Chapter 24 Give Me a Reason
Gu Qiuyue was upset because she liked someone else, especially Wang Zhaodi, who glared at her fiercely, "What are you laughing at? You rely on the fact that you're from the city to look down on us country folks? Our country's leaders are all from the countryside, so why are you better than them? You were once an educated youth in the countryside, how could you be so ignorant!"
Gu Qiuyue laughed angrily: "This sister-in-law is quite skilled at putting accusations on people. Is she used to doing this kind of thing? Go around and ask around. What law did I break by smiling in my own home? She's too overbearing! If you can't speak properly, you're not welcome in my home."
Wang Zhaodi was so angry at Gu Qiuyue that she pointed at her and wanted to scold her, but the military wife next to her pulled her back and said, "Don't be angry, we still have business to attend to."
Gu Qiuyue's face also looked unhappy. She hated people who came in uninvited and had no sense of boundaries.
Someone also noticed that Gu Qiuyue looked unhappy. They looked at Wang Zhaodi and the other person, and the living room suddenly became quiet.
The women all looked at Gu Qiuyue. In fact, they had only seen Gu Qiuyue a few times. They only knew that she was young and beautiful, and was an educated youth who went to the countryside. But this confrontation told them that although this young wife was young, she was not the thin-skinned new wife they thought.
"Dear sisters-in-law, what 'business' do you have?" Gu Qiuyue asked politely but coldly, deliberately emphasizing the word "business".
Wang Zhaodi wanted to say something, but was stopped by the military wife who was holding her. She spoke up herself, "Look at what you said. We heard that Captain Xie got a promotion, and since we're military families, we came to congratulate him."
"Oh." Gu Qiuyue replied calmly, "Thank you so much for your kindness, sisters-in-law."
"Well," another military wife replied shyly, "Deputy Regimental Officer Xie, did you know that the division headquarters has given us families of regimental officers a place at the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Gu Qiuyue could feel that everyone's ears pricked up.
It turned out that they came for this matter, but according to her experience of reading chronicles, the military dependents were generally illiterate rural women. What was the point of them having this quota?
But she soon realized why they wanted this quota. Who doesn't have an older brother or sister? There is always one who has received an education. Some military families come from well-off families and have received an education themselves, so they want to fight for this quota even more.
"From Deputy Headman Xie's family, I heard that you are an educated youth, so this position belongs to you!" a sister-in-law said warmly.
"Of course. Deputy Captain Xie has just been promoted, so it's reasonable for him to recommend a family member." Wang Zhaodi started her sarcastic tone again.
"Deputy Commander Xie's family isn't the only one in our regiment with a high school student," Li Caifeng said unconvincedly. "He really thinks his husband got a promotion and wants every benefit."
“…”
Gu Qiuyue always had a smile on her face, but her eyes were full of coldness. She just ignored them and chatted with them about irrelevant things.
The military wives couldn't get any information, so they just left.
But the next day, she went to the post office next to the family compound to mail the translated manuscript. When she came back, she heard the military wives, who were basking in the sun and sewing at the foot of the wall, talking excitedly:
"...There is only one spot available, and there are too many wolves and too little meat. Some people think it's safe just because their men have just been promoted? Humph, it depends on whether they have the real talent. Do you really think you can go to college after studying for a few years? Don't embarrass our entire residential compound!" It was the voice of Wang Zhaodi.
Another unfamiliar voice echoed, "Of course! Deputy Commander Xie has a promising future ahead of him. Don't let this be seen as nepotism..."
Gu Qiuyue walked past them calmly, her steps unbroken. The conversation suddenly stopped, and she was met with several scrutinizing and awkward glances. She walked home as if oblivious.
Wang Zhaodi couldn't hold it in any longer and said sarcastically, "Hey, Vice-President Xie, you're back? I was just talking about you. You're definitely going to fight for this spot, right? What a great opportunity."
Gu Qiuyue stopped and turned, looking at Wang Zhaodi with clear eyes. A perfect smile, slightly shy and affectionate, appeared on her face. "Sister-in-law Wang, thank you all for your concern. However, I don't plan to fight for this spot."
Everyone stared in shock.
"Ah? Why?" Wang Zhaodi was speechless, her face full of disbelief.
Gu Qiuyue lowered her eyelashes slightly, her tone gentle, full of attachment to her husband: "Shiyu is busy with work, and his body is just recovering. I... don't want to be too far away from him. Going to college means we will be apart for at least several years, and I can't let him go. Now it's like this, it's good." The reason is high-sounding, full of the human touch of a "virtuous military wife", and it is an affectionate endorsement of Xie Shiyu, which is enough to stop people from talking.
After saying that, she wrapped the brown paper bag she had just brought back and left calmly amidst looks of astonishment, confusion, and even a hint of "waste".
"Don't want to separate?" Wang Zhaodi stared at her back, curling her lips and muttering, her voice just loud enough for everyone present to hear. "That's a nice thing to say. Maybe you're afraid it'll be exposed in college, or maybe... humph, you're afraid that once she leaves, Deputy Headmaster Xie won't want her anymore!"
Deputy Commander Xie has such a good family background, and he was promoted to deputy commander at the age of 25. His future is limitless, and there are many girls who like him.
Gu Qiuyue ignored it. After all, she and he were just a couple in name only, so he shouldn't interfere too much. Besides, she was also trying to build a good reputation for him so that no one would use this to attack him.
In the evening, Xie Shiyu returned in the setting sun, his face slightly gloomy, and it was obvious that he had heard the rumors.
In the yard, Gu Qiuyue was burying the last vegetable seedling in the soil under the daylight. This was something she learned from Mrs. Zhang. If this batch of winter vegetables was not planted soon, they would become outdated.
He walked in front of her, his tall figure blocking out the light. Gu Qiuyue looked up and smiled faintly: "Are you back? You still get your meals from the cafeteria, but there's no special kitchen now."
Xie Shiyu locked eyes with her, a look of scrutiny and deep confusion, his voice suppressing the surging emotions: "That spot in the family housing complex... you told people you didn't want to fight for it? Because... you didn't want to separate from me?"
Gu Qiuyue stood up, brushed off the dust on her body, and greeted him calmly: "Yeah."
"Why?" Xie Shiyu's brows were furrowed, confusion and anger swirling in his eyes. "Gu Qiuyue, give me a real reason!" His voice was low and sharp. "You know how precious this opportunity is, and you are clearly capable. What separation...our marriage...you are lying!"
The air suddenly froze, and Xie Shiyu's burning gaze seemed to penetrate all disguises and reach the deepest secret in her heart, the firm knowledge that the times were about to change and that the college entrance examination would be resumed.
The lines that Gu Qiuyue had prepared instantly collapsed under his penetrating questioning. She looked at the confusion and anger burning in his eyes, and clearly felt his strong opposition, as well as... the frustration of having her plan completely disrupted.
What on earth...had he planned for her?
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