“Jiang Aunt, this is a new era now. The old master-servant ideas are out of date.”
“Comrade Qiao came to our home to work with her own skills. The money she earns is from her labor, not as some servant.”
“The Chairman also said that labor is the most honorable.”
“By the way, Jiang Aunt, how long do you and Deng Yingying plan to stay in my home eating and living for free this time?”
As Xie Zhongming spoke, his brow furrowed slightly.
The gaze beneath his brow carried a sense of uprightness, and even his voice sounded solemn. It was the respect he had for someone who worked, leaving no room for anyone to show the slightest disrespect.
Besides, he would not indulge Jiang Chunyan.
If it was about repaying a debt of gratitude, from as far back as he could remember, the Xie family had continuously helped Jiang Chunyan and Deng Yingying. The favor had long been repaid.
If the Xie family wanted to continue returning favors, that was fine, but Jiang Chunyan could not insult Comrade Qiao. In this era, there were no servants. Moreover, he had just heard Jiang Chunyan call Comrade Qiao a temptress.
That was a problem with her awareness. A serious problem.
In the kitchen, Qiao Xingyue had just brought a dish of braised pork with preserved vegetables to the table.
She had clearly heard Xie Zhongming defending her. She could see his respect for her.
Previously, she thought he was stern and disciplined, and she had felt shy around him.
Now, another word came to mind: sharp-tongued.
He was truly a man with upright values.
Seeing her place the dish on the table, Jiang Chunyan shot her a displeased glance. “Fine, fine. She is an honorable laborer. Is that enough?”
Then she looked at Xie Zhongming, standing tall and upright, and pretended to be aggrieved.
“But Zhongming, how can you say Jiang Aunt is eating and living for free in your home? If it were not for Yingying’s father sacrificing himself to save your father, how could Jiang Aunt have remarried to Lao Zhao? Lao Zhao is going to be sent for reform in the countryside. Do you want Jiang Aunt to suffer there too?”
“Besides, what did your parents say before? They said your Xie family would take good care of us mother and daughter. That makes it seem like we are eating and living for free at your home?”
Jiang Chunyan wiped at her tears deliberately.
Beside her, Deng Yingying clutched her hand and cried in protest. “Mom, it looks like we are bothering Aunt Lan and Uncle Xie. Maybe we should leave.”
Seeing the mother and daughter crying, Xie Jiang felt a tightness in his chest.
Thinking of the debt of gratitude owed to Lao Deng, he felt immense guilt.
Huang Guilan listened in frustration. Jiang Chunyan was clearly making trouble, yet it seemed like they were at fault.
Xie Jiang spoke, “Enough, Fourth, say less. Let Jiang Aunt and Yingying settle in first. We will deal with the rest later.”
Xie Zhongming added, “They can stay, but we cannot make Comrade Qiao and the twins sleep on the floor in the main room because of their arrival.”
Huang Guilan agreed. “Yes, Comrade Qiao sleeping on the floor in the main room would be very inconvenient and would disturb mother and daughter. Star Yue and the children must stay in the study room.”
Qiao Xingyue, standing by, understood her position and spoke tactfully.
“Aunt Lan, Uncle Xie, Captain Xie, thank you for your kindness. I can have An’an and Ningning sleep on the floor if needed. We’ve lived in the countryside all our lives. We are tough, we can sleep anywhere as long as there’s somewhere to rest.”
“That won’t do.” Huang Guilan said firmly before Qiao Xingyue could finish. “I will not allow you to sleep on the floor in the main room. The floor is hard, and everyone passing through at night would disturb you.”
Jiang Chunyan stiffened her neck. “What, Guilan? You want me and Yingying to sleep on the floor in the main room?”
Xie Jiang softened his tone. “How about this, Chunyan? You and Yingying sleep in the room of the Fifth. He won’t be back for now.”
Jiang Chunyan grumbled. “That won’t do. Xie Mingzhe’s room smells like men.”
Xie Zhongming interjected. “Jiang Aunt, if you dislike the smell, I can apply for a single dorm room for you and Deng Yingying. You will be free and undisturbed.”
