She had already bought the thread and needles. Without a sewing machine, she could only do a simple overcast stitch, then tie a rope along the top of the window to hang the curtains.
After hanging them, Chen Lishu stepped back two paces to survey her work. Satisfied with the overall look, she went to wash up. After washing herself, she mixed some warm water and brought a basin in, preparing to help Gu Xingdong with his bath.
Seeing her bring in the basin, Gu Xingdong unbuttoned his shirt with a few quick movements before she could even speak, then swiftly removed his undershirt.
Watching his actions, Chen Lishu had a strange feeling of impatience.
In the blink of an eye, Gu Xingdong had stripped himself completely bare, revealing a well-defined physique with a handsome muscular build and an eight-pack abdomen.
Although she knew Gu Xingdong had a good figure, it was the first time Chen Lishu had seen it so clearly and directly. Looking at his body, Chen Lishu suddenly felt a bit parched and couldn't help but swallow discreetly.
Who was Gu Xingdong? He was a former scout. How could Chen Lishu's reaction escape his notice? A dark light flashed in his eyes.
Seeing him take off his clothes and then unbuckle his belt, Chen Lishu, fearing he might aggravate his leg wound with a sudden movement, hurried over, putting down the basin to help him.
Soon, Chen Lishu had quickly helped him wipe down his body and re-dressed his wound, bandaging it anew.
Gu Xingdong was young and had a good constitution, so his wound was healing very well. In just a few days, it had already begun to scab over, and it was estimated that it would heal completely in no time.
After Chen Lishu finished helping him clean up, she took the basin to pour out the water. When she returned, she saw Gu Xingdong already tucked under the covers. She walked to the bedside and pulled the light cord, plunging the room into darkness.
Feeling her way, she lifted the quilt, and immediately a hot body pressed against her.
"Lishu," Gu Xingdong whispered her name softly in the darkness, his voice carrying a hint of suppressed desire and pleading.
Chen Lishu knew he must be enduring considerable discomfort. Suppressing her own shyness, she slowly reached out her hand...
Over the next few days, Chen Lishu made two more trips to the city, finally purchasing most of the household necessities. She bought cotton and fabric and sewed a new set of bedding, also preparing extra bowls and chopsticks.
She also spent twenty-six yuan and industrial coupons to buy a charcoal copper pot, thinking it would be very convenient for hot pot once the weather turned cold.
One evening, the couple was leaning against the headboard, each reading a book. Chen Lishu nestled against his shoulder. Thinking of her new copper pot, she suggested, "Shall we invite everyone for hot pot tomorrow?"
"Alright," Gu Xingdong nodded. "You go buy the groceries tomorrow, and I'll call the people."
Chen Lishu turned her head. "About how many people should we invite?"
Gu Xingdong thought for a moment. "Six or seven, I guess."
Chen Lishu nodded, got out of bed, and returned a moment later with paper and a pen. "There will be quite a few people, so I need to write down what I need to buy tomorrow. It wouldn't do to forget anything." She then began to write diligently.
After a while, Gu Xingdong glanced over and saw her still writing. He couldn't resist leaning his head closer and discovered she had already listed quite a few items, with several types of vegetables alone.
"So much?"
"The market might not have everything. I'll write down more, and we can buy whatever we see then."
"I'm going back to my unit," Gu Xingdong said suddenly.
Chen Lishu's neck felt ticklish against his close-cropped hair, and she couldn't help but laugh and push him away slightly. "I know."
"After I return to the unit, we'll begin practical exercises." His injury had delayed the original plan, and upon his return, it would have to be prioritized.
Chen Lishu's writing hand paused. "Will you be going away?"
Gu Xingdong nodded. "It'll likely be a month or two."
During this time, the two had spent almost every day together. The sudden prospect of separation left Chen Lishu feeling a little uneasy. But he was a soldier, destined to be unable to accompany her every day like other husbands.
"That's perfect then," Chen Lishu said, masking the slight disappointment in her eyes, a smile blooming on her face. "I've been here long enough, and it's time for me to go back."
"Go back?"
Gu Xingdong was taken aback for a moment. Then he realized that with his mission, he couldn't stay with her all the time, and leaving her here alone made him uneasy. Going home would be good.
The impending separation cast a somber mood over the room. Chen Lishu continued to focus on writing down the shopping list for the next day. Suddenly, Gu Xingdong snatched the notebook from her hands and tossed it aside. In the next instant, her vision darkened as the quilt was pulled over both of them, completely enveloping them.
...
The next morning, when Chen Lishu woke up, Gu Xingdong had already gone to the mess hall to get breakfast.
After getting up and washing, Chen Lishu ate breakfast and then, slinging her bag over her shoulder, set off for the city to buy groceries.
The market supplied items from the people's communes below. Given the limited conditions, Chen Lishu did her best to gather ingredients for hot pot. Seeing that she had bought most of what she needed, Chen Lishu began to head home by bus.
When she arrived home, Gu Xingdong was not there. Chen Lishu put down her groceries and was about to start washing the vegetables when there was a knock on the door. She quickly set aside her task and went to open it.
As the door opened, Lin Xiaoyue stood at the entrance with another woman in her thirties, with delicate eyebrows and eyes, holding a three or four-year-old girl by the hand.
Introduced by Lin Xiaoyue, Chen Lishu learned that the woman was Wang Yufen, the wife of Instructor Wei Gang, and the little girl they held was their daughter, Wei Xiaoya.
"My husband told me at noon that you'd likely be back around now, so I brought Sister Wei along to help and to get acquainted," Lin Xiaoyue said with a smile.
"You've come at the perfect time. I bought a lot of vegetables and really need help. Let's not stand at the door. Please, come in and have a seat." Chen Lishu smiled and invited them inside, then turned to get chairs for them.
"Lishu, your room has really changed a lot!" Lin Xiaoyue exclaimed in surprise after entering.
In just a few days, the furniture and layout had been mostly set up. Not only was everything neatly arranged, but Chen Lishu, being skillful, had also crocheted colorful cushions for the stools with yarn, adding a lot of vibrancy to the entire room.
Seeing Lin Xiaoyue's admiring gaze fall upon the seat cushions, Chen Lishu handed her and Wang Yufen cups of water after pouring them and said with a smile, "It's just something I tinkered with myself. If you like them, I have two more rolls of yarn, and I'll give them to you later."
"Then I thank you in advance," Lin Xiaoyue said happily.
Beside them, Wang Yufen's expression showed surprise when she heard Chen Lishu offer to give away yarn. This was pure wool yarn, and it wasn't cheap. Not only did Commander Gu's wife use it for seat cushions, but she also casually offered it to others. This was clearly not just generosity; it was wasteful.
She then watched as Lin Xiaoyue accepted it without a second thought, and the two of them chatted and laughed, their relationship evidently quite close. Wang Yufen's delicate eyebrows knitted slightly.
Both she and Lin Xiaoyue were among the first batch of families to move into the military family housing after it was built. Their husbands were in the same company, so their relationship naturally became closer than that of others. She had always thought her relationship with Lin Xiaoyue was the best. Seeing Lin Xiaoyue talking solely to Chen Lishu at this moment, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.