Song Yuntang noticed that Hu Chunling’s tone suddenly became serious. Usually casual and carefree, she now felt curious, and her expression involuntarily grew a bit earnest.
Seeing her reaction, Hu Chunling spoke even more carefully.
She pointed to the first house in the front row. “That’s Director Yang’s home. Director Yang is the highest-ranking officer in the unit besides Regiment Commander He. But you don’t need to be afraid. Director Yang is very kind and treats everyone well. We usually interact more with his wife because Director Yang is the propaganda director of the cultural department and also the head of the women’s committee in our courtyard. If you ever have a problem, going to Director Yang is the right choice! She can handle anything.”
To make it clear, Hu Chunling gave Song Yuntang an example: “Previously, the commander of the Second Company had a fight with his wife and even got physical in the middle of the night. Director Yang went over, talked to them, and scolded them both. After that, they reconciled. Now their child is six months old.”
Song Yuntang quietly stored that information in her mind. Director Yang was an important figure; in the future, Niannian and An’an might need her help.
After explaining about Director Yang, Hu Chunling led Song Yuntang further along. They arrived at a quieter, more secluded area, and Hu Chunling pointed to the house at the very end.
“Sister Song, do you know who lives in there?”
“Who?” Song Yuntang asked cooperatively.
Hu Chunling’s eyes lit up with excitement. “It’s He Mingyuan, Political Commissar He.”
Song Yuntang listened quietly, remaining neutral. In the army, every officer team usually had a Political Commissar, so it wasn’t particularly surprising.
Hu Chunling stomped her foot, excited. “Even Regiment Commander Fu didn’t tell you? This Political Commissar Zhao works alongside Regiment Commander Fu.”
Upon hearing this, Song Yuntang finally understood.
Ah, so he was Fu Weicheng’s colleague.
She nodded. “I understand, Chunling. That’s Political Commissar He’s home; I’ll keep that in mind. But it’s been a while—aren’t you going to buy pork for Xiao Jun? If we don’t go soon, it’ll be too late.”
“Hey, hey, don’t rush me! I haven’t finished—Political Commissar He’s wife…”
“Can we even buy pork now? I heard you don’t need ration tickets anymore—you can buy as much as you want. Is that true, Chunling?”
“Of course it’s true. Life is much better now, though prices have gone up a lot…”
Hu Chunling was immediately distracted by Song Yuntang’s question. Once she started talking about food prices and grocery shopping, she couldn’t stop herself. She told Song Yuntang where to buy things cheaply and how much money could be saved.
Song Yuntang found this side of Hu Chunling particularly endearing—who didn’t have to save every penny in daily life?
They first walked around the vegetable market, then went to the Friendship Department Store.
Song Yuntang couldn’t help but marvel. A big city really was different. While people still queued at supply and marketing cooperatives, the capital was full of department stores and grocery shops. The Friendship Department Store was one of the most popular spots, selling rare foreign goods that required foreign exchange coupons.
Hu Chunling covered her mouth and whispered to Song Yuntang, “When I first came here, I didn’t even dare to step in. I’d never seen such a beautiful place. The clothes are gorgeous, the items exquisite, and there are so many strange things I’ve never even heard of.”
She thought, Song Yuntang, coming from the countryside, should definitely see this place.
However, inside the store, Song Yuntang remained calm. She glanced around but showed no astonishment.
Hu Chunling thought to herself: so… composed?
Song Yuntang walked past the Western Zhou section and finally noticed a row of clothes racks. Her eyes lit up.
Hu Chunling asked curiously, “Sister Song, are you planning to buy clothes? You’re so pretty; fashionable clothes will suit you even more.”
Song Yuntang shook her head. “I’m not buying clothes for myself, I’m buying for the children.”
Her gaze passed over two rows of beautiful dresses and landed on a rack of chiffon puff dresses, sized for five- or six-year-old girls.
She immediately picked out a red suspender dress with a lace blouse—absolutely lovely.
If An’an wore it, she would look just like a little bundle of joy.
She also planned to buy several outfits for Niannian. The two children still wore old clothes from home; though clean, they were gray and patched.
Thinking of the children, Song Yuntang’s expression softened.
She said, “Excuse me, I want this one, and this one, this one… and a few items for boys over there as well.”
Hu Chunling’s eyes widened. “Sister Song, so many? Clothes here are expensive—definitely not as cheap as at the cooperative store.”
“These clothes are prettier than the cooperative store’s. Children should have a few nice outfits,” Song Yuntang said with a smile.
Hu Chunling thought she made sense, nodding, though she worried about her own son, Hu Xiaojun, who often rolled around on the floor—such expensive clothes seemed pointless for him.
The salesperson carefully examined Song Yuntang’s selections and apologized. “I’m sorry, these items have been reserved.”
“Reserved? Already sold?”
Song Yuntang was surprised. Those two sets were the prettiest, especially the red suspender dress—it would be a shame if An’an couldn’t wear it.
She asked, “Only one left? Any more available?”
The salesperson said, “This dress is very popular; this is the last one.”
By chance, the salesperson’s eyes lit up. “The gentleman who reserved this dress has arrived. Maybe you can talk to him and see if he’s willing to let it go.”
Song Yuntang turned with anticipation—and was suddenly confronted with a familiar, handsome face.
It was Fu Weicheng.
Today he wasn’t in uniform. He wore casual clothes—blue jeans, a white shirt, and a brown leather jacket. The usual stern aura was gone, but he still looked tall and striking.
As he entered the store, his dark eyes met Song Yuntang’s.
What was she doing here?
A flicker of surprise and delight passed through his deep eyes.
Hu Chunling turned to look and also saw Fu Weicheng. Seeing the two of them exchange glances, she felt a bit like a third wheel.
“Oh! I forgot to buy garlic. How can I cook braised pork without garlic? Sister Song, I’ll go back to the market—see you later. You can continue shopping.”
Song Yuntang’s mind was clear as day. She remembered Hu Chunling had bought garlic, haggling for ten minutes just to save a few cents.
She turned away, no longer looking at Fu Weicheng.
Fu Weicheng’s long legs brought him quickly to her side. “You’re buying clothes here?” he asked.
Song Yuntang thought: otherwise, why would I be here…
Fu Weicheng took the clothes in her hands and handed them to the salesperson. “These, and the two sets I reserved earlier, wrap them all up.”
He noticed that all the clothes she chose were children’s sizes, none for herself.
Not buying for herself?
Fu Weicheng picked a few colorful, pretty dresses from the rack and handed them to the salesperson as well. “Wrap these too, thanks.”
Song Yuntang hurriedly said, “Separate these from what I chose; I’ll pay for mine separately.”
But it was too late. Fu Weicheng had already paid, swiftly finishing the transaction.
Besides buying food, Song Yuntang saw him hand over a few foreign exchange coupons—what he bought, she didn’t know. A man who spent so freely was clearly not an ordinary man.
Her thoughts were unsettled when she suddenly heard someone call her name.
“Song Yuntang.”
“Ah—”
She looked up and slightly opened her mouth—and before she knew it, something was placed inside.
The man smiled at her and whispered, “Try it. Do you like it?”
Song Yuntang instinctively moved her tongue, tasting the item in her mouth. It was sweet, soft, and smooth like silk.
Chocolate.
Song Yuntang thought: why isn’t this man cold and distant today?