As soon as the whistle blew to signal the start of the movie, Director Wang led several military wives toward this side.
Seeing that there was an empty seat next to Yun Tangyin, he sat down with a smile: "I just delivered some hot tea to the patrol team. It's really cold outside."
She slipped a hot water bottle into Yun Tangyin's hand, saying, "Take this to warm your hands. I brought an extra one."
Yun Tangyin pushed the hot water bottle towards Fu Yucheng: "His hands are cold. Director Wang, does the textile factory have any small fabrics for making babies? I'd like to prepare some for the baby in my belly."
"Yes, I heard they specially reserved some floral fabric scraps, about a foot wide, perfect for making little bibs." Director Wang popped a melon seed into his mouth. "My little grandson had two made last year, they're so soft."
Fu Yucheng stuffed a handful of peanuts into Director Wang's hand: "These were just given to me by Xiao Li, have a taste. Do you need to bring a trolley when we go to the textile factory the day after tomorrow? If the military wives are buying a lot, it will be good for carrying things."
"No need, the textile factory has tricycles to deliver," Director Wang pointed to the screen, "Look, it's starting!"
By the time the movie ended, the moonlight was already high in the sky.
Fu Yucheng led Yun Tangyin back, and saw Zhou Desheng carrying the child on his back, hurrying home.
The boy was clinging to his father's back, muttering "fight the Japanese devils."
"Desheng, is the child asleep?" Fu Yucheng shoved a flashlight into his hand. "To light the way."
Zhou Desheng took the flashlight and laughed, "I was so excited after watching the movie that I finally got the baby to sleep. Tomorrow, when you go to the textile factory, could you help my wife see if they have any blue cloth? We want to make a new jacket for the child."
Yun Tangyin slipped a piece of candy into his pocket: "I'll remember, I'll definitely pick out a good one for you."
Back home, Yun Tangyin put the things back in the basket: "Go to sleep, we have to get up early tomorrow."
The next morning, the military wives in the compound gathered at the gate.
Aunt Li, carrying a cloth bag, waved to Yun Tangyin as she approached, saying, "I brought some biscuits; you can eat them if you get hungry on the way."
She reached into her cloth bag and said, "There are two more packets of milk powder. I'll make some for you."
"No need, I brought brown sugar steamed buns." Yun Tangyin stuffed a cloth cushion into her hand, "It's cold in the car, use this as a cushion."
Fu Yucheng was helping the driver load things onto the vehicle when he saw that all the military wives had arrived. He called out loudly, "Line up properly, let's get on the vehicle according to the list, don't crowd."
Old Zhang came over holding a tin megaphone: "Be careful on the road. When you get there, follow instructions and don't wander off."
He shoved a whistle into Fu Yucheng's hand. "Blow this if anything happens."
As soon as the car drove out of the compound, the military spouses became excited.
Zhou Desheng's wife stuffed an apple into Yun Tangyin's hand: "The female workers in the textile factory all wear blue work clothes, they look so smart."
"I also heard there's a small shop in the factory that only sells Shanghai-made face cream," Aunt Li chimed in. "Shall we go check it out after we're done looking around?"
Yun Tangyin smiled and nodded: "Okay, my box is almost finished."
Two hours later, the car stopped at the entrance of the textile factory.
The factory director, wearing a blue cloth hat, greeted us with a smile: "Welcome, military families! Let's visit the workshop first, and then we can go to the warehouse to pick out fabric."
Stepping into the workshop, the machines roared to life.
The female workers sat in front of the looms, their shuttles flying back and forth.
Zhou Desheng's wife pointed at the loom and exclaimed, "This thing can weave such beautiful floral fabrics, it's truly amazing!"
The female worker next to her smiled and replied, "Yes, look at that machine, it's weaving a peony pattern, just like the one in the painting."
She slipped a piece of fabric into Yun Tangyin's hand, saying, "It's freshly woven, feel it."
Yun Tangyin touched the fabric and laughed, "It's so soft."
