Ever since seeing the lingerie at a women’s clothing store in Shanghai, Chen Li Shu had harbored an idea: she could design and make her own underwear.
People's minds were very conservative nowadays. There were surely many girls like Gu Xing Ping and Chen Li Yuan, who were in the developmental stages of puberty but too shy to speak about it.
The intimate apparel of later generations would certainly be unacceptable to people of this era, but she could make relatively modest tube tops and camisole tank tops.
She happened to have fabric coupons in hand, and a small undergarment wouldn’t use much fabric. Her “fake collars” sold for three yuan and fifty cents; selling these for three yuan would definitely be feasible.
“Comrade, how much of this fabric do you have left?”
“Two bolts.”
Chen Li Shu considered for a moment. Although two bolts were a bit scarce, the undergarments themselves didn't require much material, and it was a good way for her to test the waters.
With that thought, Chen Li Shu said, “Comrade, I’ll take it all.”
“All of it?” The salesclerk’s gaze fell on her suspiciously. “That’s two bolts of fabric. Are you sure you want it all?”
It wasn't surprising that the salesclerk was doubtful. Most people who came to her for fabric bought only a few feet, some even buying by the inch. Chen Li Shu’s sudden request for so much was truly astonishing.
Chen Li Shu smiled and explained, “I have a big family. It’s almost time for the weather to cool down, and I need to make some thermal underwear. I see this fabric is soft and absorbent, it will surely be comfortable to wear. It’s rare to find something like this, so I might as well buy more.”
The salesclerk nodded. This explanation was barely plausible, but she couldn't help but feel that the person before her was a bit extravagant and didn’t know how to manage her finances.
After buying the fabric, the sisters-in-law went to the grocery store. Since she was treating Gu Xing Dong’s colleagues to a meal, Chen Li Shu specifically bought extra pork belly, planning to make braised pork for them.
Chen Li Shu also bought two fish when she saw that fish were available. Thinking of their pet cat, she also bought a pound of small fish to prepare some dried fish to improve its diet.
Afterward, they bought some other ingredients. Only when she felt they had enough did Chen Li Shu and Gu Xing Ping, carrying their purchases, take the bus back to the barracks.
…
“Hey, have you heard? Our battalion commander’s family has a new young lady. I heard the soldier on duty, Little Li, saw her leaving the barracks with our sister-in-law. She’s quite pretty too,” Wang Da Zhu excitedly shared the latest news with his comrades.
“Really?” Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up like wolves, and they swarmed around him. “Have you gotten any specific information? Our sister-in-law is approachable. If it doesn’t work out, we can discuss it with her. There are so many of us, she can pick anyone.”
Wang Da Zhu sneered dismissively. “You cowards have no chance. If there were introductions to be made, our sister-in-law would definitely think of me first, after all, I am the model soldier of our battalion.”
“Tch.” The moment Wang Da Zhu finished speaking, he was met with a chorus of disdainful “tchs.”
“Da Zhu, look at you. Do you think that girl would fancy you?”
“What’s wrong with my appearance? This is called providing a sense of security, don’t you understand?”
“Slap.” Wang Da Zhu’s back was slapped the moment he finished speaking. He angrily turned around, and seeing that the person who hit him was Wu Zheng, he immediately calmed down.
However, he was still unconvinced and muttered indignantly, “Deputy Battalion Commander, why did you hit me?”
“Why did I hit you? Try saying what you just said to our battalion commander and see if he doesn’t skin you alive! You even dare to have designs on his sister. Have you grown paws and horns?”
“Deputy Battalion Commander, it’s not that he has paws and horns, he’s just a big brute bear.”
“Get lost.” Wang Da Zhu glared at the person egging him on from the side, then turned back, still unconvinced, and asked, “Is she really our battalion commander’s sister?!”
Wu Zheng glared at him. “What do you think?!”
“Are you all holding a meeting here?”
A deep voice sounded from behind. The crowd that had been gathered moments ago suddenly scattered like startled rabbits, quickly returning to their positions and standing at attention.
Gu Xing Dong glanced at his watch, his clear eyes sweeping over everyone. “Ten minutes of rest time. What, have you all decided to take it as your lunch break?”
Wang Da Zhu secretly glanced at Gu Xing Dong reprimanding them. He unconsciously superimposed the image of his sister onto Gu Xing Dong’s face. She was beautiful, but if she were to suddenly smile at him, the imagined scenario was too terrifying. Wang Da Zhu couldn’t help but shiver, completely giving up on the idea of meeting the battalion commander’s sister.
… Da Feng Novel Network
“Hey, Old Gu, new watch? Looks nice, let me see.” His eyes scanned the soldiers training diligently on the training ground, Wu Zheng leaned closer, his gaze admiringly fixed on the new watch on Gu Xing Dong’s wrist.
Cars and watches held an irresistible natural attraction for men, and Wu Zheng was no exception. However, his family’s financial situation was limited. Besides supporting his wife, he also had to send money home every month. The watch he had been wearing for nearly ten years.
Gu Xing Dong’s dark eyes flickered when he heard Wu Zheng ask. He casually took off the watch and handed it over, saying casually, “My wife bought it for me when she went to Shanghai this time.”
Wu Zheng took it and examined it carefully. When he discovered it was a full-steel mechanical watch from “Meihua” (Plum Blossom), his mouth gaped in surprise. “This isn’t cheap, is it?”
“Yes, it is. She didn’t spare anything for herself, but she bought me this watch. My old one was still perfectly wearable.”
“Tsk.” Gu Xing Dong clicked his tongue and shook his head with a hint of helplessness. “She’s too extravagant.”
Wu Zheng: “…”
Well, he figured it out. This guy was just finding different ways to flaunt his wealth to him.
“She’s indeed quite extravagant. A watch like this in my hometown is equivalent to the entire family’s living expenses for a year.”
His own wife could only be praised by him; others couldn’t. Gu Xing Dong’s face darkened when he heard this. “How is she extravagant? Don’t men earn money to spend on their wives? Besides, if she’s extravagant, it’s on me. Do you have a problem with that?”
Wu Zheng: “…” If he didn’t speak up first, could he agree?
…
As Chen Li Shu and Gu Xing Ping entered the barracks gate, laden with packages, a young soldier on duty saw them carrying many items and quickly informed his companion before hurrying over. “Sister-in-law, let me help you carry that.”
Chen Li Shu gratefully handed over the items she was carrying. “Thank you.”
This time, in addition to fabric and groceries, she had also bought ten pounds of flour. Carrying it all had made her and Gu Xing Ping quite tired.
The young soldier escorted them to the military family housing area. Seeing that he was about to leave after putting down the items, Chen Li Shu called out to him. She turned back into the house and grabbed a handful of milk candies she had bought in Shanghai, handing them over. “I bought these when I went out this time. Please take them back to eat.”
The young soldier’s eyes lit up when he saw the milk candies and he happily accepted them. “Thank you, sister-in-law!”
He said this in a loud voice, bid farewell, and left.
Watching him leave, Chen Li Shu closed the door.
The weather was too hot, and both she and Gu Xing Ping were drenched in sweat. Their clothes stuck uncomfortably to their skin.
“Little sister, there’s hot water in the thermos. Dilute it and wipe yourself down first. I’ll go and wash up too after I’ve organized the things.”