too," Zhang Xiaohu said. "Zihang's clothes are so nice."

"Look, my dog." Qin Zihang pointed to the little dog on his clothes. "I also have Fuwangwang and Little Tiger Brother, do you want to see them?"

“Look!” Zhang Xiaohu nodded.

Qin Zihang happily pulled Zhang Xiaohu to see the live puppy, and Zhang Xiaohu didn't mention the clothes.

"Don't worry about him," said the plump woman. "He always thinks other people's clothes are prettier and wants other people's clothes. I did get some clothes from someone else before, but he wouldn't wear them. Kids like him, always thinking about this and that."

“Simple clothes are all the same, there’s no difference,” Song Fenglan said. “Children’s clothes get dirty very easily.”

Song Fenglan wore a hat while kneading the dough to avoid getting her hair on it. She also gave the hat to her chubby sister-in-law.

The apron was brought by Fatty Sister herself, so Song Fenglan didn't need to take it out again.

Fat Sister was strong, so she chopped the filling, Song Fenglan added the seasonings, and all the other ingredients were readily available.

While the dough was fermenting, the fillings were also ready.

When making steamed buns, Song Fenglan and Sister-in-law Pang didn't let the children help. The children didn't know how to make them, and food was a precious commodity these days, so it was more practical for them to make them themselves.

The plump woman looked at her own steamed buns, then at Song Fenglan's. She wanted to hide hers; none of them looked as good as Song Fenglan's. Song Fenglan's buns were even prettier than the ones in the cafeteria; they all looked almost identical.

While waiting for the steamed buns to go into the pot, Zhang Xiaohu ran to the kitchen and stared at the pot, his mouth watering.

"Wipe your mouth," said the plump woman. "You're drooling."

"No, not at all." Zhang Xiaohu reached up and touched the corner of his mouth. "Not a single drop of saliva."

Zhang Xiaohu thought to himself that he had swallowed all his saliva, so there was no way there could be any saliva left outside.

Qin Zihang was playing in the living room, folding paper into little boats. He wasn't in a hurry; he'd eaten his mother's steamed buns before, so he just needed to wait for her to make them.

The steamed buns had just been steamed when Zhang Xiaohu reached out to take one.

"Hot." The plump woman gently patted Zhang Xiaohu's hand. She then took a bowl, put a steamed bun in it for Zhang Xiaohu, and also put one in Qin Zihang's bowl.

"Is it good?" Qin Zihang asked Zhang Xiaohu.

"Delicious, delicious!" Zhang Xiaohu nodded vigorously. "It's even better than my mom's."

“I also helped,” the plump woman said.

“But your own cooking doesn’t taste this good,” Zhang Xiaohu emphasized.

"..." The fat woman looked at Zhang Xiaohu, wondering if she could still keep this son.

"Your mother's steamed buns are delicious," Zhang Xiaohu said to Qin Zihang again.

“Of course, everything my mom makes is very good,” Qin Zihang said. “You can have your mom learn. My mom said it was her first time being a mom, so she didn’t know how, but she’s learning slowly.”

“Mom…” Zhang Xiaohu turned to look at his mother, wondering if she could learn from him.

“This isn’t my first time being a mother,” Fatty Sister-in-law ruthlessly shattered Zhang Xiaohu’s expectations. “Being your brother’s mother was my first time, and being your mother is my second time.”

"Why, Mom, can't this be your first time being a mom?" Zhang Xiaohu suddenly had a bright idea. "Is being my mom your first time?"

"Can't even food shut you up?" The fat woman turned to look at Song Fenglan. "Look, my son is like this, always complaining about his own mother."

"You say that, but you secretly adore you," Song Fenglan said.

Before Zhang Chenghai and Qin Yizhou got off work, Fatty Sister and Song Fenglan steamed buns and mantou. They divided the buns and mantou in half, one half for each family. While dividing the buns and mantou, Fatty Sister took the ones she had made that were less attractive, thinking that the fillings and dough were the same anyway, only the shapes were different.

When Zhang Chenghai returned home and saw the steamed buns and mantou, he was puzzled. "Why did you make steamed buns today?"

“Zihang’s mom is making steamed buns, so I took the flour and other ingredients with me,” said the plump woman. “I’ll contribute half of the ingredients and we’ll make them together. Zihang’s mom makes very pretty and delicate steamed buns, and the fillings are delicious too. Your son is clamoring again to have Zihang’s mom be his mom.”

At the dinner table, Qin Yizhou saw the steamed buns and mantou (steamed bread), and at first he thought Song Fenglan had bought them from the cafeteria. But after taking a bite, he realized the buns in his hand weren't from the cafeteria.

"Did you make this?" Qin Yizhou asked.

