Chapter 145

Chapter 145

The air fell silent. Xie Junli froze, the iron spoon suspended in the pot. He stared at it in disbelief before immediately standing up to grab a bowl, ignoring the scalding heat, and tasting a mouthful.

It was really salty!

His vision went dark as he looked at the pot of porridge before him. He turned around, opened the door, and dragged He Xiang back. "Eat the porridge."

"I won't eat it! You put so much salt in; you want to kill me with saltiness!"

"I'll add water for you!"

All resistance was futile. He Xiang was dragged inside. Dumplings and buns were on the table, but far from He Xiang. In front of Xie Junli and He Xiang sat two large bowls of white porridge. They tasted a mouthful...

He Xiang was speechless, somewhat at a loss. "You really didn't know that was salt?" Wasn't it obvious?

Sugar comes in large chunks, while salt looks different. How could he have calmly added two large spoonfuls? He Xiang picked up the hot water pot and added more water. Without adding water, it would be unbearably salty.

Xie Junli said nothing, eating his porridge seriously, expressionless. But if one looked into his eyes, they would see a look of emptiness, as if he was eating with some despair.

He had no idea there was salt there. When he opened the jar, he saw something white. Previously, his wife only kept sugar in the cabinet, so why was salt also there?

He sighed silently, continuing to eat without a word.

One mouthful after another, their faces were more bitter than the herb Huanglian. Finally, they finished the large bowls of porridge. There was still some left in the pot, but neither could eat any more.

Xie Junli directly carried the pot to pour it out.

He Xiang's stomach was full of water. He had no choice; if he didn't drink water, his mouth would be bitter. Looking at the dumplings in front of him, his belly was full, but his mouth was bland. With this thought, he couldn't resist picking up a dumpling and putting it in his mouth.

Delicious!

He closed his eyes in delight. The dumplings were already delicious, but now they tasted even better.

Xie Junli also took a bun and ate it. Both of them seemed to come back to life, enjoying the food made by Xu Yuqing, feeling deeply satisfied.

After finishing breakfast, Xie Junli let He Xiang stay alone, leaving the dishes unwashed until later.

However, Xie Junli didn't know that he would regret this decision later.

Turning into the room, he tried hard to wake Xu Yuqing, but the sleeping woman wouldn't budge. After finally showing a bit of response, she rolled over and continued sleeping. Xie Junli shook his head helplessly.

He gently patted her back. "Wake up, time to eat dumplings."

Xu Yuqing buried her head in the pillow, mumbling unwillingly, "I want sweet porridge. Is it ready?"

His hand paused. "Not yet, let's eat buns instead."

Huh? Hearing this, Xu Yuqing managed to stay awake for a few seconds. "Didn't you say you'd cook sweet porridge? I want something sweet."

"Eating something sweet early in the morning isn't good. I'll cook it later."

After a moment of struggle, Xu Yuqing agreed, tiredly sitting up and yawning widely. "Did He Xiang eat?"

"Yes."

Xu Yuqing nodded, rubbing her eyes. "Then I'll change clothes. You go out."

Xie Junli: "Okay."

After getting dressed and washing up, Xu Yuqing slowly came to the dining table. He Xiang was still sitting there, eyeing the buns hungrily. However, he had been filled up by the large bowl of porridge and touched his belly, feeling a bit reluctant.

Xu Yuqing sat down, looking at the table in confusion. "Haven't you two eaten yet?"

Indeed, the plate of dumplings was still full, and the five buns were neatly arranged, untouched.

Xie Junli, who followed behind, stiffened. "We ate, we did." Saying this, he handed the chopsticks to He Xiang, giving him a meaningful look. He Xiang quickly nodded. "Yes! We both ate!"

Oh, they've already eaten. Xu Yuqing looked suspiciously at the table. According to Xie Junli's character, he wouldn't prepare extra food. The bowls and chopsticks hadn't been cleared away. She took Xie Junli's bowl and glanced inside. "Did you eat porridge?"

Both of them froze. He Xiang looked at Xie Junli for help, unsure how to respond. Xie Junli covered his head helplessly. "The porridge I cooked this morning went bad, so we ate it."

Went bad? This was even stranger. Why would they eat bad porridge, and the bowl looked fine.

Xu Yuqing looked at Xie Junli suspiciously. Did he burn the kitchen?

