Chapter 61 Soft Drinks
Having grown up in the city where supplies were relatively stable, this was the first time she had ever seen such a lively market full of local flavor.
Cucumbers and tomatoes were piled up like small mountains, along with potatoes and sweet potatoes covered in soil, baskets of green-shelled duck eggs and free-range chicken eggs, and vendors selling live crucian carp, loach, and eels... all novel and fresh.
Nan Zhiyi led Zhou Anping through the crowd.
Seeing an old lady selling free-range eggs, all of uniform size, I squatted down and picked out a small basket.
She also saw some wild mushrooms that were half-dried in the sun, so she bought some as well, and bought a slaughtered chicken to make soup.
Sister Wang and Sister Liu also bought the vegetables and daily necessities they needed.
When the group met up, their baskets were all full.
Zhou Anping helped Nan Zhiyi carry the basket of eggs, carefully protecting it.
The way back seemed longer than the way there.
As the sun rises higher, the heat gradually intensifies.
When Zhou Anping finally returned to the family compound, he was panting heavily.
She put down her things, picked up the cooled boiled water on the table, and gulped down a large glass before letting out a long sigh of relief.
"My God... I'm exhausted..." She slumped into a chair, looking at Nan Zhiyi whose forehead was covered in sweat, and sighed sincerely, "Zhiyi, you guys have it so tough! Going to the market is like the Long March! And those military wives... have it even tougher!"
She remembered how her two sisters-in-law had argued for ages to save a few cents...
Zhou Anping shook his head. "This market is interesting and novel once in a while, but to live like this every day... it's simply terrifying. Compared to that, the life Fifth Brother lets you live is like a paradise."
Nan Zhiyi wiped her sweat, sat down next to her, and said softly, "Yes. It's not easy for the women. They have many children and heavy burdens. The previous generation raised a large family, and now they also have elderly parents to care for and young children to raise. Their husbands are in the army, so they have to manage everything at home and outside, and they still have to find ways to earn money to supplement their income. They have no choice but to do so because of the pressures of life."
“Forced by life…” Zhou Anping murmured repeatedly, shivering.
Yesterday, Nan Zhiyi's words about the realities of marriage were still ringing in her ears. Today, witnessing firsthand the specific and arduous realities of life, her fear of marriage and the future has been magnified many times over.
Those naive fantasies about "good men" have been completely shattered.
She even thought pessimistically: even a "good man" like Fifth Brother couldn't help but teach Zhiyi to do these arduous household chores, so what kind of man could she expect to marry? Wouldn't it be even worse?
Zhou Anping's eyes were somewhat unfocused.
"I...I never want to get married again, and I never want to have children...It's...it's too scary..."
Nan Zhiyi looked at the panic in her eyes and knew that she was frightened by the stark reality of life.
She comforted him gently, "Anping, don't be afraid. Life is made step by step. Therefore, every choice you make is important."
She often felt lingering fear whenever she saw the hard work of her two sisters-in-law next door.
"...I was very lucky to marry my fifth brother. He respected me, was willing to share the burden, and did his best to protect me. If...if I had been forced to marry another officer who only treated his wife as a nanny and a breeding machine...I really don't want to think about that kind of life."
The two fell silent for a moment.
The cicadas outside the window were chirping even louder.
Nan Zhiyi glanced at her watch and patted Zhou Anping's hand: "It's almost noon. Your brother will come to pick you up this afternoon. I'll cook a proper farewell dinner for you!"
Zhou Anping also perked up and got up to follow.
"It's hot in the kitchen, so you can listen to the tape recorder in the living room."
"Don't underestimate me! This little bit of heat is nothing to me."
She had no choice but to agree, "Okay."
The two entered the kitchen one after the other.
Nan Zhiyi was in charge of cooking, while Zhou Anping assisted her.
Watching Nan Zhiyi sweating profusely as she stir-fried tender green beans and simmered mushroom and chicken soup...
Zhou Anping felt a mix of emotions: heartache, admiration, and a sense of awe for life itself.
Rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea—all these things depend on women…
Her mother wants her to go on blind dates and get married. Has her mother ever thought about what kind of life she will lead after she gets married?
...
"Wow! Soft drink!" Zhou Anping exclaimed. "Fifth Brother! You're such a good friend!"
She rushed over without hesitation, picked up a bottle, and skillfully pried open the cap with a bottle opener.
Looking at the bottles of soda, Nan Zhiyi felt a sweet warmth in her heart: "You even went out of your way to buy soda? You still have to return the glass bottles."
"Yes, the convenience store just received these; they're chilled. I'll take the bottles back later."
Zhou Anping couldn't wait any longer and gulped down more than half the bottle. She breathed a satisfied sigh of relief and gave Gu Xiao a thumbs up: "Fifth Brother! Thoughtful! Considerate! A model husband! Zhiyi is so lucky to have married you!"
She launched into a frenzy of praise, showering him with compliments as if they were free.
Gu Xiao's brows relaxed as he helped bring the food to the table; the farewell meal was quite sumptuous.
Nan Zhiyi also craves coolness, so she picked up a bottle of soda and took small sips. The icy, sweet taste made her squint her eyes in comfort.
Gu Xiao looked at her satisfied expression, his eyes filled with indulgent smiles.
The meal was enjoyed very much.
Zhou Anping genuinely praised Gu Xiao. Gu Xiao didn't say much, only occasionally responding with a few words, and the atmosphere was much more harmonious than yesterday.
After the meal, Gu Xiao cleared the dishes, and Nan Zhiyi helped gather the leftovers into bowls and accompanied him as he cleaned up.
Gu Xiao had his back to the door, and Nan Zhiyi stood beside him, handing him a bowl.
Taking advantage of her momentary lapse in attention, Gu Xiao quickly turned his head and kissed her sweaty forehead.
Nan Zhiyi was startled: "It's all sweat..."
Gu Xiao didn't care at all. He shook the water droplets off his hands and tucked a stray strand of hair damp with sweat behind her ear: "I don't mind."
His gaze was intense, making Nan Zhiyi's cheeks burn.
"Zhiyi? What are you still doing in the kitchen?"
Zhou Anping's shouts came from outside.
Nan Zhiyi quickly responded and hurried out.
Gu Xiao watched her jog away, a smile playing on his lips, before lowering his head to continue washing the dishes.
In the afternoon, Gu Xiao was going to the camp.
"Anping, I won't see you off. Take care on your journey."
Zhou Anping said, "Okay, Fifth Brother, don't worry!"
Not long after, Zhou Zhengping arrived.
“Brother.” Zhou Anping’s expression was indifferent.
Zhou Zhengping nodded, his gaze lingering briefly in Nan Zhiyi's direction before quickly shifting away. "Have you packed everything? Let's go."
Zhou Zhengping carried the luggage in front, while Nan Zhiyi and Zhou Anping walked behind hand in hand, the two girls whispering and complaining about their brother.
Zhou Zhengping pretended not to hear.
The three walked to the gate of the military camp, where a jeep from the logistics department was parked.
Standing next to her was Lu Linlang, carrying a small leather suitcase, who seemed to be planning to hitch a ride back to Jian'an City as well.
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