Chapter 32
Never mind Wei Fifth Aunt, even Auntie Ye didn’t believe that Wei Youliang would miss his two grandsons.
A man who could abandon his own son without a second thought, would he miss the two grandsons he had never cared for before?
“I see it now. He just realized he has no one to look after him when he’s old, so he thought of his two grandsons. Auntie Ye, you absolutely cannot give him Qingzhi’s address. Otherwise, that old scoundrel Wei Youliang might go to the army base,” Wei Fifth Aunt said, still worried.
Auntie Ye turned her head. Did she think she was that stupid? Not only would she not give out Ye Qingzhi’s address, but she would also go to the Brigade Leader and tell him not to issue Wei Youliang an identification certificate.
Without an identification certificate, Wei Youliang couldn’t fly out of their Hongqi Commune even if he had wings.
As for whether the Brigade Leader would agree, Auntie Ye was confident he would. One was a promising young military officer, and the other was an old man with one foot in the grave. Even a fool knew which to choose.
“Auntie Ye, has Qingzhi sent a letter back? I wonder how she’s doing over there. I heard that water is very scarce in the Northwest, and you can only take a few baths a year,” Wei Fifth Aunt asked tentatively.
After Ye Qingzhi joined the army, the discussions about her did not decrease just because she was gone. On the contrary, because her story was rather dramatic, the number of people talking about her increased day by day.
These past two days, everyone was talking about how bad the conditions in the Northwest were. Even if Ye Qingzhi married a military officer, her life would not be as comfortable as in Houxicun. At least they didn’t lack water here.
“That must be so uncomfortable. Sister Qingzhi is the cleanest person. She has to take a bath after work, no matter how tired she is, before going to bed. Now she can only take a few baths a year. My god, Sister Qingzhi must be going crazy,” Juzi said in shock, having come in and heard Wei Fifth Aunt’s words.
“Isn’t that the truth? But Regiment Commander He is an officer. It should be a little better, right?” Wei Fifth Aunt said uncertainly.
What Wei Fifth Aunt and Auntie Ye were discussing was exactly Ye Qingzhi’s current awkward situation.
The family compound had a bathhouse, divided into male and female sections. Each person had four bath tickets a month, which meant they could take a bath once a week.
At first, Ye Qingzhi thought that taking a bath only once a week would definitely be very dirty. But after staying here for a few days, she found that the Northwest was dry, and it wasn’t actually that dirty even without bathing.
The bathhouse was open today. Yang Xiaorou and Li Jinfeng both came to ask her to go take a bath. Only then did Ye Qingzhi learn that the bathhouse was a large room where everyone soaked, bathed, and scrubbed each other.
My god, in all her life, both past and present, she had never bathed with anyone else.
“Qingzhi, hurry up. Let’s go early. If we’re late, the water will be dirty from others,” Yang Xiaorou urged.
Not bathing was impossible. Once a week was already dirty enough. And if she didn’t go this time, she would have to go next time. She couldn’t just not bathe forever.
If she was late, she would have to soak in water that others had already used, which would make her feel even more uncomfortable.
Ye Qingzhi gritted her teeth, picked up the bucket full of clothes and toiletries, and led the four children to the bathhouse in a grand procession.
“Look at you, as if you’re going to your death,” Yang Xiaorou said, bursting into laughter at her expression. “You southerners are all like this when you first go to the bathhouse. After one or two times, you’ll be even more open than us northerners. It’s just being naked. What’s the big deal? We all look the same. I look at you, you look at me. What’s there to be shy about?”
“Qingzhi, are you shy? What’s there to be shy about? What I have, you have too. What you have, I have too. What’s there to be afraid of?” Although Li Jinfeng was from the same place as Ye Qingzhi, she didn’t think it was a big deal.
“That’s right. You’re not even as open-minded as Sister Jinfeng,” Yang Xiaorou said. She had chatted with Li Jinfeng outside for a while just now and felt that she was a very forthright and easy-going person.