This thought came suddenly, but it was the most likely scenario. Xu Yuqing jumped up, panicked, and rushed to the kitchen.

The stove, knives, and cutting board all looked fine. After carefully checking everything, Xu Yuqing finally breathed a sigh of relief. At least the kitchen was fine.

Otherwise, during the New Year, she might not have been able to control herself.

"Tell me what happened, so I don't have to guess," Xu Yuqing said, turning to Xie Junli, who had followed her.

Xie Junli: "I just used the wrong thing, added salt."

Used the wrong thing? Xu Yuqing looked at him in confusion. Suddenly, she realized he must have mistaken sugar for salt.

Understanding dawned on her. It was a minor mistake, but she found it amusing. How could he do that, but then again, he didn't recognize the spices.

Thankfully, he hadn't been allowed to cook. Otherwise, he might have mistaken vinegar for soy sauce.

Xu Yuqing: "It's okay. I made mistakes when I started cooking too. I'm going to eat breakfast. Do you want some more?"

Xie Junli: "No, I'm done. You eat."

He still looked a bit dejected. Xu Yuqing didn't know how to comfort him and quietly started eating her breakfast.

Chewing on a dumpling, she watched He Xiang patting his belly, like a well-fed puppy, eyeing the table.

Xu Yuqing: "Stop drooling. You can have some at noon." She couldn't possibly finish all of it.

Caught by Xu Yuqing, He Xiang felt a bit embarrassed and scratched his head. "Ah, okay, I'll go shovel snow outside."

The young man ran directly to the courtyard. After helping out for a few days, he was already familiar with where the tools were. He grabbed the shovel and started shoveling snow with ease.

Xie Junli sat beside Xu Yuqing, watching her slowly eat her breakfast, still feeling a bit gloomy.

With He Xiang gone and out of earshot, Xu Yuqing looked at him amusedly and kissed him as compensation. "Alright, don't sulk. I'll cook something delicious for you later."

Xie Junli's eyes lit up, and he pulled her back, deepening the kiss.

A few seconds later, he was pushed back by Xu Yuqing, who wiped her mouth shamefully with the back of her hand. "It's broad daylight!"

He might not care, but she did.

Xie Junli looked a bit aggrieved. "He can't see us."

Xu Yuqing gave him a glare. "Even if he can't see us, it's still not right!"

She continued eating her breakfast, while Xie Junli, ignored by his wife, got up and went to help shovel snow in the courtyard. Looking at He Xiang's relaxed figure, he suddenly couldn't wait until tomorrow.

Shaking his head, he decided to endure one more day.

Fortunately, just one day passed quickly. But when he saw He Xiang with his bag on his back, Xie Junli suddenly felt a bit regretful. Xu Yuqing stood beside him, her warm gaze following He Xiang. "Remember to be careful on your journey. Keep an eye on your bag. Once you arrive, call or write to let us know."

He Xiang's eyes welled up. "Yes, thank you, Sister Xu." Truly grateful.

He repeated this silently in his heart.

Xu Yuqing looked at the pitiful young man before her, her heart softening. He really was like her own little brother.

She walked over and hugged him tightly, patting his back comfortingly. "Come on, you call me Sister Xu, so remember to come back and keep us company during holidays."

After saying this, she exchanged a glance with Xie Junli.

Xie Junli nodded reluctantly and pulled her away. "Alright, it's time to go. Have a safe trip."

He Xiang, about to retort, held back and steadied his resolve. "Yes, I will. You two go back now!"

Xie Junli and Xu Yuqing waved at him. "Go ahead."

The train began to whistle, signaling its imminent departure. He Xiang, clutching his bag, saluted Xie Junli and Xu Yuqing firmly. "Goodbye!"

With that, the young man turned and ran onto the train.

In a daze, Xu Yuqing saw a drop of water in the air.

She touched her slightly damp cheek. This was human nature; at first, they had only seen him as a pitiable child needing care.

But after spending so many days together, it was hard not to feel attached.

The train started moving, and no one appeared at the window, probably not wanting to stick their head out.

Xu Yuqing and Xie Junli stood there, watching the train disappear into the distance until it was out of sight. Then they came back to their senses. "Let's go home."

"Okay, let's go."

The train station was bustling with people. It was the second day of the New Year, with families visiting relatives. Xu Yuqing and Xie Junli had brought He Xiang here by bus, but the stop was still a good distance from their residence.

