AYLS – Chapter 109

Li Yan had been married to Zhang Tuo for three years, but she had never truly put herself in the role of a wife.

She had impulsively agreed to the marriage and quickly regretted it.

She had always sought a marriage filled with beautiful love.

There was no love between her and Zhang Tuo. Before agreeing to marry him, she had even been annoyed by his courtship.

After the marriage, as she started living with him, she found herself dissatisfied; the life she had imagined for her marriage was too different from reality. No art, no literature. Not even someone who appreciated her flower arrangements.

Just as she was regretting her marriage, that person had written to her, saying he regretted it and still couldn’t forget her. He regretted giving in to reality and letting her go, and wanted to be with her again. He asked her to divorce and marry him.

At that time, she really believed him, which made her even sadder. The marriage was already done—how could she possibly divorce? And her family would never agree. At home, even showing the slightest hint of her thoughts was met with stern opposition from her parents.

Back then, she felt that being with the one she loved was truly impossible. Her impulsive decision had ruined everything, and with her family’s opposition, she couldn’t return to the right path. So she wrote that letter.

It was meant as a farewell, a regret for that relationship.

Unexpectedly, that letter later became the catalyst that shattered all her dreams—a sort of karmic retribution for her infidelity in marriage.

Thinking back on herself then, Li Yan couldn’t help but feel depressed.

She had been a fool blinded by love. For love, she had hurt so many people who were good to her. No wonder her parents had eventually stopped caring. Even her in-laws no longer treated her kindly.

Even Zhang Tuo didn’t want her anymore. It was all her own fault.

Was love really that important? There were so many things more beautiful than love. Yet none of them compared to planting more crops, raising more chickens. At least those things wouldn’t hurt her—they would make her feel satisfied and fulfilled.

And she could meet these people.

Watching Xiao Qiao and the others, she felt guilty and uneasy.

For the sake of love, she had betrayed her marriage in spirit. But comrades like Xiao Qiao and the others clearly despised such betrayal.

Worse than even a dog.

So, after Li Ermei finished venting and felt better, happily going back to work, Li Yan began to lose focus again.

She performed poorly at work several times.

Li Ermei said, “I’m telling you, can you work properly? You’re really slowing me down. I still have to rush home to check on everyone there. If I get back late, who knows what trouble they’ll cause.”

Li Yan said, “Then you go ahead first. I’ll finish the rest.”

Would Li Ermei be polite? Of course not. She might show a hint of conscience when facing Xiao Qiao, but with Li Yan, she would exploit any opportunity. She smiled and said, “You’re such a good person, a true comrade. Fine, I’ll go first then. Can’t help it—who told me I’m pregnant now?”

Li Yan glanced at her belly and smiled.

Seeing Li Yan look at her stomach, Li Ermei thought she was envious. She asked, “You’ve been married for a few years—how come you haven’t gotten pregnant?” Then, in a lower voice, she added, “You look healthy, your husband seems energetic too. You’re both from the big city; surely it’s not malnutrition. Is it you or your husband who has a problem?”

“…” Li Yan’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Young… didn’t plan to.”

“Young? At your age, kids could be running around already. It’s time to plan. Let me tell you, don’t follow Xiao Qiao’s example. It’s better to have kids early. If you have them late, by the time you have grandchildren, you’ll be older, and it’ll be harder to raise them.”

As Lin Qiao walked in and overheard this, she nearly slipped, thinking, “Aren’t you planning a bit too early?”

Su Weizhen laughed, “Most people take things step by step, but she’s looking all the way to the end with every step she takes.”

Li Ermei said, “…Don’t speak in riddles I don’t understand. I’m someone who’s been through this, here to educate you. If it’s time to have a child, then have one—don’t dawdle. When our kids are born, maybe they can even have a child engagement. Didn’t Xiao Qiao and Company Commander Gu have a child engagement? Isn’t that great?”

“No, no, no, I’ll pass,” Su Weizhen immediately refused.

Lin Qiao shrugged, “Not me either.” She’d be going back home by then; who would she be engaged to?

Li Ermei, feeling rejected, turned her gaze toward Li Yan, seeing that she was probably the easiest target here.

Li Yan showed an embarrassed expression and shook her head.

Never mind having children—she didn’t even know which direction her own marriage would take.

By the afternoon, Li Ermei had left work and gone home.

