Chapter 213: “she Comes Out On Top”
Ning Mingde: “!!!”
He was ecstatic.
He excitedly looked at Mao Dan’er.
Just as he was about to ask something, he saw Mao Dan’er suddenly stand up, hug his small shoulder bag, and rush toward the door.
Before going out, he stopped, turned his head to look at him.
He said uncomfortably: “My grandma told you to rest more, don’t just focus on work.”
His mom? His mom wouldn’t care about that much! Leader Ning thought.
Ning Lao Tai was like all mothers in the world, she couldn’t bear to see her son after a while, and seeing him too much made her annoyed. Especially seeing how he didn’t know how to get along with his grandson, she would complain at every turn.
After saying that, Mao Dan’er quickened his pace and hurriedly left the study.
“Dad knows, thanks for son’s concern.” Leader Ning raised his voice, his tone full of excitement.
Oh, his son called him dad, and cared about him too.
Ning Mingde’s loud voice came through the door crack from the study and entered Ning Lao Tai’s ears.
The old lady laughed uncontrollably.
Finally!
He had made it.
Making Mao Dan’er willingly call him dad.
Ning Lao Tai grumbled inwardly.
As soon as Mao Dan’er went out, he met his grandma’s face that was gratified yet a bit complicated, and his face instantly flushed red.
“Grandma, you, why are you here?”
The little friend’s expression was stunned, mouth slightly open, a bit bristled up, like an arrogant black cat whose tail had been stepped on, his eyes showing a bit of vigilance and a bit of guilt.
“…” Ning Lao Tai looked helpless, “What can I do, I was just passing by, why are you feeling guilty.”
Mao Dan’er’s little face stiffened.
Ning Lao Tai gave her grandson face and didn’t dwell on it, slowly walking outward, muttering in her mouth: “It’s just calling dad, what’s there to be shy about, this child… really awkward.”
Mao Dan’er heard it clearly, the blush on the little boy’s face deepened.
He took a deep breath.
“Grandma, I heard it!”
Don’t mutter so loudly!
Ning Lao Tai did it on purpose, of course to let him hear.
“Heard it then you heard it! Tell me, aren’t you awkward!!” She looked at her grandson, full of energy.
After coming to the military region, Ning Lao Tai realized how promising her son was!
Mingde had hired a live-in auntie to wash clothes and cook, she didn’t need to do anything, wasn’t familiar with neighbors, had no mood to socialize, watching her son and grandson’s antics became the old lady’s only hobby.
Mao Dan’er couldn’t argue with his grandma, sighed heavily, and rushed back to his own room.
Aunt Wang saw this scene and was quite helpless, “You’re teasing Mao Dan’er again.”
“The big block of ice gave birth to a little block of ice.” Ning Lao Tai teased.
Then she said: “If I don’t tease him, he keeps a straight face every day, just stays at home, he’s turning wooden!”
Aunt Wang wouldn’t say the master’s child has a bad personality, the grandma can say whatever, she was the one doing work, she had to know her place.
“Having a quiet temperament isn’t bad, patient, there are many naughty kids in the staff dormitory, home is noisy every day, that’s not good either.” She said.
Ning Lao Tai smiled, “I’d rather hope Mao Dan’er is more lively.”
Thinking of the Gu Family’s twins, she hoped Lin Zhao would bring the children to accompany the army soon.
Aunt Wang didn’t say more.
…
Mao Dan’er returned to his room, opened the shoulder bag, inside were lots of colorful money and ration coupons, dazzling the little friend’s eyes.
He could send so many letters to the twins.
The little friend smiled, revealing cute little tiger teeth.
He took out fifty cents, put the remaining money in the drawer, Mao Dan’er took the letter, put on the shoulder bag and went out.
He walked straight outside.
Seeing this, Ning Lao Tai said: “Meal time is soon, where are you going?”
“To find Meng Jingmo, to mail letters to Yu Bao and Heng Bao.” Mao Dan’er explained.
“Come back early.”
