Chapter 27

Chen Xiuni also smiled and said, “These are from my garden, and here’s some dried vegetables I dried myself. They’re not much, but you can take them and try them.”

She had brought two freshly picked cabbages, very fresh, and a small bag of dried vegetables.

Jiang Suihan quickly declined, “You’re too kind. Thank you, Sister. Please wait a moment.”

She hurried into the living room, took out the candies she had bought at the department store in the morning, grabbed two handfuls of fruit candies and milk candies, then took a few steps, thought for a moment, and went back to get six sausages.

“These are specialties from my hometown. It was inconvenient to bring much on the way here, but please take them home and try them. They might taste different from the cured meats and sausages from your hometown.”

The sausages from Mingjiang City were delicious, though not famous outside the province, they were well-known locally, with a slightly sweet flavor. Both Jiang Suihan and Jiang Leyun loved eating sausages.

They would slice the sausages thinly and place them on top of the rice as it was nearly done cooking, then crack an egg on top, add some blanched vegetables, and drizzle with sauce. It was delicious.

Wu Guihua and Chen Xiuni waved their hands, not wanting to accept. They had only brought some inexpensive things to see what Captain Xu’s new wife was like, never expecting to receive such generous gifts in return. It felt like they were taking advantage.

Jiang Suihan insisted, “These are wedding candies. Please take some to share our joy. I’ve just arrived and don’t know much about how things work here, so I hope you two will look after me and help out in the future.”

Having said this, it would be impolite not to accept.

Wu Guihua laughed heartily, “Then I won’t be shy. I came here a few years ago and know a lot about the camp. If you need anything in the future, come find me. I live in the third building from the north.”

They chatted for a few more minutes before Chen Xiuni mentioned that the three of them must be tired after several days of train travel and didn’t want to disturb them further, so she pulled Wu Guihua away.

As soon as they left Xu’s house, Chen Xiuni couldn’t help but ask, “What do you think of the young lady?”

On the way out, afraid of being seen, Wu Guihua put the candies and sausages in her pocket. It bulged a bit, but you couldn’t tell if you didn’t look closely.

“She’s generous, and very pretty too. Did you see her hands? White and tender, not like someone who does much work. I think her family must be well-off. I heard rumors that Captain Xu’s family is from the capital and that they hold high positions. If she married him, her family must be pretty good too.”

Chen Xiuni agreed, “I think you’re right. And her brother seems polite too. But it’s strange that after getting married, she brought her brother to live with them. That’s quite unusual.”

She had lived in the countryside for thirty years and had never seen anything so unusual. It was surprising that Xu Zhao even agreed!

Wu Guihua said, “Why should we care about their family matters? As long as Captain Xu has no objections, it’s none of our concern. I’m more curious about why Captain Xu suddenly got married, with no prior hint.”

Xu Zhao was one of the most sought-after single officers in the unit. Many people were interested in him, including some of the young, beautiful girls from the art troupe. It was said that some of them were even bold enough to propose themselves to him, but Xu Zhao didn’t fancy any of them.

Chen Xiuni speculated, “Maybe his family arranged it. Who knows?”

Today’s visit was worthwhile. Just a few vegetables were exchanged for meat and sugar. Tonight, she decided to stir-fry some sausages with green beans to improve their meal.

When Jiang Suihan woke up after a nap, she felt sore all over. Glancing at her watch, she saw that it was already past five in the afternoon.

She quickly got out of bed, put on her shoes, tidied herself up, and walked to Jiang Leyun’s room. After knocking on the door and getting no response, she opened it to find the room empty.

As she went downstairs, Xu Zhao happened to return, carrying three lunch boxes.

Jiang Suihan felt a bit embarrassed, “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

Xu Zhao set down the lunch boxes. “No worries. You were on that train for so long. It’s normal to be tired and sleep more.”

Jiang Suihan blushed slightly. She had slept for most of the journey and wasn’t that tired. It was Xu Zhao who must have been exhausted, as he couldn’t sleep deeply while traveling, needing to watch over their belongings.

If she didn’t know Xu Zhao well, she might have thought he was being sarcastic.

Dinner consisted of cabbage and tofu stew, stir-fried pork with green peppers, and vermicelli with ribs, with steamed buns as the staple food.

Xu Zhao had found a small table somewhere, though one of its legs was uneven, so he placed two stones under it to stabilize it.

The steamed buns from the cafeteria were large, and Jiang Suihan took small bites as she ate. “I heard from Sister Wu today that there’s a market nearby. Do you know where it is?”

Xu Zhao took a big bite, finishing a quarter of his bun in one go. “There are a few villages nearby, and for easier management, the brigade set up a market in the middle of one of them. The market sells produce from the local farmers. The wives from the family quarters often go there to buy grains and vegetables. But the market isn’t open every day. It has fixed hours. If you want to go, I can take you when I have time.”

Knowing Xu Zhao was busy, Jiang Suihan didn’t want to trouble him over such a small matter. She didn’t attend school or work here, so she had plenty of free time every day.

