CHAPTER 98: CHAPTER 86: FANG JIANMEI

Back at the guesthouse, they moved things back to the room. Seeing that the people in the nearby rooms were not in, Lin Lishan didn’t go to find Grandpa Lin and the others, guessing they were at the canteen having a gathering. She took out some milk candies and chocolates and put them in Xi Zi’s pocket for him to eat first.

After washing their faces and tidying up, the two of them went to the guesthouse canteen. It was just meal time, and the canteen was quite crowded. Looking around, she didn’t find Grandpa Lin and the others, guessing they were at the military district canteen. Lin Lishan specifically ordered Xi Zi’s favorites: braised pork, stewed eggs, pork rib soup, and buns.

After eating and drinking their fill and resting for a while, Lin Lishan leisurely took Xi Zi back to their room. As dusk approached, she took him, carrying two packs of newly bought snacks, to visit her girlfriends in the Big Courtyard.

Her girlfriend was also in the Art Troupe and had transferred to the Northern Military Region with her child for her husband a couple of years ago. Normally, their relationship was neither too close nor too distant, but now in this unfamiliar place and short of tickets, it was a good time to visit each other.

Later in the evening, she directly asked the guard at the entrance for Fang Jianmei’s address. With her officer’s ID, the young soldier quickly led her to the base housing. Lin Lishan repeatedly thanked him before sending the young soldier off and went upstairs with Xi Zi.

Fang Jianmei lived on the second floor of the base housing, in a two-bedroom apartment. Both she and her husband were military personnel. They had two sons, who were both in school. The youngest was 12, dark and robust, not shy upon seeing visitors, and quite mischievous. Both sides were quite happy to see each other, not expecting to meet Lin Lishan here.

Fang Jianmei happily made tea, pulling her to sit down, took out a fruit plate, and handed it to her son, asking him to take Xi Zi to his room to play.

Seeing the two boys hand in hand walking in without any conflict, Lin Lishan breathed a sigh of relief. She was indeed worried that the mischievous boy would bully Xi Zi.

Fang Jianmei cheerfully said, "I haven’t seen you in two years. I just heard that your grandfather has come to the military district with your grandson-in-law for a meeting. I was puzzled why you didn’t come, too. I heard your daughter gave you a grandson. Congratulations."

Lin Lishan sipped her tea and looked at her with amusement, "I came to see the child this time. I didn’t expect the baby to arrive so early. I originally planned to accompany her while she was waiting. Now she’s in confinement. Your information is quite up-to-date. We’ve only been in the military district for a few hours."

Fang Jianmei winked at her and whispered, "You don’t know, the military wives here have nothing better to do than visit each other. They know everything with the slightest stir. Especially since your grandfather came, several heads came to greet. A group in uniforms, and only your grandson-in-law is in plainclothes. Asking about it, wouldn’t be hard to figure out."

Lin Lishan looked around at the decorations, "How are you doing here? Are you used to it?"

"What else can I do? Even if I’m not used to it, I have to stay. Everything else is fine, just winter is unbearably cold, you can’t even go out. Luckily you came now, in another month you wouldn’t even think of going to the streets. The popular clothes here are hard to wear, and many military wives wear patched ones. It can’t be compared to Beijing at all. I had no choice. With the kids this big, I couldn’t always be away from the family post. The Art Troupe’s work here is quite simple and usually less busy. So much free time makes one lazy."

Lin Lishan rolled her eyes at her, disdainfully saying, "Isn’t having free time nice? Salary is still drawn, and you can shop around."

Fang Jianmei looked at her resentfully, "Shop around? There’s nothing good except for Friendship Mall. I can’t even enter without overseas Chinese remittance coupons. It’s my only hobby; it’s not convenient to go into the city, packed with military wives. Buying a lot of things leads to gossip, everywhere eyes are watching. Now I don’t like to go out."

Lin Lishan laughed heartily after hearing this, "Serves you right for showing off! I just went to Friendship Mall; it’s well-stocked. Just not many tickets. Any ways to get tickets? I want to save some for Jiao Jiao so she can buy some stuff. The quality and prices at the supply and marketing co-op can’t compare."

"There’s no need to ask others for the overseas Chinese remittance coupons; I have 200 yuan worth of remittance goods coupons. I don’t have much more. Do you need other tickets? Tomorrow you’re not leaving, are you? We can go to the city to see what’s available to buy."

Lin Lishan happily nodded, at least Jiao Jiao doesn’t lack tickets now, "Alright, that’s thoughtful of you! I have time tomorrow morning, but I need to go back to accompany Jiao Jiao in the afternoon. I’ll drive, so let’s go early in the morning. Bring the other tickets tomorrow too. I haven’t been to the supply and marketing co-op, so let’s check tomorrow if there’s something good. If there’s nothing, I can send it back later. Let me know if there’s anything you can’t buy here; you can write to me, and I’ll mail it to you."