"Impossible! Could someone have written these characters in less than several decades?"
In no time, the news that "Commander Qin's new wife is not only a skilled doctor and cook, but also has beautiful handwriting" spread like wildfire throughout the entire military compound, becoming a new topic of conversation for everyone.
These days, there aren't many literate people, and those who can write beautiful calligraphy are even rarer. With the New Year approaching, who wouldn't want to put up bright red, beautiful, and impressive couplets on their door? But the printed couplets sold in the market are all the same, and if you hire someone to write them, you're afraid they'll end up with crooked and ugly writing.
Now, a top expert is right in front of us.
The next morning, before dawn, the courtyard of Su Tang and Qin Ye became lively.
Li Xiumei was the first to rush over, carrying a bowl of steaming hot egg custard: "Tangtang, hurry up and eat it while it's hot! Your sister-in-law knows you were tired yesterday, so I specially made it up for you."
As she spoke, she peeked into the house, her eyes sparkling: "My goodness, Tangtang, you're so skillful! Yesterday I took the 'Fu' character you gave me back and hung it in the living room. Our visiting guests looked at it for a long time and said it was even more impressive than their commander's calligraphy! Hurry up, write one for your sister-in-law too!"
Su Tang took the bowl with a wry smile. Before she could say anything, several more military wives squeezed into the courtyard. Some were carrying a bunch of vegetables they had grown themselves, while others were carrying a few freshly laid eggs. Each of them had a warm smile on their face.
"Xiao Su, I heard you have good handwriting, why don't you write a piece for your sister-in-law's family too!"
"Yes, yes, we won't take it for free, you can keep these things!"
Looking at the bustling scene of people lining up to ask for calligraphy, Su Tang felt as if she had become a fortune teller setting up a stall under an old-fashioned overpass.
She was just trying to have a good time, and helping out was no big deal. But more and more people came, and she started writing from morning until noon, her wrists were starting to ache. Qin Ye was heartbroken, his face long and drawn.
He watched Su Tang rubbing her wrist, then looked at the ever-growing queue at the door, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.
Finally, after a military wife left with the couplets, Qin Ye slammed the door shut halfway, moved a small stool to the doorway, and sat down. His tall figure, like a door god, blocked the view of everyone outside.
With a stern face, he addressed the crowd of onlookers outside: "Ladies, my wife isn't made of iron; writing takes a lot of energy. From now on, it's a limited number! She'll only write ten pieces a day, and then we'll close up shop!"
As soon as these words were spoken, a chorus of wails erupted outside.
"Hey, Commander Qin, this isn't enough!"
"Yes, we've been queuing for ages!"
In the crowd, a woman who usually loved to joke boldly shouted, "Commander Qin, shouldn't you charge a fee for your precious calligraphy? Good paper and ink cost money, and Sister Su can't work for nothing. Here's what we'll do: I'll pay 10 cents for each couplet."
Qin Ye was about to refuse.
But Su Tang spoke up at this moment, "Everyone is trying to have a warm New Year. I can feel everyone's enthusiasm. We don't want this money ourselves. When we have enough, I will personally hand it over to the logistics department to buy meat for our military region's cooks. During the New Year, all the soldiers and their families can have an extra meal of meat!"
Upon hearing this, everyone paused for a few seconds, then erupted in an even more enthusiastic response.
"One cent isn't expensive! It's worth it if it allows the men and children to eat more meat!"
"Yes! Xiao Su handled this matter very well!"
"I'll pay! Give me one!"
And so, under Commander Qin's "business operations," Su Tang's "calligraphy business" officially opened.
For the next two days, long queues formed at the entrance of the courtyard. Qin Ye was responsible for collecting money, maintaining order, and handing out paper, while Su Tang simply focused on her calligraphy. In the evenings, the two would close the door and sit under the lamp counting a pile of small bills and large denominations—a scene that was indescribably amusing.
"Look at you, you're practically our military region's cash cow!" Su Tang said, clutching a thick wad of cash, both amused and exasperated. In just two days, he had actually earned over ten yuan by writing couplets. In those days, that was a considerable sum.
"This money is for my wife to buy meat." Qin Ye took out two yuan and carefully put the money into an envelope. He took the rest to the mess hall to buy meat for the soldiers as his wife had instructed.
Su Tang was amused by his serious demeanor, feeling a sweet warmth in her heart, marveling at how his wealth was already flowing in before the new year had even begun.
However, just as the entire hospital was immersed in the festive atmosphere of welcoming the New Year, an unprecedented cold wave swept across the entire Tibetan region without any warning.
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