Chapter 125: What a Fierce Wife
Xu Qiaofeng lay prone in the mud on the training field.
His camouflage uniform was soaked in mud and became heavy, clinging tightly to his back.
He braced himself on the ground with his arms bent, his knuckles digging into the wet mud. With each inch he moved forward, his chest had to stay close to the ground to avoid the simulated barbed wire.
It's only 30 centimeters off the ground, and the alarm could be triggered if you're not careful.
The midday sun made the ground scorching hot, and sweat mixed with mud dripped down, stinging and hurting when it got into my eyes.
He didn't dare to slow down even when he blinked, as if this kind of training was something trivial to him.
"laugh--"
Finally, we climbed over the last section of barbed wire.
Xu Qiaofeng suddenly sat up, ripped off his mud-covered tactical gloves, and wiped his face, leaving several black marks.
Just as I was about to reach for my water bottle to sip some saliva, my nose suddenly started itching terribly.
Before he could turn his head, a loud sneeze burst out, startling his comrades nearby, who instinctively looked over.
"Wow, Captain Xu's sneeze was pretty powerful!"
Pang Bo, who was standing next to him, came over with half a compressed biscuit in his mouth. His military cap was tilted to the back of his head, and he smiled, revealing two rows of white teeth.
"Is your wife talking about you at home? I heard that the wives in the family compound like to write letters to the army. I remember we're going on a mission in a few days and will be gone for a long time. Could it be that your wife is scolding you at home?"
Another comrade-in-arms, Wang Jianjun, also joined in the commotion.
"I think it's your sister-in-law who misses you!"
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder. You two have been together for less than a year, and you're pregnant. It must have caused you a lot of trouble, right?"
Xu Qiaofeng glared at them.
But he couldn't help but smile, and reached out to brush the mud off his trousers.
"Get lost! What do you know? Tangtang is very gentle. Last time she even told me not to push myself too hard during training and to take care of my knees."
His voice softened when he spoke of Ning Tang, and his hand unconsciously went to his chest.
Ning Tang's photo was tucked inside the inner pocket.
These were the wedding photos they took at that photo studio when Ning Tang first arrived this year.
He wasn't very cooperative at the time, but thankfully he didn't cause any trouble by refusing to film.
Otherwise, Xu Qiaofeng would never forgive himself for what he did back then.
"Alright, alright, I know your wife is great!" Pang Bo waved his hand, deliberately sounding sour. "Hurry up and get ready, there's a five-kilometer cross-country run with weights this afternoon. If you hold us back, don't expect us to carry your guns!"
Xu Qiaofeng smiled and agreed, but felt inexplicably uneasy inside.
That sneeze just now came out of nowhere; it smelled so good, like someone was secretly talking badly about him behind his back.
He took out his watch and glanced at it; the hands pointed to 1:30, half an hour before afternoon training.
He leaned against the tree trunk, just about to continue training, when the communications officer ran over.
"Team Leader Xu! The battalion headquarters has sent a notice asking you to go to the headquarters building immediately. They say there's urgent business to attend to in the city!"
Xu Qiaofeng had a sudden thought and turned to run towards the government building.
After I finish my business, I might be able to detour to the hospital to see Tangtang.
The moment that thought popped into my head, I quickened my pace.
On the other side, Ning Tang had just finished her afternoon rounds.
Back at the nurses' station, she slumped into a wooden chair, rubbing her throbbing temples.
There was a bit of iodine on the collar of her white coat, so she casually tugged at it, wanting to let it breathe.
Wang Yingying walked over carrying an enamel mug, with a few slices of ginger and red dates floating in it, steaming hot: "Tangtang, drink some water and rest. The director just said that you've been working non-stop this month, and if you keep pushing yourself like this, your body won't be able to take it."
Ning Tang took the enamel mug, the warm water flowing down her throat, and she let out a comfortable sigh.
"That's right. I just finished dealing with Brother Xu's work this morning, and I started working as soon as I got back. My head is still buzzing."
She couldn't help but frown as she recalled the farce that had taken place at Xu Qiaolan's workplace that morning.
Lowering his voice, he said to Wang Yingying, "You didn't see how heartbroken my sister-in-law was yesterday. Brother Xu is also confused. He knows that my sister-in-law is pregnant and her emotions are already sensitive, yet he still sat alone with his ex in a state-run coffee shop. Isn't that just asking for trouble?"
Wang Yingying's eyes lit up, and she leaned even closer: "Is that so? What happened next? Lin Wei didn't cause any more trouble, right?"
"What a mess! This morning she even went to Brother Xu's office lobby and sat there crying, saying that Brother Xu had started something and then abandoned her." Ning Tang slammed her hand on the table in anger, making the enamel mug rattle.
“If I hadn’t taken leave to rush over, who knows how long this would have gone on. Yingying, let me tell you, if Xu Qiaofeng dares to do this, I will never forgive him! If he dares to have an affair with any woman, I’ll find a stick and break his legs so he can never get out of bed again!”
