Chapter 15

As they left the military base for the county town, Wen Ning trailed behind Lu Cheng, her small steps struggling to match his long strides. She glared at his broad back, grumbling to herself about his unpredictable moods.

Could he be embarrassed about buying sanitary napkins for me? she wondered. This man is as temperamental as the weather—threatening rain one moment, then sunshine the next.

They rode in a jeep used by the regiment for supply runs. Once again, Wen Ning saw the bustling town of L City.

Compared to Hongyuan City, where the Wen family lived, L City—home of the 326th Regiment—was far more developed. With fertile land supporting thriving agriculture and forestry, it had weathered even the three-year famine better than most.

It was a prime example of a place where people truly lived off the land.

Beyond that, L City had a thriving industrial sector. Following the national slogans “Learn from Dazhai in agriculture” and “Learn from Daqing in industry,” it achieved balanced progress and offered its residents a higher standard of living.

The county town was filled with red-brick single-story buildings that housed state-run restaurants, supply and marketing cooperatives, vegetable markets, and grain stations. The most prominent landmarks were the town’s two three-story department stores.

When Wen Ning stepped into one of them, she was momentarily stunned. Bolts of fabric lined the walls, enamel ware bowls and basins gleamed under fluorescent lights, and rows upon rows of unfamiliar goods beckoned.

Several iron wires stretched across the open space between the first and second floors.

Wen Ning tilted her head, fascinated, as a clerk on the second floor clipped a small notebook onto one of the wires. It glided down swiftly to a salesperson on the first floor, who caught it and began preparing the corresponding items.

“Wow, I didn’t know they did things like this!” Wen Ning’s beautiful peach blossom eyes widened, sparkling with delight.

Her bright gaze turned to Lu Cheng. “Commander Lu, look, look!”

Lu Cheng had seen this system before, but when her dewy eyes met his, he simply nodded. “Hmm.”

He didn’t know what she wanted to buy, so he let her explore. “They have everything here. Go take a look.”

“Okay!”

Wen Ning wandered through the department store like a fish in water. The variety far surpassed that of the supply and marketing cooperative. Some items even rivaled what she had used as a princess, though the prices were steep.

Following a salesperson’s recommendation, she bought a jar of Snowflake Cream and a bottle of Pechoin lotion. She also picked out a pair of soft black cloth shoes and bought four pairs of nylon socks each for herself and Lu Cheng to get through the winter.

Lu Cheng had originally planned to let her shop alone while he visited an old comrade nearby. But Wen Ning wouldn’t let him go.

“I’m new here,” she protested. “What if I get lost? You should help me carry these things. I can’t manage them all myself.”

Lu Cheng: “…”

Commander Lu’s strength finally found its use as he lugged her bags, looking every bit the part of a newlywed settling into married life.

When they stopped by the county police station, an old comrade nearly popped his eyes out upon seeing Lu Cheng like this. Over dinner at the State-Run Restaurant, he whispered, “Never thought I’d see you like this! You used to refuse blind dates and marriage tooth and nail. Now you’re doting on your wife!”

Lu Cheng stared at him, bitterly helpless. Doting on my wife?

He was just waiting to report back to his unit and helping her get acquainted with the area. After this, they would go their separate ways.

On the way back from town, Wen Ning gazed at Lu Cheng with a satisfied smile. He had behaved decently these past few days, and she was pleased—though a trace of resentment remained over his failure to remember her.

When will he finally remember?

Soon after they returned home, Soldier Liu came by. Wen Ning, who had been happily arranging her new lotions, noticed Lu Cheng preparing to leave.

“The regiment needs me. I have to go. You stay here,” he said, adjusting his military cap. After taking a few steps, he paused and added, “If you want to go out, you can visit Sister-in-law Luo.”

“I know, I know. Go on, you’re busy,” Wen Ning replied, not even looking up as she dabbed the snow cream on her face.

Having used rouge and powders in her past life, Wen Ning was intrigued by the modern cream. She examined it curiously, smoothing it evenly across her skin. The cream left her face soft, hydrated, and lightly fragrant.

How interesting.

After lunch, Wen Ning took a nap on the kang and was woken half an hour later by a knock on the door.

Sister-in-law Luo had come to include her in local activities. “They’re expanding the vegetable gardens in the Family Compound and recruiting military spouses to farm. I’ll help you get a good plot when the time comes.”

Wen Ning: “……!”

She had never farmed a day in her life. How could she endure toiling under the hot sun?

But she didn’t voice her concerns. With nothing else to do, she followed Sister-in-law Luo to take a look.

Behind the compound, about ten acres had been cleared for planting. The fields mainly grew seasonal vegetables. As autumn waned and winter approached, only radishes and cabbages remained.

“Sister Luo, are all military spouses required to work in the fields?” Wen Ning asked nervously.

Sister Luo laughed. “Of course not! There are so many of us, you’d be lucky to even get a spot!”

Wen Ning blinked. “…?”

“It’s different from working in the village,” Sister Luo explained. “In the village, you get work points and a bit of grain at the end of the year. Here, you get paid—thirty cents a day. Work every day, and that’s nearly ten yuan a month! Families like Battalion Commander Wang’s really rely on this income.”

Wen Ning felt the sincerity in Sister Luo’s words but still felt reluctant. “Which director handles this?” she asked.

Sister Luo pointed. “That’s Director Yang from the Women’s Affairs Office. The one next to her is Deputy Director He. Just be careful around her.”

Wen Ning followed her gaze to a woman in her forties, with shoulder-length hair and an air of competence. She was speaking with Jiang Rong.

“Let’s go over and take a look,” Wen Ning suggested. She figured it was best to understand who was in charge.

As they approached, Deputy Director He burst into cheerful laughter. “Director Yang, remember how we were worried about Comrade Song being injured? Well, I’ve found a replacement! This is Jiang Rong, Battalion Commander Qin’s wife. She’s beautiful, capable, and can paint! She’d be perfect for the posters.”

“Director Yang, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Jiang Rong said. “Deputy Director He mentioned the Women’s Affairs Office needs help, and I know how to paint. I’d be happy to serve the people!”

Director Yang studied her. She was attractive and articulate. “You really know how to paint?”

“Yes, though I’m not very good…” Jiang Rong said modestly, but her confident smile said otherwise.

Deputy Director He pulled out a folded sheet of paper. “Take a look at her work.”

Nearby military spouses craned their necks to see. A job at the Women’s Affairs Office meant a steady salary.

Director Yang unfolded the sheet. It depicted a golden autumn harvest. Not bad—not on par with Xiao Song’s work, but acceptable.

Jiang Rong basked in the praise, taking the opportunity to curry favor and subtly belittle Wen Ning.

“All newly arrived military spouses should follow Xiao Jiang’s example,” Deputy Director He declared. “Some people spend money recklessly and bring petty bourgeois habits here.”

Wen Ning didn’t even know what “petty bourgeois” meant. As an experienced artist, she shook her head. “What kind of drawing is this? The brushstrokes are messy, the lines aren’t smooth… sigh, just not good enough.”

Sister Luo was surprised. “Xiao Jiang is impressive. She can paint, get a salary, and even receive meat or cloth coupons.”

Huh?

Wen Ning snapped out of her critique. “Sister Luo, you get meat and cloth coupons for painting those posters?”

“Exactly! That’s why Xiao Song took the job. It’s easy work with amazing benefits!”

Wen Ning’s eyes lit up. She stepped forward and addressed Director Yang directly: “Director Yang, I can draw too—and I’m better than Jiang Rong. Can I paint the propaganda posters instead?”