They walked slowly, Xu Yuqing looking at Xie Junli. His silence was common, but today, she could sense his low mood.

She linked arms with him, intertwining their fingers. "What's wrong? Still feeling down?"

Last night, he had complained about having him around, yet now he seemed conflicted.

Xie Junli replied, "No, I just feel a bit guilty towards Sergeant He."

He had promised to take good care of his son, but things had ended up this way.

He Xiang had grown into what he was through his own efforts.

Xie Junli was filled with worry, but Xu Yuqing found it amusing. "Didn't you complain about him being a nuisance these past few days? Want to bring him back? You can teach him anyway."

Her teasing didn't affect Xie Junli. He quickly regained his composure, looked at Xu Yuqing, and tightened his grip on her hand. "Can we go back now?"

Xu Yuqing: "..."

Xie Junli: "..."

They exchanged a glance, and Xu Yuqing fiercely hit his arm, pulling her hand away and striding forward as if fleeing from something terrifying. "Can't you think of anything else!"

She walked briskly, her steps filled with anger.

Xie Junli followed innocently, staying just a step behind her.

Today was the second day of the New Year, and the residential area was noticeably quieter than usual. Normally, the big tree would be surrounded by people chatting and enjoying themselves.

Now, it was empty, and even the children were nowhere to be seen.

They must all be visiting their maternal homes.

Back home, Xu Yuqing was sweating from the walk. She took off her coat, revealing a loose sweater underneath.

Xu Yuqing: "What should we have for lunch?"

Xie Junli hung up her coat. "How about noodles? We got up so early this morning."

This morning, Xu Yuqing had woken up earlier than usual to prepare a good meal for He Xiang's departure.

As the saying goes, "eat dumplings before you leave and noodles when you return." Xu Yuqing had freshly made a batch of sauerkraut dumplings for breakfast.

She also stir-fried a jar of meat sauce, kneaded some dough, and baked over a dozen flatbreads for him to take along, so he could eat them on the road.

The bowls and chopsticks hadn't been cleared yet. Having eaten a hearty breakfast, Xu Yuqing sat down to rest for a bit while Xie Junli went to tidy up the kitchen. There were still some dumplings left from the morning; they would have sour soup dumplings for lunch.

Next time, making some wontons would be nice too.

Leaning against the wooden bench, her head felt a bit uncomfortable, but after sitting for such a long time, her neck had adjusted. She lay there, dozing off.

When Xie Junli came out, he saw his sleeping wife, slightly surprised and touched that she could fall asleep like this. He quickly wiped his hands clean and carried her inside.

Not feeling hungry anyway, he took off his cotton jacket and lay down next to her.

Outside, the wind howled, but inside, warmth enveloped the room. Xu Yuqing, even in her sleep, instinctively nestled into Xie Junli's chest, her right hand clutching the corner of his clothes, sleeping soundly.

Xie Junli closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep as well.

When they woke up, it was already mid-afternoon. Xu Yuqing had slept incredibly well, but Xie Junli was still asleep. Without waking him, she carefully put on her cotton shoes and walked out of the room. Her stomach wasn't very hungry, so she gently rubbed it and strode out into the courtyard.

She planned to move around a bit to aid digestion.

Just as she opened the door, she sensed something lively outside, with voices clearly louder than usual.

Not wanting to open the gate recklessly, she tiptoed over and pressed her ear against the door, listening to the commotion outside.

"Are you sure this is Little Xu?"

"Well, yeah! You can't mistake someone who looks so ordinary, let alone someone so pretty!"

A loud voice exclaimed.

Xu Yuqing widened her eyes. What were they talking about? And why did they mention her?

The discussion continued: "I think she looks a bit like her, but not quite. Besides, if it were true, she would have told everyone by now. She hasn't said anything."

"I agree. Let's go; it's freezing out here!"

The woman holding the newspaper rolled her eyes, "If you want to leave, go ahead. I just came back from visiting my family and wanted to ask about this. What's wrong with that?"

She spoke confidently, and the women around her sighed, knowing she had dragged them along without visiting her own family.

Xu Yuqing listened for a while and realized it was a group of women discussing her appearance in the newspaper.

Thankfully, it seemed that no rumors had spread about her during the two days she hadn't socialized.

Just as she was about to turn back, a voice at the door asked, "Why hasn't anyone opened the door yet? Did they go out?"