"Yes, Mom made it," Qin Zihang said. "Dad, eat more. There are meat buns, vermicelli buns, radish buns, and steamed buns. They're all delicious."

The dough fermented very well, and the steamed buns and mantou came out plump and white; they even springed back when pressed with a finger. Although they couldn't completely return to their original shape, it was clear that they were all made very well.

"Little Tiger's mom also came over to make some, and she's taking some back with her," Qin Zihang said.

“They provided half the ingredients, and we provided the other half,” Song Fenglan said. “We made these things together. Let’s eat them; it’s hot, and they won’t keep for long.”

Song Fenglan thought that Qin Yizhou needed to train, which would expend a lot of energy, and his appetite would be much better. Song Fenglan couldn't just make a little bit; there were still quite a few buns and steamed breads in the bowl, and she and her son would also need to eat some.

"Have some water." Song Fenglan poured Qin Zihang a bowl of plain water; she hadn't made any soup. Song Fenglan could make soup, provided she had a special earthenware pot. She could put the ingredients in the earthenware pot and simmer them, and that would be fine.

"Dad, eat more," Qin Zihang said. "I've eaten a lot."

"It tastes great." Qin Yizhou continued eating the steamed bun. It was very delicious, "better than the ones in the cafeteria."

“We can do it a few more times now that we have time,” Song Fenglan said. “If we don’t have time, we can eat in the cafeteria.”

"Okay," Qin Yizhou said. "I don't need to do it all the time, it's too tiring."

“Yes,” Song Fenglan said. “Today, it’s Sister-in-law Pang who’s chopping the meat filling. Chopping meat filling requires a lot of strength.”

“If both families are doing it together, then we should let her do it,” Qin Yizhou said. “Don’t let her do it all by herself.”

“Of course, it’s too tiring to do it all by myself,” Song Fenglan said. “I’m not that kind-hearted.”

“This isn’t a matter of kindness, it’s a matter of fairness,” Qin Yizhou said. “You could do those things anywhere.”

“Shi Guilan has been anonymously reported,” Song Fenglan said.

"You were reported?" Qin Yizhou really didn't know about this.

"It happened this morning," Song Fenglan said. "I don't know what the final outcome will be."

"I guess Staff Officer Xu's wife will write a self-criticism and read it aloud in front of everyone," Qin Yizhou said. "Unless what she did was really bad, she might be sent back."

Staff Officer Xu has both merits and demerits, and his family does indeed need someone to take care of the children. Qin Yizhou told his wife this to prepare her mentally, as Shi Guilan might only receive some minor punishment, so that his wife wouldn't be too disappointed.

“I don’t know if there’s such a self-criticism,” Song Fenglan said. “Someone reported her for engaging in feudal superstition. Didn’t she say I was bringing bad luck to the Fang family? Others overheard this, and I guess those people were bullied by her before, which is why they anonymously reported her. The person who reported her probably still thinks I should fight against Shi Guilan. This person is clever, using someone else’s strength against me. Without any status or background, I can’t even go up against Shi Guilan.”

"I was thinking of talking to Staff Officer Xu and asking him to solve the problem." Qin Yizhou frowned as he thought of Staff Officer Xu's attitude.

Qin Yizhou didn't run into Staff Officer Xu today. He figured if Staff Officer Xu knew about Shi Guilan's situation, he probably wouldn't be spreading it around. This matter wasn't over yet, and who knew how it would turn out? Letting others know and the news spreading further would be counterproductive.

“If he doesn’t solve the problem, someone else will solve it for him,” Qin Yizhou said. “They deserve it.”

“They deserve it.” Song Fenglan couldn’t say that Shi Guilan was innocent; Shi Guilan was not innocent at all.

"Mom, I want more," Qin Zihang said. He had eaten one meat bun and wanted to continue eating.

"Okay." Song Fenglan gave Qin Zihang another meat bun.

Shi Guilan wasn't detained; she went home. The Revolutionary Committee demanded she write a self-criticism, which had to be sincere and read aloud on the radio so everyone could hear it. Shi Guilan didn't want to read it on the radio and asked if there was another way. If that wasn't possible, she could apologize to Song Fenglan in person.

The Revolutionary Committee members refused, as the accusation letter also mentioned that Shi Guilan had bullied other military wives. They insisted that she publicly read her self-criticism to quell public anger. They couldn't protect Shi Guilan simply because she was a member of the Revolutionary Committee.

This won't do!

Shi Guilan didn't even have time to cook dinner when she got home. When Staff Officer Xu got home, his stomach was growling and he had no food to eat, so he had to go to the canteen to buy food first.

"It's alright." Shi Guilan was afraid that Staff Officer Xu would be angry, so before Staff Officer Xu could speak, she explained herself, "Write a self-criticism, read it aloud, and that's it."

