Zhou Chunmei returned shortly afterward.
"Mom, it's a big jeep, it looks so impressive. I think their tire is flat."
Zhou Chunmei gestured to Liu Xiaohua, who then went outside to look around. Upon realizing it was a military vehicle, she didn't dare to approach.
Zhou Chunmei still felt awe towards the military, so she only took a quick look from afar before returning.
These people were all carrying weapons, and she was afraid that if she looked at them too much, she would be framed and executed.
"Don't worry about them, it's none of our business. Just focus on your work."
Liu Xiaohua wasn't interested in these military units; before Yi Guohai abandoned his wife and daughter, she had a positive view of military officers.
But ever since Su Luo came home, her idealized image of her has shattered.
These people are beyond reproach when it comes to matters of national importance, but Liu Xiaohua will always maintain a contemptuous attitude towards their private character.
Zhou Chunmei nodded; she thought so too. She had only gone out to see what was going on after hearing the commotion, and when she found out it was soldiers, she immediately lost interest in looking.
But not long after, there was a knock on the door.
Who is it?
Liu Xiaohua asked loudly.
"Hello fellow villagers, we are comrades from the People's Liberation Army. My name is Xing Yuan, you can call me Xiao Xing. Our vehicle has a flat tire and we are short of tools. We need some tools to change the tire, so we wanted to see if you have any at home?"
Xing Yuan politely stated his identity and needs from outside the door.
The three people inside the room, including Liu Xiaohua, looked at each other after hearing what was happening.
"Mom, what should we do?"
Li Xue asked Liu Xiaohua.
They never expected that a soldier would come to their door to borrow something.
Zhou Chunmei also looked at Liu Xiaohua, waiting for her to make a decision.
Liu Xiaohua was unhappy because she had a prejudice against soldiers.
Su Luo came out of the house and said, "Mom, let's borrow our toolbox for them. Yi Guohai is Yi Guohai, and others are others."
Su Luo heard everything clearly inside the house, and she knew that Liu Xiaohua's reluctance to agree was because of Yi Guohai.
Because her mother loved her, she wouldn't let her mother be confused by this matter.
The soldiers' vehicle broke down in front of their house, but they refused to lend them tools. If word got out, the villagers would look down on them.
Su Luo didn't want this to happen because of her, and she couldn't let it happen.
"Okay, Chunmei, go pour the tea, Xue, go get the toolbox."
Liu Xiaohua glanced at Su Luo, then turned to open the door.
Xing Yuan, who was outside, thought that the family was unwilling to lend the money because they hadn't responded for a long time. As soon as he turned around, the door opened.
"Hello comrade, I just tidied up a bit at home. Please come in and have some water."
Liu Xiaohua smiled warmly and spoke, her gaze falling on Xing Yuan, her opinion of him instantly changing.
This soldier named Xing Yuan had regular features, a gentle yet dignified demeanor, and was probably over 1.8 meters tall. His eyes exuded righteousness.
Zhou Chunmei and Su Luo went to get water, and Li Xue went to get the toolbox.
They naturally keep some toolboxes at home, since their fishing boat often needs to be checked and things like changing a screw.
Xing Yuan smiled politely and said, "Thank you, ma'am, but there's no need to trouble yourself. We just need to borrow a tool. We won't bother you any longer."
"No need to bother us, soldiers and civilians are one family, comrade, come in quickly."
Liu Xiaohua thought that they were also trying to protect the people, and her prejudices lessened a bit.
Animals like Yi Guohai are a minority; upright soldiers like him are the true role models in the military.
"The tools are all here. Quickly call the other comrade in for a drink of water."
"It's so hot today, you must be exhausted from your journey. Have some cool tea to quench your thirst."
Liu Xiaohua extended a warm invitation and walked outside.
The two young men who were standing by the car were a little embarrassed when they saw Liu Xiaohua coming over, and subconsciously looked at Xing Yuan.
Xing Yuan nodded, and the two of them followed Liu Xiaohua.
"Comrade Xing, we ordinary fishermen drink coarse tea. I don't know if you can get used to it."
Zhou Chunmei took out a cup and handed it to Xing Yuan.
Xing Yuan didn't want to stand at someone else's doorway any longer, so he went inside and sat down.
Su Luo came over with a teapot to pour tea.
"Thank you, thank you."
Xing Yuan thanked her repeatedly, his gaze lingering on Su Luo for a few more moments.
"No need to thank me. You are serving the people. Compared to what you have done, what we have done is nothing."
Liu Xiaohua smiled and waved her hand. Looking at Xing Yuan, she felt a little ashamed. She shouldn't have thought so badly of all soldiers just because of Yi Guohai.
These are truly good men; they are always at the forefront during earthquakes, snowstorms, and floods.
"Serving the people is our duty."
Xing Yuan sat up straight and said solemnly, "We are soldiers, and we are here to protect the country's walls. We always keep our oath of joining the Party in mind, and the people come first."
"This is my eldest daughter-in-law, this is my second daughter-in-law, and this is my daughter."
Liu Xiaohua looked at Xing Yuan and introduced him with a smile.
Xing Yuan nodded politely, glanced at Su Luo, and then looked away.
"Comrades, how long are you going to stay here?"
Liu Xiaohua thought of this encampment and couldn't help but ask.
"It's hard to say. We'll follow orders and arrangements from our superiors."
Xing Yuan's answer was vague; it seemed like he answered, but in reality, he didn't.
Liu Xiaohua wisely refrained from asking any further questions.
Xing Yuan drank the herbal tea, put down the cup, stood up, and said, "Thank you for your hospitality, ma'am. We'll go get the car fixed now."
They had driven all the way here and were quite thirsty in the hot weather, so this cup of herbal tea made them feel much better.
"It's a pity that all the men have gone out to sea, and we don't know anything about these things so we can't help. You guys go and get the car fixed first, and then have lunch at our house later. We don't have anything fancy, so please don't mind."
Liu Xiaohua got up to see him off, but Xing Yuan quickly waved his hand and said, "Auntie, no need. Our army has discipline, and we can't break it."
They have rules and regulations; they can't take even a needle or thread from the people.
Xing Yuan took his subordinates to repair the car. Looking at their upright figures, Liu Xiaohua couldn't help but sigh, "That's what soldiers are all about."
That Yi Guohai doesn't deserve to be called that; he's just a beast.
"Mom is right. After seeing this comrade, I feel a little ashamed to compare him with that beast."
Zhou Chunmei agreed with Liu Xiaohua's words.
Thinking of Yi Guohai makes me feel that he doesn't deserve to be called a soldier; he really tarnishes the image of soldiers.
"Go and prepare some good dishes, and invite them to stay for a meal."
Liu Xiaohua glanced at her two daughters-in-law and then hurried to the kitchen to get busy.
They had planned to have seafood porridge for lunch today, but this pot was only enough for their own family.
"Mom, if we make something too fancy, they might feel embarrassed to eat it. I think we should cook some seafood noodles instead, with mackerel fish balls, two fried eggs, and some greens. It'll be simpler, and they might eat it."
After thinking for a moment, Zhou Chunmei told Liu Xiaohua what she was thinking: the military has strict discipline, and it would seem deliberate for them to set up a table together.
It's better to simply cook a bowl of home-style noodles, something plain and simple, the kind of meal everyone eats every day.
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