Lin Qiao and Su Weizhen didn’t say anything; after all, with such a large belly, she needed care.

Their only concern was whether Li Ermei would have a falling out at home again.

Honestly, with her being pregnant, it wasn’t suitable for her to live in such emotional turmoil.

Li Ermei had just returned to the compound and hadn’t gone home yet when she saw Sun Qiao squatting by the faucet, washing clothes.

The water was freezing. Li Ermei herself didn’t even use cold water anymore—winter clothes were few, so she would save them for a few days and wash them all with hot water.

But seeing Sun Qiao using cold water, she didn’t feel sympathy; she wanted to pretend she didn’t notice and just walk by. But her eyes swept over the basin and caught the clothes inside. Instantly, she got agitated, grabbed them, and ran over, sharply asking, “Who told you to wash these?”

Sun Qiao looked up and immediately stood, awkwardly saying, “Sister-in-law, what’s wrong?”

“You still ask what’s wrong? Look at whose clothes you’re washing. How can you be so keen on other people’s men’s clothes? Don’t you have any shame? Do you need to wash my husband’s clothes?”

“Sister-in-law, you’ve got it wrong. I didn’t…”

“Didn’t nothing! Isn’t this a uniform? How can you claim it’s your own?”

“It’s not mine,” Sun Qiao pinched her fingers. “I’m helping someone else. These aren’t Third Brother’s clothes. I saw some people had no one to take care of them or wash their clothes, so I helped. Look, these clothes are a bit bigger than Third Brother’s.”

She held up the clothes for Li Ermei to see.

Upon closer inspection, Li Ermei realized they truly weren’t her husband’s clothes.

She knew all of his clothes—even his uniforms—because after wearing them for so long, with all the mending, she could recognize them instantly.

Indeed, they weren’t his.

Although she had been mistaken, Li Ermei didn’t feel wronged; who could blame her? Sun Qiao had been so obvious before, waiting for Old Chen every day. Truly shameless.

“If you want to wash them, fine, but I won’t care,” she said, clutching her belly and walking away.

Watching her retreating back, Sun Qiao pressed her lips tightly together.

She felt Li Ermei was being excessively harsh. Both of them came from poor families, yet Li Ermei, having found herself a good husband, treated others so poorly.

It was too much.

Looking at the clothes in the basin, Sun Qiao’s resolve grew stronger.

She was determined to establish herself here, and one day, she would go to the capital.

Over the past few days, she had been gathering information. That Zhang, Instructor Chen, came from the capital and was from a cadre family.

He hadn’t been here long. Even though he had a wife, he had already moved into the dormitory a long time ago. They didn’t even seem like a couple living together.

When a couple isn’t willing to sleep together, what kind of marriage is that?

And if she didn’t help with laundry or cooking, what kind of wife was she? How could she, just because she married into a good family, be so careless?

If it were her, she would treat her husband like a treasure—cooking for him, washing his clothes, and even giving birth to a healthy, strong child.

Thinking this, Sun Qiao felt increasingly confident about her future.

That evening, Instructor Chen returned. This time, Li Ermei kept a close eye on Sun Qiao, not giving her a chance to wait for anyone. As soon as he arrived, he went straight to Sun Qiao. “Qiao—”

Li Ermei was furious. “Who are you calling? I’m right here! You come back and call another woman—are you trying to make a mistake?”

The company commander felt unjustly accused; he hadn’t done anything.

“No, I just wanted to ask her about the clothes.”

“What clothes?” Li Ermei asked. “Not your own? You’re asking her?”

“Oh, what’s all this fuss about,” Instructor Chen wiped his forehead.

Nearby, Mother Chen muttered, “Mind your own business, son’s affairs are none of yours. I’m his mother, and I haven’t interfered.”

Li Ermei said, “You don’t care because you don’t want to. I care, so what’s the problem?”

Mother Chen was exasperated.

Seeing a conflict about to erupt, Instructor Chen quickly explained, “It’s not what you think. These are Zhang Tuo’s clothes. They got torn, and there wasn’t anyone familiar here to help. I said we could bring them to Mom to mend. Mom said her eyes weren’t good anymore, so she asked Qiao to help. I just came to ask about the clothes.”

Once Li Ermei heard they were Li Yan’s husband’s clothes, her mood immediately soured.

