The next morning, Lin Wanwan was awakened by the singing blaring from the loudspeakers in the residential compound.
To be more accurate, she was startled awake.
Her face turned slightly pale as she leaned against the headboard and pressed a hand to her chest. Only after the particularly unpleasant sensation subsided did she slowly get up and pull open the curtains.
The sun had only just risen and had not yet fully spread its rays. The sky was still dimly lit.
Lin Wanwan opened the door and walked out.
Two eggs and a cup of milk sat on the table. Wu Cuicui and Lin Guoqiang had already left for work.
She first went to the bathroom to wash up, applied moisturizing cream and hand cream, then sat at the table and ate breakfast at an unhurried pace.
After finishing, Lin Wanwan returned to her room and picked out a blue-and-white Bugila dress from the wardrobe. She also styled her hair.
She first braided her hair into two plaits, then pinned the braids behind her head with small black hair clips. A few loose strands were pulled out beside her ears.
Paired with the puff-sleeved, fitted-waist dress, the look was especially pleasing to the eye.
Staying at home all day was rather boring. Lin Wanwan was curious about what life in a factory residential compound during this era was like, so she decided to go out for a stroll.
She put on the pair of black leather buckle shoes by the door and stepped outside.
The Lin family’s apartment was on the second floor.
The building had three floors in total, with three or four households living on each floor.
Once outside, she saw two more blue-brick buildings standing nearby. Trees and unknown flowers had been planted in the open area enclosed between them.
She had to admit that the air in this era was truly excellent.
Lin Wanwan slightly raised her chin and clasped her hands behind her back. Just as she took a deep breath, she heard a door opening nearby.
An elderly woman carrying a child walked out from a neighboring building.
The woman froze for a moment upon seeing her before asking uncertainly,
“You’re Director Lin’s daughter, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
Lin Wanwan nodded while rapidly searching through her memories for information about the old woman.
Unfortunately, the original owner was not only a homebody but also somewhat face-blind.
Aside from studying, she rarely left home. She only recognized the neighbors living directly around her. As for people from other buildings…
She had no impression of them at all.
“I knew it. Such a pretty girl could only belong to Director Lin’s family.”
The elderly woman chuckled.
“Where are you heading?”
Lin Wanwan smiled politely.
“Just taking a walk.”
“That’s good. Moving around more is good for your health…”
“Waaah! Waaaahhh—!”
Before the woman could finish speaking, the child in her arms suddenly burst into loud sobs.
The elderly woman hurriedly lowered her head to comfort him.
“There, there. Don’t cry, don’t cry.”
Seeing this, Lin Wanwan said,
“Grandma, you go ahead and take care of things. I’ll continue my walk.”
“Alright!”
The elderly woman continued soothing her precious grandson while watching Lin Wanwan’s departing figure.
She could not help curling her lips disdainfully.
As expected of the factory director’s family—they were rich.
That outfit must have cost quite a bit of money, right?
And she was even wearing little leather shoes.
How extravagant.
What was the point of spending so much money dressing up a girl?
Wouldn’t it be better to save that money for sons and grandsons?
Dressed up like some enchantress…
Who knew what she was actually going out to do?
The elderly woman shook her head.
Instead of returning home, she headed toward a neighboring house, intending to visit and enjoy a good gossip session.
Lin Wanwan had no idea the woman was criticizing her behind her back.
However, after only taking a few steps, she noticed the heavy feeling in her chest worsening.
Her face turned pale.
She immediately turned around and headed home.
After returning, she lay on the bed for an entire hour before feeling better.
Just when would these aftereffects disappear?
Would they never get better?
Then what was she supposed to do after going to the countryside?
She felt miserable after walking only a few steps.
Was she supposed to spend all day lying in bed?
Lin Wanwan sighed worriedly.
Before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep.
The next time she woke up, it was because she heard Wu Cuicui’s furious voice.
“So what if I like spending money on my daughter? Did I spend your money? Have you got nothing better to do?”
“What do you mean by ‘money-losing burden’? What era are we living in? You still look down on women? Haven’t you heard Chairman Mao say that women hold up half the sky?”
What was happening?
A money-losing burden?
Were they talking about her?
Still sleepy, Lin Wanwan sat up and took a moment to gather herself before opening the door.
She saw Wu Cuicui carrying lunch she had brought back from the canteen, standing in the corridor outside and shouting downward.
“Mom? Why are you so angry? Calm down.”
She picked up the thermos from the table, poured water into an enamel mug, and handed it to Wu Cuicui.
“Mom, have some water.”
One second earlier, Wu Cuicui’s face had been full of rage.
The moment she heard her daughter’s voice, however, her expression instantly softened with motherly affection.
Even her tone became gentler.
“Oh, Wanwan is so thoughtful. Mom’s good daughter.”
The speed of her change in expression was truly remarkable.
“Wanwan, did you go out today?”
Lin Wanwan let out a small sound of acknowledgment and tilted her head, her eyes filled with confusion.
“Did you meet anyone?”
“I met an elderly lady from the building next door.”
Lin Wanwan answered obediently.
Wu Cuicui inwardly thought, Just as I suspected.
Glancing at her precious daughter, she said,
“Ignore those people next time. They’re just jealous of our family. Every day they’re talking nonsense.”
“Last time, on my birthday, your father bought me a gold ring. Once those long-tongued women found out, they couldn’t stop gossiping behind my back, acting as though we spent their family’s money.”
Wu Cuicui looked utterly speechless.
After mentioning it briefly, she changed the subject.
“Are you hungry? Come eat. Your dad won’t be coming home for lunch today, so it’ll just be the two of us.”
Sure enough, when so many people lived together, friction was inevitable.
Recalling the elderly woman she had met earlier that day, Lin Wanwan silently added her to her blacklist.
If she saw her again in the future, she would simply ignore her.
Lin Guoqiang did not return until evening.
When he arrived home, he was carrying a bag.
He placed it on the table.
Inside was a tin of White Rabbit milk candies, two packets of peach pastries wrapped in brown paper, a bag of fruit candies in colorful wrappers, and several packets of sunflower seeds.
“Wanwan, have some.”
Lin Guoqiang removed his work uniform and hung it on the coat rack behind the door.
Smiling cheerfully, he said,
“Didn’t you say a couple of days ago that there wasn’t anything to snack on at home? I happened to go to the department store today, so I bought some for you. Once you’ve finished these, Dad will buy more.”
Lin Wanwan’s eyes curved into crescents.
“Thank you, Dad.”
After speaking, she curiously looked at the tin of White Rabbit milk candies.
The candies were stored inside a green metal tin.
Two adorable rabbits were painted on the lid, pulling a cart filled with White Rabbit milk candies.
It was actually pretty cute.
The moment she opened the tin, Lin Wanwan was stunned.
The White Rabbit milk candies of this era were actually this big!?
She had originally wanted to try one.
Now…
She silently put the lid back on.
Just then, Wu Cuicui’s voice came from the kitchen.
“We’re about to eat. Put them away and have them tomorrow.”
“Okay~”
Lin Wanwan obediently agreed and stored everything in the cabinet in the living room.
Tonight, her eldest brother had taken his wife to visit her parents.
Only the three of them were at home.
“Wanwan, do you want to go to the department store with Mom tomorrow?”
Wu Cuicui asked.
Lin Wanwan’s eyes immediately lit up.
She nodded eagerly.
“Yes!”
Since she had already transmigrated here, she naturally wanted to take a good look at the customs and daily life of this era.
Seeing how happy their daughter looked, Wu Cuicui and Lin Guoqiang exchanged smiles.