Didn't you go to Teyvat to earn money to support me?

However, not wanting Brunhilde to mistake her for an unreasonable and naive girl, Bonya pondered for a moment and said, "In modern society, the word 'woman' immediately conjures up images of middle-aged women who are busy with housework and domestic matters. In common perception, such women are old, low-quality, backward, or even ugly, and the younger generation of girls even have a deep-seated aversion to 'woman.' The imagery of the words 'girl' and 'woman' is quite different; the former represents youth, beauty, and a glamorous job, while the latter represents old age, poverty, housework, and children, reflecting the need to categorize groups beyond class. The word 'woman' carries too many objectifying, subordinate, and stereotypical connotations."

Brunhilde blinked. "You think this word objectifies you?"

Bonya hesitated for a moment, "Uh, that's what everyone says."

"But does this word objectify women, or is it a result of the objectification of women?"

"what?"

"If you, Sister Bangya, think that women evoke negative associations while young girls evoke positive ones, then may I ask, do I feel any particular aversion when I am called a boy or a man?"

“That’s different, isn’t it?” Bonya felt something was off.

"Is it the same? No, it's precisely because being called a girl makes you happy, while being called a woman makes you unhappy that women think about being younger and better. Why don't men think like this? Because for women, youth is a form of capital. Women with this mindset, consciously or unconsciously, regard their youth and even their bodies as a form of capital, which is a form of self-objectification."

Bonya looked at Brunhilde with disbelief, only to find that his expression and tone were calm, composed, and self-assured.

Not only did you lecture me with grand principles, but you did so with great conviction!

"In fact, many people's aversion to 'women' is simply an aversion to 'working women.' Just as International Women's Day is essentially 'Working Women's Day,' what image does a working woman have under this ideology? She is a laborer who holds up half the sky, just like men. But times have changed, and many people are no longer willing to bear this ideology, believing that women should not be seen as hardworking laborers but as pampered young ladies... This is truly tragic. Forty years ago, international women's rights paid an immeasurable price in fighting for labor rights, finally achieving a status equal to that of male laborers, but now 'working women' has become an ugly term. And perhaps the reason this has happened is because the Soviet Union no longer exists; that alliance that vindicated laborers is gone, and all sorts of fallacies and heresies can run rampant."

Brunhilde sighed in this way.

“But I… just don’t like that word,” Bonya said softly. “Even if it’s objectifying myself, I still prefer terms like ‘girl’ or ‘young girl’.”

"That's only human nature."

"Mainly this way I feel young enough, so I won't seem too..." Bonya couldn't finish her sentence.

Brunhilde stretched, not looking at her. "Then you can do as you please. If your determination can't be hindered by my few words, then it's probably not because someone else has instilled their ideas in you. In that case, call me whatever you like. If you hate me saying it, then force me not to say it. In this life, what you like is far more important than what others like."

Bangya looked at his profile with some surprise, wondering why he had suddenly changed his mind.

But upon closer reflection, Brunhilde probably didn't really care about changing his tune; he was just acting on impulse. He said what he wanted to say, and he changed what he wanted to say. He didn't care about right or wrong; he just liked what he liked.

Bonya suddenly fell silent. Compared to this boy, he didn't need any extraordinary power or a great position. His calm and ordinary lifestyle alone had a mysterious charm that could attract many people.

"Speak!" Brunhilde shouted.

"Say...say what?" Bonya was startled. She had been staring intently at the boy's face, admiring him, when she was suddenly called. She lowered her head in embarrassment, afraid that Brunhilde would discover her appearance. On the other hand, Cocolia smiled and shook her head, taking everything in.

"Then how should I describe you?" Brunhilde asked curiously. "Married women won't do, how about married girls? Or maybe widowed aunts? Doesn't the word 'widowed' sound more objectifying?"

"What auntie! Just... just call me Bangya, I'm only six or seven years older than you..." Bangya quickly said, "As for Coco, Coco... what do you think?"