“I’m just embarrassed,” Ye Qingzhi said, shooting them a sideways glance. She looked at He Jingyan and Ye Anmin, who were also carrying buckets, and handed them the bath tickets. “Go on in. Watch your younger brother and don’t let him drink the water.”
Who knew how dirty that bathwater was? One sip could probably poison you. And Yangyang was too young to know better. He might really drink it.
“Mama, don’t worry. I’ll definitely watch my younger brother,” Ye Anjie said, patting his chest.
Ye Qingzhi glanced at him, not believing his promise. Only after He Jingyan and Ye Anmin both nodded in assurance did she feel at ease.
Ye Anjie pouted. Mama really doesn’t believe me at all.
She turned and went to the women’s side of the bathhouse with Yang Xiaorou. There were already a few people inside. Ye Qingzhi was even more conflicted. Should I undress or not?
Yang Xiaorou and Li Jinfeng had already stripped down to their underwear. Seeing her still standing there, they both laughed at her. “Qingzhi, you’ve already had two children. Why are you still so shy? Hurry up and undress!”
For some reason, to an outsider, this scene looked like they were forcing a good woman into prostitution.
Ye Qingzhi took a deep breath. That’s right. I’m already here. How can I not bathe?
She stopped being coy and took off her clothes in a few movements. When she turned around, she saw Yang Xiaorou and Li Jinfeng and the others all staring at her.
She was so embarrassed she immediately covered her chest. “Don’t stare at me like that.”
“Qingzhi, I’ve always known you have good skin, but this is too good, isn’t it?” Li Jinfeng even reached out to touch her.
Yang Xiaorou nodded. “So fair and tender. Didn’t you have to work in the fields? How come you’re not tanned at all?”
“I was born with fair skin. I turn red after being in the sun, but I don’t tan,” Ye Qingzhi said, holding a towel to cover herself. She first took a shower, then carefully got into the pool.
The others also looked at Ye Qingzhi. Among them was an acquaintance, Li Guifang, the one who had wanted her to help watch her child.
“Sister Qingzhi, you’re here for a bath too? You’ve kept your figure so well. You don’t look like you’ve had children at all,” Li Guifang said, looking down at her own bucket waist with envy.
Yang Xiaorou’s focus was on Ye Qingzhi’s chest. It was round and perky. She looked at her own flat chest and sat down next to her.
“You must have breastfed. How do you look like you’ve never had children? How do you maintain it?” Yang Xiaorou wanted to reach out again but was blocked by Ye Qingzhi.
Ye Qingzhi looked down. In fact, the original host’s chest was not that big or perky. It had slowly become like this after she had transmigrated into this world.
“I don’t know. I was born with it, I guess. We couldn’t even eat our fill. Who would bother with maintenance?” Ye Qingzhi slapped away her restless hand again. “Ahem, stop looking. If you want to look, look at your own.”
“What’s there to look at with mine? I really envy Regiment Commander He,” Yang Xiaorou said, pinching her own and saying with envy.
“Isn’t that the truth? Qingzhi’s figure is really good. Her hips are round. No wonder she has all sons,” Li Jinfeng also said with envy.
“Qingzhi’s legs are also beautiful, long and straight. Tsk, tsk, Regiment Commander He is really lucky,” Zhao Lan said, having arrived at some point, standing by the edge of the pool.
Ye Qingzhi covered herself with a towel and said in embarrassment and anger, “Alright, alright, stop staring at me. Hurry up and take a bath.”
Seeing that she was really angry, everyone stopped staring at her. But their gazes would still occasionally glance at her. There was nothing to be done. Everyone loved to look at a beauty.
Ye Qingzhi felt uncomfortable all over. After soaking for a while, she hurried to get a scrub. The sooner she finished, the sooner she could go home.
This was her first time getting a scrub. She thought that since she wiped her body every day, it shouldn’t be that dirty. But a lot of small worms were scrubbed off.
