CHAPTER 162: CHAPTER 161: PHONE

On her day off, Lin Wan went to the casserole restaurant. With no outside dining and the hot weather, the restaurant was rarely quiet, earning only a few dozen yuan a day after covering costs.

Even so, it was much better than working at the office. Liang Hongmei and Grandma Wang were only busy for a while at noon, selling porridge in the evening, and the two of them weren’t that rushed.

A month after school started, Lin Wan received a call from Han Yi. They had a phone at the small shop on the street corner.

Regular visits for daily necessities meant she got to know the owner. This afternoon, Aunt Wu from the shop stopped her, saying Han Yi had called for her.

"Xiao Yi said he will call again at six," Aunt Wu’s relatives must have had connections in the telecommunication bureau. In those days, many public enterprises had long wait times for phone installations, let alone ordinary citizens. Neighbors in the area would run over here to make calls, charging fifty cents per minute for making calls and twenty cents per minute for receiving them. Aunt Wu must have made quite a sum over a year.

Lin Wan looked at the time; it was only half-past five. She went home to tell Grandma about Han Yi’s call. Grandma smiled and said, "Xiao Yi is not sly at all. You got married, and he left after a few months without a call. What is that? When you answer the phone later, show him a face, so he learns a lesson. As someone with a family, he should consider home. Later, tell Xiao Yi that Grandma is angry with him."

Seeing Grandma’s rare childishness, Lin Wan chuckled, "Got it, Grandma."

A bit after six, Lin Wan went to the small shop and heard Aunt Wu answering the phone as soon as she entered.

"Your wife is here; I’ll let her take the call," Aunt Wu said with a smile as she handed the phone to Lin Wan. "Xiao Yi just called, perfect timing."

Lin Wan took the phone, thanked Aunt Wu, and then put it to her ear. "Han Yi, it’s me."

"Hmm." The voice was steady with a hint of hoarseness. When he received Lin Wan’s gift during the Mid-Autumn Festival, he intended to call her back the next day. Unexpectedly, he suddenly received an urgent task and only returned today. He hadn’t even gone back to the dorm; he called her immediately. For three days, he ambushed in a ravine, unable to move and without food. Such things had always been familiar, but this time, he occasionally got distracted, and Lin Wan’s image flashed in his mind, even... Often, the image of the two of them in bed. This disgraceful self annoyed Han Yi. When did he become so vulgar?

His comrades said that after marriage, a man has more responsibility. Now that he has a wife, his closest person, he naturally should take good care of her, and it’s only natural to think of her.

"Are you getting used to home?"

"Hmm, Grandma treats me well, so don’t worry. Are you tired in the army?"

"Not tired. I’ve been on a mission during this time, so I haven’t called home... I received a bonus, a hundred and thirty yuan, which I’ve saved up to give to you when I return." In Han Yi’s view, as a man, he should provide for his wife and not let her suffer.

On the other side, Lin Wan chuckled, thinking what a simpleton. He doesn’t even say sweet words to win her over; he’s so honest.

In her previous life, Han Yi was just like this. Two years with him and they rarely met. Whenever they met, it was about giving money or family matters, and they seldom talked about each other, let alone sweet words.

Because of this, she often resented Han Yi in her heart. Having lived again, her youthful innocence was gone; she only wished to live well with Han Yi and enjoy their small family life.

"Hmm, when can you come back?"

On the other end, Han Yi was silent for a moment, a slight guilt on his face. "Xiao Wan, I’m sorry, I might have to wait a bit longer."

"Hmm, I understand. Don’t worry about home; I’ll take good care of Grandma. I’ll be waiting for you to come back." Though they weren’t far apart, they could not see each other whenever they wanted.

"How is the new school?" Despite his guilt, Han Yi knew he must fulfill his duty.

"It’s good; everyone is an adult, most have families. We work and study, all valuing the opportunity to learn, and get along well."

"Hmm, be careful on your way back in the evening. If you have classmates, make sure to go back together."

"I know. I recently met a female classmate who lives not far from our home. In the evening, we go back together."

Lin Wan spoke a bit about the Mid-Autumn Festival day with Han Yi before hanging up the phone. She gave Aunt Wu forty cents and rode her bike to school. Her brother and Brother Li had already started school, and on Sundays, the two would go out with the salesmen.