Chen Lishu spoke a few words with Lin Xiaoyue, her gaze falling on Wei Xiaoya beside Wang Yufen. The young girl didn't resemble her mother; she must have taken after her father. Her shy, large eyes immediately shrunk back behind her mother as Chen Lishu's gaze met hers.
Seeing her shy demeanor, Chen Lishu found the child incredibly endearing. She got up, went into the bedroom, and took out the milk candies she had bought earlier to prevent motion sickness. She squatted down closer to Wei Xiaoya and said softly, "Auntie has candy here. Does Xiaoya want some?"
Wei Xiaoya was a little scared by her approach and immediately grabbed Wang Yufen's衣角 (yījiǎo - corner of her clothing) and shrank back further.
Wang Yufen's eyes widened a bit at the sight of the milk candy in Chen Lishu's hand. Forgetting Wei Xiaoya's reluctance, she turned, pulled the child out, and pushed her towards Chen Lishu. "Your auntie is giving you candy. We can't afford milk candy at home. Take it quickly." Da Feng Novel Network
Although she spoke in a soft voice, both Chen Lishu and Lin Xiaoyue unconsciously frowned upon hearing her.
Startled by being pushed forward, Wei Xiaoya suddenly burst into tears. Chen Lishu's smile faltered as the child began crying over a few candies.
"The child is a bit shy, please don't mind, sister-in-law," Wang Yufen said apologetically.
"It's normal for children to be shy; she'll get used to it later," Chen Lishu said, handing the candy to Wang Yufen. "Sister-in-law, please give this to Xiaoya."
"Ah," Wang Yufen happily accepted it, unwrapped a candy, and popped it into Xiaoya's mouth. She then pocketed the rest.
Having received the candy, Xiaoya smacked her lips and gradually stopped crying.
"Lishu, what are you doing? I'll help you," Lin Xiaoyue said with a smile, seeing that Xiaoya had stopped crying.
"Why don't you wash the vegetables, and I'll go slice the lamb?"
At this time, there were no pre-sliced lamb rolls like later. One had to buy the lamb and slice it oneself.
"I'll help you too," Wang Yufen said, getting up. Xiaoya immediately grabbed her 衣角 (yījiǎo - corner of her clothing) and pouted, about to cry. Wang Yufen looked up at the two of them awkwardly.
"It's not much work, it'll be done soon. Sister-in-law, please stay in the room and look after Xiaoya," Chen Lishu said with a smile.
Wang Yufen could only nod and sat down again.
Chen Lishu and Lin Xiaoyue went into the kitchen. Chen Lishu took out a basin, filled it with water, and then poured in some hot water. It was early November, and the weather had turned cold; the water was a bit icy. Only after mixing it into warm water did Chen Lishu let Lin Xiaoyue wash the vegetables.
Lin Xiaoyue washed the vegetables while Chen Lishu sliced the meat. Many people were coming for dinner. Chen Lishu had bought five jin of lamb, and slicing them all into pieces was a major undertaking. The two of them busied themselves for a long time before finally preparing all the ingredients.
...
In the evening, as dusk settled, a small car slowly drove into the camp. It soon stopped downstairs in the military dependents' residential area. Zhao Jing got out and spoke a few words to her father's orderly before going upstairs with the items in her hand.
"You're back just in time. Old Gu's family is having a hot pot dinner today. Come with me."
Zhou Liang emerged from the washroom after finishing his ablutions and said happily upon seeing Zhao Jing return.
Upon hearing "hot pot," Zhao Jing's delicate brows furrowed subconsciously. "What's so good about hot pot? So many people sticking their chopsticks in. It's so unhygienic. I don't like eating other people's saliva."
Zhou Liang's expression changed upon hearing her words, but he then tried to persuade her, "If you don't like it, you don't have to eat. Everyone has agreed to bring their families. Why don't you come with me and sit for a while?"
Zhao Jing said impatiently, "Last time I went to the Wu family's, you said we'd just sit for a while, but we didn't get back until so late. I have rehearsal tomorrow. If you want to go, you go by yourself."
Zhou Liang, with good temper, smiled apologetically and said, "That time was my fault, I lost track of time. Besides, what will you eat tonight if you don't go? It's past the mess's mealtime now. Old Gu's wife probably didn't just prepare hot pot. Why don't you eat some other dishes?"
Zhao Jing opened the paper bag in her hand and took out an exquisite box, not much larger than her palm. "A friend just gave me some Western pastries. I'll just eat this."
Zhou Liang opened his mouth. Seeing that she had already opened the box and was picking up a fork to eat by herself, he knew there was no point in saying anything more. He could only nod and left by himself.
As he went downstairs, he happened to meet Wu Zheng, who was also opening his door. Wu Zheng glanced behind Zhou Liang and asked curiously, "Hey, I just saw your wife come back by car. Why didn't she come down with you?"
Zhou Liang's expression stiffened, and he then smiled. "She's not feeling very well, and she has rehearsal tomorrow. I was afraid of the noise from a crowd, so I let her rest at home."
Wu Zheng nodded. The two of them went downstairs together towards the Gu family's place opposite.
Soon, everyone arrived. The small living room was packed with people. Wei Gang's family of three, Wu Zheng and his wife, Zhou Liang, Li Weimin, and adding Gu Xingdong and Chen Lishu, there were a total of nine people.
At this time, the large round table Chen Lishu had bought came into use. Everyone crowded around the table.
Chen Lishu had not only prepared hot pot but also specially steamed rice and stir-fried four dishes and one cold salad.
Everyone chatted while eating, and the meal was very enjoyable.
After seeing everyone off, Chen Lishu walked to the table, ready to start clearing up. However, Gu Xingdong pushed her onto a stool and said, "You've been busy all day. Sit down and rest first. I'll clean this up."
Chen Lishu, who had sat down, asked somewhat worriedly, "Can you do it?"
"Can I do it? Take the 'can' out of that."
His competence questioned, Gu Xingdong glanced at her displeasedly. "Your man can wield a long spear, so he can also handle the kitchen." With that, he rolled up his shirt sleeves and began to clear the messy table.
Soon, he cleaned the table and returned the table and stools to their original positions. Then, he stood by the sink with his sleeves rolled up, diligently washing the dishes.
Chen Lishu watched his tall, upright figure. The dim yellow lamplight cast shadows on his shoulders. Gu Xingdong stood with his back to the light, his handsome features appearing even more defined.
Perceiving Chen Lishu's gaze with his keen senses, Gu Xingdong turned his head, his deep voice laced with a smile. "Why are you looking at me like that? I'll take it as me being a feast for your eyes."
Chen Lishu: "..."
Gu Xingdong was not insistent on her answer, as her eyes had already conveyed everything.
After washing the dishes, seeing that it was getting late and Gu Xingdong had to get up early the next day, they briefly washed up and turned off the lights to sleep.
The next day, with the reveille sounding, Gu Xingdong began to get up and dress. His leg injury had largely recovered, and he was to officially rejoin his unit today.
Because he had been away for a rather long time, Gu Xingdong was swamped on his first day back. Chen Lishu made herself a simple breakfast after waking up. After eating, she left the camp and headed into the city.
As she was about to return home, she planned to go to the Yimin Store in the city to see if Jiang Weiguo had any export clothing left for sale.
She took a bus to the commercial street. After getting off, Chen Lishu went directly to the second floor of the Yimin Store. After knocking twice, Jiang Weiguo's voice came from inside, "Come in."