Zhang Xin and Chen Yan spent quite a while shopping at the department store at noon.
As autumn approached, Chen Yan not only picked out a long dress but also bought two pairs of leather shoes, both high-end items made of pure leather and pure cotton. The shoes cost Zhang Xin a total of 83 yuan, but Zhang Xin was so captivated by her that he happily paid for them. If it weren't for Regiment Commander Lu in the army rushing him to finish his manuscript, the two would have stayed together for a while longer.
Zhang Xin returned to his unit and worked overtime to deliver the manuscript to Lu Zhenhua before leaving get off work. Lu Zhenhua glanced at it, pointed out a few flaws, and told Zhang Xin to publish it in the military newspaper as soon as possible. At the same time, Chen Yan also took the existing material, revised it, and published it in the Yongning Evening News.
Lu Zhenhua saw that Zhang Xin's manuscript was well-written and knew that he had four children and his wife was unemployed. So, in a moment of joy, he gave Zhang Xin the two freshly slaughtered chickens that someone had given him.
“Take it home for my wife and kids. I think those kids are quite thin, so it’s good to give them some nutrition.”
When Zhang Xin saw that he had received praise from his superior and was also given a free-range chicken, he jumped for joy.
"Thank you, Commander Lu. Thank you, Commander Lu."
He kept expressing his gratitude.
He hadn't planned to go home after delivering the manuscript today. The thought of Ge Qiuqin's old-fashioned face made him want to vomit. But the chickens that Lu Tuan had given him were too conspicuous in the army. Maybe his comrades would get greedy and stew them and eat them, which would be a waste of money for outsiders. He wouldn't do something so stupid.
When Zhang Xin heard that Yuan Qiang was going back to the city to see Gu Shaoxuan, he simply hitched a ride with him.
Yuan Qiang saw Zhang Xin carrying a green woven bag and asked:
"What good thing are you carrying, kid? It's heavy."
Zhang Xin knew that Yuan Qiang's family was well-off and looked down on these free-range chickens, so he thought it was fine to say whatever he wanted.
“The Lu Group gave me two free-range chickens to take back for the children to eat.”
Yuan Qiang chuckled upon hearing this.
"You're quite something, kid. You know how to take care of your wife and kids. You rush home as soon as you get something good."
"Of course, it's not easy for your sister-in-law to take care of the child alone at home. You know our family's situation. Unlike you, a rich kid, you don't have to worry about food or clothing."
Yuan Qiang found these words offensive.
"You're praising yourself and mocking me, aren't you?"
"No, no. I was just stating the facts. But you're not getting any younger, why aren't you married yet?"
Zhang Xin smiled ingratiatingly.
"Stop. Why are you bringing this up again, just like my parents? I'm not in a hurry because I don't have anyone suitable yet. If you keep talking about it, I'll kick you off the bus."
Yuan Qiang gets a headache whenever he hears about marriage. He's been getting more and more pressured to get married lately, with his parents nagging him endlessly. He knows he's getting on in years and should be settling down, but he's unwilling to settle.
In the past, Xia Enruo had terrified Lao Gu of marriage, fearing that he might end up like her. But now that Xia Enruo had suddenly changed, he felt that marrying a girl like her would be nice. But where could he find one like her? This was another headache.
Yuan Qiang dropped Zhang Xin off at the entrance of the family compound and drove straight to the city hospital, his mind preoccupied with Lao Gu's injuries.
Zhang Xin pushed open the door, carrying a free-range chicken.
Ge Qiuqin was surprised that he would come back today. She was stunned for a moment when she pushed open the door. After she came to her senses, she hurriedly went over and reached out to take her clothes.
"Why are you back today? Did you go to a meeting at the military region?"
Ge Qiuqin asked, because Zhang Xin usually never came home at this time.
“Let’s take the free-range chicken that Lu Tuan gave us and cook it.”
Ge Qiuqin opened the green woven bag and was overjoyed to see that the free-range chickens had been plucked clean. Zhang Xin rarely brought anything back, but this time he actually brought back two free-range chickens. The children had been clamoring for meat for a long time, and this time they could satisfy their cravings.
"The Lu Detachment has been so good to us; we must thank our leaders properly."
Zhang Xin picked up the fourth son and replied.
"It's all because I write well. I made him proud, otherwise why would I give him free-range chickens? Aren't you my youngest son? Isn't Dad amazing? Tell Dad."
The fourth child, who had just learned to speak, followed Zhang Xin's babbling and uttered the word "Yes".
Ge Qiuqin put the free-range chicken down, took a foot bath basin, scooped out a few ladles of hot water from the large pot on the kitchen stove, and brought it out.
"Wash your feet, you must be tired after a long day at work."
She said to Zhang Xin.
Zhang Xin put down the fourth brother, replied with an "Mm," and didn't say anything more, because he was already used to being waited on by Ge Qiuqin at home.
He unbuttoned his shirt collar, rolled up his trouser legs, took off his shoes and socks, and started soaking his feet. It felt really good.
Ge Qinqiu squatted down and picked them up one by one. After a busy day of housework, her arms were sore and swollen, especially after holding the child for a long time, her back was also sore and stiff.
However, she came from the countryside and was still very traditional in her thinking. She always felt that taking care of the family's daily needs was what a wife should do, so she didn't feel tired no matter how much she was tired.
Seeing Zhang Xin comfortably lying in the chair with his eyes closed, soaking his feet, Ge Qiuqin remembered her eldest son Zhicheng's worn-out shoes and decided to ask him for some money.
“Honey, Zhicheng’s shoes are broken again. I really can’t mend them anymore. The kids at school are laughing at him. Could you give me another 10 yuan this month? I want to buy him a new pair of shoes.”
Ge Qiuqin walked up to Zhang Xin with a rag and said.
When Zhang Xin heard Ge Qiuqin asking him for money again, he was still angry that she had secretly sent money back to her mother a few days ago. Now that she was bringing up money again, he immediately lost his temper. He lifted one foot out of the foot bath and kicked Ge Qiuqin to the ground.
Before Ge Qiuqin could react, Zhang Xin kicked her backward and she fell to the ground, scraping off a piece of skin from her elbow, which immediately bled.
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