Fu Yucheng leaned closer to her: "If you like it, pick this one. I'll make you a new dress."
After touring the workshop, the factory manager led everyone to the warehouse.
The shelves were filled with fabrics of all colors—red, blue, and patterned—a dazzling array.
Director Wang shoved a ruler into Yun Tangyin's hand: "Choose one, measure whichever one you like."
Just as Yun Tangyin picked up the peony-red cloth, she saw Aunt Li holding up a piece of floral cloth: "Look at this piece, it's perfect for making a small quilt for the child."
“It looks good,” Yun Tangyin stuffed a piece of blue cloth into her hand, “This piece is for making a jacket for your child, the color is just right.”
Fu Yucheng picked out a piece of dark blue cloth: "I'll make a jacket for you."
He slipped a piece of pink cloth into Yun Tangyin's hand, saying, "This will make you a lining; it'll be comfortable to wear next to your skin."
After selecting the fabrics, the military wives sat on the stone benches outside the warehouse to rest.
The factory manager brought over some tea: "Have some water. We'll go to the canteen for lunch later. I made braised pork for you."
Yun Tangyin slipped a shoe insole into the factory manager's hand: "It's freshly made, please use it. The fabric is really good, thank you for your patronage."
"It's only right," the factory manager said with a smile. "The soldiers are protecting our country, what's a little fabric we make?"
At lunchtime, the cafeteria was filled with the aroma of meat.
The head chef ladled a spoonful of ribs into Yun Tangyin's bowl: "Eat more, it'll help you recover."
He stuffed a steamed bun into Fu Yucheng's hand, "It's fresh out of the steamer, still warm."
As they walked back after dinner, the military wives carried cloth bags, their faces beaming with joy.
Aunt Li slipped a piece of candy into Yun Tangyin's hand: "I'm so happy today, picking out such a nice fabric."
Yun Tangyin unwrapped the candy and smiled: "Yes, we won't have to worry about not having good materials for making clothes anymore."
Fu Yucheng took the cloth bag from her hand: "I'll carry it for you, don't tire yourself out."
He pointed into the distance and said, "The car is here, let's get in."
As the car drove back to the compound, the setting sun was painting the sky red.
Old Zhang was waiting at the gate with a lantern in his hand: "You're finally back. I left you some hot water, hurry up and wash up and rest."
Yun Tangyin stuffed a piece of fabric into Old Zhang's hand: "I just picked this out, to make you a new hat."
"Thank you, little girl," Old Zhang said with a smile, touching the fabric. "This color is really vibrant; it will look great on you."
Back home, Fu Yucheng laid out fabric on the table: "I'll make you a dress tomorrow, before it gets cold."
He handed Yun Tangyin a hot water bottle, saying, "You must be exhausted. Take a rest."
Yun Tangyin leaned on his shoulder and smiled, "I'm not tired, I'm really happy today."
She looked out the window. "The moonlight is so beautiful."
Fu Yucheng hugged her tighter: "Let's go out more often in the future, it's better than always staying at home."
The moonlight from outside the window shone on the fabric, making the peony red patch stand out.
The sound of patrolling soldiers' footsteps drifted from afar, accompanied by the laughter of military wives. This ordinary night was filled with a sense of peace and warmth.
Fu Yucheng helped Yun Tangyin put the fabric into the wooden box: "This box is lined with cotton, so the fabric won't get damp."
He shoved a pair of scissors into her hand. "I'll borrow an iron from the logistics department tomorrow morning, iron the fabric flat, and then cut it."
Yun Tangyin added a piece of coal to the stove: "No need to borrow, I can just scald it with hot water. By the way, how about making a small quilt for the child with the floral fabric I picked out today, and embroidering a tiger on it? What do you think?"
“Your embroidery looks good no matter what you do.” Fu Yucheng stuffed a sweet potato into her arms. “I got it from the textile factory canteen this afternoon, it’s still warm.”
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