The 60s Island: The Daily Life of a Capitalist Young Lady with the Army - Chapter 26: You're Military Family, Not an Outsider

Chapter 26: You’re Military Family, Not an Outsider

Most of her classmates and friends knew that Xu Jingjing’s family used to be wealthy and quite generous. Seeing her cry so pitifully, and given that it involved Xu Xiangsi—a sister with a rather poor reputation in their circle—they didn’t think too much about it. One contributed three yuan, another five, and bit by bit, they managed to scrape together some money. Over a few days, Xu Jingjing actually managed to borrow over seventy yuan. Combined with the thirty-some yuan of private savings she had secretly hidden away when she returned from the countryside, she finally had just over a hundred yuan.

Holding this fortune, her heart was a turmoil of mixed emotions. Not daring to delay, she stealthily went to the secondhand market and the supply and marketing cooperative. Calculating carefully, she bought a half-worn cotton quilt—the padding wasn’t very thick, but it would at least keep out the cold. She also acquired a few used undershirts, a patched cotton-padded trousers, and the most basic toiletries. She didn’t dare bring any of these items back to the place that could no longer be called home. Packing everything into a worn-out string bag, she quietly delivered it to the district’s educated youth office, entrusting it to a seemingly kind auntie, with an agreement to pick it up in a few days.

Three days passed in a flash. On the day Xu Jingjing was supposed to gather at the district government gate, the sky was just beginning to lighten at dawn. At home, Xu Rongchang and Lin Jiaoyan were long gone. Their money pouch was nearly empty; if they didn’t go out to find work soon, they’d have nothing to live on! Who had time to care about a stepdaughter about to be sent down to the countryside?

Xu Jingjing stood alone in the center of the empty room, holding the worn-out string bag, her face expressionless. Her hatred for Xu Rongchang had seeped deep into her bones. For Lin Jiaoyan, her birth mother, she felt intense resentment. At the critical moment, she hadn’t dared to utter a word, letting Xu Rongchang trample all over her! But the one she hated most was still Xu Xiangsi! If it weren’t for her, how could she have ended up in such a state?

Gritting her teeth, a flicker of fierceness passed through Xu Jingjing’s eyes, only to be replaced by boundless confusion. Resigned to her fate, she stepped out of what was once her home, one heavy step at a time.

Meanwhile, far away on an island a thousand miles away, Xu Xiangsi was sleeping soundly, lost to the world. The sea breeze, carrying a salty dampness, surprisingly allowed her to sleep through the night without dreams. The next morning, she was awakened by the clear chirping of birds outside the window. Long Peiye was already dressed neatly in his crisp military uniform. Seeing her awake, a faint smile played on his lips.

Awake? I’m taking you somewhere nice today.

Somewhere nice? Xu Xiangsi rubbed her eyes, still drowsy, her voice husky from sleep.

Didn’t I say? Taking you to harvest the sea. Long Peiye watched her adorable, dazed expression, feeling a slight itch in his heart. He wanted to reach out and smooth down the stray hair on her head, but he held back, afraid Xu Xiangsi might hit him.

Harvest the sea? Xu Xiangsi’s eyes lit up, her curiosity instantly piqued. This was a term she had only read about in books—she never thought she’d get to experience it firsthand!

Is it fun? she pressed.

Long Peiye’s eyes crinkled with a smile: You’ll know once we go, won’t you?

Xu Xiangsi quickly got up, washed up, and changed into a set of lightweight old clothes. Long Peiye had specifically requested half a day off from the regiment. Carrying a small bucket and a little iron shovel, he led Xu Xiangsi toward the seaside.

The morning beach, with the tide just receded, left behind a stretch of wet tidal flat scattered with various shells and seaweed.

Look, Long Peiye pointed at some inconspicuous small holes in the sand, there might be something good hidden beneath these.

As he spoke, he swiftly dug with a small iron shovel and indeed flipped out several clams the size of fingernails.

Wow! Xu Xiangsi watched in amazement and clumsily imitated his movements.

But she couldn’t get the hang of it—either digging too shallowly, breaking the clam shells, or ending up with just a handful of sand after much effort.

Long Peiye watched from the side without rushing her, occasionally offering a tip or two: Use less force, angle it more diagonally.

Sunlight shimmered on the sea surface, and seagulls circled not far away, calling out intermittently.

Xu Xiangsi quickly became engrossed in the activity, not minding the fine beads of sweat on her forehead. Her small bucket gradually filled with harvest—tiny crabs, sea snails, and various unfamiliar shellfish.

Like a child discovering a new world, she exclaimed over one thing after another, picking them up and chattering nonstop with questions.

Battalion Commander Long, what’s this? Can we eat it?

Battalion Commander Long, look at this crab—it can still scuttle sideways even with one claw missing! How fun!

Long Peiye patiently answered each question, his gaze softening unconsciously as he watched her animated expressions.

I never knew this could be so interesting! She held up her small bucket, showing it off to Long Peiye like a treasure. Her cheeks were flushed from the sea breeze, and her eyes sparkled.

After nearly two hours of playful digging, as the sun climbed higher, Long Peiye led the still-reluctant-to-leave Xu Xiangsi back.

Passing by the island’s supply and marketing cooperative, Long Peiye stopped: Let’s go in and see if we need anything.

Xu Xiangsi already had most necessities, but she still needed some items to keep visibly on hand. Without checking prices, she selected a pile of daily supplies like vanishing cream, soap, and towels based solely on her preferences.

Seeing she had finished choosing, Long Peiye reached for his wallet to pay.

Xu Xiangsi swiftly pressed his hand down and raised an eyebrow: Battalion Commander Long, who are you looking down on?

She pulled out her own wallet and paid breezily: If I can support you, why would I need you to pay?

The pride in her tone made Long Peiye pause momentarily before he chuckled in realization.

Right, this was someone who could casually take out a dollar to tip him—he couldn’t compare.

He smiled warmly at her: Alright, my wife is certainly generous!

Xu Xiangsi lifted her chin triumphantly: You’d better remember that!

Carrying their purchases, they returned home. Xu Xiangsi put away the newly bought items while mentally planning how to make the small house more comfortable.

As noon approached, Long Peiye checked his watch: Come on, I’ll take you to our military canteen for lunch.

The canteen? Xu Xiangsi blinked, Can outsiders enter your military canteen?

Long Peiye explained with a smile: You’re military family—that doesn’t count as an outsider.

Genuinely curious about the army canteen and knowing the food would be quite good, Xu Xiangsi readily agreed.

Long Peiye led Xu Xiangsi into the bustling military canteen, one following the other.

The cafeteria was bustling during mealtime, filled with young soldiers in military uniforms. Long queues snaked before the food service windows, and the air was thick with the aroma of dishes.

The moment the two appeared, the noisy cafeteria fell silent for a second or two.

Then, an unstifflable wave of murmurs arose as countless gazes instantly converged upon themf.