Chapter 25
When Ye Qingzhi arrived at the school, the few children had already finished fighting, but they were still glaring at each other like fighting cocks, so it was easy to see who had fought whom.
She first looked at He Jingyan and Ye Anmin. He Jingyan’s face was swollen, but Ye Anmin had no obvious injuries. She didn’t know if they were hurt anywhere else.
There were three male classmates staring them down. The one in the middle was a head taller than He Jingyan and was also the most seriously injured. He had a bruise on the corner of his eye and his nose was bleeding. The two on the left and right were also injured, but there was no blood.
“Jingyan, Anmin, tell Mama what happened,” Ye Qingzhi said. She trusted He Jingyan and Ye Anmin. They were not reckless people and would not fight for no reason. There must be a reason.
Before He Jingyan and Ye Anmin could answer, a stylish woman in a cashmere coat ran in.
Seeing the child with a bloody nose, Yang Xiaorou shrieked, “Ah, Haohao, why are you bleeding? Who hit you? Teacher Li, who hit my son like this?”
Yang Xiaorou followed Shen Jiahao’s gaze and saw the two brothers, He Jingyan and Ye Anmin. She strode forward angrily, looking like she was about to hit someone.
Ye Qingzhi stepped in front of them, her face grim, and asked in a cold voice, “What are you doing? Not only did your son bully the few with the many, but you also want to bully the small with the big?”
Seeing Ye Qingzhi, Yang Xiaorou frowned. “Are you their mother? Whose family are you from?”
Ye Qingzhi ignored her and turned to ask the two children, “Who will tell me why you were fighting?”
He Jingyan lowered his head and said nothing. Ye Anmin couldn’t hold it in any longer and pointed at Shen Jiahao, shouting, “He called big brother an unwanted wild child. I told him to stop, and he was about to hit me. Big brother blocked for me, and the injury on his face was from him.”
“Nonsense! Our Haohao is the most polite. How could he say such a thing?” Yang Xiaorou immediately denied it.
Ye Qingzhi shot her a cold look. “I believe my children. They don’t lie. Besides, there are so many people in the classroom. We can just ask.”
“Impossible! Haohao, you tell me. Why were you fighting? Did they start it?” Yang Xiaorou asked, her chin up, full of confidence.
“I wasn’t wrong. You are an unwanted wild child,” Shen Jiahao said, holding his nose and shouting with his neck craned.
“You’re still saying it!” Ye Anmin pointed at Shen Jiahao menacingly, looking like he was about to pounce on him and beat him up, which scared Shen Jiahao back two steps.
“What are you doing? What are you doing? You’ve already made Haohao bleed, and you still want to hit him?” Yang Xiaorou glared at Shen Jiahao. What was the difference between what he had just shouted and admitting his mistake?
Ye Qingzhi sneered. “Well done. You call the orphan of a martyr a wild child? Teacher Li, do you know about this? How does your school handle this? I think we should go directly to the political commissar. I want to ask the leaders of the army when the orphan of a martyr became an unwanted wild child.”
The previously aggressive Yang Xiaorou was suddenly stunned and looked at Ye Qingzhi in horror.
If this was reported to the higher-ups, not only would her son be criticized, but her husband would also be affected. It was very likely that he would never have a chance for promotion again.
Yang Xiaorou quickly forced a smile. “It’s not that serious. The child is still young and doesn’t know any better. But what happened today was indeed our Haohao’s fault. Haohao, come and apologize to these two classmates.”
“I’m not apologizing. I wasn’t wrong,” Shen Jiahao said, looking at He Jingyan and Ye Anmin defiantly.
Ye Qingzhi snorted lightly. “That’s right. The child doesn’t know any better. So it must be that a parent said something that he heard and remembered. I think this matter must be handled by the political commissar. Our Jingyan is the orphan of a martyr. He is not a wild child. He should not be treated like this.”
Want to settle this peacefully? No way.
Yesterday it was Bai Xue, and today it was this child named Haohao. They both knew that He Jingyan was adopted by He Qiming.
Since it was not a secret, then let everyone know. Let everyone know the He family’s attitude and understand the consequences of provoking He Jingyan. This way, no one would keep talking about He Jingyan’s background.
Yang Xiaorou gasped and clutched her heart. “Comrade, you can’t wrong people. My husband and I have never said such a thing. Are you Regiment Commander He’s wife? My husband is Shen Qingyuan. He’s an old comrade of Regiment Commander He. He knows us. How could we say such a thing? Shen Jiahao, you come here. Who taught you to say such a thing?”
