Back To The 80s-Chapter 24: Intention_1

During dinner, Liu Mei hadn’t returned. Gu Xiaodong didn’t say anything; it was obvious he already knew. Chen Qiumei not only made chicken soup, but also cooked pork liver. Gu Xiaobei knew that their kindness was targeted at the child in her belly; they were still family, after all.

Chen Qiumei hurriedly asked Gu Xiaobei to sit down and handed her a bowl of chicken soup. "Drink more chicken soup. This pork liver is good for blood replenishment. Please eat more."

If there were no unpleasant affairs from earlier, Xiaobei would have been touched by the display of maternal love. She said nothing, took the bowl and began to drink quietly.

Chen Qiumei then poured another bowl of chicken soup and added two large chicken legs into the bowl for Xiaodong, grumbling, "Look at Liu Mei, always away from home and you let her be."

"Enough. Let’s eat," Gu Xiaodong interrupted impatiently.

Chen Qiumei’s eyes widened in annoyance but bowed out gracefully, she stopped arguing and began to eat. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"By the way, Xiaobei, after you’re through with your postnatal month, don’t go back. I’ll find you a job here," Gu Xiaodong suggested while putting down his chopsticks.

"What about Lu Zhanguo? Isn’t the reason I followed the army to be with him? If I work in the city, then we’ll have a long-distance relationship again," Xiaobei stated objectionably.

"A woman shouldn’t be thinking about relying on a man all the time. When you work in the city and broaden your horizon, you’ll realize how stupid it is to nestle in that poor village," Xiaodong harshly pointed out.

"Anyway, wherever Lu Zhanguo goes, I will follow. I don’t have Liu Mei’s ability. I intend to rely on a man," Xiaobei quickly caught on, realizing that this was an attempt to make her work in the city, find a better man, and then break up with Zhanguo.

"How did you become like this? I’m doing all this for your good. If you don’t listen, you’ll regret it sooner or later," Gu Xiaodong snapped in frustration.

"Yes, your brother is doing it for your own good. It’s so convenient to buy things in the city. Nowadays, young people all want to live in the city. I heard that where you live there are no buses to town. Even if you work in the city, Lu Zhanguo can visit when he has time," Chen Qiumei added in her persuasion.

Xiaobei didn’t bother to reply; she just held her bowl and took small sips from the chicken soup. Xiaodong noticed her stubborn attitude and it irked him. He recalled the time when his sister would listen to him and value his words. The decisions were always up to him. Since when did she grow so assertive?

Upon returning to the camp, Lu Zhanguo first went to Guo Huaqiang, then to Zhang Lijun for a meeting to modify the training schedule. Gu Xiaodong’s interference had been discovered prematurely this time. What about next time? Although there was no evidence to indict Xiaodong, they could only prepare for future problems. While Xiaodong could disregard the lives of others, they couldn’t.

The three of them smoked constantly and the office was filled with a cloud of smoke. Guo Huaqiang raked his frazzled hair, complaining, "Isn’t it obvious? Gu Xiaodong is in charge of military supplies, everything passes through his hands. It’s clear there’s a problem. Why are we wasting time? We should report it to our superiors directly."

"If Gu Xiaodong did it, he must know he’s the first one to be suspected because of his position. What if he shifts the blame onto the cotton clothing factory? Even after a thorough investigation, if the factory is found to be innocent, the suspicion will shift back to him. Rest assured, with Xiaodong’s sly ways, he’s already paved his way out," Zhanguo said, tapping the table with the tips of his fingers.

"So what do we do? Do we let Gu Xiaodong manipulate us like this?" Lijun said indignantly.

"If the stuffing in the cotton clothing was changed at the factory, it indicates a problem with the factory’s procurement process. If it was changed after leaving the factory, how did they manage to swap a large batch of military coats?" Guo Huaqiang analyzed thoroughly.

Zhanguo weighted the documents on his desk, saying, "This is not our business to handle. Our task is to focus on training, enhance the soldiers’ individual combat capabilities and their cooperative combat abilities. The physical fitness of the new soldiers assigned is not bad. As for Xiaodong, I’ll handle it privately. It’s getting late. Dismissed."

When they left the office building, they saw Chi Xiaoyue waiting by the roadside.

Chi Xiaoyue saw Zhanguo approaching and said with a smile, "Brother Zhanguo, I have something to discuss with you."

The colleagues who walked out with him, Zhang Lijun and Guo Huaqiang, excused themselves, leaving Zhanguo alone with Xiaoyue.

"What do you want to discuss with me?" Zhanguo asked coldly. Ever since Chi Xiaoyue brought Wang Chuanjiang to his home, Zhanguo’s liking for her had dwindled.

"I made a pair of shoes for you. I came here to give them to you," Xiaoyue said with a hint of resentment.

"You don’t have to do this anymore, you’re a single woman, people might misunderstand," Zhanguo said with a slight furrow in his brow, his appreciation for Xiaoyue decreasing even more.

Xiaoyue, taken aback by Zhanguo’s words, bit her lip and lowered her gaze, her eyes brimming with tears. This made her look all the more delicate and pitiful. However, Zhanguo wasn’t swayed by this display. Instead, he began to miss Xiaobei’s vibrant smile.

"Alright, hurry home," said Zhanguo, his dissatisfaction palpable. He then turned and left.

Xiaoyue trembled with rage. In the past, Zhanguo had always treated her with courtesy, but now, she saw impatience in his eyes and he had publically humiliated her. All of this was Xiaobei’s fault.

Thinking of this, her hatred for Xiaobei intensified. She swore to herself that she would retaliate.

Returning to the health team, she found Wang Chuanjiang waiting outside her dormitory. She was slightly angry, "What are you doing here? Why aren’t you back at school?"

"I can’t stand it anymore. I’m tired of eating cornbread every day and teaching a bunch of stupid kids. I’m going back to H City," Wang Chuanjiang grumbled.

"Remember why you came here and how you got here. If you want to leave, I won’t stop you, but I doubt you’d get even cornbread to eat once you’re back in H city." Chi Xiaoyue scoffed. Then opening the door, she added, "If you have something to say, come in and say it. Once you’re done, get out."

Wang Chuanjiang realized how he had ended up here and immediately calmed down. He thought for a moment and said, "Or you could find me something to do in town. I really don’t want to stay in the village."

"Is it that you don’t want to stay or can’t stay? Don’t think I don’t know about your fling with the widow. If you know what’s good for you, cut it off and stay in the village. Or you might end up with broken legs one day and have no one but yourself to blame," Xiaoyue said contemptuously. She looked down on people like Chuanjiang, who lived feeble lives and loved to engage in affairs but lacked the ability to deal with the consequences.

Wang Chuanjiang’s face turned crimson with embarrassment and he retorted angrily, "You’re no better. You’re trying to seduce Lu Zhanguo, but he doesn’t give a damn about you."

"Get out!" Xiaoyue yelled, feeling humiliated by Chuanjiang’s insult. She picked up the bag with the shoes and swung it at him. Seeing Xiaoyue’s anger, Wang Chuanjiang quickly ran out the door.

Xiaoyue slammed the door shut and threw herself on the bed, bursting into tears.