Chapter 50 Wash Dishes

Chapter 50: Making Amends

Jiang Huaiyan suddenly struck back, bringing up the matter of learning to bark like a dog, and everyone was momentarily stunned.

Han Zhandong only knew that this Mr. Jiang was a guest of the Governor, who had brought from the capital many medicines, cotton, and other supplies they desperately needed. He was someone who had to be respected.

Seeing how well-spoken Mr. Jiang was, he thought the man must indeed be formidable, but he never imagined that Jiang Huaiyan had somehow heard about the stupid things he had said before and brought them up so openly.

Han Zhandong's face instantly flushed bright red.

Tao Juan had once told him to curb his arrogance, stay modest, keep a low profile, and be careful with his words.

Why did I ever say something so stupid back then? If I'm useless, why think others are useless too?

Time stretched unbearably long, each second feeling like a year.

He mustered the courage to glance at Tao Juan, who looked back at him but didn't immediately intervene to help him out.

Zhu Shinian furrowed his brows, wanting to say something, but Han Zhandong looked so embarrassed that he couldn't bear to watch.

How could Jiang Huaiyan be like this, ...

Zhu Shinian had no idea where Jiang Huaiyan had heard about that disgraceful bet, nor why he chose to bring it up now. Could he be... trying to stand up for him?

But Zhu Shinian wasn't a child. He knew how to face doubts and handle conflicts with comrades. He didn't need anyone to help him like this.

Just as Zhu Shinian was thinking about how to bring it up, Han Zhandong suddenly lowered his head and let out an "awoo."

It was a very standard wolf howl, with a slightly drawn-out ending.

Zhu Shinian, who was still figuring out how to speak naturally, was completely taken aback.

"That's a wolf howl, isn't it?" Fu Cheng immediately perked up. "That doesn't count. Dogs go 'woof woof.'"

"Then you demonstrate," Han Zhandong said, his face reddening as he snapped back irritably.

He had been thoroughly convinced by Zhu Shinian, not this guy surnamed Fu. How dare this youngster try to ride over him too?

"I'm not barking," Fu Cheng said, sensing a trap. "I never said I was going to learn to bark like a dog."

Under normal circumstances, Fu Cheng would have gone along with it.

He really liked cats and dogs. He had even raised a military dog for a while and used to imitate their sounds in a silly voice.

"I never said I was going to bark like a dog. Some dogs do howl like that. Dogs and wolves are the same species. Can't I learn to howl like a wolfdog?"

"Cats purr, but does anyone think that's a cat's meow?"

The conversation suddenly turned childish, and Tao Juan couldn't help but laugh.

Zhu Shinian pressed his lips together but managed not to laugh out loud.

Han Zhandong, red-faced, told Tao Juan to cut it out.

"I apologize to Major General Zhu. One successful mission might be a fluke, but doing everything well like Major General Zhu shows he's truly capable. I now believe Zhu Shinian is more deserving of this rank than I am."

"Governor, you should punish me too."

Han Zhandong looked up at Tao Juan with sincerity.

"I shouldn't have said those things at the assembly. I broke the rules and undermined unity. You can dock my pay or demote me..."

As someone who speaks without thinking, Han Zhandong's words rarely contained polite lies.

But Tao Juan wasn't going to do what he said. Han Zhandong had a wife and children who relied on his pay. If his pay were docked, what would his family do?

If Zhu Shinian found out, he would probably feel guilty again.

"Little Zhu is certainly worthy of the rank. If the Empire weren't so dismissive, he should have been a Major General long ago," Tao Juan glanced at him and replied calmly.

Given Tao Juan's age and experience, his expression was naturally commanding without even a smile. That one glance made Han Zhandong feel even more in awe.

"Alright, stop trying to butter me up. You will be punished. You need to write a self-criticism, accept disciplinary action and physical punishment. Later, you can earn merits to clear the disciplinary record. Until then, forget about evaluations or promotions. And don't complain about the physical punishment—think before you act in the future. I would have docked your pay too, but I spared you for the sake of your wife and children."

"You and your group were the earliest to follow me to the Resistance Zone. You are my closest brothers, and I am grateful to you. But everything we do is to make the Resistance Zone better. When there are people we can unite with, we should unite. When someone is stronger than you, you must be humble and accept it."

After hearing that, Han Zhandong nodded with relief.

"Alright, let's not disturb Little Zhu while he's recovering. Everyone, return to your posts." Tao Juan stood up and patted Han Zhandong on the shoulder.

"Little Zhu, remember to heat up the soup at noon. He had his wife add a few sea cucumbers—good stuff."

"That's too generous," Zhu Shinian quickly said. "Senior Han should take it back for himself."

Sea cucumbers weren't that valuable in the capital, but in the current 29th District, they were truly rare.

"You eat it. Nourish yourself. Zhandong thinks he caused your injury. He's been in low spirits for days, feeling guilty."

