Chapter 150

Chapter 150

Huh?

The topic changed too quickly, and Xu Yuqing didn't catch on.

Seeing that she hadn't understood, the salesperson became anxious and hurriedly counted out the change and handed it over. "Oh, I mean dented cans! Can you give them to me to sell?"

Dented cans? Xu Yuqing finally understood—it was like dented fabric. She shook her head apologetically and whispered back, "I'm sorry, but canned food is for eating. If there's a dent, it might be spoiled."

Oh!

The salesperson looked at Xu Yuqing with frustration, "It's just that the cans got dented and don't look good anymore. They're not broken inside!"

Xu Yuqing couldn't help but laugh and shake her head, "No."

Seeing her so firm, the salesperson gave up, tied the bottle of liquor with a red string for easy carrying, and handed it over, "Here."

Xie Junli took it, and Xu Yuqing smiled gratefully as she accepted the two paper bags. "Thank you, comrade."

"You're welcome." The salesperson gave a perfunctory smile, turned around to continue knitting, and Xu Yuqing shrugged as they walked away.

However, Xu Yuqing curiously turned her head to glance at the salesperson again. It seemed the salespeople here often changed. When she came to buy snacks before, it wasn't this person. She looked around and found the familiar salesperson dozing off in the corner by the rubber shoes.

Maybe they had switched shifts?

Xu Yuqing wondered.

As they stepped out of the cooperative store, no one was around. Xie Junli shifted all the items to one hand and reached out with the other to take Xu Yuqing's hand. "What did you say earlier?"

Xu Yuqing: "Nothing, just that the person knew I work at the canning factory and asked if we have any dented cans."

Xie Junli frowned.

Xu Yuqing reassured him, "There are no dented cans. Besides, even if there were, it wouldn't be my responsibility; I'm just a worker."

I wonder why that salesperson asked me that. Is she trying to sell them secretly for profit?

Xie Junli pursed his lips, "That salesperson is the wife of the battalion commander. She probably wants to give them as gifts."

Because pork liver pâté cans are hard to come by these days and are now in high demand.

Battalion commander's wife? Xie Junli's neighboring battalion? Curious, Xu Yuqing asked, "No wonder I've never seen her before. Why is she working at the cooperative store? Don't they require an exam?"

Though she wasn't interested, many military wives wanted to work there because it was close and offered good benefits, including the ability to go home for lunch.

But the cooperative store rarely had openings, making such opportunities rare.

Xie Junli raised an eyebrow slightly, "She was placed there through connections."

Xu Yuqing looked at Xie Junli in surprise. Even here, people could get jobs through backdoor connections.

I wonder if the military wives know about this. If they find out, they'll likely be upset.

They returned home without encountering anyone else, sparing them the trouble of greeting others. Xie Junli put away the items, and Xu Yuqing took the sugar and cookies, opening them and pouring them into jars.

All the glass bottles from finished cans were cleaned and stored, making it convenient to keep things fresh and airtight. Although it rarely got damp in the north, exposure to air would still affect the taste.

Taking a cookie, its crisp texture crumbled in her mouth, sweet and fragrant with lard. Eating the cookie, Xu Yuqing thought of her favorite snack—egg yolk pastries.

Flaky pastry wrapped around salty egg yolks, incredibly delicious.

But there were no salty egg yolks sold here, so she'd have to make them herself. Xu Yuqing wasn't incapable, but she lacked the time. Besides, she couldn't even buy duck eggs now.

Thinking about it, she sighed. It was hard to buy snacks these days, not because of money but because they weren't available.

When spring comes, I should check which households raise ducks and see if they have any duck eggs.

Xie Junli finished putting away the liquor and came over, sitting beside her. Xu Yuqing casually took a cookie and stuffed it into his mouth. "How does it taste? Sweet?"

Xie Junli: "Sweet."

They sat quietly, sharing cookies, creating a peaceful atmosphere, much better than before.

Although a small thorn still lingered in their hearts, at least for now, they appeared very sweet together.

With no TV, Xu Yuqing asked Xie Junli to fetch a newspaper. She read the newspaper while he read his military book.

As the light gradually dimmed, they realized it was already evening.

Since they had eaten a late lunch, neither felt hungry. Looking at each other, they decided to wash up first.

After cleaning themselves, their stomachs started to rumble. Xu Yuqing didn't make anything complicated, simply boiling some noodles, preparing a sour broth, mixing the cooked noodles, adding a spoonful of broth, and cracking an egg into the pot with a couple of cabbage leaves.

A simple dinner was ready. Xu Yuqing used a small bowl, while Xie Junli used a larger one. Watching him enjoy his meal, Xu Yuqing was genuinely curious, "Didn't you train today? Won't you feel full eating so much?"

Xie Junli paused, looking at Xu Yuqing with clear eyes.

But Xu Yuqing sensed a hint of guilt. She lowered her head, smiling awkwardly. Wasn't she worried that he might lose his abs if he ate too much?

Maintaining a good figure is crucial for their relationship.

She was protecting their love.

