Chapter 26

Cheng Zheng listened through the dense coconut grove until he heard Comrade Cheng Hehua mention introducing someone to Jian Lu. Suddenly, some unclear emotions appeared in his eyes.

The dark eyes stared at the back of Cheng Hehua's head for a moment. It was hard to tell what he felt in his heart. Cheng Zheng felt a sudden stuffiness in his chest. He raised his head to look at the sky. The bright golden sunlight was shining down, making his body feel warm. It must be because the weather was too hot and the sun was making him uncomfortable.

Turning around and leaving, Cheng Zheng felt a slight ripple in his heart.

Isn't this a good thing?

I don't want to get married. If Comrade Cheng Hehua introduces someone to Jian Lu, wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?

The tall man quickened his pace and walked all the way back to the single dormitory.

There are more than twenty single dormitories in the army. Ordinary soldiers live in six-person rooms, while officers and cadres live in double or single rooms.

Cheng Zheng was assigned a single room, 403, on the fourth floor of building six of the single dormitory.

The house was not big, about 15 or 16 square meters, with a slightly mottled yellow wooden door. As soon as the door opened, Cheng Zheng put away the key and walked in, and in front of him was the room that was in full view.

There is a single bed on the right, with military green pillows and quilts neatly placed on the bed. Next to the bed is a brown wooden desk, about one and a half meters long, on which are placed several selected quotations of great men and military books.

Opposite the bed is Cheng Zheng's household items, including a thermos, a Double Happiness enamel basin with enamel cups and toothbrushes, tooth powder, and towels in it, as well as a coal stove and a small pot.

It is possible to light a fire in the house to cook, but Cheng Zheng rarely uses it because of the smoke. Wei Guohua, the political commissar of the Fifth Regiment next door, cooks in the house from time to time.

"Captain Cheng!" Political Commissar Wei knocked on Cheng Zheng's door and pointed at his own room. "Would you like to have dinner?"

Cheng Zheng knew that Political Commissar Wei should be moving out soon. He had started dating Accountant Li from the military hospital's finance office three months ago. These days, the two of them often cooked in Political Commissar Wei's single dormitory.

Of course, in order to show their pure revolutionary friendship, Political Commissar Wei often invited Cheng Zheng to dinner.

Being a light bulb? Cheng Zheng still has good sense.

"I've eaten, you guys eat." He had just returned from a mission and had not had time to eat dinner, but he couldn't show his hunger to others at this moment.

"That's fine." Political Commissar Wei was delighted. Who would want to have a light bulb with their partner during dinner? Every time he asked this question, he wanted to show that he was honest!

After Political Commissar Wei left, Cheng Zheng's room returned to silence. He closed the door, picked up the enamel basin and prepared to go to the bathhouse to take a shower.

Cheng Zheng had just lowered his hand when he suddenly remembered something and reached into his trouser pocket. A folded train ticket was still in his trouser pocket.

Cheng Zheng lowered his eyes and looked at the train ticket that had missed the departure date. He shook his head lightly, opened the quotes of great men in front of him, and tucked it directly between his fingers.

——

Back at the family compound, Jian Lu and Cheng Hehua whispered for a while, and Cheng Hehua finally gave up the idea of ​​going back to her parents' home and prepared to go back to think of a solution.

She was full of confidence and wanted to protect her own family. The first step was to convince her husband Li Nianhe to let her mother-in-law return home.

As they walked back to the house, they saw that Li Nianhe had already returned. He was quite exhausted after going out on a mission, but what he said at this moment surprised Cheng Hehua even more.

"Mom, why don't you go back to your hometown and raise him..."

Li Nianhe had just finished speaking when Aunt Wei burst into tears and shouted that her son had become a battalion commander and looked down on him, and wanted to take her back.

"Boss, you...you, you don't plan to acknowledge me anymore? You've got a wife and you've forgotten your mother, right? It must be Cheng Hehua who instigated you!"

Cheng Hehua, who had just entered the room, felt a little aggrieved. She was about to try to persuade him, but she hadn't opened her mouth yet.

The key point is, why did Li Nianhe suddenly say this?

Jian Lu naturally didn't know the reason, but now was a good time, so she poked Cheng Lianhua's arm, signaling her to strike while the iron was hot.

