Chapter 75

Xu asked: "..."

She shrugged her shoulders back, nodded at Lu Yuanzheng, and ordered him with a mixture of coquettishness and embarrassment: "Take your hand away!"

"You're pressing so firmly..." Lu Yuanzheng moved his fingers upwards as if to prove how his hand was being pressed by her.

Xu Wen’s face turned even redder.

She is not him and does not have a strong chest.

In fact, it was as soft as dough, with only a thin layer of pajamas between them, and was squeezed into various shapes by his fingers.

Xu Wen became anxious and turned over.

This meant that I was facing Lu Yuanzheng, with his arms pressed behind his back.

"You like the front view?" Lu Yuanzheng raised his eyebrows, looking like he was willing to negotiate. "That's fine."

While speaking, his hand reached down from behind her and into the hem of her clothes.

Xu Wen's rebuttal turned into a cry of surprise.

Before Lu Yuanzheng's kiss landed, he only had time to say, "Turn off the lights!"

In the morning, Xu Wen was woken up by Dongsheng.

She also has to teach soldiers and children.

Xu Wen sat up, still feeling a little uncomfortable around his waist and legs. He cursed Lu Yuanzheng under his breath, put on his clothes, washed up, and took Dongsheng to the camp.

There is a particularly large house in the camp on the mountain, which is considered an auditorium. It is usually used for group meetings and is also Xu Wen’s new classroom.

The soldiers were waiting early, and the children also arrived one after another.

What surprised Xu Wen was that Wang Ying was also there.

She was attending an open class, so even though she was a little puzzled when she saw it, she didn't say anything.

Xu Wen thought Wang Ying came to see him on purpose, but he didn't expect that after class, Wang Ying left with the soldiers.

She raised her eyebrows, unable to guess what Wang Ying was talking about.

Even if Wang Ying failed the exam, it doesn't mean that her cultural level is high enough for her to attend this kind of kindergarten course.

Confused and puzzled, Xu Wen packed up the textbooks and walked out of the classroom with Dongsheng.

I happened to meet Lu Yuanzheng and Shi Lei.

Shi Lei saw Xu Wen as if he had seen a savior, and strode forward with great excitement, saying, "Sister-in-law, you are so powerful, can you find a way to find a target for our warriors?"

Xu asked: "..."

"Fuck!" Lu Yuanzheng cursed with a smile, "Are you crazy? My wife is not a matchmaker! Besides, she is already on this island, where can you ask her to turn into a lesbian for a blind date?"

Shi Lei was about to cry, "If it wasn't so difficult, would I have asked my sister-in-law for this? So many veterans are leaving, but the new recruits don't want to go to the island. If this continues, let alone developing the island, our camp will become less and less populated."

Xu Wen wondered, "How could that be? Don't they arrange for people to come here every year when new soldiers join the army?"

The camp is permanent, but the soldiers are transient.

This is not just a casual statement. Every year, old soldiers retire and new soldiers take their place.

"That's what I said! But now everything is democratic. Generally speaking, the number of veterans who have retired from the islands or the number of vacancies on the islands will be used to register for the organs and organizations. The comrades in charge of personnel transfers in the Organization Department will first issue a comrade call in each unit to call on everyone to voluntarily register. Of course, some quotas will also be reserved for new recruits who have just joined the army.

But, at present, few people are willing to go to the island. They all call it Monk Island! "

Shi Lei sighed again: "We really can't recruit enough people! We can definitely adjust the positions. Everyone obeys the allocation." He scratched his head, "But, if it really comes to this, it won't be good."

Xu Wen understood.

As the saying goes, a forced melon is not sweet.

This is true not only in relationships but also in careers.

After all, being a soldier is a profession.

This is different from going to the battlefield. On the battlefield, no one really backs down.

They are all comrades worth dying for.

When it comes to this kind of long-term work, we still have the right to choose.

Being a keeper of the island is like being one of the positions in the company.

If everyone in a company rejects this position and needs the leader to force everyone to guard the island, then everyone will hate this position even more.

If you are not satisfied with your work in the company, you can quit and change jobs.

This is worse than working. If work doesn't go well, you can go home. When you are unhappy, you can meet up with your friends to drink and worry. If things really don't work out, you can go home and complain to your parents and hug your wife and children.

There is nothing on the island, no family, no friends, and not even any enemies to vent your anger on.

The only thing to do is to retire.

It’s actually the same as resigning.

But since Shi Lei and his team couldn't handle it, Xu Wen, an outsider, had no idea what to do. He could only promise, "I'll try my best to think of a solution."

