This was the first time in years since Chen Shu married into the Zhou family that she heard her brother-in-law ask about a female comrade. She couldn’t help teasing him.
“Are you interested in Comrade Lu? This is the first time I’ve heard you ask about a woman.”
Zhou Yushen’s originally calm expression turned serious, and he reminded her in a stern tone:
“Sister-in-law, you may not be aware that anyone who comes to work in our home must undergo investigation to ensure there are no issues. Even Aunt Zhang was vetted before she came.”
He wasn’t exaggerating—he had personally reviewed Aunt Zhang’s records back then.
When Chen Shu married into the family, Aunt Zhang was already working there, so she had never considered this aspect. She immediately straightened up nervously.
“I’m sorry, Yushen. I didn’t think it through. I already asked her to come tomorrow. Should I…?”
“I’ve done a preliminary check today. A deeper investigation will take more time.”
After saying that, Zhou Yushen turned and went upstairs, leaving Chen Shu sitting in the living room, unsure whether she should still let Lu Wanwan come to work and nurse the baby the next day.
Seeing her brother-in-law’s decisive departure, she didn’t dare call him back to ask further.
That night, as Lu Wanwan coaxed Tuantuan and Yuanyuan to sleep, they lay in her arms, too excited to fall asleep.
“Mommy, uncle is nice! He fixed the stool and carried Yuanyuan.”
“Uncle made Grandma Liu and Xiaoshun apologize. He’s a hero! When Tuantuan grows up, I want to be a hero too!”
“Yuanyuan likes uncle…”
The two of them kept praising Zhou Yushen, eagerly hoping he would visit again.
Lu Wanwan, however, was thinking about something else. Gently patting them, she instructed:
“Tomorrow, Mommy will take you to live in a big courtyard. You must behave and listen there. That’s not our home. Mommy has to earn money by feeding a little brother. From now on, you should eat more meals and drink less milk.”
Tuantuan nodded vigorously. “Mommy, Tuantuan can just eat rice and not drink milk. I’ll save it for the little brother and Yuanyuan!”
“Yuanyuan won’t drink milk either. Save it for the little brother.”
Both children were excited about tomorrow, eager to meet the baby.
Lu Wanwan patiently soothed them to sleep. She knew the Zhou family had strict rules and wasn’t an ordinary household. She only hoped she could work there long enough to earn enough money to treat Yuanyuan’s illness.
The next day, Chen Shu—who had been kept up all night by her son—walked unsteadily.
When she went downstairs and saw her brother-in-law reading the newspaper on the sofa, yesterday’s hesitation had already disappeared. She walked over and asked:
“Yushen, can you help your sister-in-law with something?”
“The person I originally hired suddenly couldn’t come, so Aunt Zhang introduced Comrade Lu. For the sake of your nephew getting enough to eat, let her come for now. If anything turns up in the investigation, I’ll dismiss her immediately.”
Zhou Yushen held his car keys, raising his sharp brows slightly as if still considering.
Chen Shu was about to give up when she suddenly saw him nod. Overjoyed, she blurted out:
“Then could I trouble you to pick Comrade Lu up? She… she has two very young children.”
Halfway through, she remembered that her brother-in-law wasn’t someone she could casually order around. Her voice weakened, already preparing for rejection.
Zhou Yushen narrowed his long phoenix eyes and clicked his tongue, replying lazily:
“For the sake of the hungry little one, I’ll make the trip.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Yushen.”
Chen Shu watched him leave, thinking that this uncle truly cared for the baby.
When Zhou Yushen arrived at the courtyard, Lu Wanwan had already packed her things. She hadn’t expected him to personally come pick them up, so she hurriedly grabbed her bundle and called Tuantuan and Yuanyuan to leave.
Having suffered a loss the previous day, Grandma Liu saw him again and immediately ran home to complain to her son, who had just returned. He had insisted that a regiment commander wouldn’t come to such a place.
“Son, that man from yesterday is here again, mixing with that new widow…”
Liu Dayong rushed out immediately. As soon as he got home, his son had complained about being bullied, and his mother had cried, saying she had been forced to kneel and apologize.
In the courtyard, Liu Dayong saw the two figures walking toward the gate and recognized the newly arrived widow. At first glance, she looked delicate and not like someone used to hardship.
He shouted, “You shameless pair—how dare you—Regiment Commander Zhou?!”
Seeing the man turn around and look at him coldly, Liu Dayong’s legs went weak. Just as he was about to explain, his mother and son rushed over and started shouting accusations.
“Son, it’s this man who forced me to kneel yesterday! Arrest him! Execute him! He even pretended to be a regiment commander—he fooled me with that uniform!”
“Dad, I want Tuantuan and Yuanyuan to apologize! I’ll beat them until they beg for mercy!”
Liu Dayong broke out in cold sweat. “Mom, this really is Commander Zhou—he’s held meetings for us!”
After reminding his mother, he dragged his son forward and stammered an apology:
“I’m sorry, Commander Zhou. My son was disobedient. I’ll make him apologize.”
Xiaoshun, unaware of the change in situation, pointed at Tuantuan and Yuanyuan arrogantly:
“My dad is back! You little bastards—kneel now! I’m going to ride on you—”
Smack! Liu Dayong’s large hand landed hard on his son, followed by a flurry of blows. Xiaoshun burst into tears.
“No crying! Who taught you to talk like that? Apologize right now!”
“Grandma…”
The boy turned to look for his grandmother, but she had already disappeared.
Lu Wanwan saw clearly—Grandma Liu had run back inside and was peeking from behind the window, too scared to come out. She knew she had caused trouble for her son.
A regiment commander—one word from him could end her son’s career.
In front of the onlookers, Zhou Yushen questioned Liu Dayong:
“As a soldier of the people, do you have the privilege to let your family bully others? If you can’t even manage your own family, how can you lead your troops?”
Liu Dayong pleaded, “Commander, I know I was wrong.”
“Suspended from your current post. Handle your family matters, then submit a written self-criticism.”
After delivering the punishment, Zhou Yushen left with Lu Wanwan and the children. Behind them came Xiaoshun’s cries.
Tuantuan looked back, saw Xiaoshun being beaten, and happily trotted after Zhou Yushen. Carefully tugging his sleeve, he looked up and smiled.
“Uncle, when I grow up, I want to be a soldier too.”