While Cheng Su and Ning Ge were discussing the topic of men being in charge of the outside and women being in charge of the inside, Qi Taiguo was also discussing this issue with two comrades, trying to prove he was right.
"Men take charge of external affairs, and women manage the household—that’s been an unchanging truth for millennia, right? But now, women are all running outside!" Qi Taiguo said.
"This millennium-old tradition is gone now, especially since the economic reforms and opening up, sometimes women can do even better than men!" Long Shaoguang said.
Gao Linbing passed each of them a cigarette, saying, "It’s not quite like that, this slogan is always being shouted, that women can hold up half the sky, and it’s not just limited to the home anymore!"
"That’s also true."
Qi Taiguo then said, "That’s correct in theory, but if you weigh the two, isn’t the family the most important thing for women?"
Both Gao Linbing and Long Shaoguang nodded, "You’re right."
"...Like my wife, I don’t expect her to earn much money from working. As long as she takes good care of my son, that’s enough!" Long Shaoguang said with a face full of pride.
"No one would believe it if you said she hadn’t done well. Your son, with his big head and brawny look, clearly gets plenty of breast milk." Gao Linbing smiled suggestively, "I’m afraid your son can’t finish it all, lucky you!"
Long Shaoguang just laughed hee-hee and said nothing.
Qi Taiguo looked on from the side, feeling somewhat envious.
If they had a child as well, would Cheng Su’s heart be a bit more settled, not so wild?
Gao Linbing noticed the expression on Qi Taiguo’s face was a bit off, asking, "What’s wrong? Arguing with the wife again?"
"Not at all." Qi Taiguo was quick to say, "Just venting a bit!"
"You wouldn’t be venting like this if it weren’t for something you felt personally," Long Shaoguang hehed and exposed the truth.
Qi Taiguo looked a bit unhappy.
Gao Linbing then said, "Actually, everyone has their own strengths. Old Qi, ah, your wife is capable, and plenty of people in our unit are envious. Not to mention anything else, but just one thing, you won’t have to worry about money, right?"
Cheng Su’s restaurant business was doing well, which many knew. With a money-making restaurant, how could they be short of money?
As for those of us in the military, to be honest, how many are from Second Generation of Red families? Most of us come from the countryside, and in the past, weren’t kids born in litters? Having a poor family, one had to provide support, but without money, how could you support anyone?
Qi Taiguo was taken aback and then chuckled, "It’s been okay."
"In the whole compound, it’s like your Cheng Su spends money like water, and you’ve even bought a bicycle. I heard you’ve got two electric fans now? That’s all backing for you," Gao Linbing patted his shoulder, "Having this confidence, the whole demeanor is different. You know it, how much is our allowance? Barely enough to take care of our own little family, let alone help the larger one!"
Qi Taiguo nodded; it was true. Since Cheng Su started doing business, they had been much more comfortable financially than others.
"So, be content. You can’t have the best of both worlds. Besides, I don’t think Cheng Su is wild at heart. It’s just a couple squabbling. It’s normal for spouses to argue; you just need to talk it through appropriately," he advised.
Qi Taiguo smiled bitterly. He wasn’t the one refusing to back down; it was Cheng Su who didn’t want to back down.
"But you can’t spoil a woman too much; if you don’t discipline for three days, they’ll start removing tiles from the roof. We men are the head of the family, we can’t lose our nerve!" Long Shaoguang chimed in.
Gao Linbing laughed and teased, "You try hitting and see if you can still lie on your wife’s chest and compete with your son for milk..."
Long Shaoguang laughed awkwardly.
Qi Taiguo laughed as well, but his thoughts had already flown to Cheng Su’s side, wondering how to resolve this round of conflict.