Can it not resemble a proper formation?
He Xiaobao’s face twisted in bitterness. While others could take a break, he had to remain standing. If he sat down, he would have to run laps instead, and even when his legs felt weak and tired from running, he still had to eat only to find that the cooks had already returned to their dorms.
The worst part was that even when he returned to his dorm, he couldn’t rest easy. Life was so good back home – everything was brought to him on a platter. Now, he was living with a bunch of soldiers; while maintaining clean clothes was one thing, he had to fold his blanket into neat tofu blocks too.
The most excessive part was that if he didn’t wash his feet, the foul smell would pervade his own bed. His dormmates insisted on making him wash his feet and scrub himself, even forcing him to use soap.
Thinking about these grievances, He Xiaobao didn’t dare to complain to the fierce Vice Captain Zhang. Instead, he chose to vent to Lin Shiheng about his peculiar dormmates.
He thought his brother-in-law would help stop them from forcing him to wash and bathe. However, to his surprise, Lin Shiheng just nodded and smiled, wearing a look of satisfaction. “It seems you’re getting along well with them.”
He Xiaobao felt a lump in his throat—he was indeed exasperated.
Once he finally managed to compose himself, he desperately asked, “Brother-in-law, when can I go home?”
Lin Shiheng chuckled and patted his shoulder. “When you become someone like me, you can go home.”
He Xiaobao looked down at his soft, flabby arms, then back up at his brother-in-law, who stood tall and commanding in his uniform.
…He doubted he would ever become that way in his lifetime.
Just then, he caught sight of He Xuezhuz returning with a bottle of vinegar. Immediately, he rushed over with a face full of grievance. Even with eight times more courage, he wouldn’t dare to tell Lin Shiheng about his troubles; instead, he flitted around like a little monkey, keeping his gaze down and unable to meet his brother-in-law’s eye.
“Sis, are you going to chop garlic? Let me help you! I can get this!”
He Xuezhuz smiled, looking at her brother eagerly helping her, her eyes full of happiness.
Lin Shiheng wrapped his arm around her shoulder and said warmly, “After we finish eating, let’s go to the hospital together.”
“What’s wrong?” He Xuezhuz immediately tensed, “Is someone unwell?”
“No, one of my soldiers was injured by an explosion while clearing mines and has been in the hospital for several days. When I returned home a couple of days ago, I got caught up with a lot of things and haven’t had the chance to visit him. He hasn’t married yet, so he’s probably just eating and drinking at the hospital. I’ll take him some dumplings and let him meet his sister-in-law.”
Mentioning this made He Xuezhuz blush, and she lightly swatted her husband’s hand resting on her shoulder. “You shouldn’t always praise me in front of them; it makes me feel embarrassed.”
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”
Lin Shiheng affectionately pinched her slightly chubby cheek. “My Xuezhuz is excellent; they keep asking me for the medicinal wine you made.”
“By the way, how did you find the medical book I gave you? If you don’t understand it, you could bring it along to the hospital and ask that doctor for help.”
He Xuezhuz shook her head, her eyes sparkling. “I understand it all! Shiheng, this book is incredible! This morning, Aunt Qiu from next door twisted her ankle, and I tried the method from the book, and she got better just like that.”
“Really? That amazing?” Lin Shiheng’s face showed a hint of surprise. “I saw it at the book stall when I was buying clothes for you; I figured you’d like it. If it’s really that good, let’s go together next time. I remember there are a few more books there.”
“Let’s not get the book right now; we should pick out some nice clothes. I stayed in the hospital for a few days, and the doctors and nurses took good care of me; it’ll be fun to introduce you to them.”
He Xiaobao was begrudgingly chopping garlic, watching as his sister was led away by his brother-in-law to choose clothes. He turned the garlic over while pondering.
His brother-in-law said to become someone like him.
Then buying books and clothes for his wife counts, right?
***
When He Xuezhuz arrived at the hospital wearing new clothes with her husband, outside, Zhou Qianqian found herself unfairly burdened with blame.
Many people had seen her block He Xiaobao, and although they couldn’t hear what she said due to the volume of her voice, the loud thud of He Xiaobao hitting the floor and his tear-stained face full of grievance were clear to everyone.
After He Xiaobao ran off wiping his tears, he left Zhou Qianqian alone, met with strange gazes from everyone around her. Enraged, she stomped her foot and went back to her room with her husband.
Zhou Qianqian left, but the rumors didn’t die down, especially since a few army wives had witnessed her targeting Lin Shiheng just days ago.
At that time, they had been sitting nearby, knitting sweaters.
Watching Zhou Qianqian leave, the few women exchanged looks. “Isn’t that Xuezhuz’s brother?”
“No way. It was one thing when she was talking bad about Commander Lin, but now she’s bullying his brother?”
“Maybe it’s not bullying; they might have a misunderstanding. After all, they aren’t very old.”
Upon hearing this, one of the army wives disagreed, saying, “What misunderstanding could there be? Didn’t you see that kid fall to the ground? I saw it clearly—it was Zhou Qianqian who stopped him, and when he tried to leave, she wouldn’t let him go. After he fell, he cried. That child doesn’t look like someone who would cause trouble.”
“Yeah, I saw that kid just yesterday. He’s a good boy; when Vice Captain Zhang told him what to do, he did it without a sound. Commander Lin is just too straightforward; he didn’t even have anyone look after him. I bet the kid was bullied by Vice Captain Zhang but didn’t tell Commander Lin; otherwise, he would have definitely intervened.”
As they discussed this, the expressions of the other army wives turned somewhat disdainful.
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