She had been too angry just now and hadn’t thought deeply about Ye Qingzhi’s identity. In fact, she would have known with a little thought.
She was very beautiful, had never been seen before, and had two sons who had just joined the primary school. It could only be Regiment Commander He’s wife, Ye Qingzhi.
Yang Xiaorou had just discussed Ye Qingzhi with Bai Xue yesterday. According to Bai Xue, she was decent-looking but spoke vulgarly and was unrefined in her actions.
But now, how was her speech vulgar?
Every sentence she said was like an invisible knife, each one aimed at her life.
“Shen Jiahao, get over here,” Yang Xiaorou said, pulling the reluctant Shen Jiahao over. “Why did you say this classmate is a wild child? Where did you hear that?”
Yang Xiaorou was really afraid that Ye Qingzhi would go to the political commissar regardless of everything. Not only would it implicate Shen Qingyuan, but it would also damage the reputation of the Shen and Yang families.
Shen Jiahao looked at Yang Xiaorou in a daze. Seeing that his mother was really angry, he said, “I just heard Auntie Bai say that He Jingyan has no father or mother, that Uncle He has his own children, and now his stepmother has brought two more children, that he’s very pitiful, and so on. We said ‘wild child’ ourselves.”
Hearing this, He Jingyan had no reaction, but Ye Anmin raised his fist to hit him. “You’re talking nonsense! Papa and Mama are equally good to us. They’ve never been biased.”
How dare he say that about his mother? He had been too light on him just now.
Ye Qingzhi quickly pulled Ye Anmin back. If he hit someone now, they would lose their reason even if they were in the right.
“Don’t be angry, don’t be angry. Shen Jiahao has always spoken without thinking. Sister-in-law, look at this mess. It’s my fault for not teaching my child well. I’ll have him apologize to your son. Don’t worry, when we get back, I’ll definitely teach him a good lesson. This will never happen again,” Yang Xiaorou said, glaring at her son. He caused trouble for her every day. This time, it was a big one.
“Apologize quickly,” Yang Xiaorou said, pushing Shen Jiahao.
Shen Jiahao was not completely ignorant. Seeing his mother like this, he knew he had caused trouble. He lowered his head and said in a muffled voice, “I’m sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have said you were a wild child. Your father is a hero. You are a hero’s son.”
“Comrade Ye, this is all because the children are ignorant. You see, Shen Jiahao has already realized his mistake. The political commissar is so busy. We don’t need to trouble him,” Teacher Li said, also a little scared.
Insulting the orphan of a martyr was something the higher-ups had always taken very seriously. If this got out, she might even lose her job.
“Comrade Ye, this is indeed Shen Jiahao’s fault. How about this, Shen Jiahao will be publicly criticized and will apologize to He Jingyan in front of the whole school,” the principal said, having stood at the door for a while and learned what had happened. He decisively gave the resolution.
In any case, this matter had to be defined as a student fight. If it was reported, the school would also be criticized.
Ye Qingzhi didn’t really want to blow things up. She just wanted them to know her attitude. So she was very satisfied with this resolution.
After all, the children still had to go to school here. If she offended the teachers and the school, it wouldn’t be good for them either.
“This time, for the sake of the school and the teachers, I won’t pursue this matter to the end. But if there’s a next time, I will definitely go to the political commissar,” Ye Qingzhi said with a serious expression.
“Definitely, definitely. I’ll teach him a good lesson when I get back,” Yang Xiaorou said quickly.
Anyway, it was almost time for school to end. Ye Qingzhi planned to take them home, but the two brothers were unwilling.
They were already two months behind the other students. They had to work harder to catch up. Besides, Anjie was still in preschool. They couldn’t leave their younger brother alone and had to wait for him to go home with them.
After this incident, the relationship between He Jingyan and Ye Anmin visibly became much closer.
Ye Qingzhi couldn’t ask for more than for the brothers to be on good terms. How could she stand in their way?
“Alright, then you can go back to the classroom. Are you hurt anywhere?” Ye Qingzhi asked with concern.
“It’s fine. Don’t look at how they’re more numerous and taller than us. They’re just for show. I can make them cry with one punch,” Ye Anmin snorted lightly.
Ye Qingzhi tapped his head. “You’re proud of fighting? When you get home from school, I’ll criticize you again.”
After leaving the school, Zhao Lan snorted coldly. “Bai Xue and that Yang Xiaorou are both from the city. They always say we country wives have no class, but they themselves gossip behind people’s backs like old women. They’re the ones with no class.”
