With his wife gone for the competition, Qi Taiguo could only settle dinner in the canteen. Summer had long set in, and after dining, returning alone would just mean facing four walls, so he might as well wander around the base.
Walking circles around the playground, Qi Taiguo saw Chen Shouwang sitting on the steps smoking, with an iron lunchbox beside him.
Qi Taiguo paused, thought for a moment, and walked over.
Chen Shouwang saw him coming, stood up, nodded, then sat down again, looking troubled.
Qi Taiguo saw that the lunchbox had only half the rice eaten, and some meat and vegetables still left.
"How come youâre eating out here in this heat?" Qi Taiguo sat beside him, took out a cigarette, and handed it to him.
Chen Shouwang took it and tucked it behind his ear, saying, "Itâs even hotter indoors, too stuffy, at least thereâs a breeze here."
"Got something on your mind?" Qi Taiguo asked after taking a few puffs.
Chen Shouwang turned his head slightly, glanced at him, and said, "Not really, just feeling irritated."
"Arguing with Hualing?"
Chen Shouwang frowned, unwilling to talk.
Seeing this, Qi Taiguo said, "Whatâs been going on with you two this year? Quarreling every other day, all the loveâs being argued away; do you not want to be with her or what?"
"Itâs not that I want to argue, sheâs constantly comparing with others, competing with me, wanting me to measure up. I know she just looks down on me, a country bumpkin, for not bringing her any glory." Chen Shouwang sneered, "Sometimes I think itâd be better to just divorce."
"You need to think clearly, divorce requires a report, needs to be recorded." Qi Taiguo frowned, "Between a couple, trust and communication are the most important; have you talked to her?"
"I have nothing to talk to her about." Chen Shouwang was very irritated.
Qi Taiguo frowned and said, "If you donât talk, how do you solve the problem? Both sit down calmly, talk it through, solve it rather than stewing in annoyance?"
Chen Shouwang smiled bitterly, "Whatâs the use? Weâve talked, and it only stays good for a couple of days before she pulls the same tricks again. Iâm really tired."
Qi Taiguo fell silent, his heart heavy. Unlike before, this time Chen Shouwang truly seemed inclined towards divorce.
"Back then, I donât even know why I was so out of my head insisting on marrying her. Looking at it now, thereâs no point in this life. I shouldâve never married if I had known." Chen Shouwang continued.
"Chen Shouwang." Qi Taiguo called softly, "You know why you were so insistent on marrying her back then. Deep down, you know. Wasnât it because you fancied her? So, what about these years, what have you been doing? Why not like before? Have you noticed whatâs changed?"
Chen Shouwangâs expression shifted slightly.
"Divorce is possible, but think about whether itâs worth it. You climbed from being a cook soldier to a private, became a squad leader, and now a platoon leader. If heaven doesnât mistreat you, you might soon be promoted to deputy company commander. If you divorce now, do you think it wonât have an impact?" Qi Taiguo said coldly, "Donât just blame Hualing; it takes two to tango. She may have faults, but surely you have some too."
Chen Shouwang pursed his lips, his face looking very troubled.
"I still stand by what I said, youâve been through so much to come together, donât give up until the last step, try to salvage it, remember how happy you were when she married you." Qi Taiguo added.
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