Lu Xingzhi was satisfied as the spring breeze blew that night. When he woke up the next morning, he saw Jiang Yao glaring at him. He was even happy to help her find a scarf and clothes.
âYou just need to wear a turtleneck to cover the marks on your neck.â When they had dinner at Colonel Linâs home the previous night, Mrs Lin invited Jiang Yao to go to the city to buy some New Yearâs goods that day, so she had to go out. Lu Xingzhi opened the wardrobe and said, âThis brand has some new products. I prepared a few sets of clothes for you. I was worried that you wouldnât have time to buy New Yearâs clothes, and I didnât expect you to get here so early.â
As he spoke, Lu Xingzhi picked out a turtleneck sweater for Jiang Yao. Then, he rummaged through the wardrobe. After he hesitated for a while, he took a coat and compared it with Jiang Yaoâs, as if he was considering how to match it.
Jiang Yao glanced at it, and her scalp felt numb. âPut the clothes back! Iâll choose for myself!â
Lu Xingzhi held a pink high-collared sweater, and the coat was bright red. What was the hesitation? Jiang Yao immediately told him to put it back.
âYou look good in pink, and you look festive in bright red; it makes your skin look pale.â Lu Xingzhi felt Jiang Yaoâs dislike, so he defended his choices. âThe models in the album look good in it. Chen Xuyao also said that it suits you.â
âI bet that the pink sweater in the album doesnât go with this bright red coat,â Jiang Yao retorted. Then, she put on her slippers and went to the bathroom to refresh herself.
Lu Xingzhi nodded. âThey seem to match the white ones.â
Since Jiang Yao ignored him, he put the clothes down and followed her into the bathroom. Then, he stood next to her, and they showered together.
When Lu Xingzhi went to the cafeteria to get breakfast for Jiang Yao, Mrs Lin arrived at his unit. When Jiang Yao opened the door for her, the door opposite their unit was ajar too. As they stood at the door, they could hear Old Madam He as she scolded her daughter-in-law. Then the older woman went to the door to take a look; he must have heard Mrs Linâs voice.
She immediately smiled. âMrs Lin! Perhaps youâd like to come and take a seat? Itâs still so early; are you heading somewhere?â
When Jiang Yao heard that, her entire body trembledâthat was probably the most original way of addressing the colonelâs wife in the whole military region.
âJiang Yao and I had an appointment to go shopping for New Yearâs good today,â Mrs Lin explained. âJiang Yao knows how to drive, so sheâll drive me in her husbandâs car. The weather is freezing now, so Iâll go with Jiang Yao to save time waiting for transport.â
After she answered her politely, Mrs Lin quickly pushed Jiang Yao through the door.
After they ate the breakfast that Lu Xingzhi had brought back, Jiang Yao glanced at the quiet man; he refused to go with her. Finally, she had no choice but to take her bag and go with Mrs Lin.
She met two other women downstairs. When they asked if Jiang Yao and Mrs Lin were going to the city, they got into the car together.
Mrs Lin sat in the front passenger seat. After the car drove out of the army compound, she turned to Jiang Yao and said, âWhen we got into the car, Old Madam He was standing on the balcony watching us.â
âShe must have wanted to see what Sergeant Luâs car looked like,â Mrs Yang replied with a snort. âBefore you arrived, I went downstairs to throw some garbage, and I saw Old Madam He, who was also there to throw her rubbish. As soon as she saw me, she pulled me aside to ask about the brand of Sergeant Luâs bike. I told her that Sergeant Lu has a vehicle with four wheels, and his son could never afford that car even if he doesnât eat or drink for several years. She thought that I had lied to her; she said Sergeant Lu could never afford such an expensive car. Perhaps she hid on the balcony to see if I told her the truth.â