Ma Xiumei: "The three of us think that among the military spouses in our military region, only you are qualified to be the factory director."
Zhou Lihua: "Yes. You are the most suitable."
Xiaoman didn't want the position. However, she didn't say so directly. Everyone thought it was a great opportunity, and if she directly said she didn't want it, they would definitely think she was lying. "They won't let me be the factory manager. I've never been to school, and I've never worked in a factory before."
Wang Erni: "Very few of the military spouses in our military region have gone to school. Besides, you're not illiterate."
Ma Xiumei: "Exactly. You can read, and you look like a leader."
Zhou Lihua: "Exactly. Nobody else has your attitude."
Xiaoman smiled at Zhou Lihua: "If I become the factory manager, I won't have time to go into the mountains anymore."
“You’ve already helped me a lot, I can’t stand in your way. If you’re not going into the mountains, I’ll gather herbs on these two nearby mountains. They’re small and there aren’t any large wild animals.”
Xiaoman looked at Zhou Lihua and said, "There aren't any good medicinal herbs on these two mountains."
"It's alright. I've made quite a bit of money following you these past two years. I've accumulated some savings. From now on, I can just earn enough to eat and drink."
Xiaoman: "You seem quite content."
Zhou Lihua: "Contentment brings happiness. I've come to terms with it. From now on, I'll just focus on taking care of Lanlan and Yanyan."
In the past two years, Zhou Lihua's three sons have been trying to get close to her, but she has completely ignored them. Even Battalion Commander Kong only gives them food to take back and doesn't care about anything else.
The eldest, second, and third sons were filled with regret. Unfortunately, there's no going back.
However, since Zhou Lihua and Battalion Commander Kong didn't interfere, they did become more sensible. Perhaps, only after cooking for themselves, washing their own clothes, and living their own lives did they truly understand the hardships Zhou Lihua had endured.
Xiaoman looked at Zhou Lihua: "And yourself."
Zhou Lihua: "Yes, and myself too."
Wang Erni: "Xiaoman, don't worry about her. She's doing very well now. Her daughter is filial, and Battalion Commander Kong is even trying to curry favor with her."
Xiaoman looked at Zhou Lihua and smiled: "Really?"
Zhou Lihua's face immediately turned red: "No...no way? He...he just helps me with some chores occasionally."
Ma Xiumei: "Occasionally? Xiaoman, you don't know, Battalion Commander Kong always hangs around Lihua whenever he has nothing to do."
Zhou Lihua: "He...he can't cook, so..."
Ma Xiumei: "The army has a canteen."
Zhou Lihua's face turned even redder: "I chased him away, but he wouldn't leave."
Ma Xiumei: "Only a fool would leave. If he leaves, his wife and daughter will belong to someone else."
Xiaoman had long seen through it; Battalion Commander Kong wouldn't divorce Zhou Lihua. Zhou Lihua wasn't a heartless person either. Besides, there were two daughters in the picture. "To err is human, to forgive divine."
Zhou Lihua: "Oh dear, didn't we say that Xiaoman is suitable to be a factory manager? How did we end up talking about me? Xiaoman, you really are suitable to be a factory manager."
Xiaoman smiled and said, "They won't let me be the factory director. But you, if the military region really builds a clothing factory, Battalion Commander Kong will definitely let you work there."
"Why are you bringing me up again? Even if he asks me to go, I won't go."
Ma Xiumei: "Why not go? He won't divorce you, you're still supporting his two daughters, and he often comes to your place for meals."
Wang Erni: "Exactly. Why don't you go?"
Xiaoman: "Go ahead. Working in a clothing factory might not earn as much as gathering medicinal herbs. But at least you won't be exposed to the wind or rain."
Zhou Lihua didn't want to go at first, but they all persuaded her: "Is it appropriate for me to go? Everyone knows I want to divorce him."
Ma Xiumei: "Everyone knows that Battalion Commander Kong will not divorce you."
Wang Erni: "Don't you spend all the money you earn on his daughter?"
Ma Xiumei: "Exactly. All four of us will go then."
