Chapter 286: Wife Slave
Chapter 286: Chapter 286: Wife Slave
Several of the military family members stared at Jiang Peng, looking like they were waiting for the latest gossip.
Jiang Peng didn’t keep them in suspense. "That woman, she saw my sister eating eggs and drinking malted milk for breakfast. She said my sister shouldn’t be eating it and should save the good food for my brother-in-law. Hmph. If she can’t eat well, that’s just her own bad luck. My sister’s different. She was born lucky, destined to live a good life."
With that, Jiang Peng walked away.
As soon as he left, the women gathered together again to gossip.
"Eggs and malted milk for one breakfast... She’s such a spendthrift."
"Didn’t you hear him? She was ’born lucky.’ We’re the unlucky ones who don’t get to eat nice things."
Wei Huihui’s attitude was typical of most housewives of that era.
A woman’s place was to be hardworking, endure hardship, and be completely obedient and virtuous.
Jiang Moli’s actions and ideas, however, clearly went against the mainstream, earning her criticism and resentment from the other wives.
[Disdain Value +3. 30,000 Yuan Credited.]
"Sister, I bet those gossips are bad-mouthing you again!"
Not far away, Jiang Peng glared at the group of women and huffed.
Jiang Moli said nonchalantly, "Let them talk. Don’t worry about it."
’The more they talk, the more Disdain Value I get.’
’I’ve actually achieved the dream of future generations: making money is as easy as breathing.’
After fetching some water and returning to the hospital room, she found Zhong Weiguo discussing work arrangements with Lu Cheng.
"To reward your outstanding contributions on the last mission, the command has approved seven days of leave for every soldier who participated. You already have half a month of medical leave, so with these seven days added on, you can accompany your wife, Xiao Jiang, back to her hometown for a proper family reunion this year."
This seven-day leave was an even more pleasant surprise for Lu Cheng than receiving a First-Class Merit award.
"Thank you, Commander Zhong! And thank you to the command for their consideration!"
Seeing Lu Cheng so overjoyed he couldn’t think straight, Zhong Weiguo felt a flicker of disdain, but it also made him see Lu Cheng’s greatest weakness all the more clearly.
’Calling him henpecked would be a compliment. The man is utterly devoted to his wife.’
"Alright, sort out your duties in the camp with your subordinates. Once your injury has improved and you’re discharged, you can head straight back to your hometown."
"Yes, sir!"
Having said all that needed to be said, Commander Zhong left with a few platoon leaders.
Jiang Moli saw the group downstairs on Lu Cheng’s behalf.
Zhong Weiguo said to Jiang Moli, "Xiao Jiang, things get very busy in the regiment toward the end of the year, so I won’t be able to visit again. I’ll have to trouble you to take care of Camp Commander Lu. Thank you for all your hard work."
"You’re too kind, sir. I should be the one thanking you for your care and support of Lu Cheng. And please send my regards to Sister Wenjuan."
Zhong Weiguo nodded with a cheerful laugh. "Of course. My wife mentions you often. She said you should come visit the base when you have a free moment."
"I will."
...
After seeing Commander Zhong off, it was almost lunchtime.
Jiang Moli grabbed their meal containers to get food from the cafeteria, and Jiang Peng went with her to help carry them.
"It’s great for you and my brother-in-law, Sister. You get to go home for the New Year."
"You got seven days of leave too, didn’t you? Why don’t you come back with us?"
Jiang Peng slapped his forehead with a hand bandaged up like a bear’s paw. "Oh, that’s right! I almost forgot I was on that mission too! I’ll head back to the base to submit my application, then I can leave with you guys when you’re ready to go."
Jiang Moli agreed.
’With Li Hongying gone, Jiang Dahai is living by himself now. He’s bound to feel lonely during the holidays, so having his son there with him would be a great comfort.’
As they reached the cafeteria entrance, they ran right into Tang Xiaoyue.
She was carrying three meal containers and looked a little flustered to see the siblings.
"Sister Moli, are you here to get lunch for Camp Commander Lu?"
Jiang Moli nodded, glancing at the three meal containers in Tang Xiaoyue’s net bag. "Are those three meals?"
Tang Xiaoyue blushed and stammered, "Jiang Peng’s hand is injured, so it’s not convenient for him. I had to get my own food anyway, so I just grabbed a portion for him too."
