Chapter 20: Spendthrift Woman

Lunch was almost completely eaten, with only some porridge and steamed buns left in another lunchbox.

After changing clothes, Lian Yuqing was getting ready to go out when someone knocked on the door.

She was puzzled—who could be looking for her?

When she opened the door, a simple, honest-looking middle-aged woman was standing there. Her hair was braided in thick pigtails, and her cheeks were flushed unnaturally red. Before Lian Yuqing could say anything, the woman grinned and said cheerfully, “You must be the Captain Wei’s wife. You look like you walked out of a painting!”

“And you are?”

The woman grinned even wider. “I’m Cai Guifen. My husband is the squad leader of the third platoon.”

Lian Yuqing nodded. “Do you need something from me?”

“The battalion commander spoke with my husband and asked me to take you shopping.”

So Ice Block had thought things through. “Sister Cai, come in and sit for a bit. I’ll go get my things.”

Lian Yuqing went back inside. Cai Guifen sat on a chair and looked around curiously, unable to hide the envy in her eyes. The battalion commander’s home only housed the couple, yet they lived in a three-bedroom apartment. Her own family had two sons, four people crammed into a single room.

Well, her man just wasn’t as capable, that was the truth.

There were twenty yuan left on the bedside table. Lian Yuqing had seen it as soon as she woke up. Wei Dong hadn’t even left a note—so this was what it was for, to go shopping.

Without hesitation, she stuffed the money into her pocket. Lian Yuqing thought, God, please don’t let this be our living expenses. Otherwise, who knows how many years it’ll take to save enough for a divorce!

“The empty lots between buildings are for growing vegetables. My family’s growing plenty. If you want, have the battalion commander till the land for you—within a month, you’ll be eating your own greens.”

Each building had a grassy area in between, covered in lush green. But Lian Yuqing wasn’t interested in planting vegetables.

Cai Guifen had lived here for five years and knew everything. After they went downstairs, she began introducing people and helping Lian Yuqing get familiar with everyone.

Lian Yuqing merely smiled faintly—polite, but distant.

So afterward, the entire housing compound gossiped that the battalion commander’s wife had her nose up in the air and didn’t want to mingle.

The military base was remote, with no buses around. People usually hitched rides with the canteen supply truck.

The soldier driving blushed when he saw Lian Yuqing and didn’t even dare lift his head. Only after Cai Guifen explained that she was the battalion commander’s wife did he act normal.

When Cai Guifen saw how quickly Lian Yuqing spent money, she was floored. Good grief, she thought, this woman spends like crazy!

Three towels, two basins, countless other items—Lian Yuqing barely glanced at something before paying. In less than an hour, she had spent almost the entire twenty yuan.

She’s a total spendthrift!

Cai Guifen had never liked seductive-looking women like her. If it weren’t for her husband agreeing to help, she wouldn’t have gotten close.

How can he afford her? she thought. I heard the battalion commander comes from a rural background too.

But Lian Yuqing was all about efficiency. She wasn’t in the mood to window shop—just bought everything she needed and noticed that Cai Guifen was giving her a strange look.

She didn’t care.

“Sister Cai, let’s go eat,” she said, pointing to a nearby restaurant.

Cai Guifen panicked and waved her hands. “No need! I brought some buns with me.”

“I’m new here and you’ve helped me so much—told me a lot, accompanied me shopping. It’s only right that I treat you to lunch. Come on.”

After Lian Yuqing insisted twice, Cai Guifen hesitated, then tucked away her buns and got dragged into the restaurant.

Inside, Lian Yuqing picked a table and sat down. A waiter came over. “What would you like to order?”

A blackboard hung above the counter, listing dishes and prices. Lian Yuqing once again marveled—Everything is so cheap!

“What would you like to eat, Sister Cai?” she asked.

Cai Guifen had only finished second grade and couldn’t read well. After joining her husband on base, he had taught her some characters at night so she wouldn’t lag behind other military spouses. She could barely read the board now but still couldn’t bring herself to speak up.

She had never eaten in this state-run restaurant. The food was too expensive—one meal here could feed her whole family for three days. After a long pause, she ordered the cheapest option: plain noodles for 7 cents.

But Lian Yuqing confidently told the waiter, “Two bowls of beef noodles, two fried eggs, and five meat buns.”

Cai Guifen was stunned. “That’s way too much! Just noodles are fine.”

But the waiter had already gone to place the order.

“No way. We’ve been busy all morning. You need something hearty.”

Lian Yuqing had specifically set aside five yuan. All those goods had only cost 60 cents, yet she managed to spend like royalty.

The food came quickly. This was a well-known state-run restaurant with generous portions. The beef noodles came in full bowls, beef piled on top.

The meat buns were large and plump, with thin skin and lots of filling—each one as big as a fist.

Cai Guifen stared wide-eyed and didn’t eat. Lian Yuqing handed her the first bun. “Eat quickly—we’ll need to head back soon.”

Only then did Cai Guifen begin eating.

Lian Yuqing didn’t have a big appetite. One meat bun was enough for her. Having grown up on gourmet food, even she had to admit—these buns were amazing. The meat was firm, the seasoning just right. If she weren’t full, she’d definitely eat another.

Freshly steamed buns were best when piping hot.

Cai Guifen cleaned her bowl and even drank the soup. She restrained herself and only ate one meat bun.

Lian Yuqing asked the waiter to bag up the remaining three buns—she planned to bring them home for Wei Dong.

Cai Guifen looked at Lian Yuqing’s bowl. The fried egg was gone, but half the noodles and several chunks of beef remained. After some hesitation, she asked, “Sister-in-law, if you’re not going to finish that… may I take it home?”

Lian Yuqing was momentarily stunned—she had never eaten someone else’s leftovers, let alone had someone ask for hers.

Seeing her pause, Cai Guifen quickly added, “My two boys have never eaten from a state-run restaurant before. I want them to try it.”

Lian Yuqing said, “Sure.”

She also gave her another meat bun.

In that moment, Lian Yuqing’s image in Cai Guifen’s heart skyrocketed. She had originally thought of her as wasteful and delicate—but now, she seemed generous.

There were other military wives with good conditions, but none had ever been this generous.

Since she had received kindness, Cai Guifen became especially enthusiastic in helping Lian Yuqing carry things—though all she was given were two light plastic basins.

Lian Yuqing accepted without guilt. That’s how favors worked—give and take. She treated her to lunch, and now she helped her out. No big deal.

A soldier helped carry everything back to Lian Yuqing’s place.

Downstairs, Cheng Weiwei and Jiang Min were walking arm in arm, faces full of disdain.

“Look at Cai Guifen running around for her like a servant,” Cheng Weiwei sneered. “She’s already been bought.”

Jiang Min had heard about the battalion commander’s wife coming to the base, and now that she’d seen her in person, she was surprised—Lian Yuqing was really beautiful.

But Jiang Min was busy with work and usually didn’t have time to pay attention to housing compound gossip.

Her husband, Pan Yuecheng, was the deputy battalion commander of the 7th Battalion and had a good relationship with Wei Dong.