Chapter 10

Chapter 10

A deep, clear voice penetrated the door, striking Xu Yuqing like a heavy hammer. She hastily rose, smoothing out her sleep-wrinkled clothes, "Mm, I'm up. You can come in."

As soon as she spoke, the door obediently swung open. Xie Junli had only intended to call out, but upon hearing her voice, he found himself pushing the door without conscious thought.

"Get ready for your wash." Xie Junli softly called out, his tone gentle, almost maternal.

Xu Yuqing, however, was too preoccupied to appreciate it. She nodded slightly flustered, awkwardly scratching her nose, her eyes involuntarily drawn to Xie Junli's abdomen—where... eight abs, solid and defined.

Her face grew warmer, the images in her mind growing stranger. Xu Yuqing nervously covered her face, quickly getting out of bed to put on her shoes. "I'll go wash up first."

Xie Junli watched Xu Yuqing's hurried steps with an inscrutable expression, his gaze also falling on his own abdomen.

He casually lifted his shirt, revealing a taut, muscular waist, and those eight coveted abs. Xie Junli smirked, casually letting his shirt fall back down. He recalled the small hand that had caressed his waist last night, and suddenly, Xie Junli seemed to understand something.

It could only be said that men were exceedingly perceptive. They could quickly discern which parts of themselves attracted their loved ones.

Stepping out, Xie Junli set down the breakfast he had fetched. It was simple—a bowl of porridge, a steamed bun, and an egg. Because he had arrived late, there wasn't much left at the canteen; this egg was one he had managed to snatch.

Xie Junli didn't eat first. He peeled the egg, placing it in a bowl, then found another bowl to pour the pickles from the lid of the food box, waiting for their owner to partake.

"Why didn't you eat first?" After washing up and applying some facial cream to her dry skin, Xu Yuqing slowly walked to the dining table.

Xie Junli remained silent, indulgently watching her. He stood up to pour two glasses of water, placing a warm one especially before her. Sitting down, he watched as she leisurely placed a box of porridge in front of her, before reaching for the steamed bun.

He casually tore the bun apart, adding a layer of pickles inside, taking a bite.

"Is it good?"

Xie Junli was taken aback. Xu Yuqing looked at the bun with curiosity. As a southerner, she had never eaten a steamed bun with pickles, always eating them plain. Initially, she hadn't been particularly interested, finding it a bit dry, but watching Xie Junli eat made everything seem more appetizing. With a large bite, she felt her mouth watering.

Xie Junli looked at the bun in his hand, his features softening into a smile. He picked up the half bun he had just torn off, tearing it open again to add pickles.

"Hold on! I don't want such a big piece, make it smaller, or I won't be able to finish it!" Xu Yuqing, seeing her craving satisfied, became even more demanding.

Xie Junli wasn't impatient. Gently pinching, he tore off a small piece, just right for Xu Yuqing's bite, offering it to her.

Xu Yuqing immediately took it, swallowing it whole. The taste was, well, ordinary. The bun had fermented a bit too much, leaving a slight sourness, but why did Xie Junli make eating so appealing? Xu Yuqing stood up, grabbing another bowl and spoon, scooping half of the porridge into it, and breaking half an egg into it as well.

Xu Yuqing nodded contentedly. "There, eat."

"Would you like more of the bun?" Xie Junli asked worriedly, frowning. There was barely any porridge left in the box, and she had eaten very little, both now and during the ride yesterday.

Xu Yuqing, unaware of Xie Junli's thoughts, shook her head, smiling. "I can't eat anymore. And you shouldn't overeat either. I'll cook lunch for you later."

Cooking—Xu Yuqing felt her hands itching at the thought. Previously, cooking had been a necessity for work, sometimes having to prepare a dish multiple times, which had left her frustrated. Now that she couldn't cook, she missed it dearly.

People were hard to please indeed.

Xie Junli had never tasted Xu Yuqing's cooking before. No, that scrambled egg from last time. Recalling its flavor, Xie Junli's mouth began to water, and he started looking forward to it from that moment.

"Alright."

With Xie Junli's agreement, Xu Yuqing rubbed her hands together, ready to show off her skills. But before that, they had nothing at home, so they would have to buy supplies.

Yesterday, they had only bought the most basic items, like pots, bowls, and utensils. They hadn't purchased any vegetables, meat, or seasonings.

They hadn't even bought oil, only managing to render some lard.

However, Xie Junli mentioned they could buy these things at the supply store. The supply store in Beicheng Military Dependents' Compound was quite large, selling a wide variety of goods.

After breakfast, Xie Junli led Xu Yuqing to the room, pulling out a large bundle of items from within his undershirt.

The bundle was massive, colorful, and unidentifiable until it was scattered across the table. Only then did Xu Yuqing realize what it was.

"My god..." These were all money. Xu Yuqing looked up in shock, feeling that Xie Junli was truly the tycoon of this era.

"These are my monthly salaries for the year, along with bonuses and coupons." Xie Junli explained. He hadn't paid much attention before, simply tossing the money in whenever he received it. It was only today, when he saw how much it had accumulated, that he felt somewhat relieved.

This way, there would be enough for her to spend.

"Haven't you saved it?" Xu Yuqing asked. Who kept so much cash at home? Wouldn't they get a bank card... ah, scratch that, a savings book?

Xie Junli shook his head. "No time."

Besides, keeping it in his bachelor quarters, among fellow soldiers, ensured higher safety.

Xu Yuqing looked at Xie Junli's expression, which seemed to say 'this amount is insignificant,' and felt a deep sense of envy. This was pure flexing. So much money, covering nearly half the table!

