Chapter 19

So fragrant!

Just as she sat down, Chen Yuan came in with Su Jianguo helping him. Looking at Su Wan, Su Jianguo grinned and said, “Brother-in-law is really in good shape—recovering fast too.”

Su Wan quickly reminded him, “Second Brother, don’t let him walk for too long. He’s got a gunshot wound in his leg, and too much walking could affect his recovery.”

Su Jianguo immediately looked worried and glanced down at Chen Yuan’s leg. “You okay? I didn’t know you couldn’t walk much.”

“I’m fine, Second Brother. If I was uncomfortable, I’d say something,” Chen Yuan replied.

In truth, his relationship with Su Wan’s three brothers had always been decent. They’d grown up together. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have drunkenly agreed to marry Su Wan at the village head’s house. Even after suspecting he’d been tricked into the marriage, he didn’t make a fuss and still followed through with the proper procedures.

“You better sit down quickly—don’t mess up your leg. You’ve got a bright future ahead,” Su Jianguo said seriously.

Everyone in the village knew that the youngest son of the Chen family had a promising future. Now that he was also the husband of their little sister, the Su family naturally paid extra attention to his condition.

Su Jianguo pushed Chen Yuan back down into a chair, while Zheng Aifang, wiping her hands, called out, “Wash up and eat, everyone!”

“Let’s go eat!” Su Jianguo said cheerfully, helping Chen Yuan back up and leading him into the house.

While everyone was eating, Su Wan spoke up, “Chen Yuan needs rest for a while. I’m thinking of going to Yangcheng for a look.”

Chen Yuan swallowed his food and didn’t object. “Mom’s here with me. If you want to go, go ahead. You can take Mom-in-law too and let her see Yangcheng.”

“But you and Mom…” Su Wan hesitated.

Li Cuihua immediately said, “I’ll stay here and take care of Yuan. I wouldn’t be any help with your business anyway.”

“Okay, if you don’t plan to go back soon, once Yuan’s a bit better, I’ll take you along too,” Su Wan said.

She needed to seize the opportunity to start her business. It was already the end of the New Year celebrations; she couldn’t afford to wait much longer. Besides, Chen Yuan shouldn’t be overexerted right now.

Since Chen Yuan agreed, Su Wan stopped worrying.

She added, “I’ll head to the county later to buy some rice and oil—we haven’t used our ration coupons yet.”

“Mhm, you two go. I’ll be fine at home,” Chen Yuan replied.

“No way. What if something happens while you’re alone? I’ll stay with you,” Li Cuihua said anxiously.

“Auntie Chen, you and my mom should go. I’ll stay home and take care of Yuan,” Su Jianguo decided firmly.

Li Cuihua couldn’t argue with that anymore.

After all, they couldn’t let their younger daughter-in-law shoulder all the costs.

Before coming here, she had left fifty yuan at home and brought the rest. Right now, she had over 1,300 yuan on her.

After lunch, Su Wan went to find Wang Bin and asked when they were heading to the county.

Wang Bin said they’d be leaving soon, so Su Wan told them to wait while she grabbed some money.

She put her passbook back in its original place. There was still over 3,200 yuan at home. She locked up 2,000 yuan in the drawer and took the remaining 1,200-plus in her bag. She wore the bag across her chest under her jacket to prevent theft.

Bringing her mother and mother-in-law, they got on the vehicle. Wang Bin greeted them with a smile. “Hello, Sister-in-law. Hello, Aunties!”

Zheng Aifang wasn’t shy at all and cheerfully said, “This kid Wang is pretty nice. He’s been helping out these past two days.”

“Auntie, don’t flatter me like that. It’s my duty. The company commander and Sister-in-law have always been good to us—we all remember that,” Wang Bin replied.

The conversation warmed up quickly. Today, Wang Bin was driving alone; Xu Weiguo wasn’t with him. Su Wan didn’t ask much about that.

Once they got to the county, Wang Bin asked, “Where do you want to go, Sister-in-law? I’ll drop you off.”

“I hope I’m not taking up your time,” Su Wan said, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I need to buy some rice and oil and maybe see if there’s any meat.”

“Don’t worry! Meat is easier to get now. If not, I can take you to the meat processing plant. You can buy meat there with cash. Our unit has connections—I can help you out,” Wang Bin explained.

Since the army needed to procure food, Wang Bin naturally had some connections.

Su Wan thanked him and asked, “Comrade Wang Bin, is it possible to buy a bit more meat? It’s still the New Year period—I want to make some preserved meat.”

“Of course! But not too much. I can help you get up to a hundred catties.”

More than that might raise questions from higher-ups. But under a hundred catties? That wouldn’t be a problem, especially with the company commander injured and needing nourishment.

With ration coupons, they bought 40 catties of rice and 10 catties of oil. Then Wang Bin took them to the meat plant. A pig had just been slaughtered, and they were currently dividing the meat. Su Wan didn’t buy too much—80 catties of pork, 20 catties of ribs at 60 cents a catty, some sausage casings to make sausages herself, and a set of pig offal to teach the two moms how to stew it.

“Anywhere else you want to go, Sister-in-law?” Wang Bin asked, driving the car.

“Could you drop me off at the state-run store? I want to buy some spices and maybe some New Year’s treats—sweets and such, just in case kids come around visiting,” Su Wan said.

She figured Wang Bin probably didn’t need to do all this. He was likely just sent to help out because of Chen Yuan’s injury and the army’s concern. But since she was here already, she might as well take the chance to buy everything she needed, so she wouldn’t have to bother them again.

When they reached the store, Su Wan took both moms inside.

Since it was already the end of the New Year holiday, there were fewer shoppers. Prices in the state-run store had dropped, and the listed prices were much more reasonable now.

“Mom, if there’s anything you want to eat, just pick it out,” Su Wan said, making sure to take care of both her mother and mother-in-law.

Looking at the prices, both moms waved their hands.

“These are way too expensive.”

The store clerk, cracking melon seeds, glanced over at them with disdain and muttered, “Why come to a state-run store if you can’t afford anything? Country folks really haven’t seen the world. This store only sells the good stuff—of course it’s expensive. What, they think they’re back in the countryside?”

That mocking tone made Su Wan feel very uncomfortable.

Li Cuihua looked uneasy and shrank back, but Zheng Aifang wouldn’t let it slide—criticize her all you want, but not her daughter.

She raised her voice and said, “Wanwan, get whatever you want. Mom’s got money! Even if we’re country folk, we still earn more than some who only make a few dozen yuan a month!”

The store clerk’s face turned green with anger and tried to argue back, but an older woman beside her pulled her aside.

She pointed at Su Wan and whispered, “Look at that watch on her wrist—it’s worth over a hundred. Clearly not someone short on cash.”

The clerk, used to picking on the weak and fearing the strong, didn’t say anything else.

Su Wan smiled and took Li Cuihua’s hand, saying gently, “Mom, buy something too. It’s not every day you both get to come to town. As your daughter-in-law, let me show a little filial piety.”