Married but Untouched! Her Soldier Husband Came Home Dumbfounded! - Chapter 14

The next morning, after breakfast, Ye Fangfei put on a wide-brimmed straw hat and rode her bicycle into the city.

Relying on the memories of the original timeline, she first headed to the East District.

In the early 1980s, cities weren’t as bustling as they would be in later decades. Buildings on either side of the streets were gray or white, either multi-story blocks or single-story houses, with simple, unadorned facades arranged in neat rows.

Though weathered by time, they quietly bore witness to the changing lives of the people, their simplicity giving the city a unique charm.

Pedestrians wore plain clothing, and bicycles weaved through the streets. The constant ringing of bike bells created a distinct, lively atmosphere.

It was Fangfei’s first time entering the city since her time travel. She rode slowly, carefully observing the shops and streets along the way.

Passing a barber shop, Fangfei suddenly felt the long braid on her head heavy and hot. Without hesitation, she parked her bike and went inside.

She told the barber what she wanted, and when she came out, the long hair that had reached her hips was cut to just below her chest, the length she liked best.

Feeling the summer heat, she tied her hair to a high ponytail and rode toward the East District.

Finding a place to rent proved difficult. Fangfei scoured several streets near the East District industrial park. While there were a few rental options, either the courtyards were too small, or the shopfronts lacked a backyard, nothing seemed suitable.

The sun was scorching. By ten o’clock, Fangfei was already sweating heavily. Spotting an elderly woman selling ice pops under the shade of a tree, she pushed her bike over.

“Auntie, I’d like an ice pop, please.”

The woman hurriedly opened her icebox.
“Girl, do you want red bean, green bean, or the old-fashioned ice pops?”

“The old-fashioned one, please.”

Fangfei parked her bicycle under the tree, removed her straw hat, and handed the woman a five-cent coin, taking the icy treat in return.

She took a bite and instantly felt a cool relief from the heat.

Seeing Fangfei’s flushed face, the woman patted a small stool nearby.
“Sit down and eat, girl.”

“Thank you, Auntie,” Fangfei said with a smile and sat beside her.

The woman took a closer look at the young girl—a clean, fair-skinned girl of about eighteen or nineteen. She wore a simple floral blouse, black pants, and plain cloth shoes, very much the outfit of a rural girl.

Though not as fashionable as city girls, her face was strikingly beautiful. Even with the sunburn, her flawless complexion shone, and her sparkling eyes curved into a gentle smile. The old woman couldn’t take her eyes off her.

Fanning her with a large palm-leaf fan, the woman let the cool breeze drift across Fangfei’s face.

Fangfei smiled gratefully. She noticed a small table with a few glass cups on top, and beneath it a wooden board labeled “Tea.” Two buckets nearby contained chilled soda.

Curious, Fangfei asked,
“Auntie, do you sell the tea?”

The old woman smiled.
“Yes, two cents a cup. Drink as you like.”

“That’s nice. Two cents isn’t expensive and it’s convenient for passersby,” Fangfei said.

Looking around at the shops and houses, she asked,
“Auntie, do you know of any nearby houses for rent?”

“You want to rent? To live or for business?” the woman asked.

“For business, Auntie,” Fangfei replied, nodding.
“I want to rent a courtyard with a storefront to start a small business.”

The woman’s interest piqued.
“And what business are you planning? How big a place do you need?”

“I’ll be selling egg cakes and braised dishes,” Fangfei said honestly. Renting a place meant the landlord would need to know its intended use.

“You make egg cakes?” the woman asked in surprise. She hadn’t expected a young girl to have such skill.

“Family recipe,” Fangfei said briefly, quickly changing the topic.
“Now that the country is encouraging private businesses, I thought following the policy would be safe. Renting a shop to try it out seems better than staying in the countryside farming.”

“That’s sensible,” the woman agreed. She then pointed at Fangfei’s ice pop box.
“When I first started selling ice pops here, my son didn’t agree. I told him I was just responding to the state’s call for private businesses.”

“Your son disagreed? That’s because he doesn’t want you to overwork. You’re fortunate, Auntie,” Fangfei complimented her.

The woman’s eyes crinkled with a smile, but she remembered the main point.
“My younger sister has a courtyard near the textile factory, right on the street. It has three storefronts, a rear main room, and three side rooms. The yard is spacious, and it’s currently vacant.”

“However, I’m not sure if my sister and her husband want to rent it out. If you’re not in a rush, I can ask my son after work and give you an answer tomorrow. How does that sound?”

“That’s perfect, Auntie. Thank you so much. Should I come by tomorrow morning?”

“I’m here every day. Come whenever,” the woman said.

Fangfei had asked casually, but her luck was surprisingly good.

After chatting a bit more, she learned the woman’s surname was Li. Her sister and brother-in-law were long-time textile factory workers. The brother-in-law had been a factory leader and now retired, but the couple still lived in the factory dorms, which were equipped with heating for winter. Their three sons also had dorms, so this courtyard had remained empty.

After parting with Aunt Li, Fangfei explored a few more nearby options. One courtyard was suitably sized but rather remote.

Checking her watch, it was nearly eleven. She decided to meet her Third Brother first and finalize plans after seeing Aunt Li’s courtyard tomorrow.

At the meeting spot, Ye Sanhu was already there. Seeing Fangfei approach, he hurriedly opened a box and offered her an ice pop.
“Little sister, feeling hot? Have an ice pop to cool down.”

“I just had one, Third Brother. I don’t want another,” Fangfei said, noticing his lips were chapped. She tore the wrapper off the ice pop and handed it back.
“Here, Third Brother, you eat.”

“I don’t like these. I brought water,” Sanhu replied.

A one-cent ice pop wasn’t something he could easily waste. If thirsty, he drank his own water; if hungry, he ate the cornbread he brought from home.