Song Xuezhi didn’t know Battalion Commander Wang.
She had only just arrived at the northern Panxi military camp not long ago, and the only people she was familiar with were a few of Zhou Weidong’s close comrades.
Wang Liying had lived in the military family compound for over ten years and knew the area well. She enthusiastically led Song Xuezhi across to find Battalion Commander Wang.
After hearing their explanation, Battalion Commander Wang immediately patted his chest and promised he would take all of Song Xuezhi’s newly made furniture.
He would pay the same price she had originally paid the carpenter, so he could save time and quickly bring his wife to live with him.
As for the remaining items like pots, bowls, and utensils, they would also sell easily second-hand.
After all, in this era, goods in department stores required coupons. If she sold them at original price without coupons, there would be many people in the compound rushing to buy them.
For example, Wang Liying herself immediately reserved a wok and a thermos bottle.
Song Xuezhi originally wanted to give them to her as thanks, but Wang Liying firmly pressed the money into her hands anyway.
She wasn’t the type to take advantage of others.
When everything was calculated, Song Xuezhi actually didn’t lose much. Most of the dowry money could be recovered, and the rest she treated as a lesson learned.
When Wang Liying’s cousin arrived and used a wire to unlock the door, she went inside to check.
Most of her dowry items were still there, along with some added daily necessities like basins and toothbrush cups.
But when she opened the wardrobe, she saw it was full of Zhou Yuwei and her child’s clothes—newly tailored floral dresses, fashionable Dacron shirts, all high-end items.
Song Xuezhi remembered how Zhou Yuwei had first come to seek refuge: she only carried a small bundle with two patched sets of clothes.
Without hesitation, she packed up the two outfits she had once given Zhou Yuwei and prepared to sell them as well.
The child’s clothes were given to Wang Liying’s son, who was about the same age as Zhou Ai and could wear them.
It was already late, and there were no lights downstairs, so moving large items was inconvenient. She agreed with Battalion Commander Wang to come early the next morning to move the furniture, and then left after tidying up.
Before leaving, she didn’t forget to take her radio with her.
Even though her rented room wasn’t safe either, it was still better than leaving it here.
Provincial City People’s Hospital.
Zhou Weidong was in the hospital ward taking care of his nephew, tucking the blanket around him.
“Uncle, I’m hungry,” the child pouted.
“Your mom went to get food, she’ll be back soon,” Zhou Weidong replied.
Hearing the smell of food from the next bed, the child cried out, waving his arms: “Uncle, I want meat! Braised pork!”
Zhou Weidong rubbed his temples helplessly and comforted him: “Your mom already went to buy it. Be good, you won’t go hungry.”
Soon, Zhou Yuwei returned carrying three aluminum lunch boxes, distributing one to each person.
Since the child couldn’t finish his portion, she poured half of it into Zhou Weidong’s box.
When the child looked over and saw only thin rice porridge, he burst into tears, crying and screaming for meat again.
It took Zhou Weidong two sugar candies to finally calm him down.
“Why didn’t you buy meat? It’s important for his recovery,” Zhou Weidong said after finishing his porridge in a few gulps.
“It’s too expensive in the hospital,” Zhou Yuwei complained. “A bowl of porridge costs three jiao. Who can afford that?”
“That is indeed expensive,” Zhou Weidong frowned.
He usually ate in the military canteen and knew that a bowl of porridge outside cost only a few cents with ration coupons.
“I saw people bringing their own pots and using kitchens from nearby houses. We should do that too,” she added.
“Alright, I’ll go back tomorrow and bring the supplies,” he agreed.
“Oh, and I saw someone selling fresh milk at the hospital gate, but we don’t have money for it…”
Looking at his weak nephew, Zhou Weidong thought of the imported malted milk his mother-in-law had once sent for Xuezhi, still locked in the cabinet at home.
He decided to bring it too.
“Also, the child is bored in the hospital. Maybe bring the radio tomorrow too,” Zhou Yuwei suggested.
“That… might not be good,” he hesitated.
He felt Xuezhi might still be angry.
But his sister frowned slightly. “Brother, you should coax sister-in-law. Couples shouldn’t hold grudges overnight. You’re about to get married anyway—her things are yours too.”
After thinking about it, Zhou Weidong agreed.
The next morning, Song Xuezhi woke early and bought fried dough sticks and soy milk from a street stall.
Small private vendors were starting to appear with reform, though still operating cautiously.
They were cheaper than state restaurants and didn’t require ration coupons, so business was booming.
She looked at the sparse stalls and thought: if she couldn’t find a job, maybe she could try doing small business herself.
As long as she could support herself and pay rent, she could stay here.
But that was still far off.
After breakfast, she hurried onto a bus to the military compound.
Battalion Commander Wang had already brought six groups of soldiers waiting downstairs.
“Are you sure you don’t want these furniture anymore?” he asked again.
“I’m sure,” she replied firmly.
He paid her 350 yuan for the furniture on the spot.
Soldiers began moving cabinets and tables, drawing attention from everyone in the compound.
People whispered about her breaking off the engagement with Zhou Weidong.
The upstairs apartment quickly turned into an empty shell again.
“It looks like Comrade Song is serious this time…”
“Who could tolerate a husband so unclear with his sister…”
“Keep your voice down—this could reach the unit…”
“Oh my god, she even sold the chopsticks… what? Five bundles and a bowl for one cent? Hurry, everyone go grab them!”