CHAPTER 156: CHAPTER 155: GOOD STUFF

"Your wife is thoughtful; she was afraid you wouldn’t have anything good to eat during the festival. Today, she waited for the mess hall truck on the road for most of the day and happened to meet your sister-in-law. I had just come home, and my seat wasn’t even warm before your sister-in-law urged me to quickly deliver it to you." Waiting for most of the day was pure imagination from Huang Guozhong; back then, they all said there was something off between Han Yi and Lin Wan. This kid still put on an ice-cold face, saying he’d only met a few times, claiming he was clean, but hiding deep indeed.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law Zhang," Han Yi wiped away his earlier frustration, rare for him to show a faint smile, eagerly opening to see what’s inside.

A few cans, and a smoked chicken frame made by Grandma wrapped in oil paper, along with some beef jerky, two metal lunch boxes — one with crayfish and one with roasted lamb. Lin Wan thoughtfully included some bottles of beer. Beneath the beer bottles was a box; Han Yi was curious about what Lin Wan had placed inside, ignoring the food for now and opening the box first, finding a note on top.

"Everything at home is fine, and I’m getting along well with Grandma, so don’t worry. Recently, I’ve been learning to make the smoked chicken frame from Grandma, especially for you to try my cooking. A few days ago, I saw a watch at the mall that seemed quite fitting for you, so I bought it for you. Just please don’t call me wasteful."

A simple note, alleviating Han Yi’s longing.

"Wow, a watch!" Yang Wei was the first to see what was in the box and, without considering Han Yi’s feelings, eagerly showed it to everyone.

"This must be over a hundred, equivalent to a few months of our salaries. Your wife is really good to you," mentioned Qin Hongbing, who, like Yang Wei, is from the countryside. One needs to support a large family, another funds his wife’s education. After getting their salaries, they keep only five yuan, the rest sent home.

Even buying a few cents of cigarettes, they can’t bear to, let alone other things.

Huang Guozhong was also intrigued. Whenever they were on missions, the army supplied everything, and returning meant handing them over; the rest were wartime trophies like pocket watches.

Han Yi once got one, "Han Yi, since your wife bought you a watch, why not give me that pocket watch?"

Han Yi glared at them, snatched the watch from Huang Guozhong’s hand, saying, "If you want one, buy it yourself; neither item can be given to you." The pocket watch was his wartime trophy, special and irreplaceable, and the watch was a gift from Lin Wan, also not to be given away.

"Get lost, stingy jerk, I don’t care," Huang Guozhong rolled his eyes, knowing the kid wasn’t easy to deal with.

"Tsk tsk, jerky, hmm, delicious. Ever since I had your wife’s roasted jerky last time, I couldn’t forget it; finally, we have a treat," Gao Ran was born in the city, a typical army second-generation son. His family had power and money; he already had a watch long ago and wasn’t interested. Now, what lingered in his mind were the treats Han Yi had. Seizing a chance, he snatched a handful of jerky and stuffed it into his mouth, afraid Han Yi would take it back. "Oh, this time it’s beef."

Han Yi put away the note and watch, glared at Gao Ran, and tore off a chicken leg for Pidan.

"Thank you, Uncle Han," Pidan was three years old this year, a sensible child.

Han Yi moved the dorm room table to the center, laying out the food Lin Wan brought. "These are from my wife; she wants you to try her cooking. Huang Lianzhang, stay and eat with us."

"No need, your sister-in-law is waiting for me at home. We’ve got a feast today, too. You guys eat; I’ll take Pidan home. Otherwise, your sister-in-law will get anxious waiting," Huang Guozhong’s family lived frugally but was better off than many, at least able to have little feasts at home.

Han Yi didn’t insist, taking a beer from his pocket to give him on the way. Beer was a new thing these days; none had had it frequently, intriguing them all.

Huang Guozhong didn’t stand on ceremony, thinking today was a lucky day.