Su Nanyue knew that if she continued to press the matter, she would be seen as unreasonable despite having justice on her side.
Moreover, it wouldn’t be wise to offend the women’s director so soon after arriving.
However, she wasn’t willing to simply let the matter slide.
With red-rimmed eyes, she said, “I can forgive her, but she must apologize to Xiao Bao and promise never to spread rumors about me and my children again.”
“If I hear such talk again, no matter who says it, I’ll hold her responsible.”
Li Da Ni was taken aback, then retorted indignantly, “Why should I? I can control my own words, but I can’t control what others say.”
Shen Yue snorted coldly, “All this talk just shows you’re still looking for ways to slander Xiao Su.”
Su Nanyue gave her a grateful look and said with difficulty, “Since she refuses to agree, I’ll have to take this to the leadership. I believe they will uphold justice for me.”
Li Da Ni gritted her teeth, mentally cursing Su Nanyue hundreds of times over.
In the end, she had no choice but to reluctantly agree and compensate Su Nanyue with five yuan.
After settling this, she shot Su Nanyue a fierce glare and hurried away, not even staying to get her meal.
Once she was gone, Su Nanyue thanked the other wives for speaking up on her behalf and, supporting her waist, made her way to the cafeteria.
After the meal, she parted ways with the other wives.
On the way back to the Guest House, Wang Jian Guo said, “Sister-in-law, don’t pay any mind to Li Da Ni. She’s always been like that—can’t keep her mouth shut.”
“Besides, Da Bao and Xiao Bao look so much like the Vice Regimental Commander. Anyone can see they’re his children.”
Su Nanyue nodded, “I won’t take it to heart. And I know better than anyone whether Da Bao and Xiao Bao are Jiang Yan’s children.”
Hearing this, Wang Jian Guo breathed a sigh of relief.
After escorting Su Nanyue and her two children back to the Guest House, he said he would pick them up for dinner.
Su Nanyue declined, “We’ve already troubled you enough today. Now that I know where the cafeteria is, I’ll take the children there myself this afternoon.”
Seeing her insistence, Wang Jian Guo didn’t press further. He said, “Alright then. If you need anything, just ask the attendant to call for me.”
Su Nanyue thanked him gratefully.
After Wang Jian Guo left, she and the children took a proper nap.
She had been on edge throughout the two-day train journey and hadn’t slept well at all.
The moment she lay down, she fell asleep.
She was awakened by the military bugle call outside.
Da Bao and Xiao Bao were already awake, but both were sitting quietly by her side without making a fuss.
When Xiao Bao saw Su Nanyue open her eyes, his face lit up, and he scampered to the bedside. “Mom, you’re awake?”
Su Nanyue nodded and, unable to resist his adorable expression, kissed his cheek. “Are you hungry?”
Xiao Bao nodded vigorously. “So hungry!”
Su Nanyue glanced outside—the sky had already darkened.
Without a watch, she didn’t know the time or whether they could still make it to the cafeteria for dinner.
She got out of bed, washed her face to refresh herself, and asked the children to wait in the room while she went downstairs to ask the attendant at the entrance.
Learning that it was just dinner time, she thanked the attendant and went back upstairs to fetch the children before heading to the cafeteria.
By the time they arrived, the cafeteria was nearly empty. They ate quickly and returned to the Guest House.
Over the next few days, aside from meals, they stayed inside the Guest House.
Mainly because it was too cold outside.
In the blink of an eye, they had already stayed at the Guest House for five days.
That afternoon after lunch, once the two little ones had fallen asleep, she sat on the bed contemplating renting a place outside. Staying at the Guest House indefinitely wasn’t a long-term solution.
After all, Jiang Yan was away on a mission and might not return for several months.
She couldn’t possibly stay at the Guest House forever.
Of course, the most important reason was that she wanted to go out and obtain some ration coupons to buy thick winter clothes for herself and the children.
Their clothing was already scarce, and with the cold weather, washed clothes wouldn’t dry by the same day, leaving them with even fewer options to wear.
Whenever they stepped outside, the chilly wind cut straight to the bone.
Just as she was lost in thought, there was a knock on the door, and Wang Jian Guo’s voice came from outside.
Su Nanyue got off the bed and opened the door, hearing Wang Jian Guo say, “Sis, the Political Commissar wants to see you.”
Su Nanyue looked puzzled. “Do you know why the Political Commissar called for me?”
Wang Jian Guo shook his head.
The two children usually napped for over two hours at noon and had just fallen asleep.
Su Nanyue closed the door and walked out with Wang Jian Guo.
Wang Jian Guo led her to the Political Commissar’s office and then left.
Su Nanyue stood where she was, looking at the Political Commissar.
The Political Commissar was a man in his forties with a weathered appearance. He carried an imposing aura, his gaze sharp and penetrating, as if he could see right through a person.
He looked at Su Nanyue and said, “You must be Comrade Su Nanyue!”
Su Nanyue nodded and spoke cautiously, “Hello, Political Commissar. I’m Su Nanyue. May I ask why you called me here?”
Yang Peng, seeing her nervousness, smiled and said, “Don’t be nervous. It’s good news.”
Hearing this, a flicker of understanding crossed Su Nanyue’s eyes.
She had a guess as to what it might be.
Yang Peng picked up a money order and a letter from his desk and handed them to Su Nanyue.
“I heard that on your way to the military base by train, you helped capture a group of human traffickers. This is the reward and a commendation letter for you.”
Her guess confirmed, Su Nanyue’s eyes lit up.
She quickly reached out with both hands to accept them, saying excitedly, “Thank you, sir.”
She had thought it would take some time for these to come through, but she hadn’t expected them to arrive so soon.
Yang Peng said, “I should be the one thanking you. I’ve already been briefed on what happened. Thanks to you, their mission was completed smoothly.”
Su Nanyue pressed her lips together and replied earnestly, “Anyone in that situation would have done the same. I only did what I should.”
Yang Peng looked at her with admiration. “You are a good comrade.”
Just as Su Nanyue was about to say something modest, a voice called out from the doorway, “Report!”
The voice sounded somewhat familiar.
Seeing this, Su Nanyue said, “Political Commissar, I’ll take my leave now. You must be busy.”
Yang Peng teased with a smile, “Aren’t you going to see who it is?”
Su Nanyue was a bit surprised, unsure why he would say that, but she couldn’t help turning around curiously to look.
Standing at the door was a man in a military uniform, tall and well-built with broad shoulders and a narrow waist.
It was the soldier who had asked for her help on the train.
Su Nanyue hadn’t expected him to be from this same military unit.
Remembering the reward and thank-you letter she was holding, which were from him.
She spoke up proactively, “What a coincidence! I’ve already received the commendation letter and the reward. Thank you.”