As soon as Zhao Lingcheng entered the unit, he wanted to head to the restroom but was stopped by Qi Political Commissar.
Qi Political Commissar sighed, “I always thought people here in the Northwest were simpletons, but it turns out some are quite clever. The leadership already knows about Xu Cigang’s deliberate attempt to push someone into the water. The Base even held a special safety meeting about it. Even if Xu Cigang’s only motive was to make some money, stalking special forces soldiers crosses a red line.”
“His sister, his elder brother, and his little brother have all cut ties with him. The Base has already recommended the death penalty. It’s been reported to the Ministry of Public Security for review, and final approval has been given. In any era, there’s no tolerance for killing innocents. Once lives are involved, that’s the line you don’t cross.”
Zhao Lingcheng dodged past the leadership and went into the restroom, honestly saying, “The local common folks here seem to have a special kind of wisdom. From catching Xiaxia to disguising oat grains as husks, even my ex-wife’s intelligence took me by surprise.”
Qi Political Commissar chuckled, “Xu Cigang is just a petty schemer, but Xiao Chen is different. She has great wisdom. Chen Mianmian really is clever, but unfortunately, the benefits of her wisdom only go to her old mother and little brother. That kind of blind loyalty and filial piety gives me an endless headache.”
He patted Zhao Lingcheng again. “The Old General’s judgment doesn’t fail. Don’t get upset. Tomorrow, happily go get your marriage certificate. Xiao Chen still wants to visit her mother’s home, so you might as well stop by the farm to see your Uncle. Also, here’s something I want you to have.”
Zhao Lingcheng understood and nodded, “I will.”
In the vast Great Northwest, along the Hexi Corridor, besides the Nuclear Base and Aerospace City, there was a huge military industrial production line.
They could rely on the Iron Railway to complete efficient production assembly and aerospace strikes.
Though the factories were scattered like stars, united they were a fist; thanks to geographical advantages, even if one factory was destroyed, the others could quickly assemble and survive by sacrificing a part.
This was the country’s most crucial defense line in the nuclear-free era, standing against America’s nuclear annihilation strikes.
Because it required highly educated talents, the Base was initially devoid of locals.
Also, to prevent coastal enemies and spies from contacting the other side, they sent all locals to the Great Northwest.
Back then, Chen Mianmian’s drowning incident and questionable motives for marriage caused concern, but Zhao Lingcheng had his own considerations.
A local girl with two red highland moles, skilled in earthwork and shooting, with true revolutionary spirit, could keep him undefeated during endless political screenings and rationalize his frequent trips in and out of the Base.
The leaders were happy to facilitate the marriage.
Just like Qi Political Commissar, who had old friends working on farm reforms, Zhao Lingcheng could accompany his wife to visit her mother’s home and also drop by many old acquaintances.
Indeed, upon hearing Zhao Lingcheng planned to go out, Qi Political Commissar entrusted him to bring some things to the old leadership.
Without needing to say, Zhao Lingcheng readily agreed.
After washing his hands, he remembered something: “Doesn’t logistics have some English translations we need to do? Is it urgent?”
They not only had to handle weapons but had many side tasks, like an octopus.
But Qi Political Commissar snapped his fingers, “Your Xiao Chen is a Red Expert Top Student, no need for you. She’ll do the translations.”
Zhao Lingcheng stopped in place, “Are you sure she’s a top student?”
Qi Political Commissar pointed, “I always thought Northwest folks were all big country bumpkins, simpletons like you too. But Comrade Lingcheng, failure never comes from weakness, only arrogance. Whether her translations work or not, you’ll see for yourself.”
Zhao Lingcheng deeply realized that he had been set up by Xu Cigang precisely because he was too arrogant.
He truly didn’t expect the locals to be that smart, even cunning.
But scientifically, he didn’t believe Chen Mianmian could translate imported pesticides—they were extremely difficult.
It was just as well that tomorrow morning he would first check what she was really doing and then put a stop to her reckless actions!
Only knowing two English letters and attempting translation could lead to big trouble.
At the same time, Jiang De came with a sulky, tearful Xiao Shuai Shuai, carrying a bunch of packages to see Chen Mianmian.
In this era of rebuilding, a domestic pesticide factory was working overtime on research and development.
But before the products were ready, the expensive and rare imported pesticides were extremely precious, and spraying them wrongly could cause heavy losses.
For three days straight, Jiang De watched the vegetable seedlings wilt and then recover, so he came to seek Chen Mianmian’s help.