"Mom, what you said is wrong. Nianhe has gone on a mission. I won't be at home before he comes back. How can I have time to say anything to him?" Cheng Hehua tried to get herself out of the situation first. After all, it was not the first time she suffered this loss. If a daughter-in-law makes her mother-in-law unhappy, she will be blamed for the rest of her life, but if her son makes her unhappy, she can be forgiven easily.

Aunt Wei's wails were still echoing in the air. Her reasoning returned and she understood this logic. Wasn't that even more heartbreaking?

"Boss, how could you chase me away?"

Li Nianhe had no words to express his grievances. He couldn't just say that his own mother was about to ruin his family. He was about to say a few words of advice to her when he suddenly heard his daughter-in-law speak.

"Mom, I can actually guess why Nian He said that."

Aunt Wei's attention was instantly drawn to her daughter-in-law. "Why?"

"I guess it was Captain Cheng who said something." Cheng Hehua remembered what Comrade Jian Lu said, that she had to use the name of her man's superior to speak. Of course, she was nervous about impersonating the captain's title.

But Comrade Jian Lu said again that she could rest assured and use her, as Captain Cheng understood the bigger picture and knew that she was helping her subordinates solve family problems, so he would not be petty and hold her accountable.

Li Nianhe was in the room, and when he heard what his wife said, his eyes widened instantly!

My wife actually knew about the conversation between me and the captain at sea?!

"What? The leader of Nianhe has spoken? What did he say?" Aunt Wei was most concerned about the rank of official position. When she heard that it was the leader, she immediately showed concern.

"Captain Cheng said that Nianhe doesn't handle household affairs well, and there are quarrels every few days at home, which affects unity. Maybe..."

"Maybe what?" Aunt Wei felt that it was not a good thing.

"Maybe this is the end of the battalion commander's career."

"Ouch!" Aunt Wei staggered and almost fell to the ground. How could her son's future be at an end? Aunt Wei was held tightly by her son, holding Li Nianhe with her wrinkled hands.

"No...that won't be!" Aunt Wei narrowed her eyes and tried hard to calm herself down. She was skeptical. On the one hand, she didn't want to believe it, but on the other hand, she was worried that it was true and would affect her son's future.

"Hehua, you, don't talk nonsense! You want to trick my wife back, right? You stay at home every day, how did you get to know Captain Cheng?"

Jian Lu took two steps forward and smiled, "Auntie Wei, I heard that."

"You?" Aunt Wei looked at Jian Lu suspiciously, trying to figure out whether what she said was true.

"Yes, as you know, I lived in Sister Feng's house. Commander Cheng and Political Commissar Liang had a close relationship like brothers. He often came to our house for dinner, and that's when I heard him talk about it."

"Really... is this true?" After their thin lips touched, Aunt Wei's voice became much softer. She still didn't want to believe it and kept mumbling to herself to comfort herself, "He Hua must have agreed with you. You want to trick me, an old lady! Anyway, I won't leave!"

If she goes back like this, she will be so embarrassed! She will definitely be laughed at by her fellow villagers!

Aunt Wei is over fifty years old this year. She has a shrewd and mean look on her face. Naturally, she is not easy to fool. "Why don't we go ask Captain Cheng now!"

She stared at her daughter-in-law and Jian Lu, wanting to see if they would reveal any clues.

Cheng Hehua panicked when she heard this. She rolled her eyes and tried to dissuade him, but Jian Lu interrupted her. Jian Lu calmed down. "Okay, let's go now. Captain Cheng just came back from his mission and should be staying in the dormitory. Go over and ask if it's true."

At this moment, both parties were deceiving each other. Seeing how calm Jian Lu was, Aunt Wei believed it a little more. Could it be that her son's future was really affected?

She still refused to give up. "Captain Cheng might just be saying it casually. How can I take it seriously?"

Aunt Wei has lived for half her life and is good at brainwashing herself. She finds all kinds of reasons to comfort herself when she doesn't want to believe something.

After listening to her words, Jian Lu couldn't help but sigh in her heart, she is indeed the best in the book, difficult to deal with but not easy to fool.

When he was about to speak again, there was a sudden noise outside the Li family's house.

"Aunt Wei, I did say that." The team leader Cheng Zheng, who had been discussed for a long time, suddenly attacked.

