Chapter 377 A Bottle of Perfume's Counterattack
"Yes, we spent two years together in the Northwest," Shen Qing said casually. "Conditions were tough back then; the sandstorms were so strong every day that we couldn't open our eyes."
“Then you two must have a very good relationship,” Zhao Fang said.
"It's alright." Shen Qing smiled. "Comrades-in-arms, after all, are bound by a bond forged in life and death."
As she said this, she glanced at Su Wantang and said, "To be honest, during one exercise, Brigade Commander Lu was grazed by a stray bullet, and I carried him out of the line of fire."
The living room fell silent.
Liu Guilan put down her teacup. "This is a life-saving grace."
"It's nothing," Shen Qing waved her hand. "It's only right to look after each other on the battlefield."
"That's true, but this kind of bond of sharing life and death is something not everyone can have," Zhao Fang said. "This is true camaraderie."
Sister Wang nodded, "That makes sense. Even though we military wives are military dependents, there's still a layer between us."
Su Wantang put down her teacup and looked at the cup in her hand.
The cup is made of blue and white porcelain, with a small chip on the rim.
“Why aren’t you saying anything, Mr. Lu’s wife?” Zhao Fang asked.
"I'm listening." Su Wantang looked up. "What you all said was quite good."
“You may be listening, but do you understand?” Liu Guilan laughed. “What we’re talking about are things that happen in the military camp, which you may not understand.”
Su Wantang did not respond.
Shen Qing picked up her teacup. "Actually, Comrade Su has had a tough time too. Coming from Shanghai to Beijing, he was unfamiliar with the place and had to adapt to life in the military compound."
"Yes, it's not easy to adapt to," said Sister Wang. "There are many rules in our compound, and not everyone can get used to them."
“There are quite a few rules,” Zhao Fang said. “But then again, since I married into a military family, I have to abide by the rules of a military family.”
Liu Guilan nodded, "That's natural."
Su Wantang looked at the perfume on the table and reached out to pick up a bottle.
She opened the bottle cap, and a pleasant fragrance wafted out.
"Sister Liu," she called out.
Liu Guilan looked up. "What's wrong?"
"I heard that Commander Zhang hasn't been sleeping well lately?" Su Wantang asked.
Liu Guilan was taken aback. "How did you know?"
“I ran into Commander Zhang at the gate of the compound a couple of days ago, and I noticed he had dark circles under his eyes,” Su Wantang said. “I guessed.”
Liu Guilan sighed, "That's right, Lao Zhang's sleep has gotten worse and worse these past two years, and he often wakes up in the middle of the night."
"Try this balm." Su Wantang handed over the bottle. "Apply a little to your temples before bed; it will help relieve some discomfort."
Liu Guilan took the bottle and sniffed it.
The fragrance is unique, neither too strong nor too weak, and it makes people feel relaxed.
"Does this really work?"
"Give it a try," Su Wantang said. "If it doesn't work, just use it as a spice for fun."
Liu Guilan opened the bottle cap, scooped out a little and applied it to her temples.
She closed her eyes and gently rubbed them.
A few seconds later, she opened her eyes. "Hey, it actually works a little."
"Really?" Zhao Fang leaned closer. "Let me see."
Liu Guilan handed the bottle to her, "Smell it."
Zhao Fang took the bottle, smelled it, and said, "This smells really good."
She also scooped out a little and applied it to her temples, massaging it in a few times.
"I have to say, it's really comfortable."
Sister Wang also came over, "I'll give it a try too."
Several people gathered around the jar of perfume, discussing it amongst themselves.
Shen Qing sat to one side, holding a teacup, looking at Su Wantang.
Su Wantang leaned back in her chair and remained silent.
"Did you mix this perfume yourself?" Liu Guilan asked.
"Hmm." Su Wantang nodded. "Just messing around."
“This isn’t just random experimentation,” Liu Guilan said. “You need to understand medical principles to do this.”
