Thereafter, heaven pitied her and gave her another chance to start over.
This possibility was not unlikely.
“Teacher Xiao Qiao, don’t talk about this anymore. Let’s eat. Here’s the porridge that I brought back for you.” The female counselor was a little embarrassed to inquiry about Qiao Nan’s family situation. She was also afraid that she would make things difficult for Qiao Nan.
“Thank you.” Qiao Nan was not pleased by material gains or saddened by personal woes. This kind of resilience and benevolence, as well as sedateness and maturity in personality, was different from those who were of her age. It was extremely captivating.
Seeing that Qiao Nan was indifferent to favor and humiliation, the female counselor sighed. Qiu Chenxi was seemingly mature, but she was, in fact, very childish. Her thinking was extremely immature. She yearned for instant success and even forwent her future and the long-term benefits.
On the contrary, Comrade Xiao Qiao was young. She was inexperienced about world affairs but was able to handle matters in a graceful and appropriate manner. She was adept at managing any situations with ease.
It was no wonder the political commissar had the intention to poach a character such as Comrade Xiao Qiao. She was indeed capable.
If Comrade Xiao Qiao was a man in the ancient times, she would be very suited to be an advisor or a strategist, and would definitely become an outstanding hero.
The female counselor rarely sensed this from women. As a woman, the female counselor felt very proud to know the existence of a woman like Qiao Nan.
Did you see that? Women did not only have a lot of hair and little knowledge. When they were capable, they could be very formidable too.
At the very least, during this period, didn’t most of the grown-up men address ‘Teacher Xiao Qiao’ respectfully when they met her?
Qiao Nan was totally unaware that the female counselor, who was older than her and whom she could even address as auntie, held her in such utmost respect.
Qiao Nan did not forget her basics and original intentions. She went according to the pace of her original plan step-by-step in an orderly manner. She tried her best to adjust her mindset to avoid distractions from external parties and issues.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
Before Qiao Nan could stand up, the female counselor squeezed Qiao Nan’s shoulders gently. “Comrade Xiao Qiao, continue to eat. I’ll open the door. Most likely, someone is looking for me.”
The female counselor opened the door and saw Qiu Chenxi. “Why did you come?”
“I’m here to look for Comrade Xiao Qiao.” Hence, the female counselor could stay aside and not stand in her away.
“What’s the matter?” The female counselor slammed her hand on the doorframe with a bang. She stood straight at the door and expressed that if Qiu Chenxi did not make herself clear, she would not let her in. “It’s broad daylight now. I’ve also lit a mosquito repellent coil in this room, so there’s definitely no mosquitoes. Did you come here to look for Comrade Xiao Qiao? It can’t be that you’re here to help her kill the mosquitoes?”
“You…” Qiu Chenxi’s face turned pale. She was infuriated.
It was all because the female counselor was a big-mouth and talked bad about her to the political commissar. She went to seek her uncle for advice today and he directly told her not to come to the army anymore after this event ended. The army did not welcome her.
Now, not only Brother Zhai disliked her but also her uncle. Her uncle had changed.
With just a few days’ time left, how could she complete her mission and make Brother Zhai like her again and willing to marry her? Moreover, how could she make Uncle Zhai and Miao Jing willing to accept her as their daughter-in-law?
Given that Brother Zhai stayed in the army camp 300 out of 365 days in a year, not to mention this year, she might not be able to achieve her aim even if she was given another ten years if she lost the privilege to come to the army camp.
“Counselor, why do I feel that you keep targeting me? The army is an organization. There are rules and regulations and it’s a place that values teamwork. You’re forming a clique and targeting the comrades in the army. Is that really good? Counselor, you should familiarize yourself with Chairman Mao’s quotations and carry out a deep self-reflection. Don’t be a bad influence on the army’s culture!” Qiu Chenxi said. If she did not brandish her claw a little at the female counselor, the female counselor would really take her as a pushover!
The female counselor was angry but more amused. “I’m forming a clique? Qiu Chenxi, don’t force me to make my words ugly. Think about what you did yesterday. That’s a bad influence on the culture in the army. Fine, you’re just a young lady and I can’t be bothered to argue with you. There’s a problem with your thinking. I admit that I don’t have the ability to counsel you to take the right path. I think the political commissar has already made a decision. I have absolute belief in the decision of the organization leaders.”
“So, it was really you who made the complaint!” Qiao Nan was not anxious but the female counselor went to complain. What did she mean by this? “Female counselor, can you make way? I really want to talk to Comrade Xiao Qiao.”
“What’s the matter? Speak. I can hear from here.” Qiao Nan put down the pen in her hand. She turned her body and chair to face Qiu Chenxi.
Qiu Chenxi pursed her lips and put on a fake smile. “It’s about yesterday’s matter. The female counselor has misunderstood. I don’t know what she told the political commissar, but the political commissar also misunderstood that I wanted to hit you. You should know the truth of the matter best. Can you help me clarify this with the political commissar? Yesterday, I was well-intended and really wanted to help you kill the mosquito. Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear and my action was too sudden. That’s why I’ve frightened you. I’ll compensate you. Tell me what you want. I promise that you’ll be satisfied.”
He who started the trouble should end it.
The political commissar asked her to leave the army because of Qiao Nan. He did not even give the Qiu family and her uncle any face.
As long as Qiao Nan did not take issue with her and was willing to resolve this matter harmoniously, then she could continue to stay in the army and woo Brother Zhai.
Qiao Nan raised her eyebrows. Her eyes were sly. “I know it best? What do I know? I don’t know anything! Also, don’t talk to me about compensation. Until now, I am still sullen, thinking about what you were thinking when you raised your hand. Before I clarify what happened, how can I take your compensation?”
“Counselor, you heard that. Qiao Nan doesn’t think that I was hitting her at all!” Anyway, she just wanted such a word from Qiao Nan. This was a misunderstanding on the female counselor’s part. Why should she be chased out of the army?
“But I also didn’t say that I’m sure that you’re not hitting me and was helping me chase away mosquitoes. Instead, in that kind of circumstance, a normal person would think that you intended to hit me. Therefore, Comrade Qiu, you did not make a correct trip. You didn’t manage to hit me, but that doesn’t mean you didn’t want to. Since you wanted to hit me, then the counselor’s words were not misleading, and neither did she misunderstand you. It’s even more unnecessary for me to explain to the political commissar. Comrade Qiu, take good care of yourself.”
“You…” Qiu Chenxi was extremely mad. “Qiao Nan, what do you want exactly before you’ll be willing to help me explain?”
“I won’t. No matter what.”
“You!” Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit!
“Why?” The female counselor was elated, grinning from ear to ear. Did she treat her as an ornament? Qiu Chenxi had not received a lesson from yesterday’s matter.