Zhou Yushen slowed his brisk pace, and a few sharp glints flashed in the depths of his otherwise casual gaze.
Du Tao and Zhang Hai, passing by him, instinctively tensed up.
When Zhou Yushen raised his hand, their bodies simultaneously reacted defensively, still smarting from being overwhelmed in a previous two-on-one fight.
Zhou Yushen stopped them with a hand, raised an eyebrow, and asked lightly, “You said you were going to buy something earlier—what are you planning to get to please the girl?”
“Oh, uh…”
Du Tao and Zhang Hai immediately relaxed. They straightened up, lowering the hands that had been shielding their faces, and began speaking confidently.
“Of course, we’d buy things the girl likes—facial snow cream, hair ornaments, hairpins.”
“Pretty dresses are good too, though expensive. Watches are pricier still, maybe for the wedding; as a major gift, it’d be unique.”
Hearing them list these items, Zhou Yushen considered carefully. Yesterday, Lu Wanwan had been wronged at the Zhou household—he needed to make it up to her. Plus, Xiaobao still needed her care.
“When are you going to buy these things? I’ll go with you.”
Du Tao and Zhang Hai didn’t overthink it. They had grown up with Zhou Yushen and followed him into the military.
They knew well that Zhou Yushen had never been casual with girls. In the army, he was even known for his cold, stoic demeanor.
Many pretty girls in the arts troupe had shown interest, but Zhou Yushen had ignored them all. They had even seen him scold a girl who confessed to him until she cried.
Zhang Hai casually asked, “Shen-ge, are you helping Rui-ge buy something for your wife?”
“No, it’s for another girl.”
Huh?
Du Tao and Zhang Hai exchanged a glance, wiggling their eyebrows. Something was going on!
Suddenly, their aches and pains vanished, and they eagerly leaned in, hoping to get more details from Zhou Yushen. A girl who caught his eye must be extraordinary and beautiful.
News that the three men were going into town to buy gifts for a girl spread quickly. Normally mundane, the presence of Zhou Yushen made it immediately attract attention.
Fang Anqian’s heart boiled as soon as she heard. Part of her hoped the gifts were for her, but reason told her they were likely for Lu Wanwan, that “vixen.”
No way—she couldn’t let Lu Wanwan have it that easily. It must have happened while she wasn’t at the Zhou house. That vixen was clearly trying to seduce Zhou Yushen.
Fang Anqian bought some fruit and went to the Zhou household.
By then, Chen Shu had calmed down. Seeing Fang Anqian looking worn out, she thought her words yesterday had hurt her friend and quickly apologized.
“Anqian, yesterday was my fault. I was too impulsive—don’t take my words to heart.”
“I was wrong too.”
Fang Anqian’s eyes were red. This time, she took the initiative to adjust how she spoke: “Sister-in-law, you’re right. I chose the wrong approach to help you. In my impression, you’ve always been strong and capable. I was too hasty.”
Aunt Zhang brought over two cups of coffee, giving one to each of them before returning to the kitchen.
After drinking their coffee, Fang Anqian found an excuse to pull Chen Shu upstairs, hinting indirectly as she spoke.
“Sister-in-law, you know I speak my mind. I also heard from a few other wives in the troupe that who a child grows up with matters a lot—especially what they consume. Comrade Lu comes from the countryside and hasn’t had formal education. I’m worried her milk might affect Xiaobao’s intelligence…”
She stopped herself mid-sentence, cautious not to trigger Chen Shu’s emotions like yesterday.
Chen Shu’s face stiffened. She silently took a sip of coffee, neither refuting Fang Anqian nor replying.
Lu Wanwan, estimating that it was time for Xiaobao to feed, came over to nurse him and overheard Fang Anqian’s words. She turned toward them.
“This is the first time I’ve heard that a child’s intelligence could be affected by breast milk. Over all these years, how many children’s IQs would have been affected? Comrade Fang, you are educated—surely you know that a child’s intelligence primarily comes from their parents’ genetics. For example, a child of Asians is Asian, a child of Africans is African, a child of Europeans is European.”
“As for intelligence, the saying ‘like father, like son’ has some truth. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes: 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes. Sex chromosomes control certain inherited traits. While male and female ratios differ, some genes determine intelligence. Chromosome abnormalities can lead to intellectual disabilities.”
Lu Wanwan simplified her explanation, not fully certain if current research had gone this far. She added thoughtfully:
“Besides genetics, intelligence is also influenced by environment, nutrition, and education. So don’t blame breast milk alone.”
Fang Anqian didn’t understand, but subconsciously felt Lu Wanwan sounded scientific. She couldn’t argue and found herself momentarily speechless.
Chen Shu didn’t fully grasp the science either, but she knew that a child’s intelligence had nothing to do with breast milk. Fang Anqian’s claim was inappropriate, so she avoided confrontation and led Fang Anqian downstairs.
“Wanwan is going to feed Xiaobao. Let’s go downstairs and watch some TV.”
When Zhou Yushen returned with the gifts, he saw Fang Anqian and Chen Shu in the living room and greeted them politely.
“Sister-in-law, Comrade Fang.”
He handed a bag to Chen Shu. “Sister-in-law, my brother asked me to buy this for you and Xiaobao.”
“Thank you, Yushen.”
Chen Shu happily took the bag. She had just talked to her husband on the phone yesterday and hadn’t expected a gift today. Her heart felt warm, though she restrained her emotions in front of her brother-in-law and friend.
Zhou Yushen looked around, not seeing Lu Wanwan. He asked Chen Shu, “Sister-in-law, where’s Comrade Lu?”
Fang Anqian’s eyes glowed with jealousy as she stared at the remaining bag in Zhou Yushen’s hand. Her chest felt tight, and she wanted to ask if it was for her.
“Wanwan is upstairs feeding Xiaobao. Are you looking for her?”
“Yes.”
Zhou Yushen didn’t go upstairs. He placed the bag on the table and sat on the nearby sofa, waiting for her to come down.
Fang Anqian swallowed hard and hesitantly said, “Shen-ge, I was too impulsive yesterday. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hit anyone.”
“The one you should apologize to isn’t me—it’s Comrade Lu, who you hit.”
Zhou Yushen didn’t want to argue further with Fang Anqian and got up to pour a glass of water.
When Lu Wanwan came downstairs holding Xiaobao, she met Zhou Yushen at the staircase.
There was a brief awkward silence, and Zhou Yushen spoke first:
“I bought some things for you as well, aside from the gifts for my sister-in-law and Xiaobao.”
He paused, noticing her confused and resistant expression, then added:
“Consider it compensation for yesterday’s trouble.”