On cloudy days, the sun isn't that scorching, so the beach isn't that hot.

When Mrs. Li arrived at the beach, Xu Wen was already there.

She and Dongsheng lay on bamboo chairs under a parasol, each holding a glass of drink with ice cubes in it.

Xu Wen ordered milk tea and Dong Sheng ordered watermelon juice.

Mrs. Li sometimes felt that Xu Wen's style of doing things was particularly puzzling.

It is said that Xu Wen cannot endure hardship, but she was able to give up her wonderful university life, leave such a big city as Beijing, and follow Lu Yuanzheng to the island, living in a tent and sleeping in a damp wooden house.

A woman at home, working on heavy iron tools all day long.

It is said that Xu Wen can endure hardships! She enjoys life better than anyone else.

Look now, the mother and son are lying on bamboo chairs, enjoying the sea breeze and drinking iced drinks.

Just like a rich lady from a wealthy family.

Not only that, there is no other wooden house like it on the entire island.

Everyone who sees it says it's comfortable.

What a contradictory girl!

Mrs. Li smiled and sat down on a chair one meter away from Xu Wen.

"Mrs. Li, you're here!" Xu Wen said as he raised his foot and nudged Dongsheng.

Dongsheng sat up and took another enamel cup with a layer of cool water on the small table between him and Xu Wen, and handed it to Aunt Li, "Aunt Li, here's some juice for you!"

Mrs. Li took it, thanked her, and took a sip.

Don't say it! In such a hot day, drinking a sip of sweet and cold watermelon juice is really refreshing.

Sister Li imitated Xu Wen, lying on the bamboo chair and looking at the sea. "Don't say it, it's quite comfortable. Why did you call me here? Why can't you talk at home?"

"The scenery is beautiful! But unfortunately, many soldiers don't think so." Xu Wen sighed.

Mrs. Li can understand the soldiers better: "It's not their fault. They are human beings, not gods. They are not afraid of death when they go to the battlefield. It's a bit hopeless to guard the island here. Young people are always a little unwilling. They either want to make great achievements to bring honor to their ancestors, or make money to support their families and have a warm bed for their wives and children. Guarding the island here is neither of the two. It's fresh when they first come here, but they feel depressed after a while."

"What about you?" Xu Wen turned his head to look at Mrs. Li, "What are your plans?"

Mrs. Li shook her head, "I haven't made up my mind yet. I used to think about settling down on this island for the rest of my life. But what about my child? We don't have a school here, so we can't stop him from going to school, right? Whether he can become successful is his business, and whether I can support him is my business.

I originally wanted to stay here to accompany Lao Lu. But I saw those young guys in the experts' clinic a while ago, and thought that if my children could be like them in the future, I would have to close my eyes and go see Lao Lu.

Besides, my husband is gone, and he has been paying pensions to my mother and me on time. But I still have to stay here and eat and drink at the army's expense, which is always embarrassing.

I have been thinking about leaving the island these days.”

Mrs. Li sighed: "I just haven't decided yet, where can I go after I get ashore?"

Xu Wen put the enamel pot back on the small table and sat up: "Mrs. Li, I came here today just to discuss something with you. I hope you can stay on the island."

"Ah? I can't help much if I stay here." At least for now I can only wash clothes for everyone.

Besides, her husband was gone, and she would feel embarrassed to occupy the family cabin, eating and drinking there for a long time.

Before going to the island, she was told to become a resident here, but it looks like the island would be lucky if it could only be inhabited for three to five years.

She can't eat and drink for free for so long.

The troops certainly wouldn't attack her, but she herself didn't have the nerve to do so.

"Who said that? I'm here to ask for your help." Xu Wen said with a smile, "Mrs. Li, how about we open a small shop on the island together?"

Mrs. Li was stunned for a moment, shaking her head like a rattle: "No! No! How can someone open a small shop on the island? Is that okay? Besides, individuals are not allowed to do business."

"This would definitely not be allowed on land. But, after all, there are always special cases, right? Sister-in-law, you also know that sometimes the kitchen staff cannot guarantee that everyone will like the food, so those who don't like the food will go hungry. Although the troops will also distribute labor insurance supplies, there are always some daily necessities that need to be bought by ourselves, right?

Apart from other things, they must have cigarettes and alcohol, right? You also know that it is very inconvenient for them to be on the island. If someone opens a small shop, wouldn’t it be much more convenient for everyone? I personally think you are the most suitable. My suggestion is that you don’t move away, just build a bigger wooden house between the wooden house and the camp, live with your children on the second floor, and sell goods on the first floor. This way you can also have more income and have something to do. What do you think? "

Mrs. Li was very excited, but still had some concerns. "I'm asking, it's not that I don't know what's good for me! My child still can't go to school. Another thing is, this person's business is illegal! Is it okay?"

