The wife took the baby to live with the military commander, and the commander washed diapers every d

During this time, when they met other sisters-in-law and aunties, Sister Lu would greet them warmly and introduce them to Shen Jingyue and Sister Wang.

Another auntie just glanced at them, didn't even say hello, and left.

Sister Wang then asked Sister Lu, "Sister Lu, do you not get along with that auntie from earlier?"

Otherwise, why wouldn't they even greet them? They greeted them, but the people ignored them.

Shen Jingyue also looked at Sister Wang with some curiosity.

"No, this matter is actually related to Deputy Regiment Commander Qin." As she spoke, Sister Lu glanced at Shen Jingyue.

"What? What does this have to do with Deputy Commander Qin?" Sister Wang became even more curious.

Shen Jingyue didn't understand how this had gotten involved with Qin Xiang'an.

Aunt Lu pulled them along as they walked, whispering, "It's her daughter. She just turned 18 last year. Aunt Fang saw potential in Lao Qin and wanted to match her daughter with him."

"Before we even had a chance to arrange a marriage, Lao Qin went to Beijing to study and then took a vacation to come home. When he came back, he said he was married and even submitted a marriage report."

"When Aunt Fang's daughter found out, she made a huge scene. She even went to Old Qin and said she liked him, wanted to marry him, and even told him to get a divorce."

At this point, Sister Lu felt utterly contemptuous of Fang Cuiping; she truly had no shame whatsoever.

"And then what happened?" Sister Wang asked impatiently.

Shen Jingyue also listened intently, surprised that Qin Xiang'an was quite popular with young girls.

"Later, Lao Qin turned his face dark and complained to the leaders, saying that Fang Cuiping had ruined a military marriage, which implicated Regiment Commander Fang, who was also given a demerit and would have difficulty getting promoted in the future."

"Oh my, this Deputy Regiment Commander Qin is really a good man, unlike some men who get so infatuated with a young and beautiful woman that they can't move."

She nudged Shen Jingyue with her elbow. "Shen, you're really lucky. It seems like Deputy Commander Qin treats you quite well."

"By the way, sister-in-law, what does Fang Cuiping look like?"

Sister Lu: "To be honest, she's not as pretty as Sister Shen. But she's not in the family compound right now. Otherwise, if she knew Sister Shen had come to join the military, she'd probably make a scene."

Sister Wang protested, "What does this have to do with Sister Shen? Sister Shen doesn't even know her. She likes Deputy Commander Qin, that's her own business. What does it have to do with Sister Shen?"

"That's true, but judging from her previous behavior, if she comes back, she might really cause trouble for Sister Shen."

Worried that Shen Meizi might be scared, she added, "Shen Meizi, don't be afraid. If she really dares to cause you trouble, just come to your sister-in-law."

Shen Jingyue felt a warmth in her heart. "Thank you, Sister-in-law Lu. Don't worry, even if she comes looking for trouble, I'm not afraid."

Qin Xiang'an is her husband now. As long as they are not divorced, no one can interfere.

"No, that won't do. You're pregnant. If you need anything, just shout it out loud. We all live very close by, and we can all hear you when you shout."

Sister Wang was worried; if someone pushed her, something terrible could happen.

"What? Shen is pregnant?" Sister Lu looked at her not-so-obvious belly in shock.

Shen Jingyue's belly is really small, just slightly protruding. People who don't know her would just think she has gained weight and wouldn't think she is pregnant.

"Yes, I got pregnant on my wedding day, and I'm almost seven months along now," Shen Jingyue said, a little embarrassed.

"My goodness, you're so lucky! Has Old Qin found out yet?"

She never expected that Shen Meizi would be so lucky, getting pregnant on her wedding day.

She got pregnant a year after marrying Lao Lu and joining his army.

"I don't know yet. He went back to his unit the next day and we haven't been in touch since. I came to accompany him this time to give him a surprise, but I didn't expect him to go on a mission."

Shen Jingyue made up a reason, but what she said wasn't entirely false.

"When Lao Qin comes back and finds out you're pregnant and about to give birth, he'll definitely be happy."

The three of them chatted and laughed as they left the military base and arrived at a farmer's house in a nearby village.

"On market days, everyone brings out their vegetables to exchange, as well as their own woven bamboo baskets and mats. I'll bring you over in a couple of days for market day; it'll be very lively."

As she spoke, Sister Lu led them into a courtyard.

The owners of this house are carpenters; they can make all sorts of things, from tables and chairs to mats and bamboo baskets.

"Uncle Daji, I brought some people here to buy two mats. Do you still have any?"

A middle-aged man with a full beard was making a table for someone. He looked up when he heard the sound.

"Oh, Old Lu's family is here. You said you wanted mats? I happen to have a few that are ready."

The uncle spoke broken Mandarin with a strong local accent.

"Let's see, my sister wants to buy it."

"Alright, then come with me."

The uncle led them into the house and showed them the mats he had woven a couple of days ago.

"Look, these are all, they're all sturdy. Take a look and see which one you want."

They all came over to look, and it was indeed sturdily woven.

Sister-in-law Lu thought they were all great, and she was fine with either one.

"Sister Shen, I think they're all pretty good. Take a look and choose one," Sister-in-law Lu said, letting her choose for herself.

Shen Jingyue also saw it, and the uncle's craftsmanship was indeed quite good; it felt smooth to the touch and didn't prick her.

"Let's take these two then. They should both fit on the kang (heated brick bed)."

"No problem, the kangs here are all about the same size. If they don't fit or there's anything wrong with them, you can bring them back and I'll replace them for you," Uncle Daji said directly.

"Okay, these two it is. How much are they? Do we need tickets?"

If tickets were required, Shen Jingyue felt she probably wouldn't be able to buy one.

She doesn't have many tickets left now.

Qin Xiang'an is still not known when she will return, and she doesn't have much money, so she has to be careful with her spending.

She still needs to find a way to earn some money on her own, otherwise she'll be starving if she relies solely on a man.

Who knows how long Qin Xiang'an will be away on his mission? If he doesn't come back, what will she do if she runs out of money?

"No tickets needed, one yuan each, two for two yuan."

"Okay." Shen Jingyue took out the money, counted out two yuan, and handed it over.

After buying the mats, Shen Jingyue and the others took them back.

Actually, Shen Jingyue also wanted to make a wardrobe, but making a wardrobe would definitely not be cheap.

We'll buy these things when Qin Xiang'an comes back; for now, we'll just buy what we need.

On the way back, there was a supply and marketing cooperative next to the military base, which was run by the military.

There are quite a lot of things, but because people from nearby villages also come to buy them, things are in short supply here.

Shen Jingyue bought some pots, pans, and other necessities such as oil, salt, and soy sauce.

Fortunately, when she arrived, they still had oil, salt, and soy sauce in stock. If she had come back in a couple of days, these items would probably have been sold out.

When she returned home with the things she had bought, Sister Lu and Sister Wang helped her carry them back as well.

Shen Jingyue laid out the mat first, and it turned out to be just the right size.

Shen Jingyue was quite satisfied.