"Ah, this is a long story, too long to tell about a child without a mother," Zhao Guiying sighed. "Phone calls are terribly expensive, and it's not really a big deal. When I visit Xiao Yue another day, I'll tell you properly."
Hearing only half a story is the most tantalizing. Chen Lishu suggested, "Why don't you and Sister-in-law Xiao Yue come over tomorrow? And bring your Old Wang and their Old Wu. We haven't gotten together since I moved. Bring the kids too, otherwise, the copper hot pot I bought will go moldy if we don't use it."
Gu Xingdong glanced at her eager expression, then at his quiet daughter in his arms and the restless boy on the sofa. His daughter seemed to take after him more, didn't she?
"Alright, I'll tell her after dinner," he said.
After hanging up, Chen Lishu checked the time and realized Rui Rui would be home from school soon. She turned to Gu Xingdong and said, "Since you have some free time, why don't you pick up the kids?"
Young children, especially boys, are often closer to their fathers. Rui Rui would surely be happy if Gu Xingdong picked him up.
"Alright." Gu Xingdong placed Xiao Bai next to Xiao Chengzi, then got up and went out.
As expected, because Gu Xingdong was the one picking him up, Rui Rui returned with a smile on his face.
Chen Lishu suddenly felt that children's happiness was truly simple, so simple that an ordinary event could bring them joy for a long time.
She and Zhao Qiuyue made dinner together: steamed rice, steamed fish, and garlic-flavored baby cabbage.
"Da Wang," smelling the food, kept circling the table. Seeing its pitiful look, Chen Lishu put half of the fish tail into its special cat food bowl.
In the military family compound, after dinner, Zhao Guiying went to the Wu family's home. As soon as she entered, she saw Wang Yufen and her two children were also there.
"Sister-in-law Wang is here," Wang Yufen greeted in a soft voice.
Zhao Guiying glanced at Lin Xiaoyue's wry smile and knew she was being bothered again. She asked, "Has the Wei family finished dinner?"
Wang Yufen's smile froze slightly. "I saw the children were having fun, so I couldn't bear to disturb them. Xiao Ya, take your sister and let's go home."
When Wei Xiaoya heard her mother call, a hint of disappointment flashed across her face. She had already seen Grandma Wu buying meat today.
Soon, the mother and daughters left, and Lin Xiaoyue finally let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness you came over, Sister-in-law. I really don't know how long she would have stayed otherwise; she hasn't even made dinner."
Old Mrs. Wei was ill, and Wei Gang had used almost all his savings for her medical treatment. To save money, Wei Gang ate at the mess hall, and they, the mother and daughters, ate sparingly at home.
"She probably saw you buying meat," Zhao Guiying said dismissively, despising people who were so short-sighted. "Next time, just ask them to leave directly. If she has the nerve to do something like that, why should you be embarrassed?"
"We live right across the hall, and the men are all together. How could I be so impolite?"
"I think she's counting on that from you," Zhao Guiying said, remembering the purpose of her visit. "Lishu wants to invite our two families to her house for dinner tomorrow, saying it's been a while since we got together."
Lin Xiaoyue happily agreed, "Indeed. Since they moved, we haven't sat down and talked properly."
"Let's bring the children and go over early tomorrow. When the men finish work, they can find their own way over."
After making their arrangements, Zhao Guiying went home.
The next day, Chen Lishu returned home after her morning class. After feeding the children, she and Zhao Qiuyue went grocery shopping.
Since there would be many people at home that evening, Chen Lishu bought more ingredients to ensure everyone would have enough to eat.
As soon as the children got home from school, Zhao Guiying and Lin Xiaoyue brought them over.
The children hadn't seen each other for a long time and were in high spirits, especially excited about the stairs in the house. They ran up and down, chasing each other.
Rui Rui and Wang Yanhui, being older, weren't willing to babysit the four younger ones, Wu Yan and his siblings, who insisted on tagging along behind the older boys. They practically ignored Gu Yicheng and Gu Xiaobai, who were still infants.
Chen Lishu cautioned, "The stairs are too dangerous. Rui Rui, take them upstairs to play, or play in the yard."
Wang Yanchao said, "I just got a new rubber band pistol that's really cool. Let's go outside, Gu Rui, I'll show you."
The children immediately scrambled out.
Zhao Guiying said with a headache, "When they leave, the world feels so quiet. If any family had this many children, their heads would explode."
Chen Lishu smiled, "Boys are indeed more mischievous. My seven girls are relatively quieter."
"Oh, about yesterday, it wasn't convenient to talk on the phone. It's about Wang Yufen. Seeing that Xiao Yue and I were making money from our stall, she insisted on joining. The profit was only a few cents, and the two of us could manage. Adding her would mean splitting the profits further. I suggested she set up her own stall, but she said she had no capital and that I should just give her the money I earned. How could she say that so shamelessly?"
Although the men worked together, Zhao Guiying was nearing her breaking point.
"She acts like a wet blanket every day, as if we're obligated to help her. Everyone has their own hardships to bear."
Lin Xiaoyue added, "You're still better off. We live right across the hall, and I'm already busy enough with my three children. Now, I don't even dare to buy anything special to improve our meals."
Chen Lishu asked curiously, "Doesn't Brother Wei do anything about it?"
Lin Xiaoyue sighed, "He's in the camp all day and doesn't know what's happening at home. Besides, no one feels it's appropriate to mention it to him."
Chen Lishu scoffed, "They're husband and wife sleeping in the same bed. How could he not know what kind of person his wife is?"
If it happened once or twice, it might be understandable. But after so long, Chen Lishu didn't believe he knew nothing.
Zhao Guiying commented, "He's even a political instructor. How can this couple be like this?"
"Sister-in-law Xiao Yue, if you're too embarrassed to say it directly, I can teach you a way," Chen Lishu said, her eyes twinkling.
Lin Xiaoyue immediately leaned in eagerly, "I knew you'd have the best ideas. Hurry and tell me."
Then Chen Lishu explained her plan.
Lin Xiaoyue hesitated, "Will this… will it work?"
"Don't worry. Wei Gang seems easygoing, but he's actually very concerned about his reputation. If you do as I say, it's bound to be effective."
"Effective in what way?"
As they were talking, Gu Xingdong, Wu Zheng, and Wang Jianshe suddenly came in from outside.
"Brother Wu, Brother Wang," Chen Lishu greeted with a smile.
"To be honest, I'm a little envious of you, Old Gu. In such a short time, you have a house and a car. Look at me and Old Wang; we're training hard all day. Without you to keep us in line, let alone the rascals below, even Old Yang's bad temper is enough to deal with," Wu Zheng said, taking off his peaked cap and placing it by the coffee table.