Daily Life in the 70s
Chapter 82: Quarrel

Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Quarrel

"Is ’Military Wife’ also joining the army?" Shen Yixiang almost exclaimed.

Unfortunately, no one picked up her line.

Shen Erniu pondered for a moment, and said, "Being a Military Wife is tough. If one can join the army, of course, they must. There isn’t much going on at home, and both your mother and I are still healthy. You don’t need to worry about this."

"Dad, how can you and Mom be okay? Dad’s old gunshot wound aches during rainy and snowy days. Mom had a weak constitution since she was young and frequently suffers from back pain. How can we do without anyone around?" Shen Yixiang said urgently.

Shen Yidong opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but finally closed it under the stern gaze of his younger brother, Yan Han.

"It’s not as serious as you make it sound. Your dad’s pain is from a gunshot wound, and it only hurts occasionally. My pain is even milder. What woman my age doesn’t have some back pain? Does that mean they can’t work and just have to lie in bed and be waited on? Besides, aren’t you and Yiyue still here?" Chen Guizhi glanced at her daughter somewhat annoyed.

Of course, the elderly couple hoped their daughter-in-law could join the army, otherwise how would their grandson come?

Shen Yixiang’s cheeks puffed up with exasperation.

Yiyue looked at everyone’s expressions and added, "Yeah, you still have us at home. Mom and Dad, we can take care of you. Big brother, don’t worry."

Since everyone had expressed their stance, the rest was up to the couple.

Back in their room, they sat down on the kang.

"Shen Yiguang, I think I might not join the army for now. There are still things at home that haven’t been sorted out, and I’m also worried about our parents’ health. Were the things Yixiang said true?" Yang PeiMin got straight to the point.

Shen Yiguang nodded, "No worries, the application won’t be approved so quickly. I also hope that after the family quarters are built, you can come over."

As for his parents’ health, he was also concerned. Although they consciously made it sound not so bad, he knew better.

"Dad’s leg got the gunshot wound during the war, and it aches when the weather turns bad; only herbal soaks can alleviate it, not cure it. He’s an optimist, acting as if he’s not worried at all."

"As for Mom, as you saw, my elder siblings are all sisters. Mom was not favored by our grandmother because of this, never had a proper confinement, and had to wash diapers in the cold when my aunt was young, which left her with chronic issues. She usually doesn’t show it, working as usual, and only at night would she ask Yiyue to rub some medicinal wine."

"Minmin, I hope you all can join me in the army, but our parents won’t agree since Yiyue isn’t married off yet. Honestly, I am really not at ease about our elders."

Yang PeiMin hugged his arm, "No rush on this. Maybe in a few days, we could find a perfect solution. You go protect our country, and I’ll support you from behind, fulfilling my filial duties at home."

Shen Yiguang pinched her nose, "You little ungrateful one, are you really willing to leave me?"

Yang PeiMin lifted her chin towards him, "Isn’t there a saying that it’s difficult to fulfill both loyalty and filial piety? That’s exactly my situation."

Shen Yiguang laughed in exasperation, "What a dilemma between loyalty and filial piety!"

"Since that’s the case, before I join the troops, you’d better seize the opportunity to be more filial."

"What are you doing? It’s broad daylight."

"Wife, let’s not waste time."

"Don’t... I still have something to say."

"Let’s talk later..."

After things calmed down.

Shen Yiguang asked, "Wife, what do you want to say? Say it now."

Yang PeiMin didn’t want to say anything anymore...

Shen Yiguang was in a good mood and coaxed her for a while.

Finally, Yang PeiMin said, "Last time, didn’t you promise to find me some study materials for the college entrance exams?"

"Wife, do you really want to take the exams again? Or are you worried your man can’t provide for you? With our current education level, it’s quite easy to find a job, and we can find one closer to home..." Shen Yiguang looked at her, paused, and then added, "Also, if you were to have kids, would you still continue studying? If so, what about the kids? Surely we can’t let them be away from their mother, right?"

Yang PeiMin sat up, "Are you saying you disagree?"

Shen Yiguang also sat up, at eye level with her, "Minmin, we have to be realistic. The family can’t do without you, right?"

"Are you worried I’ll neglect the family if I go back to school? Or do you think a woman doesn’t need high qualifications, just needs to manage the home well?"

"Minmin, I didn’t mean that. Nobody would disdain their wife for becoming more extraordinary, but we have to think about the feasibility. You going to a city thousands of miles away to study, gone for four years, what about the home? What about us?" Shen Yiguang’s voice was soft, persuading her, "Whatever job you want to do in the future, we can find something you like. As long as you excel, you won’t be worse off than a college graduate. What do you think?"

Yang PeiMin shook her head, "It’s not the same. Professional knowledge isn’t something you can learn while just working a job. Shen Yiguang, have you ever really loved something or wanted to achieve a goal so much that, even though you knew the path was filled with obstacles, you still wanted to try? I want to try too."

Shen Yiguang looked at her for a long time before saying, "Minmin, let’s have a child."

Yang PeiMin’s gaze wavered slightly, "Isn’t that supposed to happen naturally?"

"Mom and Dad are getting old, and they don’t have many concerns except wanting to see their grandchildren soon. Promise me that, whether you go to school or not, you’ll have a child first, okay?"

Yang PeiMin was silent. She didn’t want to have children so soon, not just because of school, but also because her body wasn’t fully recovered. She didn’t dare to conceive.

The couple couldn’t reach an agreement.

So much so that when she was cooking dinner later, she was still preoccupied, put too much salt in the dishes, and even burned a dish of noodles with meat.

To cook it again would take half a day, so she carefully picked out the burnt bits and added vegetables like cabbage and potatoes for a hearty stew.

After serving the meal, Shen Yixiang frowned for a long time before she couldn’t hold back and asked, "Why does this dish taste bitter?"

"And there’s a burnt taste," Shen Yidong added.

"I’m sorry, it got a bit burnt, but I’ve picked out the burnt parts."

"Sister-in-law, how can you waste food like this? Why weren’t you watching it while cooking? What were you doing?"

"Fourth sister, I think it’s fine. Why fuss about it?" Shen Yiguang glanced at her casually.

"I didn’t taste anything off," Chen Guizhi also said.

Yang PeiMin took a couple of bites but felt no appetite and put down her utensils.

"Sister-in-law, you can’t eat it either?"

Yang PeiMin glanced at her, "With so much to say from Fourth Sister, how can I have an appetite?"

"Oh, what’s this? Now you have burnt the food and you still have an argument?"

"I don’t see why there should be any issue if I’m not feeding you!"