“I don’t care about age. I’d rather Bubu call me Cocolia’s mom than auntie or older sister,” Cocolia said with a smile. “I prefer to be called mom by the children.”

Brunhilde ignored Cocolia's teasing and got up to look for something. Cocolia watched him walk around the room and asked, puzzled, "What are you doing?"

"Let's find something to eat."

There wasn't much good food in the room. The monastery's supplies came from both Moscow's allocations and Cocolia's donations; they were mostly convenience foods, canned biscuits, and various dried meats and rations—all for emergencies.

One of the few truly delicious options is the unlimited sparkling wine offered in Moscow. This extremely cheap champagne, known as "Soviet wine," is surprisingly good. During the Second Five-Year Plan, the Moscow vodka factory converted its production line to sparkling wine. While Westerners consider these champagnes inferior imitations, they are the only genuine spirits produced in the world, making them a unique and prized treasure for many wine lovers.

Or rather, Siberians tend to prioritize strength over flavor when it comes to any type of liquor.

It's dinnertime now, and the aroma of meat porridge wafts from the first floor, so the refugees must be starting their cooking.

The three people in the room opened a few cans of food and boiled them on the tin roof above the fireplace. They also cut some luncheon meat, placed it on a wire mesh pen case, and then put the wire mesh over the fireplace to heat the meat.

Bonya washed a few potatoes and let them simmer in the ashes. The three of them each opened a bottle of champagne and, because of the power outage, clinked glasses by the firelight.

After a few rounds of drinks, the three people sitting around the fireplace felt extremely comfortable. Everyone took off their thick coats. Although the room was still relatively dark, the sofa area was bright enough, and the flickering firelight reflected in everyone's eyes.

Brunhilde waved her hand, and Bonya and Cocolia smelled wonderful. Generally speaking, a woman's natural body odor is often the result of years of use of cosmetics to create a pleasant scent, but that's not always the case. Most girls with regular lifestyles and good health, who don't stay up late, don't have picky eating habits, exercise moderately, and don't have frequent sexual activity, do retain their natural body odor.

For example, Cecilia and Bonya, with their subtle allure from cosmetics combined with the sweetness of their natural scent, are more appealing than perfumes designed solely for seduction. Rather, Brunhilde has never liked overly assertive perfumes, those with an aggressive feel. Like Claire, who always carries a dangerous, wicked, yet alluring smoky woody scent.

Brunhilde couldn't tell whether she disliked the perfume or Claire, because after Claire recommended her perfume to Cecilia, he quite liked it.

"It's so late, isn't Bubu going home? Your girls must be worried," Cocolia said, trying to make conversation.

“I’ve already sent a message back, and I have a GPS tracker on me, so they can find me no matter where I am.”

"Looks like your girls are used to you staying out all night, darling. You don't usually stay out all night with other women, do you?" Cocolia laughed. "With so many cute idol girls waiting for you to come home, why would you go out and cheat on them?"

Brunhilde shook her head. He didn't steal food; he asked Cecilia's permission before eating anything. The Saintess was more interested than Brunhilde in recruiting her best friends into bedroom comrades. Theresa once said that it wasn't enough for her to feed the tiger with her own body; she also dragged her sisters into doing the same. Cecilia chuckled and said, "Don't you guys feel a sense of accomplishment raising tigers with yourselves? Aren't you satisfied with cultivating every quirk and action of Bubu?"

They couldn't refute this, so they continued to feed the tiger cubs with their own bodies.

Bonya's face flushed slightly; this conversation had a profound impact on her. Cocolia, on the other hand, was much more mature, and the blonde housewife didn't seem to care much about such things. Bonya knew that Cocolia harbored no romantic feelings whatsoever. She was stronger than most men, having focused entirely on her career after her divorce, and even now, without a career, she still cared for refugees and built her own orphanage—in short, Cocolia had nothing to hide, so she could talk about these things openly.

—No, then I must have something to hide?

