Chapter 23: Buying Cloth

Chapter 23: Buying Cloth

"Sister-in-law, do you know where I can find some uncolored homespun? I don't want dyed ones; plain colors will do." The cloth at the Supply and Marketing Cooperatives was all dyed, and Su Zhaozhao didn't like any of it.

"Go to the village." Wang Chunhua pointed to the nearby village. "Almost every household in the village weaves cloth. It's cheap, and you can buy it at the price set by the acquisition station."

"Is it okay to trade privately?" Policies varied from place to place, and she wasn't familiar with the local rules yet.

Wang Chunhua waved her hand. "No problem. We're not reselling; it's just for personal use. Don't say you're buying; say you're trading. There are people in the village who raise chickens, ducks, and grow vegetables. They often sell at the crossroads. You can pay with money or grain, or even trade with the soap issued by our unit."

"That's good." Su Zhaozhao planned to go to the village in the afternoon to buy some homespun to make bed sheets, pillowcases, and curtains.

Since Su Zhaozhao bought many things, Wang Chunhua helped deliver them to her home and arranged everything.

"The good houses have all been chosen by those who arrived earlier. Only these old houses on the outskirts are left, and no one knows how long ago they were built. Otherwise, according to Captain Gu's rank, he should be living in a better house."

Su Zhaozhao smiled. "This is fine. If I didn't live here, how could I be neighbors with Sister Wang?"

"Why do you always speak so nicely?"

It was rare that someone complimented her speech so soon after meeting her. Her own parents had always complained that she couldn't speak well and didn't win the favor of their second spouses.

As noon approached, Wang Chunhua grabbed Su Zhaozhao's hand and tucked it under her arm. "Come, let's have lunch at my place today."

Su Zhaozhao tried to pull her hand away but couldn't. "No need, no need. We can eat at the canteen."

"Why the canteen? It's so expensive and not worth it. It's just a short walk to my place. Don't argue with me. Hurry up, and you can help me prepare. Lao Zhou won't be back from the unit for lunch, and neither will your Captain Gu. It'll just be us women and children eating."

She then called out to Gu Xiang and Gu Nian. "Come to Auntie's place. Auntie will make scallion pancakes for you. My scallion pancakes are so fragrant! No one has ever said anything bad about them."

Gu Xiang and Gu Nian shook their heads and looked at their mother.

Grain was precious, and this was the first time someone had invited them to eat at their home.

In the past, when they passed by their uncle's house, their aunt would close the door as soon as she saw them, afraid they might come over.

In the end, Su Zhaozhao was dragged to the next-door neighbor's house.

Upon entering the Zhou family courtyard, the first thing she saw was a yard full of vegetables and fruits. The size and layout of the courtyard were similar to the Gu family's, with a path in the middle and vegetables planted on both sides, a lush green expanse that looked very inviting.

"Sister Wang, you've grown so many vegetables! They look great!"

"I love tending to the land. Since coming to the unit, I can't farm anymore, but at least I can do something with this courtyard."

Wang Chunhua bent down to pick some vegetables. "How about a cucumber salad for lunch?"

"Sure."

The Zhou family's courtyard was a typical rural homestead, with vegetables growing in the yard, corn and peppers hanging on the walls, and a chicken coop in the corner housing two chickens.

"There are so many vegetables in the yard. I'm afraid they'll peck at them. I let them out in the afternoon to walk around. If they're kept in all the time, they won't lay eggs."

Though she came to help, Su Zhaozhao found no place to lend a hand. Wang Chunhua was quick and efficient, kneading the dough in just a few moves.

There was no need to light the stove; the fire ignited immediately when the cover of the coal stove was lifted.

While cooking in the kitchen, Wang Chunhua's youngest son, Xiaojun, returned home, shouting as soon as he entered, "Mom, I'm starving!"

Wang Chunhua, sitting at the kitchen door making pancakes, poked her head out and shouted, "You hungry ghost! As soon as you come home, you start complaining. Come and greet everyone."

Zhou Xiaojun first saw Gu Nian and Gu Xiang, his eyes filled with curiosity. "Who are you? What are you doing in my house?"

"My name is Gu Xiang, and this is my sister, Gu Nian. We live next door."

Zhou Xiaojun suddenly understood. "Oh! I get it, you're Uncle Gu's children who survived!"

Gu Xiang and Gu Nian: Why does that sound so strange?

Hearing this, Wang Chunhua picked up a small wooden block and threw it at him. "What nonsense are you spouting? These are your younger brother and sister, and they're only half a year younger than you."

She then pointed to Su Zhaozhao. "This is Aunt Su. Call her."

Zhou Xiaojun scratched the back of his head. "Aunt Su."

Su Zhaozhao smiled. "Ah, Gu Xiang and Gu Nian just moved in. In the future, please take care of them and play with them more."

Being the youngest child at home, Zhou Xiaojun had never been entrusted with such a responsibility before. He puffed out his chest. "Aunt Su, rest assured! With me around, no one will dare bully them!"

Despite being only half a year older than Gu Xiang and Gu Nian, Zhou Xiaojun was almost a head taller, clearly well-nourished, unlike Gu Xiang and Gu Nian, who grew slowly due to lack of food.

Gu Xiang pouted. Who would dare bully him and his sister? He'd beat them until they cried!

The three children quickly got along and chattered non-stop during the meal.

In the afternoon, Su Zhaozhao went to the village to buy cloth without letting Gu Xiang and Gu Nian follow her. She sent them to play with Zhou Xiaojun instead.

The village was very close to the residential area, almost within walking distance. As soon as she reached the village entrance, Su Zhaozhao met an elderly woman with bound feet, leaning on a cane and carrying a basket.

"Grandma, hello."

The old lady's eyesight wasn't good, and she squinted at her for a while. "Who are you? I don't recognize you!"

Su Zhaozhao smiled. "I'm a military family member. Could I trouble you with a question?"

Hearing she was a military family member, the old lady immediately smiled. "What is it? Speak up, dear."

"It's like this. I just moved here and want to trade for some homespun..."

"Trade for cloth? Yes, yes! Come, come, follow me..." Without moving forward, she beckoned Su Zhaozhao into the village.

"Am I interrupting anything else you were doing? You can just point the way; I can go by myself." The old lady was carrying a basket, clearly heading somewhere.

"I was planning to go to the Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, but it doesn't matter if I go a bit later. I have some cloth at home."

The Supply and Marketing Cooperatives in the family resettlement area not only served the military families and affiliated units but also benefited the villagers nearby. In the past, the locals had to go to town for their market needs, but now they all came to the resettlement area, which had become a new town in its own right.

Compared to other towns, there wasn't much difference except that this one was under military jurisdiction.

Su Zhaozhao followed the old lady to her house. As soon as she stepped into the main room, she saw an old loom with half-finished cloth on it.

No one else was home; they had gone to work in the fields. Su Zhaozhao didn't go inside but waited on the doorstep.

When the old lady came out with a pile of cloth, Su Zhaozhao hurried to help.

"Dear, how much do you need?"

Su Zhaozhao took a look. "All of it."