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Chapter 25
“Hey, you two! Are you done shopping yet? Are you planning to buy out the entire department store? I’ve never seen anyone shop like you, spending money like there’s no tomorrow,” Zhang Xiangqian complained impatiently. He was leaning against the car while urging Xu Zhao, “Hurry up! We still need to get to the meat processing factory. If we’re late, there won’t even be any meat left.”
He knew an employee at the meat processing factory, so every time he came to the county, he would visit the plant to buy a few pounds of meat. When the meat at home ran out and the child was craving it, it was necessary to buy some to pacify the child.
Fortunately, Zhang Xiangqian’s car had a large space. They loaded the car so full that even the back seat was packed with things.
Zhang Xiangqian couldn’t stop talking. While driving, he complained, “I’m telling you, Xu Zhao, today I’m just here to be your laborer. Picking people up is one thing, but helping with errands and carrying stuff is another. That meal this morning was too cheap for you. I’m not letting it slide, you owe me another meal. The cafeteria doesn’t count. I’m coming to your place to eat.”
Xu Zhao remained noncommittal. He and Jiang Suihan were newlyweds, and inviting friends and family for a meal was normal. When new family members arrived in the unit, it was customary to host a meal. However, this needed to be discussed with Jiang Suihan. He didn’t mind cooking, but his culinary skills were average.
Zhang Xiangqian wasn’t exaggerating. The road was indeed winding and bumpy, making the ride uncomfortable, as if her stomach was about to be shaken out.
Fortunately, she had taken motion sickness medicine beforehand, and it was effective. Jiang Suihan closed her eyes to rest and tried hard to suppress her nausea, fearing she might vomit if she opened her mouth.
After more than two hours of winding roads, they finally arrived.
First, they had to get out and register. Since Jiang Suihan and Jiang Leyun hadn’t transferred their household registration to the local area, they obtained temporary entry cards.
“Captain Xu, Captain Zhang!” Wang Dahe saw them and quickly ran over to greet them.
“Just in time, the new family members of your captain are here. Come and meet them.” Before Xu Zhao could say anything, Zhang Xiangqian took the lead in introducing Jiang Suihan and her brother to Wang Dahe.
Wang Dahe’s jaw dropped, and he scratched his head. “Sister-in-law, hello!”
Oh my god! Captain Xu is married!
This explosive news had to be shared with everyone immediately.
Jiang Suihan smiled gently. “Hello, Comrade Wang. Nice to meet you!”
Wang Dahe couldn’t help but blush and was a bit shy while looking at Jiang Suihan. He stammered, “Sister-in-law, hello!”
His sister-in-law was so beautiful and spoke so gently.
Captain Xu was indeed lucky to marry such a wonderful wife. If he could find a wife half as good, he would be satisfied.
He wondered if the sister-in-law had any younger sisters. Maybe he could ask about it one day and perhaps have luck like Captain Xu’s.
Zhang Xiangqian looked at Wang Dahe and asked, “What are you doing here? You weren’t waiting for us, were you?”
Wang Dahe scratched his head. “An old acquaintance sent something over, but the unit doesn’t allow us to accept it. I’m taking it back to him now.”
Xu Zhao asked Wang Dahe, “Is everything okay in the unit while I was away?”
Wang Dahe immediately put on a serious expression. “Everything is normal in the unit. Everyone is looking forward to your return.”
Zhang Xiangqian immediately countered, “Stop lying. Don’t think I don’t know what you guys are thinking. Are you looking forward to Captain Xu’s return? More likely, you’re hoping he comes back to give you trouble.”
Wang Dahe’s face turned red, and he stuttered, “Captain Zhang, you’re thinking too much. We don’t think that way.”
Xu Zhao was known for his strict discipline in the unit. He was not only strict with himself but also with his soldiers, which made everyone both fearful and respectful of him.
Xu Zhao remained calm and waved his hand. “Alright, you can go back now.”
Wang Dahe saluted and hurried away, eager to share the news with his fellow soldiers.
Zhang Xiangqian helped unload the things. “I won’t go in. I’m going to return the car. Remember, you owe me a meal.”
Previously, Xu Zhao lived alone in the unit’s dormitory. On the day he got his marriage certificate, he called the political commissar, hoping for a quick arrangement of housing, and promised to submit a formal written application upon his return.
Political Commissar Zhou scolded Xu Zhao over the phone, complaining about the additional trouble he had brought while being absent from the unit. The Jiang family’s background had some issues. Although it could be overlooked, there was a risk of someone making a fuss. The commissar suggested waiting for Xu Zhao to return to the unit to discuss the matter of accompanying the family.
Xu Zhao said time was tight and couldn’t wait. Eventually, it was resolved by Xu Zhao’s comrade-in-arm at the Mingjiang City Public Security Bureau. The comrade made some effort to investigate the Jiang family’s past. The Jiang family had been running factories before the founding of the country, with many factories and substantial assets. Otherwise, Father Jiang wouldn’t have had the money to study abroad.
