Seeing the kids eagerly staring, Cheng Su gave each of them an apple. After giving to the kids, she didnât forget Sister-in-law Song and said, "Sister-in-law Song, you have one too."
"Ah, I wonât be polite then!" Sister-in-law Song promptly picked a large apple, wiped it on her clothes, took a big bite with a crunch, and laughed, "So sweet."
A black line formed on Cheng Suâs forehead.
With others, she would give to the kids because theyâre children, and when she offered to the adults, it was just pleasantries, but Sister-in-law Song wasnât even a bit polite, very generous and forthright, well, honestly blunt, without politeness.
Of course, Cheng Su wasnât stingy enough to not spare an apple. When Guiying brought her kids, she often gave Cancan treats, and Guiying did too. But Sister-in-law Songâs bluntness was somewhat unsettling.
The twins were grinning widely with their apples. Cheng Su asked for their names. The elder was Song Jiawen, and the younger was Song Jiawu. Then she tuned the TV to a cartoons channel for them to watch.
"Sister-in-law Song, are you getting used to your new place?" Cheng Su asked.
"Oh, speaking of that, itâs really hard to get used to. The house is as small as our old outhouse, very cramped. Back home, we had six big, bright tile-roofed houses, comfy and cool. Here, it feels like a steamer, too hot!" Sister-in-law Song said, apple in hand, spraying apple juice as she spoke.
Cheng Su, taking the opportunity to grab a cup, subtly sat a bit further away and said, "Your place is indeed a bit small!"
"Isnât it just? But what can we do? Our Old Song is just a junior officer, so he doesnât qualify for a bigger house. Unlike you folks, Deputy Battalion Commander Qi has such a high rank, your place must be bright and comfortable." Sister-in-law Songâs voice was full of envy as she said, "I also heard youâre doing big business? Running a large restaurant, is it?"
Cheng Suâs brow furrowed slightly, "Itâs just a small business. So, your hometown is..."
She didnât want to talk much about her business and switched the topic.
"Oh, weâre from over in Xiangxi. Thereâs water at home, so itâs really cool. Actually, city houses are small, too cramped. I just thought the kids were growing, and since Old Song was transferred here, thereâs a kindergarten, so I applied to join the family." Sister-in-law Song indeed switched topics and continued, "I married Old Song several years ago. He used to be stationed at the border, could hardly come home for years. There were elders and children back home, so I couldnât easily join him. These sons were born a few years back when I visited him, couldnât help it, he couldnât come back, I couldnât join, family urged for kids, so I went over and, well, got pregnant and then went back home to give birth."
This spicy big mouth!
Cheng Su felt her mouth twitching again, Sister-in-law Song, are you really okay talking about bedroom matters like this?
Her face was slightly flushed as she said, "Being a military wife is like that, no choice."
"Isnât it? Weâve been married ten years, lived apart all the time, and our kids are only five, wonder why?" Sister-in-law Song seemed to find a confidant and continued, "And this year, my brother-in-law got married, can take care of the elders, and seeing the kids growing up, not fitting to stay back in the hometown doing nothing, need to get into kindergarten. This year Old Song got transferred to Qing City, thatâs why I applied to join the family. Otherwise, how could I come? But even now, this house is really small, sigh."
Cheng Su smiled faintly, "Youâll get used to it slowly. Have the kids been enrolled yet?"
"Weâve been sorting things out these days, their dad is taking care of it, Iâm not involved, heard everything is set, they can start in September!" Sister-in-law Song said.
Hearing this, Cheng Su offered some comfort, saying things like it will be better once the kids start school.