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Chapter 13
From the moment they bought the pots, Wang Weiguo started to feel that this new sister-in-law was very different from the other military wives at their base.
Whether from the countryside or the city, the other wives might have different habits and occasional conflicts, but none of them were like Xia Wenhua…
Wang Weiguo couldn’t quite put it into words, but based on the attention people paid to their regimental commander’s wife and her bold way of living, he could already tell—the family compound would definitely be lively in the future.
Xia Wenhua, on the other hand, didn’t care at all whether her shopping would shock others.
After all, their garrison was far from here, and it wasn’t easy to make the trip.
Since she finally had a chance, anything she could think of as useful or necessary—if she saw it, she bought it.
Besides, she had a little golden finger—her cheat-like ability.
If she took something out from the supermarket space in the future, at least she could say she bought a bunch back then. That way, it wouldn’t seem strange.
The second and third floors mainly sold large household items. Since Xia Wenhua hadn’t yet seen what their courtyard at the garrison looked like, she didn’t know what would or wouldn’t fit.
So she only bought a few essentials and left the rest.
But once she returned to the first floor, she turned into a mouse falling into a rice jar.
…
Wang Weiguo followed behind Pei Songbai, carrying things.
After a while, he felt completely numb. His mind echoed with one clear word from sister-in-law’s mouth—“Buy!”
Watching the money flow out like water, even though it wasn’t his money, Wang Weiguo still felt a pang of pain.
He couldn’t help glancing at Pei Songbai. Would the commander be mad that his wife is spending money like this?
But Pei Songbai didn’t seem angry at all. On the contrary, he looked quite pleased—and even offered suggestions from time to time.
For example, if Xia Wenhua decided to buy something and he thought it wasn’t enough, he’d glance at the coupons in her hand and add,
“This is something you and the kids can eat even if there’s no food at home. Buy more.”
Encouraged by his lead, the two kids—Pei Xiangchen and Pei Xiangguang—also chimed in now and then:
“Let’s get more of this! That too!”
Seeing this, Wang Weiguo completely gave up trying to reason.
By the time they finally left the supply store, both Pei Songbai and Wang Weiguo had their hands full—large and small bags hanging from both arms, looking like they’d just survived a famine.
Only Xia Wenhua still looked over the pile of items and felt like something was missing.
She muttered under her breath about what else they needed, and even though none of it was his money, Wang Weiguo couldn’t help but twitch at the brow.
Kids from poor families learn to stretch a penny as far as it can go.
He knew he shouldn’t say anything… but in the end, he couldn’t help himself:
“Sister-in-law, actually our garrison’s nearby supply store carries basic rice, flour, and oil. If we run out, we can still get more later. No need to buy it all from here.”
In rural areas, the supply cooperatives often had slightly cheaper staples.
The system wasn’t very strict in the Northeast—there were still small markets on every tenth day of the month, and locals sold their own goods.
Military wives generally lived much better than civilians.
Xia Wenhua, being someone who could take advice, saw the disapproval flicker across Wang Weiguo’s face and only then realized—this era really was different.
Shopping the way she did just now was clearly out of place for this time.
She restrained herself a little and offered a brief explanation:
“This is my first time here. I didn’t know what conditions were like at our garrison, so I just wanted to get a bit of everything we might need.”
Wang Weiguo was young, not stupid.
This was the commander’s household, and since even the commander hadn’t said a word, it wasn’t his place to comment.
He quickly adjusted his tone and said cheerfully:
“Why are you explaining to me, Sister-in-law? It’s my fault for talking too much. Everything here at the First Department Store is great. Every time I come, I want to buy things too, hahaha.”
And just like that, the shopping spree came to an end.
After all, there were others around, and even if Xia Wenhua felt like she’d missed some things, she didn’t dare go buy more with people watching.
The trip back was smooth.
Once they unloaded everything into their little courtyard at the garrison, Wang Weiguo returned the vehicle, and the two children—exhausted—fell asleep again.
Only then did Xia Wenhua turn to Pei Songbai with a question.
“Xiao Wang already thinks I bought too much. And I spent your money and your coupons. Aren’t you heartbroken?”
She batted her big eyes and stared straight at Pei Songbai, clearly waiting for an answer.
“Of course I’m heartbroken.”
Pei Songbai was a simple, honest man.
A rural kid with no background—everything he had came from hard work.
He had never spent money as extravagantly as Xia Wenhua.
But he also understood very well that Xia Wenhua’s past must’ve been one of luxury.
From the moment he learned her true identity, and realized she genuinely wanted to be with him, his mindset changed.
He didn’t even give her a chance to look upset before he added:
“I may feel the pain, but I don’t think you shouldn’t spend. I’m a man—everything I earn, all my money and coupons, belong to you and the children.
If you run short of money or coupons, that’s my failure. As long as I can earn them again, you’re free to spend them.”
Instantly, a glow of emotion flashed in Xia Wenhua’s eyes.
Having dealt with many people in her life, she could easily tell that Pei Songbai meant every word.
His background and this era were completely different from the world she came from, but even in the highly developed modern age, there were still plenty of men who couldn’t match his level of awareness and generosity.
No wonder he’s the male lead. He really is one of the most enlightened men in this world.
She smiled brightly:
“Pei Songbai, you’re high-quality. Keep it up!”
Going from frugal to luxurious is easy; going from luxury to frugality is hard.
She had already mentally prepared for this—her values would always be out of place in this era.
Fortunately, the original owner of this body had come from a wealthy family too.
Even if she did nothing, she wouldn’t lack money.
If she had the money, she was never going to force herself to suffer.
Her future spending might not be as excessive, but she wouldn’t hold back either.
She might be able to fool others, but not her husband who slept beside her.
There was no hiding from Pei Songbai.
Truthfully, she had really just wanted to shop at first, but her later craziness had a bit of intentional probing behind it—she wanted to see what Pei Songbai thought.
Now that she’d asked and got her answer—that even if he didn’t agree with her habits, he respected her choices—Xia Wenhua was deeply satisfied.
With the potential family disagreement resolved and Pei Songbai’s true attitude clear, Xia Wenhua finally let go of her worries and turned to look at their little courtyard.