Xi Muzhou had taken her to see it yesterday—the printing factory was about two to three kilometers from the garrison, located between the garrison and the town. Many military family members in their area had been assigned to work at the printing factory due to its proximity.
Just as she stepped out, Qu Chuning ran into Qi Hongying, the Political Commissar’s wife, who also served as the Women’s Director at the printing factory.
“Sister-in-law, what brings you here?”
The house assigned to Xi Muzhou was situated at the very back of the Military Family Area, not exactly in the best location. She remembered that the Political Commissar’s home was quite a distance from theirs. Moreover, their own route to the printing factory would surely be more convenient, so why had Qi Hongying come all the way to her place?
“It’s your Muzhou—yesterday, he mentioned to my husband that it’s your first day at work and asked me to show you the ropes!”
Qi Hongying, nearly fifty years old with a few strands of white hair at her temples, sported a neat ear-length bob and wore a pair of black cloth shoes. She smiled warmly at Qu Chuning. “No wonder Muzhou married you—you’re so lovely!”
Qu Chuning felt a bit shy at the compliment and lowered her head.
“Chuning, you’ll be working in the Binding Workshop. It’s nothing difficult—just binding and trimming the printed pages. If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask the comrades around you. Don’t be afraid!”
Qi Hongying couldn’t help but feel fond of Qu Chuning’s obedient demeanor. At her age, she could have been Qu Chuning’s mother. She was well aware of Qu Chuning’s background: from the countryside, having only completed one year of junior high before dropping out. Compared to other workshops, the tasks in the Binding Workshop were relatively light, clean, and straightforward—perfectly suited for her.
“Thank you, Sister-in-law!”
Qu Chuning’s heart warmed. It had been several days since she arrived at the garrison, and this was the first time someone had shown her kindness. Others treated her as if she were something dirty, afraid to get too close.
Before they even left the garrison, they encountered many military family members on their way to work.
Besides the printing factory, there were also a garrison elementary school and a Clinic nearby. However, those places required a certain level of education or prior experience as teachers or doctors. Military family members like them, with limited education, were assigned to the printing factory according to regulations.
Qu Chuning spotted Shi Zhenzhen, who wore a peach-pink plaid dress and a pair of black leather shoes, dressed quite strikingly.
Shi Zhenzhen was surrounded by several female comrades around thirty years old, whose attire was completely different from hers. Shi Zhenzhen stood out like a proud peacock in the center of the group. When Qu Chuning glanced her way, Shi Zhenzhen flashed a smug smile, as if saying, “What a country bumpkin!”
Qi Hongying naturally noticed the flamboyant Shi Zhenzhen as well.
She was well aware of the grudge between Shi Zhenzhen and Qu Chuning. Since the organization had approved Qu Chuning’s background check, it meant her record in the village was clean. In contrast, Shi Zhenzhen and Lin Dongguo, while not having broken any laws, had significant moral shortcomings.
“Chuning, I’ll take you to the workshop later and have the workshop director show you around. If you run into any difficulties, just come to me!”
“Thank you, Sister-in-law!”
A little over two kilometers was nothing to Qu Chuning. Back in her hometown, she had trekked up hills and worked in the fields every day—a mere few kilometers was hardly a challenge.
Upon arriving at the printing factory, Qi Hongying directly led Qu Chuning to the workshop. The workshop director, surnamed Hou, was a middle-aged man in his forties.
"Director Qi, you're such a busy person! What brings you here?"
Qi Hongying gently pushed Qu Chuning forward: "Director Hou, I've brought someone for you. This is Comrade Qu Chuning, the spouse of our garrison's Regiment Commander Xi. She's been assigned to work in your workshop. She's young and inexperienced, Director Hou, please guide her well!"
Upon hearing that she was Regiment Commander Xi's spouse, Director Hou's eyes immediately brightened. He respectfully shook hands with Qu Chuning and assured Qi Hongying, "Director Qi, rest assured, rest assured!"
The work in the binding workshop was relatively simple. After exchanging a few words of encouragement with Qu Chuning, Qi Hongying departed.
Director Hou glanced at Qu Chuning. Her clothing was quite plain, though her features were striking and dignified. Aside from being somewhat dark-skinned and thin, there was nothing particularly remarkable about her appearance. He couldn't help but wonder how the renowned Regiment Commander Xi had married a girl who seemed rather rustic.
"Director!"
Director Hou had only taken a few steps with Qu Chuning when he heard Shi Zhenzhen calling from behind.
Turning around, Director Hou smiled and said to Shi Zhenzhen, "Zhenzhen, come here! Let me introduce you to someone. This is…"
"Well, well, if it isn't my ex-husband's discarded ex-wife?"
Before Director Hou could finish, Shi Zhenzhen had already begun mocking Qu Chuning. Her voice was loud, as if afraid that the entire binding workshop couldn't hear. "Qu Chuning, you're really lucky! No sooner had you cut ties with my man than you immediately married Regiment Commander Xi. Tsk tsk, such skill—we could never catch up even if we tried!"
Qu Chuning was no pushover. Hearing this, she immediately retorted, "What ex-wife? Comrade Shi Zhenzhen, you should clarify the facts. It was Lin Dongguo, Deputy Battalion Commander Lin, who shamelessly used a fake ID to trick me into taking care of his parents in his hometown. It wasn't until I came here that I discovered you two had been married for two years! You both treated me like a fool! Besides, how could I qualify as an 'ex-wife'? We were never truly married. When Deputy Battalion Commander Lin finds a new flame in the future, you'll be the one fitting that title!"
"What?"
"You know, I heard about this. It caused quite a stir back then. Lin Dongguo was about to get promoted, but because of this, it fell through!"
"Tsk tsk, how unscrupulous! Wanting to marry well to climb the social ladder while deceiving an honest comrade into serving his parents—that's just bullying!"
The workshop was filled with binding workers. The work here wasn't too strenuous, so there were many female comrades.
Shi Zhenzhen's neck flushed red with anger at their comments. Pointing at Qu Chuning, she snapped, "Then how did you marry Xi Muzhou so quickly afterward? You must have been involved with him long before!"
Qu Chuning fired back immediately, "That's nothing compared to you! You two had been involved for two years! If I hadn't come, I'd never have known!"
Shi Zhenzhen was nearly reduced to tears. She turned to Director Hou and demanded, "Director, what do you have to say about this?"
Director Hou was now having a headache. One was the Chief of Staff's daughter, the other was the Regimental Commander's wife. He was caught in the middle and found it difficult to handle. He randomly pointed at someone: "Lan Xia, you take Qu Chuning to get familiar with things. No rush to start working yet. I have something to attend to—the factory director just called a meeting. I'm leaving now!"
The female comrade named Lan Xia was nearly forty years old. Her husband held a lower position than Xi Muzhou, and she had waited two years before getting the job at the printing factory. Therefore, she cherished it greatly. Faced with the director's request, although she didn't want to get involved, she had no choice but to brace herself and approach Qu Chuning.
Shi Zhenzhen stamped her foot fiercely, threw out a harsh remark, and walked toward a pile of papers nearby.
Qu Chuning hurriedly called out: "Hey, Shi Zhenzhen, don't rush off! When exactly is Lin Dongguo going to publish a clarification in the newspaper? Let me tell you, remind him when you get back—the sooner the better. Otherwise, I'll have to go find the Political Commissar and the others again tomorrow!"