Fang Pingying nodded with the other person and helped them carry the luggage to the side so as not to block the way for others behind them.
After moving aside, Fang Pingying asked Fang Xiu, "Xiu’er, why did you come here?"
Fang Xiu spoke with some annoyance, "I was so bored at home and thought about coming to see Zhiming. Ever since he moved to the provincial city, I have had several dreams where I dreamed something happened to him, and I can’t stop worrying about him."
Fang Pingying thought to herself, it’s true what they say about husband and wife having a telepathic connection, and indeed, Luo Zhiming has had some troubles.
It was a good thing she didn’t come a few days earlier. Otherwise, if Fang Xiu had found out about the matter between Luo Zhiming and another woman, who knows how she would have reacted.
Fang Pingying let out a sigh in her heart and then said to Fang Xiu, "Let’s go, we’ll talk more when we get back."
The group picked up their belongings and went to catch a bus by the train station. Fang Pingying saw that Luo Honglan was carrying so much luggage and asked while walking, "Hong Lan, why did you bring so much stuff? Some things could be taken after the New Year’s too, you know."
Hong Lan shook her head and pointed to the two small bags in Luo Zhiyong’s hands at the front, "No, I only have two bags, just some winter clothing, the rest of the bags are all my second sister-in-law’s."
Fang Pingying counted and saw that Fang Xiu had six bags to herself; this was clearly not the luggage of someone planning to stay for just a few days.
She asked Fang Xiu, "Xiu’er, are you planning to stay in the provincial city for a long time? You brought so much stuff with you."
Fang Xiu smiled pleasingly at Fang Pingying, expressing a bit of flattery, "Big sister, after thinking it over, I feel that it’s not right for me and Zhiming to be apart for such a long time. I also want to come to the city to work. Could you ask your husband to find me some work too?"
Fang Pingying felt somewhat helpless, "Fang Xiu, your big brother isn’t someone who specializes in finding jobs for people. He can’t even finish his own work every day. Besides, what do you think you could do?"
"That’s what you did for Hong Lan, still found her work to do," Fang Xiu pursed her lips, saying with a sense of grievance, "Don’t forget, you promised mom that as long as I was willing to work hard, you would take me along."
Indeed, while at home, Fang Pingying had said something like that to Li Yuchun, stating that as long as Fang Xiu was willing to work hard, she could bring Fang Xiu along to work with her.
Now that Fang Xiu was willing to work, and she had come along with Luo Honglan, Fang Pingying found it difficult to outright refuse her. So she laid down the rules first,
"Fang Xiu, if you really are willing to work with us, that’s fine, you’ll get paid the same as Hong Lan. But you’ll have to do the same work. If I am not satisfied with what you do, I can let you go at any time, and then you’ll have to figure out your own living arrangements."
Fang Xiu felt that Fang Pingying talked this way because she wanted her to back off, still not willing to let her work here, which made her slightly unhappy, "Understood, since I’m able to come out and work, obviously I have thought it all through."
Seeing her respond this way, Fang Pingying temporarily agreed, "Alright, if you say so yourself, that’s fine."
"Big sister, where is Zhiming working, can you take me to find him first?" Fang Xiu continued to ask.
Fang Pingying replied, "It’s not too far from your big brother’s military barracks. Tonight, let’s get Zhiming to come over and see how we can arrange it for you."
After welcoming Luo Honglan and Fang Xiu, the group took the bus to the place where they had bought the couch. Fortunately, the shop had arranged for a delivery truck. Luo Zhiyong sat upfront to direct the driver to the barracks, while there was a large van at the back for the women and all the belongings to fit.
Throughout the journey, Fang Xiu watched the scenery along the way to the provincial city, her eyes filled with envy as she smiled and said, "The city really is better, not only are the buildings taller, but the clothes people wear are much nicer than what we have in the countryside."
Fang Pingying glanced at her and said coolly, "The countryside has its own advantages. Don’t always assume the city is better. You’ll understand after you’ve lived here for a while."
"Big sister, the clothes you’re wearing are really pretty. Where did you buy them? Tomorrow I’m going to ask Zhiming to take me shopping too." Fang Xiu spoke as she reached out to touch the wool sweater Fang Pingying was wearing, clearly very fond of the garment.
"It wasn’t bought, I knitted it myself. Getting clothes in the city is expensive."
"But could you help me..."
Fang Pingying knew what she was going to ask and cut her off, "I don’t have the time lately. You said you came to work, don’t start thinking of other things as soon as you arrive. Besides, it’s not easy for Zhiming to make money in the provincial city. As his wife, you need to learn to be understanding and not just know how to spend money."
Seeing Fang Xiu’s way of spending money recklessly without a thought for the future, Fang Pingying couldn’t help but worry she would follow in the footsteps of the older generation.
Fang Xiu was already impatient from being lectured by Fang Pingying as soon as she arrived. However, she dared not lose her temper since she needed something from Fang Pingying, so she just pouted with a hint of impatience, "I know, big sister. Haven’t seen you in a while and you’ve learned how to give lectures, is it from the army with big brother? Does big brother often scold his soldiers?"
"Don’t talk nonsense." Hearing her impatience, Fang Pingying couldn’t be bothered with her anymore and turned to talk to Luo Honglan, "Hong Lan, why are you so quiet."
Luo Honglan rubbed her temples, her voice weak, "Sister-in-law, I feel a bit carsick. I felt dizzy on the train too."
"Yeah, and she gets carsick on such smooth train rides..."
It was Fang Xiu’s first time coming to the provincial city; she was very excited and talked non-stop along the way. Sometimes she praised the city, other times she spoke of her family matters.
Originally, it was Zhou Yunmei who planned to come, worried about Luo Honglan traveling alone by train. However, Luo Dashan prevented her, and so Zhou Yunmei dropped the idea.
In her heart, Fang Pingying felt relieved; it was a good thing Zhou Yunmei didn’t come. If she did, she might very well have been a match for Xiao Juzi’s mother-in-law.
Ever since Xiao Juzi’s mother-in-law found out about Xiao Juzi’s pregnancy, she had been staying with the army continuously, leading to Xiao Juzi frequently returning to her maternal home. She had been around for about half a month, and Xiao Juzi had probably spent over ten days at her parent’s home.
Every time, Xiao Juzi would argue with her mother-in-law and then return to her maternal home. With no alternative, Huang Lin would come to fetch her the next day after work. Two days after being brought back, Xiao Juzi would be upset and return to her maternal home again. This cycle repeated to the point Huang Lin was nearly driven mad.
Recently, Fang Pingying even saw Huang Lin asking Luo Zhiyong for advice in her study, trying to come up with a way to send his mother back home.
The delivery truck, not having to stop along the way, was much faster than the bus. Usually, taking a bus would take over an hour, but today it took just over half an hour to reach the military compound.
The soldier guarding the entrance saw that it wasn’t a military vehicle and opened the barrier to stop it. In the end, it was Luo Zhiyong who went to give a greeting before they allowed the truck to continue into the family courtyard behind the army compound.
Today was a weekend, and everyone in the courtyard was at home. Hearing a vehicle outside, they all ran to see.
Seeing that Fang Pingying had bought furniture, several households gathered around to look. (To be continued. If you work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your vote for recommended tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)