She readily took the bottle and made several check marks on it, then said, “I’ll make a summary for you in the notebook. When you use it, just compare the bottle with the notes, it’ll be easier to remember. Come pick it up first thing tomorrow.”
Looking at the translation on the bottle, Jiang De exclaimed, “No wonder she’s a Red Expert Top Student. Xiao Chen, your translation is way better than those expert professors!”
Xiao Shuai Shuai curled his lips, “No way! My cousin’s definitely better than her.”
His cousin was Zhao Lingcheng. Jiang De said seriously, “No, Shuai Shuai, your sister-in-law is better at translations.”
Seeing Shuai Shuai’s disdainful face, Chen Mianmian asked, “Is his mom still being investigated?”
Jiang De, who once disliked Chen Mianmian, had now changed his mind.
He agreed with the Old General Yan that she was the best translator.
He said, “My sister deserves it. That Jiang Director—she doesn’t even know her, didn’t check her background, and foolishly believed her letters. According to policy, she should be sent to labor reform.”
Shuai Shuai was already four years old and knew well that if his mother was sent away, he would be left motherless. He pouted and cried.
Chen Mianmian said, “Why don’t you talk to the leadership? Labor reform, why not make her work on the Base’s own farm?”
She raised her hand, pretending to cut hair: “Otherwise, if her mom isn’t around, I might just… snip!”
She was good at cutting Little Niu Niu’s hair.
Shuai Shuai heard that and cried out, running away.
Chen Mianmian didn’t have much enmity with Jiang Xia, and since her steamed buns were tasty, if she really left, the southern cooks wouldn’t be able to make buns, wasting the white flour.
So she wanted to keep Jiang Xia around.
Jiang De was stunned, then brightened up.
After all, Jiang Xia’s husband had died. If she were sent away, returning would require all sorts of reviews, but working on the Base’s farm would be much easier.
He took Chen Mianmian’s hands, “Sister-in-law, thank you!”
He added, “That’s a great idea. I’ll talk to the leadership right away.”
Chen Mianmian dodged his hand, “No need to thank me. Just keep Shuai Shuai in line, don’t let him keep hitting the girls.”
Jiang De said, “How could I not thank you? Come get the notebook tomorrow, I’ll officially thank you on behalf of the farm.
Boys are naturally rowdier; I apologize to Miao Miao on behalf of Shuai Shuai.”
For Chen Mianmian, translating wasn’t really difficult—copy the original English, make some checkmarks, and that was it.
She smiled, “How about this: if Miao Miao hits Shuai Shuai, just apologize, okay?”
Jiang De laughed, “Miao Miao hitting Shuai Shuai? Impossible! No little girl hits people.”
Chen Mianmian said, “They do. Just wait and see.”
That night, her main task was to sew a large pillow and stuff it full of oat grains.
Tomorrow they would return to Quancheng, and she couldn’t be rude—she wanted to bring gifts for acquaintances.
She also thought about what to bring for Xu Cigang, whose associates were mostly men. What could she give?
Suddenly, she remembered Zhao Lingcheng had cigarettes given by others, but he didn’t smoke.
Coincidentally, Chen Jinhui, despite his many flaws, also didn’t smoke, so there was plenty of cigarettes at home but not much else.
Opening the cabinet, she found half a cabinet full of cigarettes.
She picked a brand called Red Peony.
One pack sold for five mao, making it a top-tier cigarette nowadays.
She broke open a whole carton and stuffed it into her green school bag.
Early the next morning, Xue Fang brought Miao Miao to knock on the door, “Is it ready?”
Sun Bingyu peeked from next door, holding chopsticks, “Is the Sweet Fermented Grain ready? Let me taste it!”
Like potato noodles, oats were a regional specialty, but the families didn’t know how to cook them.
But with food scarce, everyone craved any new delicacy, salivating at just the mention.
Chen Mianmian inspected the jar, judging by experience, “It won’t ferment fully until tonight.”
Seeing the oat grains in the jar fully fermented to a milky white with juice, Sun Bingyu and Xue Fang swallowed hard, “This looks delicious.”
Just then, Jiang De appeared again with Shuai Shuai.
Sun Bingyu screamed, “Little Oilseed Rape?”
Xue Fang gasped, “This must be grown in our Base, looks fresh and sweet.”
In fact, it was just two handfuls of three-inch-long little oilseed rape seedlings, skinny and pitiful.
Jiang De said, “These were deliberately left pesticide-free. The Logistics Section gave this as a reward for Sister-in-law Chen’s outstanding contribution. The whole farm’s soldiers thank you!”
That was a formal thank you. He stepped back two paces, saluted, and bowed deeply.