All that anger for nothing—how pointless. Li Yan couldn’t even mend a single piece. Ugh, she’d have to talk to her about it tomorrow.

Seeing that Li Ermei wasn’t pursuing it, Instructor Chen turned to Sun Qiao, who had been silent, to ask about the clothes.

Sun Qiao nervously said, “I washed them. After mending, I noticed some parts weren’t clean, so I washed them again. But they’ll dry soon. I’ll stay up tonight and let them dry slowly on the stove.”

The company commander hadn’t expected her to wash them and slapped his forehead. “Ah, why did you wash them? He just wanted me to bring them back tomorrow.”

“I didn’t think that far. I promise they’ll be dry by tomorrow,” Sun Qiao quickly assured him.

Mother Chen couldn’t bear it anymore. “Third Son, why are you getting angry? Did she do something wrong while helping? Qiao was only trying to be kind and help you build good relations with a cadre family.”

Hearing this, Instructor Chen frowned. “What do you mean, cadre or not? We don’t have that kind of thing here. Forget it, I won’t argue with you. Eat quickly, and then get some rest after.”

Li Ermei sat off to the side, happily watching them bicker, her mood completely lifted.

That night, Sun Qiao hardly slept, meticulously drying the clothes. Li Ermei turned over a few times, initially planning to tease her, but she was too sleepy. Thinking that since Sun Qiao wasn’t sleeping, she could rest more comfortably, she let it go.

In such a good mood, the next morning she went to the chicken farm smiling, even humming a little tune.

Su Weizhen and Li Yan were busy with their chores.

Lin Qiao was yawning, having stayed up too late the previous night. She was still tired and listless.

Seeing Li Ermei so full of energy, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. “Singing this early in the morning, so happy… Don’t tell me your in-laws are leaving today?”

Li Ermei waved her hand. “Ha! Nothing like that. Yesterday, Old Chen argued with them, and someone didn’t sleep, so I finally didn’t have to squeeze myself in to sleep.”

Lin Qiao pressed her waist. “Argue? Instructor Chen can argue too? No way.”

“Really, hehe.” Li Ermei couldn’t help laughing, then looked at Li Yan. “All thanks to Comrade Li Yan, actually.”

Li Yan looked puzzled. “Thanks to me for what? What does it have to do with me?”

“It does! If you didn’t know how to mend clothes, your husband wouldn’t have taken them to my place for repair. Then Sun Qiao wouldn’t have meddled and washed them, which made Old Chen unhappy, and my mother-in-law had to step in…”

“Wait, wait, wait. Who took their clothes to your place to wash?”

Lin Qiao asked.

Li Yan’s eyes widened too.

“Zhang Tuo, Li Yan’s husband. But he wasn’t washing them; he was bringing them for my mother-in-law to mend. That old lady, being lazy, said her eyes weren’t good and had Sun Qiao mend them instead. But Sun Qiao, being the mischievous one, just washed them outright. You know, how could winter clothes dry in this cold? They needed them urgently, so Sun Qiao spent the whole night drying them. Hahaha!”

Lin Qiao felt something was off. She looked at Su Weizhen, who also frowned.

Sometimes women’s intuition is uncanny. Women know other women very well.

If someone asked them to wash clothes for a strange man, they absolutely wouldn’t. Professional situations aside, of course.

Here, no one had asked for the clothes to be washed, yet they were. That was definitely a problem.

But in front of Li Yan, they said nothing. These things aren’t appropriate to speak about casually.

They didn’t speak, but Li Yan felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

She had now sorted out her thoughts on marriage and love.

Marriage is marriage; love is love.

Both require loyalty and cannot tolerate a third person.

She also began reflecting on her previous mistakes, though she wasn’t sure how to correct them.

Now, hearing another woman washing Zhang Tuo’s clothes, she felt a deep unease, like a breath stuck in her chest.

Li Ermei hadn’t realized why no one was sharing in her excitement.

“Really, I’m just trying to tell you something fun, and you won’t even be happy. Fine, I’ll get to work.”

Su Weizhen and Lin Qiao: “……”

Well, Li Ermei only gets sensitive when guarding her food. Things that don’t concern her, she genuinely doesn’t care about.

Su Weizhen felt a bit exasperated. “She used to keep such a close eye on me. She really did think highly of me.”

Lin Qiao: “……”