Chapter 17: Perfect for the Women's Federation

The very first thing Lu Youyou did upon returning home was take a shower. In this scorching heat, she no longer cared about hot or cold water—she was simply too exhausted to do anything else.

After washing up, she grabbed a few careless bites to eat and collapsed onto the bed. She had planned to go to the service center to buy some things, but now she decided to postpone it until tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Li Sanhua had returned home to a quiet courtyard. The kitchen stove still held a faint warmth, suggesting the child had prepared something to eat at noon.

Just as she was about to praise the kid for being so capable, she noticed the dirty bowls sitting in the sink and chopsticks scattered haphazardly nearby.

The compliment she was about to utter vanished instantly. Frowning, Li Sanhua deftly opened the courtyard door and shouted toward the empty yard:

“You little brat, come back here! You ate and didn’t wash your dishes—do you want a beating?”

Soon, the voice of a young boy came from a distance, heard but unseen.

“I just forgot to wash the bowls. I’m no match for you—you’ve already forgotten your own son!”

Li Sanhua twitched the corner of her mouth. After putting up with this all day, she realized this little rascal needed a good scolding.

She hurried to the hideout of a few half-grown boys, but the suspect had long fled and no one was left.

Li Sanhua had three sons. The first two were sensible and filial, but the youngest—no one knew whose temperament he inherited—was exceptionally talkative, and just hearing him made her teeth itch.

After tidying up the house, it was soon dinner time. Wang Youcai came home from work carrying a black child covered in dirt.

Li Sanhua put her hands on her hips and glared at her youngest son, unable to hold back her anger:

“Wang Aijun, I think you’re just itching for trouble. From now on, you wash your own clothes. If they don’t come clean, you’ll have to wear them dirty—let them be black as coal!”

Wang Aijun was flexible and adaptable; he paid no mind to his mother’s cold glare, instead flashing an ingratiating smile.

“Mom, you’re the best. Your laundry is the cleanest. There’s no way I can compete with that!”

Wang Youcai stifled a laugh and gave his son a tap on the back of the head.

“Where did you learn that idiom? Look at you, showing off!”

Wang Aijun ignored his father, glanced at Li Sanhua’s expression, sensed the danger was low, and swiftly stripped off his clothes, tossing them precisely over the faucet. Wearing only his underwear, he slipped back into his room like a slippery eel.

At six or seven years old, the boy was as slippery as a loach, completely beyond Li Sanhua’s reach.

But while children might escape, they could never outrun their fathers.

“Wang Youcai, look at your son! How did he get so mischievous?”

Wang Youcai laughed cheerfully and showed no sign of anger.

“Yes, yes, it’s all my fault for not teaching him well. Watch how I discipline him.” Then he pretended to search for a stick to punish the boy.

Li Sanhua snorted lightly. The father and son played this game every day as if rehearsing an opera, never tiring of it.

Inside the house, Wang Youcai looked at the dishes on the table and immediately guessed they were from the cafeteria.

Washing his hands, he asked, “Why did you decide to get food from the cafeteria today?”

Hearing this, Li Sanhua’s mind immediately shifted from being annoyed with her son to recalling Lu Youyou’s “feat,” her expression brightening.

“Gu Qingye asked me to take care of his fiancée. Let me tell you, that girl is something else!” Li Sanhua gave a thumbs-up—not content with one, she held up two.

She vividly recounted the midday events and sighed at the end:

“I never understood why he would marry on a whim, but now I get it—he’s got an eye for quality. Such an outstanding girl, if she slips away, he’d regret it for a lifetime!”

Wang Youcai had overheard the gossip in the afternoon but only now realized his wife was involved.

The police station had called that morning to verify the situation. Li Sanhua was unaware of the details, but Wang Youcai knew—Lu Youyou had caught a thief on the train, and it was said to be connected to a string of train thefts.

Seeing his wife so excited, Wang Youcai chuckled, “If you get along well, then spend more time together. Young comrades new here might find it hard to adjust; you should take care of her.”

Li Sanhua rolled her eyes. “No need to tell me. Since Xiao Gu entrusted her to me, even if she’s difficult, I have to look after her. Besides, she’s pleasant and capable… Oh, by the way, what do you think about me recommending her to work at our place?”

Wang Youcai almost lost track of her train of thought. “Why this all of a sudden? Do you even know if she’d want that?”

Li Sanhua grew more convinced as she thought it over. “Look, Lu graduated high school, is straightforward and efficient. Although she’s from the city, she’s not delicate at all. She’d be perfect for the Women’s Federation—our director would definitely like her!”

Wang Youcai laughed helplessly. “Then ask her, but keep it quiet.”

Unsurprisingly, he earned another glare.

“Do you think I’m stupid? Besides, the Women’s Federation needs someone for publicity, and not just anyone can do that.”

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The next morning, Li Sanhua was indeed at Lu Youyou’s door bright and early.

“Sis, have you eaten?” Li Sanhua patted the cart beside her and smiled. “Look, I borrowed a cart. Let’s head out early; there’ll be lots of things in the morning.”

Lu Youyou smiled shyly. “I already ate. It’s really kind of you to come all this way. I can manage on my own.”

Li Sanhua waved her hand, beaming. “Helping new military family members settle in is part of the Women’s Federation’s job. Plus, if I go with you shopping, I can sneak a little break from work.”

At this early hour, the men had long gone to report to the barracks. The courtyard was filled only with elders, women, and children.

After a night of gossip, Lu Youyou’s name had already spread throughout the residential compound, and with each retelling, the story grew further from the truth.

Now, small groups gathered here and there, stealing glances at Lu Youyou from near and far, some hurrying to call friends and family, afraid they’d miss the excitement.

Sensing Lu Youyou’s unease, Li Sanhua reassured her, “Most people are easy to get along with. They’re just curious these days. If anyone’s rude, just ignore them.”

Lu Youyou nodded. She was the least bothered by others’ opinions. In her previous life, she managed the official account of a pet hospital, enduring countless online confrontations. A few sideways glances were nothing.

Whether it was Li Sanhua’s formidable presence or simply that no brave souls dared approach the “main character,” Lu Youyou’s journey was surprisingly smooth.

The military service center was a large, single-story building with a wooden sign outside. Though plain-looking on the surface, inside it was nearly as big as a small department store.

Seeing Lu Youyou’s surprise, Li Sanhua proudly said, “Isn’t it different from what you expected? Our base has ten thousand people, plus their families. It’s not much different from a local commune.”

Lu Youyou had never heard of this before. She knew nothing about this place before arriving. Now, looking back, she realized how brave she had been.

Gu Qingye, oh Gu Qingye, for your sake, I really went all out!