There weren’t many vegetables left on the display shelf, and the leafy greens were already starting to wilt.
“Maybe I’ll make some noodles or dough soup tonight…”
Jiang Li stood in front of the rack, thinking.
Suddenly, a bright and cheerful voice rang out.
“Oh my, what a fresh-looking young lady! You look unfamiliar—new here?”
Hearing this, Jiang Li subconsciously turned her head.
She saw a woman around forty years old looking her up and down, her face kind and friendly.
“Hello, ma’am. I’m a newly arrived family member. My name is Jiang Li.”
“Is that so? My name is Wang Xuelian. My husband is Wang Xiwang, a team leader here. We’re all in the same compound! Just call me Sister Wang.”
Wang Xuelian quickly introduced herself, her voice not loud but full of straightforward warmth.
Then, as she processed things, her gaze at Jiang Li deepened.
“Wait a second, you said your name is Jiang Li? You’re… from Commander Si’s family?”
She suddenly realized something, her face showing both curiosity and concern as she leaned closer, lowering her voice.
“Miss, you just arrived, right?”
“You came here to buy things… does that mean Commander Si agreed to let you stay?”
The matter of Si Nancheng’s engagement had long been no secret in the compound.
Especially regarding his fiancée who had never shown her face.
After all, when that fiancée had called to cancel the engagement and even cursed loudly, it had spread everywhere.
Hearing this and seeing her expression, Jiang Li knew she had mistaken her for Lü Xiaoxiao.
She quickly smiled and said,
“Sister-in-law, I was switched at birth with someone else…”
She repeated what she had told the political commissar.
Upon hearing it, Wang Xuelian slapped her thigh and laughed.
“Oh, so you’re not the same person! No wonder when I first saw you, I felt you were straightforward and kind. Good that you’re not—that black-hearted thing doesn’t know what’s good!”
“Nancheng is a great man. My husband praises him every day. If you marry him, you’ll be blessed.”
So that was it! She had vaguely heard about a mix-up in the compound but hadn’t understood—now it made sense.
This young girl looked gentle and kind, and she even took the initiative to fulfill the engagement. Truly a good girl.
Much better than the previous one.
If anyone gossiped nonsense again, she would make sure to explain properly.
Hearing this, Jiang Li’s cheeks flushed slightly, but her gaze remained steady as she nodded.
“Nancheng is a good person. He doesn’t talk much, but he’s very considerate. He even gave me money just now to buy things.”
Hearing the admiration and defense in Jiang Li’s words, Wang Xuelian nodded repeatedly.
“That’s good.”
“Commander Si is a reliable man. If you stay here and live your life peacefully, you won’t go wrong.”
Seeing Jiang Li give her a gentle and obedient smile, Wang Xuelian grew even fonder of her.
At that moment, the sales clerk brought out some relatively fresh vegetables from the back—clearly the better stock she had kept hidden.
Seeing this, Jiang Li quickly stepped aside and gestured for Sister Wang to go first.
“Sister, you’re here to buy vegetables too, right? Come, you pick first.”
Wang Xuelian was stunned and quickly waved her hand.
“Oh! How could that be? We should follow first come, first served! You pick first.”
Looking at this honest and simple woman, Jiang Li felt warmth in her heart and couldn’t help but smile.
She directly pulled Wang Xuelian forward.
“Sister, I’ve just arrived and don’t know anyone here. I’ll probably trouble you a lot in the future.”
“If you even give up this bit of vegetables to me, how can I stay here comfortably? How would I even have the face to greet you later?”
Jiang Li’s words were thoughtful and graceful, instantly bringing them closer and giving Wang Xuelian plenty of face.
“Alright then, since you said so, I’ll pick first.”
Wang Xuelian patted Jiang Li’s shoulder, feeling pleased.
“If you need anything in the future, just come to my house.”
Having successfully made a neighborly connection, Jiang Li felt satisfied.
She picked some vegetables, then bought some flour.
She also bought daily necessities—having just arrived with little luggage, she lacked almost everything.
She even bought a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and scented soap, which cost over a yuan.
Watching from the side, Wang Xuelian was a bit surprised.
But seeing that Jiang Li intended to live properly, she couldn’t help but smile.
“Oh my, you really don’t hesitate to spend money. Commander Si treats his wife so well—so generous.”
Hearing this, Jiang Li just narrowed her eyes and smiled without saying anything.
In truth, aside from household expenses, she planned to use her own money for personal items.
But she didn’t intend to explain.
On one hand, it gave Si Nancheng face; on the other, it avoided unnecessary trouble.
At that moment, the supply cooperative’s door was gently pushed open, and a female soldier walked in.
It was Xiao Ya from earlier.
Seeing Jiang Li carrying large and small bags, Xiao Ya felt as if a needle had pierced her heart.
She had thought Jiang Li would be driven away by Si Nancheng.
But unexpectedly, she had stayed?
And even came to buy things?
That washbasin, that thermos—it looked like she planned to settle down here!
How could that be?! Why her?
Xiao Ya’s eyes reddened with anger. And those things—how much did they cost?
This woman wasn’t even married yet, and she was already spending Commander Si’s money so freely!
She couldn’t hold back any longer.
She walked straight up to Jiang Li, raising her voice slightly.
“Sister-in-law, you’re here? I saw you earlier today and wanted to greet you but didn’t get the chance. Didn’t expect to run into you here… My name is Xiao Ya. I’m quite close with Commander Si.”
“Sister-in-law, since you can cook, you should buy more things and nourish Commander Si. He was injured during a mission and hurt his foundation—he might not be able to have children in the future. Oh my… how did I accidentally say that? Sister-in-law, just pretend you didn’t hear it.”
Though Xiao Ya’s tone carried a hint of deliberate regret, her eyes continued to observe Jiang Li.
She wanted to see the drama.
If Jiang Li stayed, she must not know about Si Nancheng’s condition.
So she would tear away that veil.
She didn’t believe Jiang Li would still stay after hearing this.
Even if she did, there would surely be conflict.
She wouldn’t last long.
When Wang Xuelian saw Xiao Ya enter, she already had a bad feeling.
Hearing this, her expression immediately changed.
She was about to speak, but Jiang Li spoke first.
“Comrade, you said Nancheng was injured? How do you know so clearly?”
“Did you see it with your own eyes? Or did you personally examine his body? You’re an unmarried woman—aren’t you ashamed to discuss my fiancé’s body in private?”
Although Jiang Li didn’t know Xiao Ya, from her tone and the way she addressed Si Nancheng, she could already guess most of it.
Moreover, objectively speaking, with her man’s looks, it was only natural for some people to covet him.
But Jiang Li had no intention of tolerating it.
At this stage, anyone who tried to damage her marriage—
was an enemy.