Han Zhandong lowered his head, and Zhu Shinian saw dark circles around his eyes.

Zhu Shinian hadn't expected him to think that way. Getting injured in battle was normal. Besides, knowing that such a poorly guarded oil depot existed, like an unguarded treasure in a myth, he would have taken it sooner or later.

Whether Han Zhandong had said those words or not, he would have attacked the North Warehouse Oil Depot. Han hadn't forced him to.

In fact, Han Zhandong, in his simple-mindedness, didn't realize that his opposition had indirectly helped Zhu Shinian establish his authority in the Resistance Army.

Tao Juan valued him and gave him special treatment. Both among his original trusted followers and in the reorganized Resistance Army, this inevitably drew more attention—both open and covert—to Zhu Shinian.

Having someone openly oppose him and express dissatisfaction, followed by Zhu Shinian resolving it through his own ability—this was actually beneficial.

Overt opposition was far less damaging to Zhu Shinian than hidden resentment.

"How could you think that? It's not like you're the only one who needs gasoline. Getting injured in battle... is completely normal."

"Major General, please take it. Otherwise, I'll feel terrible, thinking I caused your injury. It comes from the heart. My wife's soup is really good—neighbors for miles praise its fragrance. Come to my place sometime and try her cooking."

Zhu Shinian was speechless. His gaze fell on the brand-new stainless steel insulated thermos. It looked freshly bought, the stainless steel gleaming.

Tao Juan, with Han Zhandong and Fu Cheng, immediately stood up and left without giving Zhu Shinian a chance to refuse. He could only smile helplessly.

Even at their most confrontational, Zhu Shinian had never really disliked Han Zhandong. After all, in the military, he had faced far more unreasonable doubt and criticism.

In the Imperial military, it was never about proving yourself with strength and getting an apology. There were always insidious eyes lurking, waiting for him to make a mistake again, to give them another chance to mock and question him.

Zhu Shinian had only had some porridge for breakfast and was a bit hungry, so he opened the thermos.

After all these years in the 29th District, the thermoses sold in stores still looked the same as they did when Zhu Shinian was a child.

When Zhu Shinian was a child, his grandmother would pack his lunch in a thermos like this one for him to take to school.

The soup was still warm; the aroma of pork ribs mingled with the faint sweetness of corn filled his nostrils.

There were five or six sea cucumbers, and the ribs were stewed just right—neither too mushy nor too tough.

It was the taste of ordinary home-cooked meals—the meat was a bit bland, and the soup was seasoned just right, without MSG or other spices, much like the soup his grandmother used to make.

Perhaps, home-cooked meals taste the same everywhere.

Zhu Shinian missed his grandmother a little.

Ever since he entered military school, the time he spent with her had been very limited. Though she had her own friends to play chess, take walks, and dance with, every time he came home, her joy was unmistakable.

And then there were also all these things Jiang Huaiyan had brought him...

Zhu Shinian wanted to hide these precious things in the safest place as quickly as possible, like a hamster preparing for winter.

Zhu Shinian finished every drop of the soup made by Han Zhandong's wife, washed the thermos clean, and set it aside, planning to return it to Han Zhandong with a proper thank-you after he was discharged.

After a while, a nurse came in to change his bandages. The wound was starting to scab, causing a slight itch, and she carefully replaced the dressing.

Zhu Shinian politely asked her how much longer he would still need to stay in the hospital.

Nurses at the military hospital heard this question countless times a day; almost every injured soldier couldn't wait to return to the battlefield, paying no heed to their own bodies.

The nurse was a bit impatient, but since it was Zhu Shinian's first time asking, she replied politely that he would need at least another week.

"Sorry for the trouble. I was wondering if I could be discharged a little earlier. My home isn't far, and I'll come in every day on time for check-ups and dressing changes..."

"I don't sleep well in unfamiliar beds; I rest better at home."

The request wasn't too unreasonable, but to prevent anyone from pretending they're fine and sneaking back to the military headquarters as soon as they were discharged, the nurse told him he needed approval from his superiors to leave.

Tao Juan naturally didn't agree to him being discharged so early, and made him stay two more days. Worried that he might overexert himself, Tao Juan had Nie Hang drive him home on the day of his discharge.

Two days later, in the early morning, Zhu Shinian changed out of his hospital gown, retrieved the box he had hidden on the top shelf of the wardrobe, and got into the car Nie Hang had driven over.

His grandmother didn't know he was coming home today. Zhu Shinian hadn't told her in advance—he wanted to surprise her and make her happy.

The apartment Nie Hang had found for his grandmother wasn't particularly upscale, but fortunately had an elevator, which was very convenient for the elderly.

Zhu Shinian and Nie Hang carried the get-well gifts that his comrades had brought him during his hospital stay, took the elevator to the fourth floor, and Zhu Shinian unlocked the door—only to see an unexpected figure.

Jiang Huaiyan had his sleeves rolled up, helping Zhu Shinian's grandmother wash vegetables.

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