Married but Untouched! Her Soldier Husband Came Home Dumbfounded! - Chapter 29

After gossiping for a while, Sun Xiujü got ready to head back and rest.

Ye Fangfei walked her to the door, just in time to see Shen Zhanqiang sprinting across the backyard, trousers half-done, scolding as he went: “What do you think you’re doing? Can’t you get dressed properly first?”

He had assumed everyone at home was asleep and hadn’t fastened his belt. Just stepping out of the bathroom, he ran straight into his mother and sister-in-law.

Awkwardly smiling, he clutched his pants and dashed back inside.

Sun Xiujü laughed and scolded, “That brat! And he’s so big, yet so careless. Not like his elder brother—always steady from the start.”

Ye Fangfei couldn’t help but chuckle. Her mother-in-law was subtly praising the elder brother while criticizing the younger—clearly speaking for her benefit.

Recalling Shen Zhanqiang’s previous comment about quitting school after middle school, Ye Fangfei decided she needed a serious talk with Sun Xiujü.

“Mom, don’t go yet. I have something to say.”

Sun Xiujü followed her back into the room. “Fangfei, what is it?”

“Mom, a few days ago Zhanqiang told me he doesn’t want to study anymore. Did you and Dad know about this?”

“I know.” Sun Xiujü nodded. “Your father asked him before. That little brat said he’s not good at studying and surely won’t get into high school. He said he’d quit after this semester.”

Ye Fangfei frowned slightly at her mother-in-law’s indifferent attitude. “So… what do you and Dad think? Just let him quit school at such a young age?”

“It’s not that we don’t want him to study. It’s Zhanqiang himself who doesn’t want to. He says he won’t get into high school,” Sun Xiujü explained.

“Then he should repeat a year. He’s only fifteen. If he doesn’t study, what’s he going to do?”

Ye Fangfei wasn’t yet sure how poor Zhanqiang’s grades were. She planned to test him tomorrow before making a further decision.

She continued, “Mom, Zhanqiang’s exams are coming up. You and Dad need to supervise him, make sure he studies properly. He has to take the high school entrance exam. If he really can’t pass, let him repeat a year.”

Sun Xiujü also wanted her son to continue studying, but he was stubborn. Seeing her daughter-in-law so concerned made her heart warm.

“Alright. I’ll talk to your father. I’ll watch over Zhanqiang and make sure he studies diligently.”

Ye Fangfei nodded and added, “Mom, be strict with him. If he doesn’t study, let Dad give him a good scolding. He absolutely cannot have thoughts of dropping out.”

“…Okay,” Sun Xiujü said quietly.

The next morning, Ye Fangfei saw Zhanqiang sulking in the courtyard, memorizing lessons. He gave her a sullen glare, pouting and turning his head.

Ye Fangfei ignored his little tantrum, brushed her teeth, washed her face, and walked over. “Bring your backpack here. Let me see.”

Although Zhanqiang was unhappy, he obediently handed over his army-green backpack.

Ye Fangfei flipped through it, frowning deeply. The textbooks and exercise books were a mess—none were intact, all scribbled on.

Seeing her expression, Zhanqiang trembled. His sister-in-law had never paid attention to his studies, barely speaking to him. But ever since he had “helped” her at the commune that day, she seemed to have taken an interest.

That morning, his father had scolded him, insisting he must study hard and get into high school—or else. Zhanqiang guessed it was probably her idea.

Ye Fangfei picked up his math notebook. The handwriting was sloppy; teacher’s comments were half right, half wrong. She glanced at the rest of his exercises, deducing his academic level. That evening, she would draft a strict study plan. With only half a month until the exam, she planned a “boot camp” to try to drag him up to passing.

Seeing her silent scrutiny, Zhanqiang swallowed his bitterness and dared to speak: “Sister-in-law… if I really can’t pass, I don’t want to study anymore. Don’t bother Dad and Mom, okay? I’m begging you.”

“No,” Ye Fangfei said, packing the notebooks back into his bag without hesitation. “Study properly in class. I’ll tutor you in the evenings. You better pass this time—or be ready to get punished.”

“Why are you like this, Sister-in-law?” Zhanqiang cried, glaring at her with a pouting face.

Ye Fangfei snorted and went to the kitchen, where Shen Cuijuan was serving breakfast: tomato dumpling soup.

She had gotten up at five to claim the kitchen first.

Seeing Ye Fangfei, she smiled broadly and called out, “Zhanqiang, go tell Dad and Mom it’s time to eat.”

“Okay,” he answered from outside.

“Where are Dad and Mom?” Ye Fangfei asked.

“Out in the vegetable patch,” Shen Cuijuan replied, handing her a bowl. “Eat first, Sister-in-law. Mom said you’re going to the city today, so better leave while it’s still cool.”

Checking the time, it was only six. “No rush. We’ll eat together when Dad and Mom get back.”

“Do you need me to do anything?” she asked.

“No, it’s ready,” Shen Cuijuan shook her head. Seeing Shen Cuixiang and Xu Aiqin lurking at the door, she quickly served the rest of the soup into a basin, washed the pot, and let them have the kitchen.

Since the household had split up, she didn’t bring the food to the main room to avoid annoying anyone.

Shen Jianhua and Sun Xiujü had a small table in their room. Shen Cuijuan set the soup there.

Ye Fangfei considered taking turns cooking cumbersome. Once Shen Jianhua and Sun Xiujü returned from the plot, she would discuss with them.

“Dad, Mom, is there a stove at the old house? If not, I can bring a pot today. We’ll cook there from now on.”

“The stove’s ruined; it’ll need fixing,” Shen Jianhua said. “That’s a huge pot—you can’t carry it on a bike. Once the house is ready, I’ll get one. For now, we’ll make do.”

He had wanted to ask if Ye Fangfei needed help opening her shop but decided against it. The household was just split; better not to cause unnecessary attention.

Ye Fangfei nodded obediently and added, “My brothers are selling ice cream in the city and can’t help. I’ll ask Dad to find a couple of people to help clean up.”

Sun Xiujü nudged her gently and whispered, “Don’t bother Dad. Just fix the roof. With so many men at home, it’ll be done in two or three days.”

Shen Jianhua agreed. They planned for the eldest and third household members to help.

Sun Xiujü thought since the household split, we might as well benefit from it—let them do the work.