Chapter 195: Chapter 194: Small Gathering
Fortunately, he has a good heart; he got up early in the morning to heat the bed and even helped her wipe her body before leaving.
Her body felt comfortable, and her heart felt even more comfortable. Having such a considerate husband, which woman wouldn’t feel blessed?
Lin Wan felt that her current happiness was so overwhelming that even the bubbles from her tears seemed beautiful. The only inconvenience was that she still had to run to the communal toilet behind them.
Nestled in the warm bed, she fell heavily asleep until Sister-in-law Zhang came to call her, and she hurriedly got up. "Sorry, Sister-in-law. I overslept," Lin Wan explained apologetically.
Zhang Cuiping smiled ambiguously, "What’s the big deal? You two have just met, it’s normal. It’s not too late; wait until after breakfast to head out."
Lin Wan shook her head and took a meat bun from the kitchen that Han Yi had warmed for her, split it in half, and gave part to Pidan, eating while heading out with Aunt Zhang.
The small marketplace is five or six hundred meters from the military camp, not in the direction of Brother Huang’s village, but in the opposite direction, in a small grove.
The trees block the view, so no one will see; it’s also cool in the summer.
Lin Wan found that apart from some villagers selling their home-grown vegetables, there were also one or two peddlers.
They sold necessities like towels, gloves, detergent, things people used daily. They appeared to be targeting the people living in the compound.
But she already had those things prepared; she wanted to buy a thermos bottle, but they didn’t have one here.
"Comrade, do you not have a thermos bottle here?" Lin Wan asked hopefully.
"Miss Comrade, there’s really no thermos bottle here. If you can wait, I can arrange one for you after New Year?" The peddler replied.
Lin Wan shook her head, "Never mind," deciding she could go into the town after New Year.
"Today is the last day of the small marketplace; after this, the next opening is on the sixteenth day of the first month. See what you can buy to store for later," Sister-in-law Zhang reminded her.
"Is it Zhang Lianzhang’s family or Captain Han’s family next to the Huang family sister-in-law?" Most of those attending the small marketplace were associated with the military family compound, so some people couldn’t help but ask Zhang Cuiping a few questions, since she and Sun Yu had just arrived and were still getting things mixed up.
"It’s Captain Han’s family, named Lin Wan. Lin Wan, this is the wife of Company Commander Wang of the Fourth Company, this is the wife of Political Commissioner Liu, and this is the wife of Director Shen," Zhang Cuiping introduced them to Lin Wan one by one.
They were all spouses of officials ranked Company Commander or above; most of those accompanying the military were of Deputy Commander rank or higher. Lin Wan greeted each one amiably, "I’m new here and still quite unfamiliar. If you have time during the New Year holidays, please visit my home."
"Captain Han’s wife is not only good-looking but also quite articulate," said the wife of Political Commissioner Liu, her voice loud and cheerful.
"Yes, Captain Han is indeed fortunate," echoed the wife of Director Shen.
Lin Wan felt a bit embarrassed; during this era, especially in the North, winter clothing was typically layers of gray or black cotton jackets and pants, which didn’t reveal one’s figure at all. What people could see was just one’s face.
Due to the cold weather, Lin Wan’s face was blown somewhat red, making it hard to tell whether she looked good or not.
The only thing that looked nice might be the red scarf around her neck.
"Nothing much during New Year; we can get together for a chat. I’m bored to death at home."
"Sure."
They were all from the same compound, and there weren’t many people selling things at the small marketplace. Lin Wan and Sister-in-law Zhang walked around for a bit, and Lin Wan bought a bamboo basket similar to Sister-in-law Zhang’s, costing fifty cents each, to hold items. They also bought ten or so eggs from an old woman, each costing five cents, along with a chicken and a duck. She bought two cabbages, some radishes, potatoes, two round pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and a few green onions, and ginger. The total cost was two dollars and fifty cents.
Sister-in-law Zhang also bought some green onions and ginger.
Since it was cold, they didn’t stay long, and a group of them laughed and chatted all the way back home.