"Knock and see!"

With that, someone approached to knock on the door. Xu Yuqing's heart skipped a beat, and she stood there helplessly, realizing she couldn't avoid them.

After a few seconds, the knocking began, growing louder. To cover up her eavesdropping, she waited a moment before opening the door.

"What's going on? Is there something you need?" she asked with a polite smile, hoping to diffuse any tension.

Indeed, it was a group of military wives, some familiar and some not. It seemed all those who hadn't visited their families were gathered here. Xu Yuqing even spotted a military wife from Jiangbei whom she had consulted before.

Leading the group was Wang Yangyu, the city-born military wife who had attended high school. Xu Yuqing smiled at her, maintaining a friendly demeanor.

Wang Yangyu was dressed elegantly in a red wool coat bought from Jing City, paired with black pants and leather boots. Xu Yuqing complimented her, "Comrade Wang, you look stunning in that outfit!"

This broke the ice, and Wang Yangyu looked pleased, her lips curving into a small smile, "Thanks, it's all about the clothes."

Xu Yuqing smiled back, "So, what brings you here?"

The smiles softened Wang Yangyu, and she held out a newspaper from New Year's Day, "Is this you?"

Xu Yuqing took it, recognizing the North City Daily with her smiling face prominently displayed among the factory workers and the factory director.

She was surprised to see herself answering questions, captured in a photo.

Fortunately, she always maintained a pleasant expression, ensuring no unflattering shots. She felt relieved.

"Yes, that's me."

She confirmed it straightforwardly.

She hadn't expected it to be published so soon. They had stayed home for the New Year and had no idea. If she had known, she would have asked Xie Junli to buy a couple of copies to keep.

It was her first time appearing in a newspaper, worth commemorating.

Seeing her reaction, Wang Yangyu hesitated, unsure what to say. Then someone behind her asked curiously, "Little Xu, why did you suddenly go to the canning factory?"

"Yes, yes! The article mentioned that the recipe for the pork intestine canned food was yours! And the canned luncheon meat—how does it taste? My husband loves luncheon meat!"

The mention of pork intestine canned food sparked a flurry of comments.

"It's delicious! My mother-in-law bought a few cans, and they were gone in just two days. Perfect for drinking!"

"Same here! My sister-in-law gave us a can, and my husband fought with me and our son over it!"

"Comrade Little Xu, your pork intestine canned food is amazing! How did you make it?" a military wife asked eagerly, clearly a fan.

Before Xu Yuqing could respond, she quickly added, "Wait, wait, can the canning factory make more? Can I ask you to buy some for me? The supply and marketing cooperative has sold out. Here's the money; can you get me a few cans?"

"I want one too! I want one too!"

Suddenly, it felt like another sales event had begun.

Xu Yuqing laughed and covered her face, shaking her head apologetically. "I'm sorry everyone. Although I work at the canning factory, there's still a quota. If I were to buy cans for you, it would create chaos. The best I can do is apply for more supplies for our cooperative when I go to work."

"That sounds good! Our cooperative gets such a small allocation; it sells out in less than half an hour!"

"Exactly! Little Xu, thank you for your hard work!"

Everyone laughed happily, looking expectantly at Xu Yuqing. This pork intestine canned food was now a prized item outside.

Though inexpensive, it tasted great. Even the best meat bought from home didn't taste as good when cooked.

Some people even came up with other ways to use it. After finishing the canned food, they used the remaining broth to stew meat. Though the broth was little, adding some salt made it just as delicious.

Others used it to make noodles, and it was said to be equally delightful.

Now, in North City, not having tried this pork intestine canned food left one without much to talk about.

The popularity of the canned food led to its mention in the newspaper, which spread through the streets and alleys. Everyone knew that a female comrade had created it.

This is how the scene unfolded in the family compound.

Xu Yuqing agreed with a laugh, promising to secure more supplies for them when the workers returned to work.

At the same time, she couldn't help but admire Factory Director Xu's foresight.

Initially, everyone volunteered to work overtime because it was tasty and paid well.

However, Factory Director Xu firmly refused. When Xu Yuqing asked him later, he explained that if everyone had it and got tired of it, it would become mundane, making future sales difficult.

But ultimately, the quality of the product mattered. Factory Director Xu believed strongly in the pork intestine canned food, confident that its unforgettable taste would bring customers back.

So far, his strategy had been successful.