Mao Dan’er agreed, left with light footsteps.
Ning Lao Tai’s eyes were full of smiles.
He really likes the Gu Family’s twins, so happy just to mail a letter.
She didn’t dare imagine, when Yu Bao and Heng Bao came, how excited her grandson would be.
Mao Dan’er familiarly arrived at the Meng Family.
“Knock knock knock!”
Regular knocking sounded.
Jingmo immediately realized who it was, ran out pattering.
“Mao Dan’er…”
Mao Dan’er got straight to the point: “I want to mail letters to Yu Bao and Heng Bao, are you going?”
Meng Jiusi came out, happened to hear this, couldn’t help laughing.
This kid was more eager than him.
“We’re going too, give me the letter, I’ll mail it.” Meng Jiusi’s voice was gentle.
Mao Dan’er hesitated, “Is that okay?”
Won’t it get lost, he was overthinking.
“Yes.” Meng Jiusi didn’t know the kid’s thoughts, emphasized again.
Mao Dan’er thought for a moment, took out the letter from the shoulder bag, smoothed the envelope’s creases, handed it over with both hands, politely thanked: “Okay, thanks Uncle Meng.”
“No problem.” Meng Jiusi said.
They were about to go out, planning to mail the letter then eat at the canteen.
Could walk with Mao Dan’er for a bit.
On the way, the two kids chatted away.
Walking along, they saw a mother-daughter pair ahead, the woman like a mom poking the little girl’s head, scolding her.
“Can you walk faster! At your speed, people are about to close!” Su Yuxian was full of impatience, wishing to slap the annoying stepdaughter, how did she ever think… this oil bottle was likable.
Definitely possessed!
It had been months since Lu Baozhen “played tricks”, time proved, she became an ordinary kid. The fear in Su Yuxian’s heart disappeared, she disliked her eating for free, various displeasures toward the stepdaughter, when Lu Yizhou was around, she barely kept up appearances, once he left, she intensified the beatings and scoldings on Lu Baozhen.
Lu Old Woman knew her granddaughter wasn’t doing well, but who let Lu Baozhen not be a grandson, and lost her fortune, seeing it she pretended not to see.
Not full from meals, and often suffering mental pressure, Lu Baozhen had been in the military region so long, hadn’t gained weight, cheeks still sunken, eyes lacked spirit.
Mao Dan’er recognized the people ahead, surprised: “Lu Baozhen?”
Lu Baozhen turned her head, saw him, eyes showed unfamiliarity.
“You don’t recognize me?” Mao Dan’er was stunned, “I’m Mao Dan’er, Fengshou Brigade’s Mao Dan’er.”
Su Yuxian also didn’t recognize Mao Dan’er at first—
His changes were big, gained flesh, wearing new clothes, carrying the small shoulder bag only cadre children carry, hair cut neat and clean, eyes bright, could pass as a regiment commander’s child.
How could this be that Fengshou Brigade kid, hair like dog-chewed, dressed like a beggar, skinny, rarely spoke.
“Mao Dan’er?” Su Yuxian widened her eyes, face full of surprise, “How are you here?!”
Mao Dan’er glanced at her, “I came to accompany the army with my dad.”
“Dad? Didn’t your dad die early?!” Su Yuxian blurted out.
This made Mao Dan’er unhappy.
“My dad didn’t die, my dad’s fine!” Mao Dan’er said coldly.
Jingmo could understand Mao Dan’er’s mood, explained for him, “Mao Dan’er’s dad went on a task so he didn’t go home, after completing the task, his dad came back. Mao Dan’er’s dad is very good to him, brought him and his grandma to accompany the army!”
Adults who talk nonsense without knowing, really annoying!
Su Yuxian could guess with her toes, the Ning Family had turned over.
Mao Dan’er’s dad was an old soldier, still staying in the troops, now at least a regiment commander?
The more she thought, the hotter her heart.
Her eyes flickered, face showed enthusiastic smile, “Mao Dan’er, where does your family live, we’re from the same place, should help each other, I’ll visit your home another day to get familiar.”
