Chapter 19 Coal Stove

So, Nan Zhiyi and Sister Wang worked together to carry the old coal stove, trudging along the mountain road on their way back.

She had never done such physical labor before; her arms were sore and numb, but she felt a sense of peace in her heart.

When she finally saw the gate of the family compound, Nan Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief.

Sister Wang had children waiting for her to eat, so she helped carry the stove to the gate of the yard and then hurriedly went back with her basket.

Nan Zhiyi looked at the dusty "spoils of war" at her feet, then at her hands covered in coal dust and the sleeves of her dirty cotton-padded jacket, and gave a wry smile.

The courtyard gate creaked open from the inside.

Gu Xiao had obviously just returned not long ago.

"You're back?" Gu Xiao's gaze swept over the old coal stove.

"Um!"

Despite her exhaustion, Nan Zhiyi boasted, "I went to the market with Sister Wang. Look, I bought a stove for only three yuan. Sister Wang said it works, and it will be much more convenient for cooking and boiling water!"

Gu Xiao's gaze lingered for a moment on her frostbitten face and her hands covered in ash, before falling back on the stove.

He remained silent and did not speak.

Nan Zhiyi thought he was dissatisfied with the old stove, and tried to explain, "The supply and marketing cooperative's requires industrial coupons, and it's expensive... This one is usable, I'll clean it this afternoon..."

Gu Xiao picked up the old coal stove and carried it into the yard.

He brought a towel for Nan Zhiyi to wipe her hands.

"Someone came to deliver something this afternoon."

"Huh? What should I give you?"

"Washing machine, tape recorder, and TV. Just in case you get bored at home."

boring?

Yes! She's been staying home these past few days, mostly just reading and spacing out; it's definitely getting a bit boring.

He even noticed that.

"Really?!" Nan Zhi was overjoyed, and said sweetly and cheerfully, "Fifth Brother, you're so kind, thank you, Fifth Brother!"

Her vibrant and lively appearance was something Gu Xiao hadn't seen in a very long time.

His usually stern features softened.

"Hmm." He gently grasped her wrist, pulled her closer to him, and put his other arm around her shoulder.

"I'm glad you like it. You must have worked hard shopping at the market today. You're very capable."

The sudden hug froze Nan Zhiyi, her heart pounding like a drum.

She didn't dare to move or break free; she simply leaned against his chest.

After lunch.

Gu Xiao said, "The logistics department will send over some kindling and coal briquettes this afternoon, enough to last for a while."

"Sent by the logistics department? Do you need a receipt?"

"No need. There's a quota for regimental-level cadres; they're directly allocated."

He instructed, "If you need to replenish it later, tell Xiao Chen (his bodyguard), and he will go to the logistics department to handle it."

"Oh." Nan Zhiyi understood; this was part of the "privilege."

She nodded, then thought of an even more pressing issue.

"Then... what about rice, flour, and oil? The kitchen only has seasonings. Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice, Fifth Brother. Where can I buy them?"

Gu Xiao looked at her unusually vivid expression, a smile flashing in his eyes.

"There's a military service center at the east end of the family quarters. You can buy things there with your officer's ID or family member's ID. Grain coupons and oil coupons will be issued at the beginning of the month. Just bring them with you when you go shopping."

He added, "The service center has a fairly complete selection of goods, including rice, flour, cooking oil, non-staple foods, and daily necessities. The prices are slightly lower than those of the local supply and marketing cooperatives, and you don't have to squeeze with other people."

Nan Zhiyi's eyes lit up: "Military Service Center? That's great! Where is it? Is it far?"

"It's not far. Just walk a few hundred meters east from the gate of the residential compound. There's a sign at the entrance." Seeing her eagerness, Gu Xiao added, "I'll have Xiao Chen take you there to familiarize yourself with the place. If you buy too much, have Xiao Chen help you carry it back."

"Okay! I understand!" Nan Zhiyi nodded vigorously.

She was already planning what to buy at the service store that afternoon: millet, flour, soybean oil, eggs, and lard (which was considered meat), but Sister Wang said that adding pork cracklings to stir-fries made them especially fragrant…

Gu Xiao stood up: "I'm going back to the regimental headquarters."

"Mm." Nan Zhiyi saw him to the courtyard gate and watched him walk away.

In the afternoon, Nan Zhiyi found her work gloves and used them to clean the old coal stove, revealing some of the original iron color.

Not long after, a loud "Report!" came from outside the courtyard gate.

A man in his early twenties stood outside the courtyard, speaking in a loud voice: "Hello, sister-in-law! The regimental commander sent me to take you to the service center."

This is Xiao Chen.

Nan Zhiyi nodded: "Thank you for your help, Comrade Xiao Chen. I'll be right there."

She picked up the small cloth bag containing the money and also took Gu Xiao's military officer's ID.

Most of the people entering and leaving the military service center are military spouses carrying baskets.

The store wasn't very big, but the shelves were neatly arranged, and the selection was indeed more complete than Nan Zhiyi had imagined, including rice, flour, cooking oil, and daily necessities.

Nan Zhiyi bought five jin of special-supply rice and five jin of enriched flour. After thinking for a moment, she asked the salesperson to weigh out two jin of corn grits.

She bought a pound of soybean oil and a large, thick piece of pork fat. Since she already had the seasonings at home, she bought twenty eggs, white sugar, brown sugar, and a small jar of pickled mustard greens.

When she pointed to the malted milk powder on the shelf and asked about the price, the price quoted by the salesperson made her gasp.

My fifth brother bought two cans a couple of days ago. They used to be quite expensive; our family used to...

Nan Zhiyi pursed her lips…

Xiao Chen quietly followed beside her. After Nan Zhiyi finished buying the things, he picked up the bag of rice and flour and the net bag containing oil and sugar in one hand without saying a word.

Nan Zhiyi carried eggs and side dishes.

As soon as I turned into the gate of the family compound, I encountered two military wives standing by the roadside talking. They were Zhang and Li, whom Wang had introduced to me at the dinner party a couple of days ago.

"Oh, Mrs. Gu, off shopping?"

Sister Zhang has sharp eyes. She immediately noticed the large amount of stuff Xiao Chen was carrying, and her gaze lingered on the refined rice and flour, as well as the conspicuous sugar and pork lard.

"Hello, sister-in-law." Nan Zhiyi smiled politely. "I bought some rice and flour and am going to cook for myself."

"You start it yourself?" Sister Li asked in surprise, exchanging a meaningful glance with Sister Zhang next to her.

"Oh my, that's really... something new. We've been seeing your Commander Gu bringing you food every day, we thought..."

The rest of the sentence was left unsaid, but the sarcasm in his tone was palpable.

They had clearly heard that the new commander's wife was a woman who never lifted a finger and relied entirely on men to serve her.

Nan Zhiyi's smile faded slightly, and she understood the implied meaning.

She didn't want to press the matter further, so she simply replied politely, "We can't keep eating in the cafeteria."

After saying that, he gestured to Xiao Chen, "Xiao Chen, let's go, the stuff is quite heavy."

"Yes, sister-in-law!" Xiao Chen said without looking to the side, carrying the things and striding ahead.

Nan Zhiyi quickened her pace to catch up, and could still faintly hear the two women's chatter behind her:

"Tsk tsk, did you see that? They bought all refined grains, and such a big piece of lard, and white sugar..."

"Exactly, he's clearly never experienced hardship. He's even cooking for himself? I think he's just putting on a show..."

"That's right, Commander Gu is really... stuck with such a..."