Chapter 252: Getting Down to Business

Chapter 252: Getting Down to Business

"No matter how you men climb the ranks, my relationship with Xiao Su won’t change. If someone says I’m trying to curry favor with her, let them gossip. Am I supposed to stop being friends with her just because of what others say?"

Political Commissar Zhou took a drag of his cigarette, "I already told you it’s not like that. Why are you still worrying about it?"

"Whether it’s true or not, this is how I feel."

Seeing him just smoking, Wang Chunhua urged him, "Go check on Jianguo’s place! Why are you just standing around at home? Go see if they’ve finished tidying up. If they have, come over early for dinner tonight."

Political Commissar Zhou didn’t move, "They should start living independently. They’ve been married for years; they shouldn’t be eating here every day."

Wang Chunhua, while hoeing the ground, said, "I know. Next month, we’ll have them start cooking for themselves. The last few years have been tough, but now things are better, and we’re not as tight on food. It’s time for the young couple to start their own life. We shouldn’t meddle."

Hearing this, Political Commissar Zhou finally put his hands behind his back and left the house.

In Zhou Jianguo and Zhu Chunyan’s small home, the couple was also talking about starting to cook for themselves.

"...Sometimes I want my parents to come over for a few days, but they feel too embarrassed, worried about troubling your mom."

"What’s the trouble? We’re all family," Zhou Jianguo didn’t understand.

Zhu Chunyan: "Eating at your daughter and son-in-law’s place isn’t the same as eating at your in-laws’, right?"

"My parents don’t care about these things. When we sent food to your house before, it was my mom who brought it up first."

"I’m not saying your mom cares..."

As the couple was talking, they heard Political Commissar Zhou talking to someone outside. Zhu Chunyan quickly got up and went outside, visibly relaxing when she saw he was still some distance from their door.

"Dad, why are you here? Where’s mom?"

Political Commissar Zhou: "Your mom is working in her vegetable garden. How’s the cleanup going here?"

"All done, we don’t have much stuff, it didn’t take much effort," Zhu Chunyan smiled.

Political Commissar Zhou nodded, went inside to look around, and even checked the kitchen, "Looks good. Next month you can start cooking for yourselves. We’ll bring over some plates and utensils then."

Zhu Chunyan’s heart skipped a beat, and she exchanged a glance with Zhou Jianguo.

Did dad overhear us outside?

The couple entered the house nervously, especially Zhu Chunyan. Just as life was getting a bit better, she had been urging Zhou Jianguo to split from the family, and now her father-in-law had overheard. How would the old couple view her?

Thinking about it made Zhu Chunyan uncomfortable, feeling like she had become the evil daughter-in-law in the gossip of the neighborhood.

"You’re back, where’s your dad?" Wang Chunhua asked when she saw only them return.

Zhou Jianguo: "He’s chatting with someone in the compound."

Zhu Chunyan hesitated to speak.

In the evening, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were cooking in the kitchen.

"This kitchen is really nice, spacious and bright, with a sink connected to running water. It’s much more comfortable than the kitchen in the old place, which felt dark even with the lights on."

Zhu Chunyan nodded, then cautiously asked, "Mom, dad said we should start cooking for ourselves next month. Did you know about this?"

"Yes, your dad and I discussed it this afternoon. You two have been married for several years now, it’s time you started managing your own little home. If you ever want to eat my cooking, you can always come home for a meal."

Zhu Chunyan felt she had been too suspicious, since her in-laws had already taken care of everything.

"Mom, you're so sweet! I'm really blessed."

Wang Chunhua chuckled, "I'm the lucky one to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law."

Zhu Chunyan smiled, "We're both blessed."

In the living room, Zhou Jianguo kept glancing towards the kitchen door, wondering what they were chatting about that had them so cheerful.

Zhou Xiaojun came over, "What's up?"

Zhou Jianguo looked at him, "What do you need?"

Zhou Xiaojun quickly acted like he was wronged, "Look at you, assuming the worst about me."

"Oh! Getting all fancy with your words now?"

"I'm just picking up good habits from good company."

"Just spit it out, say what's on your mind."

Zhou Xiaojun: "..."

So, should he speak up or not?

...

In the following days, Su Zhaozhao and Gu Heng went to several housewarming gatherings.

They also threw a lively one at their place.

After the housewarming parties, most of the family compound residents had settled in, and Su Zhaozhao was adjusting to her new neighbors.

Before, she mostly hung out with the families of regimental and battalion-level officers. Now, living among families of division-level officers and higher-ups, she found herself mingling more. Although she had seen some of them before, they weren't close. Now, living in this small building area, they started interacting more often.

Division Commander Jiang's wife, whom Su Zhaozhao had only glimpsed before, was said to be an old revolutionary who had enlisted even before Division Commander Jiang. After the country was founded, she moved to a local role and is now one of Sea City's vice mayors. She doesn't usually live here, so seeing her is a rare treat.

There were also several other leaders' families, many holding important roles in the military or local government.

Comparing herself to them, Su Zhaozhao felt her own role wasn't much to brag about.

If it weren't for the fact that this era favored keeping a low profile, Su Zhaozhao would have been worried about getting caught up in the competition.

Competition wasn't advisable; keeping a low profile was the way to go.

Once the special period passed, if she still had the energy, she could consider competing.

After all, with her husband being so accomplished, being just a small officer herself, wasn't the gap a bit too large?

"Sister-in-law."

Su Zhaozhao didn't react at first, but when the person behind her called again, she turned to see Gao Yue.

She was standing at Division Commander Jiang's door, apparently just coming out.

Su Zhaozhao raised an eyebrow, "Gao Yue, why aren't you at work today?"

Gao Yue smiled and walked straight towards her, "I'm not feeling well, so I took the day off. I took the opportunity to bring something over to Shulan."

Su Zhaozhao nodded, her gaze falling on her own slightly protruding belly.

Gao Yue looked down and touched her belly, now just over three months along. "You noticed, didn't you?"

Su Zhaozhao nodded.

A satisfied smile appeared on Gao Yue's face. "After all these years of marriage, you must think it's weird to see me pregnant now, huh?"

Su Zhaozhao didn't find it strange herself. She had heard military spouses discussing how Gao Yue had chosen not to have children, focusing instead on other priorities. It was her choice, and Su Zhaozhao respected that. She didn't feel it was odd for Gao Yue to decide when or if she wanted to have children.

She wasn't entirely comfortable with Gao Yue bringing up this topic, though; it felt a bit out of place. It felt as if they were old friends catching up after a long time, which felt a bit odd since they weren't close enough to talk about such things. In fact, over the past few years, they had barely spoken to each other.

At most, they would exchange a quick hello if they bumped into each other on the street.

Su Zhaozhao glanced at her watch and pointed to the dial. "I need to get to work, so I can't chat any longer. Let's catch up next time we have the chance."

The phrase "next time" was just as vague and non-committal as "someday," giving off a strong sense of brushing someone off.

Gao Yue said, "Oh, I didn't realize the time. You go ahead, sis. I'll take my time."

Su Zhaozhao nodded, waved, and then quickly walked away.