Next came the canned tomatoes we brought, which were placed in the kitchen cupboard.

Dried pumpkins and sweet potatoes are stored in jars in the warehouse, as are the oil cans. The plates, bowls, and basins we brought are also kept in the cupboard.

"Hongmei, it's too cold. You should cover yourself with two blankets. This place isn't like our two homes, where we have heated brick beds. Let's go to the building tomorrow and see if we can buy a hot water bottle."

"It's okay, I'll fill the IV bottle with hot water tonight. The best thing is that there's electricity."

"Use it with confidence. I had someone re-run the power cord."

"That's alright."

Zhang Hongmei tidied up her clothes and bedding, and then cleaned the bedroom again.

Afterwards, I went to Liu Jingze's room to talk to him.

“Brother Jingze, you live in the dormitory. Just come back with me on Friday night. I’m afraid of interfering with your business. Please let me finish.”

I'm all grown up now, I won't be afraid to live alone, you can rest assured about that.

Also, I know you have ambitions. Your classmates will be the pillars of our country in the future. I hope you can get along well with them. If you go home every day, you will have fewer opportunities to spend time with them and your relationship will not be as deep.

Besides, we go to the same school and see each other every day, so you don't need to come with me.

Liu Jingze looked at Zhang Hongmei with a complicated expression, feeling a mix of emotions. Ultimately, she just didn't want to live with him.

"Okay, I'll stay in the dorm when school starts. Or you can stay in the dorm too?"

"No, I hate living in the same house with other people. I don't have my own space, and there are more people, which means more trouble. I hate girls who are so petty."

"Okay, I'll come back with you on Friday, consider it a holiday to go home."

"Sure, I'll improve your meals for you those few days. If I cook something delicious, I'll bring it to you."

"Okay, it's settled then."

Zhang Hongmei was finally relieved. She had no romantic feelings for Liu Jingze, so it was better not to be together all the time.

“Hongmei, let’s go shopping tomorrow and buy everything we need. Oh, right, I still have some overseas Chinese coupons. We can go to the Overseas Chinese Store and see if they have any electronics there.”

"Really? Overseas Chinese ticket? So you can't buy anything inside without it?"

"Yes, they also sell chocolate, bread, and cheese inside. Let's go tomorrow."

"Tomorrow won't work, I have to go see Uncle Zhang and the others. Let's go the day after tomorrow, I still have a lot of things to buy."

"Okay, then I won't go with you tomorrow. I'll go to the school to take a look."

"Then it's settled. I don't think I'll be back for lunch, so I'll make it for you in the morning?"

"No need, I'm going out tomorrow too, you don't need to worry about me."

"Alright then, you should rest too. Do you need an IV drip?"

"I don't want to, I'm not cold."

Zhang Hongmei returned to her bedroom, drew the curtains, and lay down in the warm quilt, finding the heated kang bed the most comfortable place to be.

The next morning, Liu Jingze cooked rice porridge, chopped pickled vegetables, and heated up the leftovers from the night before.

Zhang Hongmei was especially happy to find a ready-made meal waiting for her when she woke up.

After washing up, I went to the kitchen and stir-fried a large plate of shredded pancakes with cabbage leaves.

After finishing my meal, I slung my bag over my shoulder, looked at myself in the mirror, and smiled.

Black cotton shoes, a military overcoat, and a Lei Feng hat. He also wrapped a scarf around his neck, leaving only his eyes showing, slung his satchel over his shoulder, put on cotton gloves, and set off fully prepared.

I've memorized Zhang Xingguo's address, but I don't know if he's home. There's really nothing I can do; I can't contact him at all. I can only rely on luck.

Liu Jingze smiled as he looked at Zhang Hongmei, who was bundled up tightly, and said, "Actually, it's not as cold in the capital as it is at home."

"It's cold inside, I feel especially cold, so it's better to wear more clothes."

"Yes, that makes sense. Let's go, let's go out together. Where are you going? Do you know the exact address?"

"I know, I've got it all. I'll take a bus to the city center first, then transfer to bus number four, and it'll be seventeen stops from there."

"It's good that you know. If I might come back late, here are the three keys to the front door. I'll give them all to you."

"Okay, I'll just take one. We'll leave the rest at home. When we go shopping for furniture tomorrow, we must remember to buy locks, one for each room."

The two arrived at the station, each paying five cents for a ticket. Since school hadn't started yet, there weren't many people boarding at this station, so there were still seats available.

Upon arriving in the city center, the two parted ways to find their own cars.

Zhang Hongmei saw the building not far away and thought about it. She decided that she should buy some gifts. It wouldn't be appropriate to go to someone's house empty-handed during the Lunar New Year.

Feeling that we had enough time, we went into the building.

The first floor is also a department store, and it really has a very complete selection. I walked around for a while but couldn't decide what to buy.

On the second floor were ready-made clothing fabrics, then on the third floor were clocks and stationery. Finally, Zhang Hongmei chose a fountain pen from among the short women.

I went back down to the first floor and bought two pounds of ox-tongue pastries and two pounds of steamed rice cakes. That's it.

She waited at the bus stop for bus number four. People are very friendly now; many will give up their seats for an elderly person getting on the bus. Zhang Hongmei stood for seventeen stops before getting off.

This is a government compound, but not a military base; it's quite far from the military area.

"stop!"

"Hello comrade, I'm looking for Comrade Zhang Xingguo."

Who are you?

“I’m from the same hometown as him, so I can just say I’m Zhang Hongmei from Liujiatun.”

"Wait, I'll call and ask."

Zhang Hongmei stood outside the door and waited for a while before Wang Xiaoshun ran out. "Hongmei, you're finally here! The commander has been talking about you for days. Come on in. Xiao Li, remember this girl, next time she comes, let her go straight in."

"Okay, Brother Shun, I won't stop you next time."

"Hongmei, you bought more things? Aren't you afraid of getting scolded?"

"How could I have been scolded?" Zhang Hongmei said, her voice lacking confidence.

"If you don't believe me, just say you're bringing a gift and see?"

"Little Shun, you haven't grown taller in a year, but you've certainly grown bolder." Zhang Hongmei glared at Wang Xiaoshun.

"Hehe, no way. Hurry up, the old commander will definitely come out to greet us."

Wang Xiaoshun's guess was right; they ran into Zhang Xingguo on the way.

"You brat, why are you taking so long to see me? Don't you miss me?"

"It's been over a year since we last met, why are you cursing at me as soon as we meet? I'm just short and slow, that's all."

"You always have a point. Hurry up and go home. What day did you come to the capital?"

"I arrived yesterday afternoon and came over today."

"So where do you live?"

“My brother from the village is also studying at the Capital University. He helped me buy a house near the school last year, and I moved into my own house yesterday.”

“You brat, with so many properties you own, why are you buying another courtyard? Your brother Zhang already finished preparing a three-courtyard house less than a mile from the school before the new year.”