Bowing her head, Xu Yuqing ate her noodles quickly. Xie Junli withdrew his gaze and slowed down his eating.

After finishing the dishes, Xu Yuqing had her meal and was about to go to bed to read. However, Xie Junli changed into his military pants, "I'm going out for a bit."

Watching his swift movements, Xu Yuqing pressed her tiger's mouth tightly to keep from laughing, "Okay, go ahead."

She said with difficulty.

As soon as Xie Junli's figure disappeared, she couldn't help but silently laugh.

What is this? He says he doesn't care, but it seems he does!

Wondering how long he would be out tonight, Xu Yuqing pinched her belly, thinking maybe she should do some yoga too.

Yoga isn't exactly exercise, but it's good for shaping the body.

Saying it, she did it. She moved the pillows and quilts aside, took off her thick cotton pants, and thankfully, the fire in the stove had been replenished, so even in light clothing, she wasn't cold.

Cross-legged, holding her breath, Xu Yuqing recalled the yoga poses from her previous classes and began performing them one by one.

After half an hour, she was drenched in sweat.

Now she wished the room were cooler. She went to the wardrobe, took out a handkerchief, wiped the sweat from her forehead, draped her cotton jacket over her shoulders, and stepped outside to cool down.

Outside, where no fire was burning, the air was refreshingly cool. Xu Yuqing breathed a sigh of relief and quickly wiped the sweat from her back.

She stayed until the flush on her face faded, then returned to the room and lay down on the stove-bed.

But even as she was about to fall asleep, Xie Junli still hadn't returned. Closing her eyes, she couldn't help wondering why it was taking him so long just to exercise.

The next morning, Xu Yuqing still hadn't seen Xie Junli. His side of the bed was untouched, just as it had been last night. Alarmed, she sat up hurriedly and rushed to the door to see what was happening.

Putting on her cotton jacket and shoes, everything in the house remained unchanged from the night before. Xu Yuqing grew even more anxious. Xie Junli wouldn't leave without reason; this was the Military District, and there shouldn't be any danger.

Without combing her hair or washing her face, she pushed open the door and walked out. Near the big tree not far from the entrance, many military wives stood, their eyes red.

Among them was Sister Yan Lan.

She held Yu Song, her expression grave.

Xu Yuqing strode over, bypassing everyone, and looked at Yan Lan anxiously, her voice choked with emotion, "Sister Yan Lan, where are they?"

Yan Lan snapped back to reality, seeing Xu Yuqing's state, immediately stood up, and pulled her aside discreetly, "Don't worry, they've gone on a mission. Didn't Old Xie tell you?"

Xu Yuqing's eyes welled up with tears, regretting letting him go out yesterday, "He said he was going out for exercise and didn't come back."

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Yan Lan hugged Yu Song tighter, led her into the courtyard, put Yu Song down, and comforted her, "It's okay. Old Yu told me it's a temporary mission; they'll be back soon."

Xu Yuqing couldn't stop worrying, "Did everyone go on the mission?" Otherwise, so many military wives wouldn't have red eyes.

Yan Lan hesitated, unsure how to explain, then nodded. Last night, when the call came, Yu Wenyao was with his son. A heavy snowfall had buried a village, requiring immediate rescue.

Yan Lan couldn't gauge the danger, but seeing Yu Wenyao's serious expression, she could guess.

She didn't want her husband to go on such a dangerous mission, but he wasn't just her husband; he was also a soldier of the country.

Yan Lan hugged Xu Yuqing tightly, offering mutual comfort, "It's okay; they'll be back soon."

Most of the men in the family compound had left. Xie Junli led the Second Regiment on the rescue mission. Initially, the atmosphere in the compound was tense, but after a few days, everyone resumed their daily routines.

Children continued to play and laugh.

Perhaps only the adults who usually pretended to be strong shed silent tears at night.

That day, Xu Yuqing took a half-day off and went to work in the afternoon. Riding her bicycle, she felt nervous, realizing walking might be faster.

At least walking would get her there quicker.

Every morning, Xu Yuqing walked to work, arriving slightly late, but Factory Director Xu had no complaints and even suggested she take a few days off.

But Xu Yuqing didn't want to; being at home would only make her worry more.

In the afternoon, she finished an hour early and walked home leisurely.

One incident occurred: the security guard mentioned a beggar claiming to be her elder brother looking for Xu Yuqing. Given past events, Xu Yuqing guessed what was happening.

She ignored it and asked the guard to chase the person away, wondering if it was Xu Guoqiang or Xu Guoying who had been abandoned.

It must be Xu Guoying, since Xu Guoqiang had always been favored.

Walking home, she saw someone squatting nearby. Xu Yuqing recognized the face hidden behind the dirt.

It was Xu Guoqiang.

Seeing him trembling, Xu Yuqing wasn't afraid, watching him struggle to walk over.

"Abandoned by Xu Zhilei?"

Xu Guoqiang showed no emotion. These past few days had been a drastic change for him.

He pleaded, kneeling before Xu Yuqing, "Little sister, I'll make up for how I treated you before. Please don't let me die; give me something to eat! I haven't eaten in four days!"