Chapter 10: A Righteous Man!
Glaring at her son, Wang Shen asked, "If you were in Yao Zhiās position, wouldnāt you resent your partner who only met you for several hours and let you fend for yourself in an unfamiliar place?"
"They havenāt even consummated their marriage after more than two months of marriage," she added with a sigh.
After he thought about his motherās words, Xiao Wei said, "Even if Brother Fu was at fault, he was also helpless. As a soldier, we canāt go against military orders."
Wang Shen shook her head and replied, "Your mother, I, am an experienced person. I know that Squad Leader Fu didnāt mean to treat his wife like that. But Yao girl is only sixteen years old."
After a moment of pause, she continued, "Yao Zhi is still young and canāt understand the hardships of a soldier unless her husband tells her. For her to realize her faults and be willing to change, itās already very good."
Xiao Wei nodded at his motherās words but said nothing. Fu Chenāan looked happy, and it wasnāt his place to comment on another personās married life.
Ten minutes later, Fu Chenāan finally finished the last drop of soup.
As he placed the bowl down, he let out a content sigh and patted his slightly bulging belly. Although his wife spent a lot of money on this meal, it was delicious and filling. He was very satisfied.
ššššš°š²šÆš»šššš¹.ššØš
Yao Zhi put away the empty dishes into the layered bamboo basket and couldnāt help but glance at her husband. He ate everything, not even leaving a drop of braised sauce.
She took out a gourd and handed it to him. "Drink some water."
Fu Chenāan didnāt refuse and drank the water. After several sips, he was surprised.
Their military camp was located near the desert, and the groundwater had a slight taste of mud and moss. So when he drank the water given by his wife, he realized the difference instantly.
The water stored in the gourd had no mossy taste at all. Instead, it tasted refreshing, with a hint of medicinal herbs. After drinking it, he felt his fatigue lessen and his mind clear.
He looked at his wife and asked, "Wife, did you add medicinal herbs into the water?"
Yao Zhi had already prepared the explanation before she came. When she heard her husbandās words, she went along and nodded. "I added some medicinal herbs to remove the mossy taste."
"Wife, where did you get the medicinal herbs?" Fu Chenāan asked again.
While the military barracks were located near the desert, there was a mountain near the family compounds.
The mountain was full of wild beasts and very dangerous. Usually, their General would send several teams to hunt the beasts so they wouldnāt come down and attack the compound or the barracks.
Besides the mountain, he couldnāt think of any other source for the medicinal herbs. Buying them from a pharmacy in the town was out of the question since the price of medicinal herbs was expensive.
Yao Zhi hadnāt thought about this matter and went silent. While she was still racking her brain to find an excuse, a pair of large hands grabbed her chubby hands. Startled, she looked up and met her husbandās sharp gaze.
"Wife, the mountain is dangerous. You canāt go there alone. If you want to pick medicinal herbs, wait for me. When I go home, I will accompany you," Fu Chenāan said seriously.
Noticing the hint of worry in his voice, Yao Zhi smiled and nodded. "These medicinal herbs were brought from my hometown when I came. I didnāt go to the mountain. Donāt worry."
She thought she was smiling beautifully, but in her husbandās eyes, she looked foolish. Her cheeks were lifted, and her small eyes turned into crescents after being pushed by her cheeks.
Looking at his foolish wife, Fu Chenāan let out a sigh and reached out to rub her head. "You are still injured, so you donāt have to send me lunch. Just rest and get well soon. I will go back the day after tomorrow," he said.
If not for his reminder, Yao Zhi would have almost forgotten about the injury on her head. She touched the back of her head and said, "Itās not painful anymore."
"Even so, you still have to rest. Be good."
Since he insisted, Yao Zhi didnāt object.
Before she left, Fu Chenāan took out his pouch and handed it to her. "This is all the money I have. Take it."
After a moment of pause, he added, "Now that Iām a Squad Leader, I will receive one dan of grain and a stipend of 300 wen every month. Although I canāt promise you a luxurious life, I will make sure to never let you go hungry."
Yao Zhi didnāt think there was anything wrong with his words. After all, she was his legally married wife, so it was normal for her to manage their familyās money.
When Fu Chenāan saw his wife accepting the money, he broke into a smile and reminded her, "Be careful when you go back."
"Okay. I will wait for you at home," Yao Zhi nodded and left the water for him.
"Good."
After she packed everything up, Yao Zhi returned to the family compound with Wang Shen.
Fu Chenāan stood there until he could no longer see his wifeās back. Only then did he walk back to the barracks reluctantly. As he walked, he clenched his fists, relishing the soft feeling of his wifeās hands.
He touched the gourd tied on his waist. His wife must be worried about him being tired and prepared this medicinal water for him.
Walking beside him, Xiao Wei shuddered when he saw the smile on his brotherās face. He shook his head and said, "Brother Fu, you are really a brave, righteous man!"
If it were him who had to marry someone like Yao Zhi, he would rather die than submit!
Not knowing what he was thinking, Fu Chenāan glanced at him but said nothing.