Zhou Lihua glanced at her third son. Her heart, which had just been warmed by her youngest daughter, turned cold again.
The third brother was unhappy to see Zhou Lihua standing still: "Hurry up, I want to eat walnuts."
"Ask your father for it." Since all you care about is your father, then let your father support you. After saying that, Zhou Lihua left the house.
When the fourth son saw Zhou Lihua come out, he immediately stood up from the ground: "Mother, you're up? I'll go get you some porridge."
"Need not."
The third brother glared at the fourth brother: "Sycophant."
The fourth son ignored him and followed Xiaoman into the kitchen: "Mom, I'll serve you some."
The fifth son put the walnuts in his pocket and followed Zhou Lihua into the kitchen: "Mom, can we eat all the delicious food you brought back?"
"able."
The fifth child was overjoyed: "Mom, you're so good to me. Mom, let me get you a bowl."
The fourth son moved a stool for Zhou Lihua: "Mother, sit down."
Zhou Lihua glanced at the fourth and fifth brothers before sitting down on the stool. Putting everything else aside, considering the things she brought back this time, it wasn't a loss for them to bring her a stool and a bowl.
The fourth son served Zhou Lihua a bowl of porridge: "Mother, have some porridge."
"Um."
The third brother listened outside for a while and then went back inside. As soon as he got back inside, he told the eldest and second eldest brothers, "I asked her for walnuts, but she wouldn't give them to me."
Eldest brother: "She also has walnuts?"
Third brother: "Hmm. I saw the fourth and fifth brothers eating walnuts, so I asked them where they came from. They said she gave them to them. I went to ask her for them, but she told me to ask Dad. However, just now the fifth brother asked her if we could eat the things in the kitchen, and she said yes."
The second son thought for a moment and said, "She probably doesn't have any walnuts left, which is why she asked you to ask Dad for some."
Eldest brother: "That's right. We're boys. If she has any, she wouldn't dare not give it to us."
The third son thought about it and agreed. "Those two brats, they betrayed us as soon as Father threatened them."
Eldest brother: "Who cares about them? They're just two girls, they can't do anything."
At noon, there were many more dishes on the Kong family's table. After the meal, the fourth and fifth sons took their bowls to the kitchen to wash them. The eldest, second, and third sons also left.
Battalion Commander Kong looked at Zhou Lihua and asked, "Did you encounter any danger this time in the mountains?"
"No."
After saying this, Battalion Commander Kong didn't know what to say. "Well... I'm going to the army now. You rest well at home. If there's any work, let the kids do it. If they refuse, tell me, and I'll deal with them."
Zhou Lihua didn't say anything.
"Then I'm leaving."
"Um."
As soon as he left home, Battalion Commander Kong frowned. At this rate, when would he ever be able to appease his wife?
Meanwhile, the military wives were also discussing Zhou Lihua.
A: "Tell me, how come Zhou Lihua is so bold?"
B: "She's a child bride, she has no status at home. Every family is short of food these days. She has five children, three of whom are still growing up. Growing up can eat their fathers out of house and home. If she doesn't find a way to get some food, she might not even be able to get soup at home."
C: "I'd rather starve to death than be eaten by wolves."
Ding: "With Wang Xiaoman here, everything will be fine."
C: "That's not necessarily true. Wang Xiaoman isn't a god."
Ding: "I heard that Wang Xiaoman is really amazing. Zhou Lihua went into the mountains with her twice, and although she was injured both times, they were only minor injuries. My husband said that if they encountered a pack of wolves, she might not be able to escape."
A: "I heard that Zhou Lihua brought a lot of things this time."
Ding: "How about we sign a waiver of life and death with Wang Xiaoman too?"
C: "No way. If something happens to us, our child will be motherless."
A: "Exactly. We're not so poor we can't afford to eat."
Bing looked at Ding and said, "If something happens to you, your man will definitely be able to marry another young woman."
B: "He's dreaming." B quickly abandoned his idea of going into the mountains with Xiaoman.
There are many military wives in the military region who want to collect mountain produce, but only Zhou Lihua dares to go into the mountains with Xiaoman.
After Battalion Commander Kong left, Zhou Lihua went to Xiaoman's house. Xiaoman was drying medicinal herbs in the yard. Lao Guo took Erwa to the vegetable garden. Tang Huihui was sewing shoe soles in the yard, and Xiao Hei was wandering around. Lao Shang was watching Naonao and Tengteng play.
Zhou Lihua had visited several times, and Naonao and Tengteng already remembered her.
Nao Nao and Tengteng: "Aunt Pear Blossom."
"Hey," Zhou Lihua asked, looking at Naonao and Tengteng, "What are you two playing?"
Nao Nao: "We're playing chess."
Zhou Lihua thought the children were just playing around, so she praised them, saying "You're all so clever," and went to help Xiaoman dry the medicinal herbs.
After drying the medicinal herbs, Zhou Lihua asked Xiaoman, "Xiaoman, can you take me with you when you go to sell the medicinal herbs?"
"able."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Zhou Lihua wanted to help Xiaoman with some chores, but she couldn't find any work after searching for a while.
Seeing her standing there awkwardly, Xiaoman said, "I'm going the day after tomorrow. Come find me the day after tomorrow."
"Okay. Then... I'll head back now."
"Um."
After selling the medicinal herbs, Zhou Lihua made a pair of tiger-head shoes for Naonao and Tengteng each. Zhou Lihua was very skillful, and the tiger-head shoes she made were lifelike; Naonao and Tengteng loved them very much. Seeing that they liked them, Zhou Lihua made two more pairs for them to alternate wearing.
The three Kong brothers thought Zhou Lihua had run out of walnuts, but then they discovered that the fourth and fifth brothers were eating them regularly. The third brother was furious. The eldest and second brothers weren't too happy either. However, with Battalion Commander Kong keeping them in check, they didn't dare do anything. Besides, walnuts weren't a staple food, so they just put up with it.
Zhou Lihua went into the mountains with Xiaoman several more times. Each time they came back, her fourth and fifth sons would say to her, "Mother, you've worked so hard." Her fourth son would even wash her clothes.
The fourth and fifth children had hardly ever worn new clothes since they were born. After Zhou Lihua had some money, she made two new outfits for them.
Wearing their new clothes, the fourth and fifth brothers jumped and danced with joy.
The eldest, second, and third sons thought they would get one too, but after waiting a month, Zhou Lihua still hadn't made one for them.
That night, the three brothers lay in bed and talked about it again.
The third brother asked, "Big brother, second brother, why does Father only let her make clothes for those two little girls?"
Boss: "Who knows?"
Second son: "Do you think she gave the money from selling medicinal herbs to Dad or kept it for herself?"
Eldest son: "It must have been given to Dad. All the money in our family is in Dad's hands."
Third son: "Exactly, Dad can let her manage the money?"
Second son: "Not necessarily. I think Dad is treating her quite well now. Maybe..."
Boss: "No way?"
Third brother: "I don't think so."
Second son: "I think so. I think Dad's been captivated by her. Let's think of a way to see if she has any money. If she doesn't, then forget it; if she does..."
Boss: "What if we do?"
"If there is..." the second son thought for a moment, "If there is, we'll call Grandma over."
Third child: "Why did you call Grandma over?"
Second child: "Call Grandma to discipline her."
Eldest son: "Yes, call Grandma over. Once Grandma comes, she'll behave herself. Also, once Grandma comes, Dad won't dare to side with her anymore."
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