Slowly pulling down the sleeve on her right arm, Feng Qingxue spoke coldly: "Comrade Chen Ju is late, she doesn’t know the type of person I am. Commander Qi, however, should be very familiar since he lives amongst our troops and surely, he’s heard of my reputation. I can stomach anything, except for injustices. Anyone who dares raise a hand against my son, when he is not at fault, should be prepared to lose theirs callously! I, Feng Qingxue, always do what I say!"
"Feng Qingxue, who gave you the audacity to spout insolence in my household!" Chen Ju shrieked.
Feng Qingxue’s response was to step forward, closing the gap between them in swift strides. Her abrupt proximity scared Chen Ju into hastily backing away until she could retreat no further, her face a mask of panic.
Feng Qingxue extended her arm to grasp Chen Ju’s chin, allowing her no escape.
"Such a young and pretty face. What a pity it would be to ruin it. If it weren’t for Commander Qi’s sake, I would have slapped yours today, leaving you without a face to continue playing teacher! Against your tyrannical behavior, others may swallow their indignation, but not I. Chen Ju, I warn you, my son sharing his food with other kids is a testament to his kindness. If anyone dares again to abuse familial favoritism to plunder his belongings like today, it won’t simply be your hand at stake!"
Chen Ju dared not answer back, casting pleading eyes on Qi Gang. Qi Gang, his face ashen, responded, "Comrade Feng Qingxue, you’re going too far! Let go of Comrade Chen Ju, we need to talk this out calmly."
Feng Qingxue let go and took two steps back, shaking off her hand that had just gripped Chen Ju’s chin.
"Commander Qi," she turned to Qi Gang. Her eyes, dubbed the most beautiful in the army, held a cold glint and not a trace of amusement. "Don’t be angry, I’m just following the example set by your household! If you wish to denounce my actions today, start with your beloved wife. If she publicly apologizes to my son, I’ll apologize to her too. Deal?"
"Why should I apologize to a child!" Chen Ju exclaimed. She was a teacher and needed to uphold her dignity. Moreover, being the wife of the commander, her status was much higher than Feng Qingxue’s. Why should she apologize to her?
"Excellent, I was also not keen on apologizing to a niggling miscreant like you!" Feng Qingxue was blunt in her rebuke. Her gaze traveled from Chen Ju to Qi Gang as she spread her hands wide. "Commander Qi, you saw it yourself. Striking without apology seems to be a unique trait of your household. I’m merely following suit. I’m generally a gentle woman, amiable and benevolent, living my life quietly. But when pestered, goodness isn’t what awaits!"
Qi Gang recalled the evaluations of Feng Qingxue by his fellow army mates. Most of them portrayed her as seemingly gentle and caring for her husband, child, and brothers in the army. But in actuality, she was steadfast and unyielding. She had a tough streak that even Wang Baozhu dared not cross a line with her. If given the chance to join the army, surely, she would excel. This was one of the reasons why the army readily agreed to her enlistment.
Commander Chen once said that Feng Qingxue was born to be a soldier. During her medical training, she would assist Guo Xiuying with treating various injuries and ailments among the soldiers. Especially after tough physical drills, she would tend to the wounded without batting an eye.
Agile, mentally tough, assertive, and not easily swayed. On the outside, she is a daffodil but in reality, she is a storm flower!