Chapter 74: I Want to See You Wearing a White Shirt

Chapter 74: I Want to See You Wearing a White Shirt

They couldn’t buy everything they wanted in the morning, so at noon, the family had dumplings at a state-run restaurant before continuing their shopping.

Mr. Tang had offered to host them for a meal, but Su Taotao and Fu Zhengtu tacitly refused.

These days, every household’s food ration was fixed, so they tried to avoid eating at other people’s homes as much as possible. Even when visiting, they would usually offer food vouchers as a courtesy.

The package for Zhou Linglan wasn’t large—just some dried shrimp, scallop, and seaweed. Su Taotao included a letter updating her on their recent situation and providing cooking instructions for the dried seafood.

She also had Fu Zhengtu and Chenchen send their regards to their mother (Chenchen's grandmother).

Fu Yuanhang had already prepared his letter earlier. There was a post office on the island, and he now received one yuan of pocket money each month, allowing him to buy stamps to write to Zhou Linglan whenever he wanted.

This time, his letter would be sent along with Su Taotao’s family letter.

Both kids in the family usually took afternoon naps. Fu Yuanhang could stay awake, but Chenchen was already so tired that he had fallen asleep on his father’s shoulder.

Su Taotao had promised to buy Fu Yuanhang some clothes, so they all went to the state-run department store.

These days, people preferred to shop in the morning, so the crowds were thinner in the afternoon.

Fu Yuanhang and Zhou Linglan, who were both frugal, winced at the prices of the clothes.

“Sister-in-law, maybe we shouldn’t buy anything? I can wear Dad’s old clothes if they’re altered,” Fu Yuanhang suggested.

Su Taotao pretended to sigh, “Are you implying that I don’t know how to alter clothes?”

Fu Yuanhang shook his head frantically, “Of course not, it’s just…”

Su Taotao ruffled his hair, “Alright, you’re not very old, but you worry about too many things. Be careful or you’ll get gray hairs early. We know how to manage the family’s money, so don’t worry about it yet.”

Su Taotao stopped in front of the men’s white shirts and held up the largest size, gesturing it towards Fu Zhengtu.

It would be a shame for him not to wear a white shirt.

“I’ll buy you one too,” Su Taotao said with a smile.

Fu Zhengtu was about to say that white clothes got dirty easily in the lab, and that his unit provided uniforms, but when he saw her smiling eyes, the words of refusal turned into a soft, “Okay.”

While speaking, his hand moved from the back of Chenchen’s head to his ear, then gently pulled away.

This man, his gentleness and patience were hidden in details that were almost invisible if you weren’t looking closely.

In the end, Su Taotao bought a white shirt for each of the three “men” in the family—her husband, Fu Yuanhang, and Chenchen. She also bought Fu Yuanhang an additional set of short-sleeved green military uniform and a pair of sandals, and got a pair of small sandals for Chenchen.

“What about you?” Fu Zhengtu asked softly, covering Chenchen’s ear with his hand.

Su Taotao shook her head, “I don’t have any fabric tickets left. I’m not short of clothes for now, I’ll save up some fabric tickets over the next few months.”

Fu Yuanhang tightened his grip on the clothes he was holding, silently vowing that when he grew up, he would buy lots of clothes for his sister-in-law.

Fu Zhengtu furrowed his brow. Chivalry was ingrained in his bones, and there was no way he would allow his wife and child to give up something for him, “I’ll give you mine. I can always get another one later.”

Fu Zhengtu actually didn’t lack clothes. His unit provided uniforms.

“But I want to see you in a white shirt,” Su Taotao said seriously.

Fu Zhengtu stopped abruptly, lowering his gaze and quietly looking at her for a moment, swallowing hard before saying softly, “Okay.”

The family headed to the second-floor electronics section to pick up a fan.

Chenchen slowly woke up and insisted on walking by himself.

Su Taotao held Chenchen's hand, while her two brothers-in-law lugged their shopping bags, trailing behind like protective escorts.

As they passed the photo studio, Su Taotao remembered that she and Fu Zhengtu hadn't taken their wedding photos yet.

