Chapter 26 : Famine, Zhuang Mingcheng’s little thoughts

“Comrade Zhuang Mingcheng, I thought you were quite aloof, but I didn’t expect you to understand the ways of the world.”

“Cold?”

Zhuang Mingcheng pondered over this word, not quite understanding it. Does it mean tall and cold?

His fiancée always said things he couldn’t understand.

Grabbing Lu Fangfang’s hand, he pulled her along and excitedly walked into the house.

Without stopping for long, Zhuang Mingcheng took her and walked to the big wardrobe in the inner room.

They held hands and looked at each other in the mirror.

“This big wardrobe is the best-looking and most fashionable in the city’s department store. Fangfang, do you like it?”

Lu Fangfang turned her head to look at Zhuang Mingcheng, and seeing his expectant expression, she had no choice but to nod first.

To be honest, this style of wardrobe seemed old-fashioned to her, and she preferred simpler ones.

More importantly, this big wardrobe cost one hundred and fifty yuan, and she felt heartbroken when she thought of the price.

But this was all Zhuang Mingcheng’s kindness, and she was quite touched.

“Comrade Lu Fangfang, don’t lie to me, it’s okay.”

Zhuang Mingcheng was a little depressed.

“This big wardrobe cost less than 150 yuan. I was just joking with my sisters-in-law. I spent 97 yuan.”

As he spoke, he looked carefully at the wardrobe.

These symmetrical double doors and such a large mirror are obviously very beautiful. How could Fangfang not like them?

“Ah? Ninety-seven? That… that’s okay.”

Lu Fangfang was startled and looked at Zhuang Mingcheng suspiciously.

She didn’t know why, but she always felt that this man could guess what she was thinking.

Zhuang Mingcheng rolled his eyes and pulled Lu Fangfang to the window of the inner room.

He pointed at the desk in front of them and said, “What about this desk? Do you like it?”

“And these two folding chairs. I heard they are electroplated folding chairs. They are very convenient to put away when not in use. Oh, and there is also the double bed. I specially picked a sturdy one…”

“Um?”

Lu Fangfang smacked her lips and suddenly felt that there was something wrong with what she said. What did she mean by picking a strong one?

She turned her head and looked at Zhuang Mingcheng in confusion, only to see that his ears were turning red at a speed visible to the naked eye.

“Ahem, um, do you like this desk?”

Zhuang Mingcheng hurriedly changed the subject.

Lu Fangfang curled her lips.

She leaned over and gently stroked the dark yellow desk, which still had the texture of the wood.

She pulled the folding chair and sat down.

Today, the weather was nice and the sky was clear.

Lu Fangfang looked out the window and saw the snow-capped mountains in the distance. “That’s great.”

“I like this desk very much, Mingcheng, thank you!”

Hearing this, Zhuang Mingcheng finally smiled.

He took another folding chair and sat next to Lu Fangfang.

Together, they admired the scenery outside the window.

“Mingcheng, you bought so many things. How much did it cost? Did you spend all your allowance?”

Zhuang Mingcheng touched his nose and whispered, “Ahem, I also borrowed some from the regiment commander and the political commissar.”

“What?”

Lu Fangfang turned her head and looked at him, stunned.

This prodigal man actually brought about the famine without telling us.

“You… you…”

Lu Fangfang pointed at him but couldn’t say any words of blame.

After all, these things were bought for their family.

“Comrade Zhuang Mingcheng, can you discuss this kind of thing with me in the future? I can’t stand this kind of shock.”

“Fangfang, don’t worry. My monthly allowance will be paid soon. Once I get paid, I’ll immediately pay back the money I borrowed from the regiment commander and the political commissar.”

Looking at the things in the room, Lu Fangfang shook her head with a wry smile.

She estimated that the things in this room cost at least a thousand yuan.

Apart from the money in Zhuang Mingcheng’s passbook, he had borrowed at least half of it, not counting the bills.

If he wants to pay it all back, Zhuang Mingcheng will have to work without food or drink for at least half a year.

“Forget it, I’ll do some side jobs at home and pay it back together with you. Who made me follow a spender?”

Lu Fangfang looked resentful.

In this era, who wouldn’t suffer from hunger when getting married? Actually, it was normal.

This was the only way she could comfort herself.

Beside her, Zhuang Mingcheng was extremely happy.

He grabbed Lu Fangfang’s hand and pulled her into his arms.

“What… what are you going to do?”

“Here’s a present for you!”

Zhuang Mingcheng took out the watch he bought in the city from his jacket pocket.

He rolled up Lu Fangfang’s sleeves, revealing her white wrists, and looked a little dazed.

“A watch?”

Zhuang Mingcheng came to his senses and quickly put it on her.

“How much did you pay for it?”

Lu Fangfang withdrew her arm and looked at the watch on it with great joy.

She didn’t have a watch before, so she couldn’t even tell the time. She could only estimate by looking at the sun, which was not convenient at all.

With this watch, she’ll be able to tell time from now on.

“118 yuan, a Hucheng brand watch. I heard it’s the most fashionable watch.”

“Oh my god…”

Lu Fangfang exclaimed.

118 yuan, why are industrial products so expensive in this era?

This watch, which is less than half the size of a palm, is more expensive than a large wardrobe. How many quails does she have to raise to pay back this money?

Lu Fangfang’s body softened and she fell on Zhuang Mingcheng.

After hearing the price of the watch, she suddenly felt that it didn’t matter whether she had a watch or not. It was also good to work from sunrise to sunset and rest from sunset. How healthy!

Looking up at Zhuang Mingcheng with tears in her eyes, she asked carefully, “Can this watch be returned?”

Zhuang Mingcheng tensed up and his face turned red.

Smelling the soapy scent on Lu Fangfang, he quickly shook his head, “I can’t return it. Our group is more than 300 miles away from the city. How can we return it? Fangfang, just wear it. Don’t worry about the money. I’m here for you.”

“With you…”

Lu Fangfang looked at him sadly, “Zhuang Mingcheng, can we spend as much money as we have in the future and not live in debt?”

Zhuang Mingcheng: “…”

He hugged Lu Fangfang and held her tightly in his arms.

If he wasn’t about to go on a mission, he wouldn’t be in such a hurry to buy things. He was just too worried.

He was worried that Lu Fangfang would not have enough to eat, would not sleep well, would not be used to it, would be bullied, would…

He wanted to do everything he could to prepare for Lu Fangfang so that she wouldn’t be left alone in the staff quarters.

Zhuang Mingcheng felt distressed whenever he thought of how Lu Fangfang looked when he first met her. He would not allow his fiancée to have that kind of experience again!