These days in the store, she didnât dare to eat much, and Mom wouldnât let her eat either.
Today was just the right day to enjoy a meal with a few sisters-in-law.
"Xiao Wan, youâre pregnant, eat more bland food," Sister-in-law Zhang said as she saw Xiao Wan dipping various dishes into the boiling pot.
"Itâs okay, Iâm not afraid of spicy food."
"Sister-in-law Lin is pregnant? How come she likes spicy food?" Sun Yu looked at the dishes served, feeling uncomfortable, but upon hearing this, her expression improved a lot.
Everyone present knew what she meant by this statement. Liking spicy food during pregnancy implied that Lin Wan might be having a girl.
Lin Wan seemed oblivious to her insinuation, nodded, and continued eating her food.
Others didnât pick up on Sun Yuâs words, leaving her quite embarrassed for a moment.
Feeling annoyed inside, she couldnât understand why nothing good ever happened when she met Lin Wan.
When Liang Hongmei came back from school and saw those accompanying the army had arrived, she remembered what Han Yi told her the last time he left.
She quickly called out Xiao Wan, "Last time Han Yi came, he said you should bring some yogurt when you go to the military district; he mentioned that there were two places asking for it."
"Oh, is that so? Mom, please help me prepare it, and Iâll take it later."
"Later?" Liang Hongmei seemed to understand and asked, "Are you leaving with them later?"
Lin Wan nodded, "Yeah, I just asked Xiao Gu to help me bring some things home."
"Alright then, Iâll help you prepare it," thought Liang Hongmei as she quickly considered what they might still need while helping prepare things for her daughterâs trip to the district.
After wandering outside for most of the day, it was warm and cozy here, and the food was enjoyable. Everyone was very happy.
Sun Yu didnât accept this favor. When they were almost done, Sun Yu said, "Sister-in-law Lin, Iâve just calculated. These dishes cost nine yuan eighty cents. We agreed with a few sisters-in-law that we would pool our money for a meal. There are six of us, each should pay one yuan sixty-three cents."
The figure of two yuan forty made everyone pause; they had been busy eating and hadnât thought it would cost so much.
Two yuan and more could buy a lot of rabbit fur.
Lin Wan could understand what Sun Yu meant. She had ordered so many good dishes on her own, which cost a lot, and surely the sisters-in-law were not too happy about it, leading to some dissatisfaction.
"Sister Sun, you made a mistake. Itâs not that much. How can we be like others, right, sisters-in-law?"
"Exactly, our relationship with Xiao Wan cannot be compared with others," one sister-in-law agreed with Lin Wan, feeling that it was right to give them a discount since they were all from big provinces or district institutes. Maybe even better to waive the bill altogether.
Zhang Cuiping, chewing on a piece of meat, knew what this sister-in-law meantâtrying to take advantage of a deal. "Even though weâre all from the same big complex, times are tough for everyone, and we shouldnât have people spend money unnecessarily. Whoever should pay should pay," Zhang Cuiping said in a way that left no room for opinion. Receiving hospitality, itâs only right to pay what is due.
"Letâs forget it this time. Next time the sisters-in-law come, I wonât give them any special treatment. Whatever it costs, it costs," Lin Wan said with a smile.
"No, thatâs not okay. What should be paid still has to be paid; we donât like owing others," Sun Yuâs words put everyone in an awkward position.
At the end of the day, they all paid Sun Yu when settling the bill.
But at the counter, Liang Hongmei only charged them four yuan, saying that it was for the dishes. She didnât say no to any payment, nor did she charge the original price.
Each person paid sixty cents. They had eaten all the good stuff earlier, and it wouldnât cover even the cost. Lin Wanâs intention was appreciated.
But Sun Yu was not happy. "Sister-in-law Lin either looks down on us or pities us; we can afford this money. No need to save for us." Saying this, she slammed the money back on the counter.
Sun Yuâs action left Lin Wan and Liang Hongmei at the counter stunned, not just them but the other sisters-in-law too.
They were puzzled by Sun Yuâs cause of drama. What looking down or pitying? They didnât think so.
Wasnât she embarrassing Lin Wan? How could they ever face Lin Wan afterwards?
