Zhou Jiao had no idea that someone was discussing her tonight. She didn't think she was that impressive. Even if she knew, she would just laugh it off.
This time, my son fell asleep right after feeding, and my mother-in-law also went to rest on the kang in the outer room early.
Zhang Guoqing was not at home that night, and she could not sleep. She did not feel anything when he left during the day. But now, in the dead of night, she was frightened by any movement outside.
The north wind rustled against the window stickers, and the occasional barking of dogs made her heart skip a beat. She knew she lacked a sense of security, and with him around, she felt at ease.
Her mother-in-law habitually blew out the oil lamp, and she didn't stop. From what she'd said today, she knew life was still difficult for everyone. She should be more careful in the future and not be so hasty. She should also put away the things she bought to avoid attracting attention. It's not that the countryside is without danger, but she's lived in a small area for so long that she hasn't seen the people she should have. She secretly told herself to live a quiet and unobtrusive life.
She doesn't know it yet, it's not that she doesn't want to keep a low profile, but her parents and lover have put so much thought into her that there's no reason for her to keep a low profile.
In the darkness, she kept her eyes open and thought about her future path and her future life. Life would get better day by day, but she still had to make more preparations, because it was better to be safe than sorry.
Remembering her grandmother's words and the sighs of the village elders as they recounted the past, she subconsciously grew nervous. If that day ever came, she couldn't imagine what it would be like to eat grass roots. She couldn't rely on others. Her mother was a spendthrift with a childlike heart. If a true famine came, she would have to prepare too much. The more people she cared about, the more she had to prepare.
The next morning, the bugle sounded, and Zhang Guoqing, Xiao Zhou, and the others began running along the track, following the soldiers' exercise. They felt refreshed after the exercise. They ate breakfast with everyone else in the army, rather than going to the guesthouse cafeteria.
Looking at these lovely people, at this passionate crowd, he felt a surge of anxiety. He thought he had completely integrated into this era. He was proud of his country and happy, and the selfish desire for profit in his heart did not seem to stir.
He thought that maybe there were many things in life that he needed to think about carefully, so he went back and told Jiaojiao about his feelings, because only Jiaojiao could understand him.
After Lin Lishan and Xizi accompanied the old man for dinner, they returned to the room to tidy up their clothes. Lin Lishan said goodbye to the old man. With the help of Zhang Guoqing, she easily put all the items purchased last night in the car. She checked the time and waited for Fang Jianmei and her son at the door.
"Xiaowu, go upstairs. Don't wait any longer. Your grandpa will be leaving soon. Go and accompany him early. Stay close to him these few days. Your grandpa praised you last night and said you did a good job. Do whatever you want to do. If something goes wrong, don't worry. Mom knows some people. Just do your own thing. If you need anything here and you can't go out by yourself, tell Xiao Zhou and ask him to find someone to help you. You don't have to go out yourself. Go upstairs. You see, the mother and son are Fang Jianmei and her youngest son. You don't need to know her. Xiaofei is your buddy. Go up."
Zhang Guoqing understood that this was someone they had met and was looking for help, so it was hard to refuse. The Fang family had Xiaofei. They weren't at his level yet, so he couldn't welcome them.
"Okay, Mom, I'll go upstairs. You drive carefully. Also, talk to Jiaojiao and let her rest assured that I'm fine. I'll be back in a few days. Xizi, you have to be obedient to grandma. Tell her if you want to buy anything." After saying that, he looked at Xizi and saw that she nodded in agreement. Then he saw that the other party was getting closer to here, so he left and went upstairs.
Lin Lishan watched Fang Jianmei coming from afar, opened the car door, let Xizi get in, and drove over slowly.
"Hurry up and get in the car. Let your son and Xizi sit in the back. You come up front so we can talk and you can give us directions."
Fang Jianmei had wanted to come over earlier to see the old man, but now that the car had arrived, she had no choice but to get in. "I haven't even spoken to the old man yet, and you're worried too. Why didn't you leave all these things at the guesthouse? You're not going back to the military region, are you?"
"Haha, I got up early in the morning and was planning to pick you up at your house. I saw you coming from afar, so I just came straight here. The old man will be here for several days, so you have plenty of opportunities to meet him. I will send you back directly later. I won't stop and drive back. The children are waiting at home, and they will be worried if I am late." Lin Lishan answered with a smile while driving the car.
Fang Jianmei rolled her eyes at her. "The bag I brought contained a military bag and two pairs of boots. I didn't know what size Jiaojiao would wear, so I took a universal size 37. I also gave my son-in-law a pair of size 44s. If they don't fit, there's nothing I can do. They were hard to find. I also had two military coats, both large, just big enough to cover me. I didn't ask anyone for the rest. You won't have anything to lose when you get back to Beijing. Are you heading to Friendship Mall?"