“No need, I’ll ask Sister Wu to take me some time.”

In Mingjiang City, people didn’t eat spicy food. Among the three dishes, the stir-fried pork with green peppers was the spiciest. The siblings ate while hissing at the heat, and after two bites, Jiang Suihan didn’t dare eat anymore, her face slightly flushed from the spiciness.

Jiang Leyun, being a child, was eager to try everything. Although it was spicy, the dish had meat in it, and the more he ate, the more he liked it, even finding it a bit addictive.

Xu Zhao, being from the north, had been in Li Province for three years and had long since gotten used to the local spicy food.

Jiang Suihan took a bite of the steamed bun to counter the spiciness. “Sister Wu said that the unit assigned each military family a piece of land. Where’s ours? Is there any vegetable you’d like to eat? When I go to the market, I’ll find someone to buy seeds and try planting them.”

She didn’t know how to farm, but that didn’t matter. Sister Wu said she was from the countryside and had been dealing with the land since she was born. Farming was second nature to her, and she could teach her.

She was a bit puzzled. “Does the unit care if people farm or not?”

It wasn’t like being in the countryside, where everyone except children and those unable to work had to farm to earn work points. The more work points you earned, the more grain you received at the end of the year.

Xu Zhao glanced at Jiang Suihan. “Otherwise, what would we eat? The unit doesn’t support idlers. If there’s not enough grain, everyone is encouraged to grow more. I’ve mentioned this before; the conditions here are tough, not like in Mingjiang City. If you regret coming here, it’s not too late. I can call home, and you and Leyun can go to the capital. My parents are there, and life there would suit you better.”

If Jiang Suihan wanted to go to the capital, he wouldn’t blame her or think she was cold-hearted. It was human nature to seek better opportunities, and he understood and supported her desire for a better life.

Jiang Suihan shook her head. “You’re underestimating me. I’m an idealistic revolutionary youth. I won’t be swayed by your words. We agreed to share both the good times and the bad. How could I abandon you and go to the capital to enjoy life? I’m not that kind of person. Don’t worry, I’ll stay here with you.”

She didn’t know Xu Zhao’s parents, nor had she ever met them. They were practically strangers to her. The thought of living with her in-laws made her head spin.

She’d rather stay here. Although the conditions couldn’t compare to those in the capital, they were still free, even the air carried the scent of freedom.

Xu Zhao slowly smiled. “So, Comrade Jiang, what are your ideals?”

Jiang Suihan wrinkled her nose. “Not telling you.”

To be honest, she didn’t even know what her ideals were. If she had to name one, it would be to live well and have the life she wanted.

Xu Zhao looked at her seriously. “Life here is hard and tiring. Sometimes I’m away on missions, and you’ll be the only one at home, handling everything on your own. Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

Jiang Suihan met his gaze directly, not avoiding his eyes, and clearly enunciated, “No regrets.”

Xu Zhao looked into her eyes for a moment before responding, “Alright.”

He had given her a chance, and she had turned it down.

He wouldn’t let go now.

Jiang Suihan looked at him, then playfully tilted her head and winked at him, teasing, “Are you deeply moved, almost on the verge of tears, and feeling lucky to have married such a sensible girl like me?”

Xu Zhao tried to suppress the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth and put a piece of rib on her plate. “Eat more.”

Jiang Suihan pouted. “Is that all the reaction I get?”

Xu Zhao did not comment on the matter.

Jiang Suihan huffed, “Boring.”

Seeing her annoyed face, Xu Zhao couldn’t help but chuckle, suddenly feeling a bit more hopeful about their future together. With her around, life should never be dull.

The weather was sunny during the day, and the clothes and bedding she washed at noon had dried completely. Otherwise, she would have had to sleep on the bare bed frame tonight.

Jiang Suihan first went to Jiang Leyun’s room to make the bed and arrange the bedding. She didn’t tidy up the clothes, leaving that task for her brother to handle himself.

At seven years old, Jiang Leyun was old enough to do some small tasks and develop his practical skills.

The bed in the bedroom was a bit small and old. Jiang Suihan cleaned it three times during the day, not missing any spots. She had a mild obsession with cleanliness and was uncomfortable sleeping on a bed used by others.

Xu Zhao was also in the room organizing things and had just finished setting up the bedding when Jiang Suihan turned to him and asked, “I want to replace the bed with a new one. Do you know where I can get one?”

Xu Zhao replied, “There’s a furniture factory in the county, they should have beds. But it’s quite far, and we’d need to drive and transport it back. There should be carpenters in the nearby teams who can make custom furniture.”

Both options were feasible. It depended on her choice.

Besides the bed, Jiang Suihan also wanted to have some cabinets and a desk made. Given this, finding a carpenter for custom work seemed more practical and economical.

She shared her plans with Xu Zhao, who nodded, “Okay, I’ll find some time to ask around with the team.”

Jiang Suihan handed him the clothes he would need for a shower. “Don’t worry about tidying up now. Do it tomorrow. You should shower first.”

Xu Zhao took the clothes, gave her a deep look, and then turned to head downstairs.