Chapter 12: Buying a Sewing Machine

Lin Momo finished washing up and looked at the food on the table. The lumps of coarse grain didn’t seem quite right—was this a failed attempt by Cheng Jinghao?

“What’s this?”

“Tsampa. It’s a staple food made from highland barley flour, commonly found in Tibet. The one you’ve had in the future was stir-fried, but this one is steamed directly,” Cheng Jinghao explained, then brought over two bowls of plain rice porridge.

Lin Momo nodded and took out a bottle of Lao Gan Ma (a popular chili paste) from her space. They started eating breakfast together.

“Is the production of highland barley high right now?” Lin Momo asked.

Cheng Jinghao shook his head. “Even though highland barley is cold- and drought-resistant, our agricultural technology isn’t developed enough. The local food production is barely enough to feed the villagers, let alone the people in the highland regions.”

“Actually, Southern Tibet is suitable for growing rice. In the future, rice will indeed be grown there,” he added.

Cheng Jinghao watched as Lin Momo happily ate the tsampa, mixing it with the rice porridge and Lao Gan Ma.

He had thought she might not be able to get used to it since she had always preferred eating rice and fine grains since childhood.

After finishing breakfast, Cheng Jinghao cleared the bowls, then picked up the backpack and took Lin Momo to the entrance of the family compound to wait for the supply truck.

“Orange-flavored,” Cheng Jinghao said, pulling out a piece of fruit-flavored candy from his pocket. He peeled the wrapper and held it out in front of Lin Momo.

“Ah.” Lin Momo opened her mouth.

Cheng Jinghao smiled lightly and held it near her lips.

“What are you laughing at?” Lin Momo asked, looking at him.

“Laughing because you’re cute,” Cheng Jinghao said, his gaze intense.

“Of course, I’m 8 years younger than you now,” Lin Momo said, proudly lifting her chin.

“…”

More military families arrived one after another. Cheng Jinghao wasn’t very familiar with them, just greeting them with a nod.

“You must be Colonel Cheng’s wife?” one of the military families asked, looking at Lin Momo.

“Yes, I’m Lin Momo,” she replied, maintaining a friendly smile as she greeted them.

“She’s such a pretty girl.”

“Yeah, she really matches Colonel Cheng.”

The military families chatted amongst themselves, and Lin Momo felt like her face was about to stiffen from smiling too much. Cheng Jinghao, on the other hand, was secretly pleased.

Finally, the supply truck arrived.

Lin Momo and Cheng Jinghao got on the truck, and the candy she had just eaten had already dissolved. Cheng Jinghao quickly handed her another piece.

Lin Momo glanced at him, as if asking where he had gotten so many orange-flavored candies.

“I picked out all the orange candies from the ones you bought yesterday,” Cheng Jinghao whispered.

Lin Momo pinched the bottle of cooling oil in her bag. She had taken it from her space earlier. She thought he had probably forgotten, but here he was, remembering that she would get car sick every time she rode in a bus.

She had thought that the first candy he gave her was just randomly picked, but it seemed like it was carefully planned.

After more than an hour of travel, Lin Momo didn’t feel any car sickness. She had already bathed in the spiritual spring water the day before, which had improved her physical condition a lot. Perhaps it was also the effect of the orange candy.

Neither of them gave it much thought. After getting off the truck, they headed straight to the department store.

The department store in Southern Tibet, though called a “department store,” was actually just a little larger than the supply station in the military area. Larger items had to be pre-ordered and then shipped from other places.

There weren’t many people in the department store. Besides the two or three military families who had traveled with them on the truck, there were a few brightly dressed young girls. They didn’t look like locals—likely they were young intellectuals sent to the countryside.

“Hello, we’d like to buy a sewing machine.” Lin Momo politely said to the saleswoman.

Everyone looked over, and Lin Momo felt a bit embarrassed.

She glanced at Cheng Jinghao. If it weren’t for the people around, she would have asked, “Isn’t there anyone in the military family compound who has a sewing machine?”

“It’s just that my wife and I just got married, and we received a sewing machine voucher from our family. When we got married, my family was in a hurry, and my mother-in-law couldn’t make it in time with the dowry, so she told my wife to come here and do it herself.” Cheng Jinghao explained to the saleswoman.

Cheng Jinghao looked at the oldest military wife in the room. He had some impression of this older woman. It seemed like she was the wife of someone from their brigade.

The older woman smiled and nodded. “It’s really hard for this young lady to come all the way here. Cheng, you should treat your wife well.”

“That’s right. When we were with the military, we were all in our thirties, with several children already. Unlike this delicate flower, Lin Comrade here has great awareness.” A military wife next to them chimed in.

Cheng Jinghao quickly nodded and gave Lin Momo a subtle glance. With Cheng Jinghao’s words, Lin Momo confidently had the saleswoman process the purchase.

“Auntie, there’s something I want to ask. My parents are senior officials in Beijing, and I came here in a hurry, so I didn’t bring much luggage. Does the military area accept parcels?” Lin Momo asked, leaving Cheng Jinghao to wait for the receipt while she chatted with the brigade wife.

“Parcels are sent with the supply trucks to the military area. Someone will deliver them to your home later, so don’t worry.” The brigade wife smiled and reassured her.

“Thank you, Auntie.” Lin Momo said. This matter had actually been discussed with Cheng Jinghao already. She just wanted to use the brigade wife’s words to let people know that both her and Cheng Jinghao’s families were well-off. Otherwise, if people kept seeing her buying things, she would be uncomfortable.

Although the military personnel who have the qualification to move with the army are well-paid, and allowances and subsidies are higher in Tibet, it’s not that easy to have money without a voucher.

Lin Momo also bought some cotton and cloth. Since she said she wanted to make a dowry, she bought quite a bit of red silk for the quilt. The quilt cover couldn’t be taken from the mall since the style was different.

“When the sewing machine arrives, they will send a bullock cart to deliver it to the military family compound.” The saleswoman smiled as she said.

“Alright, thank you.” Lin Momo took the receipt from the saleswoman’s hand.

After finishing the shopping, the two of them left the supply and marketing cooperative.

“That military officer is really handsome.”

“Yes, and he’s really good to his wife.”

“If we could find a military officer to move with the army, would we not have to work anymore?”

A few young women chatted with each other.

“Young lady, don’t think such crooked thoughts. You are here to help build southern Tibet as part of the educated youth.” The brigade wife gave the young women a sharp look.

“We were just talking.” The young women exchanged glances and quickly exited the department store.

The brigade wife shook her head as she watched the young women leave. Having followed the brigade since the War of Resistance, she had endured many hardships and naturally couldn’t stand those who had improper thoughts.

“Do you know who that older woman was just now?” After they left the department store, Cheng Jinghao asked.

“I don’t know, but she should be the wife of someone with a higher rank than you.” Lin Momo turned her head to look at him.

“She’s the wife of someone from our brigade.” Cheng Jinghao smiled. “You’re quite smart, little girl.” He continued, “Let’s go to the meat station, I’ll buy you some meat.”

“I want lamb.”

“Alright.”

“I want lamb chops.”

“Okay.”

“I want roasted lamb chops.”

“Got it.”

“Cheng Jinghao.” Lin Momo stopped in her tracks and looked at him.

“Hmm?” Cheng Jinghao stopped too, following her lead.

“It’s really nice having you here.” Lin Momo smiled and ran ahead.

It’s nice because you’re here. Cheng Jinghao looked at her retreating figure, pressing his lips together.