"Thanks. We're going to the Friendship Shopping Mall. The Supply and Marketing Cooperative is on the same street as me last night. Where are you going first?"
Fang Jianmei thought about it and decided to go to the supply and marketing cooperative. "Let's go to the supply and marketing cooperative first. There are fewer people in the morning, so it's easier to buy things. It's crowded every day. I'll buy some more while you're driving and put them in front."
Lin Lishan nodded. "Okay, tell me where to stop and we'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative first. Xizi, remember to follow grandma when there are a lot of people around. Don't get squeezed out."
"Grandma, I know. I'll follow you with my brother later. If I can't find you, I'll wait for you at the gate. I won't get lost. If I really can't find you, I'll report to the military district guesthouse and look for my uncle."
Lin Lishan laughed, "Don't lose it. If you lose it, go find your uncle. He won't let you out next time. Grab grandma's clothes later."
Fang Jianmei listened to the two people talking with amusement, "It's okay, there aren't that many people. If there are too many people, we won't go in."
After parking the car at the spot Fang Jianmei pointed out, Lin Lishan locked the car and took them into the supply and marketing cooperative. It was just the beginning of the day and there weren't many people there, but it was crowded on weekdays and holidays.
Seeing nothing to buy besides some food, she took Xizi's hand and followed Fang Jianmei, slowly looking around. She watched her buy things, and if she saw something she thought would be suitable for Jiaojiao, she would buy some. Fang Jianmei was carrying a lot of bags and was still looking for something else. The supply and marketing cooperative was more troublesome than the Friendship Mall. You had to go to the other side to pay and then run back to get the items to get the invoice.
Lin Lishan saw that the fabric was good, so she bought some more, including two big red thermoses and a kettle. She saw some big cotton shoes in the cabinet next to her, so she picked out two pairs for Jiaojiao to wear at home. They happened to be something she could wear these days. She didn't know the size of Xiaowu, so she thought about it and asked Xizi. Xizi actually knew the size of 42, so she took out two more pairs for Xiaowu. She saw that the cloth coupons she had received from Fang Jianmei were gone, so she stopped looking at the counter. After a round, she finally brought Xizi and Fang Jianmei to a victory.
"Shanshan, let's put it in the car first and come in. I can't carry it anymore."
Lin Lishan raised her eyebrows. "Take her back. It's quite a lot." The four of them returned to the car and sorted out the receipts. They found that they had bought everything they needed. Seeing that she was hesitant, Lin Lishan got out of the car decisively. After Xizi and the others got out, she locked the car and went inside.
This time, she didn't follow her, but took Xizi with her to look for children's items. She looked at Fang Jianmei's youngest son, who was accompanying them, and asked him to look for anything he liked so they could buy it together. The two children were quite sensible, but they just wouldn't say what they liked. After careful consideration, she decided to go to the bookstore and buy some picture books for Xizi and the others.
I had some candy coupons and weighed some hard candy, so I thought about buying two batches of four-happiness pastries. I'll put them in Jiaojiao's room first, so that if my mother-in-law comes over, I can take them back to her.
After waiting for almost an hour, I finally saw Fang Jianmei. After getting in the car, we went directly to Friendship Shopping Mall.
Lin Lishan always remembered that she hadn't bought a raincoat and rain boots last night, so she went in and asked if they had any. Following the salesperson's finger, she finally found them at the daily necessities counter. After seeing the colors and styles, she quickly picked out two sets.
Standing in front of the fabric counter again, Lin Lishan looked at the fabrics carefully one by one. Finally, the salesperson couldn't stand it anymore and pulled her to squat down and look at the fabrics at the bottom of the counter.
"Hush, this is last month's inventory. Not a single piece has been returned to the Commercial Bureau. The price is much lower, so take your pick. You looked at everything on the counter yesterday, and you bought all the good ones."
Lin Lishan smiled sheepishly, realizing that many of the items were only enough for one or two. No wonder they hadn't been returned. Pulling the salesperson aside, they whispered to each other, "Thankfully, unlike the supply and marketing cooperatives, this place is quite quiet."
Lin Lishan returned to the car contentedly carrying a large package of cloth.
It was more than an hour before Fang Jianmei came out. She had also bought a bunch of things and put them in the back of the car. Lin Lishan discussed with her about going to the bookstore and buying some picture books for the children.
"Sure, of course. I'll go find some books too. You don't know how boring it is to be here when you have nothing to do. I finally got some shopping done today. I still have 300 overseas remittance coupons, and I'll give them all to you. I'll find someone when the time comes. Don't give me any money, or I won't give it to you. Didn't you confiscate the overseas remittance coupons you gave me in Beijing? You're driving, so I'll put them away for you. And take these receipts back to Jiaojiao to see if they can be of any use."