Jian Lu heard the long-lost voice, as deep and attractive as ever, but today there was a hint of joy and ease in his voice.

Oh no! Cheng Zheng won't hear what I'm saying, right?

Has my own personality collapsed?

She glanced at Cheng Zheng quietly, and saw that he had changed into a regular military uniform, a sailor shirt with blue trousers, with a casualness that was not there before. Perhaps because he had just washed his hair, his short, slightly dry, half-dry, half-wet hair softened Cheng Zheng's stern and cold brows.

Especially when she just entered the room, Jian Lu clearly saw Cheng Zheng glanced at her, and there seemed to be some emotion in those inky eyes!

She was also trying to save people. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda.

"Captain! Why are you here?" Li Nianhe was surprised and happy to see the captain suddenly appear in his room. Of course, thinking of what his wife had just said, he was a little confused. Did the captain really say those words?

"Captain Cheng, please sit down!" Aunt Wei had seen Cheng Zheng once or twice in her family compound and knew that he was very capable. Now she saw that he was very well-behaved and did not care about the age difference between them at all. She wanted to worship Cheng Zheng.

No matter how noisy she was on a normal day, she would immediately change her attitude when facing her superiors who had a higher position than her son. Aunt Wei could tell who could be offended and who could not.

"Aunt Wei, my sudden visit won't disturb your family, will it?" When talking about family, Cheng Zheng glanced at Jian Lu out of the corner of his eye. This person had spoken confidently just now using his name, but now that he showed up, he became quiet.

"No, no." Aunt Wei no longer looked as restless as before. She was like a kind elder who was so busy making tea for Cheng Zheng that she couldn't stop herself.

"Captain Cheng, you are wise and capable, please don't look down on our Nianhe because of our family situation. He is a battalion commander and may be promoted in the future!"

"Mom! What are you saying?" Li Nianhe tugged at his mother's sleeve.

"What's the big deal? Isn't it said that the military and the people are one family? Captain Cheng is not an outsider!"

Cheng Zheng nodded and agreed. "Auntie Wei, it's true that the military and civilians are one family. However, although Comrade Li Nianhe has performed well in the army, his family is always in chaos. I think this affects unity."

"No! Captain Cheng, you must have misunderstood. Everything is fine in our family! Did you hear someone talking nonsense outside?" As she spoke, Aunt Wei affectionately put her arm around Cheng Hehua, vowing to prove it to Cheng Zheng.

Cheng Hehua was stunned, and Jian Lu was also stunned. They didn’t expect that Aunt Wei was such a good actress!

There was a faint smile on her lips, and she almost fainted. She felt a gaze directed towards her, in the direction of Cheng Zheng!

Jian Lu immediately pulled back the corners of her mouth and put on a serious look.

Cheng Zheng took in all of Comrade Jian Lu's little movements, and smiled unconsciously, with ripples in his eyes, which rarely turned his dark eyes into a bright color.

Jian Lu's behavior just now was exactly like the little rabbit that stole food that he had seen before. It thought it was hiding well, but in fact it had been discovered long ago.

"Little Rabbit" Jian Lu had no time to care about anything else at the moment. She just looked at the talented actress Aunt Wei and waited to see what other tricks she would come up with.

"Captain Cheng, please don't be influenced by what people outside say. That's all nonsense. Our Li family is the most united! Let's not talk about anything else. Just say that Hehua and I get along well. We are like real mother and daughter."

Cheng Hehua: ???

Li Nianhe: ???

Cheng Zheng knew it in his heart, but he still asked fiercely and cast a meaningful look at Cheng Hehua, "Really? Then Comrade Cheng Hehua, you tell me about it."

However, Cheng Hehua did not understand the emotion in Captain Cheng's eyes, and hurriedly prepared to speak, "Captain Cheng, I..."

Before she could finish her words, Jian Lu pinched her waist from behind. Cheng Hehua felt her ears a little itchy, as if a breeze was blowing, accompanied by Jian Lu's whispers.

"Pretend!"

"Ah." Cheng Hehua finally understood after being reminded by Jian Lu. She glanced at Director Cheng secretly and saw a hint of approval in his eyes. Then she spoke, "I'm not too sure either."