Jiang Chunyan muttered, “Forget it. We will stay in Mingzhe’s room. I still don’t understand why your family protects a little housekeeper so much.”
She glared at Qiao Xingyue. “She is just a little housekeeper.”
Xie Zhongming clarified, “Jiang Aunt, every person, no matter the occupation, deserves respect.”
Qiao Xingyue felt warmth in her heart.
Everyone in the Xie family protected and respected her as if she were not just a housekeeper but part of the family.
The feeling of family warmth moved her, and the twins wore smiles: Grandpa is so good, Grandma is good, Uncle Zhongming is even better.
The awkward atmosphere was broken by Qiao Xingyue. “The meal is ready. Everyone, wash your hands and let’s eat.”
She carried the remaining dishes from the kitchen. Xie Zhongming followed to help with bowls and rice.
At dinner, as usual, Xie Zhongming went first to feed Grandma, allowing Qiao Xingyue and the twins to sit and eat with everyone.
After a while, Xie Zhongming returned to the table.
Seeing Qiao Xingyue and the twins sitting down, Jiang Chunyan looked at Huang Guilan and Xie Jiang. “Captain Xie, Guilan, is your housekeeper even allowed to sit at the table?”
Huang Guilan, kind as ever, replied softly, “Chunyan, Zhongming already explained. This is a new era. There are no master-servant distinctions.”
“Star Yue, eat the meat. Don’t take it to heart.” Huang Guilan placed a piece of braised pork on her plate.
The piece was large, mostly fat, juicy, and fragrant. Qiao Xingyue had been eating rich food like this for ten days.
She felt she had gained weight.
Huang Guilan, noticing she preferred lean meat, tried to give her another fatty piece.
Qiao Xingyue hesitated, her fingers curling slightly. She did not want to take it. Huang Guilan kept telling her to eat more, and she could not refuse. She covered the meat with rice and ate slowly.
Xie Zhongming noticed and intervened. “Mother, Comrade Qiao has not been feeling well these days. Don’t give her fatty meat. Give her lean meat.”
He separated the fatty part onto his plate and gave the lean part to Qiao Xingyue.
Huang Guilan realized Qiao Xingyue liked lean meat. She separated the pieces accordingly, leaving only lean meat on Qiao Xingyue’s plate.
“Star Yue, if there is anything you like or dislike, tell Aunt Lan. Don’t be shy.”
Qiao Xingyue smiled softly, feeling spoiled but cared for.
All this time, Jiang Chunyan and Deng Yingying were stunned. Just a housekeeper and yet treated like royalty.
Deng Yingying felt jealous. She had not seen Xie Zhongming for two years, yet he was attentive only to Qiao Xingyue.
Jiang Chunyan sneered, “Zhongming, I know Comrade Qiao is your housekeeper. But giving her lean meat makes it look like she is your wife.”
She added, “Zhongming, you have been married before. Keep some distance with this housekeeper.”
Jiang Chunyan then glared at Qiao Xingyue. “And you, Comrade Qiao. You already have two children. Are you trying to seduce Zhongming? Does your husband know you are seducing someone else?”
Jiang Chunyan had heard that Xie Zhongming wanted a divorce from his countryside wife. She hoped to marry Deng Yingying to him.
Qiao Xingyue calmly responded, “Jiang Aunt, which eye of yours saw me seducing anyone? Making false accusations requires education. I don’t think you want the family committee and political department knowing you accuse others wrongly the moment you arrive in the Jincheng Military District residential compound.”
“I am a widow, but my husband was also a revolutionary martyr. Do you know what punishment comes from insulting a martyr?”
Jiang Chunyan was stunned. This housekeeper was also from a martyr family.
She could not continue her accusations. Qiao Xingyue, unruffled, had defused the situation.
Huang Guilan watched in admiration. Qiao Xingyue was smart and capable, even sharp-tongued.
Xie Zhongming suppressed a smile, enjoying Qiao Xingyue’s composure.
This woman was quick-witted and clever. Any man marrying her would be completely under her influence.