After Regintal Commander Mai’s speech to the entire military, it seed that no one ca to offer gifts or ask for favors anymore, and even the gossip around the compound seed to vanish suddenly.
Hualing secretly whispered to Cheng Su, saying she feared those n at ho were now restraining their wives, afraid they wouldn’t even get the little retirent subsidy.
Cheng Su simply laughed it off.
Life returned to calm, and days passed peacefully without incident.
Cheng Su organized the valuation of the family’s assets and submitted a report, asking Qi Taiguo to file it for the record.
As April ca, her belly grew as if inflated suddenly and her appetite was astonishing. Strangely, Cheng Su didn’t gain much weight overall; it was all focused on the baby.
Chunhua and the others looked on surprised and envious. When they were pregnant, the weight stayed with them, and after birth, it was hard to lose the extra weight and belly.
Cheng Su also found it odd, often touching her belly and saying the baby favored her.
After the Qingming Festival in April, the list of old and new replacents was settled and posted on the bulletin board. Cheng Su saw a few familiar nas from the list Qi Taiguo brought back.
Among them was their neighbor, Chen Shouwang.
Even though Hualing and the others were ntally prepared, seeing the list still brought a bit of sadness.
Especially for Chen Shouwang, who had been in the army for over twenty years, leaving now brought undeniable disappointnt.
Thus, Chen Shouwang unusually dragged Qi Taiguo out for a drink, getting thoroughly drunk before returning, giving Hualing a reason to scold him thoroughly. Yet scold she might, she still had to take care of him.
"Getting so drunk on a little alcohol, why didn’t it kill you," Hualing scolded as she wiped Chen Shouwang’s face vigorously with a warm towel.
Chen Shouwang snatched the towel from her and hugged her tightly, crying: "Honey, I’m sorry. It’s my lack of ability, I’ve made you suffer!"
Hualing was stunned, tears fell down as she pushed him: "Get off, stop pretending to be crazy!"
"No, I’m worthless, I’ve made you suffer, it’s all my fault, I’m just a damn scoundrel, a scoundrel!" Chen Shouwang held her tightly, insisting on his drunken rambling.
Unable to push him away, Hualing resigned to let him hold her, tears streaming down: "If only I had known sooner!"
The couple cried together.
On Cheng Su’s side, things weren’t much better. Qi Taiguo wasn’t as drunk as Chen Shouwang but he had drunk quite a lot. Instead of crying, he acted spoiled.
"Oh my, this sll of alcohol is killing . Qi Taiguo, tonight you’re sleeping in the living room. Don’t disturb and the baby!" Cheng Su prepared a cup of honey water for him, covering her nose and said: "Hurry, drink this honey water!"
Qi Taiguo laughed and playfully blew a breath at her, the alcohol sll was dizzying.
Cheng Su couldn’t help pinching him a few tis.
"I’ll drink if you feed !" Qi Taiguo said.
Cheng Su glared at him, seeing his sulky face, she had no choice but to bring the cup closer, letting him drink a few sips from her hand.
Qi Taiguo lay on the sofa, muttering drunkenly: "Cheng Su, I must make a na for myself. I won’t let you down, I won’t be like them, retired at this ti. I will rise to the top, I won’t make mistakes, won’t follow in others’ footsteps!"
Cheng Su paused: "Alright, I’ll wait and see."
Qi Taiguo fell silent, and looking at him, he had already fallen asleep, snoring started. Cheng Su had no choice but to fetch a blanket from the room to cover him, looked at his features, sighed, fearing this guy was affected by Chen Shouwang!
User Comments
0 comments from readers