After the New Year, everyone would work extra hard, ensuring ample supply. The reputation had already spread, leading to many repeat customers.

After chatting happily with everyone, Xu Yuqing finally breathed a sigh of relief and sent them off.

However, seeing the newspaper in Wang Yangyu's hand, she felt intrigued and looked at her. "Comrade Wang, could I buy that newspaper from you? I didn't know it was released yesterday."

She spoke innocently, her eyes sincere.

Wang Yangyu glanced at the newspaper in her hand, then at Xu Yuqing, feeling charmed by her smile, and handed over the newspaper. "Here, take it. No need to pay."

Then, pulling her friend's hand, she quickly left.

Having seen everyone off properly, Xu Yuqing let out a deep breath, closed the courtyard gate, and walked back with the newspaper.

As soon as she entered, she noticed movement in the kitchen and approached curiously. "You're awake?"

"Mm, I heard you talking, so I didn't come over."

Xie Junli explained briefly.

Xu Yuqing nodded. Yes, it was better he didn't come over. She recounted the events to Xie Junli and sat down, handing him the newspaper.

"How does it look? Pretty cool, right?"

Xie Junli's eyes lit up. Her radiant and confident smile was different from the usual her at home, making her stand out even more.

He also noticed the man in the photo looking at her intently.

Resisting the urge to blacken the man's image, Xie Junli turned to Xu Yuqing. "It looks very nice, no matter what."

His sudden sweetness surprised and amused Xu Yuqing. "Why so sweet all of a sudden? I've always been pretty!"

"Mm, you've always been beautiful," Xie Junli affirmed.

Xu Yuqing raised an eyebrow proudly. "Of course, but everyone was so enthusiastic today. It feels like getting a job is like finding treasure."

"Indeed, it's tough. Most military wives in the family compound don't have jobs, and with children, their finances are strained." With her being the only working military wife, she stood out.

But wasn't Wang Yangyu also working at the city's radio station? Why did she focus on her?

Xu Yuqing shook her head in confusion, watching Xie Junli boil water, enjoying the peaceful moments at home.

Xie Junli would start training on the fourth day of the New Year, while Xu Yuqing had leave until the sixth, giving her two more days of rest.

They spent those two days comfortably at home, sleeping and eating whenever they wanted. They even considered dining at the canteen, which was only serving unmarried soldiers who hadn't gone home.

Even cooking seemed like a chore.

After the training resumed, they started eating at the canteen every day. Xu Yuqing would wait with lunch boxes for Xie Junli to finish his training, and in the evenings, she'd fetch the food first, adding a flavorful dish if needed.

It was much easier and tastier, especially for the non-picky eater Xie Junli.

On the fifth day of the New Year, Xu Yuqing woke up feeling gloomy. Thinking about returning to work the next day gave her a headache.

With the snowy weather and the need to ride to work, plus the factory's readiness to produce more canned goods, everyone would be working overtime. Even the factory director would join in, let alone Xu Yuqing.

Though the money went into her pocket, it was exhausting!

Never would she have thought that at her age, she still couldn't escape the anxiety of going to work.

Xu Yuqing leaned weakly against the long bench as Xie Junli was clearing the dishes. She glanced at the man and feigned a pained wail: "I don't want to go to work~"

Xie Junli's hand paused as he was cleaning up: "Then don't go."

His words were filled with agreement, without a hint of disagreement.

Xu Yuqing didn't notice this; feeling somewhat comforted, she silently shook her head, "Forget it. I don't want to be a parasite living off others, eating and waiting to die at home. Besides, you're already doing all the housework."

If she really had no job like before, although comfortable, she knew she would eventually feel uneasy.

Moreover, Xu Yuqing looked at Xie Junli—how could she know how long his love would last?

Even now, she still kept part of herself guarded when it came to Xie Junli.

No matter what, she couldn't escape the dread of having to go to work the day after tomorrow. Xu Yuqing stretched lazily, gave up, and decided to sleep.

She might as well meet up with Yan Lan tomorrow and go shopping in the city. She believed there was nothing a shopping trip couldn't solve; if not, then two trips should do.

But now, there weren't two streets to shop on, and there were no clothes to buy. During the New Year, she had saved some foreign exchange coupons to look for ready-made clothes.

Xu Yuqing stood up and stretched again: "I'm going to bed first. Come over when you're done washing up."

