Chapter 15: The Sisters-in-Law at the Military Housing Compound

When they were intimate, if the windows weren’t covered, everything could be seen by others. There was no privacy at all.

Ran Jinnian had thought about making curtains, but fabric wasn’t cheap, and everyone else just used paper to cover the windows to save whatever they could.

She had fabric in her space, but she couldn’t just take it out openly—it would look too out of place.

“I also need to buy some seeds; the vegetable garden outside can be used to grow vegetables.”

Ran Jinnian mumbled to herself while calculating the bills.

In this era, buying things required various industrial coupons.

When she finished speaking, she noticed Lu Jinyuan just staring at her. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“Wife, whatever you say, I’ll do.” Lu Jinyuan only followed his wife’s instructions.

Ran Jinnian gave him a sharp look. “Other things are easy to buy, but what about the wardrobe and the crib?”

She was already six months pregnant, and the baby would need a proper crib once born.

There was a crib in her space, but it could only be brought out at night and put away during the day. For now, that was the only option.

Actually, Ran Jinnian also wanted a stroller, but that wasn’t urgent. First, she wanted to get all the necessary items in order.

“Wife, that’s easy. I’ll ask about the wardrobe.”

“Huh?”

“In the military housing compound, some families of soldiers move out after only a few months. When they leave, the husbands lose their qualification to stay in the compound, and any furniture that can’t be taken away will be handled by the compound.”

“That’s great!” Ran Jinnian was delighted. “But I still want a crib and a shoe rack.” She picked up a pen and drew three diagrams.

She realized she also needed a shoe rack.

“A shoe rack?” Lu Jinyuan knew few people cared about such things, but if his wife wanted it, he’d get it. “Alright.”

Seeing him about to leave, Ran Jinnian took ten yuan from her wallet. “You dummy, even if their furniture is being disposed of, you should give a little something in return.”

When she married Lu Jinyuan, the Lu family had given a bride price of three hundred yuan, and her mother added another three hundred.

Lu Jinyuan’s passbook had 1,896.75 yuan, he carried 671.2 yuan in cash, plus some miscellaneous coupons.

Lu Jinyuan pocketed the money.

“Also, check if there’s any oiled paper; buy some to cover the windows.” Ran Jinnian reminded him as he walked away.

Once Lu Jinyuan left, Ran Jinnian noticed the family certificates on the table. She put them away, planning to write a letter to her family.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

She opened it: “Sister Zhou.”

“Jinnian, don’t stay cooped up inside—come out for some fresh air.” Zhou Hongying was knitting a sweater; with autumn approaching, she needed to make two for her husband.

Ran Jinnian glanced outside. The other military wives were gathered in small groups. She grabbed a handful of candies and put them in her pocket. “Coming!”

As soon as she appeared, many eyes turned toward her.

Zhou Hongying led her to some familiar faces. “This is Sister Qin, Sister Qiong, and Sister Wang.”

Ran Jinnian had met Sisters Qin and Qiong that morning, so she remembered them. “Hello, sisters. I’m Ran Jinnian, just arrived at the military housing compound. If there’s anything I do wrong, please advise me kindly.”

Her words made everyone feel very comfortable.

“Little Ran, you’ve been to school, right?” Sister Wang noticed her way of speaking was different.

Ran Jinnian nodded. “Yes, I have.”

Seeing that most of the women were taking care of children, she reached into her pocket and handed out small pieces of candy to each child.

“That won’t do—you should keep it for yourself.” Qin Shulan stopped her; candy was precious.

Ran Jinnian smiled, showing her sweet dimples. “I don’t have much to offer as an aunt, so let the kids enjoy the candy.”

“We all live here together. When the men are away, if you have any difficulties, tell us. We take care of each other.” Qiong Fengxia handed her daughter a piece of candy, unwrapped, and stuffed it into her saliva-filled mouth.

Living together in the military compound, when the men were busy outside, everyone helped each other at home.

“Alright.”

Ran Jinnian knew they weren’t just being polite.

“Mom, Mom, I don’t know how to do this problem!” a boy ran out of the house holding his notebook.

Qin Shulan didn’t even look. “I can’t even read the characters—I don’t know, don’t ask me.”

The boy, Goudan, panicked. “Ah, what do I do? If I don’t turn in my homework tomorrow, I’ll get a smack on the palm!”

“Who told you not to study properly? You deserve a sore hand!” Qin Shulan scolded.

Goudan was about to cry.

Qin Shulan slapped him. “Cry, cry, cry—you only know how to cry!”

Goudan cried even louder.

“What do we do? We don’t know either,” Zhou Hongying said.

Ran Jinnian waved her hand. “Let me see.”

“Yes, Aunt Ran has been to school; let her take a look,” Qin Shulan pushed her son.

Ran Jinnian picked up the homework—it was an elementary arithmetic problem.

“This isn’t difficult. You solve it like this.” She explained it to him.

Goudan’s eyes lit up. “Aunt, I understand now!”

“Then do it yourself.” Ran Jinnian patted his head.

After finishing, Goudan showed it to her again.

Ran Jinnian checked it, pointed out a few mistakes, and explained them.

Qin Shulan clicked her tongue. “Young lady, you graduated from middle school, right?”

Hearing she had been to school and seeing her unusual demeanor, they assumed she had only finished middle school.

After all, most of the military wives here only had primary school education, and that was already impressive.

“High school,” Ran Jinnian said.

“Wow!” They hadn’t expected her to be a high school graduate.

In this era, a high school education was excellent.

Everyone looked at Ran Jinnian differently now.

“When you have a child, once the child is older, you can send them to a nursery, and you can find a job in the military district,” Qiong Fengxia said.

Ran Jinnian nodded. “Mm.”

“Some time ago, the military district factory was hiring. If I couldn’t read, I couldn’t get in.”

Qiong Fengxia also wanted to work, but she was too late; all the regular positions were taken as soon as other families left.

The remaining positions required education, and since she was illiterate, she could only envy others.

“With your education, you won’t have to worry about any job,” everyone said enviously.

Ran Jinnian felt the military district was truly well-organized and thoughtful in every aspect.

She didn’t know how long she would live here, but it certainly wouldn’t be short, and she could find a job in the district eventually.

They chatted for a while longer. With her large belly, Ran Jinnian didn’t stay outside long and soon returned to her room.