As she said this, He Zhilan was ready to stand up and pour some hot tea for everyone. But as she stood up, she remembered that all the hot water He Teng brought seemed to be used up. She felt somewhat embarrassed, having already asked if anyone wanted tea. If she didn’t at least make an effort, it might seem like she was insincere.
He Zhilan was considering pretending to get up and realizing only then that the water in the teapot was gone and then apologizing to the two elder sisters. However, Hen Cailuan was quicker than her, swiftly picking up the teapot and pouring it herself. She laughed, "It’s best that you keep those hands of yours safe, don’t injure yourself pouring us water. If He Teng finds out, he’ll be furious with us for bullying you!"
With that said, Hen Cailuan poured the hot water into a small cup, sipping as she sighed, "In the barracks, everyone always says that our Captain He is dull and uncouth, a mute and a blockhead. But look, even if he’s mute, he’s still thoughtful, much better than my husband. My husband would never remember to heat water for us!"
Listening to Hen Cailuan’s words, and watching her pour water to drink by herself, He Zhilan couldn’t help but chuckle. This must have been brought by He Teng while she was asleep!
After finishing her drink, Hen Cailuan poured another cup for Zhang Lian, showing no hesitation towards He Zhilan. But as Zhang Lian was drinking, Hen Cailuan suddenly said, "Lian, you and your husband were really noisy last night~ It was like dry wood meets a raging fire~ I could hear it from next door the entire night!"
"Pfth—" Zhang Lian spewed out a mouthful of tea, her face flushed from trying to suppress her laughter.
Done, Hen Cailuan then turned to He Zhilan. Feeling Hen Cailuan’s gaze, He Zhilan instinctively tensed up, wondering whether she was about to comment on her and He Teng’s noise from last night.
Fortunately, it wasn’t. After all, Hen Cailuan and He Zhilan’s rooms were separated by Zhang Lian and her husband’s room.
"Zhilan should have heard it too, with both of us on either side of her. Did you hear anything last night?" Perhaps because everyone was already married, Hen Cailuan didn’t feel shy talking about intimate topics.
He Zhilan vigorously shook her head, "I slept very soundly last night."
As the three were talking, a few people outside saw that the door was open and walked in. First, they greeted He Zhilan and congratulated He Teng on his promotion to captain, and then they suddenly turned their attention to He Zhilan and Zhang Lian. In surprise, they exclaimed, "Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, why are you still wearing yesterday’s clothes? Why haven’t you changed into new clothes?"
He Teng, standing outside the door, heard this, and his body went stiff.
Had it not been for someone else pointing it out, he wouldn’t have noticed that He Zhilan did not have any new clothes to wear for the new year.
"As long as there are enough clothes to wear, that’s enough. I’m not a kid, there’s no need to buy new clothes every year. Besides, my brother works hard for his money, and our family still has to pay for my schooling and Dongxue’s. There’s no need to waste money ," He Zhilan replied honestly. After responding, she noticed He Teng standing at the door. She stood up and called out to him.
Seeing He Teng’s return, a group of people dispersed. To tell the truth, many people, because they didn’t interact with He Teng much and because he always wore a serious expression, were a bit wary of him.
Finally, the room was quiet. Although He Zhilan quite liked Hen Cailuan and Zhang Lian, both being military wives like herself, she didn’t like the people who had just walked in and started a conversation with her. These people, they must come from well-off backgrounds. Based on the question they asked her, it was clear they were not just naive, but were intentionally mocking her.