“Hiss, am I this dirty?” Ye Qingzhi doubted her life.
“Is this your first time getting a scrub? It’s normal. It’ll be better next time,” the scrub master said. She had heard everything just now. Ye Qingzhi had just come from the south and this was her first time at the bathhouse.
The scrub master’s technique was very good. It looked like she was using a lot of force, but it didn’t hurt the skin. At least, Ye Qingzhi didn’t feel any pain at all. Instead, she felt a pound lighter.
“Well, isn’t scrubbing very comfortable?” Yang Xiaorou was in line behind Ye Qingzhi. Seeing her relaxed expression, she knew she was very satisfied with the scrub.
“It is quite comfortable,” Ye Qingzhi said, rinsing off and quickly drying herself to get dressed.
The newcomers who saw Ye Qingzhi getting dressed naturally also noticed her good figure and quietly asked whose girl she was.
“That’s not a young girl. She’s already had several children,” Li Guifang said, leaning over and whispering, “She’s Regiment Commander He’s wife.”
Everyone suddenly understood. So she was Regiment Commander He’s wife. No wonder he was willing to marry a widow. It turned out she was so beautiful.
“Not just her figure. Did you see her skin? So fair and tender. I really want to touch it,” a young-looking girl said with envy.
“Her skin is indeed good. Is she from the countryside? To have such good skin even after working in the fields, tsk, tsk, she’s a natural beauty. We can’t be envious,” an older sister-in-law said, patting the young girl. “Liya, you should eat less chili. Look at the pimples on your face.”
“I know, Sister-in-law,” Cao Liya pouted. She didn’t know why, but she always had pimples, and her skin was also yellow and dark. So she was most envious of people with good skin.
Cao Liyan, who was standing next to Cao Liya, pursed her lips. So she was the woman Regiment Commander He had remarried.
Ye Qingzhi came to the main hall and let out a long sigh of relief. The feeling of being pricked by thorns finally disappeared.
After waiting for a while, the few children had not come out yet. She didn’t know if they had washed properly.
“Qingzhi, you’re here for a bath too?” Zhang Dama came in with Liu Yuqin.
“Yes. Why are you so late?” For this kind of thing, Zhang Dama was always the first to arrive. For her to come so late today made Ye Qingzhi quite curious.
She glanced at Liu Yuqin. Seeing the spring in her eyes and her awkward gait, had they been intimate?
“Oh, Yuqin was a little uncomfortable, so we’re a little late,” Zhang Dama said, glancing at Liu Yuqin, her tone unusually pleasant.
It was confirmed. Liu Yuqin and Zhang Xuewen had been intimate. Otherwise, it was impossible for Zhang Dama to have this attitude towards her.
After a while, Yang Xiaorou came out from inside and immediately pulled Ye Qingzhi aside to whisper.
“Did you see? Zhang Dama’s daughter-in-law must have done the deed with Chief of Staff Zhang. The way she’s limping, as if she’s afraid people won’t notice. It’s so fake,” Yang Xiaorou pouted.
Ye Qingzhi didn’t think it was necessarily fake. It was Liu Yuqin’s first time. If the man was not gentle, the woman would definitely get hurt.
With Zhang Xuewen’s degree of disgust for Liu Yuqin, for them to have done it last night, it must have been Zhang Dama and Liu Yuqin who had made a move. In this situation, it was even more impossible for Zhang Xuewen to be gentle. So Liu Yuqin was most likely injured.
“By the way, she’s really thin. All bones. Isn’t it uncomfortable to sleep with her?” Yang Xiaorou said, then looked at Ye Qingzhi with envy. “How did you grow so well? All the flesh is in the right places.”
Ye Qingzhi looked Yang Xiaorou up and down. “Your figure is not bad either. Why are you envious of me?”
Yang Xiaorou was 1.68 meters tall, with a thin waist and long legs, and fair skin. It was just that her chest had sagged a little from breastfeeding, but outsiders couldn’t see that. She knew how to dress and was a very stylish, classy, and beautiful woman.