"Okay."

Xie Junli responded, slowing down as he wiped the table, disappointment evident in his eyes.

Fortunately, the weather would soon warm up, and his wife wouldn't have to stay at the canned food factory anymore.

Thinking about this, his mood improved slightly.

Just as he finished tidying up, there wasn't much time left. He planned to sweep the snow in the courtyard when the door suddenly rang with urgent knocks. He walked quickly to open it, seeing a soldier and instantly turned cold, asking anxiously, "What happened!"

The young soldier, upon seeing this fierce face, hurriedly shook his head, "Commander Xie! It's not a mission. There are a few people outside claiming to be your wife's relatives who have come looking for her." As he spoke, he couldn't help but sneak glances at Xie Junli.

Outside, it was quite a commotion.

Suddenly, an elderly couple appeared, crying and saying their daughter had been deceived into coming to the Military District without even telling the family.

They held a newspaper from New Year's Day, featuring Comrade Xu, who was currently a notable figure in the Military District.

Everyone knew that Comrade Xu was Commander Xie's wife. The guards, upon hearing their respected Commander Xie being slandered, immediately became angry. Just as they were about to step forward, the elderly woman collapsed.

Despite seeming educated, their actions were particularly shameless.

The young soldier's eyes showed disdain whenever he thought of the elderly couple.

Xie Junli was stunned. Relatives?

He recalled Xu Yuqing's casual remarks and grew cold, "Drive them away."

The soldier, confused, hesitated, "But they have a photo of your wife."

It was a beautiful photo, showing her with rosy lips and white teeth. The soldier couldn't help but feel his heart race at the sight of it.

His wife had truly been beautiful since childhood.

A photo? Xie Junli's heart sank. This was difficult to handle. Without delay, he said, "Don't let them disturb everyone. I'll call my wife. We'll go over later."

The soldier saluted solemnly and ran back. Xie Junli, without hesitation, returned to the room where she had just fallen asleep.

Heartache filled him as he approached her and whispered, "Yuqing, there's something important."

When there was no response, he gently picked her up, dressed her in a cotton coat, and Xu Yuqing finally stirred, opening her eyes groggily, "What are you doing?"

"There's something," Xie Junli hesitated.

Xu Yuqing forced her eyes open, ready to hear his mystery.

Xie Junli hesitated for a moment, "Someone has come."

Xu Yuqing: "Who? Is it Sister Yan Lan?"

Xie Junli: "Your parents."

At the entrance of the residential area, two young couples supported middle-aged individuals with visible white hair. The young ones were passionately arguing while the old ones sat weeping—a real drama.

To prevent them from disturbing the peace of the Military District, the guards led them aside and ignored them, standing guard diligently.

But whenever they tried to move, the guards' hands would instinctively reach for their guns.

Xu Yuqing rushed through the snow, holding onto Xie Junli's arm to maintain balance, but her face grew increasingly grim, her fists clenched, veins bulging on her arms.

Xie Junli sensed her tension and tenderly held her hand, trying to soothe her, but it did little to ease her unease. Approaching the gate, she took a deep breath and stepped forward.

As soon as she stepped out, she saw the commotion nearby. Familiar faces were calculating, and Xu Yuqing took a deep breath, unable to suppress a bitter laugh.

This family was still the same, unchanged.

Their wrinkles and white hair made them look older and more tired, perhaps because their two sons were exhausting to care for.

Her smile grew more sarcastic as she slowed her steps, approaching them quietly. Even as she neared them, they hadn't noticed her presence.

Xu Yuqing stopped, with a worried Xie Junli by her side. She shook her head, "I'm fine. Don't worry."

She spoke softly.

The faint sound caught the young soldier's attention, and he turned around. Seeing it was Xie Junli, his previously cold face instantly broke into a smile as he looked at Xie Junli with admiration. "Captain Xie!"

Xie Junli nodded without speaking, remaining by Xu Yuqing's side.

The sound finally drew the attention of the sobbing middle-aged woman. She lifted her head and, seeing this familiar yet strange face, her first reaction was to raise her hand and rush forward. "You little brat! Where have you been running off to!"

She moved quickly, showing no signs of the weakness she had just displayed while sitting on the ground. Her face showed clear hostility, even aiming directly for Xu Yuqing's face.

The slap came too fast for Xu Yuqing to dodge. She turned her head in panic, trying to step back.