After a while, seeing that Ye Qingzhi didn’t respond, she said again, “Qingzhi, the source of this matter is Bai Xue. Are you just going to let it go?”
Ye Qingzhi glanced at her. “The school has already given a resolution. The children still have to go to school. It’s not good for them if this blows up.”
“But this was still started by Bai Xue. What did the children do wrong? They don’t know any better. If Bai Xue hadn’t been talking nonsense, Shen Jiahao wouldn’t have called Jingyan a wild child. Actually, I wanted to say yesterday, what does it have to do with Bai Xue whether Jingyan is an adopted son or not? Why did she have to say it, as if she was deliberately trying to make us misunderstand something,” Zhao Lan said meaningfully.
Ye Qingzhi raised an eyebrow. She really wanted to say that it was she who seemed to be deliberately trying to stir up conflict now.
“Sister Lan, thank you for your help today. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened to the two children. We’re having a housewarming at my place tonight. You and Battalion Commander Zhang should come!” Ye Qingzhi said, changing the subject.
Zhao Lan was a little unwilling, but to bring up Bai Xue again would seem a bit deliberate.
“Alright, I’ll definitely be there tonight,” Zhao Lan said with a smile, then turned and left.
This Zhao Lan was jumping up and down. Was it really just because she disliked Bai Xue and wanted to use her as a gun to deal with Bai Xue?
She still didn’t know many things in the regiment. She would ask He Qiming when he got back.
After all, they were not ordinary family members. If something really happened, it would also implicate their husbands at the front.
Ye Qingzhi’s breath caught. She seemed to have found a clue.
Back at home, Li Jinfeng was playing with Yangyang. Seeing Ye Qingzhi, she quickly came over. “Qingzhi, you’re finally back. If you hadn’t come back, I would have been able to control this little rascal of yours.”
Although she said that, you could still see that Li Jinfeng was very fond of Yangyang.
“Qingzhi, what’s the situation? Are Jingyan and Anmin alright?” Li Jinfeng asked with concern.
“It’s fine. Just a small conflict. The school has already handled it,” Ye Qingzhi said simply, preparing to start lunch. “Sister Jinfeng, you can just eat at my place for lunch. And don’t go back in the afternoon. Help me cook. You and Brother Li can have dinner here tonight.”
“No need. I already cooked before I came out. Oh my, I’ve been away for so long. I wonder if it’s burned. I have to go back and see. I’ll be going now. Call me if you need anything,” Li Jinfeng said, finding an excuse. She waved her hand and left with her younger daughter.
Ye Qingzhi pulled her back and stuffed a small basin of apples into her hands, telling her to take them back for the children to eat.
“Regiment Commander He just gave me a lot yesterday. Now you’re giving me more. You have many children at home. Keep them for yourselves. I really don’t need them,” Li Jinfeng said, refusing firmly.
“Take them. There are still many on the trees in the backyard,” Ye Qingzhi said, forcing them into her arms.
After Li Jinfeng and her daughter had left, Ye Qingzhi breathed a sigh of relief. These days were not much more peaceful than back home.
She just cooked rice. He Qiming would bring back dishes from the canteen. He said there was mutton today. The vegetables were still cabbage and shredded potatoes.
When the rice was almost ready, the three He Jingyan brothers came back together. Although He Jingyan had an injury on his face, he looked much happier than usual.
“You’re back. Go wash your hands first. We can eat when your papa comes back with the dishes,” Ye Qingzhi said. Worried that they were hungry, she gave each of them two biscuits.
“Mama, I want one too,” Yangyang said, hugging Ye Qingzhi’s leg.
“But you already ate this morning,” Ye Qingzhi said, deliberately teasing him.
Yangyang’s big eyes blinked. He didn’t make a fuss, just bit his finger and watched his older brothers eat eagerly.
Before Ye Qingzhi could say anything, the three older brothers couldn’t stand it anymore and all took out their own biscuits to give to their younger brother.
“No need for you. I was just joking with Yangyang,” Ye Qingzhi said, giving Yangyang a biscuit. “Your tummy is small. If you eat a biscuit, you won’t be able to eat dinner later. So you can only have one, understand?”
Yangyang nodded obediently. He took the biscuit and slowly ate it next to Ye Anjie. When Ye Qingzhi wasn’t looking, Ye Anjie broke his own biscuit in half and gave half to Yangyang, whispering, “I have one and a half, and you have one and a half. Third brother has the same as you.”
Yangyang grinned happily, revealing a mouthful of small teeth. “Third brother is the best.”
He Jingyan and Ye Anmin, who had silently saved one, exchanged a look and said nothing. They just put the biscuits in their pockets, planning to give them to their younger brothers after dinner.
