CHAPTER 381: CHAPTER 374: GAO HONGMEI’S SOLDIER HUSBAND

I really shouldn’t talk behind people’s backs. Just as Sisi, Zhong Meiying, and Zhong Juying were talking about Gao Hongmei, they heard Qinghua from their family shouting in the yard: "Brother, that wooden husband of Gao Hongmei is here again. Let’s go and tease him."

"Gao Hongmei is here? I just can’t stop talking about it!" Zhong Meiying’s eyes brightened.

"Let’s go, let’s go watch the fun. Sisi, you don’t know, that black blockhead is really not sharp. Every time he gets teased to death by the kids in our village, it’s hilarious."

Zhong Meiying, dragging Sisi and Zhong Juying with her, went to watch the excitement. Sisi, having nothing better to do, followed along, mainly also curious to see the ’black blockhead’ Zhong Meiying was talking about.

At this moment, Gao Hongmei and her husband Xuan Mu were walking towards Tian Family’s field, carrying a bag of snacks and two bottles of wine by the Kuyan River. Gao Hongmei wore a triumphant expression, having dressed Xuan Mu in a brand new green military uniform and cap, giving him a very ceremonious look.

However, Xuan Mu, being short, sturdy, and dark, the military uniform that should have looked heroic just seemed awkward on him, genuinely unflattering.

Gao Hongmei didn’t see it that way. In her eyes, there was no attire more handsome than the green military uniform. If it weren’t for her husband’s uniform being ill-fitting on her, she’d wear it too!

"Woodhead, visiting your mother-in-law’s house, huh?"

A boy on the riverside made a joke; upon closer look, Sisi realized it was Zhong Wanhua’s younger brother, Zhong Xiaogou. Zhong Xiaogou had grown up still lean and dark, but vibrant and slippery.

Xuan Mu hummed affirmatively, carrying his neck high, a stature not unlike Gao Hongmei’s. It really proved the saying, a family doesn’t enter the door without resembling one another!

Gao Hongmei also saw Sisi and the others. Seeing Sisi’s beautiful face and fashionable clothes made her feel sour, but then she recalled her mama’s words: what’s the use of a woman being well-read? Isn’t she still going to marry someone? In Yuequan Village, you, Red Plum, have married the best among girls your age, none can compare.

Thinking of this, Gao Hongmei felt better, thinking, what use is there being beautiful? My husband is a soldier in the army!

If Sisi could hear Gao Hongmei’s thoughts, she would ask her, "Girl, your man is just the lowest rank of non-commissioned officer, where does all this self-pride come from?"

"Tian Sisi, how come you’re back? Did you get kicked out because you weren’t doing well?" Gao Hongmei never had anything nice to say.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I took leave to come back to see my parents. Gao Hongmei, I see you’ve been gaining weight, haven’t you? Look at your skirt, barely holding on."

Sisi looked disdainful, even pointing specifically at a tightly stretched area on Gao Hongmei’s lower back, making Zhong Meiying and Zhong Juying laugh non-stop.

Gao Hongmei glared, about to retort but then overheard a commotion coming from behind.

"Xuan Mutou, how about we make a bet?" Zhong Xiaogou and a few other village boys asked Xuan Mu.

"No betting, I don’t have money," Xuan Mu was quite straightforward.

"Hahaha, we don’t need your money; we’ll provide. You in?" This time it was Tian Donghua who was speaking.

"What’s the bet?" Xuan Mu sounded tempted.

"Betting for a Xin’anjiang cigarette. If you lose, you don’t pay. If we lose, it’s a Xin’anjiang for you. You in?" Tian Donghua tempted him.

Xuan Mu’s eyes lit up; Xin’anjiang was great. Ever since he got married, he hadn’t smoked a Xin’anjiang.

"How will we bet?"

"It’s simple, see that pile of cow dung there? If you can eat it all, I’ll give you a Xin’anjiang. If you only eat half, you get half a stick. How about that?"

Tian Donghua giggled, pointing at a heap of dark fresh cow dung on the riverbank, having seen Gao Hongmei run off to gossips with Sister earlier. He thought it was about time to teach this silly blockhead a lesson, to get back at Sister.

"Yeah, Xuan Mutou, do you dare to eat it? A whole Xin’anjiang River fish!" Everyone else was egging him on, laughing and watching the excitement.

Xuan Mu hesitated slightly, having never eaten cow dung before and unsure about its taste. Seeing his hesitation, Tian Donghua raised the stakes.

"Two Xin’anjiang River fishes, Xuan Mutou. If you’re not going to bet, then forget it. I’ll save two fishes then!" Tian Donghua feigned getting ready to go home, and sure enough, Xuan Mu took the bait.

"I’ll bet, I’ll bet. You said it, two Xin’anjiang River fishes. You better not welch on the deal."

"Don’t worry, Xuan Mutou. The Donghua family’s so rich, not just two, even ten Xin’anjiang River fishes they can easily afford. Go ahead and bet with peace of mind."

"No betting for Xuan Mu!"

Gao Hongmei rushed over in a fury. Although not the smartest, she knew that if Xuan Mu really placed a bet with Tian Donghua, she would lose all face in the village.

Hearing his wife scolding, Xuan Mu hesitated again. Zhong Xiaogou mocked, "Xuan Mutou, you really are a coward, as scared as a rabbit whenever your woman speaks."

"Yeah, seriously. Such a coward, scared of your woman. And you’re even a soldier!"

"Exactly, if it were my future wife disrespecting me like that, I’d punch her."

The noisy chatter from everyone made Xuan Mu agitated. Thinking about Gao Hongmei’s bossiness at home, he suddenly straightened his back and shouted at her, "What are you yelling for? This is men’s business, what does a woman like you have to do with it?"

"Right, Xuan Mutou! That’s how a real man should be!"

Feeling proud, Xuan Mu walked determinedly towards the cow dung, aiming for the two Xin’anjiang fishes. He’s on his way!

Gao Hongmei rushed up to pull him back, but by then, Xuan Mu’s heart was set on the two Xin’anjiang fishes, barely noticing her. With a swing of his arm, he shoved her aside.

Gao Hongmei burst into tears, wiping her eyes as she ran back to fetch her Daddy and Mama.

By the time Gao Yuzhu and Tian Chunfang arrived, panting heavily, Comrade Xuan Mu had already polished off the pile of dung, with corners of his mouth still smeared with the black muck, demanding the Xin’anjiang fishes from Tian Donghua.

"I won. Hand over the two Xin’anjiang fishes."

Everyone was dumbfounded, no one having expected this blockhead to actually go through with eating cow dung!

Tian Donghua, managing his revulsion, stepped back a few steps, and gave him a thumbs-up, "You’re the man!"

"Wait here. Qinghua, run home quick and bring the two Xin’anjiang fishes."

Qinghua dashed back home. Sister had bought quite a few Xin’anjiang fishes this time, so no worries about running out.

Soon, Qinghua came back holding two Xin’anjiang fishes, handing them to Xuan Mu. Xuan Mu immediately grinned proudly, revealing a mouthful of black-stained teeth.

The whole crowd: Ew...

Sisi still felt nauseous during dinner, glancing at her two brothers who were eating joyously across the table, she slapped them lightly, annoyed. "You two are really pesky devils, who could’ve thought of such a mean trick?"

But, thinking about the complicated expressions of Gao Yuzhu’s family of three on the river beach, she felt extremely delighted inside.

Should she give her brothers a little extra spending money when they leave? To make up for the pain of getting spanked by Daddy this afternoon?