She spoke through gritted teeth, her eyes wide open, completely unlike her usual gentle demeanor.
Wang Yingying, who had been smiling, suddenly froze.
His eyes were fixed on what was behind Ning Tang, and he frantically tugged at her sleeve: "Tang Tang! You, you turn around and look—"
Ning Tang didn't care and was still fuming, saying, "What are you looking at? I'm serious, I can't tolerate any nonsense. If Xu Qiaofeng dares to wrong me..."
"My wife is pretty fierce. She's already threatening to break my legs before anything even happened?"
A familiar voice came from behind, tinged with a mixture of amusement and helplessness.
Ning Tang froze, as if she had been frozen in place, and slowly turned her head.
Xu Qiaofeng was dressed in a crisp military uniform, his military cap neatly placed on his head, and the rank insignia on his shoulders gleamed in the sunlight.
There was still some dust on his clothes and wrists, indicating that he had just come from outside.
"You, how did you get here?"
Ning Tang stood up in surprise, her fierceness vanishing instantly, her cheeks flushing red.
"Weren't you training in the military? Why did you suddenly come back to the city?"
Xu Qiaofeng walked over, reached out to ruffle her hair, but then hesitated when he saw her white coat.
"The battalion headquarters has urgent business to deliver a document to the municipal bureau, and I thought I'd drop by to see you. I didn't expect to hear you say you'd break my legs as soon as I walked in, which scared me so much I almost didn't dare come in."
Wang Yingying laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight, covering her mouth and saying, "Captain Xu, you better watch out! Our Tangtang means what she says. If you dare to make a mistake, all of us at the nurses' station will help Tangtang deal with you!"
Xu Qiaofeng nodded with a smile, but his eyes never left Ning Tang.
"Yes, yes, I definitely wouldn't dare. My Tangtang is so wonderful, I cherish her so much, how could I possibly make her angry?"
He unzipped his clothes, took out an oil paper package, and handed it to Ning Tang, just like a magician.
"I brought these for you. They're milk candies that just arrived from the supply and marketing cooperative in the suburbs. Didn't you say you wanted some last time?"
Ning Tang took the oil paper package, opened it, and saw that the milk candy was wrapped in transparent candy paper.
It had the words "White Rabbit" printed on it, something she had been talking about for a long time.
All the embarrassment and shyness I felt earlier vanished.
Ning Tang was now only happy to see him, but she still stubbornly said, "Who wants your candy? I was just saying it casually."
Seeing her stubbornness, Xu Qiaofeng couldn't help but laugh: "Alright, alright, I was being nosy. Then I'll take this candy back and share it with Pang Bo and the others?"
"No!" Ning Tang quickly hugged the oil paper package to her chest, as if protecting a treasure. "You brought this for me, why should we share it with them?"
Wang Yingying laughed: "Alright, alright, I won't bother you two anymore. I'm going to check on the patients in the ward. Tangtang, you should have a good talk with Captain Xu. Anyway, there are no emergencies right now."
With that, she grabbed the enamel mug and slipped away.
Only the two of them remained at the nurses' station.
With no one around, Xu Qiaofeng pulled the person to a corner.
This place is usually used to store miscellaneous items, and few people come here except when they are talking.
Xu Qiaofeng took her hand and gently squeezed it.
Ning Tang's hands still smelled of disinfectant, but the smell was strangely reassuring: "Have you been too tired lately? I feel like your face has gotten thinner?"
Actually, this is something that Biya Jing said.
I'm in my late pregnancy now, and even if I don't eat anything and only drink water, my weight is still increasing rapidly.
Ning Tang has been too afraid to cut the mirror lately.
"It's nothing, it's what I should do." Ning Tang shook her head and squeezed his hand in return. "Is your training also very tiring? You mentioned the five-kilometer cross-country run last time, are your legs still hurting?"
"It's all better now, don't worry."
Xu Qiaofeng smiled, then, remembering Pang Bo's words from that morning, said something else.
"By the way, I heard about what happened at your workplace this morning. Thanks to your help, otherwise your brother definitely wouldn't have been able to handle it."
“We’re all family, why are you saying these things?” Ning Tang sighed. “It’s just that your sister-in-law has been wronged. When you have time, call your brother and ask him to spend more time with her and not think about work all the time.”
"I know, I'll call my brother's unit as soon as I get back." Xu Qiaofeng nodded, glanced at the wall clock, and frowned slightly.
"It's almost time. I have to deliver some documents to the Municipal Bureau, and then I have to go back to the military base. There's an emergency drill tonight."
Ning Tang's heart sank, but she knew this was a mission, and they couldn't act like humans.
"Then be careful on the road and drive slowly. Give me a call when you get to the unit so I can rest assured."
"Okay." Xu Qiaofeng replied, but reluctant to leave, he reached out and hugged her gently. "Once I'm done with this busy period, I'll apply for a family visit leave and spend a few days with you."
