The head of the household sat down first and coughed twice.
"Can anyone tell me what happened?"
This is no simple matter. Cheng An spoke quietly for the first half, without embellishment, recounting the meeting, the eye contact, the hostility, and what she had heard, in its original form. The second half, however, was told by Cheng Rui in a loud and boisterous manner, with dramatic ups and downs like a storyteller.
"Dad, Mom, Big Brother, do you think Grandma Wang is talking nonsense, or did we see it wrong?"
Cheng Zhuo frowned. Men aren't always that perceptive, but they're not stupid either.
"Is she the sister-in-law of Regiment Commander Han from the Third Brigade?"
"right,"
Cheng Zhuo recalled,
"If that's the case, I was wondering about it before. Last time Cheng Chao came back, on the third or fourth day after he left, I came back with Commander Han. I happened to see that little girl in the yard in front of his house. She even ran out to greet me. I was puzzled because I wasn't familiar with them. I just nodded and left."
Cheng Rui immediately shouted,
"You see what you see,"
Tang Sumei rolled her eyes and continued,
“If they hadn’t come back today, I wouldn’t have paid much attention. Aunt Wang had actually asked me before if Xiao Chao wanted to find a partner here. I didn’t remember at the time and thought she was just asking casually. I told her that the child wasn’t in a hurry and would wait two years.”
She also said at the time that if she didn't want to find someone, she would have to protect her own child.
At that time, wasn't it just when you went out to help the police catch human traffickers? I thought you were talking about that, I didn't think about it at all. I was wondering, what does it have to do with Xiao Chao finding a partner and protecting the child?
Now it seems the old lady saw through it all along; she was warning me that they might actually be planning something. Luckily, Xiao Chao left, and that's how I avoided it.
Cheng Chao snorted, his half-dry buzz cut
"Is there something wrong with this person? Why is he staring at me like that?"
Cheng Zhuo was annoyed.
"Why do you think that is? If you had a partner, you would have gotten married and started a family much earlier, and you wouldn't have this kind of trouble."
When faced with this sensitive topic, Cheng Chao immediately lowered his head and ate his rice without saying a word.
Cheng Rui was still excited and chattering away.
“Brother, that person is really awful. Last time she even stole Da Niu and the others' candy and swore at them. She even kicked away the sand when we were playing. Don’t marry her. I don’t want a bad sister-in-law like that.”
"Don't talk nonsense,"
Cheng Rui raised his chin and retorted.
"No, she's a bad person. She's always bullying people and even insulting those sisters-in-law. Oh, and last time, when Sister-in-law Chen came, she insulted her too."
The recent events involving the Chen family have been a sensitive matter, so Cheng Zhuo immediately put down his chopsticks.
"When did this happen? How do you know?"
"Hmph, when Sister-in-law Chen first came here, and when Brother Chen was hospitalized and Sister-in-law Chen came back to cook, she would see it and say something, and even push people. Once she spilled all the dishes that Sister-in-law Chen had made, and Sister-in-law Chen was so angry that she cried. She still laughed and said that Sister-in-law Chen was a poor ghost."
Cheng Zhuo's brows furrowed more and more deeply.
"You can't just say that, is it true?"
Cheng Rui stood up, hands on his hips.
"Of course it's true. Many people in the courtyard saw it. Grandma Wang, Grandma Wang also knows. She even talked about her that day. She said to Grandma Wang, 'You old hag, always meddling in other people's business.'"
After hearing this, it's clear whether the words were kind or not. The last two sentences were spoken in a very low voice, just muttered, but Cheng Zhuo could still hear it.
Cheng An nodded as well.
“Dad, it’s true. You can find out if you ask around in the compound. She bullies the kids, but she’s selective. She only picks on people who don’t dare to complain to Commander Han, and those who are lower in rank than Commander Han. She’s bullied most of the people in this family compound.”
Cheng Zhuo couldn't eat anymore.
Over the years, he had come to regard this camp as his home. They were constantly trying to improve everyone's lives. He had always thought that people who could enter the army must have reasonable family members. This situation was beyond his comprehension, and he immediately lost his appetite.
Tang Sumei didn't try to persuade him; this kind of thing happens often, and anyway, he wouldn't be able to eat it even if she tried.
"A parasite, a real parasite, destroying the unity between the military and the people,"
Cheng Chao slurped down his food, finished eating, and put down his chopsticks.
Do you think this residential compound is a peaceful place?
You almost choked on your own words. You really dare to say that. Aren't you just adding fuel to the fire?
Sure enough, Cheng Zhuo angrily pointed his finger at him.
"Shut up!"
Cheng Chao leaned lazily back in his chair.
"A kind heart cannot command an army, and righteousness cannot manage finances. Second Uncle, you're too soft-hearted."
They're all brothers, having fought for half their lives. You want them to have an easier time, and that's understandable.
However, this is the military. While it's okay to be lenient when necessary, it's also important to maintain discipline when required.
The family compound, yes, it's just a place to live, but it's the closest place to the military base. People there leave early and return late, and at home they just eat and sleep. However, the atmosphere at home directly affects a man's mood and energy.
If someone's home is constantly cluttered with trivialities and broken things, do you think they can have the energy to train, or to put it more seriously, can they go to the battlefield with peace of mind?
Second Uncle, let me put it this way: if it weren't Second Aunt at home, but someone else, who argues with you all the time, doesn't care about anything at home, and argues with everyone when she goes out, wouldn't you think about her from time to time while you're at work? Wouldn't you worry about whether she went out to fight with someone again today, or what trouble she caused you? After get off work, you would have to apologize to so-and-so and face the strange looks from others.
My second aunt keeps everything in perfect order, so what do you have to worry about at home? The house is so well-organized, and the children are raised so well. Look at you, whether you're at home or at work, you're always cheerful and happy.
Second Uncle, you yourself said that one person desperately wants to stay home, while the other desperately wants to leave home. How can these be the same?
As they were talking, a nearby family started their daily argument, which seemed to fit the situation perfectly. Cheng Zhuo's eyebrows twitched, clearly indicating that he had been persuaded.
Tang Sumei smiled, feeling pleased with herself, as Cheng Chao's unspoken praise brought a smile to her face.
Jian Dan gave him a thumbs-up under the table, saying, "Brother, it has to be you!"
As he was leaving, Cheng Zhuo said something.
"You really have no interest in that person?"
Cheng Chao was speechless.
"Second Uncle, what kind of judgment do I have? I really don't dare to get involved with people like that. What if I come back from a mission one day and my family is gone?"
"Okay, I understand."
Cheng Zhuo went to work, and Cheng Chao had just handed in his task and could rest for half a day. Without letting Tang Sumei and Jian Dan do anything, he led Cheng Rui and the other person to tidy up the table. Tang Sumei didn't stand on ceremony.
"Since you're home, I won't worry about you. What do you want to eat tonight, and what does Shan Shan want to eat? I'll bring it back after get off work."
Cheng Chao looked at the child, and Cheng Rui excitedly raised his hand.
"Mom, I want to eat meat."
Before Tang Sumei could suppress him, Cheng Chao, rubbing her shoulders, saw her out the door.
"Second Aunt, don't worry about it. I'll have you come back for dinner tonight."
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