Two houses, separated by a wall.
Smoke filled Bonnie's house, and the aroma of food kept wafting into her nostrils.
At Li Shengli's house next door, the atmosphere was tense. The two children, seeing that their parents were really angry, were scared and ran back to their room to take refuge.
“Li Shengli, you’ve got some nerve. Now you dare to make decisions for me without my consent. Why should I write an apology letter and have it posted on the bulletin board? I’ve never been so humiliated in my life.”
Ma Chunhua became increasingly aggrieved as she spoke. She was the darling of her family, doted on by her parents and brothers, and even her sisters-in-law had to give her a wide berth. Today, however, she had been humiliated by an insignificant woman, and this matter was far from over.
"Do you know what kind of background Gu Ye has? You're comparing your background with his because you're afraid your father-in-law and two brothers-in-law will live too well, so you're creating more obstacles for them, right?" Li Shengli looked at the woman who was only good at bullying her own family and had always hidden under her parents' wings. She really wasn't smart enough. He didn't know if his decision back then was right or wrong.
"Setting obstacles for my father, just because he's Gu Ye, a mere regimental commander?" Ma Chunhua's disdainful gaze made one think her family might be royalty.
"A mere regimental commander? You really dare to say that! Your father-in-law is a brigade commander, how much higher is he than a regimental commander? Gu Ye is a regimental commander who is not even thirty years old yet, and he has many military achievements. Most importantly, Gu Ye's older brother is a favorite of the top leader and holds an important position!"
Li Shengli overheard the information by chance. Only a few close leaders knew about Gu Ye's affairs, and he never mentioned what his brother did in public. Although his grandfather was retired, he still lived in a retirement home.
Hearing Li Shengli's words, Ma Chunhua was stunned. A favorite of a high-ranking leader—that was a position even her father couldn't reach. Had she gotten into trouble with her family, specifically her maternal family? She could live so arrogantly because her parents were backing her up; if her father were to fall, she would be finished too. Ma Chunhua understood this crucial point perfectly.
"What should we do? Will he retaliate against us? Will he cause trouble for my father and my brother?" Ma Chunhua was definitely a bully who preyed on the weak and feared the strong. After so many years of running rampant, he had finally met his match.
"Probably not. Today's matter has been resolved, so let's put it behind us. Make sure your apology letter is sincere, and submit it to the logistics leader tomorrow and post it out. I happen to be going out of the island tomorrow, so I'll visit my father-in-law and discuss it with him."
Chunhua, you need to reflect on this too. Stop doing things that people find offensive, and try to get along better with the women in the family compound. Dad's retiring in the next couple of years; things will change, and no one will be there to clean up your messes anymore.
Li Shengli walked out of the room, exhausted. The child was still hungry, and he had to go and cook.
Looking at the messy kitchen, I felt a pang of sadness as I started to clean up.
He came from a rural background, and his parents and siblings hadn't benefited from his family's influence. Ma Chunhua looked down on his family. To please his father-in-law and his family, he, who never did housework at home, learned to cook and clean... If his parents knew, they would be heartbroken!
The path you choose, you must walk it to the end, even if you have to crawl!
Bonnie acted swiftly. After Gu Ye left for work, she took the children at home and made mud herself, raising the middle of the courtyard wall by half a meter and then inserting a row of bamboo about a foot long on top. This time, it was both hidden and safe.
Bonnie didn't care if the neighbors felt uncomfortable; as long as she was comfortable, that was all that mattered. She saw the apology letter from the little hen next door on the bulletin board. It was quite sincere, and she hoped the hen would keep her word and live her own life from now on, keeping to herself.
Having been on the island for some time, Gu Xuanyu and the others have become familiar with the environment and can now go out and play on their own, as long as they don't go into the water without permission.
Bonnie asked Liu Jiu to be her brothers' guide as they explored the family compound and the island.
Bonnie also had to lead the team to prepare for the seaweed farming in October. The kelp farmers needed to be older, which meant a greater demand for bamboo rafts and straw ropes. Bonnie, along with the remaining labor force from the island's first team and the women from the family compound, began preparations.
This year, they expanded the seaweed planting area, making the sea area three times larger than last year. Their seaweed also sold very well this year; it was snapped up without much promotion, and all the money went to them.
"Baoni, you planted so many this year, won't you get more money next year?" The aunt from the island team looked at Baoni with anticipation.
"If the weather cooperates and we don't encounter a major typhoon, things should be pretty good."
May Goddess Mazu protect us!
As soon as Bonnie finished speaking, everyone began to pray silently.
Everyone worked for several days to prepare the necessary straw ropes and bamboo rafts. Outside, dark clouds covered the sky and the air pressure was very low. Was it going to rain heavily or was a typhoon coming?
"Xuanyu, Hanbei, bring your younger siblings back. The weather is about to change; I wonder if a typhoon is coming." Baoni moved the firewood to the storage room, filled the water tank, and prepared enough food and supplies for three or four days.
Han Bei and the others watched as their aunt, Liu Jiu, and San Qi busied themselves methodically; they were already used to typhoons.
Bonnie told Han Bei and the others to help Liu Jiu pack up what needed to be packed. She was going to fetch water and also visit the homes of the new military dependents in the regiment. During typhoon weather, Gu Ye and the others would most likely not be home.
Bonnie ran around, explained everything she needed to, and finally returned home, where visibility was even lower.
"Auntie, everything's done. The windows are sealed, and the chicks have been brought into the barn. Is there anything else to do?" Gu Xuanyu asked, noticing his aunt's face covered in sweat; she must have run back.
"Alright, you guys go inside first. We'll have hand-pulled noodles for dinner. Zheng Jun, you and Liu Jiu go make some sauce, I'll roll out the noodles later. You guys keep an eye on Xuan Yi and San Qi, this typhoon can't be weak. I wonder how your uncle and the others are doing."
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