Chapter 120 You can have this cigarette.

"Just listen to me."

Huang Yajun blinked, and Song Juan's little heart inexplicably trembled along with his eyelashes.

Shen Kun met Dr. Huang at the village entrance with his donkey cart, saying, "Thank you for your hard work on this journey, Dr. Huang."

He handed her a cigarette, which Huang Ya accepted with practiced ease.

But when he saw Song Juan frown almost imperceptibly, he put the cigarette behind his ear.

He cupped his hands and said, "It's no trouble at all, it's my duty."

Shen Kun looked at him and said, "Don't you smoke? I heard from Wanwan that you love smoking, so I specially bought you Zhonghua cigarettes."

In those days, Zhonghua brand cigarettes were extremely sought after, with prices so high they were practically nonexistent.

Ordinary supply and marketing cooperatives simply don't have the goods; you need a special supply certificate for senior cadres or to go to special stores with qualifications to buy them.

Zhonghua cigarettes were the ultimate symbol of status and prestige in this era.

Huang Ya said, "I'll draw it in a bit."

Seeing that Shen Kun was a little unhappy, he added, "I don't usually smoke at home, and my sister-in-law can't stand the smell."

He knew better than anyone that smoking was harmful to health, but he just couldn't control himself.

But since moving into Song Zhan's house, he has never smoked again.

Shen Wanjun dislikes men who smoke, and he was also afraid of affecting the fetus in her womb.

Without realizing it, Huang Ya had actually quit smoking.

When he realized what had happened, he was quite shocked.

When Shen Kun heard that he was considering Shen Wanjun's feelings, his expression immediately softened.

He asked, "Are you still living at my niece's house?"

How can you, a doctor, not live in a hospital but stay at someone else's house every day?

Huang Ya was a little embarrassed, and Song Juan said, "Dr. Huang is like a family doctor at home."

"If my sister-in-law is feeling unwell, Dr. Huang will be able to detect it in time, right?"

These words made Shen Kun beam with joy, and he became even more enthusiastic towards Huang Ya.

"Dr. Huang, here, take this cigarette and smoke it."

Shen Kun tossed Huang Ya an unopened pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, and Huang Ya stood there dumbfounded.

How can a battalion commander be so rich?

A pack of Zhonghua cigarettes costs about 80 cents, and a carton of cigarettes costs at least 8 yuan.

Huang Ya took the cigarette, waved to Song Juan, and said, "Remember to think it over carefully, and give me a definite answer when the time comes."

Shen Kun asked, "What did he ask you to consider?"

Song Juan blushed and changed the subject, asking, "How far is it to the county town?"

Seeing that she didn't want to answer, Shen Kun didn't press her further.

Pointing at the donkey, he said, "We have this thing, it'll be quick."

Shen Kun hired two donkey carts, one for himself and one for Song Juan.

He lay in the car, smoking, completely at ease.

Song Juan stared at the two men leading the donkey and asked softly, "Uncle, who are they...?"

"They are responsible for leading the donkeys."

Seeing that Shen Kun didn't understand her meaning, Song Juan lowered her voice and said, "Isn't it inappropriate for us to take a car and they to walk?"

It's fine now that there's no one on the road, but if they went into the village, people would say they're acting like capitalists.

There are many instances of people denouncing and reporting each other in the village.

Everyone can be poor together, but if someone becomes rich, they will quickly become the enemy of everyone.

"I paid," Shen Kun said nonchalantly.

"That won't work either."

Shen Kun was a little annoyed. He sat up and asked the two men leading the donkey, "Are you working for me voluntarily?"

"Yes, Brother Kun." The two didn't dare to say too much.

It is a great honor for them to serve Brother Kun.

Besides, Brother Kun even gave them money; they were more than grateful, so why would they have any ulterior motives?

"Juan'er, just focus on the training and don't worry about anything else."

After Shen Kun finished speaking, he lay back in the car and continued to smoke.

Song Juan stuck out her tongue; it seemed she was meddling a bit too much.

After thinking about it, I figured I might as well have nothing better to do.