After washing his hands, Ye Anmin sneakily came to Ye Qingzhi’s side and whispered, “Mama, I’m sorry.”
Ye Anmin had been sensible from a young age and knew how hard it was for his mother to raise him and his brother alone.
He knew that a large part of the reason his mother had remarried was for him and his brother.
They were already a burden to their mother. Now, on the first day of school, he had gotten into a fight. Although it wasn’t his fault, he had still caused trouble for his mother. Would Uncle He be angry? Would he blame his mother for not teaching her child well?
Looking at Ye Anmin’s apprehensive eyes, Ye Qingzhi had originally wanted to teach them not to be so impulsive next time, but now she couldn’t say it.
She bent down, her gaze level with Ye Anmin’s, and said very seriously, “Son, you did nothing wrong. Today, you bravely stood up to defend your older brother. That shows you are a brave and responsible young man. How can that be wrong? So you don’t have to say sorry. On the contrary, Mama has to praise you.”
Ye Anmin pursed his lips. “Then… what about Papa…”
“Hahaha.” He Qiming’s laughter arrived before he did.
He strode in, patted He Jingyan’s shoulder, and then rubbed Ye Anmin’s head.
“As expected of my sons. Two against three, and one of them is a year older than you, yet you still beat them until they cried. Not bad, not bad,” He Qiming said, praising them happily.
“Papa, you’re not blaming us?” Ye Anmin asked, looking at He Qiming in confusion.
“You won. Why should I blame you?” Seeing the two children’s uneasy looks, He Qiming waved his hand. “It’s normal for boys to fight. It’s fine to fight, but you have to win. Even if you lose, you can’t lose too badly. Do you understand?”
“We understand!” the few children shouted loudly.
Seeing that even Yangyang was shouting along, Ye Qingzhi shot He Qiming a glare. Although she felt that Anmin was not wrong to fight today, she couldn’t encourage the children to fight.
In front of the children, she couldn’t say much. She just told them to eat first.
With He Qiming’s encouragement, the two children were no longer dejected, especially Ye Anmin, who was enthusiastically recounting the fight.
“That Shen Jiahao wanted to hit me. I didn’t react in time, and big brother blocked for me. His face is all bruised,” Ye Anmin said, gritting his teeth in anger. Then he said excitedly, “My reaction wasn’t slow either. I immediately punched back. His two friends wanted to help, but big brother held them both off by himself.”
He Qiming nodded in satisfaction. “It’s very good that you can beat someone a year older than you. And Jingyan, one against two, is also not bad. But you lack technique. You beat them until they were bleeding. Even if you were in the right, you lost some of it. I’ll teach you later where to hit that hurts the most but won’t cause any problems.”
Ye Qingzhi opened her mouth. What kind of father teaches his children how to fight?
But since he was educating the children, Ye Qingzhi didn’t plan to contradict him. She could only discuss this with him later when the children were not around.
“Alright, hurry up and eat. It’ll get cold soon,” Ye Qingzhi said, giving them some food and changing the subject. “I’ve already prepared the dishes for tonight. Have you confirmed who’s coming?”
He Qiming gave her a list, which was about the same as what he had said before.
Ye Qingzhi nodded. On this basis, she would prepare for four more people, just in case someone brought their family or children.
After the three children had gone to school and Yangyang was also taking a nap, only Ye Qingzhi and He Qiming were left in the house. Only then did Ye Qingzhi speak up. “How can you encourage the children to fight?”
“They’re boys. It’s normal to fight. That’s how they develop courage. That’s what they teach us in the army,” He Qiming said. Seeing that Ye Qingzhi didn’t quite agree, he smiled and hugged her. “It’s fine. With us watching, nothing major will happen.”
In the army, you could fight, but you couldn’t lose. The winner might get a scolding, but the one who was punished the most would definitely be the loser.
“I heard from Sister Lan that Shen Qingyuan is a chief of staff. Our son beat his son until his nose was bleeding. Won’t he hold a grudge against you?” Ye Qingzhi asked.
He Qiming snorted lightly. “What’s there to hold a grudge about? His own son is not as skilled. Three against two, and they still lost. You just wait and see. They’ll have a good beating tonight.”
Ye Qingzhi had originally wanted to say that this was not a good way to teach them, but then she thought about it. It wasn’t so bad either. If the two children had been gentle and polite today, then they would have been the ones crying.
At the thought of her own child being beaten and bullied…
Well, being too gentle was not good. He Qiming was right. Boys needed to be a little more courageous.