Reborn as a Tough Army Wife

"Alright, then it's settled." Zhou Yunmei also felt that with the New Year just days away, it would be difficult to get things done before it. Pushing it to after the New Year would afford them more time, so she nodded in agreement, "Cuilan, just stay at home and behave in the next few days, don't fuss every day. The New Year is approaching, other families are joyfully preparing for it while our family is bickering daily—it doesn't make for good talk among people."

Luo Cuilan, berated left and right by the family, stopped talking, and after standing around in the living room for a while, she went back to her own room.

Fang Pingying ignored her, intending to go back to sleep after finishing the discussion.

However, the reason for today's squabble was the matter of paying back the money, so it still needed to be discussed clearly. Luo Honglan then raised her voice and asked, "Dad, what are we going to do about the money we owe to the neighbor, second aunty?"

Although if they don't give second aunt money from their side, she certainly wouldn't ask for it back, the problem was that she refused to accept Hong Lan's money, insisting on repaying it. If the money is given by Luo Family, it would carry a different meaning, and the second aunt would probably accept it.

In fact, Fang Pingying had also thought about it just now. After things settle down, she would speak with Luo Dashan about the medical expenses, and then let Luo Dashan discretely talk to the uncle's family, telling them not to return the money and to make sure Zhou Yunmei and the others do not find out it was her who provided the money. And just let the matter rest.

"You all don't have to worry about this, your mother and I will handle it," Luo Dashan pondered for a moment, then said to Luo Honglan, "Honglan, don't take out your money either, keep it saved up with your sister-in-law for when you need it for marriage in the future. Mom and Dad don't need your money." Enjoy the story by reading on M|V|LE%MPYR.

Luo Honglan smiled nonchalantly and said, "Dad, if the family really has no money, it's okay for you to use mine. I'm not getting married these next few years anyway. If the money is gone, I can save it up again."

"Silly girl." Luo Dashan looked at his daughter, who was not so eye-catching, feeling a sense of comfort in his heart. During those days at home, it was she who was busy with family matters, and now that she was working outside, she still looked after the entire family, whereas the older daughter...

Luo Dashan sighed and patted Luo Honglan's head, "How come there's such a big difference between you and your sister? You are truly stronger than a son."

Luo Dashan's words made Fang Xiu uncomfortable. She felt he was criticizing Luo Zhiming for not contributing to this situation, but upon reflection, realizing they indeed hadn't put in any effort, she couldn't make a fuss and simply said irritably, "Alright, since everything's been made clear, I'm going back to sleep. This fuss in the middle of the night is utterly annoying."

Seeing Fang Xiu's displeasure, Zhou Yunmei also scolded her, "If you want to sleep, then go. No one's stopping you."

Fang Xiu pursed her lips and took Luo Zhiming back to their room.

Since most of today's matters had been clarified and it was getting late, Fang Pingying said, "Mom and Dad, I'm going to sleep too."

After stepping out of Zhou Yunmei's room, Fang Pingying went to the kitchen to boil water, planning to soak her feet.

Luo Dashan happened to come in to get water for Zhou Yunmei to drink, and Fang Pingying took the chance to mention to him, "Dad, don't worry about the money for second aunty's family. Zhiyong and I have already taken care of it and told second aunty not to repay it. Although she didn't agree, she did say she'll see if the family's situation improves later on."

"You guys paid that money?" Luo Dashan was shocked and immediately asked, "It was several hundred yuan; did you have to borrow it from someone?"

Facing Luo Dashan, Fang Pingying shared her own circumstances, "No worries. Aren't I and Hong Lan now running a shop together? We earn something every month, and I can afford this amount of money. You don't have to worry."

"I did not say it in front of the family because..." Fang Pingying guessed Luo Dashan would understand, so she didn't finish her sentence but continued, "But I really didn't expect it would lead to the trouble earlier."

"I know, if your mom and Cuilan find out you guys aren't short on money, they'll definitely start scheming again," Luo Dashan, realizing the money was provided by Fang Pingying, was relieved and comforted her, "Dad understands what you meant, and just now it wasn't your fault. It's because I've spoiled your mom over these years. She is too fiery and can't bear even a little grievance."

Fang Pingying chuckled, "You and mom have been together for so many years, habits are already formed, and it's impossible to change them overnight."

"Yes." Luo Dashan looked somewhat embarrassed.

Fang Pingying smiled and covered for him, "Okay then, let's settle for that. Don't worry about the money, when Zhiyong comes back, we'll just need to discuss Cuilan's marriage with the Zhang family."

"Alright, we'll discuss it when Zhiyong comes back," said Luo Dashan before he too carried his water and left.

In the following days, the New Year was approaching, and everyone at home was getting busy.

Most of the food for the New Year had to be prepared by ourselves, making buns, steaming bread, frying pastries, and such. These had to be done a few days before New Year because for several days after New Year's Eve, these things couldn't be prepared, according to the old folks' tradition.

After Fang Pingying and Luo Dashan went back to their room that day, Luo Dashan also talked to Zhou Yunmei about the money, saying there was no rush, they could pay it back slowly, which prevented Zhou Yunmei from making a fuss over it.

The next two days, since the money issue was settled, and since Cuilan's arrangement was also temporarily decided, the household was preparing for the New Year, feeling quite cheerful.

On the twenty-ninth of the twelfth lunar month, Zhou Yunmei, together with several of the women in the household, was making buns in the courtyard.

Knowing that Fang Pingying was good at making buns, she said with a smile, "Pingying, everyone in the family says your buns are delicious. You can prepare the filling, and we'll do the wrapping."

"Sure thing." Fang Pingying was happy to get involved, especially with the whole family together, making it lively. She explained with a smile, "The filling is actually simple; chop up dried tofu, radishes, and glass noodles, then add some lard when mixing the filling. The buns will be fragrant when steamed."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yunmei had an epiphany, "So that's why my buns never tasted as good as yours; I didn't add lard."

The family was chatting away when suddenly a shouting voice came from the courtyard entrance, "Yo, Sister Yunmei, are you all making buns?"

Fang Pingying looked up and saw Duan Fenghua and Xu He walking in with smiles on their faces.

Because of the incident in the provincial city, Fang Pingying had no intention of dealing with Xu He anymore. When she saw them come in, she showed no expression and continued chopping and mixing the filling.

"Auntie," Xu He came in and greeted Zhou Yunmei with a smile, then smiled at the others as well.

Zhou Yunmei was very enthusiastic towards Xu He, immediately standing up to get some seats for them while saying with a smile, "Yo, Hehua, you're back from the provincial city? When did you come back?"

"Just yesterday," replied Xu He with a smile.

Zhou Yunmei nodded, then looked Xu He over, saying to Duan Fenghua and the others with a laugh, "Look, a girl who's been to the provincial city is different indeed. Even the way she dresses is better than us country folks."

"What's better?" retaliated Fang Xiu, still remembering how Luo Zhiming fancied Xu He back at the county, feeling displeased.

Fang Xiu's words were obviously aimed at Xu He, but instead of getting angry, Xu He agreed, "That's true. As long as you have money, everything's possible."

Then, all of a sudden, with great interest, she pulled on Fang Xiu's sleeve and asked, "Sister-in-law Xiu'er, have you seen this kind of thing in the city?"

Fang Xiu looked at Xu He unhappily, "What thing?"

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote and send your monthly ticket on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)