A Beauty in the 80s Goes on a Blind Date with Her Child, Captivating the Military Compound - Chapter 28

Jiang Hongmei nodded excitedly. “I asked. That batch of oil is at least thirty-two cents a jin (half-kilogram).”

Shen Sisi’s eyes widened slightly. She knew coconut oil would be cheap, but she hadn’t expected it to be so much cheaper, far exceeding her expectations.

She had specifically checked the supply and marketing cooperative. Currently, soybean oil cost seventy-four cents a jin, and rapeseed oil was sixty-eight cents a jin, and they all required ration tickets to buy.

There were cheaper options, like some unwanted palm oil.

Coconut oil, however, was rarely seen. People in Jiang City didn’t use it. Instead, some chemical factories needed it and had fixed buyers.

Shen Sisi was thrilled. “That’s wonderful! Please, Sister, take me there. I want to buy ten jin.”

Jiang Hongmei readily agreed. “Sure, but… I’m busy delivering goods right now. How about this: I’ll take you tomorrow.”

Shen Sisi frowned. “I’m sorry, I forgot you were busy. Why don’t you just give me the address? I’ll go by myself.”

Jiang Hongmei shook her head repeatedly. “No way. Those places are a mixed bag. I don’t feel safe sending a young woman like you alone.”

It turned out that her refusal to give the address was to protect her.

“I’m familiar with the docks; everyone knows me, so no one dares to bully me. But a beautiful, fresh-faced comrade like you, even if you’re not bullied, could easily be tricked…”

Shen Sisi was deeply touched by Sister Jiang’s kindness.

In all these years, besides her aunt and Gu Chengfeng, few people had actively cared for or protected her, especially since she and Sister Jiang had only met twice.

“Thank you, Sister! But I need the oil urgently; tomorrow might be too late… How about this: you give me the address, and I’ll find someone to go with me.”

In this era, most people were simple and honest, but there were also plenty with bad intentions.

The docks, in particular, where cargo ships from all over the world gathered, were indeed complicated.

As the saying goes, while you shouldn’t harbor malice toward others, you must be cautious of others’ intentions.

“That works too!” Jiang Hongmei was so busy her feet barely touched the ground, so she didn’t refuse any further.

“You go to Wharf Number Nine and look for a man called Brother Dao. Just tell him you’re Jiang Hongmei’s sister.”

Shen Sisi carefully noted it down. “So, your name is Jiang Hongmei! The proud plum blossom blooms alone in the snow, only the beautiful woman treads on the scent… What a lovely name!”

“Oh, Sister Sisi can even recite poetry! My name sounds so elegant coming from your mouth…”

Jiang Hongmei beamed, watching the beautiful girl in the white sweater with pigtails. The more she looked, the more she liked her.

She was stunning, easygoing, and educated. She must be the wife of the tall military officer outside!

“That’s right, you can ask your husband to go with you! He’s a soldier. With him by your side, who would dare to bully you…” Jiang Hongmei teased.

Husband…

Shen Sisi’s clean face flushed a light crimson, showing a maidenly shyness. She hastily lowered her head to count the money.

“Sister, what are you talking about…”

“Ah, she’s shy!” Jiang Hongmei watched her face redden. She was the same when she first got married. “A new bride, right? I understand…”

No, what does Sister understand?

Shen Sisi quickly counted out the money for the chicken and slapped it into Jiang Hongmei’s palm, handing her a large red apple as well. “Alright, Sister, you should get back to your business…”

She was flushed, pushing Jiang Hongmei out the door, not daring to look up the whole way, afraid someone would notice her embarrassment.

Jiang Hongmei smiled as she looked at Shen Sisi, her gaze like that of someone admiring a budding camellia.

Then she looked at the young man nearby.

He truly was a choice man selected by the nation—tall and exuding integrity.

He was not only big but also handsome, with a high nose and large eyes. He must turn the heads of countless young girls on the street.

The young couple are a perfect match!

And their child will be beautiful too!!!

Shen Sisi was afraid Jiang Hongmei would say something even more shocking, so she personally escorted her out the door.

