Upon learning that Gu Mingyue was going to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy things, the aunties decided not to keep her talking and let her go.

Gu Mingyue breathed a sigh of relief as she left the crowd, patting her stiff face. The aunties were just too enthusiastic; she couldn't handle it.

Even as the sun sets in July, the weather still can't shake off the restlessness unique to summer.

Gu Mingyue held a palm-leaf fan in her hand, which was given to her by Aunt Qin when she saw that her forehead was wet with sweat. She had woven it herself from rush pith, and it was cool and environmentally friendly when used to fan herself.

She was carrying a bamboo basket on her way to the supply and marketing cooperative when she suddenly saw a familiar figure ahead of her.

Lu Lin was walking towards them from the opposite direction.

"Why are you back so soon?" Gu Mingyue greeted her with delight.

"I came back after reporting my work and there was nothing else to do. My supervisor said that since you're new to the island and not familiar with it, he gave me an extra day off to show you around."

"Really!" Gu Mingyue was overjoyed, never expecting this unexpected surprise.

Lu Lin looked at the bamboo basket in her hand and asked curiously, "Where are you going?"

“I’m just sitting at home with nothing to do, so I thought I’d go check out the supply and marketing cooperative. I can’t go to visit them empty-handed tonight, since there are still a lot of things they need at home.”

The previous occupants of the house they are living in were recently moved out.

Just as Lu Lin submitted his application to accompany his military spouse when he filed his marriage report, the house ended up in their possession.

But apart from the sofa, the house was basically in a bare state, as the previous owner took everything they could when they left.

That's understandable, though; they bought them with their own money, so they wouldn't leave them for no reason.

Gu Mingyue had lunch at the canteen, and wanted to make a more elaborate dinner, so she took her bamboo basket and prepared to go to the supply and marketing cooperative.

"Let's go together, we can call home at the same time."

"Look at me, I almost forgot about that."

There was no telephone installed at home; all calls were made through the supply and marketing cooperative's telephone office.

With no phone at hand, Gu Mingyue had almost forgotten about it.

Before they left, their elders told them to call as soon as they arrived at their destination, otherwise they would be worried if they were delayed for half a day.

"Let's go quickly."

At this time, most of my family members are at home, so it's the perfect time to call them.

The two walked into the supply and marketing cooperative side by side.

Gu Mingyue observed the supply and marketing cooperative discreetly. It was located outside the family compound and served not only for the daily use of the family members but also for nearby villagers to buy things.

The supply and marketing cooperative is not small and has a lot of things. At a glance, most of them are daily necessities, with only a very few large items.

The storefront is a military green wooden door, with a large wooden board hanging at the entrance that reads "Island Supply and Marketing Cooperative," and is specially coated with tung oil for rain protection.

The counter is made of dark brown wood, polished to a shine by the countless hands of customers.

The glass counter was neatly arranged with colorful candies, as well as matches, soap, sewing kits, and other items.

Along one wall is a shelf displaying various condiments such as oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar, as well as a variety of snacks.

On the other side of the wall hung various household farm tools, such as sickles, hoes, and mesh waterproof tarpaulins commonly used by fishermen.

The most eye-catching thing on the wall is the familiar slogans, a unique feature of this era.

There are separate cubicles for making phone calls, and a small sign hangs at the door that reads, "Long-distance calls, register before dialing," and there are designated people in charge.

Upon seeing the two enter, the sales clerk at the supply and marketing cooperative looked up.

As soon as Zhao Xiulan walked in from the backyard of the supply and marketing cooperative, she saw a familiar figure standing by the counter.

She was taken aback at first, then a surprised smile bloomed on her face.

"Isn't this Comrade Lu? When did you get back?"

Lu Lin smiled as well, "Sister Zhao, it's been a long time. You still look so energetic."

"What's the point of being energetic? I get a headache every day from all the little ones at home making a ruckus. I heard from Lao Qiu that you were coming back, but I thought it would be a while before.

"The organization needs me, and I also want to return to my previous life as soon as possible."

Zhao Xiulan glanced at his face, then at her leg, and it seemed that she had indeed recovered very well, just as her husband had said.

Zhao Xiulan was very happy. When her child fell into the sea, it was Lu Lin who helped rescue him. She regarded Lu Lin as her savior. When she heard the news that he was injured, she was so frightened that she couldn't breathe.

Seeing him standing perfectly fine in front of her, Zhao Xiulan couldn't help but wipe away her tears.

"I'm getting old and easily fooled, I've made a fool of myself in front of you all."

"Mingyue, come here, let me introduce you. This is Sister Zhao. She has helped me a lot in the past," Lu Lin said, holding Gu Mingyue's hand.

Zhao Xiulan's gaze immediately fell on Gu Mingyue. She first looked her up and down, then her smile widened. "This must be Comrade Gu. She's so pretty. No wonder Comrade Lu is in such a hurry to get married."

After being praised by the aunties, Gu Mingyue was immune to it, but she still smiled shyly in response to her own praise.

"Okay, okay."

Zhao Xiulan took her hand and said warmly, "She's clearly a diligent and sensible child. You two must come over to our house when you have time. I'll make dumplings for you."

She lowered her voice and said to Gu Mingyue with a smile, "Comrade Lu looks serious, but he's actually very soft-hearted. Please be lenient with him."

Gu Mingyue nodded; Zhao's wife was truly thinking of the couple.

"What do you want to buy? I'll get it for you."

"Sister Zhao, we'd like to buy some seasonings, vegetables, and meat to take home. We don't have anything at home, so we'd like to cook for ourselves and call home while we're at it."

"If you want to buy vegetables and meat, go to the market outside. Our residential compound has set up a small market that has everything."

Gu Mingyue looked at Lu Lin in surprise, and when she saw him shake his head, he obviously didn't know about this either.

Zhao Xiulan's next sentence resolved her doubts: "This was decided by the leaders above. With this vegetable market, things are much more convenient. The supply and marketing cooperative no longer needs to go out to sea early in the morning to purchase goods, and the families can also eat fresh food."

"Okay, thank you, Sister Zhao. We'll make a call and go check it out later."

Zhao Xiulan reminded them, "There might not be much stuff at this point, so be prepared."

Normally, people rush to buy fresh meat early in the morning, but fewer people buy it in the afternoon, and there's less meat available.

The two thanked her, bought the necessary seasonings and toiletries, and then went to the phone booth on the other side to make a call.

After registering according to the procedure, I dialed the number and waited to be transferred. Soon, a familiar voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Hello?"

"Aunt Liu is my name, Lu Lin."

"Oh, it's Xiaolin. I'll have Grandma answer the phone right away."

Just as Aunt Liu was about to hang up, she heard footsteps upstairs. Xia Huiying walked over and said, "Is that Xiaolin and Yueyue on the phone?"

Aunt Liu smiled and said, "Yes."

Xia Huiying quickened her pace while urging the old man to come down and answer the phone.