The 1970s: Military Family Beauty

Hu Xiuqing stamped her feet on the porch, brushing off the snowflakes. She complained through the door, "What time is it? Why aren't you sleeping yet? You've got the lights on so brightly. Why do you have to wait for me to come back?"

When I opened the door, I saw my husband, daughter, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law were all there, eating around the dining table.

"I have to go to work tomorrow, so I'll take a rest first." Hu Xiuqing subconsciously raised her hand to cover half of her face, lowered her head and quickly walked into the bedroom.

Grandma Jiang Xiaocui was sitting facing the door. Although the light in the living room was not very bright, she could still see that Hu Xiuqing's face was a little swollen and her voice was hoarse.

Jiang Xiaocui felt so relieved when she saw this and was about to laugh when Grandma Jiang touched her under the table and gave her a wink.

Jiang Xiaocui had no choice but to ask reluctantly: "Brother, do you want to ask my sister-in-law to eat with you?"

Jiang Dapeng said no without even raising his head.

Jiang Xiaocui was so happy that she gave Grandma Jiang a proud look and continued to eat.

Only Grandma Jiang was secretly worried. They were so stubborn and silent. How could they get along in the days to come?

"The heavy snow outside seems to have stopped." Jiang Furong coaxed little Baoying to sleep, walked out of the room and gently closed the door: "Auntie, the little room at the back is cold. My dad hasn't left yet, so I'll help you move the crib to the living room."

Grandma Jiang refused on Jiang Xiaocui's behalf: "No, no, she's fine in that room. Her quilt is thick enough."

"I'll move it," Jiang Dapeng put down the bowl. "You can move it here and make the mattress yourselves. I have to go."

Grandma Jiang, considering Hu Xiuqing's attitude, felt it was inappropriate and wanted to stop her: "Dapeng, go and do your work first. Xiaocui, leave it as it is."

"Grandma, there is no heating in our room. I want to sleep with the door open later. If my aunt is in the living room, she can get up and help when she hears Xiao Baoying wake up in the middle of the night." Jiang Furong thought of a safe reason.

Jiang Xiaocui said, "That's right, Mom. You have heating, but you won't let me enjoy it for a bit! And since you're not feeling well either, I'll take care of both of you at night."

Grandma Jiang didn't try to stop her. Since her granddaughter said so, she must have her own way.

The camp bed was easy to disassemble, so Jiang Dapeng quickly moved it to the living room, assembled it in no time, and pushed it to the corner. "Xiao Cui, just make do with it."

Jiang Xiaocui smiled and said, "The lights are so bright and there's heating, how can we say it's just okay? I've never lived in such a nice house. Brother, I owe you a lot!"

Although my sister-in-law is not very helpful, my brother is still a kind person and I should praise him when I deserve it.

Jiang Dapeng smiled bitterly, turned to Jiang Furong and said, "Xiao Zhao is in our house, you must take good care of him wholeheartedly."

Jiang Dapeng knew that there was Qian Yuyan in the art troupe, but he didn't expect that Qian Yuyan was actually Zhao Wenxiang's daughter-in-law.

Zhao Wenxiang is a great writer in the military. In addition to his famous novels, he also frequently publishes articles in newspapers and magazines. He is always on the list of commendations at annual conferences and is a heavyweight figure in the military.

Jiang Dapeng had only heard of these big men and had seen their achievements, and had no intersection with them in real life. He never thought that his daughter's first time as a nanny would be to take care of Zhao Wenxiang's grandson.

This responsibility is heavier than that of ordinary people.

Jiang Furong responded obediently, "I know. I will take good care of Xiao Baoying. Grandma and Auntie live with us, and I will take good care of them too."

Jiang Dapeng finally smiled: "Auntie rushed to work as soon as she came. Grandma and Auntie are taking care of you pretty well."

