Around three in the afternoon, when it had cooled down outside, Fang Xiuxiu rode her bicycle with Wen Zhile to the market about a kilometer away.
This place used to be a black market, where people had to sneak in and out. Last year, after the policy allowing private businesses was issued, it became legitimate. Many vendors spontaneously set up stalls here, gradually forming a sizable market.
This was Wen Zhile’s first time here, both in her past and present life.
Fang Xiuxiu, however, was a regular and led the way confidently to a clothing stall.
The stall was framed by wooden poles forming a semi-enclosed structure, covered with a net made of hemp rope. Clothes were hung all over this net, filling all three “walls” of the setup.
In the center stood a small table, also piled high with clothes. Compared to the hung items, the clothes here were simpler, even somewhat old-fashioned.
Wen Zhile glanced at them and thought they were about as outdated as what she was wearing.
The clothes she had on were given to her by villagers.
“Xiao Dai, quick, see if there’s anything you like! I’ll buy it for you!”
“Boss! Do you have any new styles from the south lately?”
The boss was a plump woman who grinned like a crescent moon at the sight of a familiar customer. “Of course! I wouldn’t even show these to just anyone.”
She quickly crouched down and pulled out a cardboard box from under the table. Inside, the clothes were neatly folded—a stark contrast to the messy pile on the table.
Fang Xiuxiu picked up a yellow shirt-dress and held it against Wen Zhile. “This one’s nice. What do you think, Xiao Dai?”
Wen Zhile curled her lips and replied, “It wouldn’t look good on me, but it’d suit you, Xiuxiu-jie.”
“I already have plenty of dresses. It’ll definitely look good on you. Try it on.”
Young girls should wear bright colors like this—Xiao Dai always dressed in dull, grayish clothes, and she couldn’t stand it anymore.
Wen Zhile still refused. “You buy it, jie. I like that one.”
She pointed casually at another item. Fang Xiuxiu and the boss both looked.
“This one’s nice too!” The boss smiled and used a stick to lift down the jacket. “Red looks best on young girls!”
It was a wine-red zip-up jacket in a sporty style, neither too thin nor too thick, suitable for spring and autumn, with a large attached hood at the back.
Fang Xiuxiu held it up against Wen Zhile again. The color brightened her complexion, making her sallow skin look a bit better.
She instantly decided to buy this for Wen Zhile.
“Boss, how much?”
The boss glanced at Wen Zhile, noting how thin and worn she looked, as if she’d been through a lot. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Since you’re a regular and this girl has good taste—I quite like her—I’ll give you the lowest price. If you’re serious, 30 yuan and it’s yours.”
The wholesale price was actually only five yuan, but it had been brought back by train all the way from Hu Zhou City in the south.
Fang Xiuxiu, being a frequent customer, knew this boss well. She always quoted prices with room for bargaining—if customers haggled, she didn’t lose; if they didn’t, she made an extra ten yuan or so.
Her eyes twinkling, Fang Xiuxiu pointed to a simple white short-sleeved shirt. “Throw that in too, and we’ll do 15 yuan. If not, forget it. I’ll take my sister to another stall.”
“Oh, you really know your stuff! That short-sleeve is made of such comfortable material, pure cotton. I’d sell it for 10 yuan alone!”
Fang Xiuxiu turned to leave, winking at Wen Zhile. “Xiao Dai, let’s check out other stalls.”
Wen Zhile followed her. They had only gone two or three meters when the boss loudly called them back.
In that moment, she grasped a little of the essence of bargaining.
…
“Jinghong, why don’t you stay tonight? You can sleep in my room.” Ye Qin held Qu Jinghong’s hand reluctantly, not wanting to part.
This was the first time she had met her old friend face-to-face after thirteen years apart – they could talk for days and nights without getting tired.
Qu Jinghong readily agreed.
Wen Nuan, who was sitting beside Zhou Yusheng at the banquet, seized the opportunity: “Grandma, Grandma Zhou, I’d like to stay too.”
She was determined to make an impression on Zhou Yusheng’s older brother today.
Qu Jinghong looked at her with a meaningful gaze, as if trying to see through her.
The Zhou family only had two sons and no daughters, so it would be inappropriate for a young woman to stay overnight.
Zhou Zhanqi and Ji Diyin exchanged a glance, thinking the same thing.
This young girl lacked proper upbringing – they should have Yusheng keep his distance from her.
Qu Jinghong didn’t agree, and Ji Diyin changed the subject.
But soon, Zhou Yusheng suddenly spoke up: “Dad, Mom, Grandma, I plan to take Nuan Nuan around our Military Family Compound later. Our compound is so big that we’ll probably be touring until dark. Why don’t we let Nuan Nuan stay? She can share a room with Grandma Qu.”
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Ye Qin broke the silence at the table: “Nuan Nuan, remember to call your parents and let them know, so they don’t worry.”
Fortunately, only family members were at their table, otherwise they would have been thoroughly embarrassed.
Wen Nuan was delighted. After the meal, she went to make the call but couldn’t get through.
After the banquet ended, Zhou Zhanqi and Ji Diyin went to see off the guests while Qu Jinghong and Ye Qin continued chatting, with the Zhou brothers keeping them company.
One was absent-minded, the other nonchalant, occasionally refilling their teacups.
Wen Nuan returned: “Grandma, my parents don’t seem to be home. I couldn’t get through.”
Qu Jinghong smiled reassuringly: “No hurry, try again later.”
Zhou Jihuai had an idea and put down the teapot, standing up: “Grandma, Grandma Qu, I have some business to attend to over there. I could stop by the school and deliver the message.”
“That would be wonderful,” both Ye Qin and Qu Jinghong could tell he wanted an excuse to leave, but they chuckled amiably. “Nuan Nuan’s parents are off work today. They live in the Jingda Family Compound, Building 3, Unit 303.”
Wen Nuan’s eyes trembled with emotion as she approached Zhou Jihuai.
He was exceptionally handsome – tall and well-built. Unlike Zhou Yusheng, Zhou Jihuai exuded a leopard-like power, ready to spring into action.
Perhaps because he was naturally fair-skinned, even years in the military hadn’t tanned him too darkly. Instead, his extensive training gave him a healthier, more appealing complexion than other fair-skinned men.
As Wen Nuan drew closer, her face flushed slightly: “Thank you, Brother Zhou.”
Zhou Jihuai frowned and subtly stepped back two paces, facing the elderly women: “I’ll go right away.”
Jingzhou City covered a large urban area, and the Southern Military District’s Family Compound was quite far from Jingzhou University in the north. By the time Zhou Jihuai drove there, it was already 5:30 in the afternoon.
His jeep stopped opposite Jingzhou University due to a red light.
Zhou Jihuai’s gaze was fixed on the road ahead when he heard a familiar voice. He glanced sideways, and his eyes locked in place.
Was that her?