“I came to the military region earlier than you, know many things you don’t, I can help you.”
Mao Dan’er calmly looked at her, black eyes as if reflecting the falsehood in people’s hearts.
“No need.” He refused, refusing others was as simple as breathing for him.
Su Yuxian’s smile stiffened on her face.
Ungrateful brat!
If not for his biological father’s sake, who would care!!
Mao Dan’er looked at Lu Baozhen, frowned, “You’re so thin.”
Thinner than he was before.
This had no emotional color, purely stating facts.
“Are you not eating enough?” Mao Dan’er found it strange, after coming to the military region, he ate full every meal, sometimes even meat.
Lu Baozhen’s battalion commander dad, couldn’t afford to feed her?
A big question mark appeared on her palm-sized face.
Lu Baozhen quietly glanced at her stepmom, didn’t dare nod.
She wasn’t full!
Never full every day!
Lu Baozhen shouted in her heart every night for Li Li, hoping to go back to before, days of one egg a day, endless candy, but the Li Li who fulfilled all her little wishes… never appeared again.
She cried herself to sleep every night.
Su Yuxian wasn’t afraid of Lu Baozhen talking nonsense.
She said helplessly, “Baozhen is picky, very fussy, doesn’t eat this or that, no way to put meat on her, I have no method.”
Mao Dan’er half-believed.
Like that?
He didn’t ask more, Lu Family matters had nothing to do with him.
Meng Jiusi’s gaze swept over Su Yuxian, fell on Lu Baozhen’s face.
Picky? Not even full, who would be picky, doesn’t even find a decent lie.
“Let’s go.” He spoke.
Su Yuxian asked Mao Dan’er: “This is…?”
After coming to the military region, she had no work, except tending that vegetable patch, rest of time all spent on “diplomacy”.
Whoever had some status, she rushed to build relations, reputation in staff dormitory not good.
Meng Jiusi’s identity wasn’t secret, Mao Dan’er didn’t hide, said: “New doctor at the military region hospital.”
Doctor, golden rice bowl!
Su Yuxian’s eyes lit up.
Great to accompany the army, can meet many awesome people.
See, even military region hospital doctor, she knew!
Someone like this, Lin Zhao definitely didn’t know.
Still her, one up.
“Looks really young.” Su Yuxian ignored Meng Jiusi’s coldness, chased to build relations.
“Is this your son?” She glanced at Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai, praised: “Looks really clever.”
Meng Jingmo: “…”
Xiao Bai: “?”
Mao Dan’er was torn.
oo
Should he tell her, Uncle Meng is Aunt Lin’s brother?
Thought about it, Mao Dan’er didn’t say, let her be happy first, wait for Aunt Lin to accompany the army, she’ll know everything!
Meng Jiusi found Su Yuxian noisy, turned head to look at her, eyes very cold, “Can you stop being noisy, comrade, you’re a bit… noisy.”
Su Yuxian’s smile almost didn’t hold.
She awkward laughed, “Look at me, talking forgot time, we have things, leaving first.”
Barely saved face, left hurriedly.
Staff dormitory families saw this, behind Su Yuxian’s back, laughed mockingly.
“That new doctor got entangled by Lu Family daughter-in-law, Baozhen’s stepmom is hilarious, pulls relations with everyone, no insight at all.”
“Vixen, before wanted to seduce my man, I sent her packing!”
“Deputy Battalion Commander Lu’s mother doesn’t control her daughter-in-law, if continues, Lu Family’s reputation will stink the streets!!”
“Controls, how not, I often hear Deputy Battalion Commander Lu’s mother scold her, but what method, that one in one ear out, doesn’t take to heart at all.”
A sister-in-law from a big city, waved hand at her nose, arrogantly: “Countryside ones are like this, never seen the world, wants to fawn on anyone, hum, ugly face.”
…
Su Yuxian didn’t know, her efforts at relations were tea-time jokes for other military wives, she still thought herself awesome, good relations with everyone.