“Actually, not having a military rank doesn’t affect me much. I’m originally from Anti-Entropy. My KGB identity is just part of my disguise. Now that I’m connected with you, I’m even less lacking in resources.” Cocolia put her arm around Brunhilde’s waist and smiled charmingly. “Brunhilde, we might have to get closer in the future. I’ll need you to take care of me.”

Bonya sensed a hidden meaning in Cocolia's words, and she naturally understood it, her expression changing slightly.

"I heard before that you got divorced, Coco?" Brunhilde asked instead of answering.

Cocolia's mature and beautiful face froze for a moment, then she frowned: "Yes, my ex-husband suspected that something was wrong with me in the military because he couldn't see me for many years, so he filed for divorce. I can understand his anxiety, and since we don't have children, I agreed."

There was no sadness on her face. Women who are focused on their careers don't usually care much about romantic relationships.

Brunhilde was somewhat surprised to see that Cocolia's beauty hadn't diminished in the slightest, wondering how her husband could possibly give up such a beauty. Even if he was insecure about a valiant and beautiful princess like Cocolia, surely he wouldn't divorce her? Or was this some kind of male chauvinism or a sense of security? Was it because he felt he couldn't tame such a beauty that he was filled with fear and melancholy, ultimately choosing to give up?

"What a spineless coward," Brunhilde muttered.

“I understand. Anyone would feel uneasy if they didn’t see their wife more than a few times a year,” Cocolia said calmly. “But since I’ve chosen to let go, I’ll never see her again. My dignity isn’t so low as to turn back to a man.”

Brunhilde realized what she meant.

Sure enough, Cocolia said, "Recently, he wanted to remarry me, and now that I'm down on my luck, he's been calling me repeatedly."

“One minute he’s a rogue, the next he’s an ex-husband,” Brunhilde laughed. “It’s really funny. That’s why they say beautiful women are a source of trouble. Beautiful people always have a lot of troubles around them.”

"Isn't the Kaslana family's little princess the same? Your face probably has just as many problems as ours," Cocolia retorted.

"No, no one has ever dared to harass me since I was a child."

Cocolia and Bonya stared at him in disbelief.

Although she's a boy, Brunhilde stands out among the Valkyries for her exceptional qualities. Even as a boy, she's incredibly attractive, isn't she? She has the kind of looks that could change one's sexual orientation, and no one bothers her?

It's more likely that both boys and girls would harass you, right?

Brunhilde, of course, didn't bother to explain. He rarely considered such issues, and for him, they were easily solvable. He had been well protected from childhood, with Siegfried, Cecilia, and now Shigure Kira, Cheng Lixue, Nicholas… all sorts of characters had shielded him from most problems. Low-level issues like "gender harassment" were simply outside the scope of his daily thinking.

If you really encounter one, just fire a shot, like you did just now.

“After all, she’s the little princess of the Kaslana family, Brunhilde, who grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth.” Bonya sighed softly. “So, Brunhilde, you can do whatever you want because someone takes care of you. You have the strongest Valkyrie of Destiny as your lover, you have your mother and older sister with A-level combat power, and a group of harem girls who are also among the world’s top combat power… They are your support. No matter how reckless you are, you always have a place to go, unlike us ordinary people.”

Brunhilde looked into their eyes, remained silent for a few seconds, and shook her head: "I don't think so. Maybe that's a bit like saying 'let them eat cake,' but even without those things, I'm still the same kind of person."

“Those who are loved always take it for granted.” Cocolia shrugged.

“My story is easier to explain. My husband, Alexei, died on the battlefield, and I am proud of him,” Bonya said softly, stroking her lower abdomen. “He left me nothing, not a letter, not even a word. He sacrificed everything for this country. Compared to him, my daughter and I are nothing. But it doesn’t matter. I don’t resent him. From now on, I will live a good life with Bronya.”

"Bronya is the name you... gave to your daughter, Sister Bonya?"

“Well, it’s been four months. Bronya, Bonya, our names are very similar. It’s a little selfish of mine... After all, my husband has never even seen our daughter, nor has he taken care of her. I’ve been on my own all the time. I don’t really want to give our daughter a name related to him.” Bonya gave a mischievous smile. “Coco would be better. I’m even thinking of adding Cocolia to our daughter’s surname.”

