I was married off to a disabled hero in lieu of marriage; my in-laws doted on me and I aspired to gr

Back at the restaurant, Luo Meiyun and Yang Zheng were still eating. Qiaoqiao happily handed a book to Yang Zheng: "Brother, Zhou Wenhui has so many books. I borrowed two for you."

Yang Zheng frowned slightly. What time is it? You're still thinking about borrowing books for your brother?

Luo Meiyun laughed: "Qiaoqiao, we don't dare touch Wenhui's books, but you were able to lend them out. That's good, a good start."

"I……"

Qiaoqiao didn't think that much about it. In the countryside, apart from her brother's school textbooks, she had never seen any extracurricular books.

My brother is going to work in a machine factory; these books should be useful.

Luo Meiyun looked at Yang Zheng: "Yang Zheng, when you get to the company, don't hesitate to ask questions if you don't understand something. Work hard and don't stop at being just a worker. Once you have enough experience, you can become a team leader, a director, or even a factory manager."

"Auntie, I don't have that kind of ability." Yang Zheng blushed.

"My child, you are not only Qiaoqiao's support, but also Wenhui's support. Just do your best, and your uncle in this position can help you in some way," Luo Meiyun encouraged.

"Thank you, Auntie. This opportunity is so important to me, and I will cherish it."

"Actually, Wenhui also understands mechanics, but, well, never mind, let's not talk about it."

Looking at the spirited Yang Zheng, Luo Meiyun would always think of Zhou Wenhui.

Her son, he used to be so full of vigor.

That night, Zhou Zhonghai got completely drunk and had to be carried back.

Zhou Wenhui slept in the study, Yang Zheng slept in the guest room, and Qiaoqiao stayed alone in the new house.

After washing up and taking off her new clothes, Qiaoqiao rolled around on the wedding bed with great ease.

What a big bed! What a soft blanket! What a fragrant quilt!

From the moment the marriage proposal began, Qiaoqiao was filled with unease. But when she met Zhou Wenhui, she knew at a glance that Zhou Wenhui was inherently proud and would not like a girl from the countryside.

At that moment, Qiaoqiao felt relieved. Since she didn't like him, she would treat him as her older brother.

Without love, there is no sense of loss; sleeping alone is more comfortable.

That night, Qiaoqiao let go of all her anxieties and slept soundly.

The next morning, Qiaoqiao was woken up early by the loudspeaker sounding in the military family compound.

On her first day at her in-laws' house, Qiaoqiao couldn't afford to be late, so she hurriedly got dressed and got up.

In the kitchen, Luo Meiyun was already up. Seeing Qiaoqiao, she smiled and said, "It's only 5:30, you don't need to get up so early."

"Mom, I'll make you breakfast."

"Alright, you usually burn coal, I'll teach you how to start a fire."

Luo Meiyun carried the coal stove to the side yard of the kitchen, grabbed a handful of small pieces of wood, put newspapers under the stove, placed the wood on top, lit a match, and flames shot up.

"It's similar to burning firewood in your hometown. You wait until the wood is burning brightly before adding coal. You can only add one piece of coal at a time, and then add the second and third pieces once the fire is fully burned."

Qiaoqiao nodded: "I'll give it a try."

The wood block burned into charcoal, and Qiaoqiao added the first piece of coal.

"Yes, yes, that's it, Qiaoqiao is so smart."

Qiaoqiao blushed. Is something so simple really worthy of praise?

The second piece of coal, the third piece of coal, Luo Meiyun filled a kettle with water and placed it on the coal stove.

"Once the water gets hot, you can wash your face and brush your teeth. Normally, if you keep the air damper on, the fire won't go out. Your dad was drunk last night, and I forgot about it," Luo Meiyun said with a smile.

"Mom, what's for breakfast? I'll make it."

"Oh, no need to cook. Xiao Liu will bring breakfast over later. Qiaoqiao, there's a canteen in the military compound, and we have meal tickets at home, so the canteen always has food on hand," Luo Meiyun explained.

"Not cook? Then what am I supposed to do every day?"

If you don't even cook, you'll get sick from being so idle.