Jiang Moli nodded with a knowing smile. "That’s very thoughtful of you. Saves me the trouble."
Then she turned to Jiang Peng. "What are you standing there for? Help her carry the meal containers."
Jiang Peng held out his arm for Tang Xiaoyue to hang the net bag on.
Tang Xiaoyue quickly refused. "It’s fine, they’re not heavy."
Jiang Moli simply took the net bag from her and hooked it onto Jiang Peng’s arm, then said to Tang Xiaoyue:
"Men are born to do work for women. From now on, if there’s any dirty or tiring chore, just make him do it. Otherwise, he’d just be eating your food for free, wouldn’t he?"
Tang Xiaoyue was shocked by Jiang Moli’s statement, but when she saw Jiang Peng’s face of complete agreement, she just pursed her lips and said nothing.
"Alright, you and Xiao Yue can head back first."
With Jiang Moli’s dismissal, Jiang Peng and Tang Xiaoyue headed back together.
Dr. Gu was on the third floor, so Jiang Peng, deciding to be helpful all the way, carried the meal containers straight up there for Tang Xiaoyue.
Dr. Gu was very grateful to Jiang Peng for being one of his rescuers and warmly invited him to stay and eat in the room with them.
Dr. Gu had injured his leg, so while his mobility was limited, it didn’t affect his ability to eat.
Jiang Peng had intended to eat by himself, but with his finger joints wrapped in gauze, it was a difficult struggle.
Tang Xiaoyue walked over to him. "Let me help you."
If it hadn’t been for what Jiang Moli said that morning, Jiang Peng would have definitely let Tang Xiaoyue feed him.
"No, it’s fine. I can eat by myself."
The words had barely left his mouth when he lost his grip on his spoon and it clattered to the floor.
He fumbled to pick it up for a while without success, and in the end, Tang Xiaoyue had to retrieve it for him.
Dr. Gu said to Jiang Peng between bites, "You were injured in the line of duty, and you and Xiao Tang are comrades. There’s nothing wrong with helping each other out."
Taking the opportunity, Jiang Peng agreed to let Tang Xiaoyue feed him.
After the meal, Jiang Peng chatted with Dr. Gu for a while as Tang Xiaoyue went to the utility room to wash the meal containers and spoons.
When Jiang Peng came out of Dr. Gu’s room, he ran into Tang Xiaoyue, who had just finished washing the containers.
Tang Xiaoyue looked at him and said, "Are you heading back? Wait for me, I’ll go down with you. I want to check on Camp Commander Lu."
"Oh."
After she put the meal containers away and said goodbye to Dr. Gu, the two of them headed downstairs together.
"Tang Xiaoyue."
"What is it?"
"I promised your brother that if you couldn’t find anyone to marry, I would marry you."
Although Tang Xiaoyue had already overheard him say this outside Lu Cheng’s room yesterday, hearing Jiang Peng say it to her face filled her with shame and anger.
What girl would be happy to hear someone imply she couldn’t get married? Especially when Jiang Peng’s tone made it sound like an act of charity.
’No one else wants you, so I’ll take you. You should be thanking me.’
"Whether I get married or not is none of your business! I don’t need you to worry about it!"
With that, she stormed off down the stairs.
Jiang Peng stared after her, completely baffled. He had no idea what he’d said to make her angry.
’Could it be that she doesn’t want to marry me?’
’If she doesn’t want to, then fine! It’s not like I wanted to marry her anyway!’
For the next two days, Tang Xiaoyue didn’t bring Jiang Peng any more meals.
Jiang Moli teased him curiously, "How come Xiao Yue hasn’t been bringing you meals these past couple of days?"
Jiang Peng wasn’t too happy about it either. He figured Tang Xiaoyue must have decided she was too good for him and was giving him the cold shoulder.
"She can bring it or not, I don’t care. As long as you’re here, Sister, I won’t starve."
Lu Cheng had been putting up with him long enough. "Jiang Peng, your hand should be mostly healed by now. I’ll have a nurse take off the bandages for you later."
Jiang Peng didn’t object. Having his hand wrapped in bandages was certainly inconvenient; he couldn’t even scratch an itch properly.