She took out her books and, while riding on the swaying donkey cart, made the most of her time to read.

It was already dark when Shen Kun took Song Juan to the county commune health center.

"Don't go out at night unless you have to. There have been kidnappers in this area recently, and they've abducted a lot of women and children."

"Baihuazi," also known as "guaranteeers," is a despicable crime involving the use of specially made sedatives to slap women and children on the head.

The person wasn't confused and followed them.

Song Juan nodded earnestly: "I understand, Uncle."

Shen Kun was pleased with her obedient attitude and took her into his dormitory.

She pointed to the doorway and said, "If you need anything, ask your Aunt Feng."

A middle-aged woman approached with a smile: "You must be Song Juan. You're so beautiful."

After saying goodbye to Shen Kun, Song Juan spread out her bedding, and Aunt Feng handed her two steamed buns: "Eat up, it'll be dark soon, so make do with this."

Song Juan said gratefully, "Thank you."

Huang Ya and Shen Wanjun also packed her a lot of food, but receiving steamed buns from strangers is a rare treat in this day and age.

Song Juan took a bite and found it was filled with meat.

Six people lived in the room, five of whom were young women around the same age as Song Juan.

Everyone surrounded Aunt Feng and asked, "Aunt Feng, what made you decide to become a doctor?"

It wasn't that they were curious; it was just that Aunt Feng was at least forty, if not fifty.

In rural areas, people of this age are already grandparents; who has time to improve themselves?

A group of people concluded that Aunt Feng must have a story behind her.

Aunt Feng's dark yet ruddy face glowed with a healthy radiance. She chuckled and said, "I'm just here to make up the numbers. It would be great if I could pass the exam, but if I fail, I'll go home and take care of my grandson."

She couldn't very well say that she was sent by Shen Kun to secretly take care of Song Juan.

——

The courtyard was bustling with activity; today was Du Meiling's daughter's 100th day.

Danny Chan had saved up 10 jin of meat coupons, and he spent them all today.

The guests at the banquet were also busy, carrying their own homemade dishes, chatting and laughing around the two tables.

Dang Xianghong made a large plate of pickled vegetables, while Shen Wanjun brought a basket of braised dishes.

Gao Xiaoman isn't very good at cooking, so she bought a pound of cookies.

The men gathered in the living room, smoking and chatting.

Song Zhan was afraid of picking up the smell of smoke and being disliked by his wife, so he stood far away, looking very out of place.

Shen Wanjun nudged him: "Go over and chat with everyone."

Song Zhan didn't want to go, but Shen Wanjun guessed his thoughts. "Don't worry, you can just wash up tonight."

Song Zhan was not in the mood, and Shen Wanjun said in a low voice, "Let's take a bath together, using the big bath tub I just bought."

Many of the women were helping out in the kitchen, while others gathered around the stroller, playing with the chubby baby inside.

"What's the little girl's name?" Dang Xianghong asked.

Du Meiling: "Call her Pan'er."

"Chen Pan'er, what a nice name," everyone complimented Du Meiling.

Pan'er, it means hoping for a son, this name is not much different from Zhao Di.

Shen Wanjun pursed her lips but didn't say anything.

During the meal, someone mentioned the recent cases of trafficking in women and children.

"I heard that Sister Feng Xiang's youngest daughter from our compound went missing. It's been almost a day, and the police haven't found a single clue."

"That's terrifying. We should keep a close eye on our own children and avoid letting them go out unless absolutely necessary."

Feng Xiang's youngest daughter got lost while going to the market.

Shen Wanjun felt panicked upon hearing this and wrote a letter to Shen Kun that very night, asking him to take good care of Song Juan.

Late at night, Shen Kun received a letter and summoned Feng Ji.

"I heard your niece was kidnapped?"

Feng Ji's eyes reddened, and she nodded, choking back tears.

Shen Kun slapped him, "Why didn't you tell me about this? Why did my niece have to write to me about it?"

Feng Ji said, "I have already sent people to look for them."

"Did you find it?"

"No."

"Useless thing."

Shen Kun stood up and put on his military overcoat: "Get a few people and come with me. I know where they are."