Thinking of the popular workwear and work pants that came later, Chen Lishu made the clothes into a jacket style with turned-up cuffs. Since the fashion of the time didn't allow for tight cuffs, she made them straight-leg trousers with a decorative pocket sewn onto one side.
After spending a day completing one set, Chen Lishu felt it was a bit too plain for girls to wear. She then took out a small piece of pink floral fabric left over from making dresses and sewed it into a small pocket on the chest of the jacket, instantly adding a lot of color.
Although she wanted to make a set of clothes for all her younger sisters, it would be too conspicuous. Chen Lishu only made one set each for Chen Liyuan and Chen Lifei, planning to make them for the others when she had the chance.
Rushing against time, she finally finished the two sets of clothes by the afternoon of the twenty-ninth and delivered them to them.
"Big Sister, are these really made for me?" Chen Liyuan, being older, was a bit more composed. Chen Lifei, however, held the clothes and was so delighted she didn't know what to do.
With so many children in the family and her position in the middle, she had never worn a new piece of clothing since she was little.
"Why are you putting them away? Aren't you saving them to wear tomorrow?" Chen Lishu asked curiously when she saw Chen Lifei carefully putting the clothes back into the box after opening it.
Chen Lifei touched them again with fondness before closing the box. "I'm saving them to wear when school starts."
"Big Sister, will I get new clothes next year?" Looking at her two older sisters with new clothes, Chen Liwan asked timidly with envious eyes.
"Yes, as long as your exam results are good, Big Sister will make you a new set of clothes next year too." Chen Lishu said, then looked at the other younger ones. "From now on, whoever gets good grades will be rewarded with a new set of clothes every year."
"Oh, that's great!" The younger ones immediately cheered.
"You really spoil them," Wu Chunmei couldn't help but mutter.
Rewards for good grades. She wished the children wouldn't study well so they could get down to business sooner.
Chen Lishu just smiled and didn't respond.
Time flew by to New Year's Eve. The Gu family had earned a lot of money this year, and they spared no expense on the New Year's Eve dinner, preparing a total of eight dishes.
There was no entertainment in the countryside, and people didn't stay up late. Everyone went to bed early after dinner.
On the other side, in the military camp, the soldiers collectively ate dumplings. Some began to organize a cultural performance, singing military songs, performing comic dialogues, and some practicing military boxing.
Before long, some people started egging each other on, demanding to see a sparring match. Soon, those with outstanding skills in the camp were nominated and put forward.
Gu Xingdong and Wu Zheng sat together, watching with keen interest. Suddenly, Zhou Liang, from across the table, stood up, looked at Gu Xingdong, and said with a smile, "Old Gu, how about we spar?"
"Roar!" Hearing Zhou Liang challenge Gu Xingdong, the soldiers present instantly erupted.
Gu Xingdong raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips. "I'd be delighted."
Zhou Liang smiled and moved away from the table, walking into the arena.
A group of people automatically stepped back a couple of paces, making the space even wider.
The two best fighters in the camp were about to compete, a rare opportunity. Everyone held their breath, ready to watch the spectacle.
Gu Xingdong and Zhou Liang both took off their outer jackets, revealing the muscles subtly defined beneath their shirts.
Although it was indoors, the temperature was still very low, but the two men, wearing only shirts, didn't feel cold.
Seeing Gu Xingdong stand firm, Zhou Liang struck first, quickly throwing a punch. Gu Xingdong's muscles tensed instantly, and he agilely sidestepped the blow. Zhou Liang, unable to stop his momentum, used it to circle behind Gu Xingdong. While Gu Xingdong's back was to him, he lunged forward, simultaneously swinging a punch towards the back of his head.
Although he was slightly inferior to Gu Xingdong in terms of physical fitness, he believed no one in the entire camp could claim to be better than him in fighting.
Seeing his fist brush past Gu Xingdong's hair, Zhou Liang's lips curved uncontrollably upwards.
However, just as he thought Gu Xingdong would take the punch squarely, Gu Xingdong suddenly turned and threw a straight punch at his face. Zhou Liang had thrown his punch first, and it was about to hit Gu Xingdong's head, but Gu Xingdong managed to land his blow first. Before his fist even landed, the wind from his punch had already whipped Zhou Liang's face.
Zhou Liang quickly lowered his head, trying to dodge his punch. Unexpectedly, Gu Xingdong's fist suddenly dropped, changing trajectory mid-air to become an uppercut, hitting his shoulder.
With a "bang!" following Zhou Liang's crouched posture, he was sent to the ground. Gu Xingdong didn't pause; his right hand moved like lightning, a downward hook aimed directly at Zhou Liang's face. If this iron fist connected, Zhou Liang's nose would undoubtedly be broken.
The onlookers were so tense they forgot to breathe.
Zhou Liang hurriedly rolled backward, narrowly dodging his fist in a somewhat disheveled manner. At the same time, he braced himself with both hands and kicked out with both legs towards Gu Xingdong's legs.
Gu Xingdong's legs were struck, and his body lost balance. As he fell towards the ground, he supported himself with one hand and effortlessly straightened up with a swift motion.
Seeing how tenacious Gu Xingdong was, Zhou Liang shouted and charged forward, dodging Gu Xingdong's straight punch. He then grabbed Gu Xingdong's waist and, with a powerful heave of his arm, lifted him.
Zhou Liang originally intended to slam Gu Xingdong to the ground, but before he could even lift him over his shoulder, Gu Xingdong brought his fists together and smashed them down on his back, sending Zhou Liang crashing to the ground.
Feeling Gu Xingdong trying to break free, Zhou Liang, ignoring the pain, tightened his grip again with both hands and quickly threw a punch, hitting Gu Xingdong squarely in the face.
As this punch landed, the pent-up frustration in Zhou Liang's heart dissipated considerably.
As he swung his fist, intending to deliver another blow, his ribs were suddenly struck heavily. The punch landed precisely on his soft flank, and Zhou Liang immediately cried out in pain, clutching his stomach as he knelt on the ground.
"Are you alright?" Gu Xingdong stood up straight and extended his hand towards him from above.
A flicker of unwillingness flashed in Zhou Liang's eyes, but they had agreed to stop at a suitable point. Faced with so many people, Zhou Liang had no choice but to reach out and, with Gu Xingdong's help, stand up.
...
"He just wants to regain the face he lost to you in the last practical exercise. Why didn't you give him some leeway just now?" Wu Zheng couldn't help but say as they walked towards the military family building.
Having known Gu Xingdong for many years, Wu Zheng was acutely aware of Gu Xingdong's capabilities. Old Zhou had really tried to pick a fight with the wrong person this time.
Gu Xingdong snorted coldly. "Face is earned through one's own strength. If he's not convinced, he can train harder and win it back on the battlefield next time. Instead, he resorts to such petty tactics."
Wu Zheng said helplessly, "Don't forget, his father-in-law is the commander of the military region."
Gu Xingdong turned his head, squinting his eyes as he scanned Wu Zheng from head to toe. Wu Zheng felt a prickle of unease under his gaze. "What, what's wrong?"
Gu Xingdong raised his hand and punched him on the shoulder. "I was wondering why your physical fitness has declined recently. It turns out you've been focusing your energy elsewhere."
Wu Zheng's heart skipped a beat. Seeing that he didn't stop walking, he quickly sped up to catch up. "Old Gu, it's not that I'm incapable, it's just that the goals you set are a bit too much for me to handle."