Busy justifying herself, "Isn't the heavy snow about to seal the mountains? Supplies will be scarce then, so I thought I'd buy more. Besides, it's the middle of winter; things will keep better, and Xi Ge and I just arrived; we're missing quite a few things."
Zhang Shuwan and Sister-in-law Yu nodded. The heavy snow sealing the mountains was coming soon; they should stock up on more supplies—even more than usual.
Besides, being newly arrived, their home indeed needed some things.
"What's in all those bags? They smell like herbal medicine."
"Sister-in-law Yu's nose is keen. They're herbs. I plan to make some medicated plasters and pills." As for specifics, Gu Jia Ning didn't mention them yet, since she hadn't made them yet.
"What? You know how to make medicated plasters and pills? Are you a doctor?"
Gu Jia Ning nodded.
"You're amazing."
The three women chatted as they walked toward the military region. However, along the way, Gu Jia Ning's entire cart of goods attracted quite a bit of attention, causing much discussion.
Sister-in-law Yu parted ways with them only upon reaching the family compound.
Because Sister-in-law Yu lived in the apartment building in the family compound.
"...I'll come help with the housewarming tomorrow."
"Okay, then I'll trouble you and Sister Shuwan."
Sister-in-law Yu knew Gu Jia Ning was having a housewarming tomorrow and that Gu Jia Ning couldn't cook, so after she asked Zhang Shuwan for help, she volunteered to assist.
Gu Jia Ning readily agreed. Having an extra person would ease the burden on Sister Shuwan.
Outsiders could not enter the military region freely, so the person pushing the cart couldn't enter. Finally, a young soldier under Sheng Ze Xi came to help, pushing the cart into Gu Jia Ning's home.
Before he left, Gu Jia Ning gave him two large meat buns she had just bought at the marketplace.
The young soldier refused, but Gu Jia Ning insisted, and eventually he couldn't refuse and had to accept them.
"Sister-in-law, if you ever need help, be sure to call me. My name is Xie Ze. I enlisted this year and was assigned to Battalion Commander Sheng's unit."
"Okay, Xie Ze, I'll remember that."
Sixteen-year-old Xie Ze, holding the large meat buns, walked on his way back. He took a big bite. The warm meat bun, upon biting into it, its meaty fragrance filled his palate.
Xie Ze couldn't remember how long it had been since he last ate meat. After his father died, his mother remarried, and he was adopted by his uncle and aunt, who were not kind to him. Several times, Xie Ze almost starved or died of illness.
Thankfully, he was lucky to survive. This year, he encountered his father's former comrade, who kindly helped him become a soldier.
He was luckily assigned to Sheng Ze Xi's battalion.
Xie Ze admired the powerful and willful Sheng Ze Xi and used him as a role model.
Although Battalion Commander Sheng might not remember this young soldier, it didn't matter. He would work hard and gradually reach Battalion Commander Sheng.
He knew about Battalion Commander Sheng's marriage.
A few days ago, he heard people say that Battalion Commander Sheng was tricked into marrying a country ugly monster. Others were very angry, but when Xie Ze saw Battalion Commander Sheng supporting his spouse as they got out of the car, the tenderness in his eyes showed love.
So, he didn't believe what outsiders said. He knew from a young age that gossip was unreliable.
Just like the gossip about his uncle and aunt being kind to him, only he knew the truth.
But today, the gossip changed. Battalion Commander Sheng's spouse was not an ugly monster; she was a great beauty.
Xie Ze thought she was not only a great beauty but also a very kind person. Otherwise, he had only helped push a cart, and yet his sister-in-law gave him two large meat buns.
After coming to the military camp, Xie Ze finally ate to seven or eight parts full. But in the Northwest, where supplies were scarce, and he was just a young soldier, he seldom had meat. Now, eating this meat-filled large meat bun, Xie Ze's impression of Gu Jia Ning was extremely good.
Then, when he heard others gossiping about Battalion Commander Sheng's spouse buying a cart full of goods and mocking Battalion Commander Sheng for marrying a spendthrift woman,
Xie Ze immediately retorted, "She has money and coupons. She just arrived, and soon the heavy snow will seal the mountains. What's wrong with stocking up? She didn't take anything from your family. If you're so unhappy, go tell Battalion Commander Sheng. Don't just be a gossiping villain behind his back."
The person was speechless and could only leave angrily.
At noon, Sheng Ze Xi finished training, got his meal, and heard rumors about his wife buying a cart of things on the way back.
And, indeed, some people talked about him.
"Battalion Commander Sheng, your wife is too extravagant, isn't she? That's not good; she's too wasteful. In my family, I wouldn't marry such a daughter-in-law."
The speaker was Madam Shen, Battalion Commander Shen's mother. She always took advantage of Battalion Commander Shen's status and her age and seniority. In the military family compound, she liked to lord it over others. She always boasted about how her daughter-in-law, Battalion Commander Shen's wife, was submissive to her.
Sheng Ze Xi frowned, turned around, and looked at her with a stern face. "Madam Shen, I can earn money, and I have money and coupons. My wife can spend however she wants. When it's gone, I'll earn more."
Madam Shen was immediately unhappy. Usually, others would agree with her, but now Sheng Ze Xi dared to refute her. She immediately said, "Young Sheng, don't talk like that. If you do, no matter how much money you earn, it won't be enough for her to spend."
Sheng Ze Xi scoffed lightly, "Then it only shows that the man is incompetent."
"You!"
"Madam Shen, do you live by the seashore?"
Huh?
"Otherwise, why are you so nosy? My wife and I don't eat your rice. Don't meddle in our business."
"Also, when people get old, they should mind their own business and say less bad things about others. It's considered doing good deeds for your descendants."
After saying this, Sheng Ze Xi left directly.
Only Madam Shen was left there, furious. However, those around felt relieved.
They dared not confront the old woman because of Battalion Commander Shen's status.
So, finally, someone was able to retort to this old woman. It was a joyous occasion.
Battalion Commander Sheng is a good man.
Madam Shen was still angry. When she went home, she immediately complained to her son, Battalion Commander Shen. She implied that Sheng Ze Xi was disrespectful to her and wanted Battalion Commander Shen to make things difficult for Sheng Ze Xi and teach him a lesson.
After listening, Battalion Commander Shen had a huge headache.
"Mother, Sheng Ze Xi is a tough nut to crack. Even his father, the Commander, can't do anything to him. You son is just a battalion commander with a slightly higher rank."
Moreover, Sheng Ze Xi didn't report to him. He didn't know where his mother got the confidence to think he could make things difficult for Sheng Ze Xi.
Besides, he was forty years old before becoming a battalion commander. If Sheng Ze Xi wasn't suppressed by his father, he would have been on equal footing with him long ago.
Sheng Ze Xi had a bright future, while his own path had already reached its end.
He was crazy to confront Sheng Ze Xi.
Finally, Battalion Commander Shen left, leaving Madam Shen so angry she couldn't eat.
"