Deputy Commander Zhang watched Huo Jinyan’s figure disappear into the distance and gritted his teeth in frustration.
Even after apologizing, Huo Jinyan still carried that high-and-mighty air, acting as if he didn’t even notice him.
Hmph, what was there to be proud of?
Zhang Dragon turned his anger toward his wife.
It was all because of his foolish wife that he had lost face today.
After finishing his run, he returned home and scolded Feng Xiulian.
“What were you thinking, saying those things in front of Commander Huo? Don’t you have any sense? Talking about ‘big butt, white butt’ in front of so many soldiers—how could you even say that!”
Feng Xiulian knew she’d spoken out of turn. Looking back, she realized it wasn’t exactly appropriate.
“I—well, I just blurted it out! Who could help it? Commander Huo’s wife is so beautiful, and that butt really is big—it must mean she’ll have lots of kids. I wasn’t wrong, just… the timing was off!”
“Enough. You’ve already been scolded, no more excuses. Just go apologize to his wife later, and don’t say such things again.” Zhang Dragon’s face was red with anger. Yet, despite his scolding, the image of that “big butt” kept flashing in his mind. Thinking that it belonged to Jiang Mengning made his blood boil. But when he glanced at his wife’s dark, unkempt face, his heart sank halfway.
She was also a military wife, but how could she look so… plain? Compared to Jiang Mengning, she looked like a rural peasant. Taking her out would be embarrassing. With a resigned sigh, he muttered:
“Commander Huo’s already angry. You should go apologize to his wife later, and that’s that. Don’t ever say such things again.”
“Got it, got it! I’ll go!”
“Hmph. And don’t run around outside for no reason. Stay home. Look at the other military wives—polite, elegant, and virtuous—and then look at you. A total roughneck.” He shot a disdainful glance at his wife and went off to breakfast.
Feng Xiulian let out a frustrated sound.
“A roughneck? I didn’t become one yesterday or today! Why didn’t you ever complain before? Now you go on and on every day—don’t you get tired of nagging!” She rolled her eyes, fuming at the man. How dare he look down on her! She might just give him a good smack.
Meanwhile, Jiang Mengning returned home, her body reeking. The smell from the toilet was unbearable, clinging to her clothes and hair. She changed into fresh clothes, finally feeling a bit better. She was so fed up, she didn’t even want her clothes anymore.
Niannian ran into her room, concerned.
“Mom, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. The toilet stinks so badly, it made my clothes smell too,” Jiang Mengning said, feeling a little aggrieved and wanting to complain about her living conditions to a child.
Well, that was life in this era—she’d just have to accept it.
Niannian immediately ran outside and brought back the chamber pot.
“Mom, pee in here! You can even poop in it, don’t worry. Niannian will help dump it out,” she said. In other words, Jiang Mengning took care of the “deposit,” and Niannian handled the cleanup.
Jiang Mengning couldn’t help but be melted by this little cutie. How could a child be so sensible? She also found it funny. She wasn’t helpless—she could manage her own bodily functions without using a chamber pot. Even the thought was a little absurd.
“It’s fine, Niannian. I’m just not used to the chamber pot yet. Once I get used to the toilet, it’ll be fine. Take it outside—so dirty!”
“Okay!” Niannian obeyed, taking the chamber pot away.
Jiang Mengning prepared to wash the clothes she had just changed out of.
The original Jiang Mengning never washed her own clothes; everything was done by Huo Jinyan or Huo Haowen. She didn’t even bother with underwear. Jiang Mengning couldn’t possibly let someone else do it for her.
Letting someone else wash your bras and panties—how embarrassing!
Although she had never washed clothes before, simple hand washing was manageable.
Still, it was tedious and tiring, especially for her little arms struggling to carry buckets of water.
Huo Jinyan, standing at the gate, happened to see Jiang Mengning washing clothes. Her movements were clumsy and a little comical.