"Your wife is thoughtful; she was afraid you wouldn’t have anything good to eat during the festival. Today, she waited for the ss hall truck on the road for most of the day and happened to et your sister-in-law. I had just co ho, and my seat wasn’t even warm before your sister-in-law urged to quickly deliver it to you." Waiting for most of the day was pure imagination from Huang Guozhong; back then, they all said there was sothing off between Han Yi and Lin Wan. This kid still put on an ice-cold face, saying he’d only t a few tis, claiming he was clean, but hiding deep indeed.
"Thank you, Sister-in-law Zhang," Han Yi wiped away his earlier frustration, rare for him to show a faint smile, eagerly opening to see what’s inside.
A few cans, and a smoked chicken fra made by Grandma wrapped in oil paper, along with so beef jerky, two tal lunch boxes — one with crayfish and one with roasted lamb. Lin Wan thoughtfully included so bottles of beer. Beneath the beer bottles was a box; Han Yi was curious about what Lin Wan had placed inside, ignoring the food for now and opening the box first, finding a note on top.
"Everything at ho is fine, and I’m getting along well with Grandma, so don’t worry. Recently, I’ve been learning to make the smoked chicken fra from Grandma, especially for you to try my cooking. A few days ago, I saw a watch at the mall that seed quite fitting for you, so I bought it for you. Just please don’t call wasteful."
A simple note, alleviating Han Yi’s longing.
"Wow, a watch!" Yang Wei was the first to see what was in the box and, without considering Han Yi’s feelings, eagerly showed it to everyone.
"This must be over a hundred, equivalent to a few months of our salaries. Your wife is really good to you," ntioned Qin Hongbing, who, like Yang Wei, is from the countryside. One needs to support a large family, another funds his wife’s education. After getting their salaries, they keep only five yuan, the rest sent ho.
Even buying a few cents of cigarettes, they can’t bear to, let alone other things.
Huang Guozhong was also intrigued. Whenever they were on missions, the army supplied everything, and returning ant handing them over; the rest were warti trophies like pocket watches.
Han Yi once got one, "Han Yi, since your wife bought you a watch, why not give that pocket watch?"
Han Yi glared at them, snatched the watch from Huang Guozhong’s hand, saying, "If you want one, buy it yourself; neither item can be given to you." The pocket watch was his warti trophy, special and irreplaceable, and the watch was a gift from Lin Wan, also not to be given away.
"Get lost, stingy jerk, I don’t care," Huang Guozhong rolled his eyes, knowing the kid wasn’t easy to deal with.
"Tsk tsk, jerky, hmm, delicious. Ever since I had your wife’s roasted jerky last ti, I couldn’t forget it; finally, we have a treat," Gao Ran was born in the city, a typical army second-generation son. His family had power and money; he already had a watch long ago and wasn’t interested. Now, what lingered in his mind were the treats Han Yi had. Seizing a chance, he snatched a handful of jerky and stuffed it into his mouth, afraid Han Yi would take it back. "Oh, this ti it’s beef."
Han Yi put away the note and watch, glared at Gao Ran, and tore off a chicken leg for Pidan.
"Thank you, Uncle Han," Pidan was three years old this year, a sensible child.
Han Yi moved the dorm room table to the center, laying out the food Lin Wan brought. "These are from my wife; she wants you to try her cooking. Huang Lianzhang, stay and eat with us."
"No need, your sister-in-law is waiting for at ho. We’ve got a feast today, too. You guys eat; I’ll take Pidan ho. Otherwise, your sister-in-law will get anxious waiting," Huang Guozhong’s family lived frugally but was better off than many, at least able to have little feasts at ho.
Han Yi didn’t insist, taking a beer from his pocket to give him on the way. Beer was a new thing these days; none had had it frequently, intriguing them all.
Huang Guozhong didn’t stand on ceremony, thinking today was a lucky day.
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