Chapter 26
Ye Qingzhi put the mutton on to stew. While Yangyang was sleeping, she washed the clothes from the day before.
The water here was too cold. Ye Qingzhi was already weak and couldn’t stand the cold. Fortunately, the stove was always lit at home, and there was a kettle on it, so there was no shortage of hot water. She could mix in some hot water to wash.
Winter clothes were too thick and hard to knead. No wonder the laundry paddle was invented. The wisdom of the ancestors was truly amazing.
After finally finishing the laundry, Ye Qingzhi once again missed the washing machine. She didn’t know if they existed now, but unfortunately, she wouldn’t dare to use one even if they did.
While there was still some sun, she quickly hung the clothes out to dry. Then she prepared to start making dinner.
The guests today were all good friends of He Qiming: Regiment Commander Xu, Shen Qingyuan, Wang Heng, and Li Hanxing. The family members who came were Yang Xiaorou and Zhao Lan. Bai Xue and Li Jinfeng did not come.
Last time, Li Jinfeng had specially come to invite her. Of course, Ye Qingzhi had to go as well. As she had expected, Li Jinfeng was already eating with her children and was not willing to come.
Back at home, Ye Qingzhi saw that everyone had arrived. She hurried to bring out the food. Yang Xiaorou and Zhao Lan both enthusiastically helped.
“Sister-in-law, don’t be busy. Sit down and eat with us,” Regiment Commander Xu said with a smile.
Ye Qingzhi smiled at him. This Regiment Commander Xu looked to be about the same age as He Qiming. Not to mention that his rank was one level higher, just his appearance and temperament showed that his family background was not ordinary.
Shen Qingyuan probably also had some background. You could tell just from the way he spoke to Regiment Commander Xu.
“Sister-in-law, tell us, how did you win over Old He?” Regiment Commander Xu joked.
“She didn’t have to win me over. The moment she stood there, I chased after her myself.” He had nothing to do tomorrow, so they had opened a bottle of wine. He Qiming smiled and clinked glasses with them.
“Oh, oh, oh! Old He, you have such a day. Sister-in-law, tell us, how did he chase you? Did he use some underhanded means?” Li Hanxing also did not let He Qiming off.
“Don’t talk nonsense. The moment I stood there, my wife was also crazy about me,” He Qiming laughed heartily.
“You’re bragging. Sister-in-law is right here. We’ll have to ask her,” Shen Qingyuan said with a laugh.
Ye Qingzhi smiled at them and lowered her head to continue eating.
“Sister-in-law, I’m really sorry about what happened today. I didn’t expect my little rascal to say such a thing. I’ve already taught him a lesson. He won’t dare to talk nonsense in the future,” Yang Xiaorou said, holding up a glass of Ye Qingzhi’s homemade apple juice to apologize to her.
“Since the school has already punished him, the matter is over,” Ye Qingzhi said, holding up her apple juice and clinking glasses with Yang Xiaorou. “Is the child’s nose alright? My second son was a bit heavy-handed.”
“It’s fine. Hey, it’s not your second son’s fault. It’s his own fault for talking nonsense,” Yang Xiaorou said, a little relieved after confirming that Ye Qingzhi would not pursue the matter.
Beside her, Zhao Lan was a little unwilling to see them make peace, but there were so many people here, she didn’t dare to cause any trouble.
These were all skilled commanders. To play tricks in front of them was to court death.
After a full meal, the guests left one after another. Zhao Lan wanted to stay and help her clean up the dishes but was politely refused by Ye Qingzhi.
And Regiment Commander Xu, with his arm around He Qiming’s shoulder, said sorry to Ye Qingzhi and also said he would have a good talk with Bai Xue.
There were many benefits to having four dishes when hosting guests in the Northwest. Besides not having to rack your brains for dishes and not having to be busy with all sorts of things, it also saved a lot of trouble when washing the dishes.
It was not like hosting guests in the south, with seven bowls and eight plates. It would take half a day just to wash the dishes.
“Let’s just leave them. You’ve been tired all day. I’ll wash them tomorrow morning,” He Qiming said, putting the bowls and chopsticks into the washbasin together.
Ye Qingzhi was indeed very tired, but it was just a few bowls. She planned to wash them before resting. It wouldn’t take long.
“Mama, I’ll do it,” Ye Anmin said, taking the dishcloth from Ye Qingzhi’s hand.
“No need. You go and memorize the pinyin. If you don’t understand anything, you can come and ask me,” Ye Qingzhi said, taking back the dishcloth. Seeing that He Jingyan was already sweeping the floor, she glared at him. “You too. When you’ve caught up with your studies, you won’t be able to get out of doing chores even if you don’t want to.”