Jiang Xiaocui brought over the bedding and happened to hear this. She said quickly, "I'm good at work, but I don't use my brain. It's all thanks to Furong who gives me instructions! Brother, when you're not at home, I have to rely on Furong to take care of me!"

If Jiang Xiaocui hadn't been afraid that her sister-in-law might be eavesdropping, she would have told her sister-in-law that she wanted to buy a sewing machine to make clothes and earn money.

Jiang Dapeng nodded: "Furong, I have bought the rice and flour, and the rest..."

Jiang Furong quickly took out the five yuan that Qian Yuyan had given her in advance: "Dad, this is the reserve fund given by the rich captain. It is for buying snacks and refreshments for Xiao Baoying. I have already recorded it in the account."

This was exactly what Jiang Dapeng wanted to say but couldn't say it out loud. Seeing that his daughter was so sensible and worry-free, he felt relieved. He said hello to his mother and sister, and without returning to his room, he put on his coat and cotton hat, and stepped into the snow and ice in the biting cold wind.

Grandma Jiang wiped the tears from her eyes and told everyone to go to bed: "You are all tired, take a rest, you still have school tomorrow."

The Jiang family had been in turmoil all day, with people cursing, crying, and laughing. Those who had witnessed it and those who had watched it were all tired and soon fell asleep.

In the silence, only Hu Xiuqing tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

She thought Jiang Dapeng would come in and say something to her before leaving. It was always like this before, and there were times when things got even worse than this. No matter what, Jiang Dapeng would always tell his son, "Dad is going to work." Wasn't that all for her to hear? Wasn't that just admitting his mistake to her?

But today, everything changed! Jiang Dapeng left without a word!

Wouldn't this embarrass her in front of her mother-in-law and sister-in-law?

Wang Chunhua had given her a bad idea, telling her to feign illness, but she'd ended up being left alone. Hu Xiuqing was furious, and the more she thought about it, the more headache she felt. She stared at the ceiling, racking her brains to think of how to save face in front of her mother-in-law and sister-in-law the next morning.

It was easy to save face in the past, but it’s probably not that easy to get it back now.

Let's not talk about anything else, just the little girl, the eldest daughter. Usually a mute fool who couldn't even fart after three punches, she unexpectedly became the nanny of a famous writer's family, taking care of the writer's precious grandson. Wang Chunhua told her that from now on she couldn't hit or scold the eldest daughter as she pleased. What if the child learned her words and went back to tell the famous writer grandfather? Would the grandfather write about her in the book as the evil landlord's wife?

Hu Xiuqing thought of Qian Yuyan again, and the Plum Blossom watch on Qian Yuyan's wrist, and how Qian Yuyan would always buy malted milk, a new washbasin, and five yuan for children's snacks!

There's also the family member who wants to come and ask the eldest son for extra lessons, and Grandma Lu who lives across the street...

Are these people crazy? Why would they trust a fool?

Hu Xiuqing was indignant and lost in thought for half the night. When she finally fell asleep, she was woken up by a knock on the door.

"Sister-in-law, are you going to work today? It's already six o'clock!" Jiang Xiaocui was ordered to call Hu Xiuqing to get up.

This is what Grandma Jiang said. It was your sister-in-law's fault that she broke your mirror. You are her sister-in-law and a guest. If you are not diligent and not sweet-talking, then it is your fault.

Jiang Xiaocui heard Hu Xiuqing's vague response and turned to go to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Hu Xiuqing was extremely sleepy, but she had to go to work. She woke up Jiang Guoqing with half-open eyes, dressed him, and then the mother and son walked out of the bedroom with sleepy eyes.

The heating stopped in the middle of the night, but there was still some warmth in the living room.

Grandma Jiang was sitting on a chair, and Jiang Xiaocui was standing behind the chair combing her hair. Jiang Zhaohui said beside her, "Aunt, please braid my hair later. I can't braid it properly because I can't see the back."

Hu Xiuqing thought of the small mirror she had broken and felt inexplicably guilty.