It's already late October, almost November, which is a crucial stage for autumn combat readiness training. The troops are planning to conduct field training and also preparing for the year-end assessment, so they're very busy.
When Battalion Commander Jiang returned home, it was already past nine o'clock at night, and the children were already asleep.
Deng Cuixiang mixed a bowl of hot dry noodles for Battalion Commander Jiang and also fried two golden poached eggs.
While Battalion Commander Jiang ate, Deng Cuixiang told him about what had happened during the day, especially the conflict that occurred in the square.
Just like in a movie, she plays multiple roles.
She half-squatted down, swayed her head from side to side, grabbed the air with both hands as if fiddling with her braids, and imitated Li Hongjuan's tone in a high-pitched voice.
"Exactly! Her husband is a battalion commander, and she's out there selling pickles in the alleyways, doesn't she feel ashamed of him!"
That affected and coy manner perfectly replicated Li Hongjuan's sourness.
As soon as she finished speaking, she strode to the other end of the table, straightened her back, put her hands on her hips, and raised her chest high.
"What's wrong with me setting up a stall? I'm selling pickles, it's a mutually agreeable transaction, fair trade! Unlike you guys, who bark at people like vicious dogs!"
"Well said!!"
Battalion Commander Jiang hadn't even finished chewing the noodles in his mouth when he clapped and gave a thumbs up.
"My wife's mouth is worth ten machine guns!"
Deng Cuixiang walked over, sat down next to Battalion Commander Jiang on the same bench, and asked with a smile.
"You really think that's a good point? You really support me selling pickles? Aren't you ashamed of me?"
She was straightforward and had a good reputation in the compound, but most of her sisters-in-law didn't really support her going out to sell pickles.
The reason is actually the same as Wang's wife's: she feels that going out in public to sell goods is a disgrace to her husband.
Just today, after the movie ended, several women surrounded her, asking how her back injury was recovering, but their words implied that she should "not go out and embarrass herself."
So she was a little apprehensive. She said she wanted to chat with Battalion Commander Jiang about what happened during the day, but actually she wanted to take the opportunity to ask him what his attitude was.
Battalion Commander Jiang moved aside to make room for his wife, then picked up a mouthful of noodles, slurped it into his mouth, and mumbled something indistinctly.
“When you first went out to sell pickles, I already said that I would support whatever you did! What’s shameful about it? My wife earns money through her own abilities, without stealing or robbing, and she can even bring in some income for the family. I’m overjoyed!”
As he spoke, his cheeks bulged out, but his eyes remained fixed on Deng Cuixiang, filled with tenderness and pride.
Deng Cuixiang was completely relieved. She moved out of bed, went to the bedroom to get a small notebook, and excitedly showed it to Battalion Commander Jiang.
"You wouldn't believe it, I've only gone out to sell things three times and I've already earned thirty-two dollars and fifty-three cents!"
Battalion Commander Jiang was exhausted after a long day and didn't really look at the numbers in his notebook. His eyes were wide open, and he deliberately shouted in an exaggerated manner.
"So much?! My wife really makes me proud! You're not even that skilled yet, and you're already earning so much. Once the whole yard of pickled vegetables in the backyard is ready, you'll be making more than this lousy battalion commander!"
"Of course! I'll shit on your head then!"
Deng Cuixiang proudly raised her face, her chest high. She had unbuttoned her shirt while cooking because it was hot, and now a large expanse of skin was exposed, making Battalion Commander Jiang's eyes burn with desire.
"Why wait until then? You can shit on my head right now!"
Before Battalion Commander Jiang could finish speaking, he slammed down his chopsticks, scooped Deng Cuixiang up by the arm, and hoisted her onto his shoulder.
Deng Cuixiang screamed in fright, clutching her husband's military uniform tightly with both hands, her face turning bright red.
"What are you doing? What are you doing! The children just lay down and aren't even sound asleep yet!"
Battalion Commander Jiang acted as if he hadn't heard anything and strode towards the bedroom.
Deng Cuixiang kicked and patted his back, but Battalion Commander Jiang's arm was like an iron clamp, not moving an inch.
As soon as he threw the person onto the bed, he impatiently reached out to unbutton his clothes.
"Oh no! No, no! I have something important to tell you!"
Deng Cuixiang quickly grabbed his hand, her eyes filled with anxiety.
Battalion Commander Jiang's face turned red from holding back his anger, but his hands obediently stopped, and he muttered something.
"You'd better have something really important to say! Otherwise, I'll punish you!"
Deng Cuixiang sat up, tidying her disheveled clothes while making a joke.
"You're going to impose a fine on me now! What kind of fine do you want to impose? Tell me, I want to hear it!"
Battalion Commander Jiang's stubble-covered face came close to her ear, and his hot breath tickled her.
"You're punished! You'll have to give me another son!"
"Go away! This Xiangyang is driving me crazy! You still want a son! Even if I'm going to have another child, I want a daughter!"
Deng Cuixiang smiled and pushed him away, then patted his back.
The two bantered and joked, filling the room with laughter.
Seeing that it was getting late, Deng Cuixiang pulled Battalion Commander Jiang back to the dining table and quickly got down to business.
"I wanted to talk to you about Commander Chen and Zhou Qiqi."
Battalion Commander Jiang had just picked up a mouthful of noodles when he heard it was about these two people. He immediately became serious and asked, "Alright, tell me, what's the matter?"
Deng Cuixiang repeated what Lin Yao had said that afternoon, resting her chin on her hand as she spoke.
"When Qiqi first came to our military region, it was all rather rushed. Plus, it was a marriage of convenience, so I guess Commander Shen didn't want to make a big fuss. He didn't even think about having a wedding and just started living together. But now, three months have passed, and Lin Yao has had a grand wedding and even hosted a banquet in the military region's canteen, while Qiqi hasn't even had a proper ceremony."
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