Es ist an der Zeit

"What did you just call her?" Zooey asked, frowning.

 "Sister-in-law?"

 "She's the prefect's wife?"

 "How about that?" George Lee asked with a smile.

 "Quite something, huh? All of you are women, aren't you ashamed? Look at yourselves. If you were a bit gentler, you might not be single! Hahaha…"

 The joke brought a bit of cheer to the otherwise downcast atmosphere.

 "You…"

 Zooey, her face flushed with anger, waved her fist. "I think you've earned yourself a beating. How dare you mock me!"

 George Lee immediately showed a conciliatory gesture. "Please, have mercy! Hahaha…"

 "The big battle is upon us. It's not wise to provoke me now! It affects the morale!"

 The others around them laughed as well. They had fought and survived together in the trenches and often teased each other.

 "Brother Long, you're never going to find a wife at this rate!"