Chapter 170 Husband and Wife in Harmony
Zhou Xiye chuckled: "Look at the pot, the food's going to burn."
Song Dong hurriedly added water to the pot, saying, "It's alright, hurry inside."
Song Dong's wife, Xu Mingyue, led her five-year-old son, Tongtong, out of the house and greeted Zhou Xiye and Jiang Zhizhi with a smile.
Jiang Zhizhi had thought before that Song Dong's wife was a Qingyi singer, so she must be very dignified and beautiful, like a classical beauty who walked out of a painting of court ladies.
Seeing her in person, I was still amazed. She was just as I had imagined, but even more delicate and beautiful. Her eyebrows were thin and curved like the crescent moon of the third month, her almond eyes were full of affection, and her smile was gentle and affectionate.
Her voice was gentle and soft: "Xiye, sister-in-law, please come in and sit down. Song Dong has been mentioning you a lot lately, and he's been looking forward to you coming to visit."
Five-year-old Tongtong has delicate features like her mother's, but also carries the honest and simple nature of her father, making her adorably chubby-cheeked.
She has a lively personality and cheerfully greets everyone with, "Hello, Uncle! Hello, Aunt!"
Jiang Zhizhi greeted Xu Mingyue with a smile: "Sister-in-law, I'm so sorry to bother you so late."
Xu Mingyue smiled nonchalantly: "What's the big deal? We're just happy you could come. Please have a seat."
She invited Jiang Zhizhi and Zhou Xiye to sit down, then busied herself finding tea leaves to brew tea.
Jiang Zhizhi glanced around. The room, about twenty square meters, had only a few simple pieces of furniture, but it was decorated very warmly. The tall and short cabinets and bookshelves were covered with square scarves crocheted with fine white thread.
Even the eight-immortal table used as a dining table was covered with a light-colored checkered cloth, and then a glass plate was placed on top of it.
In the middle of the table, there was a vase with a bunch of artificial flowers inside.
It's clear that the woman loves life and has a romantic streak.
Song Dongcai stopped cooking, took off his apron and came in: "You guys, you didn't even tell me you were coming. We didn't prepare anything at home. How about we go to the cafeteria near the entrance to eat something?"
Zhou Xiye declined, saying, "Just eat whatever you like. We brought a roast duck with us."
Looking at the things on the table—roast duck, wine, and milk powder—Song Dong was displeased: "Why did you bring these things? If you're going to be so polite, I won't let you come next time."
After thinking for a moment, he asked Xu Mingyue to go to the canteen at the entrance to get some food.
Before Zhou Xiye could refuse, she reached out to stop him: "If you come to my house, you'll be on my terms."
Jiang Zhizhi and Zhou Xiye watched as the couple busied themselves but couldn't help, so they could only play with Tongtong.
The five-year-old seemed to have a million questions in his head, constantly asking Zhou Xiye, "Uncle, how many Japanese soldiers did you kill?"
Zhou Xiye patiently explained, "Uncle didn't fight the Japanese. When Uncle was born, the Japanese had already surrendered."
Tongtong said with a slightly disappointed "Oh": "Did Uncle go to war? Uncle, can you shoot a gun? Isn't it amazing? Tongtong wants to learn too."
"Are you more capable than my dad?"
Zhou Xiye remained patient: "Yes, you will be able to learn when you grow up. Of course, your father is more capable."
Tongtong was very satisfied with every answer.
Jiang Zhizhi watched from the side and felt that Zhou Xiye would be a patient and good father in the future.
While Xu Mingyue was still out and Song Dong was busy, he gently nudged Zhou Xiye's arm and asked, "Do you prefer a boy or a girl?"
Zhou Xiye held Tongtong's head with one hand to prevent him from bumping into the corner of the table. He turned his head and looked down at Jiang Zhizhi. After seemingly considering it seriously for a while, he said, "I like any child you have."
Jiang Zhizhi chuckled; she really liked this answer: "Would you even like having a baby mouse?"
Zhou Xiye frowned and said seriously, "From the perspective of reproductive genetics, it is impossible for humans to give birth to mice."
Jiang Zhizhi laughed and reached out to rub Tongtong's little face: "Your uncle is kind of cute because he's a bit silly."
...
The Song couple were very hospitable. Xu Mingyue went to the cafeteria and bought two dishes and a cooked meal.
Song Dong skillfully stir-fried cabbage and vermicelli, then stir-fried eggs and scallions, and also fried a plate of peanuts.
In an instant, the table was filled to the brim.
This is more lavish than even Chinese New Year.
Song Dong suggested having a drink, but Zhou Xiye declined, saying, "I have a meeting tomorrow, and I have a speech to give in the morning, so I won't drink."
Song Dong didn't force the issue, after all, many high-ranking leaders were attending Zhou Xiye's meeting, and they couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
If you don't drink alcohol, you eat much faster.
Song Dong knew that Zhou Xiye must have something to say to him, so after dinner he called Zhou Xiye downstairs for a smoke.
Jiang Zhizhi helped Xu Mingyue clear the table.
Xu Mingyue is a gentle woman who doesn't talk much. During their meal and chat, Jiang Zhizhi learned that Xu Mingyue originally sang female roles, but because her teacher had problems, she was also implicated and is now doing some logistical work in the drama troupe.
Moreover, her image is not suitable for the current model operas, those passionate and patriotic red dramas.
Jiang Zhizhi felt it was a pity, but Xu Mingyue was very frank: "Actually, my current job is quite good. I have a lot of free time every day, so I can spend more time with my child."
Then he smiled and said, "This is also the first time I've met Zhou Xiye today. I've heard Song Dong mention him before, how amazing he is in the Northwest, how he made meritorious contributions, and how he was named a combat hero."
“I know Song Dong still prefers his days in the army, but I was terrified back then. I couldn’t contact him for several months. Every month on the 15th, I would go to the mailroom early to wait. If I didn’t receive any news, I couldn’t eat or sleep for those few days.”
“When I was pregnant with Tongtong, I couldn’t contact him for six months. When I was about to give birth, he was seriously injured and almost lost his life. When I received the news, I went there to prepare for his funeral.”
“At that time, I was heavily pregnant and I thought, if this person is gone, how am I going to live alone with the child? I might as well kill myself and our family of three can be reunited.”
"I'm actually quite cowardly, and I rely on Song Dong a lot. Luckily, Song Dong survived. Oh, now when I think about that scene, tears well up in my eyes..."
She wiped away tears from the corners of her eyes with her fingertips, looking somewhat embarrassed.
He quickly comforted Jiang Zhizhi, saying, "I was just expressing my feelings. It feels so good to be a family of three together now, this quiet happiness is really wonderful. Although our living space isn't very spacious, we are very content."
Jiang Zhizhi was still somewhat moved when she heard this: "Sister-in-law, you are really doing well now, you are very happy."
Xu Mingyue was a little embarrassed: "I'm pregnant again recently, but I haven't told Song Dong yet. I think if we can have a daughter this time, we'll have both a son and a daughter, which would be the most perfect thing in the world."
Jiang Zhizhi hurriedly took the rag from Xu Mingyue's hand: "Sister-in-law, then quickly put it down and let me do it."
Xu Mingyue smiled and said, "I'm not that delicate. By the way, is Xiye going back to the Northwest in the future? You're staying in Beijing to study, so will we be living apart from each other?"
Jiang Zhizhi smiled and said, "It won't be long. Wherever he is, I'll go."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
