NOVPUB
Chapter 754: Chapter 744 Do you understand now?
In the afternoon, Shen Yunfang and Zhang Chunwang went to receive the machinery together; accompanying the machinery was an engineer who spoke fluent English. This was Shen Yunfang’s request because there was no experience with such assembly lines here, and a professional was needed to guide the installation.
Of course, with a foreign engineer coming over, as hosts, we had to show hospitality. Originally, Shen Yunfang had booked a hotel in the city for John, but he said he liked the environment here and didn’t want to go to the city; he wished to stay at the farm.
Shen Yunfang frowned. Although she considered the place quite nice, the living conditions were still a far cry from a real star-rated hotel—a fact that couldn’t be denied.
But a guest’s request couldn’t be ignored, so she had no choice but to consult with Zhang Chunwang to see if they could arrange better accommodations for the foreign friend.
"That’s easy; isn’t our three-story suite still available? We can just open one up, tidy it up for John to stay in. For bedding and such, I’ll ask the officers’ wives to prepare it; sister-in-law, you don’t need to worry."
Ah, Zhang Chunwang made it sound so simple. Could she not worry? She was the only one at the farm who could communicate with John. Now it was fine, but what about when she got off work and went home? What if John needed something or wanted to communicate something, wouldn’t these people be completely clueless, like ducks listening to thunder? She had no idea how many jokes this would lead to.
But given the current situation, that was the only option.
She lived in a military compound, and it was not possible to casually bring a foreigner in; as a woman, she couldn’t stay out all night, or her husband, Li Hongjun, would be panicked. So, she could only temporarily leave John in Zhang Chunwang’s care, hoping that John would go to sleep after dinner and wait until the next day to address any needs with her after work.
After leaving John to be looked after by Zhang Chunwang, Shen Yunfang left for home after work without any burdens.
But at home, things were not peaceful. At dinner, Sun Chengbin brought Li Xianghe with him to join.
"Sister-in-law, Xianghe is young and might have done something wrong before; please don’t hold it against her. I’ve come here to apologize on her behalf. If she acts foolishly again, just tell me, and I’ll talk to her," Sun Chengbin said sincerely, but of course, he wouldn’t say anything about disciplining his younger sister in front of her brother.
Li Xianghe clearly had been lectured by Sun Chengbin at home; after coming over, she even went to the kitchen to help with chores, and at the dining table, she ate quietly, without causing any trouble.
Shen Yunfang listened to Sun Chengbin’s words, her mouth twitching, as if she, the older sister-in-law, was younger than the little sister-in-law.
Seeing his second sister-in-law just smiling and not speaking, Sun Chengbin could only turn to look at Li Hongjun.
"Second brother, you watched Xianghe grow up; you should know she doesn’t have a bad heart. It’s just that she’s been a little spoiled by our parents. But now that she’s following the army, she won’t be like that anymore." This was like a promise to his brother-in-law.
Li Hongjun glanced at Li Xianghe, who was looking down, and then at Sun Chengbin, who wore a sincerely apologetic expression, lowered his eyelids, and asked, "This time Niuniu has come, have you thought about taking some time to take her to the hospital for a checkup? Though it’s certainly not as prosperous as the Capital, the medical standard here is much better than back in our hometown." He didn’t directly speak of forgiveness but shifted the conversation to the child instead.
Sun Chengbin’s expression froze for a moment. "I’ve thought about that, but I haven’t been here long. I’m planning to ask around before taking the child there." Medical care costs money, and although he had been a battalion commander for several years, most of his salary during these years had been sent home. What he had left each month meant he had hardly saved much money. After moving here and settling in, his pockets were emptier than his face was clean.
Shen Yunfang looked at her brother-in-law, seeing the reluctance in his eyes, and sighed inwardly. Niuniu was a pitiful child; even her own parents were reluctant to spend money on her medical care, not to mention other things.
"As long as you are aware, the child is the future of our country and the foundation of our little home. Only if the child is well can we parents have something to strive for, right? You’re both not young anymore, and Chengbin, you’re a battalion commander; you should understand that without any mishaps, Niuniu will be your only child in this life. Only if Niuniu is well will you and your wife have good days ahead. You need to understand that," Shen Yunfang still couldn’t help but utter a few words of advice.
At their age, by the time the two-child policy was finally relaxed, they’d be in their seventies or eighties, too old to think about giving birth. That’s why Niuniu would be the only child they’d ever have in their lives.
Sun Chengbin’s face turned a shade darker, but he couldn’t refute his sister-in-law’s words. He knew very well that as long as he wanted to stay in the military, he couldn’t possibly have another child.
"Sister-in-law, what’s the use of saying all that? When we were back in our hometown, I told you I needed to borrow money for Niuniu’s medical treatment. Didn’t you say you wouldn’t lend it? Why say all these insincere things now?" Li Xianghe saw her husband being rendered speechless and instantly lost her temper, starting to shout without restraint.
"You have the nerve to say that? You’re the mother, fit and healthy, why on earth should I lend you money? Do I owe you something or what?" Shen Yunfang snapped back unapologetically.
"You..." Li Xianghe, feeling indignant, wanted to say more.
"Xianghe." Sun Chengbin, noticing the situation was getting out of hand, quickly composed himself and called out in a deep voice.
Ring, ring, ring...
Right then, the telephone started ringing, adding to the commotion.
"You all go ahead and eat, I’ll answer the phone." Shen Yunfang stood up to take the call.
Sun Chengbin took the opportunity to glare at Li Xianghe, signaling her to keep silent.
Li Xianghe, still feeling defiant but intimidated by her husband’s warning, reluctantly closed her mouth.
Li Hongjun watched the couple exchange glances in front of him and calmly continued to eat his meal.
"Hello, who is it you’re looking for?" Shen Yunfang answered the phone and asked.
"Sister-in-law, it’s me. That John, after eating, he took a walk around our farm and then started spouting a bunch of English at me. I couldn’t understand a thing. He seemed quite anxious, so I thought I’d better call you to have a listen and find out what he’s actually saying." Zhang Chunwang was also at his wit’s end on the other end; after several minutes of miming with gestures between two grown men, they couldn’t figure it out, so they had to turn to the sister-in-law for help.
"Uh-huh, okay, hand the phone to John, and I’ll ask him myself." Shen Yunfang had anticipated such a situation, just not that there would still be a phone call involved.
John took the phone and started rattling off a stream of words.
The more Shen Yunfang listened, the harder it was to suppress her laughter. After John finished, she cleared her throat to steady herself before apologizing in English, and then instructed him to pass the receiver to Zhang Chunwang who was standing next to him.
"Sister-in-law, what in the world is he saying?"
"He’s saying he went to the room to use the bathroom, but when he checked, there was no toilet paper in there. So he was looking for you to get some. Clear now?"
