"Last ti, Ah Jiang called and said we’d celebrate New Year in Capital City this year, not going back ho. He’d take to see the Forbidden City and Great Wall."
Lin Wan paused after a bite of greens, understanding Mom’s intention for them to spend New Year in Capital City.
Might as well get acquainted with the place.
In a past life, I had never been to the Capital City, mostly wandering around the South and North.
If the daughter wasn’t so young, I would surely agree to Mom’s request.
Liang Hongi ca ho in the evening and saw the kitchen turned upside down by Zhang Dandan, feeling a rush of frustration.
Three pounds of pork, over twenty eggs, all eaten up by Zhang Dandan—she definitely doesn’t look like soone who’s sick.
The next day, Liang Hongi left her only two eggs and so noodles in the kitchen. Even the market pancakes weren’t spared.
The backyard door was locked on Lin Wan’s side, so Zhang Dandan would have to take a detour past their front door to co over. The snow just officially stopped today. Lin Wan ward up the kang, asked Shi Lan to look after Little Star, and washed Little Star’s diapers with hot water, then dried them over the living room coal stove.
Kids are hardest to take care of in winter; Little Star has plenty of padded jackets and trousers. Apart from the two sets made by her, Little Star’s Grandma, Grandma Jin, Mom, and Xiao Wan each made a set for her.
Even her distant Grandma from Capital City made several sets for her. Last ti she called, she said if they were coming, there was no need to bring too much clothing for Little Star.
Everything was fully prepared over there.
Lin Wan ntioned this to Mom, who agreed Little Star was too young to travel.
Lin Wan was thinking of calling Han Yi today when she coincidentally received a parcel he sent back.
Upon opening it, there was a roasting duck wrapped in greaseproof paper, various fruit snacks, crisp sugar, tuckahoe cake, chestnuts from Huairou, and several Beijing pears.
These must be specialties of Capital City.
The postage for such a big parcel probably cost more than the items it contained.
But Lin Wan didn’t feel Han Yi was being wasteful; instead, she felt sweet comfort from his thoughtfulness.
"Xiao Wan, hope this finds you well.
Everything is fine here, no need to worry. It’s much warr here in Capital City than in S City. It must be snowing in S City now; you and Little Star should stay indoors. Cancel night classes if possible, don’t make worry. Winter is prone to illnesses; rember to dress warmly and drink ginger water to prevent them. Call if anything cos up. During my last task, the unit gave out three months of extra allowance. I’ve put it in the envelope for you. Don’t save it while managing alone."
Monts like these, when Han Yi thinks of , I miss him imnsely, too. I’ve taken a photo with my comrade’s cara, so when you miss , you can take it out to see . Before long, I’ll be back."
Your husband, Han Yi
Giving warmth and urging caution with simple lines, he still writes letters. Though Lin Wan grumbles, she’s mostly filled with satisfaction and peace.
No matter what, whether it is significant or not, a family letter is worth a thousand gold. Han Yi’s letter was more delightful than earning ten thousand yuan.
I took out over a hundred yuan and a five-inch black and white photo from the envelope. The backdrop should be the school’s teaching building.
Vigorously handso, his face bore a rare, gentle smile. So good-looking.
"Little Star, look, this is your dad’s photo, handso, right?"
"Ah ah... ah"
"Your dad misses us, and I miss him too. Ah... it’s more than a month before we can see dad. Little Star must eat well and get chubby. Dad will be pleased when he sees, won’t he?"
"Eh... papa"
Lin Wan rejoiced at Little Star’s unclear pronunciation of ’papa’.
The batch of goods Wu Liu took last ti sold well, earning a considerable amount. This year’s New Year should be prosperous.
I thought Wu Liu would take a break for a while, but this ti, besides alcohol, he wanted to bring more mountain goods and Shi Lan’s sauce.
