"It's almost time for dinner at the mess hall. Come on, let's help Old Gu try out the taste first." The two men, each holding a canned bottle, bumped into Wei Gang, who was entering right behind them as they left. They immediately put their arms around his neck and dragged him away.
Gu Xingdong watched them leave. He first retrieved a basin from under his bed, took a quick shower, changed into clean clothes, and then headed to the mess hall.
On the way, he met soldiers who had finished eating one after another. Several of them, seeing him, went up to greet him for the first time, "Camp Commander, the meat sauce you made at home is really delicious."
Gu Xingdong's face darkened at the words. He knew these brats usually avoided him like the plague, as if he were a cat and they were mice. Why was the sun rising in the west today? It turned out it was because of this.
"Old Gu, hurry up and sit down. The food has all been served for you. Heh heh."
Wu Zheng beckoned him from his seat, the empty canned bottles beside him a testament to his earlier indulgence.
"Old Gu, next time ask Auntie to make more. This little bit isn't even enough to get between the teeth."
Gu Xingdong sat down, glanced at him with half-closed eyes, and retorted, "Then your gaps are really quite large."
"The meat sauce your Auntie made is really fragrant. I ate two more steamed buns than usual," Zhou Liang praised sincerely.
Gu Xingdong: "My wife made it."
"Wife, wife?" Li Weimin, a company commander under Gu Xingdong on the other side, almost bit his tongue upon hearing this. Their camp commander was actually married! Good heavens, this was explosive news admitted by their camp commander himself. He quickly finished his rice and eagerly went to share it with the other soldiers.
Thanks to his widespread announcement, everyone now knew they had a sister-in-law who made delicious meat sauce.
...
"I raised you from a baby, feeding you and changing your diapers, and this is how you treat your mother?" Old Mrs. Chen, facing Chen Mantun who was hanging his head and refusing to budge no matter how much she scolded him, was furious. She wished she could pick up a fire poker and give him a good thrashing.
"Mom, life at home is really tight. My wife and I have decided to find a suitable man and have him marry into the family. It's been raining a lot lately, and the house has been leaking. I need to save some money to build a house," Chen Mantun finally mustered the courage to look up and say.
As soon as she heard he wanted to build a house, Old Mrs. Chen and Chen Mancang's family all changed their expressions.
"Your mother lived a hard life, never enjoying a single good day or any comfort after giving birth to you. And you're only thinking about your own little brats? You heartless wretch!" Old Mrs. Chen jumped up, truly seeking the fire poker.
"Second brother, it's not that I, as your elder brother, am criticizing you. Can sheep's wool be used to pad dog's fur? Would a son-in-law you marry in be as sincere to you as your own nephew? After all, one surname cannot be written in two different ways. If you have money, it's better to help your elder nephew. He also wants to build a house, and in old age, you'll still depend on family."
Old Mrs. Chen had already found the stick: "Hand over all the money you have. Let Baozhu use it to build his house. He will take care of you and your wife in your old age."
"Mom, please don't force me. I have things to do at home, I'll be leaving now." Chen Mantun gritted his teeth, turned, and walked away.
"You ungrateful scoundrel, you prodigal son..." Old Mrs. Chen cursed as she swung the stick at him. Although Chen Mantun walked quickly, he still took two hits.
...
The weather gradually grew warmer, and many people had started wearing short sleeves. Chen Lishu also took out the two pieces of fabric she and Gu Xingdong had bought in town last time.
Since they were intended for everyday wear and she didn't want to be too conspicuous in the village, Chen Lishu chose the apricot-yellow piece to tailor a simple half-sleeve shirt for herself.
Her gaze fell on the pink floral fabric, and she thought it would be suitable for making a dress.
After marking the measurements with chalk and cutting the pieces, she spent two evenings and finally finished the dress.
Gu Xingping's eyes widened as she watched Chen Lishu try on the dress.
"Third sister-in-law, your dress is so beautiful. Your skin is so fair. You look like a fairy descended to earth in this dress."
"It's not that exaggerated," Chen Lishu said, feeling a bit embarrassed by the praise.
She had paid extra attention to the details when making the dress. The neckline was made in a style similar to a qipao with frog buttons, the sleeves were three-quarter length with ruffles, and the hem fell around the knees.
Chen Lishu was not short, around 1.65 meters. Wearing this dress perfectly showcased her firm and slender calves. Under the dim yellow light, her fair legs seemed to glow.
Seeing Gu Xingping's eyes fixed on her, Chen Lishu took off the dress and handed it to her, "Little sister, why don't you try it on?"
Gu Xingping's eyes lit up. She immediately and happily took off her clothes and put on the dress.
She was about the same height as Chen Lishu, but her development was not as good. She had a smaller bust and her hips were not as perky as Chen Lishu's. However, the effect after wearing it was still very good.
As soon as Gu Xingping put it on, she cherished it and was reluctant to take it off, twirling around the room several times.
"Big sister-in-law, do I look good in it?" Seeing Zhang Qin smile and nod, she then went to pick up the mirror from the table, wanting to see herself from all angles.
"If you like it, Little Sister, you can wear it," Chen Lishu said with a smile when she saw her about to take it off.
Girls liked to dress up, and she was no exception. However, Gu Xingdong was not home, and there were already whispers. Coupled with Gu Xingping's gaze just now, it was better for her to avoid causing trouble for herself.
Seeing that she was going to give her the dress, Gu Xingping felt happy but still declined, "Third sister-in-law, you look so good in it. I'm earning money now too. After I speak to Mom and get the fabric coupons, you can make another one for me. You keep this one."
Seeing that she said this, Chen Lishu smiled and took the dress back.
The three sisters-in-law chatted for a while longer before each returning to their rooms to sleep.
The next day, the family went to work early in the morning, as usual, first waiting at the brigade courtyard for the brigade leader Sun Yuzhu to assign tasks.
"As the weather is getting hotter, the crops in the fields..."
"Yuzhu, wait a moment. My old lady has something to say." Sun Yuzhu was interrupted as soon as he started. Seeing a small-footed old woman with a grim expression emerge from the crowd.
As soon as Chen Lishu saw Old Mrs. Chen, her heart sank, and she suddenly had a bad premonition.
As expected, Old Mrs. Chen stepped forward, glanced at everyone, and said, "I want to report my second son, Chen Mantun. He is undermining socialism. Disregarding collective interests, he went up the mountain and caught wild pheasants and rabbits but did not hand them over to the team. He took them to town himself to exchange for money."
Chen Mantun and Wu Chunmei never dreamed that the one who exposed and reported them would be their own mother, Old Mrs. Chen.
Looking at the eyes of everyone on them, their faces instantly turned as white as paper.
Chen Lishu also did not expect Old Mrs. Chen to go to such lengths. But at this moment, there was no time to think further. Listening to Old Mrs. Chen's words, Chen Lishu's mind began to rapidly devise a plan.