"You two go wash up first. I'll return the car to the unit."
Gu Xingdong said, his gaze landing on Chen Lishu. "I've already prepared Xingping's room. Take a look later and see if anything is missing. We can buy it tomorrow if needed."
"Mhm," Chen Lishu nodded.
After Gu Xingdong left, Chen Lishu saw Gu Xingping yawn several times in quick succession. She told her to go wash up first, and then went back to her own room to put away her bag before checking the study.
Gu Xingdong had prepared quite thoroughly. The previously empty room now had a desk and a chair. Against the window, there was a single bed with a neatly folded set of military green bedding.
Chen Lishu walked over and pressed the mattress, finding it a bit thin. She turned back to her room, retrieved another quilt from the cabinet, and spread it on the bed.
"Third sister-in-law, I'm done washing. You can go now." Gu Xingping entered the room to call her and, seeing her busy, came over to help.
"We still need a curtain. I'll buy one in the city tomorrow. For tonight, you'll have to make do. Don't take off your clothes before sleeping. It's different here from home, and people live opposite us."
In the countryside, lights were out as soon as it got dark. Families didn't install curtains, and the compound in the town had high walls. Once the gate was closed, nothing inside was visible from the outside.
Gu Xingping smiled and nodded, "I understand, Third sister-in-law."
"Get some sleep early," Chen Lishu instructed, then turned to leave, not forgetting to close the door behind her.
After settling Gu Xingping, Chen Lishu also went to the bathroom to wash up.
When Gu Xingdong returned, the living room light was on, but the room was quiet. Guessing that the two might have already slept, he tried to move as lightly as possible to quickly wash up in the bathroom. Upon exiting, he glanced at Da Wang, who was curled up on the stool and already snoring. He went over, turned off the light, and fumbled his way into the bedroom.
Feeling the spot beside her sink in, Chen Lishu turned over and moved closer to him.
"Did I wake you?" Gu Xingdong extended his arm and pulled her into his embrace.
"No."
Nestled in his arms, Chen Lishu adjusted herself to a comfortable position and said, "Xingdong, I have something to tell you."
"Mhm," Gu Xingdong nodded.
"Besides the items mailed back, I also bought something else."
Gu Xingdong remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
Chen Lishu looked up, her gaze meeting his chiseled jawline in the moonlight. "I bought a house in Beijing. It cost five thousand yuan in total."
"Are you going to Beijing?" Gu Xingdong seized on the key point, his brow furrowed as he asked.
Chen Lishu knew what he was worried about, and she pursed her lips into a smile. "You're still here. How could I possibly go to such a faraway place?"
Her words pleased Gu Xingdong. He lowered his head and pecked her forehead, a chuckle rumbling in his throat. In a low voice, he said, "I knew my charm was great, so it shouldn't be like this."
Chen Lishu couldn't help but pout, "Don't be so conceited."
"Can't sleep anymore, can you?" Gu Xingdong's voice suddenly turned dangerous.
Startled, Chen Lishu immediately closed her eyes. "I've already fallen asleep."
Looking at her tightly shut eyes, Gu Xingdong smiled helplessly. He felt bad that she had endured a tiring journey, and holding her, he also closed his eyes.
The next day, Chen Lishu opened her eyes to the sound of the reveille.
Gu Xingdong was getting dressed. He turned and saw her awake, saying, "It's still early. You can sleep a bit longer."
"Mhm," Chen Lishu nodded and rolled over, about to go back to sleep when she suddenly remembered something she had forgotten to tell him last night. She quickly said, "I was thinking, with all those ration coupons this time, it was thanks to Old Wu and the others for their help. Let's treat them to a meal at home tonight as a thank you."
"Alright, I'll let them know then," Gu Xingdong replied with a nod. He deftly buttoned the last button of his shirt and turned to leave.
Chen Lishu heard the door close and closed her eyes, soon drifting back into a hazy sleep.
When she opened her eyes again, it was broad daylight. As she stepped out of the room, she saw Gu Xingping sitting on a stool in the living room. Opposite her sat Da Wang, with its paws tucked in and its eyes half-closed, its expression indifferent. The person and the cat had been staring at each other for who knows how long.
Seeing Chen Lishu emerge, Gu Xingping conceded first. She got up and said to her, "Third sister-in-law, I don't know how to use the gas canister, but I've already washed the rice and it's soaking in the basin."
"Okay, I'll start cooking," Chen Lishu nodded and entered the kitchen.
She first put the rice in the pot to cook porridge. Recalling the situation she had seen upon their return yesterday, Chen Lishu leaned over and looked out the window at the open space. Indeed, she saw that quite a few vegetables were planted there: eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes. Although the quantity was not large, the variety was quite complete. She immediately grabbed a basin and went out to pick some vegetables.
However, the moment she pushed the door open, a half-grown figure suddenly rushed towards her. Chen Lishu dodged with lingering fear, followed closely by a smaller figure running out. Frightened, she quickly stepped back again.
"You two little brats, don't let me catch you, or I'll skin you alive!"
Following the scolding, a tall and strong woman emerged from the opposite door, holding a broom. Her face was flushed with anger.
The woman paused when she saw Chen Lishu, then awkwardly adjusted her clothes. "You must be the commander's wife, Gu? My husband is the deputy commander of the Second Battalion, Wang Jianshe. I'm Zhao Guiying."
Chen Lishu smiled and nodded at her. "Hello, sister-in-law."
"Oh," Zhao Guiying responded, then leaned closer to Chen Lishu and asked in a lowered voice, "Sister, are you also here to try for a baby? I'm lucky if I'm not angered to death by my two boys every day. I'm telling you, I've come with the kids during their summer break specifically to have a daughter. Don't you think a well-behaved little girl is so lovely?"
Because Chen Lishu hadn't visited for a while after arriving, Zhao Guiying had automatically assumed Chen Lishu shared the same objective.
Chen Lishu didn't offer much explanation. After exchanging pleasantries with her, she bid farewell and went to pick vegetables.
For breakfast, Chen Lishu simply cooked some porridge and stir-fried a green vegetable. After finishing, she first scooped some porridge into Da Wang's special bowl. Da Wang initially observed cautiously, and only when it felt Chen Lishu meant no harm did it twist its body and approach.
After Chen Lishu and Gu Xingping had breakfast, they tidied up, locked the door, and left the camp. They took a bus to the city.
Since they needed to buy curtains, they went to the department store first. After looking around, they finally chose a piece of fabric with a blue background and white flowers.
While checking out, Chen Lishu's gaze was suddenly drawn to a piece of gray cotton fabric.
"Comrade, could you please hand me that fabric to look at?"
The salesclerk followed her pointed finger, turned around, and took down the fabric.
"This fabric is a new style. It costs one yuan and twenty cents per chi, and requires one chi of fabric coupon."
Chen Lishu took it and felt it carefully. Although the color wasn't very attractive, the fabric itself was good. It was soft and elastic to the touch, making it perfect for making underwear.