Chapter 181: Prosperity 181: Put away your pride and arrogance
Shen Sui nodded, "I'll listen to my brother-in-law."
He closed the door when he went out.
The southern military region is also cold, but slightly better than Yancheng. It doesn't snow here, and the trees outside are lush and green.
The two little guys fell asleep. Chu Dai's original bed was moved to another room. Now this two-meter-wide bed was made by Gu Yin as a dowry for his niece. It was equipped with two bedside tables with drawers and a dressing table.
The table next to it is also matching, as is the washstand in the bathroom.
Gu Qingqing was also yawning. Seeing him bring the cradle, she said, "You should take a nap too. We'll go to the market and the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some rice and vegetables this afternoon."
After leaving the island, you need tickets to buy fuel, diesel and food. Fortunately, I have saved a lot in the past two years. The market is full of nearby production teams selling vegetables. The prices are not expensive, and it doesn’t cost much to cook.
She was thinking that since there were so many people in her family, it would be better for them to cook by themselves instead of eating in the cafeteria.
"Okay, buy enough rice this time. I'll tell the canteen's chief steward tomorrow to bring some food with him when he buys it. Just ask Brother Jianguo or Brother Weidong to bring it back. I'll pay you, so don't worry."
The man unbuttoned his coat and casually hung it on the back of a chair next to him, then strode to the bed and sat down.
Gu Qingqing nodded like a chick pecking at rice, crawled into the quilt, hugged her son and slept soundly.
It was around four o'clock, almost five o'clock, and she handed the two little guys to Uncle Jianguo and Uncle Weidong to hold. Only then was she able to free up and go out to buy groceries with Chu Dai.
It was a rare occasion for the two of them to go out alone, and because they were in a military area, she was too embarrassed to hold a man's hand, so she could only follow him with her hands in her pockets, still wearing the red scarf knitted by Aunt Yu, revealing her lively eyes and eyebrows.
Chu Dai was also wearing casual clothes. After showing his pass, he easily arrived outside the military area.
Gu Qingqing was a little curious: "I think you gave this to my second brother before?"
"Well, didn't we live here for a few days when we got married? We were afraid he would have to go out so it would be convenient to have a pass." Chu Dai was amused to see that half of her face was buried in her scarf: "All military families have it. I'll give it to you when I get back."
"Okay."
The market is not far away, and there are all kinds of green leafy vegetables and seafood. I bought two big bags for 26 cents, including garlic sprouts, spinach, radish, kelp, clams and shrimps. These are not expensive at the seaside. The stall owner also gave me two green onions and a handful of coriander.
I went to the supply and marketing cooperative and bought a pound of sugar with coupons for 78 cents. I bought a bottle of Tiger Balm for 5 cents in case I had a headache or fever. Then I bought two pounds of salt for 30 cents and used the oil coupons to buy 1.6 yuan of oil. Finally, I used ten pounds of grain coupons and 1.5 yuan to buy ten pounds of rice. Of course, I also bought a bottle of soy sauce and half a pound of meat for 35 cents.
Gu Qingqing has saved a lot of meat coupons, grain coupons and other tickets in the past two years. Anyway, she has saved the grain coupons on the island.
Her household registration had been transferred here to Nanyang town, and her food allowance was 30 kilograms per month. She could go to the grain station to buy rice and noodles, and with the food coupons on hand, she didn't have to save on food.
However, her food coupons were all earned through bloody battles by her male brothers, so she did not dare to waste them lavishly.
"Have you bought everything?" The man tilted his head to look at her, holding two large plastic bags in his hands.
After counting on her fingers, Gu Qingqing walked out mumbling, "Next time we go out, we have to prepare a basket to carry our things..."
The man just smiled and responded.
Two figures, one tall and one short, walked forward along the alley. Chu Dai saw something, raised his eyebrows slightly, and asked the woman, "Is there anything else at home?"
"Hmm?" Gu Qingqing didn't know what he was talking about. Seeing the man stop, she followed his gaze and saw it landed on a metal box. She was a little confused.
Soon, she saw the red words clearly, and then she didn't know whether she was shy or angry: "No more, no more, hurry back and cook."
Chu Dai frowned: "How come I remembered there were two boxes? That's it? You made up two."
"..." Gu Qingqing was speechless, with a blush behind her ears: "If you want to pull it, pull it. I can't afford to lose face."
"It's inconvenient to carry things." The man weighed the things in his hand and said with a timid smile: "Come on, wife."
Gu Qingqing was about to walk away and pretend she didn't know the man when she heard someone behind her say casually, "Oh, you don't dare."
Her steps suddenly stopped, and she retracted her legs. She turned her head to look at the figures walking in the alley from time to time, and she gritted her teeth.
Pulling his hand out of his pocket, he said, "I've already given birth to two children, so why should I be afraid? Chu Dai, if you can't use them tonight, then you are useless!"
The man smiled nonchalantly: "Well, are two enough? Wash them before using them?"
Gu Qingqing glared at him, pulled out two, hesitated for a moment, then pulled out another one. Facing the man's teasing gaze, she stuffed the candy directly into his pocket, then took a candy and threw it into her mouth to cover up her impetuous mood.
After returning to the military area, Gu Qingqing ignored Chu Dai. The man followed her at a leisurely pace, with a hint of happiness in his eyes and eyebrows.
This is where he grew up, and now there is not only her, but also two children.
The smile in those lacquer-black eyes deepened.
When they got to the kitchen, the man washed the vegetables while she cut them. She couldn't help but talk to him: "Chu Dai, you can't buy chili peppers here! What should we do in the future? Can you bear not eating spicy food?"