Before they could speak, Sun Yu, with a smile on her face, pulled one of the familiar sisters-in-law out. As she left, she didnât forget to turn back and say, "Sisters-in-law, hurry up, the vehicle may have arrived." This time Zhang Cuiping and the others didnât pay her any attention but turned to Lin Wan and said, "Donât listen to her; we didnât mean anything like that."
"Neither did I," Shi Lan peeked over and said with a smile.
"I know, come to think of it, this time it was my fault too. When I came, I arbitrarily ordered a lot of food for the sisters-in-law, thinking that since itâs just us, and itâs rare for the sisters-in-law to come here, I should treat you all well." Indeed, she shouldnât have done that. She hadnât thought others might feel embarrassed eating for free; after all, itâs her business.
Even if they paid and she only collected a little less, it seemed she was deliberately trying to make them feel indebted, and anyone would be uncomfortable with that.
"This isnât your fault today. Anyone would have done the same thing. By the way, thanks for today. You even made porridge and fried eggs for my kid," said one of the sisters-in-law. Had it not been for Sun Yu, how could they have come to such a pricey place today?
Since Xiao Wan saw them as neighbors and charged them just enough to cover costs, Sun Yu was the one who wasnât satisfied. Feeling pretentious and looking down on othersâthat was her own doing. In the end, she even dragged others into it.
"Itâs the least I could do," Lin Wan said, feeling very uncomfortable, thinking she handled the matter inappropriately.
Seeing Xiao Gu pulling Lin Wanâs things over, Liang Hongmei hurriedly told Xiao Wan to get on the vehicle with the sisters-in-law. The military district vehicle had just parked.
"Xiao Gu, thank you so much this time," Xiao Wan said, feeling reluctant to travel with Sun Yu. But seeing her mom and Sister-in-law Zhang helping her load things onto the vehicle, she held her ground.
"Itâs nothing, Sister Xiao Wan, check if I got everything right; make sure nothingâs left behind."
"Itâs all here. I donât have much stuff."
"Xiao Wan, didnât that comrade seem to have a problem with you just now? I noticed she wasnât looking at you very kindly. Did you have a falling out with someone over there?" Liang Hongmei asked her daughter discreetly, concerned.
"No, you should know my temper by now, Mom. Itâs just that some people donât like me, thatâs all. We live far apart, rarely meet, and I canât be bothered with them, so donât worry."
"Thatâs good then. Remember to be careful over there, and you mustnât act willful," Liang Hongmei subtly reminded her daughter, fearing they might act recklessly on their own.
"Mom, I understand, the doctor has explained everything. Iâm not a child," Lin Wan felt awkward as she heard her mother talk like this.
"Thatâs good, now get on the vehicle," Liang Hongmei and Xiao Gu helped her onto the vehicle.
"Comrades, please look after my daughter Xiao Wan during the journey," Liang Hongmei earnestly requested those on the vehicle.
"...Donât worry, weâll take good care of Sister Lin," Zhang Cuiping had initially wanted to call Liang Hongmei Auntie, but upon noticing how young Lin Wanâs mother looked, she felt it wasnât appropriate to call her Big Sister either, so she said nothing at all.
Lin Wan brought along quite a few things this time, making everyone traveling with them a bit envious of her familyâs possessions.
There was no conversation on the road, and upon reaching the courtyard, the soldiers from the mess hall had a task to report. After writing down the items she brought, they let the military police help her carry them home.
Seeing the cold stove, it was clear Han Yi hadnât returned.
Lin Wan scrubbed the pot, boiled water, and started organizing the things she brought back.
Before long, she heard a knock at the door. Lin Wan went over to peek through the crack.
As she expected, Wang Guihua and her daughter had come. Lin Wan didnât respond to them and quietly went back to the kitchen to continue organizing her things.
Cabbage, potatoes, radishes. Bean sprouts, tofu, two chickens, five kilos of meat, and even some lotus root. It seems Mom had prepared quite a lot for her.
About a dozen bottles of yogurtâLin Wan didnât know who they were for, so she put them in the cupboard, intending to ask Han Yi when he got back.
Wang Guihua knocked for a while, shouted a couple of times, and when no answer came, muttering under her breath, she left.
Lin Wan couldnât hear her, but she knew it wouldnât be anything pleasant.
The water boiled, and the room warmed up significantly. Lin Wan changed the sheets and covers and used hot water to wipe down the inside of the room.