Wang Shufen pondered for a mont: "I think we should go buy so minced at to make dumplings, that’ll cover the main dish, and then making side dishes will be easier. Otherwise, if we’re just having stead buns or noodles, the side dishes need to be more abundant. Also, buy so dried tofu for a cold dish, it should be quite good. Oh, and get a couple of canned fruits." Back then, canned food wasn’t sothing eaten regularly, it was mostly seen as a gift. Having so cans when hosting guests was a gesture of respect.
Sun Chan quickly nodded, and it was decided. The two of them took the groceries and went back to the army courtyard, cooking together.
They took out the celery they bought earlier, and Sun Chan also chopped so chives, preparing to make two types of dumpling fillings.
While she was making the dumpling fillings, Wang Shufen was rolling out the dumpling wrappers; "How are you finding it here? Are you feeling a bit awkward?"
Sun Chan smiled and said, "It’s fine, I don’t really go out much anyway."
"Your personality is good, you don’t like to fuss over things, but when it’s ti to toughen up, you have to. Don’t let others bully you easily. If soone asks to borrow money, absolutely don’t lend it."
"I know," Sun Chan smiled and said.
Wang Shufen looked into the room: "Lock your and Gu Junming’s bedroom later, don’t let anyone in. So of these army wives might bring their kids and rummaging through things wouldn’t be good."
Sun Chan readily agreed, knowing there were several special nightgowns from Yang Zhen in the bedside table drawers, it would be awkward if discovered. She quickly locked the door. Then, thinking more, she also locked the study, as there were many clothes and manuscripts that could be ssed up by kids, but she took out so magazines to show to people.
By the afternoon, the al was ready, with celery and at, chive and egg dumplings, and a bountiful spread on the table, with chicken, fish, and canned food, all looking and slling delicious.
Gu Junming ca in first with a few colleagues, and they all praised in unison, "Slls great!"
Sun Chan smiled and said, "It’s all homade food, wash your hands and get ready to eat!"
"Thank you, sister-in-law!"
"Sister-in-law, it’s really kind of you to go through so much trouble!"
Everyone admired the warm and nicely decorated ho, saying it was just like in the shows, much better looking than their own places.
Everything not only had complete furniture and appliances, but the balcony also had many flowers blooming beautifully, this surely was the way to live.
Then there was so bustling noise outside, as the army wives with their children ca in. Although Gu Junming had invited only seven or eight colleagues, their wives and children, a whole crowd ca in, filling the room.
These won chatted noisily, almost turning the roof over with their enthusiasm, eagerly pulling Sun Chan and talking about everything.
Sun Chan wasn’t much of a talker, just smiled, while Wang Shufen mostly helped to chat along.
So people touched the sofa, clicking their tongues in admiration, others checked out the TV and opened the fridge to inspect inside, feeling envious. Wondering how much all of this cost! It’s not sothing an average family could bear.
Liu Gang and Ai i didn’t co, saying Ai i wasn’t feeling well after falling down from upstairs, so Liu Gang took her to see the doctor.
Actually, Liu Gang was feeling upset and didn’t want to see Gu Junming, everyone was aware of the situation without saying it.
Liu Gang had been jumping around for quite so ti, trying hard for this promotion opportunity, but it was apparent to everyone. Disregarding the value of soldiers’ lives was too much, and the way he treated his wife made everyone keep a respectful distance, so no one brought him up intentionally.
Yan Kai and Liao Dongyuan didn’t co either, both living too far from Gu Junming now, making it inconvenient, but since they got along well, eting up another ti would be just as good.
In no ti, Sun Chan saw so kids banging on the doors trying to rush into the study and bedroom, the doors were rattling, fortunately, they were locked in advance.
Sun Chan laughed and said, "This room is quite ssy, won’t let you see it this ti. Have so persimmons, I bought so."
The won, out of curiosity wanting to see inside, found they couldn’t enter and could only glare at their kids, "Stop making a fuss, behave yourself!"
Sun Chan and Wang Shufen both let out a sigh of relief. So won, however, thought Sun Chan was stingy, wondering what couldn’t be seen.
The al was lively, going from the afternoon until past nine in the evening, with all the food on the table eaten up, and hundreds of dumplings gone, along with over ten bottles of beer and two bottles of spirits. Sun Chan admired the guests’ capacities for food.
On their way back, people were discussing Sun Chan and Gu Junming: "The young wife is quite good at cooking, isn’t she?"
"Indeed, and she’s quite good-looking too."
One woman laughed, "I saw how Gu Junming would glance at his wife from ti to ti, it made embarrassed to watch, so sweet. Their relationship is really good."
Another woman said sourly, "They truly have the life, both of them earning, and elders to help out, not like at our place where the elders in the countryside sotis ask for money, we’re struggling to make ends et, and no one to care."
"Enough already! Your family, at least, everyone is healthy. My old man is sick in bed, asking for money every day, it’s stressful. Those dishes today must have cost at least a hundred! Probably a whole month’s wage, they must be rich! Looks just like the city folks in the magazines."
"Comparing really is maddening. She’s really lucky, getting to be a daughter in the Yang family."
With feelings of envy, jealousy, and resentnt, everyone went ho with their own thoughts.
Sun Chan finally managed to send everyone off, massaged her own waist, feeling utterly exhausted.
Wang Shufen said, "You should rest well, I’ll take care of the dishes."
"Sis, you’re not going anywhere tonight, I’ll tidy up the small room next to us for you."
"Okay," Wang Shufen smiled, gathering up all the dishes.
Sun Chan wanted to wash the dishes but was stopped by Gu Junming: "You’ve worked hard today, I’ll do it instead."
"No need. You drank too much, go have a bath, since I’m just using detergent, it’ll be done soon." Sun Chan pushed Gu Junming toward the bathroom and washed dishes with Wang Shufen.
Wang Shufen laughed and said, "Few people were constantly jabbing at you today. They’re just typical of being envious of others, don’t pay any attention to what they say." A few won kept asking about her life in the countryside, asking if she had any friends there, just wanting to see if she had really married up. So also inquired about her work at the garnt factory in the city, asking if she could get them jobs there, all of which Sun Chan declined.
They aren’t skilled workers either, and wouldn’t be able to do much. Besides, these won, already in their thirties, seem quite accustod to comfort, and may not withstand the hardship.
Introducing them only leads to complaints if they can’t stick it out.
"These won, unwilling to work hard themselves, just make snide remarks at you."
"I didn’t even pick up on their sarcasm; honestly, I don’t care." Sun Chan smiled and said.
"That’s good. Not all army wives have good standards, so be careful in the future."
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