The man was used to her being busy and her brother being okay. Chu Dai was about to say that he didn't eat spicy food, but the little woman didn't care about his answer at all. She murmured to herself, "I can't stand it. I must eat spicy food. How about we plant some peppers in the yard? Dad will agree."
Chu Dai said helplessly: "This is your home, you can plant whatever you want, and he won't say anything if you fill the yard with soil."
"Oh, okay then." Gu Qingqing blanched the meat, cut it into thin slices, and prepared to stir-fry the meat with garlic sprouts: "I'll sow the seeds tomorrow." She brought some dried chilies from the island, which came in handy.
The man reminded her: "It's impossible to grow crops this season."
"It's just a shed," she said nonchalantly, "It's not that difficult. Don't we have you, brother?"
Chu Dai: "..."
At six o'clock, just after the rice was cooked and the dishes were not yet on the table, Chu Yuan returned from the headquarters.
He always missed his two grandsons at home. In the past, he wanted to live in the headquarters every day, but he felt that time was too long and he wanted to go home to hug his grandsons.
He, who had never been very close to his son, treated his two grandsons as his treasures and was extremely affectionate with them. He took turns holding the little ones held by Gu Jianguo and Gu Weidong.
There was laughter and joy in the house. Gu Qingqing took out the bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen and said, "It's time to eat."
Two years ago, Chu Yuan and Xiao Xu had tasted her craftsmanship, and were a little hesitant this time.
The whole family sat neatly at the table. The rule of the Gu family was that the younger ones could not move until the elders started eating. Chu Dai lazily leaned against the back of the chair, holding Xiao Tuantuan in his arms and feeding her minced meat soup.
Gu Qingqing was also holding Nian Nian in her arms, and she looked at the person sitting above her doubtfully while holding a spoon: "Father, please eat quickly."
“…Okay.” For the first time, Chu Yuan felt that life was so difficult. After fighting for so many years, he still had to endure this kind of suffering when he was old. He picked up the chopsticks with a serious face and put a stir-fried clam into his mouth.
"Hmm?" He put the shell on the table with his chopsticks and picked up another piece of meat.
Unexpectedly delicious.
"Qingqing, your cooking skills are good. From now on, Dad will eat in the cafeteria in the morning and lunch, and come back to eat in the evening." He also knew that Chu Dai would be very busy after being transferred to the Navy Command, and he probably wouldn't be back for lunch.
"Okay." Gu Qingqing held down the hands of the kid in her arms who was clapping his hands. "Brother, you guys should eat quickly too. We still have to go to the cafeteria tomorrow."
There are several canteens' service departments that need people, so Chu Dai will bring them over to report tomorrow.
Shen Sui ate very quietly without making any sound. From time to time, he looked at the little nephew in his sister and brother-in-law's arms, and then quickened his eating speed, thinking that he should finish eating quickly and take the little nephew away so that his sister could have a peaceful meal.
After eating for five minutes, he put down his bowl and chopsticks, walked over to Gu Qingqing and stretched out his hand: "Sister, give it to me."
After finishing the minced meat soup, Gu Qingqing handed the child to him: "Be careful not to pee on you."
"I know." He carried Nian Nian to the sofa to watch TV.
Shen Sui has been sitting in front of the TV since he figured out how to tune the TV channels in the afternoon. Gu Qingqing saw that he was watching various news and didn't say anything.
As for the kids, they just want something new. Besides, Shen Sui is not someone who makes people worry. He has his homework well organized and knows what he is doing.
Chu Dai would naturally go with him.
Gu Jianguo and Gu Weidong also finished eating. Tuantuan in the man’s hands was taken away, and there were only three people left at the table. Xiao Xu went to the kitchen to boil some hot water.
"If you stay on the island you can be the team leader, but this time you come back you can only be the deputy team leader. Chu Dai, what are your plans?" After finishing his meal, Chu Yuan put down his chopsticks and asked.
"In half a year, the Suining ship will be launched and put into service." He said this without any reason, while peeling shrimps for the woman.
Chu Yuan's brows relaxed. He had also seen the transfer order for his son to join the Equipment Department of the Navy Headquarters. He knew what Chu Yuan was planning after just a moment's thought.
"In the Equipment Department, the lowest-level grassroots cadres are all deputy regimental level. Boy, if you want to be an excellent commander, you should learn from those old guys and put away your pride and arrogance. In the end, you will not suffer any loss."
Chu Dai didn't say anything, but from his expression he agreed with what his father said.
After dinner, Gu Qingqing cleaned up the table and went to the kitchen. She didn't let Chu Dai wash the dishes, but asked him to have a good chat with his father.
The water is cold in winter, but fortunately Xiaoxu boiled water, so washing dishes is not a big deal. She developed a habit after coming down from the island, and she often leaves the water used to wash dishes in the washbasin, thinking that she can use it to wash her hands, wash dishes, and flush the toilet later.
The Southern Military Region was connected to the water pipes, and there was an endless supply of fresh water by turning on the faucet, but she still maintained her frugality.
After washing the dishes, she thought that she smelled of coal smoke after sitting on the train for half a day, and it was too cold in Datunzi Village and she didn't take a shower, so she went upstairs to the bedroom to get clothes for the man.
Chu Dai was still sitting at the dining table talking to his father. The guard made them a cup of tea. The man's white fingers rested on the army green enamel cup. Hearing footsteps coming up the stairs, he casually looked up at the woman who disappeared around the corner of the stairs.
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