"What do you mean by uncertain?" Aunt Wei was anxious. Wasn't her daughter-in-law trying to make trouble for Captain Cheng? By saying this, she was obviously telling the captain that her family was not united!

She looked anxious because she was worried that her son would lose his position as battalion commander. How would her family, especially her sons and daughters, ask for subsidies from their eldest son in the future? The Li family worked in the countryside, and the work points they earned every year were enough to make ends meet. Without the salary and subsidies sent back by Li Nianhe as battalion commander, they would never have a good life.

Besides, I also hope to show off in front of my fellow villagers when I return home to visit my relatives in the future.

Aunt Wei anxiously pulled Cheng Hehua aside and said in a low voice, "Hehua, he is the head of the group. You should behave yourself in front of him. There are some things you cannot say!"

"Mom, but the captain asked me a question, how could I dare to lie?" Cheng Hehua acted innocent. Now she finally understood what Comrade Jian Lu meant when she said don't be stubborn or forceful. Sometimes, being negotiable does not necessarily mean suffering a loss.

For example, now.

"I'm not asking you to lie, just say something nice. I'm sincere to you, you can't slander me." Aunt Wei knew that her daughter-in-law didn't like her presence. If it were any other time, she would have gone up to her and started scolding her, but not now. Her son's superior was here, so she had to play the part.

Cheng Hehua had a rare opportunity to enjoy her mother-in-law's coaxing and praising her, calling her "good Hehua" all the time. She praised her so much that she felt like the sun was rising from the west.

"Captain Cheng, Hehua is feeling dizzy just now, please wait for her to repeat herself."

Cheng Zheng naturally ignored the mutterings of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, "Then let Comrade Cheng Hehua talk about it."

"Captain Cheng, our family is still doing well." Cheng Hehua said this slowly under the gaze of her mother-in-law. As soon as she finished speaking, Aunt Wei felt relieved.

She grinned and showed Cheng Zheng her teeth. Usually, Aunt Wei, who was used to being arrogant at home, rarely showed a flattering look on her face. "Captain Cheng, you heard it, my daughter-in-law doesn't tell lies."

Cheng Zheng nodded, his expression seemed to relax.

Aunt Wei breathed a sigh of relief, and just as she was about to relax, she heard the cold-faced leader speak, "It seems that the rumors outside really can't be believed. They all said that you two mother-in-law and daughter-in-law don't get along well, but now it seems that they are all false."

"Yes." Jian Lu spoke at the right time, without looking at Cheng Zheng, but only said to Aunt Wei, "I heard that Aunt Wei treats Sister Hehua very well."

Wow! There is help!

Aunt Wei thought that the new comrade Jian Lu was a good girl. She walked over in small steps, looked at Jian Lu and said warmly, "Comrade Jian Lu is right. Captain Cheng, look, everyone else can see it."

"Auntie Wei, Sister Hehua often mentioned you to me, saying that you were very kind to your daughter-in-law."

When Aunt Wei heard this, she laughed awkwardly. She felt a little guilty. Fortunately, she was thick-skinned. "Hehua is such a jerk. She tells everything to others."

"Auntie Wei, this is all the truth, why can't you say it?" Jian Lu said, turning her head to wink at Cheng Hehua, "But, I heard from Sister Hehua that you are going back to your hometown soon? She really doesn't want to leave you."

"Ah?" Aunt Wei was surprised when she heard this. "When did I say..."

"Mom, I didn't lie. You came to see us specially and brought a lot of things with you, all local products." Cheng Hehua had come to her senses by now and interrupted her mother-in-law, saying to Cheng Zheng, "Captain Cheng, my mother-in-law is a kind-hearted person. She said she would stay for a few months, but she has been here for almost a year to take care of our family. She even neglected to take care of Nianhe's brothers and sisters in her hometown. She just said today that she wanted to pack up and go back, and we are reluctant to let her go."

"No..." Aunt Wei was confused. When did she say she was leaving?

"Mom, don't worry. Nianhe and I will still send you 15 yuan every month. You are Nianhe's mother, so we have to take care of you. We will also buy you some cakes and electric stoves to take back. Oh, and there is a radio at home. You can take it back too!"

Cheng Hehua spent a lot of money this time. She gritted her teeth and sold the radio, one of the three major items. Compared with the quiet life in the future, a radio is nothing!