"Then I won't be polite. I'll treat you and your son to a meal at the restaurant later. I won't go back to the guesthouse to eat. The old man is busy today and I won't be able to see him. What do you two like to eat?"
"You should go back. I asked the kid's dad to buy groceries today. Since you've come to Northeast China, I have to treat you to a meal."
Lin Lishan quickly refused, "No, no, what's our relationship? We're from the same compound, and you're still playing this game? We'll go to your house for dinner when we get back. Your food won't go bad if we leave it there first. By the time we finish eating at your place, it'll be dark again, and we can't drive. If we don't go back, someone will probably find the military district tomorrow. Jiaojiao told me that we're going back today. Didn't you see I brought bodyguards with me, right?"
Fang Jianmei laughed heartily upon hearing this. "Alright, let's go to the restaurant to eat, so we don't have to go back and cook. But if we go, I have to treat you. Let's make this clear first. Otherwise, won't you make me a laughing stock in front of the other girls later?"
"Okay, it's your turn. I'm not afraid you can't afford it. We're at the bookstore. Guys, let's go! Hurry and find some books and go. Take whatever you like. I'll pay for this. No need to argue."
When I entered the bookstore, there were only two or three salespeople there. It was quiet inside and there were not many people. Do people like reading books these days?
Following the signs, we led the children to the children's book section. This time, Xizi didn't say she didn't want to read. She stared at the books with shining eyes. The two of them followed the children, one helping each child, just right.
Seeing Xizi looking at nothing but buying nothing, Lin Lishan said, "Xizi, I know you're afraid I'll spend money on you, but books are worth spending money on. This book, after reading it once, you can read it again and again. It's different from other things. No matter how expensive a book is, it's worth it. You can learn something from it, so buy it with confidence. We don't know when we'll be in the provincial capital next time. You can show your younger siblings the pictures in the comic books, and you can read these books slowly."
Xizi thought about it and finally selected six books. In the end, he chose two out of the six. Lin Lishan was relieved and went forward to take all of them. This time, Xizi did not delay and smiled happily. This child really likes books.
Lin Lishan went to the comic book shop and picked out some books, and had them all packed up. She also picked out some for Fang Jianmei's old son. When she went to check out, she found that they were really expensive. Just these books cost her more than 20 yuan, which was a city worker's monthly salary. Fortunately, she was not short of money, otherwise she really couldn't afford to buy books.
After running to the restaurant, the four of them were starving. After lunch, they rested in chairs for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, the four of them slowly got into the car. Lin Lishan drove them to the family compound and didn't plan to go upstairs. Seeing that there was still a package, she quickly called Fang Jianmei.
Fang Jianmei looked at her amusedly. "This is for Jiaojiao. I didn't know she was giving birth, so I didn't buy any eggs. Take these to her. Don't worry, I won't be shy with you. When my eldest son gets married, I'll definitely ask you to give him a red envelope. It's nothing expensive, just malted milk and some snacks. I assume you've already prepared the milk powder, so I didn't take that."
"Alright, I'll take it. I've collected a lot of good stuff from you. I wouldn't have come to see you earlier. Take the kids home early for the New Year. I won't come to your house this time when I return to Beijing. You all work all the time, so you might not be here when I come. I'll just leave the car at the military area."
"Okay, see you in Beijing. Drive carefully. Say goodbye to your older son and younger brother. Xizi, next time your uncle comes to the provincial capital, ask him to bring you to our house. Do you know the way?"
"I know the way, little brother. I'm leaving now. Thank you for your gift. I like it very much. Goodbye, auntie."
Lin Lishan put the package directly in the car and said, "Let's go. You guys go upstairs too." She waved her hand and drove away. She had bought everything she needed and was anxious to see Jiaojiao.
"Xizi, we're going back. Is there anywhere else in the provincial capital you'd like to visit? Driving is convenient for us. Think about it. Let's go to the guesthouse first to see if they're there. If not, tell the waiter and ask him to pass on the message."
"Okay, Grandma, I don't have anywhere else I want to go. Let's go home."
"Okay, I'll listen to Xizi." When they drove to the guesthouse, Xizi was not there as expected. Lin Lishan asked someone to tell him that they were driving back now.
Lin Lishan sorted the things on the back seat to prevent them from falling onto Xizi due to the vibrations of driving. She then spread two military coats on the seat to cover him. "Wrap him in the coats. Sleep if you want. Those underneath are made of cloth, so it won't hurt if you fall. There are chocolates and candies in the small bag. Take them if you want."
After saying that, I saw him nod, wrapped himself in his coat, and sat there.
Lin Lishan started driving in the front. Nothing happened along the way. At the beginning, Xizi would talk to her for a few words, but slowly fell asleep.
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