Su Die understood very clearly the power of “slapping a big political label” on someone especially in the border region, where spies were said to be as numerous as ox hairs.
Since Xue Shanshan refused to behave like a decent person, then let the Political Department teach her how to behave.
“N-No… I didn’t! I’m not an enemy agent! You’re talking nonsense!”
Xue Shanshan wasn’t stupid. Once taken into the Political Department for investigation, she’d be skinned alive at least metaphorically.
The onlooking sisters-in-law, aunties, and grannies were all stunned.
Commander Gu’s wife was truly formidable not only could she fight, her tongue was sharp too.
Xue Shanshan had come from the provincial capital of Hubei and looked down on many of the military wives from rural backgrounds.
Whenever she ran into them in the compound, she would make snide remarks about them smelling bad or having a “poor stench.”
Several wives had already quarreled with her.
But no argument had ever delivered such visual impact.
Xue Shanshan’s face was swollen like a pig’s head, puffed up high.
Watching this scene, her sister-in-law Zhu Jie felt every cell in her body cheering.
This troublemaking, annoying little sister-in-law had finally been dealt with.
“Well done! Beautifully done!” Zhu Jie muttered excitedly from behind the crowd, groceries in hand.
After more than a dozen slaps, Su Die’s hand went numb. She shoved Xue Shanshan to the ground in disgust.
“Xue Shanshan is suspected of colluding with the enemy. Everyone stay back be careful not to be harmed.”
Xiao Lu practically worshipped this sister-in-law now. “I’ll go get someone from the Political Department.”
“My sister can’t possibly be an enemy agent! You’ve made a mistake!”
Xue Jiashu had heard Xue Shanshan’s screams from afar and pushed through the crowd.
“Shanshan, are you okay? H-How did you get beaten again?”
Seeing her backer arrive, Xue Shanshan burst into tears. “Brother! This woman bullied me! You have to stand up for me!”
Xue Jiashu glanced at the imposing Su Die and immediately understood his sister must have said something offensive again.
“Sister-in-law, I guarantee on my military medals that Shanshan is absolutely not an enemy agent. She’s just an ignorant young girl who doesn’t know how to measure her words. Please don’t lower yourself to her level.”
He had originally hoped to find his sister a capable officer with a strong background. He hadn’t expected her reputation to be ruined within days of arriving.
“Battalion Commander Xue, that’s incorrect. Your sister’s behavior is highly suspicious and must be investigated. Otherwise the entire compound could be put at risk. This isn’t something you can guarantee.”
Gu Jingzhou’s deep voice sounded from behind Su Die.
“You’re back! That Xue Shanshan slandered me and ruined my reputation. She insulted me first…”
Seeing her husband, Su Die immediately complained in a pitiful tone.
Her long lashes were misted with tears. Gu Jingzhou’s heart nearly broke.
“I’m here. Don’t be afraid.”
“Brother Zhou, the Political Department is here,” Xiao Lu called.
Two officers from the Political Department strode over.
Gu Jingzhou saluted and briefly explained what had happened on the train and just now.
After listening, the officers looked stern. “Comrade Xue Shanshan, please cooperate with our investigation.”
Xue Jiashu was furious. He knew his sister had a foul mouth, but she wouldn’t betray the country.
Still, no one believed him. He could only watch as she was taken away.
“Brother! Save me! I’m not a spy! I’m not a bad person! I just cursed her a couple of times!”
“Zhu Jie! Zhu Jie! Say something for me! I’m your sister-in-law!”
Zhu Jie rolled her eyes.
“Serves you right. Better if they lock you up for life. So embarrassing.”
“Enough!” Xue Jiashu snapped. “If Shanshan really is an enemy agent, our whole family is finished.”
Zhu Jie sneered. “If she’s really a bad element, I’ll divorce you. Useless.”
She stormed off with her groceries.
Xiao Lu sighed in relief. That plague of a woman was finally gone.
“Commander Gu… my sister… she’s really not an enemy agent. Could you show mercy?”
He worried the investigation would affect his career and reputation.
“If she’s innocent, she’ll be released. I have no authority over the Political Department. And your words are problematic the army isn’t ruled by any one person. Battalion Commander Xue, be careful with what you say.”