"Don't worry about the child's schooling. I'm here, and I will definitely not let the child go without an education. Even if it's just for Dongsheng, Lu Yuanzheng and I have to make the school good, right? Your child is about the same age as Dongsheng, and he still has two years to go to elementary school, so there's no rush. As for whether it's legal or not, as long as you agree, I'll discuss it with Lu Yuanzheng and see if he can apply to the organization for special treatment."

Mrs. Li thought for a while and nodded: "Okay! If you can really do it, I will be very grateful to you. Alas! You don't know that I have been so worried these past two days that I couldn't sleep all night. Let's go! I can't bear to leave Lao Lu. If you don't leave! I'm sorry for the children, and I'm embarrassed to stay here. I was thinking that after the New Year, when there is no work for me, I will take the children and leave the island."

"How can there be no work? Not to mention you, even other sisters-in-law will definitely have work to do as long as they are willing to work!"

"That's great!" Mrs. Li's eyes lit up, "We were chatting about this yesterday.

This person, right? Sometimes he is also very tired. When he is busy, he always feels tired, and he wishes he could sleep for three days and three nights when he is not busy. This is really a chance for him to sleep in every day, and he feels uneasy. It is hard to describe the feeling, it is strange and uncomfortable. The sisters all thought about reclaiming wasteland and planting crops themselves. Reclaiming wasteland is not difficult, but the crops grown are difficult to handle.

Sell ​​it to others? Three melons and two dates are not enough, so we have to go to the trouble of going. Send it to the island? They have the discipline to not take a single needle or thread from the masses. Sell it to the island? Everyone is eating and drinking for free, planting the land on the island and earning money from the army, so you can't be so shameless.

It would be great if you could do something with us. We don't want to make any money, just something to do to keep us busy!"

Xu Wenxiao said, "Then tell the other sisters-in-law that I'll take care of this matter. Just don't find me annoying when the time comes!"

"How could that be! We've been together for such a long time, who wouldn't know who? Wang Ying is the most special. Speaking of her, she seems to be a little bit abnormal recently." Mrs. Li frowned, a little puzzled. "She used to be like a belligerent hen, always sticking out her neck, wanting to peck at everyone she saw. I don't know what happened to her these past two days, she looks listless and droopy as if she had been defeated.

In the past, I would write "get out of my way" on my face whenever I saw someone from 10 meters away, but these past two days, it's the other way around, I just let everyone pass. Today, I saw something even scarier."

Sister Li seemed to be about to reveal some great secret. She sat up straight, looked around, and approached Xu to ask, "On my way here, I actually saw Wang Ying washing clothes for Squad Leader Zhao!"

Xu Wen was stunned for a moment, then he didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "It's just washing clothes, it shouldn't be scary, right?"

Sister Li shook her head: "This is normal for other sisters-in-law." Sister Li glanced at Xu Wen, hesitated, and added, "Even for you, it's normal."

Xu asked: "..."

If it's normal, why are you so reluctant?

All right! Most of their clothes were washed by Lu Yuanzheng.

This is not because Xu Wen is pretentious, but because Xu Wen is not very good at washing clothes.

In my previous life, I mainly relied on high technology, such as increasingly advanced washing machines and laundry detergents that can remove stains with just a soak.

During her life in the Xu family, she only had to wash her own clothes.

Zhu Meizhen washed the clothes for Xu Qiushi, Zhu Meizhen, grandmother and Xu Qie.

Xu Wen and Sang Xiaoqing had Sang Xiaoqing wash the dishes.

Xu Wen tried to wash clothes for the whole family, but only twice, and Zhu Meizhen never used her again.

The reason is simple: she can't wash herself clean.

There was no washing powder these days.

It is good to use soap. Many poor people will add some alkali when washing greasy clothes. They will use starch to wash cotton clothes in winter, and they will just use hard wash at other times.

Rub it on a washboard, or use a special laundry board to wash it on a stone.

The supplies on the island are even scarcer than on land, and the way of washing clothes is also very primitive.

Xu Wen's own clothes were not very dirty, so she could wash them clean, but it would be impossible to wash them with Lu Yuanzheng and Dongsheng's clothes added.

The half-grown children in winter run around all day and often come back covered in mud.

Ordinary mud can be washed clean, but if it is stained with some plant juice, or if food drops on clothes and leaves ear marks, Xu Wen is somewhat helpless.

