Chapter 10 We must not allow those two people to continue to abuse their power in the Fu family!

Just as Zhao Yulan was about to say something more to Jiang Wan, a few people passed by on the dirt path and greeted her. Jiang Wan’s delicate, pretty appearance really drew attention—everyone who walked by couldn’t help but steal a few glances.

Zhao Yulan also realized that chatting here wasn’t quite appropriate. After all, this was Commander Fu’s private business. While most of the old villagers more or less knew about it, she still hesitated and chose not to continue. Instead, she asked:

“Comrade Jiang Wan, what are you doing out so early this morning?”

Jiang Wan paused for a moment, then smiled sweetly and replied honestly, “Sister Yulan, I’m planning to see if there’s anywhere to buy things. I came in a rush and didn’t bring all the essentials.”

“Oh! That’s easy! There’s a supply and marketing cooperative right at the village entrance! You can buy whatever you need there!”

Zhao Yulan remembered that she needed to pick up some seasoning at home anyway, so she took Jiang Wan by the arm and said:

“Come on, I need to buy a few things too. Just come with me!”

“Comrade Jiang Wan, my home’s not far from yours. If you don’t mind, I’ll show you the way back later. Commander Fu is usually busy with his unit, so if you ever need help with anything, don’t hesitate to find me!”

“Otherwise, I’m just home watching the kids all day—it gets real boring!”

The more Zhao Yulan looked at Jiang Wan, the more she liked her and felt a connection. This girl was just too pretty, too fresh and spirited! That long, glossy black braid, those bright almond-shaped eyes with a spark of cleverness—she clearly looked like a smart young woman. Her skin was so fair and delicate, completely different from the women around here who were used to farm work.

And although she looked like someone who had been pampered, the way she spoke was endearing and down-to-earth. Especially when she smiled—there was a little dimple in her pink cheeks. It made her look irresistibly sweet!

Jiang Wan liked Sister Yulan too, so she obediently followed her to the village’s supply and marketing cooperative.
Thank goodness she had asked the Jiang family for 300 yuan before leaving—otherwise she wouldn’t even know how to buy anything!

The place was called a “supply and marketing cooperative,” but to Jiang Wan, it felt just like the little corner stores from her childhood in her previous life. It sold all sorts of odds and ends.

As they entered, a few rowdy kids were waving around their Mao-era bills, demanding snacks. At this time, many items still required ration coupons to purchase, though kids’ snacks didn’t. But children didn’t get much pocket money, so any coins they had were usually saved for little treats or toys.

Zhao Yulan led Jiang Wan inside. Watching the kids hopping around up front, she couldn’t help but say:

“Jiang Wan, now that you’ve married into the Fu family, you should talk to the two kids at home when you get a chance. Tell them not to just stay cooped up indoors! They should come out and play with other kids sometimes!”

“I used to say I’d let my Daming befriend your family’s Fu Chen, but what was your cook’s name again…? Oh right, Tang Feng! She said the two kids are very shy, so they don’t want to come out and play. Claimed she had already tried to persuade them several times.”

Zhao Yulan, being a mom herself, felt it was bad for kids that age to stay inside all the time. They should be socializing with their peers.

But those words made Jiang Wan freeze for a second.

Her elegant brows drew together slightly, and a flash of darkness flickered across her eyes.

She hadn’t expected Aunt Tang to be this manipulative! In order to make sure the two children only listened to her, she barely even let them outside!

No wonder the kids believed all the nonsense Tang Feng told them—like that eating too much meat would hurt their stomachs!

If only they went outside and interacted with other kids or adults, they’d find out just how wrong Tang Feng and Yuan Meilin’s teachings were!

Hmph, no wonder those two women didn’t want the kids playing with others—they were afraid of being exposed!

Jiang Wan pressed her lips together firmly, silently making a decision in her heart:
Since Fu Jingchuan had already chosen to marry her, then she, Jiang Wan, absolutely wouldn’t allow those two women to continue lording over the Fu household!

Her long lashes fluttered slightly, and just then, the group of children in front finished buying their snacks.

She stepped forward and asked the shopkeeper for a big pile of kids’ snacks—orange soda, crispy noodles, fruit candies, and a few random toys she had seen two boys arguing over just earlier.

Fu Chen was a little boy too, so he’d definitely like these.

Tang Feng and Yuan Meilin had brainwashed the kids far too deeply—she needed to lure them in with some sweet treats first to win their trust.

Oh—right. She nearly forgot something important.

In her past life, Jiang Wan had lost both parents early and grew up in an orphanage. Before her mother passed away, she had left behind an old cookbook.

Later on, Jiang Wan taught herself how to cook from that very book.
One time, a coworker came over for dinner and was stunned, saying her cooking was better than the private chefs at high-end restaurants!

Hmph—since that’s the case, she was going to let those two kids truly taste what real delicious food was like.

She’d love to see whether, after eating her meals, those kids could still stomach the slop Tang Feng made!

After buying the snacks, Jiang Wan also picked up the toothbrush and small towel she needed.
But when she went to get soap, she realized she didn’t have the ration coupon required!

Jiang Wan felt a little helpless—now she was starting to feel how inconvenient this era could be.

But Zhao Yulan just laughed and pulled a soap coupon out of her pocket:

“Oh please, Comrade Jiang Wan, I’ve got loads of these soap coupons lying around unused! Here, take one!”

“No need to pay me back!”

“Sister Yulan! I can’t possibly accept that!”
In this era of planned economy, every household only had limited access to essentials like food and supplies. Jiang Wan didn’t want to take advantage of her, but she really didn’t have the coupon.

So after Zhao Yulan helped her buy the soap, Jiang Wan shared some of the snacks she bought with her.

Her smile was soft and sweet, making it hard for anyone to say no.

As she slipped a few bags of snacks into Zhao Yulan’s cloth bag, she said:

“Sister Yulan, I bought these snacks for the kids at home.”

“I didn’t pay attention and might’ve bought too much.”

“These things aren’t good for kids if they eat too many. Please take some home for your child too!”

“Oh my! Comrade Jiang Wan, what are you doing!”
Zhao Yulan was startled—kids’ snacks weren’t exactly cheap!

But Jiang Wan just smiled and said:

“Sister Yulan, please just take them! They’re just some treats! If you don’t, I’ll feel too awkward to ask for your help again!”

“Aiya! Alright, alright! Comrade Jiang Wan—you really are such a sweet soul! Let’s head back—I’ll show you where my house is too!”

“Honestly! Your Commander Fu is really something—just like my man! So rough around the edges. You only arrived yesterday and he didn’t even take you out to see the place today!”

“Thank goodness you have such a good temper, or you’d really be holding it against him!”