Ning Tang leaned against him and said, "Okay, I'll wait for you."
Xu Qiaofeng released her, gave her a few more instructions, and then turned to leave.
Ning Tang watched his figure disappear at the end of the hospital corridor.
She unwrapped a piece of candy and put it in her mouth. It was sweet, and she felt more energetic to work in the afternoon.
She wasn't stingy; she turned around and went back to her office, taking Tangfen to share with her close colleagues.
After leaving the hospital, Xu Qiaofeng first delivered a document to the Municipal Bureau, and then rushed to Xu Qiaolan's workplace.
He wanted to ask what exactly happened that morning, and also wanted to remind his older brother that he must draw a clear line between himself and Lin Wei in the future, so that his sister-in-law would not be wronged again.
Upon arriving at Xu Qiaolan's workplace, he went straight to the office.
Xu Qiaolan was writing a report when she saw him come in. She stood up in surprise: "Qiaofeng? Why are you back? Weren't you training in the army?"
"I had official business at the battalion headquarters, so I just stopped by to see you." Xu Qiaofeng sat down on the wooden chair and got straight to the point. "I've already heard about Lin Wei's disturbance this morning. What exactly is your connection with her?"
Xu Qiaolan sighed and recounted everything that had happened that morning, her voice filled with guilt: "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have been so soft-hearted and sat with her in the coffee shop for those ten minutes. Otherwise, so much trouble wouldn't have happened. Luckily, my sister-in-law helped me out, otherwise I really wouldn't know how to handle this."
"It's good that you know you were wrong." Xu Qiaofeng frowned, his tone serious.
“Your sister-in-law is pregnant now, and she’s already emotionally sensitive. If you make her suffer any more, I’ll be the first to stop you. You must cut ties with Lin Wei completely from now on and never have any contact with her again. If she dares to harass you again, go straight to the security department and don’t be polite to her.”
"I know, I've already spoken to the security department. If Lin Wei comes again, just kick her out." Xu Qiaolan nodded quickly.
“I also promised Yingying that I would discuss everything with her from now on and I would never hide anything from her again.”
Xu Qiaofeng looked at him, his tone softening slightly: "Your sister-in-law has had a tough time with you, you have to treat her well. Trust is the most important thing between husband and wife, if you can't even do that, how can you live together?"
"I know, I'll definitely be more careful in the future." Xu Qiaolan said, taking an apple out of the drawer and handing it to Xu Qiaofeng. "You rarely come back, have an apple before you go. By the way, how's your wife doing lately? Yingying said last time she was busy at the hospital and always working overtime."
"She's fine, just a little thinner." Xu Qiaofeng took the apple, took a bite, and said, "I just went to the hospital to see her and brought her some milk candy. She was quite happy."
"That's good." Xu Qiaolan smiled. "When you have your next holiday, let's go for a walk in the nearby park and have a meal at the state-run restaurant."
Xu Qiaofeng nodded, gave a few more instructions, and then got up to leave.
As he walked out of Xu Qiaolan's workplace, the sun was already setting. He glanced at the time, dared not delay any longer, and hurried towards the parking lot.
If you miss the emergency assembly that night, you'll get criticized again.
When I got back to the unit, it was already past six in the evening.
Pang Bo and Wang Jianjun were organizing their equipment in the dormitory when they saw him return. They quickly surrounded him, asking, "Captain Xu, are you done with your business? How did it go? Did you see your wife?"
"I saw her and brought her some milk candy," Xu Qiaofeng said with a smile, taking out the remaining half bag of milk candy from his pocket and sharing it with them. "Have a taste, it just arrived from the suburban supply and marketing cooperative."
Pang Bo took the candy, peeled one open, popped it into his mouth, and squinted as he spoke.
"Mmm, so sweet! Your wife will definitely love it. By the way, Captain Xu, the emergency assembly notice for tonight has come down. It starts at eight o'clock. We need to prepare in advance."
"Understood." Xu Qiaofeng nodded and began to organize his equipment.
He took out Ning Tang's photo, glanced at it, and then carefully put it back into the inner pocket.
Seeing his wife, he felt energized for everything he did.
Ning Tang was busy at the hospital until after 7 p.m. before she packed up to go home.
As soon as she stepped out of the hospital gate, she saw Aunt Zhang waiting for her at the entrance with a bicycle and a thermos tied to the back seat.
When Aunt Zhang saw her, she quickly came up to her: "Tangtang, you've finally come out. Grandma bought a chicken this morning and asked me to make some chicken soup for you. Drink some while it's hot."
Ning Tang didn't move; her first reaction was to ask if Su Ying had a share.
Aunt Zhang explained.
Su Ying has been having severe morning sickness lately and can't stand the smell of meat in the house. Her grandmother was worried that this would upset her, so she asked Aunt Zhang to bring her chicken soup so she could drink it outside.
After saying that, Aunt Zhang was quite embarrassed, afraid that Ning Tang would think that the old lady was biased because of this, and she looked over cautiously.
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