Long journeys and hard work wear out clothes more than winter clothing.

At first, Xu Wen also wanted to be a good wife and mother and do their laundry.

But it can't be washed clean.

At first Lu Yuanzheng didn't say anything, and Dong Shengxiao didn't really care whether it was clean or not.

Later, when he was returning home from a long journey, he happened to see Xu Wen washing clothes.

The strength with which Xu Wen rubbed the clothes and his expression were so vicious that he looked like the enemy who murdered his father.

Lu Yuanzheng was about to pick up something and leave, but after looking at her for a while, he stopped, squatted in front of the big basin, held Xu Wen's hand, and spread out her palm.

Xu Wen's originally fair palms were all red, and his fingertips were wrinkled from being blistered, but they became hard and swollen when he pinched them.

Lu Yuanzheng frowned. It was inevitable that he felt heartbroken, but when he lowered his eyes to look at the clothes she was washing, his expression instantly became indescribable.

After a while, he said to Xu Wen: "Wife, everyone has their own strengths and things that they can't do no matter how hard they try. Otherwise, I will be the one to wash the clothes in our family from now on!"

Xu Wen blinked, and only understood what he meant after Lu Yuanzheng had walked a long way away.

Are you annoyed that she puts so much effort but still can't wash the clothes clean?

Xu Wen puffed up his cheeks at first, looking unconvinced, but after a while he smiled.

What if it can’t be washed clean?

As long as her man can wash it clean, that's enough.

In this way, after Wang Ying, Xu Wen became the second sister-in-law who didn't have to do laundry.

However, the sisters-in-law who often interacted with him knew that Xu Wen was not being lazy on purpose.

So Mrs. Li didn't want to say anything to Xu Wen at the beginning. She only said half of her words, and then added another sentence because she was afraid that Xu Wen would think too much.

Xu Wen automatically skipped the second half of the sentence and thought for a moment, "Maybe it's just because she feels guilty about what she did to Squad Leader Zhao?"

Mrs. Li shook her head. "That's red rain from the sky, it's a rare thing!"

Xu Wen didn't say anything.

Maybe, failing the exam once was actually a good thing?

It was particularly late when I returned from a long journey to attend a group meeting.

Xu Wen wanted to wait to talk to him, but he didn't see anyone until he fell asleep.

In a daze, I felt myself sinking.

Xu Wen subconsciously rubbed his body backwards, feeling the coolness all over his body. He suddenly sobered up a little and said incoherently, "The journey is long?"

"Yeah." Lu Yuanzheng had just finished taking a shower, so he inevitably felt cold. He didn't want to disturb Xu Wen, so he moved closer to the bed for fear of chilling her.

Who knew that Xu Wen seemed to notice that he had gotten on the bed, and she rolled back and snuggled into his arms. He woke up a little.

Lu Yuanzheng hesitated for a moment, raised his hand and patted Xu Wen on the back twice, "Go to sleep! It's still early."

Xu Wen shook his head and yawned.

She was worried and hadn't slept well to begin with. This ordeal made her more awake. She rubbed her eyes and sat up. "What time is it? Why did you come back so late?"

"It's a little after one in the morning. The meeting lasted a little too long. Don't wait for me like this next time. It's tiring."

"I'm worried if you don't come back. Besides, I have something to tell you."

Seeing that Xu Wen had regained consciousness, Lu Yuanzheng simply sat up and asked her, "What's the matter?"

"Haven't you and Instructor Shi been worrying about how to improve the welfare of the soldiers recently? I have an idea."

Lu Yuanzheng nodded, "Yes! Today's meeting is just for this issue. The retirement rate on the islands is too high this year. The regiment is also worried about this. We came up with a few proposals and submitted them, but we don't know if they will be passed."

"What are you asking? Is this something you can ask?"

Lu Yuanzheng nodded, "It's nothing. I just want to get more subsidies for the soldiers guarding the island. After all, they are just ordinary sons, husbands, and fathers under the military uniform. In addition to defending the country, they also have to support their families. So in our meeting, everyone felt that the soldiers guarding the island should be given some subsidies in addition to the allowance. They can't take care of their families and can't see their families, so they should at least make life easier for their families, right?

I also applied for military benefits. I called on more military wives to bring their children to the island. I was thinking about whether I could give them some subsidies to make them more motivated to go to the island.

And building a school..."

Lu Yuanzheng frowned as he spoke. Apart from the additional subsidies, which were easy to obtain, everything else was still difficult to obtain.