“That won’t do. If you’re going to get married in the future, the child’s name will still need to include the father’s name,” Cocolia laughed.

Siberian names are generally three-part: the first part is the person's given name, the middle part is the father's name, and the last part is the surname. Women take their husband's surname after marriage. Bronya's original name was likely Bronya Alexei Zaychek, but generally, after the mother remarries, the middle paternal name is changed to the new father's name.

As Bonya looked into Brunhilde's eyes, a sudden thought struck her.

"Bubu..."

Duck with no screen time.jpg

I'm taking leave again...

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Chapter Eighty: What is a base woman?

Claire stood in front of the dilapidated but still solemn monastery, wearing a beige backless woolen bodycon dress with khaki knitted stockings, her long silver hair, reaching her waist, fluttering in the wind like a flag.

Her rosy lips were pressed tightly together, a lollipop dangling from her lips, only the stick sticking out. She stood there, staring blankly at Brunhilde.

She simply stood there, strikingly beautiful and aloof, a typical Nordic beauty, making the two beautiful wives who had escorted Brunhilde feel somewhat inferior. Valkyries, due to Honkai energy, are far more beautiful than ordinary people, and Claire is among the most exquisite of all Valkyries. Unlike Shigure Kira, who possesses a slightly youthful and immature air, Claire surpasses both Bonya and Cocolia in terms of mature elegance.

After all, she was the woman who could give birth to a beautiful young man like Brunhilde.

When it comes to the elegant and charming aura of a married woman, no one can compare to Claire—that's beyond question. However, regardless of how many people, including Bonya, admire and praise Claire, Brunhilde still feels somewhat annoyed by her, especially now.

"You've been following me?" Brunhilde tried to appear nonchalant. He knew Claire enjoyed manipulating his emotions. Although she disliked feelings of "disgust" and "hatred," what she disliked most was being ignored. Compared to his indifference, anything that made her feel disgusted, angry, or even annoyed would excite and delight her.

An ordinary person wouldn't try so hard to get along with him while simultaneously causing him unhappiness. But this is an extremely self-centered woman. Claire's pleasure is based on his reactions. If he shows Claire kindness, she'll be thrilled and blush, but even hostility will make her feel valued... He's like a persistent pest! No matter what he does to her, it excites her!

So, after all these years, Brunhilde, knowing it was impossible to completely avoid Claire, developed this habit: to remain as calm as possible around the woman, ensuring she didn't receive the attention she craved.

Claire waited until the boy asked a question before flashing a bright smile and quickly stepping forward to hug him. Brunhilde tried to dodge, but the difference in reaction speed meant that the silver-haired woman still managed to wrap her arms firmly around his neck, and Claire nestled into his embrace like a swallow throwing itself into his arms.

It looked as if Brunhilde had caught Claire as she lunged for a hug, but Brunhilde couldn't push Claire away at all; her strength was nowhere near that of Claire.

Claire tilted her chin towards his chest, smiling and squinting her eyes, as if inviting him to kiss her. Brunhilde turned her head away, but Claire didn't mind. Instead, she cleverly used the way he turned his head to tiptoe and kiss his lips—to Bonya and Cocolia, this was another testament to the couple's good relationship; Brunhilde was simply being affectionate in a playful, deliberate way.

“Looking up at Bubu from low to high has a unique charm, doesn’t it? After raising him for so many years, he’s finally almost as tall as me now—well, how could I possibly track my baby? Everyone has a tracking system on you, so what? Your Cecilia sister and Shigure Kira sister can track your whereabouts anytime, so why can’t I?” Claire spat out the lollipop from her mouth and handed him the half-melted candy naturally. “I was worried because you weren’t coming home today, and the location showed you were in such a deserted town. This town becomes a no-man’s land after winter, so of course I had to come and see my baby.”

Brunhilde instinctively took the candy from her, but then realized that it was Claire's just eaten. What could he do with it?