“Let’s buy the watch first. We can worry about the rest after the housing assignment comes through.”
Tang Jin and Song Yunli headed to the department store. Although they had the required coupons, goods were in short supply these days, and even with coupons, there was no guarantee they could buy what they wanted.
Another reason was that she was staying at a guesthouse, making it inconvenient to store too many things.
“Whatever you say.”
This time, Song Yunli didn’t argue.
“I took leave for the past couple of days. After that, I’ll be back to training during the day, so you may have to stay at the guesthouse by yourself.”
He was still worried about Tang Jin. After all, she was pregnant.
“Sure.”
Tang Jin didn’t think much of it. Soldiers were busy by nature—it was perfectly normal.
“I have money and coupons with me, so you don’t need to worry. Once the house is assigned, just have someone let me know. I can move my things myself.”
“How can that be?”
Song Yunli looked serious.
“I’ll take another day off when the time comes.”
Tang Jin simply smiled and didn’t argue.
Just then, Song Yunli pointed at a watch in the display case.
“Comrade, could we take a look at this ladies’ watch?”
“Of course.”
The sales clerk carefully took it out.
Song Yunli accepted it and personally fastened it around Tang Jin’s wrist. Her fair skin and slender wrist made the watch look especially elegant.
“Do you like it?”
His dark eyes rested on her face.
Tang Jin felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze.
“Then let’s take this one.”
“Very well. It costs 110 yuan, and we’ll also need a watch coupon.”
Smiling, the clerk watched Song Yunli pull out the coupon before turning to Tang Jin.
“Comrade, your husband treats you so well.”
“Thank you.”
Tang Jin was about to remove the watch when Song Yunli gently pressed down on her wrist.
“Keep it on.”
“Brother!”
After searching everywhere, Song Yunting and Wen Fang finally found them.
The moment Song Yunting noticed the watch on Tang Jin’s wrist, jealousy seeped into her voice.
“You’ve never bought me a watch before.”
The two women had already discussed their plan. They intended to stop Song Yunli and Tang Jin from spending time alone, buying enough time for Song Yunli’s mother to handle matters.
“Mother already bought you one.”
Song Yunli handed the counted money to the clerk.
Wen Fang watched his movements closely before glancing at Tang Jin.
“Brother Yunli, you’ve only just started dating, and you’re already buying such an expensive gift?”
The implication was obvious: Tang Jin shouldn’t accept something as costly as a watch.
Originally, Tang Jin thought the watch was merely average. But hearing that, she deliberately raised her wrist to admire it and linked her arm through Song Yunli’s.
“Thank you. I really like it.”
It was rare for her to take the initiative and get close to him.
Song Yunli couldn’t help curling his lips into a smile.
“As long as you like it.”
The way they ignored everyone else nearly drove Wen Fang mad with jealousy. Her fingers clenched tightly into fists.
Song Yunting was about to speak, but Wen Fang stopped her and whispered in her ear,
“Yunting, let’s endure it for now. If Brother Yunli gets angry, how can we keep an eye on them?”
“Sister Wen Fang, I just can’t stand how smug she looks.”
As she watched Song Yunli take Tang Jin to buy fabric and clothes, Song Yunting complained,
“She’s obviously after my brother’s status and money.
Who buys watches, clothes, and fabric the moment they start dating? My brother is such a fool.”
“Yunting, let’s keep careful notes. We’ll report everything to Auntie later.”
That was Wen Fang’s true goal.
There was no way Auntie would approve of such a vain daughter-in-law. When that happened, Wen Fang would finally have her chance.
“You’re right.”
Song Yunting nodded vigorously.
The two followed behind them.
At this point, Tang Jin had changed into a collared blouse paired with green trousers.
The outfit was simple, yet it looked exceptionally good on her, making her appear tall and graceful.
Most people relied on clothes to enhance their appearance.
Tang Jin, on the other hand, looked beautiful even in a burlap sack.
Song Yunli was staring so intently that he almost forgot himself.
“We’ll take this set.”
Without hesitation, he handed over cloth coupons and money.
The look in his eyes made Wen Fang’s jealousy burn even hotter.
“Brother, I didn’t bring many clothes either. Buy me a set too.”
This time, Song Yunting had learned her lesson and didn’t challenge Tang Jin directly.
“I don’t have enough cloth coupons.”
Song Yunli wasn’t making excuses.
Everyone received a fixed quota of cloth coupons. Since he rarely used his own, he had enough saved up to buy Tang Jin a set of clothes and some extra fabric.
“You care more about women than your own sister!”
Song Yunting pouted.
“Mom even sent me here with your favorite biscuits. And look how you’re treating me.”
As she spoke, she deliberately glanced at Tang Jin.
Tang Jin acted as though she hadn’t heard a thing, carefully folding a piece of dacron fabric she had chosen.
“I’ll carry it.”
Song Yunli naturally took it from her hands.
Then he asked softly,
“Are you hungry? If you are, let’s get something to eat before we continue shopping.”
“Brother, you bought so much fabric. Can’t you give me some?”
Song Yunting deliberately reminded him how stingy Tang Jin was toward her future sister-in-law.
How could someone so unwilling to share possibly be worthy of becoming her sister-in-law?
“Yunting, your sister-in-law is going to be living here from now on. She needs these things.”
Once again, Song Yunli tried to send her away.
“You and Wen Fang should buy train tickets home soon. Otherwise, the family will worry.”
“What?!”
Song Yunting and Wen Fang were stunned yet again.
Tang Jin was actually staying here?
Didn’t that mean she was planning to accompany the army as a military spouse?
“Brother, if you’re getting married, you have to discuss it with Mom.”
“I’ll talk to her.”
Song Yunli led Tang Jin right past them.
Tang Jin didn’t even spare them a glance.
Song Yunting was so angry she nearly burst into tears.
Grabbing Wen Fang’s arm, she complained,
“Sister Wen Fang, look at her! She won’t even acknowledge me!”
“Yunting, I really feel sorry for you.”
Wen Fang put on an expression of concern.
“To be blunt, even if they do get married, you’ll still be her sister-in-law.
What kind of woman treats her sister-in-law like this? She has no manners at all.”
“You’re right, Sister Wen Fang. A polite young woman like you, whom everyone in the compound praises, is the one who deserves my brother.”
Song Yunting looked down on Tang Jin even more.
“Come on, let’s go eat too!”
While Song Yunting was busy competing with Tang Jin, a fierce argument was erupting back in Nancheng.
“How can Meiyu marry someone like Wang Bin?! Tang Zhiyuan, what promises did you make to me before?
I won’t let my Meiyu jump into a pit of fire!”
“You think I want this?”
Tang Zhiyuan looked utterly exhausted.
“Everything in the house has been stolen clean, and Tang Jin is nowhere to be found.
Wang Bin already said that if Meiyu doesn’t marry him, our family background can be investigated at any time.
If you want Meiyu and me to be sent to a labor farm together, then go ahead and make a scene!”
His body and mind were both worn out.
While his father was alive, he could still pull strings and smooth things over.
Now that his father was gone, their family’s position had become dangerously precarious.
Zhang Xiuli hugged Tang Meiyu as they cried together.
“My poor Meiyu! It’s all Tang Jin’s fault!”
“Mom, I don’t want to marry an old man!”
Tang Meiyu wailed.
The house was in complete chaos.
At that moment, Du Qingfeng arrived.
She looked around in shock at the nearly empty home and blurted out,
“Zhiyuan, don’t tell me your family got robbed too?!”