She looked at the studio with regret and said, "It's a shame we don't have more time today; otherwise, we could've snapped some pictures."

Fu Zhengtu reassured her, "Zhou Zheng owns a camera and can develop photos himself. When he comes back, I'll take some photos of you two."

Su Taotao's eyes lit up. "That's wonderful. The island's scenery is breathtaking; those photos would be stunning!"

Fu Zhengtu could already imagine her standing with a bright smile on her face, wearing a white dress under the blue sky and white clouds, with the endless blue sea behind her. It would be stunning.

He nodded. "It will be beautiful."

By the time they left the state-run mall, it was already 4 PM. They caught the second-to-last bus back to the island, ending their tiring but fruitful day.

Fate sure works in mysterious ways.

Su Taotao's group unexpectedly ran into Zhang Chuncheng's family on the bus again.

The crowded bus made chatting difficult, so Su Taotao simply nodded in greeting before finding a seat. Chenchen, sitting in his father's arms, turned to look at Dongdong.

Su Taotao asked, "Does Chenchen want to play with Dongdong?"

Chenchen shook his head. "No, with Mama."

Though he claimed he wanted to play with Mom, the sleepy child soon drifted off.

Little Yuanhang, equally tired, nodded off too.

Su Taotao herself was swaying and soon leaned on Fu Zhengtu's shoulder.

The sudden weight on his shoulder jolted Fu Zhengtu awake. He turned his head to see Su Taotao's sleeping face, then looked at his son in his arms, his heart softening.

As the bus started, Fu Zhengtu used one hand to protect his son and the other to hold his wife. Forty minutes later, his arms ached from holding them both.

The first stop was downstairs of Su Taotao's home. To their surprise, the Zhangs also disembarked here.

Su Taotao and Xia Zhiqiu exchanged knowing smiles.

Su Taotao said, "The fate between our two families is really deep."

Zhang Chuncheng replied, "I only got the keys yesterday, and we haven't moved our things in yet." He pointed to the house above. "We're the first house in the second row. How about you?"

He had previously lived in a courtyard with other single young men and was only allocated a separate place after his family arrived.

Su Taotao said, "We're the first house in the first row."

Auntie Zhong lives in the second house of the second row.

Xia Zhiqiu was stunned for a moment, and almost simultaneously with Su Taotao, they said:

"Our homes are so close to each another!"

They exchanged another warm smile.

Zhang Chuncheng was actually several years older than Fu Zhengtu. The couple spent more time apart than together, and it took them several years of marriage before they had Dongdong.

Xia Zhiqiu was a formal worker in the city. In other words, she decided to move here with Zhang Chuncheng only after the base stabilized and they were given their own yard. Otherwise, she couldn't bear to give up such a good job to come to a place with an uncertain future.

The two men each carried their things home.

This dormitory was great in every aspect, except that the stairs were not very convenient for women.

Xia Zhiqiu wanted to thank Su Taotao once more for today’s help.

Su Taotao said, "You've thanked me many times already. No need to keep thanking me. By the way, how old is Dongdong?"

Xia Zhiqiu said, "He's two and a half years old. How about Chenchen?"

Su Taotao said, "Chenchen will be turning two tomorrow."

Su Taotao had originally wanted to suggest helping Chenchen celebrate his birthday tomorrow and invite Xia Zhiqiu to bring Dongdong over to play, but since they weren't very familiar, she didn't feel comfortable extending the invitation.

Unexpectedly, Xia Zhiqiu said, "Can I bring Dongdong over to give Chenchen a small gift tomorrow?"

Su Taotao smiled and said, "No need for gifts. I’m planning to make a cake for Chenchen tomorrow, and you can come over with Dongdong then."

Xia Zhiqiu asked in surprise, "You can actually make that Western-style cake? I’ve only ever seen it in the foreigner section at the Friendship Mall."

Su Taotao said, "I haven't made it before. I'm just trying it out. It might not be successful."

Xia Zhiqiu said, "Alright, then I’ll bring Dongdong over to see it."