Xiaoman didn't want to be tied to the factory all day: "I'm not going."
Ma Xiumei: Why aren't you going? We're hoping to work under you.
Xiaoman smiled and said, "I've never worked in a factory before, so I'm not used to it."
Wang Erni: "We've never worked in a factory either."
Ma Xiumei: "You'll get used to it after a few days."
Zhou Lihua: "Go ahead. Although your mother-in-law has gone back, Naonao and Tengteng are all grown up now. Didn't you just say that staying in the factory is quite nice, where you're protected from the wind and rain?"
"No, I'm clumsy with my hands."
They tried to persuade Xiaoman for a while, but she still wouldn't go. After chatting for a bit longer, they went back.
Han Bin knew that Xiao Man and her group would be returning today, so he rushed home as soon as it was time.
As soon as he got back, Naonao and Tengteng ran over and hugged his legs. Han Bin immediately felt at ease.
Nao Nao: "Dad, the trees in the mountains are so big!"
Tengteng: "Dad, there are so many animals in the mountains."
Nao Nao: "Dad, the rabbit runs really fast!"
Tengteng: "Dad, pheasants are so stupid!"
...
Xiaoman smiled as she heard the children sharing their experiences in the mountains with Han Bin in the yard.
A moment later, Han Bin came in from outside carrying the two little ones. Before the two little ones could finish speaking, Han Bin sat down next to Xiao Man, still holding them, and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
Xiaoman looked at the little ones who had regained their energy: "It was worth it."
Yes. It's worth it.
Nao Nao: "Dad, have you ever seen a tiger?"
"No."
Nao Nao: "Dad, tigers look a lot like cats. My mom says tigers are also called big cats."
Tengteng drew a big circle with his hand: "The tiger is this big."
"Really? Then next time you go into the mountains, how about you take Dad with you? Dad has never seen a tiger before."
Nao Nao and Tengteng: "Okay."
Han Bin patted Nao Nao and Tengteng's bellies: "Isn't it time to eat? Your little bellies are all flat."
"Mmm." Nao Nao slid off Han Bin. "I'll go check if the food's ready."
"Um."
Tengteng slid off Han Bin and said, "I'll go too."
"Um."
After the two little ones left, Han Bin looked at Xiao Man and said, "You really have a way with things."
"you busy."
"Even if I'm not busy, I don't understand them as well as you do."
Xiaoman smiled.
Old Guo was cooking when two little heads appeared on the kitchen doorframe. Erwa had gone to school. Since starting school, Erwa rarely came over. Today wasn't Sunday, so Erwa wasn't there. Old Guo was alone in the kitchen.
Nao Nao: "Grandpa Guo, can we eat now? My tummy is flat."
Tengteng: "Grandpa Guo, mine is flat too."
Old Guo was delighted to hear this. Before, the two little ones would often cling to the doorframe and ask him if dinner was ready. After returning from his hometown, the little ones stopped asking: "It's ready. Call your dad, your mom, and your grandpa Shang to eat."
Nao Nao and Tengteng: "Okay."
Han Bin helped Lao Guo bring the food to the table. After everyone was seated, Han Bin served Lao Guo, Lao Shang, and Xiao Man their meals, then looked at Nao Nao and Tengteng and asked, "How much do you want to eat?"
Nao Nao and Tengteng: "A big bowl."
Han Bin: "Dad will serve you a small bowl first. If you finish it, Dad will serve you more. Okay?"
Nao Nao and Tengteng: "Okay."
Soon, Nao Nao and Tengteng finished eating. Han Bin served them some more.
A few days ago, Nao Nao and Tengteng weren't eating well, and the adults weren't enjoying their meals either. Now, Nao Nao and Tengteng have recovered, and the adults are eating with relish again.
After finishing the meal, Han Bin put everything in the kitchen. Xiao Man wanted to wash her clothes, but Han Bin stopped her, saying, "You can wash them when I'm not home."
Xiaoman stood next to Han Bin and handed him something: "I heard that the military region is going to build a clothing factory?"
"You found out as soon as you got back? You're quite well-informed."
"Hmm. Do you want me to go?"
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