There were not many people taking the bus to the city in the morning. There were soldiers carrying bags, likely going home on leave to visit family, and a few military wives like Mu Youyou.
“Girl, are you from Battalion Commander Gu’s family?” an elderly woman sat beside Mu Youyou.
“Yes, Auntie. How did you know?” Mu Youyou smiled politely.
“I’ve lived in the military area for years. I know everyone in the family compound. I’m Deputy Regiment Commander Zhao’s mother. My surname is Li—just call me Auntie Li,” she said cheerfully.
“Alright, Auntie Li. You can call me Youyou.”
Along the way, Auntie Li chatted with Mu Youyou, and she responded patiently.
Although she was a bit sleepy from waking up early, she forced herself to stay alert.
In a place like the military family compound, all kinds of people lived there. Even the smallest thing could become gossip.
Especially since Gu Beiting had become a battalion commander at a young age—many eyes were on him. She couldn’t let her careless behavior affect him, even if theirs was only a contract marriage.
At this time, there were no open markets. To buy meat, one had to go to the state meat supply station, so Mu Youyou went there first.
“Hello, I’d like ten jin of fatty pork, two jin of pork belly, and three jin of lean meat.”
This used up all the meat coupons she had. She planned to render the fat into lard, use one jin of pork belly for braised pork, another for twice-cooked pork, and the three jin of lean meat to make meat sauce.
“That’s quite a lot,” the clerk said in surprise. Few people bought that much meat in those days.
“Yes, I live in the military family compound. It’s not convenient to come out often, so I’m buying more to store and eat slowly,” Mu Youyou said with a smile, handing over her coupons and 18 yuan.
Hearing she was a military wife, the clerk became even more enthusiastic. “Who in your family is a soldier?”
“My husband.”
“You’re so young and already married? Your husband must have a high rank then.” Only those at deputy battalion level or above could apply for family relocation.
Mu Youyou just smiled and said nothing, taking the meat and placing it into her basket.
After leaving the meat station, she found an alley and stored the meat in her space.
It was too heavy—if not for the spiritual spring water she had been drinking lately, her original delicate body wouldn’t have been able to carry it.
Then she went to the supply and marketing cooperative to compare the goods there with those in the system shop. There was one in the village too, but yesterday Gu Beiting was with her, so she couldn’t look carefully.
Not finding much of interest, she only bought one jin of sponge cake and one jin of fruit candy.
With nothing else to buy, she stayed in her space, waiting for the return bus.
Lying on the bed, she browsed the shop interface projected on the screen, selecting utensils suitable for this era, along with some soybean paste and mung beans.
“Big sister, why don’t you just buy meat from the shop instead of taking a half-hour ride to the city?” Caicai asked curiously.
“Gu Beiting didn’t become a battalion commander at such a young age just because of his fighting ability. We can’t leave any clues, even in small matters,” Mu Youyou said, patting Caicai’s little metal head.
“Caicai, why is there electricity at home but no internet?” she asked while eating an apple.
“If there were internet, you’d never want to leave the space,” Caicai replied.
If the robot had expressions, Mu Youyou would have seen it rolling its eyes.
Seeing it was only 9 a.m., she decided to take a nap.
“Caicai, make sure to wake me up,” she reminded.
“Don’t worry, big sister.”
After Mu Youyou fell asleep, Caicai used its robotic body to clean the space, thinking it should discuss buying a better form from the shop—it was too clumsy as a vacuum robot.
At 10 a.m., Caicai woke her up on time, checked outside for safety, and then let her leave the space with her basket.
After she got on the bus, Caicai mentioned wanting a new form.
“Handle it yourself. No need to save money,” Mu Youyou said generously.
The return bus had even fewer people, just a few of the same military wives.
“Youyou, come sit here,” Auntie Li greeted warmly.
“Okay, Auntie Li.” Mu Youyou smiled and sat beside her.
“You bought quite a lot,” Auntie Li said, noticing the full, heavy basket.
“Yes, I just moved here. The house lacks everything,” Mu Youyou explained.
“Clearly not someone who knows how to manage a household,” a woman in front of them glanced back disdainfully.
“Wang Guihua, if you don’t know how to speak properly, then don’t. Is it any of your business what Youyou buys?” Auntie Li snapped back.
“Hmph.” Wang Guihua stopped talking.
“It’s okay, Auntie,” Mu Youyou said, pulling her sleeve. She didn’t want Auntie Li arguing because of her.
Because of the unpleasant exchange, neither of them felt like chatting for the rest of the ride.
After getting off, they entered the compound together.
“Youyou, my house is in the second courtyard of the back row. Come visit sometime,” Auntie Li said warmly before parting.
“Okay, Auntie Li.” Mu Youyou nodded.
After returning home, Mu Youyou put down her basket, took out the meat, and began preparing lunch.
There were two pots in the house. She used one to cook rice, planning to make braised pork, dry-fried green beans, and seaweed egg drop soup.
Just as the dishes were nearly ready, Gu Beiting returned.
“You’re back? Go wash up first, the food will be ready soon,” Mu Youyou said with a smile at the kitchen door.
“Mm.” Gu Beiting nodded, drawing water from the well. He glanced toward the kitchen—sunlight fell on her face, making her seem softly radiant.
After washing, he helped bring out the dishes and utensils.
He noticed the pork and fat in the kitchen.
“I’m planning to render lard and make meat sauce this afternoon,” Mu Youyou explained.
“Mm.” He nodded slightly.
At the table, they were both quiet at first.
“Um… do you know Wang Guihua?” Mu Youyou asked, worried she might spread rumors about her buying too much.
“Yes. She’s Deputy Battalion Commander Liu’s wife,” Gu Beiting replied.