He Qiming patted the two children on the back and told them to take their younger brother to the study. He himself stayed behind to clean up with Ye Qingzhi.
“What’s your relationship with Deputy Battalion Commander Zhang?” Ye Qingzhi asked, thinking of Zhao Lan. He Qiming had to go to work at noon, and she hadn’t had a chance to ask.
“He was transferred from another army. We’ve had little contact, so our relationship can only be considered average. He’s always smiling, and I’ve never heard of him getting angry with anyone. What’s wrong? Did Sister Lan say something again today?” He Qiming asked with a frown.
Ye Qingzhi repeated what Sister Lan had said and then also mentioned her suspicions.
“I’ll be careful,” He Qiming said, taking note of the matter. Then he turned to Ye Qingzhi with concern. “If you don’t like her, you don’t have to interact with her. I don’t need any ‘madam’s social circle’.”
Ye Qingzhi chuckled lightly. “What ‘madam’s social circle’? I don’t know how to do that. It’s just that we all live in the family compound, so we can’t make things too ugly. Look at her and Bai Xue. They clearly dislike each other, but they still greet each other with a smile on the surface.”
They were all people with families and children. Unless a bottom line was really crossed, they wouldn’t easily tear off their masks.
That night, the two of them did nothing but sleep in each other’s arms. This time, Ye Qingzhi woke up with He Qiming in the morning. But she didn’t get up. She wrapped herself in the quilt and watched him get dressed.
“I want to order some goat’s milk from the herdsmen. I heard it’s good for the body,” Ye Qingzhi said, her voice lazy.
“Goat’s milk? I’ll talk to the mess squad about this. They can help order it, and the price will be cheaper. The main thing is that the things they find are better,” He Qiming said, getting dressed. He leaned over and kissed Ye Qingzhi. “I’ll have them get some nougat, made with milk and highland barley. It’s very fragrant.”
Ye Qingzhi nodded, reached out to straighten his collar, and then quickly pulled her hand back.
“It’s getting cold so fast. It feels a few degrees colder than yesterday. Yangyang and I are fine at home, but Jingyan and the others must be very cold in the classroom. No, I have to go to the town again. It’s too late to knit sweaters now. I have to buy a few ready-made cashmere sweaters.”
“Alright, you decide,” He Qiming said, kissing Ye Qingzhi again, then turned and went out for drills.
In a daze, Ye Qingzhi fell back asleep. When she woke up again, He Qiming had already come back with breakfast.
“It’s snowing outside. If you want to go to the town, go today. I’m afraid you won’t be able to go tomorrow,” He Qiming said, scooping a bowl of porridge for Ye Qingzhi and handing her a bun. “See what’s missing at home and buy it all today. Stock up on some of the things that are used up quickly.”
After breakfast, Ye Qingzhi dressed herself and the child in thick cotton-padded jackets. Unfortunately, the hats and scarves were not ready. She had originally thought it was nothing, but when the cold wind blew outside, her skin felt like it was cracking, a biting pain.
It was imperative to go to the town to buy scarves and hats today. She was fine, but the three children had to go to and from school. They could really get frostbitten.
“Sister Jinfeng, are you going to the town?” Ye Qingzhi asked, pushing open the yard gate.
“I am. I was just about to look for you,” Li Jinfeng said, stomping her feet from the cold. “How can the weather change so suddenly? The scarf I brought is too thin and can’t block the wind. I have to go to the town to buy a scarf and a hat.”
Li Jinfeng saw that Yangyang was wearing He Qiming’s hat, which almost covered his entire head, leaving only a small, round chin. Seeing that the others had no hats or scarves, she knew that Ye Qingzhi had the same plan as her.
“Don’t take the two children. It’s so cold. Let’s leave them with Zhang Dama for now, and ask her if she needs anything,” Li Jinfeng said, picking up Li Wenhua. She had Li Wenshu go to school with He Jingyan and the others, while she and the others went to Zhang Dama’s house.
“Are you going to the town? Just in time, help me buy a hat and a scarf,” Zhang Dama said, taking a cloth bag from the inner pocket of her pants. She peeled it open layer by layer, there must have been four or five layers, before she saw the money inside.
Ye Qingzhi glanced at Liu Yuqin, who was huddled by the stove, and asked in a low voice, “One of each?”
Zhang Dama hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Liu Yuqin. “Buy another set of a hat and a scarf.”
The Northwest was different from Jiangnan. The winter here could really freeze people to death.
No matter how much she disliked this daughter-in-law, Zhang Dama didn’t want her to die. And if she really froze to death, it wouldn’t be good for her son’s reputation either.