The comrade found that Jiang Suihan’s grandfather, who was the head of the Jiang family at the time, had made a significant donation of money and supplies to the People’s Liberation Army. Though few knew about it, it was known by some, creating a significant opportunity for maneuvering. After a series of verifications and operations, the Jiang family could be classified as red capitalists, resolving the issue of Jiang Suihan’s background.
Xu Zhao specifically treated his comrade-in-arm to a meal, asking him to help clarify the matter. He needed to hurry back to the unit, and his comrade, being a local, had better connections.
Xu Zhao carried his luggage and opened the door. While walking in, he said, “The apartment buildings are all allocated, and only a few courtyards are left. I asked the political commissar to choose one. If you don’t like it, we can switch when a vacancy comes up.”
He was always worried about Jiang Suihan feeling wronged. A young woman, who had traveled thousands of miles to follow him to this remote place, had never complained. He couldn’t bear to treat her poorly.
Jiang Suihan looked around the courtyard and became more satisfied. The courtyard wasn’t very large, but it was spacious enough. It could be tidied up gradually, with space to grow vegetables and flowers. The first floor had a utility room and kitchen, and the second floor had three rooms—one large and two small—definitely sufficient for their needs.
It was such a nice place—two floors with a small courtyard, and with the door closed, they could do anything without worrying about being seen.
“This courtyard is so nice. Why hasn’t anyone chosen it?”
Xu Zhao set down the items and explained, “It’s not that no one wanted this courtyard. The previous occupant was a regiment commander who was injured during a mission last month and had to retire and return to his hometown. So, this courtyard became available. We were just lucky that the political commissar acted quickly and secured it for us.”
Many people in the family compound had their eyes on this courtyard. With three rooms and its own courtyard, Xu Zhao said living here was much better than living in an apartment building.
He added, “One downside is that, unlike apartment buildings with running water, you have to fetch water from the river here, which is not very convenient.”
Seeing him sweating profusely, Jiang Suihan took out a handkerchief and handed it to him, saying, “It’s a bit inconvenient, but I still prefer living here over an apartment. Each person has their own room, so it’s not cramped. Plus, we have our own private space and can do whatever we want once the courtyard door is closed. It’s much more comfortable.”
She then asked, “Is it possible to dig a well in the courtyard?”
Xu Zhao took the handkerchief, hesitating to use it for wiping sweat. “I’m not sure. There doesn’t seem to be anyone in the army who knows how to dig wells. There might be people in the nearby brigade who can help. I’ll find some time to ask.”
Jiang Leyun came in carrying items and asked, “Sister, which room should I stay in?”
Jiang Suihan glanced at each room. Besides their size, the layouts were the same. She pointed to the room on the south side. “This room gets good light. How about you stay here?”
Jiang Leyun grinned, “Sure, I like this room.”
He was thrilled to have his own room again. It had been inconvenient sharing a room with his sister; as a boy, it was a bit awkward.
The large room was naturally reserved for the adults, and the remaining room could be used as a study. The more Jiang Suihan looked at the courtyard, the more she felt it was an excellent choice. If they had lived in an apartment, Xu Zhao’s position likely wouldn’t have entitled them to such a large space.
She needed to find a good time to thank Xu Zhao’s leadership for their significant help.
The previous occupant, a regiment commander, had left not long ago. The dust in the house wasn’t very thick. Jiang Suihan found an old piece of clothing, and cut it up to use as a rag. Jiang Leyun diligently helped clean without being told, scrubbing every corner of his room and re-wiping any missed spots. With his efficiency, he couldn’t finish by noon.
Jiang Suihan realized her brother had a bit of an obsessive-compulsive tendency and felt a bit speechless.
As long as he was willing to work and didn’t cause trouble, she didn’t mind.
She called Xu Zhao over and pointed to the windows that had been cleaned halfway. “I can’t reach the upper parts of the windows. Can you help?”
Xu Zhao took the rag without a word and reached effortlessly above the window.
Jiang Suihan looked up and couldn’t help but ask, “How tall are you?”
Xu Zhao glanced at her. “I was measured last year in the army, I’m 186 cm.”
The army measured height and weight every year. He remembered being 184 cm last year, so he had grown two centimeters this year. He wondered if he would grow any more next year.
Jiang Suihan remarked sourly, “Growing so tall, I guess all the food you’ve eaten since you were a child wasn’t wasted.”
Her height was barely 161 cm, and with shoes, it could be a bit more, which was considered tall among Southern girls. However, it lagged behind among Northern girls.
Standing next to Xu Zhao, the height difference was quite noticeable—he was a full 25 cm taller.
Xu Zhao compared his height with Jiang Suihan’s. “You’re not short.”
He had two sisters, both about 167 cm tall. Compared to his sisters, Jiang Suihan was indeed shorter.
Jiang Suihan pouted. “You’d better not say anything.”
She wasn’t yet twenty, and her parents weren’t short either. Once they settled in, she planned to find somewhere nearby to order milk and drink it daily. She hoped to grow a little taller, even just one or two centimeters. She wasn’t being greedy.
**
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