Staff Officer Xu's children are still young, and those people wouldn't kick Shi Guilan out over such a small matter. Shi Guilan didn't want to read her self-criticism in public; at least at the broadcasting station, people would only hear her voice and not see her reading it.

“I’ll start studying tomorrow,” Shi Guilan said.

"Don't bully Qin Tuan's wife. She just arrived and hasn't offended you." Staff Officer Xu had been in a bad mood all day. He had initially thought Qin Yizhou was making a mountain out of a molehill, but now he realized it wasn't that; it was his wife who was causing him so much trouble.

Staff Officer Xu couldn't help but wonder if his wife was just putting on an act in public.

He was two-faced, and he also wondered if his wife truly cared for the children from his first marriage. Staff Officer Xu had to work; he couldn't stay home all the time. He thought that the two children's silence meant they were probably doing alright.

"Don't even think about Qin Tuan's matter with your cousin," Staff Officer Xu said. "He has a family, and there are other single soldiers here who you can choose from."

"Yes, yes." Shi Guilan didn't care about a single 'no'.

Staff Officer Xu said a few more things, implying that Shi Guilan shouldn't offend Qin Yizhou and his wife, as they were indeed very outspoken. Even if Qin Yizhou and his wife weren't the ones who made the anonymous report, if Shi Guilan continued to be stubborn, they wouldn't remain silent; they would inevitably take further action.

After eating the steamed buns, Zhang Chenghai thought they were so delicious that he ate several more, which made Zhang Xiaohu stare at him.

"Dad, you've eaten too much. If you keep eating, there won't be any left for my brother and me." Zhang Xiaohu thought, how could his dad eat so many delicious buns by himself? "Dad, you won't let me have any."

"You eat, you eat," Zhang Chenghai said. "Isn't there still some left?"

"Dad, you have a big mouth, you eat one in one bite." Zhang Xiaohu had just been watching his dad eat steamed buns, and he watched as the buns in the bowl disappeared one by one. He was almost in tears.

"It's hot, let's finish eating today," said the plump woman.

“But I want to eat it again tomorrow,” Zhang Xiaohu said.

"I'll ask Zihang's mom to teach me another day," said the plump woman. "With the same flour and the same ingredients, Zihang's mom's steamed buns and mantou are just so much tastier."

"I should learn," Zhang Chenghai said, also wanting to eat delicious food.

"Can't we eat it tomorrow?" Zhang Xiaohu asked.

"If we eat it tomorrow, it will turn sour and won't taste the same," said the plump woman. "Then we can wait until winter to eat it tomorrow."

"Winter, hurry up and come, winter, hurry up and come," Zhang Xiaohu muttered.

The plump woman thought to herself that if winter really came, her youngest son would probably be thinking about how quickly summer would arrive. Suddenly, she remembered that she still had some dried herbal jelly at home. She could cook it into herbal jelly and share some with Song Fenglan. Apart from the two bamboo poles, they hadn't given anything else over, and they couldn't keep taking advantage of others.

After finishing his meal, Zhang Chenghai saw Qin Yizhou next door building something with bricks, so he decided to go over and take a look.

"What are you doing?" Zhang Chenghai asked. "Are you setting up a pot outside?"

“No, I’m making an oven,” Qin Yizhou replied.

"An oven?" Zhang Chenghai exclaimed in surprise, "Are you making pancakes?"

"I don't know," Qin Yizhou said. "We'll find out after it's built."

Qin Yizhou carried tools and bricks. Song Fenglan wasn't in a rush, but Qin Yizhou wanted to get things done quickly. Once everything was ready, Song Fenglan could use it anytime, so she wouldn't be caught unprepared when she needed it.

"Commander Qin, you're so lucky," Zhang Chenghai exclaimed. "I'll never say your wife's cooking is bad again. Her steamed buns are really delicious. When I was eating them, Xiao Hu kept staring at me, afraid I'd eat them all. You wouldn't have guessed, his little face was practically crumbling."

"That's truly a blessing." Qin Yizhou wholeheartedly agreed. "My wife is wonderful."

Most people wouldn't be able to marry someone like his wife.

Qin Yizhou had originally planned for his family to just buy food from the cafeteria; he hadn't even considered that his wife would cook for him. But when Qin Yizhou ate the steamed buns his wife had made, he was filled with happiness. His wife was so good to him.

"..." Zhang Chenghai originally thought Qin Yizhou would be modest, but he didn't expect Qin Yizhou to say that directly.

Early in the morning, when Shi Guilan was about to go to the broadcasting station, she was stopped. People from the Revolutionary Committee took her to a large tree in the family compound. They gave her a megaphone and made her stand there and read a self-criticism.

"Didn't we agree to go to the radio station?" Shi Guilan didn't understand. How could she go back on her word when everything had already been agreed upon?