Shuai Shuai curled his lips and cried, but Miao Miao’s eyes lit up, “Wow!”
It was the first time a little girl had seen a soldier salute and bow to ordinary people, especially females. She was amazed, thinking it unbelievable.
But more incredible was that Aunt Chen accepted it calmly, her face radiating confident smiles.
Once just someone who only knew how to catch Xiaxia, Aunt Chen now seemed to glow.
Sun Bingyu and Xue Fang sighed again, “I heard Xiao Chen’s English skills earned her merit?”
Jiang De had to praise again, “She’s the best English translator I’ve seen.”
Sun Bingyu and Xue Fang were a bit skeptical but lacking the facts, they could only smile awkwardly.
A handful of little oilseed rape was worth its weight in gold; it seemed Chen Mianmian really did know some English.
Chen Mianmian took out the latest notebook and handed it to Jiang De, about to say something, when a hoarse voice interrupted, “Let me see that.”
Jiang De looked back, “Lingcheng, you worked late? You don’t look too good.”
Actually, he looked fine—clean and smelling fresh.
On the fifth floor, Zeng Yunrui staggered in, reeking of smoke, unkempt, with crusty eyes, leaning on the stairs as he went upstairs.
Zhao Lingcheng took the translation notebook and told Jiang De, “No rush, I’ll give it to you in a couple of days.”
Jiang De smiled, “Sister-in-law did a good job, but the Chief Engineer still has to steer the ship. We’re not in a hurry; a few days is fine.”
Shuai Shuai was the same generation as Zhao Lingcheng. Seeing the Changfu in his hand, he guessed, “Cousin, are you going into town? Want to take Aunt Xia Xia with you?”
Zhao Lingcheng ignored the brat and entered.
Xue Fang and Sun Bingyu understood and said in unison, “You’re going to get your marriage certificate? Congratulations!”
They were ready to leave, but Chen Mianmian called out, “Miao Miao, wait.”
She wrapped a jar of Sweet Fermented Grain in a towel and placed it solemnly in Miao Miao’s arms, saying, “Around eight tonight, you can bring this to Aunties to taste. Now you’re the Sweet Fermented Grain Guardian. If anyone dares to hit you…”
It’s not that little girls are naturally timid, but people habitually don’t support them.
With someone backing her, Miao Miao became confident, “Shuai Shuai, if you dare hit me, I’ll hit you back!”
Shuai Shuai was peeking outside the unit door.
Although he didn’t believe Miao Miao would hit him, he was frightened by her fierce spirit and ran away.
Zhan Zhan also showed his head from inside, “Aunt Xia Xia, I’m not hitting Miao Miao anymore!”
Chen Mianmian ignored him and just entered, seeing Zhao Lingcheng change into a brand-new military uniform and come to the living room.
She smiled, “Did you have breakfast? There’s milk powder and buns at home. Shall I make you some milk powder?”
The buns were from yesterday, but here in the Northwest, buns could last three to five days without spoiling, just drying out.
Soaking them in milk powder gave them a unique, delicious flavor.
Zhao Lingcheng shook his head and said, “You’re different from your mother. You seem to know how to raise girls well.”
He added, “If you have a daughter, raise her like that little girl. That’s good.”
The original Miao Miao had been a shadowy little person—timid and scared, hiding from people.
But thanks to Chen Mianmian, in just a few days, her eyes shone and her chest puffed out. When she shouted she’d fight, her tone was fierce.
Factually speaking, that was Chen Mianmian’s teaching and her strength, which Zhao Lingcheng would also acknowledge.
But Chen Mianmian felt it was wrong.
“So you think if I have a boy, I won’t educate him?”
Zhao Lingcheng sorted through files and countered, “Then he’d just be another Chen Jinhui.”
That guy was like a powder keg, always insulting others.
Chen Mianmian naturally refused to accept it.
“Zhao Chief Engineer is a parasite in my belly, he knows me better than I do?”
Zhao Lingcheng looked sincere, “Your mother sold three daughters, your sister sold one. Otherwise…”
Otherwise, because of her attitude toward Miao Miao, he was really worried she’d secretly sell a daughter too.
Because her eldest sister, Chen Huan Di, wasn’t poor and could afford to raise children, but apparently the daughter was sold right after birth.
Zhao Lingcheng couldn’t understand why, as a woman, they hated girls so much.
He went into the small bedroom, took two small mats from the crib, and picked up the big black pillow from the floor.
His voice hoarse, he said, “Thanks a lot for the oat grains!”
The pillow was stuffed with oat grains, at least twenty jin—enough for a grown man to eat for a month.