“I’m just not bad. I can’t compare to you,” Yang Xiaorou said, looking up and seeing an acquaintance come out from the men’s bath. She quickly called out to him, “Company Commander Zhang, can you please help me see if the few children have finished washing? If not, can you tell them to hurry up?”
“Hello, Sister-in-law. Besides Haohao, who else?” Company Commander Zhang remembered there were several children inside.
“Regiment Commander He’s son. He should be with Haohao,” Yang Xiaorou said, glancing at Ye Qingzhi.
Before long, Company Commander Zhang came out from inside and said with a smile, “They’re already getting dressed. They’ll be out soon.”
“Thank you, Company Commander Zhang. Come to my house for dinner when you have time,” Yang Xiaorou said with a smile. After he left, the smile on her face instantly disappeared. She turned to Ye Qingzhi and said, “This Company Commander Zhang is thirty-seven this year. His son at home is already seventeen. He filed for divorce a while ago, saying that he and his wife were not compatible. The first time it was not approved. The second time, I don’t know what he said to the leader, but it was approved.”
Ye Qingzhi’s eyes widened. The child was already seventeen, and he was saying they were not compatible? There must be something fishy.
Looking up and seeing Yang Xiaorou’s disdainful expression, Ye Qingzhi understood. “You know the reason?”
“What else could it be? He has a mistress,” Yang Xiaorou said. At the mention of a mistress, she thought of how Ye Qingzhi’s ex-husband had found a mistress outside. “Qingzhi, I heard your ex-husband was also working in the Northwest. Do you know where? He found a mistress and gave all his wages to her. Are you just going to let it go?”
“The person is already dead. What’s the point of dwelling on these things?” Although Ye Qingzhi had the original host’s memories, she did not have her emotions. When others didn’t mention it, she didn’t even think of Wei Jiancheng.
Now that Yang Xiaorou had asked, she remembered. Wei Jiancheng seemed to be in Wushi, right?
Oh my, what a fateful connection.
But Wushi was so big, and she was hundreds of kilometers away from Wushi. She definitely wouldn’t run into him.
“But that mistress of his is still at large. You should get all the money back. Even if you don’t spend it yourself, you can leave it for the children. In any case, you can’t let that vixen outside get away with it,” Yang Xiaorou said indignantly.
Ye Qingzhi chuckled lightly. She had made up this mistress of Wei Jiancheng’s. Where was she supposed to find someone?
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to get back at that scumbag Wei Jiancheng, it was just not the right time. There would be a chance in the future.
“Mama, we got a scrub today. A lot of dirt came off,” Ye Anjie said, running over to hug Ye Qingzhi’s arm.
“Really? Did your two older brothers and Yangyang also get a scrub?” Ye Qingzhi straightened his collar. Seeing him in brand new clothes, she smiled in satisfaction.
“Oh, you’re all in new clothes. Such handsome young men. Qingzhi, how about we arrange a child marriage between our two families?” Li Jinfeng said, looking at Ye Qingzhi’s four sons, liking them more and more.
Ye Qingzhi smiled and waved her hand. “Sister Jinfeng, stop joking. This is the new China. We believe in freedom of love. This kind of thing is not popular anymore.”
Li Jinfeng really had this intention. He Qiming’s future was boundless, and the four children were all well-behaved, sensible, and smart. They had memorized all the pinyin in just a few days, and they were also handsome. If she didn’t act fast, her daughter might not be able to get them in the future.
But from what Ye Qingzhi said, she didn’t want to arrange a child marriage for her children. It was a real pity.
Ye Qingzhi didn’t want to arrange any child marriage for her children. Wasn’t that just causing trouble for them? It was purely crazy.
Back at home, while there was still sun, Ye Qingzhi prepared to wash the clothes.
The few children were all very well-behaved. Even the youngest, Yangyang, moved a small stool over to help.
“Mama, Mama, let me pound,” Yangyang said, watching Ye Qingzhi pound the clothes, eager to try.
