Married but Untouched! Her Soldier Husband Came Home Dumbfounded! - Chapter 22

Sun Xiujun had expected the property division to drag on for days, but to her surprise, it went smoothly.

When she heard her husband mention moving back to the old house, she felt a lightness in her chest, as if a burden had lifted.

Thinking of her daughter-in-law still staying at her relatives’ house, she called her son and daughter into the room.

“Cuiluan, Zhanqiang, go to Yejia Village and check if your sister-in-law’s chest still hurts. While you’re there, let her know about the property division.”

Sun Xiujun handed her daughter a yuan, “Go to Aunt Xiuyun’s and buy some eggs to take to your sister-in-law.”

Then, after a moment, she handed over another yuan. “Your sister hasn’t been home in a while, and I don’t know what she’s busy with. Take this, and on your way back from your sister-in-law’s, pick up something for your sister. When she’s free, she can bring Tingting home to stay for a couple of days.”

Shen Cuilan, married off to Xiao Zhoukou, came from the same village as Ye Fangfei’s maternal grandmother. Their village borders Yejia Village.

Shen Cuiluan nodded. “Okay, Mom, we’ll go.”

The siblings first bought the eggs, then headed to Yejia Village together.

…

Ye Fangfei worried that the house Mrs. Li had helped her find wouldn’t suit her. After breakfast, she went into the city early, hoping to explore while the morning was still cool to see if there was a better place.

When Shen Cuiluan and Shen Zhanqiang arrived at Yejia Village, Ye Fangfei had already left. Only Zhou Hongyu was home, taking care of her grandchildren.

Hearing a knock, she went to the door and was surprised to see her daughter’s younger sister-in-law and brother-in-law. She quickly welcomed them inside.

“Cuiluan, Zhanqiang, what brings you here? Something wrong? Come in and tell me.”

“Grandma, nothing much,” Shen Cuiluan said with a smile, setting the eggs on the table. “It’s Sunday. My brother doesn’t have school, so Mom sent us to check on you and Grandpa.”

“You’re too polite, going back and forth in this heat,” Zhou Hongyu said, but her heart warmed.

Her daughter had only been home for two days, and the mother-in-law was already sending her children to see her daughter-in-law. That was a mark of respect.

She made two bowls of sweet soup for the siblings, then sent her eldest and second granddaughters to the fields to pick sweet melons.

“Qiaolan, near the beans there are two more sweet melons. I covered them with grass this morning. Go pick them for your aunt and uncle to try.”

“All right, Grandma!” Qiaolan chirped cheerfully.

Zhou Hongyu handed her a basket and added, “Go pick some tomatoes and cucumbers from our field, and a few chives. We’ll make dumplings for lunch.”

She thought for a moment and went inside to get a yuan and a meat coupon, whispering to her granddaughter, “Tell Grandpa we have guests and have him get some meat from the commune. If they have pork intestines, get a bundle.”

“Got it, Grandma!” Qiaoyun grabbed the basket and money, leading her sister to the field.

Shen Cuiluan sipped her sweet soup, holding the babbling little Qiaohui in her lap, teasing her playfully.

Shen Zhanqiang, while drinking his soup, noticed a few kids sneaking glances at him. Smiling, he shared his bowl with them.

Once the granddaughters were off, Zhou Hongyu watched her mischievous grandchildren sip the sweet soup, half exasperated, half amused, scolding them for being greedy little monkeys.

“Grandma, my sister-in-law isn’t home?” Shen Cuiluan asked, holding the six-month-old Qiaohui.

“She went to the city and won’t be back until afternoon. You two don’t need to leave for lunch—stay here and eat, then Fangfei can come back with you in the afternoon.”

Shen Cuiluan smiled. “Grandma, my brother and I still need to visit my elder sister’s place, so we won’t stay for lunch. We’ll come back in the afternoon to talk to my sister-in-law.”

“You two come all this way and won’t even have a meal with your grandma? Is my cooking that bad?” Zhou Hongyu feigned anger, glaring at them.

Shen Cuiluan quickly shook her head.

Shen Zhanqiang, teasing the little Qiaohui, grinned and said, “Sis, this is our sister-in-law’s house. If Grandma wants us to eat here, then we eat. We’re family, no need to be so polite.”

“Exactly. Zhanqiang’s right. We’re all family. Cuiluan, don’t be shy—have lunch here, and in the afternoon, go back with your sister-in-law.”

Shen Cuiluan could only smile and agree.

…

Ye Fangfei first went to the industrial park. On the way, she stopped by the supply and marketing cooperative.

Her mother had picked a sweet melon, cucumbers, and tomatoes that morning for her to take to Chen Qian, to thank her for the pork intestines and bones she’d sent yesterday.

Ye Fangfei parked her bike outside and carried the small bamboo basket into the bustling cooperative.

Morning was the busiest time. The ready-to-wear section wasn’t crowded, only two women browsing dresses.

Chen Qian lounged lazily, chatting with a clerk, ignoring customers completely. Her expression clearly said, buy it if you want, don’t if you don’t.

Ye Fangfei understood the state-run style of business—service wasn’t a priority—but she still couldn’t help thinking, with this attitude, when private supermarkets come, you’ll all be out of a job.

She carried the basket over.

Chen Qian looked up in surprise, then stood. “Ye Fangfei, are you buying something?”

“No, I just came into the city. I brought some vegetables to thank you for your help yesterday.” Ye Fangfei smiled, placing the basket on the counter. “All from our home garden. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Why are you so polite? And besides, I didn’t really help that much.”

Chen Qian looked at the wicker basket covered with pumpkin leaves. She lifted the leaves to see a few tender cucumbers with tiny prickles, a dozen tomatoes, and a sweet melon—bursting with freshness.

“No, no, I didn’t help you enough to take this,” Chen Qian insisted, handing the basket back. “You should take it home. I really can’t accept it.”

Ye Fangfei smiled. “It’s just some vegetables, nothing valuable. Don’t be polite.”

She waved at Chen Qian. “I’ll go now, but I’ll visit you again later.”

“Hey, wait…” Chen Qian quickly set the basket on the counter, waved to the clerk, and chased after her.

Seeing Ye Fangfei about to leave with her bike, she grabbed the back seat and laughed. “Why are you in such a hurry?”

“I’ll take the basket first and make room for you,” Ye Fangfei said.

“No need. My dad wove that basket. We have plenty at home; one less won’t matter,” she replied with a smile.

“Okay then, thank you, Ye Fangfei,” Chen Qian said, taking her hand and walking aside. She whispered, “We got a batch of discounted goods yesterday at the cooperative—some with minor defects. Very cheap, no receipt needed. Want to take a look?”

Ye Fangfei was curious, interested in seeing the defective items or buying fabric for clothes, but she politely declined.

Today, she was returning yesterday’s favor. Accepting more would be inappropriate.

Besides, she only had about 700 yuan left, still needing to rent a place, buy tools for making pastries, and get ingredients.

Money was tight; she couldn’t splurge.

Even though the clothes available were outdated and unstylish, she had no choice but to wear them for now. Once she earned more, she could gradually replace them.

“Chen Qian, thanks. My family has everything we need. If I need anything in the future, I’ll come to you.”

Chen Qian instantly understood—Ye Fangfei was careful with money and didn’t want to embarrass her. She nodded.

“Sure! Anytime you need something, come to me. I’ll help you find the best deals. Even if you don’t buy anything, you can come visit me.”