"Do you have any friends around here? Youāve been back for so long, but no friends have come by."
"Back in school, I only hung out with Wei Jian Country; Iām not familiar with the others. My comrades are scattered all over. There are very few in S City. Iāll gather them when I have time."
"Arenāt you bored being stuck with your wife all day?"
"Not at all." Han Yi smirked, still remembering to reach out with his mischievous hand.
Besides preparing a cotton jacket for him, Lin Wan also bought him a dozen pairs of socks and underwear. With the leftover cotton fabric at home, Lin Wan made two pairs for him and her brother, boxer style.
"After this leave, are you staying on-base without going out?"
"Probably, thereās a training session next month that I must lead. If you miss me, you can visit the base on Sundays."
"Yes, Iāll come to see you when Iām free. Our home must have gathered a lot of dust. If itās inconvenient, just stay at the camp for a couple of days when you go back. Sun-dry our quilts for a few days before using them, okay?"
"Got it."
"If they get moldy, just call me. Iāll make a new set and bring them over."
"Alright."
The young couple lounged in bed all afternoon until her brother came back, and only then did they get up.
Lin Yinghui glanced at his sisterās sleepy eyes and knew what was going on, feeling a bit embarrassed.
After dinner, he returned to his own courtyard.
The next morning, Shen Boxu arrived on a bicycle and said the deal with the supply and marketing cooperative fell through.
Their side doesnāt sell clothes, only fabric.
"Big brother, itās okay; we closed a deal yesterday. Our current stock isnāt much."
"Alright, in the future, if you sell anything, let me know. I have some friends at the factory, maybe they can help."
"Sure."
Before he left, he wanted to give her clothes, but Lin Wan insisted he take them away. She prepared them for him and his wife.
Mom looked at the chicken coop Han Yi built in the courtyard, delighted, and inquired at the morning market about who was selling hens that were laying eggs, preferably laying old hens.
Lin Wan heard and laughed quietly, thinking, "Who would be willing to sell a hen thatās laying eggs?" The last time she gave Grandma an old hen, Lin Wan told them it could lay eggs, and Saozi couldnāt bear to kill it. Even after several days, it hadnāt laid a single egg.
Clearly, they were tricked.
With nothing to do at home during the day, Lin Wan spent the morning at home and in the afternoon, Han Yi took her to the cinema.
There was only one screening in the afternoon, a romance film called "Legend of Tianyun Mountain."
They didnāt see Hu Dongās shadow at the cinema entrance, only to realize it was Monday, and he had to attend classes.
But next to the cinema, there was a new stall selling sunflower seeds and peanuts.
At that time, the screenings were still black and white, and a single movie ticket cost eighty cents.
The plot was average, but Lin Wan admired the black, red, and white scarf the girl wore in the film and her red canvas down jacket.
She liked that jacket at first sight, but it couldnāt be made with a sewing machine. Slightly thicker fabric made the machine struggle. Even if it could be made, she couldnāt source any down right now.
It was a case of ability without opportunityāskills and experience but lacking equipment. A lucrative opportunity missed just like that.
Lin Wan wore a look as if she had lost a fortune, amusing Han Yi.
"If you canāt earn, just rest at home. We donāt need that much money; having enough is fine. Even if you do nothing, I can still take care of you."
"I know youāre capable. Iām a rural girl from out of town without stable work. I canāt compare with others wherever we go. Iām afraid Iāll embarrass you."