Sure enough, when Aunt Wei heard the radio, her eyes suddenly lit up, but she still mumbled, "I didn't..."

After hearing what his wife and mother said, Li Nianhe came to his senses. He sincerely hoped that both sides would be well, but the two of them could never live together, so it would be better for them to live separately.

"Mom, what He Hua said is quite right. I will send you money every month when the time comes."

"Mom, Nianhe and I will send you some things from time to time in the future. They are all things that you can't buy in your hometown. They are things from the supply and marketing cooperatives or department stores. They are so fashionable. If you use the good things here, your neighbors in your hometown won't understand them. It's really a pity."

These words really touched the heart of Aunt Wei. She did not marry well when she was young. Li Nianhe's father was a poor boy and the family was so poor that they could barely make ends meet. She was often criticized by others. Fortunately, her eldest son was successful, which made Aunt Wei feel proud.

But no matter how I live here, I can no longer see the people who mocked me back home!

But now that she's gone, I can't do this without my own discipline! Aunt Wei was hesitating when she suddenly saw her daughter-in-law approaching her and whispering.

"Mom, if you stay any longer, our family will be divided again. While Captain Cheng is here, I should talk to him."

"Hey, don't!" Aunt Wei, who was worried about her son's future, reacted quickly and grabbed Cheng Hehua's arm, her face flushed and her eyes widened, "That's twenty-five a month! And you have to buy things back."

The old lady had a balance in her mind: is it more important to preserve her son's future so that he can get something in the future, or is it more important to keep him here? The former will bring blessings in the future.

Cheng Hehua almost couldn't suppress the smile on her face and nodded in agreement, "Okay! Don't worry!"

Cheng Zheng had sharp ears and good hearing, and he had heard every word the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law said. He also saw Li Nianhe approaching and talking.

"Mom, don't worry, I will save money and allowance for you every month." Li Nianhe knew very well that it was not easy for his mother to raise him and his younger brothers and sisters, but it would make the family uneasy. It would be best if his mother was willing to go back to her hometown.

The family of three was still "negotiating" what to send back in the future. When Jian Lu finished a scene and was relaxing and feeling grateful for saving a life, she noticed a sharp gaze sweeping towards her.

Oh no, she forgot that she is not done yet!

After all, she kept saying that she had heard Cheng Zheng express many opinions. If you seriously investigate it, it would be like a fox taking advantage of the tiger's power.

"Well, Aunt Wei, Captain Li, Sister Hehua, you guys go ahead and do your own things. I, I still have things to do, so I'll go back first." Of the thirty-six strategies, running away is the best one.

Li Nianhe was talking to his group leader. Hearing this, he thanked Comrade Jian Lu for his help. "Comrade Jian Lu, take care. Come to my house when you are free. He Hua said she gets along well with you."

"Okay, you guys chat slowly."

Jian Lu ignored the burning gaze behind her and quickly left Li Nianhe's house.

Cheng Zheng was kept by Li Nianhe and was thanked continuously. He only caught a glimpse of Jian Lu's leaving figure with the corner of his eye. It was quite fast. If you didn't know better, you would think there was some jackal, tiger or leopard behind her.

Jian Lu hurried back to the house with her face flushed. She was not ashamed but felt guilty. It was really embarrassing to be caught red-handed by borrowing Cheng Zheng's reputation.

Back at the Liang family, Dunzi was the first to notice that something was wrong with Aunt Lulu. "Aunt Lulu, did you run back? It's so hot?"

"Yeah, it's quite hot." Jian Lu calmed herself down, sat down in front of the sewing machine to start making clothes again, and shifted her gaze. "Dunzi, where are your parents?"

Feng Xiuhui came back early and is nowhere to be seen now.

"I went to Uncle Xu's house. They asked me to see you and tell you, but I almost forgot, hehe." Dunzi scratched his head and smiled innocently.

"Then why didn't you go? Didn't you go to play with Hengheng?" Jian Lu stepped on the sewing machine and slowly groped her way out.

"I'm not going. I want to watch you make clothes."

Dunzi sat aside, staring at Jian Lu's hands with eager eyes. It was no wonder that he was excited, it was mainly because the clothes designed for him by Aunt Lulu were so interesting!