Shi Lan’s sauce is genuinely delicious, popular in Southern Sichuan. Most of the last batch was sold there. Shi Lan was overjoyed hearing about taking more sauce, business coming unannounced to her ho, making it easy.
Since winter started, sales increased for items displayed at Lin Wan’s shop.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt she made the right decision in business.
The past few days, Zhang Dandan has been confined to her room grouchy, with Liang Hongi locking the door to the main house for precaution. Since the first day she made off with the kitchen at and eggs, Liang Hongi kept her guarded. Every day, leaving only noodles, two eggs.
She doesn’t even know where the rice is, and as a southern person, not eating rice for days makes her uneasy.
Unwilling to spend money to buy more, she can only cope like this. Unable to eat today, thinking of sneaking to Lin Wan’s yard for a al.
She unexpectedly encountered the man nad Wu, who regularly dined at their shop, loading things onto his car. Surprised, she realized the fierce-looking man was wealthy. He owns a private car.
Really not what he seems! Previously, seeing him at the shop, always with a briefcase tucked under his arm, I thought he was just a petty thug on the street.
Unexpectedly, he’s a hidden rich man.
Watching Wu Liu’s brand-new truck, a glint flashed in Zhang Dandan’s eyes, abandoning the idea for a al.
Later that night, Liang Hongi returned and heard Zhang Dandan say she recovered from illness, suddenly proposing to go ho.
Curiously thought, it must be these days deliberately putting nothing in the kitchen for treatnt, driving her into desperation; grateful to send off this nuisance.
After Zhang Dandan left, Liang Hongi rested at ho for a day. Not wanting to care for Zhang Dandan convinced her to stay out, even with snowfall.
With new goals, Zhang Dandan was exceptionally diligent at work lately. Dressing flamboyantly, hoping Wu Liu will co to the shop, creating her presence.
It’s unfortunate she waited for over a week without sight of Wu Liu.
Instead, tossing herself into actual illness, feverish and weak at night, nearly fainting the next day.
No fire in the ho coal stove, no hot water available.
"Is the elder sister ho, comrade, are you ho?"
Ye Qing rarely enjoyed a day off, the child was quiet in the morning, lying in bed lazily, the noise outside irritated her.
Braving the cold in her pajamas, she impatiently asked, "Who’s there, what’s going on so early?"
"Hello elder sister, I’m the girl from next door, my stove went out, can I borrow so fire from your ho?"
Only then saw her holding coal with tongs.
Frowning slightly, she let her in, "Hurry, it’s freezing outside."
Zhang Dandan smiled awkwardly, swapping coal in her kitchen.
An unexpected sight of plentiful food, eggs by the basket, grain oil by the jar, half-eaten chicken on the cutting board; wow, that soldier financially supports this mother and child well.
Both a caregiver and supplies, finding a wealthy man is indeed rewarding.
Departing Ye Qing’s house, Zhang Dandan felt firr in her resolve to snag a rich man.
After getting dicine from a nearby clinic, she heated the kang and indulged in a sweet sleep. She refused not to et Wu Liu.
While Zhang Dandan dreamt fancifully at ho, a harsh knocking woke her.
"Who’s there... midday, running here—oh, elder sister from next door, what’s going on?"
"Oh, little sister, you do know it’s midday, huh. You swapped coal this morning and took not the one at the bottom but took one from top. Is this how you exchange coal? My child needs hot water often, I kindly let you swap coal, and you extinguished mine, not even ntioning it, yet you’re impatient. Truly a kind act wasted."
Awoken early, Ye Qing was already fuming; hard-won lazy sleep cooled her temper sowhat, intending to cook for herself only to find her stove out.
A glance at the damp coal above fueled her anger imdiately. This neighbor is really sothing, swapping coal this way!
Zhang Dandan hadn’t expected this woman to be so unyielding, reddening awkwardly, "Sorry sister, I had a fever all night; I’m confused today, didn’t notice. Let swap a piece for you." Taking the tongs from Ye Qing, she headed to the kitchen.
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