As Fu Yucheng entered the house in the twilight, he bumped into Yun Tangyin hanging red silk cloth in the courtyard.
The setting sun dyed the silk cloth a golden red, and the way she tiptoed and pulled the rope resembled a butterfly fluttering its wings.
"Let me do it." He reached out and took the bamboo pole, his fingertips brushing against her wrist, causing the silver bracelet to clink.
Yun Tangyin stuffed a piece of freshly steamed rice cake into his arms: "Back so early today?"
"Commander Zhang saw my second brother's bamboo screen and said he wanted to make a set for the unit's activity room as well, and asked me to come back as soon as possible to discuss the design."
Fu Yucheng took a bite of rice cake, then suddenly pulled a glass candy jar from his pocket. "Here are some new fruit candies from the supply and marketing cooperative."
Just as Yun Tangyin was about to take it, he pulled her into the house: "Don't rush, I brought you something good."
On the kang table in the inner room was a bamboo jewelry box, twice the size of the last one, with sequins embedded in the lid.
"My second brother said this is called a 'star box' because it reflects light at night."
Fu Yucheng opened the box, inside lay a pearl flower. The pearls were dyed from round bamboo beads. "It looks like the pattern on the handkerchief you embroidered last time."
Yun Tangyin tucked the pearl flower into her hair and smiled at the bronze mirror: "It's even prettier than the ones in the jewelry store."
She suddenly turned around and hugged him, "Why do you always bring me gifts?"
"I want to make you happy." Fu Yucheng rested his chin on the top of her head. "I'm off work tomorrow, let's go fishing by the river. I heard the crucian carp there are the fattest."
"Fishing again?" Yun Tangyin looked up at him, her eyes sparkling.
"I learned it in the army back then." Fu Yucheng gently pinched the tip of her nose. "I guarantee I'll catch a whole basketful and make you fish soup."
The next morning, just as Yun Tangyin finished mixing the bait, she saw Fu Yucheng carrying in two bamboo fishing rods with red ropes wrapped around them: "Second brother whittled them overnight, saying they're lighter than wooden rods."
As the two walked towards the river, they encountered Zhou Ming's mother carrying a basket to wash clothes.
Zhou Mingniang chuckled and joked, "Acheng really spoils his wife rotten; he even prepares the fishing gear himself."
Fu Yucheng shielded Yun Tangyin behind him, avoiding the mud puddles on the road: "She has delicate skin, it would break my heart if she bumped into something."
Yun Tangyin buried her face in his back and secretly pinched his waist, but he grabbed her hand in return.
When they arrived at the riverbank, Fu Yucheng first laid out a thick cloth for her: "Sit here, don't get cold."
As he baited the hook, Yun Tangyin suddenly pointed at the water and laughed, "Look at those two water birds, they always swim together."
"Like us," Fu Yucheng suddenly shoved the fishing rod into her hands. "Want to give it a try?"
As soon as Yun Tangyin gripped the fishing rod, the float suddenly sank.
She gasped and tried to back away, but Fu Yucheng pulled her into his arms: "Don't rush, lift her slowly."
When a silvery crucian carp was caught, Yun Tangyin smiled so much that her eyes curved into crescent moons: "I caught one!"
Fu Yucheng stuffed a red string into her hand: "Tie it on the fish, we'll take it home and keep it."
He suddenly leaned down and whispered in her ear, "When we have children in the future, I'll bring them here to learn how to fish."
Yun Tangyin's ears turned red, and she leaned closer to his arm: "You're saying things like that again."
While roasting corn by the river at noon, Fu Yucheng suddenly popped a piece of candy into Yun Tangyin's mouth: "Is it sweet?"
"Sweet." Yun Tangyin smiled sweetly, "Sweeter than hawthorn soup."
“Then I’ll buy it for you every day,” Fu Yucheng said, munching on corn. “When the bamboo workshop distributes the money again, I’ll make you a pair of gold bracelets, which are heavier than silver ones.”
Yun Tangyin suddenly covered his mouth: "Don't keep saying these things."
She slipped something into his hand. "This is for you."
It is a peace charm, with a small tiger embroidered on red cloth, the stitches are fine and dense.
Just as Fu Yucheng was about to put it in his pocket, she pressed his hand down: "Wear it close to your body."
He unbuttoned his military uniform, tucked the amulet into his shirt, and placed it against his heart: "This way it won't get lost."
When they returned home in the evening, Fu Yucheng was carrying a basket full of fish, while Yun Tangyin was holding a crucian carp tied with a red string.
As they passed the bamboo workshop, Erzhuzi ran out carrying a bamboo fish basket: "Brother Fu, use the fish basket I wove to put them in!"
The fish basket was woven crookedly, but a circle of small wildflowers was woven around the mouth of the basket.
Yun Tangyin smiled as she put the fish in: "They look better than the ones sold at the supply and marketing cooperative."
Fu Yuanshan was weaving bamboo screens in the courtyard when he saw them return. Suddenly, he said, "Acheng, look at the cuffs of these soldiers' sleeves. Shouldn't they be woven wider?"
Fu Yucheng leaned closer to look: "Make it half an inch wider, like the military uniform I'm wearing, so I look more smart."
He suddenly pulled Yun Tangyin aside and said, "Have your sister-in-law draw a pattern for you; she's embroidered military uniform designs before."
Yun Tangyin picked up a bamboo pen and drew a cuff on the paper: "Adding a fold line like this makes it more crisp."
When Jiang Jianhua brought out dinner, he suddenly laughed and said, "The way you two are singing and dancing is just like when we were rehearsing a show in the cultural troupe back in the day."
During the meal, Fu Yucheng placed a piece of fish belly into Yun Tangyin's bowl: "There are few bones, so eat more."
He suddenly remembered something, "Oh right, there's a military celebration next month. How about I have you embroider a red flag as a prop?"
"How big is it?" Yun Tangyin asked, scooping up the fish soup.
“A square foot three feet will do,” Fu Yucheng said. “I’ll prepare a bamboo frame for you; it’ll save you effort when you embroider on it.”
Lying on the kang (heated brick bed) at night, Yun Tangyin touched the amulet on Fu Yucheng's chest: "Did you keep your word when we were fishing today?"
"What did you say?" Fu Yucheng asked, still a little dazed.
"If you bring your child to learn fishing," Yun Tangyin said softly.
Fu Yucheng suddenly came to his senses and pulled her closer to him: "It's a deal. I still have to teach him how to shoot, teach him combat, teach him... to love you like I do."
Yun Tangyin laughed and punched him lightly: "You're talking nonsense again."
She snuggled closer to him and slowly fell asleep, listening to his heartbeat.
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