"Perfect," He Teng’s lip corners lifted uncontrollably. "It looks really good."
"I thought it would sit about right!" He Zhilan happily twirled around He Teng. Since it was her first time knitting a sweater, she had no clue how to cinch it at the waist for a better fit. Luckily, He Teng had a great physique, so even this kind of sweater looked good on him.
"Brother, do you like it?" He Zhilan asked, her smile slightly sycophantic, her face eager to please. "If you do, I’ll knit one for you every winter."
He Teng looked up at her and nodded.
He Zhilan was unsure whether his nod meant he liked the sweater, or he agreed to her knitting one every year. Seeing He Teng in good spirits, she held out her dainty, round hand to him. "Brother! The New Year is coming, do I get a red envelope?"
He Teng looked shocked, then bewildered, shaking his head. "No, I didn’t prepare any."
He hadn’t thought about red envelopes. He hadn’t celebrated New Year at home in many years, how could he remember something as old fashioned as a red envelope?
Seeing his wife pouting, He Teng cleared his throat, "How old are you? Still want a red envelope? I’ll go get you some food."
With that, he turned and walked out. Before he left, he couldn’t help but rub the fabric of the sweater, lips curving upward again. It was only when he reached downstairs that he remembered leaving his military coat in the room. However, he didn’t bother going back to take it, strutting out directly in his sweater.
"Wow! Look at our platoon leader He, looking so lively! Youth really is a beautiful thing!" A passing comrade commented in jest, adjusting his own clothes and pretending to shiver in the cold. "I haven’t seen this sweater before. Got new clothes since the wife came, huh?"
"Ah, it’s a new hand-knit sweater from your wife! No wonder, I bet it warms your heart just wearing it. If it was me, I wouldn’t need a coat either! Damn, I’m so envious!"
Feeling a bit embarrassed, He Teng raised his hand and touched the tip of his nose. Full of joy when he had first worn the sweater, he hadn’t thought about changing before going out to fetch food for He Zhilan. Upon reaching downstairs, he didn’t want to go back to put on a coat, but being teased made him feel a little awkward.
Just then, Chen Zheng and his wife walked over, the first thing they noticed was He Teng’s new sweater.
"He Teng, did your wife knit it for you? Hand-knit?" Upon catching sight, Chen began to laugh.
A bit awkwardly, He Teng nodded, "Yeah, my wife made it, she hand-knit it."
He Teng’s response to Chen Zheng’s questions left everyone around laughing. Even Chen’s wife was nearly bending over from laughter. "He Teng’s wife really is handy. The sweater looks good, but aren’t you afraid of getting a cold wearing it !"
After being teased for a while, He Teng finally managed to make his escape. However, after only taking a few steps, he suddenly turned back.
When the others saw him, they asked, "What’s up? Haven’t finished showing off? Can’t bear to leave?"
"No," He Teng shook his head, then looked at Chen Zheng’s wife and asked, "Sister-in-law, do you have any extra red envelope packets? Could I have one?"
"Yes!" Chen’s family had a child, so they definitely had red envelope packets prepared for New Year’s. Chen’s wife nodded and replied, "This afternoon, I’ll have Chen bring one over to you. Why, now that you’re married, you’ve finally remembered to give red envelopes to your wife?"