“My mother used to be in poor health, so I learned a little bit from her,” Su Wantang said casually. “I only know the basics.”
Zhao Fang put down the bottle. "Brigadier Lu's family, do you still have any of this perfume?"
"Yes." Su Wantang pointed to the basket on the table. "Everything I brought today is here. Feel free to take it if you like."
Liu Guilan looked at the few bottles in the basket and said, "I feel so bad about this."
"It's nothing," Su Wantang said. "I made it myself, it's not worth much."
Sister Wang picked up a bottle and said, "Then I won't be polite."
After the group shared the perfume, the atmosphere eased considerably.
Shen Qing put down her teacup. "Comrade Su is truly multi-talented."
"I don't deserve it," Su Wantang said.
“But then again,” Shen Qing smiled, “for military families, just knowing these things isn’t enough.”
Zhao Fang chimed in, "That's right, a soldier's wife has to be able to understand her husband's career."
"Understand?" Su Wantang asked.
“Yes,” Zhao Fang said. “The work of soldiers is special. Many times they can leave without notice and not come back. As a wife, you have to be able to accept this kind of life.”
Liu Guilan nodded, "Moreover, soldiers' work is highly confidential, and there are many things that cannot be asked or inquired about. At times like these, a wife has to be understanding."
“Most importantly,” Shen Qing said, “I have to be able to help.”
She looked at Su Wantang and said, "Soldiers risk their lives outside, and their wives at home should be able to share the burden. If they can't help, that's fine, but at least they shouldn't be a hindrance."
Zhao Fang smiled, "Officer Shen is right. Someone like you, who understands military affairs and can go to the battlefield, is the one who can truly be of help."
"I'm not that great," Shen Qing said. "I'm just lucky, and I can help out a little when it matters."
“This isn’t just good luck,” Sister Wang said. “It’s ability.”
Liu Guilan put down her teacup. "Speaking of which, if it weren't for Staff Officer Shen, Brigade Commander Lu would have been in danger during that exercise back then."
"Yes, yes, yes," Zhao Fang said. "I heard that a stray bullet grazed Brigade Commander Lu's scalp and he almost died."
"It was Staff Officer Shen who carried him for five miles to get him to the infirmary," said Sister Wang. "That was a life-saving grace."
The group of people, one after another, praised Shen Qing to the skies, saying she was unparalleled in the world.
Shen Qing sat there with a gentle smile on her face, waving her hand from time to time and saying, "It's not that exaggerated."
Su Wantang picked up her teacup and slowly sipped her tea.
The tea has gone cold.
“Why aren’t you saying anything, Mr. Lu’s wife?” Zhao Fang asked.
"I'm listening." Su Wantang put down her teacup.
“Just listening isn’t enough,” Liu Guilan said. “You have to tell me what you can do for Brigade Commander Lu.”
Su Wantang looked at her, "What are you doing?"
“Yes,” Zhao Fang said. “A soldier’s wife has to be useful, right? She can’t just live off her looks.”
Sister Wang laughed, "Sister Zhao is right, the Lu family must have their own strengths too."
“That’s true,” Zhao Fang said. “It’s good that you can make perfume balm; at least it can appease people.”
Liu Guilan nodded, "But these little gadgets are just icing on the cake. When it really comes down to it, you still have to rely on real skills."
"What special skills do you have?" Su Wantang asked.
“For example,” Shen Qing put down her teacup, “Brigade Commander Lu is fighting on the front lines, and his wife has to be able to stay calm and collected in the rear. She can’t be crying and whining every few days, and she can’t keep demanding to see him.”
"And another thing," Zhao Fang said, "military families face tough conditions, so wives must be able to endure hardship. They can't be pampered or unable to tolerate the slightest grievance."
“Most importantly,” Liu Guilan said, “a wife must understand the world of soldiers. She must know what to say and what not to say. She must know what to ask and what not to ask.”
Sister Wang nodded, "These are all basics."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com