Xiaowang cheerfully said, "Sister-in-law, I trust anything you bring me, even without checking!"
Despite saying this, he conscientiously checked the authenticity of the ration coupon and then moved the Da Qian Men and Maotai liquors onto the wooden counter. He added a jin of walnut cakes, "Sister-in-law, what else do you want to buy? Today is New Year’s Day, isn’t it? We’ve laid out a lot of stuff we didn’t dare to bring out before. There’s also something belonging to Colonel Lu’s wife. Just let me know what you need."
Backed by her resources, Feng Qingxue lacked nothing in terms of food or clothing. The primary reason she shopped was to blend in with the crowd.
"Give me two rolls of toilet paper, the kind that cost five mao per roll. I also brought the ration coupons that Colonel Lu asked the leaders for. I’ll take two bottles of the finest Maotai, and if you have canned luncheon meat, give me two cans of that." She thought of purchasing this Maotai which, decades later, would fetch the price of a wealthy buyer at an auction. Perhaps investing in Maotai wasn’t a bad idea at all.
Xiaowang brought out the items she requested. After the transaction ended, he reached under the counter and handed a packet of cheese to Feng Qingxue.
"I didn’t ask for this!" exclaimed Feng Qingxue.
Xiaowang grinned, "This is mine, not from the store. Take it home for Xibao to eat."
Upon hearing this, Feng Qingxue hastily declined, "No, no. Xiaowang, keep it for yourself. The gifts from Xiao Sang and Xiaohan are already plenty for Xibao." How delicate is Xibao?
"Absolutely not. You accepted gifts from Han Ping and Sang Hong. You can’t refuse mine. Otherwise, it will be a loss of face for me in front of Xibao!"
Guo Xiuying directly accepted it on behalf of Feng Qingxue, "Xiaowang, your sister-in-law now lives alone in the residential area. Whenever you and Colonel Lu are free, drop by their place. Xibao will surely like you."
Xiaowang agreed without hesitation.
Upon leaving the store, Guo Xiuying added to Feng Qingxue, "Life is mundane for everyone. Xibao is like everyone’s treasure. If you feel indebted, just give them some gifts in return. Don’t let down their genuine affection for Xibao. Although soldiers can sew and mend, most of them are not very skilled at it. Xiaowang’s shoes have two big holes, Han Ping got joint pain after fighting on the frontier with Ajiang in the snowy weather, and Sang Hong..."
"Sang Hong’s military padded jacket has several big holes and patches," Feng Qingxue interjected. She had noticed this long ago; there were patches on the knees and the backside.
Guo Xiuying laughed immediately, "You noticed!"
Feng Qingxue nodded. With her keen eyes, she had been observing the situation of the officers and soldiers under Lu Jiang’s command.
Back home, she put down both the purchased and gifted items. Guo Xiuying had also given her the walnut cakes. This small pile of items—all sincere gifts from the military family for Xibao.
"What a lucky little boy."
He was universally adored back in the city, and here that love was even greater. There was no need for her, in her motherly role, to take care of him. There were plenty of people to play with him, whether watching target practice or horse riding. The alternating visits from the soldiers and officers, all rushing to hold and play with him, made life exciting. How long had he been here? His cheeks had darkened a shade and became flushed.
Wait a second, darkened? Flush? Plateau red?
Feng Qingxue was dumbstruck as she looked at Xibao, who had been brought home because he wanted to drink milk. He rushed to her like a cannonball, hugging her leg and shouting to drink milk. As she watched the person who brought Xibao leave, Feng Qingxue could only think of one thing: Who would return her fair and chubby son back? Hurry back!
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