Su Jiuyue abruptly looked up, her face filled with disbelief.
Huo Tingxuan, however, remained expressionless. His gaze was calm, showing neither amusement nor offense.
He… he had actually agreed to let Jiaojiao call him Uncle?
Then… what was she supposed to call him from now on?
Was she supposed to call him “Uncle” too, like Jiaojiao? Wouldn’t that completely ruin their generations?
Huo Tingxuan seemed to have no intention of explaining. He glanced at the watch on his wrist before saying to the still-dazed Su Jiuyue,
“My vehicle leaves from here and returns to the base at twelve.”
The meaning was obvious—they could ride back with him.
With that, he said nothing more. He turned, opened the jeep door, and got inside. The engine roared to life, and the military jeep soon merged into the traffic before disappearing from sight.
Su Jiuyue stood there, staring in the direction the jeep had gone for a long while.
The early summer breeze carried the bustling sounds of the marketplace, yet her thoughts were in complete disarray.
This Huo Tingxuan… he’s been acting strangely today.
Still, the kindness he had shown was genuine.
Perhaps…
This was an opportunity.
In her previous life, Li Yanchuan had always, intentionally or otherwise, prevented her from keeping in touch with the Su family’s old acquaintances—especially influential people like Huo Tingxuan. He had always claimed it was to “avoid gossip” and that they should “rely on themselves.”
Looking back now, he had only been afraid she’d gain powerful allies and become harder to control.
She wouldn’t be so foolish again.
Huo Tingxuan was a division commander and a close friend of the Su family.
Perhaps…
He knew what had happened to her father and older brother after they were sent away into political exile.
Even if he didn’t know personally, someone with his status and influence could surely help investigate. That would be far more effective than her blindly searching on her own.
Su Jiuyue’s thoughts became increasingly active.
After returning, she could look for an opportunity to casually bring up the subject and sound him out.
Of course, she couldn’t rush it.
She needed a reasonable excuse.
After all, most people wanted nothing to do with matters like these.
“Mom, are we going to the department store?”
Jiaojiao’s voice snapped her back to reality.
“We are! Of course we are!”
Throwing aside her tangled thoughts, Su Jiuyue smiled brightly at her daughter.
“Today, Mommy’s treating you. Buy whatever you want! We’ll splurge just this once!”
“Really?”
Jiaojiao’s eyes sparkled like stars.
“Really! Let’s go!”
Holding her daughter’s tiny hand, the mother and daughter walked proudly toward the towering department store nearby.
Once inside, Su Jiuyue no longer pinched pennies or checked every price tag first as she used to.
She headed straight for the children’s clothing and food sections.
She bought Jiaojiao two lightweight dacron summer dresses, a pair of shiny red leather shoes, and several pairs of cotton socks.
Seeing little toys like tin wind-up frogs and colorful rubber hair ties, she picked up a few of those as well.
At the food counter, she bought:
One can of yellow peach preserves
Half a pound of malted milk powder
One pound each of sponge cakes and fried glutinous rice sticks
Two ounces of White Rabbit Milk Candy
One package of Shanghai cream biscuits, despite gritting her teeth over the expense
For herself, she purchased several yards of plain-colored dacron fabric to make a blouse.
She also bought a jar of cold cream and a bar of soap.
Finally, she even splurged on a carton of Great Front Gate cigarettes.
Not because she smoked—but because they might prove useful for gifts or favors in the future.
She wasn’t spending recklessly…
But it was certainly a lavish shopping trip.
As the saleswoman wrapped everything up, she couldn’t help stealing several curious—and slightly judgmental—glances at Su Jiuyue.
This mother and daughter must be living pretty well…
Su Jiuyue pretended not to notice.
Carrying armfuls of shopping bags while holding Jiaojiao’s hand—who proudly carried her own little mesh bag containing her new shoes and toys—they wandered around the department store one last time.
Only after confirming they hadn’t forgotten anything did they leave, completely satisfied.
Outside, the sunshine was warm and bright.
Both mother and daughter had their hands full of purchases, yet their faces wore relaxed smiles that hadn’t appeared in a long time.
It was a feeling of freedom…
And even a little triumph.
Finding a shady spot to sit, Su Jiuyue checked the time.
There was still plenty of time before noon.
She took out the sponge cakes she’d just bought, broke off a piece, and handed it to Jiaojiao.
“Hungry? Eat a little first.”
Jiaojiao happily accepted it and took a huge bite.
“So good, Mommy!”
Watching her daughter’s cheerful face, Su Jiuyue felt every penny she had spent today had been worth it.
Every single cent.
But while the two of them enjoyed the happiness and warmth that came with their shopping spree…
Word of their extravagant purchases had already reached the military family compound.
The reason was simple.
The woman helping at the clothing counter happened to be the wife of someone stationed at the military base.
She had been off duty that day. Another sales clerk needed to use the restroom, so she’d temporarily taken over the counter.
That was when she witnessed the mother and daughter’s massive shopping haul.
As soon as she caught the bus back to the base, she began spreading the story everywhere.
“You have no idea how much they bought! I didn’t even spend that much when I got married!”
Her jealousy was obvious, and with every retelling, the story became more exaggerated.
Buying one item became buying dozens.
By the time the gossip had made its rounds, people were joking that the mother and daughter were planning to open their own supply and marketing cooperative.
Still, despite all the chatter, no one openly criticized them.
After all…
They were spending their own money.
What business was it of anyone else’s?
There were even quite a few people defending Su Jiuyue.
“Jiuyue’s had a hard life. Her husband’s dead, and even her brother-in-law is after her belongings. She should spend the money before those heartless people get their hands on it.”
“Exactly! Look how skinny Jiaojiao is. If you ask me, Battalion Commander Li has completely lost his senses. He gives all the good food and toys to Li Tao. Just look at that boy—he’s gotten so fat! Wasn’t he supposed to have been born prematurely?”
“That’s right! I think she absolutely deserves to spend the money.”
Of course, there were also those who had lived frugally their entire lives and couldn’t stand such extravagant spending.
But…
It wasn’t their money.
They couldn’t really say much.
Overall, though, most people simply sympathized with Su Jiuyue.
Passing by with Li Tao in tow, Bai Lili overheard the conversation.
She clenched her teeth so hard she nearly cracked them.
Damn it! That was all supposed to be my money!
After a moment’s thought, she abandoned her plan to eat at the cafeteria.
Instead, she grabbed Li Tao’s hand and hurried home.
No!
I can’t let this continue!
Meanwhile, after eating only a few bites of cake, Jiaojiao grew restless.
Her bright eyes darted toward a narrow alley beside the department store.
“Mom, I want to go over there.”
She pointed excitedly toward the alley.
Su Jiuyue checked the time.
It was almost noon now—about the time Huo Tingxuan had said he’d be leaving.
She didn’t want to wander off anymore.
It was better to wait by the roadside.
“Jiaojiao, we should go wait for the jeep now. There’s nothing interesting in that alley. We’ll look another day.”
She coaxed gently.
“No! Just one look! Just one!”
Jiaojiao pouted, curiosity written all over her face.
“I saw a little calico kitten run in there!”
Once a child’s curiosity was piqued, it was difficult to stop.
Jiaojiao tugged insistently on Su Jiuyue’s hand, already leaning toward the alley.
“Jiaojiao, be good…”
Su Jiuyue tried to reason with her.
Before she could finish, Jiaojiao had already slipped free from her grasp and ran toward the alley entrance.
“Jiaojiao!”
Startled, Su Jiuyue hurried after her, struggling with all the shopping bags in her hands.
What’s gotten into this child today?