Meng Jiusi and others got rid of Su Yuxian, ears finally clear.
Jingmo felt Mao Dan’er’s attitude toward that person was odd, looked at him, “Isn’t that your brigade person, you don’t like her?”
“Don’t like, don’t dislike.” To Mao Dan’er, that was a stranger, can you feel like or dislike toward strangers, no need.
Thinking of the twins, he said: “Yu Bao and Heng Bao don’t like her, don’t like Lu Baozhen either.”
Jingmo hurriedly asked: “Why?”
Xiao Bai also looked over.
“They find Lu Baozhen annoying, loves to cry.” Mao Dan’er explained.
Jingmo immediately declared, “Then I don’t like her either, I won’t play with her anymore!”
Yu Bao and Heng Bao were his cousins, he had to be in same camp as them, or traitor.
He not only required this of himself, but of his brother too.
“Xiao Bai, you’re not allowed to play with her either, hear that, or I’ll tell Yu Bao and Heng Bao, say… you play with their enemy.”
Mao Dan’er: “…”
Not enemy, just doesn’t like.
Xiao Bai nodded seriously, “I won’t play.”
Mao Dan’er continued: “Yu Bao and Heng Bao also don’t like Aunt Su, because she bullies Aunt Lin.”
Meng Jiusi sharply looked over.
What situation?
That chatterbox bullied Zhaozhao?
In an instant, those always gentle clear eyes rippled with coldness.
“How did she bully?” He asked.
“I don’t know.” Mao Dan’er shook head, then said: “Yu Bao said Aunt Lin didn’t suffer loss.”
Meng Jiusi’s brows relaxed, “No loss is good.”
He could tolerate grievances, could take losses, could face anyone’s malice head-on, but he… couldn’t bear family suffering grievances, especially his sister.
Jingmo pursed lips, “That person hits kids, same as my uncle and aunt bad.”
“Grandma bad too!” Guangbai crisply added.
Hearing his two sons mention Yuan Family, Meng Jiusi felt waves in his heart.
Speaking of, his transfer notice should have spread in the factory, wonder if they regretted upon hearing.
Facts proved, of course!
Especially Yuan Qin.
After hearing, whole day she had no strength even for housework, half her soul flew out, like a wandering lonely ghost, numbly drifting in this world.
Did she do wrong?
Should she have waited, not rushed to remarry, then her family would be complete, right?!
If she went back, would Jiusi forgive her, accept her?
Yuan Qin asked herself repeatedly.
Answer was no.
Her heart drowned in endless regret.
Kong Honghong couldn’t stand her stepmom’s half-dead look, spat sharp words, “The one remarrying is you, now acting half-dead for who to see?”
“No matter how good your ex-husband’s job, how bright future, you’ve married my dad!”
“You’re now Kong Family’s daughter-in-law, don’t do shameful things, or I absolutely won’t let you go!”
Yuan Qin was about to say something, Yuan Lao Tai stepped into Kong Family’s door.
She pushed in, grabbed Yuan Qin’s shoulders, eyes excited.
“Qin ah, did you hear, son-in-law’s work relations transferred out, he entered military region hospital!”
Factory news spread fast, Meng Jiusi’s work relations transferred, those who should know knew.
They only knew transferred to military region, specifics confidential, except few leaders, no one knew.
“Know.” Yuan Qin numb, eyes overflowed resentment, “Then what?”
“Then?” Yuan Lao Tai poked her forehead with finger, utterly exasperated, “What do you think, how is your brain so dull? Of course go find him.”
Yuan Qin absurdly looked at her mom, “Mom, did you forget I remarried? I married Kong Wu, now Kong Family’s daughter-in-law.”
Yuan Lao Tai righteously: “Remarried so what, not like can’t divorce.”
Since she lost the cloth bag with money, Yuan Family days tough, in few short days, her face thinned to sunken, looking more harsh and nagging.
Kong Honghong raised tone, “Can’t divorce!”
