Reborn as a Tough Army Wife

Before Li Aihua could finish speaking, Li Yuchun immediately took her hand, gratefully saying, "Pingying's mother, this house is really nice, much better than I expected. Even the house we had in the countryside wasn't as nice as this."

"That's right, the house is very good." Fang Ping'an also looked around the house, extremely pleased, and nodded with a smile, "And it's big enough for our family to live in. We'll settle down here from now on, and as for the rent..."

Li Aihua glanced at Fang Pingying and immediately stopped Fang Ping'an mid-sentence, "Brother Fang, if you consider us family, let's not talk about rent from now on. The house would be empty anyway, and I wouldn't feel at ease renting it to someone else. With you living here, it's like you're taking care of the place for me, at least it's not going to waste."

Then..." Fang Ping'an, thinking about the rent as Fang Pingying had said, waiting until they were fully settled here to consider it, said, "Okay, okay, let's not talk about it anymore, we will live here from now on."

After agreeing on these matters, Li Yuchun urged Fang Pingying and Li Aihua to go back home, since there were still three little ones at home to worry about, fearing Sister-in-law Zhou couldn't handle them alone. She wanted Fang Xiu to help them clean up a bit here.

But Fang Pingying, thinking Fang Xiu had just given birth yesterday and shouldn't overexert herself, suggested Fang Xiu and Li Aihua go back to look after the children first, and she would help Li Yuchun and Fang Ping'an clean the house.

While Fang Ping'an went out to buy a broom and some other things, Li Aihua, along with Fang Xiu and Li Yuchun, greeted many of the neighbors in the hallway, saying that they were her parents' old neighbors and they had a good relationship.

Exchanging greetings would also improve neighborhood relations from now on. In a complex like this, neighbors tend to be very close to each other.

The house had been empty for almost ten years and was quite difficult to clean, with a thick layer of dust accumulated.

The three of them were busy from morning till afternoon before finally getting the house clean.

Because Fang Pingying had also just come out of her confinement not long ago, Li Yuchun wouldn't let her touch water or anything, just helping to dust.

All the furniture in the house was still pretty sturdy and usable. Besides needing to buy some essential living supplies after moving in, there was no need to purchase other furniture.

However, even if it meant spending some money, Li Yuchun and Fang Ping'an were extremely happy. With this house, their family finally had a place to settle down in the city.

And since the house belonged to Li Aihua's family, it gave them an additional sense of security. They wouldn't have to live like tenants, constantly worrying about when to move again.

Furthermore, no matter what, Li Aihua wouldn't press them for the rent. When they were short on cash, they wouldn't have to worry about finding a place to stay.

Fang Ping'an looked at Fang Pingying and nodded silently, thankful that he had adopted this girl. Otherwise, he couldn't even dream of having the chance to live in the city.

No matter the past, from now on, Fang Pingying would be his own daughter. He would treat her the same way he treats Fang Xiu.

Fang Ping'an said with a smile to Fang Pingying, "I heard this place isn't far from your shop, is that right?"

Fang Pingying nodded and estimated, "Hmm, it's just over two miles away. Once you move over, I'll take you there a few times. After that, you and mom can come by my place more often when you're free."

Fang Ping'an quickly nodded with a smile, "Okay, when Fang Xiu is out working, have your mom stop by more often. Your two kids need someone to watch over them, so let your mom help keep an eye on them."

Fang Pingying, worried that Li Yuchun would also have a hard time going back and forth, said with a smile, "No need, when I go back, I'll bring Sister-in-law Zhou with me. She can look after the kids."

Li Yuchun cast a reproachful glance at Fang Pingying and said quietly, "What nanny? A nanny is still an outsider after all, and I'm never completely at ease. Let me do it. I'll be free every day anyway. I'll go and help Zhou Sao watch over the little ones, so you can be at peace running your shop."

"It is, indeed, our responsibility to take care of our own grandchildren," said Fang Ping'an with a smile.

Fang Pingying knew what they were thinking, probably because they had seen a lot since they came to the city, and their minds had completely turned around.

As long as they were good, Fang Pingying was always willing to treat them like her own parents, so she agreed, "Alright, once everything is settled, mom, if you're free, you can come and help me with the kids too."

She thought about it, looked around the room – although furniture and the like were available, daily life still required the purchase of many items. Fang Pingyong's wife took out US$ 200 from her pocket and handed it to Li Yuchun, "Oh right, mom, setting up home in the city must cost money. Take this for buying necessary items, don't hesitate to spend."

"Ah, Pingying, don't give us money. We still have money, and we haven't spent what you gave us for New Year's," Li Yuchun genuinely refused Fang Pingying's money for the first time and even considered Fang Pingying's difficulties, "Your dad and I know, Zhiyong's job in the military might sound good, but I'm afraid his monthly salary isn't that high. Every month he still has to give a considerable amount to his parents, and whenever there's a problem in their household, they always turn to you two. You and your husband's life is also not easy, so stop spending money liberally."

Fang Ping'an also told her to take the money back, "Yes, we are not old yet, we can still earn money. When we are too old to move and truly need your support, then we can't help it."

"Mom and Dad, I can earn some money with my shop every month. Take this money," said Fang Pingying as she stuffed the money into Li Yuchun's pocket, "In the future, when you help Fang Xiu raise this child, you will surely need to spend money."

Seeing Fang Pingying insisted, Fang Ping'an and the others couldn't refuse and eventually accepted the money.

The group got the room tidied up, opened the windows to air it, figuring it would take about two days before they could move in.

They locked the door and returned to Li Aihua's home.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered the courtyard of Li Aihua's house, they heard a commotion coming from inside – it was unmistakably Zhou Yunmei's voice.

Upon hearing clearly, Li Yuchun's face turned sour, and she cursed, "That Zhou Yunmei is such a thorn in the side. It's one thing to make trouble at home, but now even at Pingying's mother's place, she can't be peaceful. Who knows what she's fussing about now."

Fang Pingying also darkened her expression and quickly rushed into the house.

Inside, Zhou Yunmei was holding Ruirui in the center of the room, loudly berating Li Aihua and the others, "You all are no good, not treating my grandson like a human being."

Li Aihua's face was extremely ugly with anger at this point, "What are you saying? Ruirui is your grandson, isn't he also my grandchild? How am I not treating him like a human?"

Zhou Yunmei pointed to a nearly invisible red mark on the face of Ruirui in her arms, shouting exaggeratedly, "Look at the fingernail marks on my grandson's face, one after the other. When I arrived, he was sitting in the crib crying by himself. You were all busy with the other two kids and didn't pay any attention to my Ruirui."

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)