Gu Jingzhou shut him down bluntly.
Xue Jiashu opened his mouth but said nothing more.
“Everyone disperse! Go home and cook!” Liu Juan hurried the onlookers away, still shaken.
She had worked in the compound for years and had never seen a military wife as fierce as Su Die.
Beat someone, slap a political charge on them, and have her husband defend her unconditionally what a life.
Silently, she lit a candle for Xue Shanshan. May she fend for herself.
The happiest person was Xiao Lu.
“Sister-in-law, from now on you’re my real sister. Just say the word and I’ll charge through fire and water for you.”
Su Die burst out laughing and glanced at her husband.
Gu Jingzhou frowned. “Get lost.”
Xiao Lu grinned foolishly.
“Sister-in-law, I’ll bring people early tomorrow. Within three days your courtyard will be perfect.”
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. I ate the candy you gave me.”
Xiao Lu had clearly become Su Die’s devoted little fanboy, leaving Gu Jingzhou speechless.
Why did everyone want to be her “little brother”?
After leaving the compound, Gu Jingzhou took Su Die to the county’s state-run restaurant.
Wu Yuexia came out from the kitchen smiling. “Commander Gu and Sister Xiaodie are here! What would you like?”
Su Die looked at the menu. “Two bowls of lamb noodle soup.”
“Coming right up.”
Gu Jingzhou paid and also ordered sweet-and-sour spare ribs.
“Wife, the supply truck arrives in two days. Let Sister Wu help deliver meals to Grandpa Ge so you won’t have to work so hard.”
He couldn’t bear for his wife to cook even if it cost more money. He wouldn’t let her delicate hands grow rough.
“Alright. I’ll deliver vegetables in the mornings. Not cooking will save time I can translate more materials.”
Her cooking skills were average anyway.
“When our courtyard is ready, I’ll cook. You won’t lift a finger.”
“Gu Jingzhou, you’re really good to me.”
“Then… any reward tonight?”
“Give an inch and you take a mile.”
“I only push my luck with my wife. No one else catches my eye.”
She rolled her eyes. “You sweet-talk me until I’m dizzy.”
“I only want to sweet-talk you for the rest of my life.”
Wu Yuexia and her husband’s cooking was indeed excellent. Su Die finished all the ribs; Gu Jingzhou ate the noodles.
The border-region lamb was delicious she felt it was even better than Beijing hotpot.
After eating, they greeted Wu Yuexia and left.
According to regulations, before their courtyard was ready, Gu Jingzhou should stay in the barracks.
But since he had performed exceptionally well on this mission and had cut his leave short for duty the leadership relented after his persistent requests.
Newlyweds inseparable leaders understood.
It was fully dark when they left.
Gu Jingzhou grew restless, brushing the back of his hand against hers, wanting to hold her soft hand.
“We’re outside…”
“It’s dark. No one will see.”
Just as he reached out.
“Sister! Brother-in-law!”
Gu Jingzhou: “…!!”
These “little brothers” were everywhere.
Su Die laughed and pinched his waist.
“Why are you here? Have you eaten?”
“I have. I caught three pheasants in the mountains. Ate one, brought two.”
“I’ll keep one. Take the other back.”
Hunting in the mountains was dangerous. He was still growing she couldn’t keep everything.
“Then I’ll sell this one. I’m going up again in a few days.”
Since his grandmother passed, Feng Tao survived by hunting and sometimes risking the black market for grain.
A child without family protection could only rely on himself.
“Be careful. Don’t go too deep into the mountains.”
“Got it, Sis.”
He followed obediently behind them.
“Wife, don’t go tomorrow. Xiao Lu, Meng Shiguang, and I will handle everything. When it’s all done, you can inspect it.”
“I’d better go. It’s my home I need to watch.”
“Where are you going?” Feng Tao asked.
“We’re fixing up the courtyard digging a cellar, making a fish pond…”
“Can I help? I’m not in school anyway.”
He had dropped out long ago. Aside from hunting and collecting scraps, he had nothing to do.
“Alright. Then you’ll come too.”