Chapter 29: Never Forgetting Her Stomach-Control Panties

……

Wen Yanyan ran to the state-run restaurant at top speed and sold the dried mushrooms just as quickly.

Eight jin in total, three yuan and eight cents a pound, she sold them for twenty-four yuan.

After collecting the money, she returned to her original spot with the same speed.

“Goodness, Yanzi, where have you been for so long? Does your stomach still hurt?”

Zhang Huping’s heels ached from standing.

“Sister Ping, I’m sorry, did I keep you waiting? It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Wen Yanyan was breathless.

“It’s fine, there’s enough time. Hey, Yanzi, where are the dried mushrooms you were carrying? Did you lose them?”

Zhang Huping noticed her bag was gone at a glance.

“Oh, I didn’t lose them. There happened to be a post office next to the restroom, so I mailed them.”

Wen Yanyan had already concocted a story.

“That’s good. Let’s go, let’s go for a walk to the department store.”

Zhang Huping put her arm around Wen Yanyan and walked forward.

“Okay, Sister Ping, this is the first time…”

Wen Yanyan, feeling good about getting rid of the mushrooms, was so happy that she almost blurted out that it was her first time going to a department store.

Luckily, she remembered in time that the original owner was a big spender—she couldn’t possibly have never been to a department store in half a month.

“This is the first time I’ve gone out shopping with you.”

She smoothly corrected herself.

“Yeah, we weren’t that familiar before.”

Zhang Huping didn’t notice her momentary hesitation.

Wen Yanyan’s first visit to a 1970s department store revealed its distinctive vintage charm.

Although it differed greatly from the dazzling shopping malls of the new century, the store offered a wide variety of goods.

Since Wen Yanyan had coupons, she didn’t need to resort to the black market. Besides, some things weren’t available on the black market, so she decided to buy everything at the department store.

She bought a pound of brown sugar, several large rolls of toilet paper (because sanitary napkins weren’t available at that time, this was the substitute; multiple layers would do), several pound of millet, and ten kilograms of rice—all essential daily necessities.

Finally, she asked Zhang Huping,

“Sister Ping, do you know if they sell Lycra here?”

Wen Yanyan was still thinking about her stomach-control panties.

“Lycra? Elastic fabric?”

Zhang Huping was completely baffled. She had only heard of elastic bands, not Lycra.

“Come on, let’s go see if they sell fabric.”

So, carrying the bag of things she had just bought, she took Wen Yanyan to the fabric section.

“Sister Ping, you must be tired carrying that; let me help you.”

Seeing Zhang Huping struggling, Wen Yanyan took the bag from her. The large bag seemed to be nothing to her.

“Thank you, Yanzi, you’re so strong.”

Zhang Huping’s hands were aching.

……

They arrived at the fabric section and asked the saleswoman. They did have it, though it was more expensive than ordinary cloth—one yuan per foot.

Without hesitation, Wen Yanyan bought three feet with her money and coupons.

After leaving the department store, Zhang Huping asked her,

“Yanzi, what are you buying this for? It’s not cheap; ordinary cotton cloth is fifty cents a foot.”

Twice the price.

“I’m making panties.”

As women, Wen Yanyan didn’t hide it; everyone wears panties, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

“You’re using this fabric to make panties? Won’t they be tight?” Zhang Huping thought, “Wouldn’t that be uncomfortable?”

“Sister Ping, that’s exactly what I want.” Wen Yanyan smiled slyly.

“Oh~”

Zhang Huping suddenly understood.

“So that’s it! You sly girl, you’re so clever. Wearing them tight will make your butt look smaller, right?”

“And my stomach too.”

Wen Yanyan added.

“There’s no other way, I’ve gained so much weight, I have to put in more effort than others.”

Zhang Huping nodded repeatedly.

“Yanzi, you really need to put in more effort. You have to hold onto Nan Tuan, this god-like man.”

Hearing her mention Nan Jue, Wen Yanyan’s heart stirred.

“Sister Ping, I never met Nan Jue before we got married, and I don’t know him. Did anyone pursue him before?”

She wanted to know more about Nan Jue.

“What do you think? Use your common sense.” Zhang Huping looked knowing.

“So he did? Do you know who it was?”

Wen Yanyan’s heart beat faster.

If she could learn about Nan Jue’s romantic history, this trip wouldn’t have been in vain.

“This is… Yanzi, I can’t say. Wouldn’t that be stirring up trouble between you two? You just got married.”

Zhang Huping hesitated.

“It’s okay, Sister Ping, I’ll just listen and won’t tell Nan Jue, and I won’t implicate you.”

Wen Yanyan wouldn’t let this information slip away. She quickly reassured Sister Ping.

“Then I’ll tell you. You two absolutely must not fight. Your Nan Tuan is a good man.”

Zhang Huping finally let her guard down.

“There was a woman, a female educated youth from a nearby village. One day, she suddenly chased to the army, crying and saying she wouldn’t marry anyone else. It caused quite a commotion.”

“At first, the army leaders even misunderstood that Nan Tuan had seduced that female educated youth. Later, they found out that Nan Tuan had once led a team on a training exercise, and when they passed by that village, she glanced at him and was captivated. Isn’t your Nan Tuan outstanding? I heard that the female educated youth’s family is from the city, and her father is a high-ranking official in the province. She’s very beautiful and tall.”

“What happened then?”

Wen Yanyan’s heart continued to race.

“Later, the army called the village, and the village contacted the female educated youth’s parents. Her father came and took her away.”

Zhang Huping knew the whole story.

“When did this happen?”

Wen Yanyan didn’t miss a single question.

“Last year.”

Wen Yanyan had gotten all the information, and her head was spinning.

She knew Nan Jue was handsome and would certainly have admirers, but she didn’t expect so many.

This was the third woman she knew about, but this one was the most intense.

“Yanzi, are you alright?” Zhang Huping noticed she seemed dazed.

“I’m fine. It’s normal for women to like him; he is quite outstanding.”

Wen Yanyan didn’t want to say more. “Sister Ping, let’s go back and wait for the bus. Is there anything else you want to buy?”

“No, let’s go, Yanzi. Give me the bag; it’s quite heavy.”

“No, I can carry it.”

Wen Yanyan had received so much information from Zhang Huping, it was only right to carry the bags.

Besides, she wasn’t tired; her strong body was full of energy.

……

Half an hour later, Wen Yanyan returned home, put down her things, didn’t even change her clothes, and lay on the bed, her mind blank.

Nan Jue, he really wasn’t an easy man.

That female educated youth was definitely a hidden danger, and she didn’t know when she might reappear.

And there was Yu Linglong lurking beside her as well.

……

After a while, she got up, took off her coat, and wanted to take a shower; she was sweaty and uncomfortable.

But at that moment, the door opened, and a man, like an iron tower, stood at the doorway.

“Ah!”

Wen Yanyan screamed instinctively and quickly grabbed her clothes to cover her chest.