Battalion Commander Li's wife's surname is Ning, her name is Ya Ru, and she is only thirty-six or thirty-seven years old this year.
Back then, because of her background, she was forced to marry Battalion Commander Li. She went from being unwilling to it to now having an ambiguous relationship where she can't say whether she loves him or not. They have lived together for more than ten years and raised four children. Whether she loves him or not is no longer important.
The sudden bad news caught Ning Yaru off guard, and she could only cry and forget everything else. After being awakened by Bao Ni's words, her brain restarted.
She absolutely cannot go back to her hometown. Her parents and relatives have all passed away one after another, and her in-laws are like that—they have no feelings for her family and only care about Li Jun's two younger brothers. What good could come of her going back?
Ning Yaru is not a clueless dodder; she was a young lady from a prominent family who had been carefully nurtured by her parents for over a decade. However, she had been hiding her talents all these years, which made her forget her past excellence.
After composing herself, Ning Yaru began looking for a way out. She has four children: her eldest son just joined the army this year and lives far away; her second daughter is in middle school; her third son hasn't finished elementary school; and her youngest daughter is only four years old.
The children were Ya Ru's Achilles' heel; no one could touch them, not even her own grandparents. Her immediate priority was to find a place to stay; she had to survive with her children, to live a good life.
The next day, Ya Ru went to the logistics department to see the leader.
"I don't want to go back to my hometown, so where can I go?" The logistics director knew about her family's situation, but now the household registration information is quite strict. If she doesn't go back to her hometown, she will become an unregistered resident, and she won't be able to do anything in the future.
"Director, do you think I could settle down on the island? My three children were all born on the island and have no memory of our hometown. The main thing is that if I go back to my hometown, I can't take care of all my children by myself."
Ya Ru knew her husband's family all too well. They were patriarchal, clan-based, and often disregarded the law. Some of the older, more respected members of the clan could make decisions, even decisions about life and death.
"Settling on an island requires the island to accept you, which is not easy to do. But your situation is quite special. I will discuss it with the team and try my best to help you. Don't worry, we will do our best to help you."
The director was helpless; an entire division of soldiers was stationed on the island, and there were too many families with special circumstances that needed care. Sometimes, he was willing but unable to help.
After reminding Sister Li that day, Bonnie didn't get involved anymore. The military was in charge of this matter. All she could do was give her a reminder and make Sister Li understand her situation. Women are inherently weak, but mothers are strong. She hoped that Sister Li would remember that she was also a mother.
Battalion Commander Li's parents arrived quite quickly; by the time they arrived, Battalion Commander Li had already entered the martyrs' cemetery.
"My son, your parents are here! How could you be so heartless, leaving so suddenly? How are we, these two old folks, supposed to live? We, the white-haired, are burying our black-haired son..."
Battalion Commander Li's mother was still as strong as ever; tears came easily to her eyes, and you couldn't tell that she had unilaterally severed ties with her son for several years.
The logistics director felt a chill run down his spine when he heard this tone; he was most afraid of people who resorted to crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide.
"Auntie, please accept my condolences. Battalion Commander Li is a martyr, a hero, your pride, and the pride of the army!" For the first time, the director felt that his words were so pale and powerless, not even as powerful as the old lady's wailing.
"So what if he's a hero? My son is gone. What will we two old people do? Who will take care of us in our old age and see us off in our final days? My son..." The old woman cried for a while before stopping with the help of the director and several others.
"Ning Yaru, it's all her fault! She's a bad element, she's the one who killed my son!" The old lady looked around, spotted her target, and suddenly rushed over, her five fingers scratching at Ning Yaru.
"Ah...who's holding me? Let me go!" Old Mrs. Li was stopped by Bonnie, who grabbed her collar and dragged her back.
"You've even started promoting feudal superstition to the army. Do you want to go to the Revolutionary Committee for a cup of tea?" Bonnie's words silenced the old lady completely. She knew this wasn't her territory and she needed to keep quiet.
"I'm not saying anything more. My son sacrificed his life, and I have to receive the military's compensation. I can't keep it to myself." The old lady was truly silent until she opened her mouth, and then she started slandering people with her red lips and white teeth.
"The compensation will be paid on time, and there is no embezzlement."
The logistics director was exasperated, speechless at dealing with such an old lady.
"It would be best if you didn't pocket it all, then give it all to me." The old lady stretched out her hand, asking for money.
"We can't give you all the money. This compensation also includes a share for Battalion Commander Li's wife and children." The director also looked down on the old woman; she was too greedy.
"What? Why should my son's pension be given to an outsider, someone from a bad family background?" The old lady was shocked. She was thinking of taking the money back to buy her grandson a job.
"They're not outsiders, they're Battalion Commander Li's wife and children." What kind of people are these? If his wife and children are outsiders, why bother getting his son a wife and having children? The director couldn't help but complain in his heart.
"According to the regulations, my child and I are the most qualified to receive Lao Li's pension. However, since you gave birth to Lao Li and we have severed ties, I will not leave you with nothing."
Ning Yaru spoke softly, but her stance was clear.
"You have no right to speak! It's all your fault, you vixen, that you've made my son side with you in everything. When you get back, we'll settle the score." The old lady looked at Ning Yaru and didn't say a single nice word.
“Insulting a military wife is enough to get you locked up in a dark room for a few days,” Bonnie said casually.
"What's it to you? Why are you meddling? Were you the one who pulled me just now?" The old lady rushed over to Bonnie, a young wife who was easy to deal with.
Upon seeing this, Ya Ru quickly stepped in front of Bao Ni.
"They all need to be cleaned up."
The old lady was about to strike again. Ya Ru had never been in a fight before and didn't know which hand to use to block her. In the end, she raised both hands together and held them in front of her head.
Bonnie realized this wasn't the right way to fight, so she pulled Yaru aside and confronted the old lady directly.
"Grandma, have you thought this through? There are so many people here. If you fight me and get hurt, I won't be responsible." Bonnie shook her hands and kicked her feet, assuming a fighting stance.
The old lady saw that this person was a martial arts expert and hesitated to approach. Her eyes darted around, but she didn't make a move.
“Grandma, don’t think about useless things. My family has been poor for eight generations. My husband is a soldier who protects our country. My family is also the family of martyrs.” With one sentence, Bonnie cut off the old lady’s way out.
This old lady bullies the weak and fears the strong. When she encounters someone tough, she resorts to crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide. Unfortunately for her, Bonnie is quicker: "Don't sit on the ground. You're bringing shame to the poor. Truly kind people wouldn't act like you."
The old lady had raised her hand, intending to sit down and slap her thigh. Now, she was stuck, unsure whether to raise it or lower it.
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