He sighed and asked Xu Wen, "What solution have you come up with?"

"I want to make this place look like the mainland." Xu Wen said.

"What do you mean?"

"We want to make this place like the mainland. The mainland is more popular, prosperous, and convenient than us. Popularity! What I say doesn't count. You have to figure it out. Just like you said, whether it's applying for subsidies for the soldiers or giving subsidies to the sisters-in-law. These are things that your unit has to solve. I just have a few ideas to make the soldiers' lives a little more convenient.

The first is to open a small shop. I talked to Sister Li about this this afternoon, and she is also willing. You know, Sister Li has a special feeling for this island, and she definitely doesn't want to leave if she can. But Sister Li would feel embarrassed to stay here and only help you wash clothes. But opening a small shop will facilitate the daily needs of the soldiers and bring some income to Sister Li. After all, the pension is limited. "

"This is a good thing. I support it," Lu Yuanzheng said.

Xu Wen sighed, "Your support alone is not enough. You also know that individual economy is not allowed now. I know that people on the island don't care, but if someone accidentally spreads the news to the higher-ups in the future, I'm afraid that not only will Mrs. Li be in trouble, but you will also be implicated."

Lu Yuanzheng touched the tip of his tongue to his upper palate and said, "This is indeed a bit troublesome."

Mrs. Li's grocery store finally opened successfully.

Shi Lei reported the matter to the group, and the group thought the idea was a good one and reported it.

In the end, the advice from the higher-ups was that this was a good idea that could be implemented island-wide, but not on an individual basis.

The canteen is set up by the camp and the goods are purchased and sold to the soldiers at a reasonable price, but the soldiers' wives can be asked to look after the canteen and receive salaries.

Mrs. Li heaved a sigh of relief when she heard the result and happily agreed to join the canteen.

Mrs. Li can read and do simple arithmetic.

The agency uniformly sent the first batch of goods to the island.

Most of them are for daily food and clothing.

For example, instant noodles and biscuits that fill your stomach.

Soap and soap beans used for washing clothes and brushing shoes.

Xu Wen also accompanied Mrs. Li to the city to buy some food and entertainment items that were not available on the island.

The island cheered when the canteen opened.

The new recruits in particular swarmed into the canteen, as happy as children.

Children are happier.

Dongsheng and his friends were wandering around in the canteen, touching and looking here and there, extremely excited.

Xu Wen gave Dongsheng fifty cents so that he could buy his favorite food.

But this is just the time. If you want to buy something with your pocket money in the future, you have to rely on your own labor to earn the reward.

For example, washing dishes, sweeping the floor, washing your own clothes, etc.

In the past, people on the island were a bit too Buddhist, of course this was also due to the environment. Money on the island was almost like waste paper.

Soldiers from poor families were better off; they saved their allowances and sent them home to supplement their family income.

However, there are still some officers and soldiers who come from wealthy families, and this little allowance is not as much as the pocket money they have at home.

Their biggest hope when joining the army is to go to the battlefield and kill the enemies to defend their country.

But now the general environment is peaceful, even on the island there is no war, just daily hard labor.

Because of this, many people promptly file their discharge report as soon as they are able to leave the army.

Now that money is circulating again, they have found some momentum.

The canteen is just the beginning.

Xu Wen thought that he could open another restaurant on the island.

Opening a restaurant alone requires individual management, and there is no good solution this time.

The troops have their own kitchen staff for meals, so there is no need to open another restaurant.

Xu Wen gave Mrs. Li some advice.

Usually the soldiers are busy and have no time to come to her house for dinner, but on weekends, Sister Li can give away two dishes to anyone who comes to buy wine.

Of course, it can't be given away for free, you have to charge some money for it.

Mrs. Li clapped her hands and said, "You college students have really smart brains! Why can't I come up with such a good idea? However, there are still two problems.

My grocery store is so busy on weekends that I can't spare the time to cook for them? I have to go out to buy groceries, and I need someone to keep an eye on them.

Xu Wenxiao: "Can you ask other sisters-in-law to help? I heard that the sister-in-law of Captain Liu cooks very delicious dishes?"

Mrs. Li stamped her feet and said, "That's right! The dish she cooked is so delicious! This is perfect, everyone has something to do."

Xu Wen nodded: "It will get better and better." She drew a circle with her hand around the canteen: "This will be a prosperous commercial street in the future. We will have everything that the mainland has."

The wind will blow next year!

Once the spring breeze of reform begins to blow, Rainbow Island will eventually prosper.

However, before it becomes prosperous, we have to find a way to make everyone like this island.