“Here you go.” Ye Qingzhi gave him the laundry paddle and started to scrub the collar and cuffs of the clothes that had been soaking for a while.
The two older ones were fine, but Ye Anjie’s and Yangyang’s clothes were the dirtiest. Ye Qingzhi tapped their noses and planned to get some gloves. Otherwise, the new cotton-padded jackets would be ruined quickly.
“Qingzhi, are you washing clothes?” Yang Xiaorou came in with a basket and lifted the floral cloth covering it. “Here, the goat’s milk you wanted. It’s cold now, so it can keep. So I’ll deliver it every three days. If you want it every day, that’s fine too. Anyway, the logistics people go every day.”
“No need. Every three days is fine for me too,” Ye Qingzhi said, taking out the two earthenware jars and finding a small bucket to pour it into.
“You don’t have any earthenware jars at home? Then you can have these two. I have several at home,” Yang Xiaorou said quickly.
“No need, but these jars are really nice. Where did you get them? I’ll go and get a few next time,” Ye Qingzhi said, seeing a bag of nougat in the basket. “How much is it in total? Or do they want something else in exchange?”
“Oh, forget it. Why mention money?” Yang Xiaorou said, waving her hand, not planning to take any money.
Ye Qingzhi pulled her back. “It’s not just once or twice. You’ve seen it. My Jingyan is a head shorter than your Haohao, and the other three children are also skinny. So I’m planning to have them drink milk for a long time. For years on end. Hurry up, or I’ll find someone else to help me order it.”
Seeing that Ye Qingzhi was about to give the goat’s milk back to her, Yang Xiaorou quickly said, “I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you. Is that alright?”
Hearing the price, it was about the same as what logistics had quoted He Qiming. Ye Qingzhi knew she had not deliberately quoted a lower price and nodded in satisfaction. It was better to be clear about money matters.
After Yang Xiaorou left, Ye Qingzhi scooped two ladles of goat’s milk into a pot to boil. After it boiled, she poured a bowl for each of them. “Drink it while it’s hot. This is good for your body. It can make you grow taller.”
He Jingyan was still thinking about what Ye Qingzhi had said about him being a head shorter than Shen Jiahao. He blew on it and drank it down in one go.
Just you wait. I’ll be taller than Shen Jiahao sooner or later.
Ye Anmin didn’t hesitate either. He was only a little shorter than He Jingyan, but much shorter than Shen Jiahao. They were a year apart. He could definitely catch up.
As for Ye Anjie and Yangyang, they liked anything that was delicious. Smelling the fragrant milk, they didn’t even need Ye Qingzhi to urge them.
“Mama, it’s delicious,” Yangyang said happily.
“If it’s delicious, drink more,” Ye Qingzhi said, stroking his head.
Ye Qingzhi also saved a bowl for He Qiming, then went back to the yard to continue washing clothes.
Although she had mixed in hot water, in this Northwest weather, it would get cold in no time. By the time she had finished washing the clothes, Ye Qingzhi’s hands were also frozen red.
“Are you washing clothes? Why didn’t you use hot water?” Seeing Ye Qingzhi’s red hands, He Qiming took off his gloves and wrapped her small, ice-cold hands in his large ones. He couldn’t help but glare. “The doctor said you can’t get cold. You don’t want to drink Chinese medicine all the time, do you?”
Ye Qingzhi quickly shook her head. The Chinese medicine she had drunk this morning was really bitter from her mouth all the way to her stomach. In the end, her whole person was bitter.
“I mixed in hot water. Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing,” Ye Qingzhi said, telling him about Yang Xiaorou sending the goat’s milk over. “I also saved a bowl for you. You drink it first. Lunch will be ready in a bit.”
“Have you all drunk it?” He Qiming didn’t like to drink this. He thought it was fishy.
“We’ve all drunk it. Papa, hurry up and drink,” Yangyang said, standing next to He Qiming, looking at the goat’s milk in his bowl eagerly.
