“I’m going on a mission. I’ll have to leave soon,” Gu Beiting said.
“Ah, then what should I prepare for you? I…” Mu Youyou panicked instantly; she had never experienced this before.
“You don’t need to prepare anything. I’ll take two sets of clothes and go. You stay home and wait for me—I’ll be back in a few days,” Gu Beiting said, looking at her.
He went to his room, packed two sets of clothes, gave her a deep look, and left.
Mu Youyou followed him to the door. Watching his retreating figure, she suddenly truly felt what it meant to be a military wife.
Only when she could no longer see Gu Beiting did she turn and enter the house.
Seeing the pair of military pants with a hole hanging in the yard, she took them down and began sewing with the needle and thread she had bought that morning.
“Sis, you already look like the virtuous wife and good mother described in books,” Caicai’s voice sounded in her mind.
“You little brat, you even know about virtuous wives and good mothers?” Mu Youyou couldn’t help but laugh.
“Sis, I bought a few novels from the mall. They mentioned it,” Caicai replied.
“Oh, kids these days even read novels,” Mu Youyou teased Caicai.
When the pants were mended, she bit off the thread, folded them neatly, and placed them on Gu Beiting’s bed.
It was her first time in Gu Beiting’s room. The room was very tidy; the bed was folded neatly like tofu, and there was nothing superfluous. A few books were arranged neatly on the desk.
With Gu Beiting not at home, Mu Youyou spent the entire afternoon translating books in his room. By dinner time, she took the shrimp hanging in the well.
Originally planning to make spicy shrimp, with Gu Beiting away she made a simple boiled shrimp dish, enough to last her a few days in the space.
For the past two days, Mu Youyou had not gone out, staying home translating books. Soon, she finished translating this book.
“Knock knock knock.” A knock sounded outside the yard.
“Is Youyou home?” It was Li Yumei’s voice.
“Yumei-jie, what’s up?” Mu Youyou opened the yard door.
“Gu Beiting isn’t home and you’ve been holed up all day? Come on, I’ve arranged to go with Shuzhen to the supply store to buy fabric for clothes. You come with us—don’t stay at home and make yourself sick,” Li Yumei said, trying to pull her along.
“Wait, Yumei-jie, I’ll get the money and tickets,” Mu Youyou said, smiling.
“Alright, I’ll wait for you. Hurry up.”
Mu Youyou nodded, went back to her room, took some money and tickets from the space, grabbed her basket, and followed Li Yumei out.
“I tell you, after two days without anyone to talk to, you’re still managing?” Li Yumei glanced at her.
“I’m used to it,” Mu Youyou smiled.
“Honestly, I don’t know how to praise you,” Li Yumei rolled her eyes.
“Yumei, Youyou.” At that moment, Liu Shuzhen approached.
“Shuzhen-jie,” Mu Youyou greeted.
“So, how is it? This is your first mission since marrying Gu Beiting, right?” Liu Shuzhen asked.
“Mm, it’s going fine,” Mu Youyou smiled.
“It’s fine, but she hasn’t left home for two days,” Li Yumei teased mercilessly.
“Ah, you really can stay home quietly,” Liu Shuzhen gave her a thumbs-up. She and Li Yumei had children, so they had company.
Mu Youyou smiled awkwardly; her personal record was one month without leaving the house.
“Youyou, are you missing your Gu Beiting?” Liu Shuzhen teased.
“No, not really,” Mu Youyou’s face turned red.
“You just got married, don’t tease her,” Li Yumei scolded Liu Shuzhen.
“I’m just curious. When I first married our Zhang, I cried for several nights when he went on missions,” Liu Shuzhen laughed.
“Is this time Zhang instructor going with Gu Beiting?” Mu Youyou asked.
“No, it seems only your Gu Beiting is going,” Liu Shuzhen replied.
“Oh,” Mu Youyou nodded.
“It’s fine, Youyou. Your Gu Beiting is skilled—he’ll be safe. Don’t worry,” Li Yumei patted Mu Youyou’s shoulder.
“Mm,” Mu Youyou responded.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the supply store.
“I heard a new batch of fabric arrived. Let’s take a look,” Li Yumei said to the salesperson with a smile.
“Yes,” the salesperson said warmly, knowing they were military wives.
“I want this pink one, to make a skirt for my daughter,” Liu Shuzhen picked a pink fabric and also bought other fabrics.
Li Yumei also chose several pieces for her children and Deputy Battalion Commander Cui.
Mu Youyou stared at a piece of white and black fabric, wondering what Gu Beiting would look like in clothes other than his uniform.
“Want to make clothes for your Gu Beiting?” Li Yumei asked her.
“But I can only mend, not make…” Mu Youyou hesitated.
“No problem, I’m making clothes for my old Cui too. Just come and learn from me,” Li Yumei said with a smile.
“Exactly. Youyou, Yumei-jie is the best at making clothes in the whole family housing. I learned from her,” Liu Shuzhen added.
“Then I’ll buy it?” Mu Youyou was tempted.
“Buy it, buy it,” they encouraged.
After buying the fabrics, they returned home.
Back home, Li Yumei first went to Mu Youyou’s house, measured Gu Beiting’s uniform, and taught Mu Youyou how to cut the fabric.
After lunch, once Deputy Battalion Commander Cui went to training, Mu Youyou brought the cut fabric to Li Yumei’s house.
Mu Youyou learned quickly; with just a little guidance, she grasped the skills.
“Youyou, I heard from old Cui that your parents were martyrs?” Li Yumei asked. Deputy Battalion Commander Cui had told her that Mu Youyou’s parents held high positions and were heroes.
“Mm,” Mu Youyou nodded.
“I didn’t expect you to be so capable,” Li Yumei was surprised. Though Mu Youyou hadn’t been a military wife long, as neighbors she knew Mu Youyou cooked and even grew vegetables daily.
“My parents were often away, so I learned some household chores,” Mu Youyou explained.
“That’s called a little? Your spicy rabbit meat had old Cui drooling,” Li Yumei teased mercilessly.
Mu Youyou laughed at Li Yumei’s words.
“Letter for Gu Beiting,” a postman’s voice sounded outside.
“Here it is.” Hearing the voice, Mu Youyou ran out.
“From the Beijing Military District,” the postman said, handing her the letter.
“Thank you,” Mu Youyou accepted it politely.
“Wait a moment. I also have something to send to Xinhua Bookstore in Jing City,” she added, thinking of the translated book.
“Okay.”
Mu Youyou greeted Li Yumei and went home to get the book, which also contained a letter to Director Wu.
“Thanks for your trouble,” she said, handing the book and stamp to the postman.
“For the people!” The postman solemnly placed the items in his bag, nodded to Mu Youyou, and left.