More Than Just New Furniture

As soon as she left, Shen Sisi turned and was involuntarily drawn to Gu Chengfeng.

Gu Chengfeng was calmly directing Heizi and the others, who were working up a sweat moving items.

The men collaborated to move the dressing table and the double-door wardrobe into Shen Sisi’s large bedroom.

As soon as the wardrobe was placed, Gu Chengfeng had Heizi fill it up with the dragon and phoenix quilt, the watch, and the gold jewelry from the table, packing it full.

Next, the sewing machine was placed in a corner of the living room, right against the wall.

When not in use, it could be covered with a cloth and used as a small table for miscellaneous items. When needed, it could be moved out, taking up very little space.

Even after all the items were placed, the living room still looked somewhat sparse, as if something were missing.

Just then, two tricycles arrived one after the other, pulling up outside the yard gate. They were carrying a new-model redwood sofa and a matching coffee table.

She rushed over to Gu Chengfeng’s side, asking in a low voice, “Did you buy this?”

Gu Chengfeng looked at the brand-new sofa—the fine carving, the rich red color—and was very satisfied. “Yes. Do you like it?”

Shen Sisi’s vision went dark. Was Gu Chengfeng crazy?

Taking back the betrothal gifts was one thing, but buying so many new items… even a mountain of gold and silver wouldn’t be enough for him to spend!

“It’s too expensive! We can use the old chairs in the house. Why did you have to buy new ones?”

She wasn’t being stingy or scolding him; she was genuinely distressed for him…

After all, Gu Chengfeng’s money didn’t grow on trees.

Gu Chengfeng sensed that Sisi seemed angry again. He felt bewildered. They had new items in the house, and he even got the betrothal gifts back; shouldn’t she be happy?

“We’re getting married soon. Getting new things brings good fortune,” Gu Chengfeng consoled her.

He’s already bought them. Can I really demand a refund?

This scale of activity was quite the spectacle, a first for the military compound.

The entrance was already crowded with people craning their necks to look inside, watching the items being moved in one by one. They were filled with envy and jealousy.

“Tsk, tsk. That used woman really has her ways. Look how she’s got Regimental Commander Gu wrapped around her little finger.”

“She’s only been here two days. She must have bled Regimental Commander Gu’s pockets dry!”

Everyone scoffed at the beautiful, smart “secondhand woman.”

Just then, a different voice emerged from the crowd.

“How could someone as smart as Regimental Commander Gu want a used woman and buy her so many things… I heard it was the dowry that Shen Sisi brought with her.”

“What? That much?”

That display was worth at least a few thousand yuan.

“Yeah! Otherwise, why would Regimental Commander Gu want a used woman? She must have offered too much…”

Everyone’s gaze toward Shen Sisi became a mix of disdain and revulsion.

Shen Sisi stood there, feeling exposed like a target, completely uneasy.

“Gu Chengfeng, do you believe that a new rumor about me will be circulating the compound within half a day?”

At the mention of rumors, Gu Chengfeng dropped his smile, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists. “Who dares…”

“I’ll spend my money on whomever I choose. Is it any of their business?”

Though true, gossip is a fearful thing…

Shen Sisi herself didn’t care much; her reputation was already in ruins.

Gu Chengfeng was different. He had a bright future and could continue to be promoted.

Thinking of this, she suddenly recalled the guard calling Gu Chengfeng Regimental Commander. “Right, did you get promoted to Regimental Commander?”

Gu Chengfeng’s breath hitched. He pretended to be nonchalant. “Uh, Vice Regimental Commander. The order just came down; I didn’t have a chance to tell you yet.”

With that, he visibly tensed up, pulling his posture ramrod straight, afraid Shen Sisi would back out because of this news and suddenly change her mind.

Sure enough, Shen Sisi fell silent.

She was incredibly frustrated, secretly pinching her palm with her fingernails.

If she had known the order had just been issued, she would have held back and found a different way to seek justice.

Now, she had not only offended his superior’s wife but also made an enemy of his subordinate’s wife. She had truly messed things up for him!