Before long, Fang Yingqiu arrived home.
Fang Sao immediately put down the vegetables she was washing, pulled her onto the sofa, and asked anxiously, “Yingqiu, what did you find out?”
“Is it true? Brother Qin’s fiancée really came?”
Seeing Fang Yingqiu crying nonstop, Fang Sao felt a chill in her heart.
She had gone to the city to shop yesterday and only heard about this from other military wives after returning. At first, she didn’t believe it.
After all, Brother Qin’s fiancée had come once before, and back then, she had caused a huge commotion in the military housing area just to break off the engagement. Fang Sao had witnessed it herself!
Who could tolerate such behavior? Besides, with her status as a capital girl, she would only drag Brother Qin down and affect his promotion. Back then, Fang Sao had thought for sure that the engagement was off.
Brother Qin’s position wasn’t low, and many military wives were eyeing him, hoping to match him with their relatives. Fang Sao also had a niece back home who was quite attractive.
So she had immediately arranged a small room and brought Fang Yingqiu from her hometown, hoping to create an opportunity for the two to spend time together. If they got together, it would be a huge advantage for her family.
But now she was being told that Brother Qin’s fiancée had come? Absolutely not!
Sensing danger, Fang Sao grabbed Fang Yingqiu’s hand and said, “Yingqiu, don’t lose heart! They haven’t married yet! You still have a chance. Didn’t your uncle have a fiancée at the time? You still managed to win him over!”
“That capital girl, living here, might be able to pretend for a day or two, but she won’t last long. Eventually, she’ll leave, and that’s when your chance comes!”
Fang Yingqiu’s heart flared with hope. Brother Qin was a good man from a good family. If she could marry him, she could escape her own parasitic family and live a good life.
Thinking this, she couldn’t help but feel some resentment toward Su Su. Who asked her to come here? If only she could disappear!
Meanwhile, after finishing breakfast, Su Su noticed a wallet left on the desk.
She opened it and found a decent amount of money and some ration coupons. At the bottom was a note, written in bold, confident handwriting:
“If you’re going shopping, have Fang Jie go with you.”
Was he worried she might lose it?
Su Su had been planning to visit the city’s supply and marketing cooperative anyway. There were many items she needed for the dormitory.
First on the list was to replace the bunk bed with a sturdy large bed. The living room table was too low and small, unable to accommodate two people eating together—definitely needed replacing. There were many other household items she wanted to get as well.
Technically, she could get everything from her space, but she needed a reason to take them out openly. She’d buy what she could from the cooperative, and take the rest from her space without raising suspicion.
The weather was still cold outside, and the snow on the ground hadn’t completely melted.
Su Su pulled out a floral long dress from her space and layered it with a black wool coat. It was both warm and sleek. She braided her hair into twin braids, letting them fall naturally over her shoulders so she could wear a wool hat easily. Only her small, fair face was visible, with lips lightly tinted—looking stunning.
“Little sister, you’re too fashionable!”
Just as she closed the door, Wang Defang’s admiring voice came from downstairs.
Su Su smiled. “Fang Jie, I’ll be troubling you today.”
Fang Jie waved her hand. “Little sister, what trouble? Don’t worry about it.”
“Brother Qin is concerned you don’t know the way, so he asked me to lead you to the city to shop. I thought it’s perfect—since I’ve been away for a few days, my husband almost ran out of soap, toothpaste, and such. I need to buy some back anyway.”
After locking the door, Su Su followed Fang Jie downstairs. Outside the courtyard, she saw several military wives already gathered, mending shoe soles.
Su Su immediately spotted Fang Yingqiu, looking shy. Next to her sat a woman with slightly protruding cheekbones and small triangular eyes.
Wang Defang pointed and said, “That’s Fang Sao.” Then she smirked and added, “Little sister, I’m not the type to gossip, but stay away from her. She’s a schemer.”
Fang Sao was chatting with another round-faced woman with a loud voice, whose voice carried far.
“Fang Sao, your niece is really thoughtful! Unlike mine, who’s always making trouble. When Yingqiu marries Brother Qin, your luck will still be ahead!”
A gleam of pride shone in Fang Sao’s eyes. “Don’t talk nonsense! Brother Qin’s fiancée is here—my Yingqiu has no chance now!”
The round-faced woman scoffed. “They won’t last long! If Brother Qin weren’t restrained by courtesy, he’d have sent her away already!”
“That capital girl can’t compare to Yingqiu. Shoulders weak, hands weak, so skinny she’d fall with a breeze. I bet she can’t even have children!”
“Look at Yingqiu—solid and strong. Any husband would want a wife like her, don’t you think?”
Fang Yingqiu’s eyes twitched; she felt uneasy hearing this.
At that moment, an observant military wife noticed Su Su and Fang Jie approaching and nudged the round-faced woman. The woman immediately shut up, looking awkward.
Wang Defang forced a smile and greeted them, pulling Su Su along. As they walked, she said loudly, “Little sister, Brother Qin specifically told me early this morning to take you to the city cooperative to buy daily necessities. Looks like you’re planning to stay a long time?”
“If we’re shopping, there’s a lot to get. We’d better hurry! By the way, do you have enough money and ration tickets?”
Su Su understood Fang Jie’s meaning and nodded, “Yes, he gave me the wallet.”
Fang Jie’s voice immediately got louder, as if afraid no one could hear, “Wow! Brother Qin treats you really well. I don’t think anyone else has this chance.”
Fang Yingqiu’s face stiffened, a surge of jealous anger rising in her chest. Not only would she be staying here long-term, but Brother Qin even gave his wallet to her! Those things should have been hers!
Fang Yingqiu gripped the shoe sole tightly, glaring at Su Su’s departing figure. Her aunt had been right! She had to fight for her future!
Wang Defang didn’t stop pulling Su Su until they were outside the military housing area. She sighed and said, “Many of these military wives came from the countryside. Most aren’t bad, but they love gossiping behind people’s backs. Little sister, don’t take it to heart!”
“But if any of them get bold, don’t tolerate it. Most of the men here don’t have positions as high as Brother Qin. Don’t be afraid! At worst, Brother Qin will back you up.”
Su Su smiled and nodded. “Fang Jie, don’t forget—I’m not someone who’s easy to bully.”
As the saying goes: if people don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke them. But if someone tries to sneakily mess with her things, they wouldn’t get away with it.
Recalling what happened on the train, Fang Jie laughed heartily. “Good, I’m relieved to hear that! Let’s go—the car is here. We’ll head to the city to shop.”
The two of them got into the car and set off toward the city.