Ye Qingzhi and the other woman entrusted their children to Zhang Dama, took the money, and turned to go to the main gate to wait for the procurement vehicle.
Ye Qingzhi was better off in her leather boots, but Li Jinfeng’s cotton shoes were not at all resistant to the cold, so she kept stomping her feet.
“You’re so smart. It seems I also have to buy leather boots,” Li Jinfeng said, looking around. She leaned closer to Ye Qingzhi and whispered, “I met a military wife yesterday, named Li Guifang. We have the same surname. She’s a country wife from Dong Province. She told me that the herdsman Sister Lan took people to buy from, although a little cheaper, has poor craftsmanship and a bad attitude. It’s better to spend a few more cents at the supply and marketing cooperative. At least the inspectors have checked them carefully, and they are all quality goods.”
Ye Qingzhi hadn’t expected this inside story. From Zhao Lan’s demeanor before, she had seemed like a leader of the country wives and was highly respected by the country faction. But now, it seemed that was not the case.
“Don’t go to any herdsman’s house with her to buy a hat. Let’s just buy them at the supply and marketing cooperative today. When she asks later, we’ll just say it was too cold and we couldn’t wait,” Li Jinfeng said. Seeing the car coming, she waved her hand and pulled Ye Qingzhi to run over. “Let’s go, I’m freezing.”
This time, it was another big shopping trip. Besides the necessary scarves and hats, Ye Qingzhi also bought a few more clam oils. With a large family, they were used up quickly.
After thinking for a moment, she also bought a bottle of vanishing cream for herself, and also cashmere sweaters, one for her and one for each of the children. It cost over a hundred yuan, almost a month’s salary for He Qiming.
No wonder you didn’t need tickets. These cashmere sweaters were really not something ordinary people could afford.
“You’re buying so many cashmere sweaters?” Li Jinfeng’s heart ached for her when she saw Ye Qingzhi pay.
“I can’t help it. It’s too cold, especially for Jingyan and the others who have to go to school. How can they not wear warm clothes?” Ye Qingzhi said, buying some more spices.
Li Jinfeng thought of her two children, gritted her teeth, and also bought two sets. She didn’t need one for herself. Anyway, she didn’t go out much. She could just endure it.
“Is there anything else you want to buy?” Li Jinfeng asked, carefully putting away the cashmere sweaters.
“Qiming has saved a few pieces of leather. I’m having a coat made at the old tailor’s. I want to go and see how it’s going,” Ye Qingzhi said. She knew it wouldn’t be ready so soon, she just wanted to ask about the progress.
“I’ll go with you.” After finishing her shopping, Li Jinfeng had nothing to do, so she went with Ye Qingzhi to get acquainted with the place.
As expected, the clothes were not ready so soon. The old tailor said it would take at least ten more days to pick them up.
“The clothes are so beautiful,” Li Jinfeng said, looking at the clothes the old tailor had already made, a little tempted.
“Do you have any leather at home? If you do, you can have a leather coat made here. It’s warmer than a cotton-padded jacket,” Ye Qingzhi said, rubbing her hands. She went with Li Jinfeng to wait for the procurement vehicle.
Because they were wearing hats and scarves, the two of them were not as cold standing outside. At least they could stand.
“Qingzhi, um, I heard that you and Regiment Commander He are on your second marriage?” Li Jinfeng had heard this news yesterday and had been itching with curiosity. Seeing Ye Qingzhi today, she had wanted to ask since the morning but had been too embarrassed. Now she really couldn’t hold it in any longer.
Ye Qingzhi looked at her playfully. She had been hesitant and conflicted since they met in the morning. So this was what she wanted to ask.
“Yes, my ex-husband passed away from an illness. I met Qiming through a relative. We felt we were a good match and got together,” Ye Qingzhi admitted generously.
Li Jinfeng looked at her with sympathy, then comforted her, “It’s fine. You’re married to Regiment Commander He now. My husband said that Regiment Commander He is a very good person. He will be good to you.”
“He is very good to me. It’s my good fortune to have married him,” Ye Qingzhi said with a smile, looking like she didn’t want to talk about her ex-husband.
She knew that Wei Jiancheng was not dead. If he suddenly popped up one day and pretended to be deeply in love, it would be so disgusting. So not only back home, but her reputation here also had to be ruined.
Sure enough, Li Jinfeng started to itch with curiosity again. “Qingzhi, your ex-husband…”
“The car is here. Let’s go back. I’ll tell you slowly when we have time in the future,” Ye Qingzhi said, looking like it was hard to talk about.
Li Jinfeng’s eyes widened. What? She had to wait until later? No way. If she didn’t know the truth today, she would be able to hug Ye Qingzhi’s bedpost and not let go tonight.