Shen Nanchu thought Niu Aihua was quite interesting, just like the system.
System: ...
"Sister-in-law, why do you think they only gathered us military dependents and not anyone else?"
Shen Nanchu's words made Niu Aihua's heart, which she had just managed to settle, leap right back up into her throat.
"That means they have something specific to say to us dependents."
"Oh no!"
Niu Aihua slapped her thigh, sprang to her feet, and hurriedly grabbed her little stool.
"Sister, let's hurry and move to the back."
"This isn't a variety show; being closer to the front isn't better."
Shen Nanchu pressed her lips tightly together to stop herself from laughing out loud.
"Sister-in-law, you're only realizing this now?"
"Well, I just thought if there was something good, the closer you sit, the better!"
Niu Aihua directly picked up Shen Nanchu's stool too and led her to sit right at the very back.
Some of the military wives who didn't know any better hurriedly squeezed forward, as if they had scored some great advantage.
Shen Nanchu and Niu Aihua sat at the very back. Being far from the lights meant naturally there were fewer mosquitoes and bugs around them.
The two of them chatted away happily, fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans.
Not long after,
Political Commissar Liao and a woman with a neat ear-length bob, around forty years old, took their seats on the stage.
This woman was named Hu Ailan, the director of the Dependents' Committee, specifically responsible for managing matters related to the families who had moved to the army base.
Looking at the chattering dependents below, Hu Ailan felt a vein throbbing at her temple.
Political Commissar Liao hadn't even started speaking yet but already felt this task would be difficult to carry out.
In contrast to the worried duo on stage, Shen Nanchu and Niu Aihua down below were having a grand old time.
Of course, except for when some annoying people showed up.
Lin Yining, Yao Chuntao, and two or three other military wives arrived fashionably late.
Lin Yining spotted Shen Nanchu at the back of the crowd in one glance.
It couldn't be helped; Shen Nanchu was simply too dazzling. Even dressed in ordinary clothes and sitting casually among the crowd, she was the focal point.
Lin Yining saw Shen Nanchu, and Shen Nanchu saw Lin Yining.
Their eyes met.
Shen Nanchu flashed a smile at Lin Yining.
It would have been fine if she hadn't smiled. That smile made rage churn in Lin Yining's chest.
[Dislike Value +12]
[Dislike Value +11]
[Dislike Value +10]
...
If it weren't for Shen Nanchu this afternoon, how could she have been threatened with divorce by Zhang Zhengye?
It was only after much difficulty, with Lin Yining making concessions and agreeing to many conditions, that Zhang Zhengye took back his words about divorce.
Attending this dependents' meeting tonight and publicly engaging in self-criticism during it was one of Zhang Zhengye's demands.
Even though Lin Yining had mentally prepared herself, seeing Shen Nanchu still made her defenses crumble a little.
Yao Chuntao had no idea about what happened this afternoon.
She looked left and right; only the spot not far from Shen Nanchu and Niu Aihua seemed good.
Moreover, with the two regiment commanders' wives sitting there, getting closer might allow her to strike up a conversation and build a relationship, right?
The wife of Regimental Commander Pei bought so many things without batting an eye; she must be generous.
What if she could get some advantage?
It'd be a waste not to take advantage if there's one to be had.
The abacus in Yao Chuntao's mind was already clattering away noisily.
"Let's go over there!"
Lin Yining couldn't stop them in time as the group rushed over.
By the time she wanted to find an excuse to change spots, Political Commissar Liao's voice was already coming through the loudspeaker as he tested the microphone.
No choice. Gritting her teeth, Lin Yining sat down in a spot slightly farther away from Shen Nanchu.
Shen Nanchu raised an eyebrow.
This Lin Yining, after just one afternoon, why is she avoiding me?
Shouldn't she be picking a fight head-on?
How spineless.
Shen Nanchu felt a bit mischievous.
"Comrade Lin, can you hear properly from so far away?"
Shen Nanchu's voice made Yao Chuntao react. She yanked Lin Yining over.
"Yining, what are you sitting so far for?"
"There's still room here!"
How could Lin Yining's strength compare to Yao Chuntao's?
She was directly pulled to a spot right in front of Shen Nanchu.
Lin Yining felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.
Her heart held even more resentment towards the meddlesome Shen Nanchu.
[Dislike Value +9]
[Dislike Value +8]
[Dislike Value +7]
Yao Chuntao completely failed to notice Lin Yining's inner discomfort. She directly turned around and started chatting with Shen Nanchu.
"Sister-in-law Niu, is the lady next to you Regimental Commander Pei's wife?"
"Looking up close like this, she's almost blindingly beautiful."
"Just like a movie star on a poster."
It must be said, Yao Chuntao certainly had a sweet mouth.
Niu Aihua was also talkative and could usually chat with Yao Chuntao for a bit.
"Sister Chuntao, you're so right."
"I was stunned the first time I saw Sister Nanchu."
"How can someone look like a fairy?"
"I used to wonder what kind of wife a man like Regimental Commander Pei would have."
Yao Chuntao nodded,
"Exactly!"
"Dragons pair with phoenixes, mice pair with rats who know how to dig holes."
"If I were as pretty as Sister Nanchu here, I'd definitely be able to marry a regimental commander too."
"Yining, don't you think?"
Not content with speaking alone, Yao Chuntao dragged Lin Yining into it.
Lin Yining felt awful.
She glared fiercely at Yao Chuntao and angrily turned her back.
This idiot, if she wants to suck up to Shen Nanchu, she should do it herself. Why drag me into it?
And what does that even mean?
That she, Lin Yining, isn't pretty enough, so she only managed to marry Deputy Regimental Commander Zhang Zhengye?
[Dislike Value +5]
[Dislike Value +4]
[Dislike Value +3]
Shen Nanchu raised an eyebrow.
Yao Chuntao gave an awkward laugh.
Fortunately, at that moment, the meeting finally began.
Political Commissar Liao's speech saved Yao Chuntao from her embarrassment.
"Good evening, all dependents."
"It's rare to find such a good opportunity tonight to gather everyone for a meeting."
"Please quiet down a bit. I'll also keep it brief, so we can try to finish the meeting early."
Political Commissar Liao knew the dependents—impatient and of varying comprehension levels.
They were not soldiers under his command.
So, Political Commissar Liao decided to be concise and to the point, resolving the matter directly so everyone could disperse.
As Political Commissar Liao spoke earnestly on stage, Lin Yining hung her head...
But just then, Political Commissar Liao didn't name who the anonymous informant was,
so the sisters below who knew the truth began whispering and discussing among themselves.
Especially Yao Chuntao and Niu Aihua,
Yao Chuntao: "I say, this kind of military wife who loves to gossip should have her tongue ripped out."
Niu Aihua: "Exactly. This is a case of having no shit to push but keeping the mouth busy."
Yao Chuntao: "She should be dragged out and severely criticized."
Niu Aihua: "A mouth that loves to spew filth should eat more of it."
...
