Xiao Sun saw the two of them emerge and immediately got out of the driver's seat. He stood ramrod straight and gave Gu Xingdong and Chen Lishu a proper military salute, "Camp Commander, hello. Sister-in-law, hello."
Chen Lishu smiled back at him, "Hello to you too."
Xiao Sun had been in the army for two years and had never met such a gentle and beautiful military wife like Chen Lishu, especially one who greeted him with a smile. His face felt a bit flushed, but luckily he was dark-skinned and it didn't show.
Thanks to the car, Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong quickly arrived in the city. They arranged to meet Xiao Sun at the drop-off point at four in the afternoon before heading towards the city's largest commercial street.
It was called a commercial street, but it wasn't as developed as it would be later. There were a few department stores, interspersed with two food stores, a state-run restaurant, and a bookstore.
Because Chen Lishu's provincial capital was located in the north, many of the buildings had European architectural styles, with protruding semi-circular balconies, high-pitched roofs, and semi-arched doors and windows.
Chen Lishu remembered that around 1979 or 1980, a Friendship Store opened on the commercial street, later renamed Overseas Chinese Store. The variety of goods there was extensive, but they were exclusively for foreign friends. There were two guards at the entrance, and without a passport, one wasn't allowed in.
Later, when foreign exchange certificates became available, she heard that some people made quite a fortune by reselling them.
Not far from the commercial street, the province's largest farmers' market also opened. Because it was cheap and fresh, she had even gone there early in the morning to buy groceries.
"Should we go to that department store up ahead first, and then to the cinema?" Gu Xingdong asked, turning his head. Chen Lishu snapped back to attention and nodded at him with a smile, "Whatever you say."
As her curved eyebrows met his gaze, Gu Xingdong felt his heart melt. However, being in public, he had to be mindful of his words and actions at all times. He could only gaze at her intently before looking away, "Let's go."
Chen Lishu nodded, "Mm."
Gu Xingdong was referring to the provincial capital's largest department store, which had four floors. The goods here were relatively comprehensive, and it even had televisions, which were unavailable in many other places.
Since it was a rare visit, Chen Lishu specifically went to the cosmetics section. Big brands like Yishou, Pechoin, and Xie Fuchun were all available.
Thinking of Wu Chunmei and Li Xiulan back home, Chen Lishu bought six boxes of skincare products in one go, costing over twenty yuan.
Afterward, she saw red silk scarves being sold at a counter opposite and couldn't help but walk over. At this time, anyone who had a red silk scarf would undoubtedly attract countless envious glances.
Chen Lishu inquired. The ones without gold thread were two yuan and fifty cents each, and the ones with gold thread were three yuan. Thinking that she was out for the day, Chen Lishu directly bought five scarves. She didn't particularly like them herself, so she didn't buy one for herself.
No one in the family smoked, but Gu Shoufu would occasionally have a couple of drinks when tired from work. Chen Lishu specifically bought a bottle of white wine that the family didn't have, intending to bring it back for him.
There were also White Rabbit creamy candies, nice school bags and notebooks. Calculating all the miscellaneous items, Gu Xingdong's monthly salary still had some left over.
After buying the items, the two of them had lunch at a restaurant and then went to the cinema to watch a movie. Seeing that the time to meet Xiao Sun was approaching, they started heading back.
Back at the barrack dormitory, Chen Lishu tidied up the items she had bought and then set aside the things she needed to take to Wu's house. The two of them then carried the items and walked towards the military dependents' area.
Wu Zheng's house was on the second floor. As soon as they stood at the door and knocked twice, someone pushed the door open from inside. Wu Zheng saw Gu Xingdong and couldn't help but tease, "I thought you were so enamored with your wife that you wouldn't come back." As he spoke, he stepped aside to let them in.
"Camp Commander Gu and sister-in-law are here, come in and sit down." From the kitchen, Wu Zheng's wife, Lin Xiaoyue, poked her head out. Seeing them enter, she quickly put down what she was doing and came to greet them.
"Hello, sister-in-law."
Chen Lishu said, taking the items from Gu Xingdong, "We didn't prepare much since it's our first time visiting. Here's a rabbit we caught at home, it's been cleaned and salted, and a jar of our homemade eight-treasure pickled vegetables. Please don't find it too insignificant, sister-in-law."
"You're too kind," Lin Xiaoyue smiled and took the gifts. At this time, bringing meat when visiting was considered a substantial gift.
"Please, sit inside. We don't have much to offer. Old Wu, go get the tea and make some."
As soon as Lin Xiaoyue finished speaking, Wu Zheng immediately went inside to fetch the tea.
"Brother-in-law, who's here? Is it Brother Gu?" Lin Xiaohui asked from inside the room when she saw him enter.
"Mm, it's your Brother Gu and his wife," Wu Zheng said. After finding the tea, he quickly went out again.
In the outer room, Chen Lishu saw Lin Xiaoyue about to enter the kitchen and quickly stood up, "Sister-in-law, let me help you."
Lin Xiaoyue smiled, "I've already prepared most of it. You just go sit down."
Although she said that, Chen Lishu still followed her into the kitchen. Seeing that the fish in the basin on the stove hadn't been cleaned yet, she walked over and started cleaning it.
"My Old Wu has been praising your cooking, saying your meat sauce is particularly delicious. I was saying I'd like to learn from you sometime," they chatted while working.
Chen Lishu was not secretive. She first explained the preparation process and then smiled, "Sister-in-law, you say my skills are good, but it's just that I'm willing to use good ingredients. If you use more meat, anything will taste good."
Lin Xiaoyue couldn't help but laugh at her words, "That's true."
As they talked and chatted, the meal was soon ready.
Lin Xiaoyue had originally prepared four dishes and one soup. Later, when Chen Lishu brought the rabbit meat, she made braised rabbit and stir-fried green peppers with dried tofu, making it six dishes and one soup.
As the two of them were bringing out the dishes, the door was knocked on again. This time, it was Zhou Liang and his wife.
As soon as Zhou Liang entered and saw Gu Xingdong already seated, and then looked at the unfamiliar woman carrying dishes, he immediately realized this was Gu Xingdong's new wife.
"Your sister-in-law said she'd come over early to help you cook, but something came up unexpectedly and delayed me," Zhou Liang said, his gaze falling on Chen Lishu as he smiled, "This must be sister-in-law? I'm Zhou Liang, and this is my wife, Zhao Jing."
Chen Lishu put down the plate and smiled, greeting the two of them, "Hello, Brother Zhou. Hello, sister-in-law."
Zhao Jing nodded at her faintly, acknowledging the greeting.
Chen Lishu didn't react much to her indifference. Gu Xingdong had briefly explained the general situation of their families to Chen Lishu before they came.
Zhao Jing came from a very well-off family. Her father was a retired cadre at the division commander level, and she herself was a key member of the cultural troupe. She was also beautiful and had a somewhat cold personality. Most of the time, she lived in the city with her parents. Although Zhou Liang had been allocated a house, he rarely returned.
"Now that everyone is here, let's eat," Wu Zheng said, inviting everyone to sit around the table.
Lin Xiaoyue turned back and called into the room, "Xiaohui, time to eat."