Seeing that He Qiming wanted to share it with the children, Ye Qingzhi quickly stopped him. “You drink it yourself. They’ve already drunk it. If they drink more, they won’t be able to eat.” She turned to Yangyang and said, “You can’t drink it now. Mama will give you some more tonight.”
Seeing this, He Qiming knew he had to drink it. He glanced at Ye Qingzhi, pinched his nose, and drank it all in one go.
Ye Qingzhi said with a laugh, “Is it that bad?”
“I really can’t get used to this. Don’t save any for me next time,” He Qiming said, rinsing his mouth, indicating that he could not accept it.
Seeing that he really didn’t like it, Ye Qingzhi didn’t force him. She quickly made lunch so as not to delay He Qiming’s work.
“Wife, I’m going on a mission tomorrow. Will you be alright at home alone?” He Qiming asked, looking at her with concern.
“You’re going on a mission?” Ye Qingzhi almost dropped the spatula. She looked at him nervously. “Is it dangerous?”
“Don’t worry. This mission is not dangerous. I just don’t know how long it will take to come back. I’m sorry. You’ve just arrived at the base, and I have to leave you alone at home,” He Qiming said, his voice full of apology.
“What nonsense are you talking about? Of course, your official business is more important. Don’t worry about me and the children. You go on your mission with peace of mind. Be careful and come back safely,” Ye Qingzhi said, her throat dry, suppressing her reluctance and worry.
He Qiming held Ye Qingzhi’s hand and squeezed it gently. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
That night, when it was just the two of them, He Qiming held Ye Qingzhi tightly. “Don’t worry. I’ll definitely come back safely.”
Ye Qingzhi said nothing, just looked up and kissed him.
The next morning, as soon as He Qiming sat up, Ye Qingzhi also woke up. It was rare for her to get up with him.
“You don’t have to get up. It’s cold. Go back to sleep,” He Qiming said, pressing on Ye Qingzhi’s shoulder and telling her to go back to bed.
“I’ll make you some hand-pulled noodles. Or are you leaving right away?” Ye Qingzhi quickly got dressed.
“You… there’s still time. I’ll go start the fire,” He Qiming said. He knew that Ye Qingzhi was worried but didn’t dare to show it, so he didn’t stop her.
After breakfast, Ye Qingzhi walked He Qiming to the yard gate and held his hand tightly. “You must come back safely.”
“Don’t worry. I’m going now. If you need anything, just find Shen Qingyuan,” He Qiming said, hugging Ye Qingzhi, then turned and strode away.
Ye Qingzhi returned to the house in a daze. She sat in the living room for a long time. Only when the children got up and came out did she come back to her senses.
“Mama, what’s wrong?” Ye Anjie asked with concern.
“I’m fine,” Ye Qingzhi said, getting up to cook noodles for them. “After you’ve eaten, you can review your lessons for a while. You have to go to school today.”
After staying at home for a few days, the two children had almost caught up with the two months of lessons, and they had thoroughly understood them. They were undeniably smart.
“Okay. Isn’t Papa bringing back food today? Hey, where’s Papa? Isn’t he coming back for dinner?” Ye Anjie looked around but didn’t see He Qiming.
He Jingyan and Ye Anmin were more observant. There was clearly a used large bowl on the stove, which meant that Papa had already eaten. But why was it so early today?
“Your papa has gone on a mission. It might be a few days before he comes back. Alright, hurry up and eat. The noodles will get mushy soon,” Ye Qingzhi said in a normal tone.
“On a mission?” He Jingyan’s small face turned pale. His father had also died on a mission and had never come back.
“Mm, don’t worry. Your papa said this mission is not dangerous. He’ll be back soon,” Ye Qingzhi said, patting He Jingyan.
The three older ones went to school, leaving only Ye Qingzhi and Yangyang at home. Ye Qingzhi had just taken out her yarn when she saw Yang Xiaorou and Li Jinfeng come to find her together.