However, the expected sound did not come. In front of Xu Yuqing appeared an arm—Xie Junli's arm. Beneath his thick cotton coat, his hand was visibly trembling.

"What are you doing!"

Lin Chun shouted angrily, one hand restrained, the other still wanting to strike. Her venomous gaze fell on Xu Yuqing, and upon seeing her new clothes, her expression hardened even more.

This movement seemed practiced.

Xie Junli's face darkened completely. Ignoring the rule of not hitting women, he grabbed her hand and pushed her away forcefully.

"Speak properly."

His voice carried obvious anger.

Xu Yuqing found herself sheltered under his protection, nestled in his arms. Coming to her senses, she felt a slight relief; that slap had been vicious indeed.

And very familiar.

Xu Yuqing patted Xie Junli's hand reassuringly. "It's okay. I'll handle this myself."

With that, she left Xie Junli's embrace and walked towards Lin Chun, the mother she once admired in her childhood.

Then, she extended her hand, "Smack!"

A loud slap echoed, and Lin Chun's cheek instantly reddened and swelled. Lin Chun looked at Xu Yuqing in disbelief, who shook her hand and scoffed, "Turns out slapping hurts, but it feels kind of good. No wonder you used to like hitting me so much."

She said it casually, standing with an air that made Lin Chun dare not act recklessly.

Xu Yuqing did not forget the people standing behind Lin Chun. While Lin Chun seemed to be the only one tormenting her, her brother, who enjoyed the fruits, and her father, who turned a deaf ear, were also complicit. Even her own father had pushed her into the fire.

Xu Yuqing sneered coldly, an expression Xie Junli had never seen before.

Even when facing her mother, who treated her so poorly, she had never shown such an expression. Xie Junli's heart felt like it was being pierced by needles. He wanted to step forward to help, but seeing Xu Yuqing standing strong, he sighed and silently supported her from behind.

Xu Yuqing, unaware of Xie Junli's gaze, looked coldly at the family in front of her. "Xu Zhilei, what's wrong? Speak up. Why have you come all this way to find me?"

The middle-aged man named Xu Zhilei quickly grew angry but, being a smart person, realized Xu Yuqing was different now. Suppressing his anger, he feigned a pitiful look. "Ah Qing! How could you treat your mother like this? When you disappeared suddenly after going to the countryside, everyone was worried sick about you! We've been looking for you for so long!"

Looking for me for so long?

Xu Yuqing smiled bitterly, savoring the irony of those words.

"So, the dowry you received from others can't be returned?"

...

Silence filled the room, no one spoke.

Upon closer inspection, their faces were filled with shame at being exposed.

Xu Yuqing ignored him and looked at her siblings and the two silent women beside them. "I didn't expect you two to be so spineless even after getting married. And you two, watch out, or you might be sold off, or worse, your daughters might be sold off."

She raised an eyebrow, saying it as if it were a joke, her tone light.

Unfortunately, no one in the room laughed.

No one spoke. Not far away, the young soldier standing guard had bitten his lip until it nearly bled, his eyes slightly red.

After a long silence, no one dared to meet her gaze. Even Lin Chun lowered her head, silent, her face alternating between white and red. Xu Yuqing pouted, finding it boring. "How come after a few years, your skin has become so thin?"

She then looked at Xu Guoqiang, her elder brother, and couldn't help but take two quick steps forward, kicking him to the ground. Before anyone could react, she kicked him again.

After stomping twice, Xu Yuqing quickly retreated, agile like a rabbit. "Listen up. These two kicks are for you. Didn't you say that as a girl in the family, eating the family's food, it's right to be sold off for money? Well, let me tell you, leaving the Xu family has made me better. I have a job and education. I can live well on my own! You will always be rats in the gutter! Look at me!"

"You've eaten so much of the family's food, where are your skills? Seems like you have none!"

She sneered, "You must have read the newspaper to find me. Pretty quick, considering it's a North City paper. But why are you here? Do you think I'll give you money? What kind of brains do you have, thinking I would?"

Xu Guoying, supporting her brother, her eyes red with anger, shouted, "Xu Lao Er, don't go too far!!"

Xu Yuqing roared back, "Shut up!"

"You have no right to speak to me! You know what you've done to me! Anyone with a conscience would shut up right now!"

She glared fiercely, her throat hoarse from shouting.

Her appearance was both fragile and powerful.