Chapter 418: Chapter 418: Encounter
There was still some distance to the city center Department Store from their location, and considering there were only a few stops, Yang PeiMin decided to take the bus, knowing it wouldn’t be crowded at this time.
Shen Lele was exceptionally happy, his eyes seemingly unable to see enough, looking around everywhere.
Shen Yiguang carried him in one hand while holding Yang PeiMin with the other as they boarded the bus, and had her buy the tickets.
They found seats and sat down, and Yang PeiMin entertained her son with playful banter.
“Your child is raised so well, plump and fair,” a passenger on the bus commented.
Yang PeiMin smiled.
Shen Yiguang’s lips also curved into a smile.
The Department Store wasn’t too crowded, and Yang PeiMin first headed into the women’s clothing section to browse, with Shen Yiguang trailing behind, shaking his head.
Yang PeiMin stopped and looked at a number of items, some of which were actually designs from her own factory. As for the others, she really didn’t find any that caught her eye.
Shen Yiguang teased her, “Isn’t this just a wasted trip?”
Yang PeiMin gave him a glare, “Not at all, Lele is having a good time, isn’t he?” While she spoke, she put down a yellow dress that was very mediocre. She really didn’t like the color; there was also a dark blue one she wasn’t too fond of.
Shen Yiguang glanced at the blue dress in her hand, not wanting her to return disappointed, so he said, “The blue one in your hand isn’t bad. You look good in anything, wife, so let’s just buy this one. We’ve been here most of the day already.”
A sales associate came over and said, “This one is the latest model, just put on display this morning. Indeed, the fabric is quite fine. No cloth tickets needed, 38 yuan each, and it seems quite suitable for you.”
Hearing that made Yang PeiMin want to laugh. The dress was really overpriced, and she didn’t even know where it came from. The beige babydoll dress she was wearing only cost 20 yuan and mainly because it was much nicer. She shook her head at the sales associate, “I’m sorry, I don’t like it very much, I’ll keep looking.”
The warmth on the sales associate’s face instantly cooled down, and taking the dress, they shook it out, patting away nonexistent creases while mumbling, “If you’re not buying, then don’t look. Act just like a country bumpkin coming to the city.”
“PeiMin?”
Turning around, Yang PeiMin was surprised to see Wen Qing.
She was dressed in a suit with her hair, now medium-length, permed; a style quite different from the past, making her look less like a military person and more like a fashionable young woman. Standing next to her was a military officer in his thirties; he was easily recognizable in his uniform.
Wen Qing looked at Yang PeiMin with a smile, “It really is you; I thought I was mistaken. What’s the matter? You didn’t like the dress? You know, we’ve known each other for some time. If there’s anything you like, let me pay for it.”
As she spoke, she noticed Shen Yiguang and the child in his arms, looking quite surprised, “Haven’t seen you in a year, and you’re a mother now?”
Yang PeiMin felt she had no old times to recall with Wen Qing, and simply nodded slightly, ready to turn around and leave.
“Is this your friend?” the military officer next to Wen Qing asked looking at Yang PeiMin.
“Yes, she is a Military Wife too. See that man? He’s her husband, from the T District troops,” Wen Qing explained.
The middle-aged military officer greeted Shen Yiguang, “I am Dong Lixing, a brigade-level doctor transferred from L District. I hope we’ll have the chance to work together in the future.”
Shen Yiguang also looked over, assessing the man quietly. Recognizing the age and military rank, he knew this was Vice Captain Dong, the one transferred recently to assist the infantry brigade with special training. He greeted him; although they weren’t from the same unit, maintaining the appearance of harmony was still necessary, “So Vice Captain Dong has arrived already. Haven’t joined the team yet?”
Dong Lixing appeared to be quite refined, about thirty-three or thirty-four years old. Not particularly handsome, but nevertheless exuding an air of gentle, scholarly charm, with laugh lines around his eyes. Even without smiling, he seemed very approachable. This, mixed with the resolute temperament of a soldier, made him look like a charming man. Hearing Shen Yiguang’s question, Dong smiled and said, “I took an early ride and was just thinking about heading over with the other comrades. I’m here with my spouse to pick up some household essentials.”
Spouse?
Yang PeiMin glanced at the two of them, realizing that both were married.
“That’s fine. When the time comes, I’ll join the Political Commissar in formally welcoming Vice Captain Dong to cleanse him of the dust from his travels. I won’t disturb you both now,” Shen Yiguang said, nodding to him slightly.
Wen Qing then said, “Brother Shen, don’t rush off. I was just thinking, since we’ve bumped into each other, and remembering how PeiMin has helped me a lot in the past, I see she has been choosing for a while now without finding something suitable. Why don’t I lend a hand and buy something for her?”
It seemed she really wanted to buy clothing for herself. Yang PeiMin couldn’t figure out her mentality. Did she think Yang couldn’t afford it? Or was she just trying to boast about her generosity and wealth?
Mr. Wen, you don’t need to be so kind. I really haven’t seen any clothes that are suitable,” Yang PeiMin said indifferently.
Wen Qing nodded, turned to the salesperson she was speaking with, and requested, “Please get me those two skirts. I think they’re quite nice. I like both colors.”
Yang PeiMin, finding the situation dull, called Shen Yiguang to leave the women’s clothing section.
Not far along, they spotted sandals. Yang PeiMin thought they looked quite nice, so she asked Shen Yiguang to stop, “Let’s take a look.”
She had bought a pair of sandals last year and was currently wearing them; they were of good quality. The issue was that she had bought them on a whim and felt the style was not very flattering. Now, she saw the classic style sandals that would come in future designs, with the toe encased in an openwork design and the back bare except for the delicate white strap tying around the ankle.
You could try on the shoes, though that might depend on the store. They had to ask a salesperson.
“These shoes are genuine cowhide, imported from Italy. Comrade, you have good taste. Which size would you like to try?”
Yang PeiMin reported her size, sat down on a low stool, and waited for the salesperson to find her size. Looking up to Shen Yiguang, she asked, “Do these look good?”
Shen Yiguang smiled and nodded, “They look nice. But autumn is almost here, and you won’t be able to wear them for long. Maybe buy a pair of leather shoes instead.”
Yang PeiMin shook her head. How could she not buy them just because there might be fewer opportunities to wear them? Even if there was only one hot day left, she would still make the purchase.
Shen Yiguang smiled and shook his head, letting her have her way.
The salesperson quickly brought over the shoes. Yang PeiMin leaned over to try them on. Although she was wearing a conservative, doll-collared dress, and Shen Yiguang didn’t actually see anything from his angle, he still called out to her. When Yang PeiMin looked up, he passed their child over to her, “Let me help.”
Yang PeiMin paused, her son now in her arms.
Shen Yiguang crouched down and fastened the buckle around her ankle.
The salesperson stood wide-eyed, signaling to a colleague to look over as if they were witnessing something novel for the first time.
Yang PeiMin’s face turned slightly red, but she could not help her lips curving into a smile.
After Shen Yiguang fastened both shoes, he had her stand and walk around.
Then another voice came from behind, “Brother Shen truly embodies a deep marital bond.”