Chapter 19: Do You Want to Lose That Hand?

Shen Qingqing did not refute Sister Wang’s words.

Sister Wang assumed she had tacitly agreed. She thought to herself that she would urge Xiao Jiang to apply for housing later. The young couple didn't seem to be getting along, and if they continued to avoid each other, their marriage would truly be in jeopardy. Since they had the conditions to live together on base, it would be much better for them to be in one place! Xiao Jiang was being dense, and as those who had been through it, they needed to guide him before things got worse and reached a point of no return. Regret would be useless by then.

The Lin family was planning to host a meal, which inevitably meant cleaning up the house. Downstairs, Lin Fengmian was washing dishes and spotted Shen Qingqing and Sister Wang from a distance. She rolled her eyes and muttered to herself, "I knew she wasn't any good. She’s only been here a few days, and she’s already started sucking up to the leader’s wife!"

She then recalled what Jiang Zhixun had said the day before in the county town, which made her even angrier. He had claimed that Shen Qingqing was sensitive and prone to crying. Now, it seemed the woman was quite cunning, managing to get Sister Wang to go to the guesthouse personally to invite her. Looking at how she was smiling—almost to the point of her face hurting—there wasn't a trace of her having been a crybaby. Brother Jiang was just worrying for nothing!

"I don't think she likes to cry at all; she’s just using those 'cat tears' to manipulate people!"

"What are you muttering about?" Lin Zhidong came downstairs carrying a basin of laundry, containing his own, his wife’s, and their son’s clothes. He grabbed a small stool, sat by the water pipe, rolled up his sleeves, and started to work. Seeing Shen Qingqing and Sister Wang, he greeted them, assuming they were likely off to mediate the couple's relationship.

Lin Fengmian scoffed, "You and your wife were accusing me yesterday, but look at Shen Qingqing—she’s perfectly fine. You were all just panicking for no reason."

Lin Zhidong clicked his tongue. "Comrade Shen hasn't provoked you; why do you insist on picking fights with her?"

"I just can't stand people who put on an act. It’s only because men are so oblivious that they fall for her tricks." Lin Fengmian scrubbed the rag vigorously. "I want to see how long she can keep up this charade. It might work while dating, but when it comes to real life, few people will like that dainty, fragile act of hers."

Seeing her words becoming increasingly unreasonable, Lin Zhidong interrupted, "Lin Fengmian, please check your attitude."

"I'm telling the truth!"

"How much do you actually know about Comrade Shen? Do you know her strengths? Yet you make these wild conclusions."

Lin Fengmian rolled her eyes. "No matter how capable she is, it’s none of my business. All I need to know is that she likes to play the victim to gain sympathy, which makes her a bad woman."

Lin Zhidong really couldn't fathom how she reached that conclusion. "They are a married couple. If Old Jiang hasn't said anything, what right do you have to gossip?"

"You're just taking her side."

Lin Fengmian wore an expression of someone who saw through everything. "Brother Jiang doesn't like her either. He’s a man, so it’s hard for him to speak ill of a woman, but his actions have already proven everything."

Lin Zhidong stopped washing the clothes. "If you keep guessing, I really will send you back to our hometown."

Previously, Lin Fengmian had been intimidated by this threat once. But later, at home, his wife mentioned that she could take care of the children and keep the house spotless, so Lin Fengmian knew his wife wouldn't agree to her being sent away. Feeling confident, she retorted, "You can control everything else, but can you control who I dislike?"

In Lin Fengmian’s view, as long as she wasn't seducing Jiang Zhixun or inciting them to divorce, she hadn't done anything wrong. No one had the right to criticize her! After finishing the dishes, she headed upstairs first.

Lin Zhidong, his words cut short, had to speed up his laundry. Once he was done, he planned to give Lin Fengmian a lesson on not judging a situation without knowing the full picture. Relationships were a private matter between two people; who knew what their situation was behind closed doors? If Old Jiang truly hated Comrade Shen, would he be that anxious? It was likely just a misunderstanding that hadn't been cleared up.

At Sister Wang’s house, Jiang Zhixun had arrived before Shen Qingqing and was sitting in the living room talking to the leader. The leader, whose surname was Zhao, looked to be in his forties or fifties and appeared quite stern. Shen Qingqing had lived in the compound for years, and both Father Jiang and Jiang Zhixun were the type who rarely smiled, so she wasn't intimidated by the leader and greeted him politely.

Sister Wang laughed and said, "My husband looks grumpy by nature, but he's actually very easygoing. You aren't his soldier, so just call him Uncle Zhao."

"She calls you 'Sister,' but calls me 'Uncle'—isn't that confusing?"

Sister Wang had come to the base when she was young and had been called "Sister" for years; she was used to it and hadn't considered the age gap. She shot her husband a look. "It's just a small matter, and you're still hung up on it."

The leader didn't say anything more and picked up a newspaper.

Sister Wang said, "We're having dumplings for lunch, lamb filling. Little Shen, are you used to that? If not, I can switch to egg filling."

Shen Qingqing wasn't picky. "Anything is fine. It seems I'm in for a treat today."

Her temperament was cold, but when she smiled, it was gentle, making it impossible to look away. Although they hadn't spent much time together, Sister Wang could tell that Shen Qingqing had a good temper and was easy to talk to—a very pleasant person. With such a wife, it was truly stubborn of Xiao Jiang to be causing trouble.

She thought she should try to bring them together, help the couple resolve their issues, and let them live a good life. If things weren't peaceful at home, their careers would be affected too.

Sister Wang said with a smile, "Men are stronger; Xiao Jiang, why don't you help me mince the meat?"

Jiang Zhixun gave a hum, calmly rolled up his sleeves, and went to wash his hands to get to work. Sister Wang looked at Shen Qingqing and said, "Look, Xiao Jiang is quite good; he’s proactive. Once you two get your own place, life will surely get better and better."

When Jiang Zhixun wasn't around, Shen Qingqing could offer polite responses to get through it. Now, however, she felt so awkward her scalp tingled, and she didn't know what to say.

Jiang Zhixun had already washed his hands. "She isn't staying here. I'll send her back to Beijing for the New Year, so there's no need to apply for housing."

Sister Wang and her husband exchanged a look, seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes. The leader gave a fake cough. "Little Shen has a job; I imagine that's what he means."

Sister Wang exclaimed, "Little Shen brought her work with her! When I went to the guesthouse, she was translating manuscripts. I thought this kind of work could be done anywhere and didn't necessarily require a return to Beijing."

Jiang Zhixun knew Sister Wang was saying this on purpose for his benefit, trying to get him to keep Shen Qingqing and settle down. But his attention shifted, and he frowned. "You've been working?"

Shen Qingqing didn't want to talk to him, but with outsiders present, her long-held habits made it impossible to show negative emotions in such a setting. She replied calmly, "Yes."

Her attitude remained cold. Jiang Zhixun was annoyed by her defiance and the fact that she always did things regardless of her health. "Do you not want your hands anymore?"

The way he said it, one might think she was severely injured. Given his previous attitude, Shen Qingqing didn't believe Jiang Zhixun was actually worried about her. He clearly just found her unpleasant, and everything she did was wrong in his eyes. He was just looking for a reason to pick a fight!

Shen Qingqing couldn't help but roll her eyes. Her lips, coated in a light layer of balm, moved slightly as she spat out two words: "You're sick."

Sister Wang and the leader: "..."