"Should we count it?"

Xu Yuqing's eyes shone. She hadn't seen so much cash in a long time. The feel of real money in her hands was satisfying.

Xie Junli sat down, grateful that there were two chairs in the room, otherwise, there wouldn't have been enough seats.

"I'll organize it, you count," Xie Junli said gently.

Xu Yuqing was a bit shy, but under Xie Junli's slightly urging gaze, she cleared her throat and, with determination, said, "Let's do it your way."

Counting proved to be a lengthy process, leaving Xu Yuqing's shoulders sore by the time they had roughly sorted it out.

Just in cash, there was 2,612 yuan, and many coupons. However, most of them were for less common items. As for sugar, meat, and grain coupons, Xie Junli explained that some comrades had larger families and thus traded them.

Xie Junli had always eaten at the canteen, so it hadn't mattered to him. Now, however, he felt a twinge of regret.

Xu Yuqing didn't notice his change in mood, instead staring at the money, unsure of what to do. Was she really going to help manage the finances? But...

She hesitated. Initially, the sight of the money had momentarily dazzled her, but now, coming back to her senses, she realized it was inappropriate. Yet, the situation had already progressed this far.

"Really giving me control of the money?"

"Mm."

"Alright then." Xu Yuqing agreed, but added, "I'll keep a ledger and record every expense."

Xie Junli was frugal and disliked frivolous spending, but since he had decided to entrust Xu Yuqing with the finances, he believed she should have full discretion over how it was spent. Thus, the issue of money was settled between them.

Suddenly, Xu Yuqing looked up and asked, "Did you return the money you spent yesterday?"

"Mm, I did."

He had withdrawn the money in the morning before heading to the canteen where Yu Yaowen's wife worked. He gave the money to his own wife there.

Satisfied with his answer, Xu Yuqing nodded. "Good, are you working today? I want to go to the supply and marketing cooperative."

"I have to go later to report on my assignment, let me take you there first!"

Xie Junli said without hesitation. In fact, he regretted promising to manage the Third Battalion for an egg. Watching his wife, the battalion commander felt immense regret, but he knew he had to follow through with his commitment. At the entrance of the supply and marketing cooperative, Xie Junli watched Xu Yuqing, who was eager to shop, with concern. He repeatedly advised her, "Don't buy too much at once. Make a list when you get back, and I'll come tomorrow to purchase everything. When I have time, I'll make a small cart for carrying things."

Xu Yuqing wasn't foolish; she knew her own strength was limited. Although the supply and marketing cooperative was close to the military dependents' quarters, it still took ten minutes to walk there, and several more minutes to return home from the quarters. It was unrealistic for her to carry a large amount of purchases over such a distance.

She only wanted to buy some meat and basic seasonings for now.

As for vegetables, she could ask Xie Junli to bring them back from the canteen. Right now, all she craved was meat.

It was early, so there weren't many people at the supply and marketing cooperative, yet even so, everyone who entered wasn't focused on shopping. Their attention was fixed on the young couple at the entrance.

Xu Yuqing was sensitive to the stares directed at her. Looking at Xie Junli, her expression turned slightly helpless. "I understand. Go to work, just come back early for dinner. Remember to bring some vegetables."

Xie Junli nodded, holding the lunch box he had just washed clean, and left with lingering worry.

The couple seemed reluctant to part ways even after arriving at the cooperative, their affectionate behavior drawing the curious gazes of other military wives. They marveled at how clingy Battalion Commander Xie appeared to be with his wife.

Xu Yuqing pretended not to notice the curious looks from the other military wives and began shopping earnestly.

There wasn't much meat available at the supply and marketing cooperative. Only a limited amount was provided each day because few people were willing to use their meat coupons to buy it. Meat was abundant only during festivals.

Xu Yuqing was fortunate enough to spot some pork belly. The layers of fat and lean meat were particularly well-distributed, and almost immediately, she set her sights on this piece of meat.

"Comrade, please cut this piece of meat for me."

The salesperson looked up, surprised. She had just started her shift and came through the back door, unaware of the scene that had unfolded earlier or the presence of such a beautiful young woman in the military dependents' quarters.

"Miss? Are you from the cultural troupe?" the salesperson asked, her hands moving swiftly as she sliced off a piece of meat.

Xu Yuqing shook her head, about to respond, when a military wife squeezed in next to her. "No, she's Battalion Commander Xie's wife, newly arrived from the countryside!"

After saying this, she glanced at Xu Yuqing and then turned to look at the salesperson. "Give me some meat too, but cut it leaner. Fatty meat is too greasy, only those who do a lot of physical labor need to replenish their energy and won't find it too rich."

Her spontaneous performance was quite entertaining. Amused, Xu Yuqing accepted the piece of meat handed to her by the salesperson. The meat was tied with straw rope, adding a sense of ceremony.

Taking the meat, she replied, "Mm, I'm a new military wife. Thank you, comrade. Sister, I won't chat with you any longer. I need to prepare a hearty meal for my 'hardworking' husband." Without paying attention to the changing expressions on the woman's face, Xu Yuqing leisurely carried the meat to another section to buy soy sauce and rock sugar.

At this counter, Xu Yuqing saw a petite woman with a soft, round face that looked rather adorable.

But could it be that everyone here was so enthusiastic?

Looking helplessly at the woman who approached her, seemingly ready to share a secret,

"That woman just now is Sister Mei's younger sister, she used to be engaged to Battalion Commander Xie."