When Han Yi returned with the boxed lunch, he almost thought he had entered the wrong room, if not for the fact that theirs was the only one with a courtyard.
As Han Yi was dazed, Lin Wan had already stepped on the desk to hang the pink checkered curtains. "Why did you take so long to come back?"
"I went to the cafeteria to get the meal. Why didnāt you wait for me to come back before doing that?" Han Yi snapped out of it, quickly put down the food, and lifted Lin Wan down.
"Staying in the house with nothing to do, I might as well tidy up since Iāll have to do it sooner or later." Lin Wan had been busy for half a day and was drenched in sweat.
"Letās eat first. In the evening, we can cook together. A few days ago, the military issued five pounds of mixed grain, a pound of pork, two pounds of oil, and two big cabbages to the families. Iāve put them in the cabinet, did you see them?" Han Yi said while placing the food on the desk.
"I saw them. What do you want to eat tonight? Iāll make it for you."
Han Yi suddenly leaned over and joked with a smile, "I just want to eat you."
Lin Wanās eyes flashed, she leaned closer to him and quickly pecked him on the cheek, then turned back swiftly, pretending to be indifferent as she lowered her head to eat, all the while watching his reaction. Being so close, Lin Wan clearly felt Han Yiās body instantly tense up.
Lin Wan couldnāt help but giggle.
"Youāre getting bold, believe it or not, Iāll sort you out right now." Han Yiās tone held a hint of danger, surprised by Lin Wanās mischievous move. He hadnāt expected the little girl to launch a surprise attack.
"Uh-huh, I believe you, but hurry up and eat, or the food will get cold." Lin Wan quickly appeased Han Yi by giving him a piece of pork. In the four aluminum lunch boxes, there was radish stir-fried with meat, one serving of pig slaughter dish, and two servings of rice.
It looked quite sumptuous, but only Han Yi knew that having the same dishes every day was already tiring. During winter here, itās all you could eat.
"I have training this afternoon, so you should rest well at home. After the New Year, when Iām free, Iāll take you for a walk in the mountains."
"Sure, okay."
After Han Yi left, Lin Wan heated the kang again, preparing to take a fish to Huang Lianzhangās house when guests arrived at her home.
Both of them were neighbors, one was the wife of Yang Lianzhang from the Sixth Company, Sun Yu, and the other was Wang Guihua, wife of Second Company instructor Feng Xiaoxian, who had brought along a four or five-year-old girl, Miao Miao.
It was Lin Wanās first time at the military camp, and she was still very unfamiliar, so on her first moving day, she politely invited the two to sit down while she busied herself in the kitchen, grabbing a plate of melon seeds and candies to entertain them. "Iāve just tidied up today, the house is a bit messy. I donāt have any tea to offer, please donāt mind."
"It was also like this when we first moved here; every family organizes things this way. In such a short time, youāve tidied up so cleanly. This color looks really nice." As soon as Wang Guihua entered the room, her eyes wandered and she helped her girl scoop up a big handful of candies, apologetically explaining, "Originally, we should have helped you out. But I was busy at home cooking lunch earlier and just got free; I didnāt expect youāve already cleaned up. Please donāt blame us."
"You make it sound so serious, how could I blame you? Everyone manages their household affairs and thereās always something to do. Besides, I donāt have much to clean here." Lin Wan thought they just came to visit the newly moved neighbor and didnāt elaborate further, smilingly making small talk, "How long have you been here?"
"Weāve lived here for almost a year now, and Sunās family moved in about a week ago." Wang Guihua replied, munching on the sunflower seeds in front of her, while smiling.
Sun Yu, after greeting when she first came in, hadnāt spoken again. She was wearing a military coat with a red wool coat underneath. After entering, she didnāt sit on the only two chairs in the house like Wang Guilan did, but instead sat directly on the kang. Her backside barely touched the edge of the kang, seemingly careful as if their quilt was dirty.