"If you want to eat home-style cooking, there's a supply and marketing cooperative outside the compound. They sell vegetables, rice, oil, and salt. Come on, Qiaoqiao, there's money, food coupons, and meat coupons in the desk in the living room. Go buy whatever you want to eat."

Luo Meiyun opened the desk drawer, where loose change and various receipts were scattered about.

"Qiaoqiao, from now on, Wenhui's salary will be yours. You'll be in charge of arranging his three meals a day. You can cook if you want, or have the cafeteria deliver the food if you don't. Just give the meal tickets to Xiao Liu, the deliveryman."

"I can do it. Mom and Dad, let's come home and eat together too," Qiaoqiao said quickly.

Luo Meiyun smiled gently: "Qiaoqiao, Mom knew you were a good housekeeper. It's just that your father and I have to work at the military headquarters, and we might not be home for three to six months at a time. Usually, it's Xiao Liu who takes care of Wenhui."

"Aren't you home?"

"The military headquarters is the big family, and this is our little family. The border is not peaceful. The soldiers need to train, Wenhui's father needs to lead the troops, and I also have my own work. Qiaoqiao, I'm entrusting Wenhui to you." Luo Meiyun looked at Qiaoqiao with affection.

So it turns out that even the seemingly generous and easygoing Commander Zhou and Director Luo had their reasons.

"Mom, don't worry, I will take good care of Wenhui," Qiaoqiao solemnly promised.

The water was hot, so Luo Meiyun poured half a basin of hot water and said, "Qiaoqiao, go wash up first, and then we'll wake Wenhui up together later."

"How about we wash Wenhui first?"

"It's okay, he just woke up late."

Pick up the basin of water; there's a tap outside, and cold water comes out with a simple turn.

After washing up, Qiaoqiao poured a basin of hot water and followed Luo Meiyun to the study.

"Wenhui, are you awake?" Luo Meiyun said gently, lifting the blanket on the bed.

Standing behind him, Qiaoqiao saw Zhou Wenhui's broken leg for the first time.

Despite being prepared, Qiaoqiao was still taken aback.

There was a scar where the leg was broken, like an earthworm clinging to the fair thigh.

The frail Luo Meiyun picked up Zhou Wenhui and placed him on the commode chair. Zhou Wenhui frowned and said, "Let her out."

Qiaoqiao took a step back, blushed, and quickly went out.

After a while, Luo Meiyun called out, "Qiaoqiao, come in."

After entering the room, the chamber pot lid was closed. Luo Meiyun said, "Qiaoqiao, could you please empty it into the toilet?"

Qiaoqiao picked up the chamber pot and went outside.

In the living room, they ran into Yang Zheng. The brother and sister exchanged a glance, and Yang Zheng grabbed the chamber pot and went into the toilet.

Yang Zheng emptied the chamber pot, washed it clean, and handed it to Qiaoqiao. The brother and sister did not say a word, their eyes filled with endless bitterness.

Upon entering the study, Zhou Wenhui was already tidied up and sitting in his wheelchair. Luo Meiyun instructed, "Qiaoqiao, take Wenhui to the dining room; we'll be eating soon."

"Hmm." Qiaoqiao lowered her head, pushed the wheelchair out, and Luo Meiyun tidied up the study.

Xiao Liu brought breakfast: a bucket of millet porridge, as well as steamed buns, mantou, and fried dough sticks.

"Yang Zheng, Qiaoqiao, hello!" Xiao Liu greeted them warmly.

"Do you know us?" Qiaoqiao asked doubtfully.

"Although this is our first meeting, I've known about you for a long time. Fang Guiying is my mother."

"You, you're Aunt Fang's son?"

"Yes, I was planning to go back yesterday; Wenhui can't be left alone here..."

Realizing something was amiss, he quickly stopped himself: "My name is Liu Songming, I'm two years older than you, so you should call me brother."

"Brother Songming."

"If you need anything in the future, just call the logistics department and contact me directly."

"Okay, thank you, Brother Songming."

"Eat it while it's hot. I'll bring you lunch at noon."

As he spoke, Liu Songming said to Zhou Wenhui, "Wenhui, you're lucky. Qiaoqiao is the most beautiful girl in our brigade."

Zhou Wenhui remained motionless, his face dark.

"You guys eat, I'm leaving." Liu Songming waved his hand.