Originally, Jian Lu was going to make clothes for Cheng Zheng. She had no room to show off her skills in clothes for a handsome and serious man. A simple and clean white shirt would be enough. If she made it fancy, it would not suit Cheng Zheng's style. But Dunzi was different. He was just a kid. Wouldn't she be able to show off her skills?

Jian Lu designed a white short-sleeved shirt and white shorts for Dunzi, and then used Feng Xiuhui's blue scraps to cut a few small decorations and sewed them onto the clothes and pants.

Dunzi had never worn such fashionable clothes before, and her eyes were immediately filled with stars.

Jian Lu gradually calmed down and sewed the finishing threads of the dress. Her feet were tired and her hands were sore. It was really not easy to make a dress.

"Come on, Dunzi, take a look and see if you like it."

Dunzi looked at the clothes and pants that Aunt Lulu was carrying. The top was a white round-neck short-sleeved shirt with a small crab and a small fish made of blue rags on it, and two starfish and shells next to it. It was cute and lively, adding a bit of casualness and playfulness to the monotonous white T-shirt. The pants were more fashionable, a pair of white shorts that just reached above Dunzi's knees, with blue wavy strips of cloth sewn around the legs, just like waves.

Dunzi couldn't wait to put on new clothes. His eyes were smiling and he felt that he was the most handsome guy on the island!

It's no wonder that he was excited. How could one find such fashionable clothes these days? Jian Lu was also very satisfied. In fact, the stitching of the clothes she made was very ordinary and not very delicate. She could only rely on these external elements to embellish them and divert attention.

After putting on the tiger-headed Dunzi, if he wears a pair of sunglasses, it would not be out of place for him to be a young boy vacationing on the beach in the future!

"Do you like it?"

"I like it!" Dunzi excitedly circled around Jian Lu twice, "Aunt Lulu, this dress and pants are so beautiful! I have to show them to my parents! And Hengheng!"

Dunzi ran downstairs quickly, totally ignoring the fact that his new clothes had never been in water before, and rushed out like a rocket launcher.

As soon as I ran to the second floor stairs, I ran into Uncle Cheng, whom I hadn't seen for more than a week.

"Hello, Uncle Cheng!" Dunzi raised his hand and saluted Cheng Zheng.

Cheng Zheng finally got away from Li Nianhe's house and prepared to go to Liang's house to find Comrade Jian Lu. But how come he met the strange Dunzi? !

"Dunzi, what are you wearing?" Cheng Zheng looked him up and down and felt his eyes hurt!

How can a dress look like this? It's so gaudy and not serious at all. There are even a few chubby little things on the dress. The pants are even more weird. How can a pair of pants have such wavy legs?

"Uncle Cheng, do my new clothes and pants look good?" Dunzi raised his little face with a smug expression.

Cheng Zheng: “…?”

How could he even boast about this!

Strange clothes and weird looks! It profoundly impacted his aesthetics!

If this was a soldier under his command, he would definitely ask them to change their clothes immediately so as not to affect the military appearance and discipline. But the guy standing in front of him now is just a little brat.

"Very...special. Did your mother buy it for you?" He couldn't say it directly, for fear of offending Dunzi, so he could only ask in a tactful way. Was it sold in the department store in the city? This dress was not good, the simple white and military green ones looked better.

"No, Aunt Lulu made it for me! Isn't it beautiful?"

Cheng Zheng: ???

I didn't expect that Comrade Jian Lu, who looked pretty good, could make such strange clothes.

"Aunt Lulu is going to make clothes for you, Uncle Cheng, I'm just practicing. When the time comes, Aunt Lulu will definitely make you a better-looking dress!"

After saying that, Dunzi turned left and went to Xu Lang's house. He had to show everyone his new clothes.

As for Cheng Zheng, he just stood there in a daze.

Comrade Jian Lu wants to make clothes for herself? The usually calm and capable head Cheng suddenly felt a little scared. He imagined himself wearing an enlarged version of the crab and fish round-neck shirt that Dunzi had just bought. It was so scary!

Walking step by step towards the Liang family's house on the third floor, Cheng Zheng frowned, his heart in turmoil.

What should I do with the clothes? If I don't accept them, will it hurt Comrade Jian Lu's self-esteem?

But I've accepted it. Am I going to be embarrassed if I wear it outside and look like a fool?