Chapter 28 – Shopping at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative

One had to admit, Huo Tingwu and Zhou Chongli were complete opposites in personality—one aloof, the other warm and talkative.

With Zhou chatting along the way, half an hour passed in no time.

After registering at the gate, Zhou drove them to a row of single-story houses.

The family quarters on the island were all bungalows. When Ye Tao opened the door and saw the neat little courtyard, she was pleasantly surprised—it felt like her dream of country life had finally come true!

She couldn’t wait to start planning the courtyard.

Carrying their luggage, Huo Tingwu followed behind. Seeing the bright smile on her face, the tightness in his chest eased. It looked like Taotao was satisfied.

“Thanks, brother.” He clapped Zhou on the shoulder.

Tears welled up in Zhou’s eyes. “Old Huo, hearing that ‘thanks’ makes every one of the ten mosquito bites I got last night worth it.”

There weren’t many residents in the compound. Some houses were old and neglected, their courtyards overrun with weeds.

The house they were assigned had been vacated after the regiment commander transferred away. Compared with the others, it was in better condition, though it had sat empty for over half a year.

The island enjoyed spring-like weather year-round, and plants flourished easily. Before they set out, Huo had called Zhou to ask him to clear the weeds and do some repairs, so Taotao wouldn’t be scared off by grass taller than a man.

“Old Huo, sister-in-law, you two settle in. I’ll return the jeep. Don’t cook tonight—come eat at my place. My wife killed a chicken to welcome you. Don’t you dare not come, or else Ruirui will polish off all the chicken himself.”

After saying that, Zhou drove off in a puff of dust. Ye Tao didn’t even have time to offer him some gifts, but since they’d be going to his home that evening, she decided to bring them then.

Inside, the house was spotless, not a speck of dust. Learning that Zhou had helped clean, Ye Tao felt grateful and made a mental note to prepare extra for the Zhou family later.

Aside from her own clothes, everything they’d brought was what the family had prepared for them. Liu Wenxiu had even gone around collecting smoked meats and cured chickens from the villagers to send along.

Thankfully, nothing had spoiled. Ye Tao quickly hung them under the eaves in a shaded spot.

It was just about mealtime. Huo took ration tickets and money to fetch food from the mess hall, while Ye Tao wandered around the house to get familiar.

The house was a little over a hundred square meters. The front yard was spacious—perfect for planting vegetables and melons.

On the north side were five rooms: three bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen—enough to host guests comfortably.

The toilet sat in the southwest corner. Ye Tao inspected it carefully. The cement flooring was far better than she had imagined. The previous owner must have had standards.

What delighted her most was the mango tree in the yard. The fruits were still green, but they could be pickled into a sour dish. Remembering that they had chili peppers in their luggage, she planned to make a plate to bring to the Zhou family that evening.

When Huo returned with food, Ye Tao washed her hands and sat down.

“Lucky day, they made braised pork. Try it—the mess hall doesn’t serve good dishes often.”

He had brought three dishes: braised pork, cabbage with glass noodles, and stir-fried shredded potatoes with green peppers—all simple home-style fare.

Ye Tao popped a piece of braised pork into her mouth. The first impression was greasy. The meat was overcooked, leaving her throat coated in oil.

She quickly shoved in a mouthful of rice to wash it down.

But Huo kept picking out more meat for her, eager for her to eat. Alarmed, Ye Tao covered her bowl. “No more!”

“Not to your taste?” he asked.

Ye Tao nodded. “Too greasy. I don’t like it. You eat it.”

Her genuine distaste left him no choice but to encourage her to eat more of the other dishes instead.

The cabbage had been doused with water before it was cooked through—watery and tasteless, the noodles mushy and limp, fit only for toothless grandmas.

Luckily, the shredded potatoes weren’t bad—nothing special, but edible. Still, she thought, if someone managed to ruin even this dish, their cooking truly defied comparison.

Later, after reporting to camp, Huo returned with his bedding from the barracks.

He handed Ye Tao a metal box. “Wife, open it.”

Acting all mysterious, he watched as she lifted the lid—only to be blinded by a pile of brightly colored banknotes and ration coupons.

“So much money! Seems I married a rich man.”

Huo chuckled. “Now it’s all yours.”

Ye Tao closed the door, poured the notes onto the table, and counted—six hundred fifty-nine yuan in total, not including cloth and grain coupons.

Adding the two thousand in the passbook and the money she carried, they had over three thousand yuan.

In an era when a meal cost only a few cents, this was practically a fortune.

Ye Tao carefully tucked everything away, hiding the passbook and cash separately in secret spots. The compound was safe, but she didn’t like putting all her eggs in one basket.

After making the bed, the couple took a nap. When the sun softened, they headed out shopping.

It was September, still warm on the island. The supply and marketing cooperative was less than ten minutes’ walk away.

Apart from two cooking pots and the clay pot they’d bought in Guangzhou, they had nothing. They needed basins for washing faces and feet, plus separate ones for underwear—for hygiene’s sake, they’d each use their own.

News that Deputy Commander Huo had brought his wife to live on base had already spread through the compound.

The drowsy shop staff perked up immediately when the two walked in.

“Deputy Commander Huo, is this your wife?” an older woman asked.

“Yes.”

Though there weren’t many families in the compound, Huo didn’t know everyone. Aside from a few close comrades, he usually kept to himself. Even when greeted, he often didn’t know how to address the person.

“And you are…?” He racked his memory but couldn’t place her.

“I’m Yang,” she said with a smile. “My husband is Li Erzhu, from the regiment next door.”

At the name, Huo recalled a tall, dark-skinned man. “Ah, Sister-in-law Yang.”

Ye Tao politely greeted her too.

The woman laughed, her wrinkled face crinkling further. “How can you call me that? I’m nearly forty already.”

Ye Tao widened her eyes. “Really? You don’t look it at all—more like thirty-something.”

“You sweet-tongued girl! Whatever you need, just say the word—I’ll give you a discount.”

“Then thank you in advance, Sister-in-law.”

Watching Ye Tao win favor with just a few words, Huo silently gave her a thumbs-up.

Thinking of what they lacked, Ye Tao picked out six glazed ceramic basins—white with red flower patterns, cheerful and festive. Three sizes—large, medium, small—perfect for their needs.

She also bought oil, rice, flour, plus two tins of malted milk powder, canned goods, and candy. One set of treats would go to the Zhou family in the afternoon—after all, Zhou’s son was still a little boy—while the other they’d keep for themselves.

Ye Tao handled the purchases, while Huo carried the load. They left with bags full.

Before leaving, Ye Tao didn’t forget to scoop up a handful of candies for Sister-in-law Yang, thanking her for the discount.

Watching them walk away, the woman commented, “Deputy Commander Huo’s new wife is not only pretty but also capable.”

A cold snort sounded from nearby.