CHAPTER 183: CHAPTER 183: CUT OUT FOR LIVING OFF A WOMAN

For Yi Chichi, Ning Jianping’s all-encompassing help felt almost like a pie falling from the sky.

There was no need for her to seek connections herself; the line was just handed to her, and she had no reason to refuse.

"Thank you, Uncle!"

After politely thanking him, she asked Ning Jianping when they would be going.

Ning Jianping didn’t rush to reply but asked her, "How long does it take you to embroider a double-sided pattern?"

"Depends on the size and the complexity of the pattern."

"How long would something this size take?"

Ning Jianping gestured with his hand, describing a round piece the size of a fan face, with a hint of expectation in his expression, "The pattern doesn’t need to be too complicated, any one of the four gentlemen - plum, orchid, bamboo, or chrysanthemum - would do."

Yi Chichi laughed, "If it’s a gentleman of that size, I can finish any one of them within half a month, ensuring quality."

"Good."

Ning Jianping immediately agreed, "Tomorrow afternoon you..."

"Tomorrow won’t work."

Wen Shi, sensing something amiss, quickly interrupted, explaining, "Uncle, tomorrow Chichi and I are going to register our marriage, even if we rush to Yangcheng after registering, it will already be dark."

Implying that there wasn’t enough time.

Ning Jianping accepted this well, but still asked, "Are you holding a banquet?"

"Not currently."

Which means they would register first, and the banquet date hadn’t been set.

After pondering a bit, he asked, "The day after tomorrow then, would that work?!"

"Yes."

"Then the day after tomorrow, be sure to arrive at the side gate of the Friendship Store at ten in the morning, I’ll have your Uncle Jian Dong meet you there."

The arrangement couldn’t be more thoughtful.

The Friendship Store issued a new business notice, explicitly stating that supplies were for foreign guests only, and domestic guests were not supplied.

From now on, entering the Friendship Store solely depended on having a passport, even domestic relatives and friends couldn’t accompany you in.

Nowadays, only the Friendship Store in Shanghai supplies to compatriots, but with special conditions.

One being deep-sea sailors;

Another being outbound personnel;

And third, leaders.

Even leaders wanting to visit the Friendship Store need a recommendation letter or notice from the foreign affairs group or the foreign trade group, etc.

Otherwise, they can’t get in either.

However, regulations are one thing, actual implementation is another.

Given the limited foreign guests, most goods at the Friendship Store still cater to domestic guests.

Originally, Yi Chichi planned to let Wen Shi take her to the store after registering their marriage.

But now that Ning Jianping had it all arranged, she wouldn’t need to use her status as Wen Shi’s wife to get in, which was a good thing for them.

"Good."

She nodded, "We’ll definitely be there at ten the day after tomorrow."

Things pretty much drew to a close here.

In a hurry to leave, Ning Jianping pulled out money from his bag to settle the final balance.

He also took out a watch voucher and two banknotes, handing them over.

"I definitely won’t have time to attend your wedding, so here’s my gift in advance."

He chuckled, "Let me wish you a happy marriage and a harmonious union in advance, and together contribute to our country’s bright future."

Yi Chichi and Wen Shi exchanged a glance, Wen Shi smilingly accepted, "I happened to need a watch voucher for Chichi, Uncle, your gift is indeed timely."

"Haha, luckily I brought it."

Ning Jianping laughed heartily, patting Wen Shi’s shoulder with his large hand, "Xiao Yi is a good comrade, Xiao Wen, you must treat her well."

"I must, I have to treat her well."

After exchanging a few more polite words, Ning Jianping said his goodbyes.

Yi Chichi tried to persuade him to stay but to no avail.

He had another meeting to attend the next morning, and needed to hurry back to the city to join the main group and catch the ferry out.

"Chichi, you stay home, I’ll see Uncle off."

"Okay."

Yi Chichi nodded, telling Ning Jianping, "Uncle, take care."

"Come visit when you have time."

"I’ll definitely come when I have time."

When she’ll actually have time, is uncertain.

But it’s still important to maintain the relationship, and she planned to ask Wen Shi about it after he returned from seeing Ning Jianping off.

When she did, Wen Shi just gave her an amused smile.

"No rush."

"Why not?"

"Uncle Ning will be very busy in the near future."

In other words: not a good time to visit.

Yi Chichi, feeling thoughtful, asked, "Which department does Uncle Ning work in?"

Wen Shi nodded at his arm, with a meaningful look, "Red."

"Province or city?"

"Province."

Yi Chichi got goosebumps, "Wow, Uncle Yaozi really caught a big fish for me."

Wen Shi looked smug, "Actually, your husband is also a big fish."

Yi Chichi’s response was to hand him five banknotes, "Alright then, big fish, here’s your pocket money."

Last night, Wen Shi behaved like a good man, handing over his savings and some coupons, vowing with great sincerity that all his future monthly stipends and mission allowances would be hers.

He would need only two or three bucks for spending money each month.

But Yi Chichi couldn’t just give him so little, so she generously gave him fifty.

Wen Shi was stunned, "All for me?"

Who ever heard of a wife being so generous, giving her husband fifty bucks as pocket money?

"Yep."

Yi Chichi nodded, "With more money in hand, it won’t be as hard for you to help your teammates."

Wen Shi was suddenly touched and hugged her tightly, "Wife, thank you."

"Don’t mention it."

Everyone’s lives are hard, so helping where you can is helping.

Besides, Wen Shi isn’t just helping anyone, but his comrades with whom he shares life-and-death bonds, as well as the families of fallen comrades.

This is very common in the army.

Yi Chichi accepted it well and never considered asking him to stop this support, which has a special meaning.

"I thought you would be upset."

"I won’t be, just move forward boldly, I can earn money."

With those words, Wen Shi was suddenly at a loss.

He muttered, "Wife, Ning Uncle’s double-sided four gentlemen embroidery, how much can a piece sell for?"

"My ideal price is three hundred."

He gasped, "That expensive?"

Wow, if it really sells, his wife’s half-month income could equal his two or three months’ income.

Could it be that he was born with good luck, meant to be supported by a successful wife?

"Double-sided embroidery has always been expensive, single-sided is cheaper, but..."

"But what?"

"That’s just my ideal price, not the price from the Friendship Store, the exact amount depends on them."

"We’ll know the day after tomorrow."

That’s true.

The atmosphere quieted down.

It was at this moment that Yi Chichi realized she was still in his arms.

Listening to his intense heartbeat and feeling the rising temperature, she had a bad feeling and quickly pushed him away, "Time to let go."

If he didn’t let go, things would heat up.

"You’ll be the one suffering if you don’t."

She implied.

"Don’t want to let go."

Wen Shi understood, and nestled his big head in her neck, his arms not loosening, but tightening.

His wife smelled so nice and felt so soft, he wanted to never let go, but just like she said, he’d be the one suffering if he didn’t.

"No marriage certificate, can’t douse the fire."

Yi Chichi stiffly reminded, and Wen Shi froze; her perception was just too sharp.

He sighed, "I can’t wait for tomorrow to come."