Glaring at her son, Wang Shen asked, "If you were in Yao Zhi's position, wouldn't you resent your partner who only met you for several hours and let you fend for yourself in an unfamiliar place?"
"They haven't even consummated their marriage after more than two months of marriage," she added with a sigh.
After he thought about his mother's words, Xiao Wei said, "Even if Brother Fu was at fault, he was also helpless. As a soldier, we can't go against military orders."
Wang Shen shook her head and replied, "Your mother, I, am an experienced person. I know that Squad Leader Fu didn't mean to treat his wife like that. But Yao girl is only sixteen years old."
After a moment of pause, she continued, "Yao Zhi is still young and can't understand the hardships of a soldier unless her husband tells her. For her to realize her faults and be willing to change, it's already very good."
Xiao Wei nodded at his mother's words but said nothing. Fu Chen'an looked happy, and it wasn't his place to comment on another person's married life.
Ten minutes later, Fu Chen'an finally finished the last drop of soup.
As he placed the bowl down, he let out a content sigh and patted his slightly bulging belly. Although his wife spent a lot of money on this meal, it was delicious and filling. He was very satisfied.
Yao Zhi put away the empty dishes into the layered bamboo basket and couldn't help but glance at her husband. He ate everything, not even leaving a drop of braised sauce.
She took out a gourd and handed it to him. "Drink some water."
Fu Chen'an didn't refuse and drank the water. After several sips, he was surprised.
Their military camp was located near the desert, and the groundwater had a slight taste of mud and moss. So when he drank the water given by his wife, he realized the difference instantly.
The water stored in the gourd had no mossy taste at all. Instead, it tasted refreshing, with a hint of medicinal herbs. After drinking it, he felt his fatigue lessen and his mind clear.
He looked at his wife and asked, "Wife, did you add medicinal herbs into the water?"
Yao Zhi had already prepared the explanation before she came. When she heard her husband's words, she went along and nodded. "I added some medicinal herbs to remove the mossy taste."
"Wife, where did you get the medicinal herbs?" Fu Chen'an asked again.
While the military barracks were located near the desert, there was a mountain near the family compounds.
The mountain was full of wild beasts and very dangerous. Usually, their General would send several teams to hunt the beasts so they wouldn't come down and attack the compound or the barracks.
Besides the mountain, he couldn't think of any other source for the medicinal herbs. Buying them from a pharmacy in the town was out of the question since the price of medicinal herbs was expensive.
Yao Zhi hadn't thought about this matter and went silent. While she was still racking her brain to find an excuse, a pair of large hands grabbed her chubby hands. Startled, she looked up and met her husband's sharp gaze.
"Wife, the mountain is dangerous. You can't go there alone. If you want to pick medicinal herbs, wait for me. When I go home, I will accompany you," Fu Chen'an said seriously.
Noticing the hint of worry in his voice, Yao Zhi smiled and nodded. "These medicinal herbs were brought from my hometown when I came. I didn't go to the mountain. Don't worry."
She thought she was smiling beautifully, but in her husband's eyes, she looked foolish. Her cheeks were lifted, and her small eyes turned into crescents after being pushed by her cheeks.
Looking at his foolish wife, Fu Chen'an let out a sigh and reached out to rub her head. "You are still injured, so you don't have to send me lunch. Just rest and get well soon. I will go back the day after tomorrow," he said.
If not for his reminder, Yao Zhi would have almost forgotten about the injury on her head. She touched the back of her head and said, "It's not painful anymore."
"Even so, you still have to rest. Be good."
Since he insisted, Yao Zhi didn't object.
Before she left, Fu Chen'an took out his pouch and handed it to her. "This is all the money I have. Take it."
After a moment of pause, he added, "Now that I'm a Squad Leader, I will receive one dan of grain and a stipend of 300 wen every month. Although I can't promise you a luxurious life, I will make sure to never let you go hungry."
Yao Zhi didn't think there was anything wrong with his words. After all, she was his legally married wife, so it was normal for her to manage their family's money.
When Fu Chen'an saw his wife accepting the money, he broke into a smile and reminded her, "Be careful when you go back."
"Okay. I will wait for you at home," Yao Zhi nodded and left the water for him.
"Good."
After she packed everything up, Yao Zhi returned to the family compound with Wang Shen.
Fu Chen'an stood there until he could no longer see his wife's back. Only then did he walk back to the barracks reluctantly. As he walked, he clenched his fists, relishing the soft feeling of his wife's hands.
He touched the gourd tied on his waist. His wife must be worried about him being tired and prepared this medicinal water for him.
Walking beside him, Xiao Wei shuddered when he saw the smile on his brother's face. He shook his head and said, "Brother Fu, you are really a brave, righteous man!"
If it were him who had to marry someone like Yao Zhi, he would rather die than submit!
Not knowing what he was thinking, Fu Chen'an glanced at him but said nothing.