Xia Mingyu was very grateful for Lu Ning’s help today. If not for him, she wouldn’t know when she would have found TuanTuan.
She originally planned to bring Lu Ning back to the Qiao family home and host him for one night. Tomorrow, when Lu Ning’s leader arrived with TuanTuan, she would properly thank them, settle everything, and then confront Li Zhaodi.
Unexpectedly, Li Zhaodi was so impatient. The moment Xia Mingyu brought Lu Ning back, she immediately started shouting all kinds of harsh insults.
Xia Mingyu was forced into action and, without hesitation, tore everything apart.
“Sorry, Comrade Lu Ning, for making you see such a joke.”
Xia Mingyu apologized awkwardly to Lu Ning.
Even after everything had escalated, Lu Ning still had to stay at the Qiao house for one night. Xia Mingyu and TuanTuan would also stay there.
The situation had developed too suddenly. The room she and her father used was currently occupied by educated youth who had paid rent, so she couldn’t just force them out to move in.
“It’s fine. The men in the army are all rough types. I’ve heard worse language than this—just crude swearing.”
Lu Ning comforted her.
Seeing that he truly didn’t mind, Xia Mingyu finally relaxed.
“Roundy, take Uncle Lu to the room where you and your brother stay and let him rest. Mother will clean the yard and cook.”
“Okay, Mama! Mission accepted!”
Roundy pulled Lu Ning’s hand and happily led him to the room.
The neighbors, seeing this, also stepped in to help.
“My house has pickled cucumbers, Mingyu, I’ll bring you some.”
“I have fresh eggplants, I’ll bring them too.”
“I’ll give you two eggs. You must properly host Comrade Lu! He helped you so much!”
Everyone was kind-hearted. They knew Xia Mingyu didn’t have much at home to entertain Lu Ning, so they offered their own food.
Eggs were considered a luxury item in this era. People usually saved them or sold them for money—each egg could fetch five cents.
Xia Mingyu was deeply moved, her eyes turning red again.
Her home truly had nothing left. She had deliberately sent Roundy to take Lu Ning into the room so she could borrow food from the neighbors.
“Thank you, everyone. I will count these as borrowed items and will definitely return them later!”
She bowed deeply again.
“Oh, don’t say that. We’re all from the same production team. We help each other.”
“That’s right. You’re raising two children alone—it’s not easy.”
Everyone waved it off and went home to fetch items.
At that moment, the team leader of Xitang Production Team arrived.
He had already heard about what happened at the Qiao household.
The team leader was a righteous man; otherwise, he wouldn’t have led such a harmonious and high-performing team.
When he heard about the absurd situation at the Qiao family, he was furious.
“I’ll deal with you later, Li Zhaodi! Just wait!”
He pointed at her and scolded her harshly.
Then he pulled Xia Mingyu aside.
“Mingyu, it’s not appropriate for a military comrade to stay at your place. Let him stay at mine instead. My wife will cook for him. You and Roundy can come over too.”
“The leader from above is coming tomorrow. We must not be careless.”
Xia Mingyu hesitated.
But in the end, she agreed.
Soon, everyone dispersed.
After Lu Ning and Roundy left with the team leader, Xia Mingyu stayed behind to pack.
Li Zhaodi, who had been lying on the ground pretending to be dead, suddenly came back to life when she realized she was alone with Xia Mingyu.
She spat viciously.
“Divorce? It’s not that easy! We’re in a military marriage!”
“If you want freedom, you’d better serve me properly! Otherwise, I’ll ruin your life!”
“You still have to take care of me—cook, clean, bathe me! And go get my son out of the police station!”
“If anything happens to my son, I’ll make you regret it!”
“People won’t always side with you! Disrespecting your mother-in-law is against heaven itself!”