Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 151 Neighbors

He started by lighting the kindling first, and then placed the coal rack on top, making it ready for use in just a little while, right outside on the corridor where he wasn’t afraid of complaints since every household did the same.

Yang Peimin grabbed a chair and sat next to the door watching him work, completely looking worn out.

Shen Yiguang looked at her with amusement and then thought back to how, upon his first step inside, the room had transformed drastically, clean and tidy, with a cement floor washed so neat that one could walk on it barefoot without picking up any dust.

She was a meticulous and particular girl who, even though she didn’t like physical tasks, still managed to keep herself and the home in exemplary order.

Feeling sympathy for her, he spoke softly, "Let’s heat some water in a bit, and soak your feet. Are you very tired?"

Yang Peimin nodded hastily.

The Red Army wife also came out to scoop some hot water from their stove for her son’s bath, observing their scene and clucked twice in admiration, "Oh, Shen is burning coal."

Shen Yiguang looked up and nodded slightly to acknowledge her.

He also noticed Yang Peimin sitting by the door, adding, "My sister-in-law is here too, look, your man is even helping out, newlywed couples do have wonderful affection."

"That’s not it, I’m not familiar with this stuff, he’s just showing me how," she responded.

"This thing is very simple, back in the countryside everyone knows how to do it. Just light the kindling and then add coal that’s all. I was wondering why it wasn’t lit yet given it’s already dark, turns out this is why. Look at you being too polite, you didn’t come ask me for help. I could have lit it in no time. Now you’ve had the man tired from a full day work doing it," the Red Army wife said in a reproachful tone to Yang Peimin.

Yang Peimin smiled, "I was just sorting things out at home and then remembered about this."

"Now don’t let it be like this next time. I’m also free usually, just cooking and sewing for the children and husband, drifting through the day. As military wives staying back, we need to show solidarity and mutual assistance like them, only then can we progress together with our men."

Yang Peimin acknowledged in agreement.

The Red Army wife noticed her patient and unhurried demeanor, seemingly forgetting her initial task of fetching water. She stepped closer and came to stand near her door and glanced inside, also breaking into a smile, "Sister-in-law is diligent, keeping everything so neat and clean. Have you been busy with these chores this afternoon?"

Seeing Yang Peimin nod, she too nodded, "Looks neat and tidy indeed, and you have the patience for it which is good. Luckily, there’s not much stuff but organizing it can be quite time-consuming. Once you have kids, it’s you running behind cleaning up his mess, and the work never ends in a day... Don’t think we’re idle; with good times, you could work in a canteen like Mrs. Guo, earning a salary for helpful work, working during the day and attending to everyone after dinner and managing the kitchen chores to hurry home for her own husband’s needs and house cleaning, she hardly sleeps before midnight. So, sometimes we also need to be swift with our hands and feet..."

This, this Red Army wife? She started preaching again!

Yang Peimin maintained a listening smile on her face, yet she discreetly sought help from Shen Yiguang; with him around, of course, he could handle it—it was also a sign of respect for him, Yang Peimin thought sneakily.

Shen Yiguang suppressed a laugh, coughed lightly, and called out to the Red Army wife, "Sister, your water has boiled."

His voice was loud and articulate, giving no reason for her not to hear. Realizing she was out to get water and had got caught up, she slapped her forehead, "Look at my memory, almost forgot about it. But hey, chatting with sister-in-law is fun as well..."

Yang Peimin chuckled lightly.

When she left, Yang PeiMin finally relaxed her stiff smile and couldn’t help but laugh outright upon seeing Shen Yiguang’s expression. She glanced at him reproachfully, "Hurry up and bring in the water. I want to bathe."

After speaking, she entered the room.

Shen Yiguang responded with a chuckle and, thinking of certain matters, moved with exceptional speed. The coal had already burned halfway, illuminating the bottom of the stove crimson, but it still couldn’t satisfy his eager mood, so he grabbed the fan beside him and started fanning...

Then, as Gao Hong from the room on the left came out to add coal to her family’s stove, she glanced his way, a flash of surprise crossing her face. She looked towards his door, where she saw it half ajar but couldn’t see Yang PeiMin. She pursed her lips, then looked back at Shen Yiguang.

By this time, Shen Yiguang felt the coals were fierce enough, so he put down the fan, got up, and was about to return to his room when he turned and saw Gao Hong. He nodded slightly at her.

Gao Hong nodded back a bit stiffly, opened her mouth, and finally couldn’t resist asking, "Why isn’t the younger sister here?"

Shen Yiguang replied, "She’s inside. Tidying the house today really wore her out."

Gao Hong nodded, her face showing realization, "I see."

Seeing she had no more questions, Shen Yiguang nodded at her again and stepped into the room.

He closed the door behind him immediately to keep the outside smoke from blowing in. freēnovelkiss.com

Seeing Yang PeiMin had already taken out her clothes to change into, she was standing at the edge of the bed, applying something on her face from a mirror hanging above. Shen Yiguang washed his hands and came out, embracing her from behind and leaning in to see, "Wife, what is this?" His face genuinely curious, these were her homemade creations; it seemed her mind was quite resourceful in certain areas.

Yang PeiMin pushed him away with her elbow, "Move away, don’t get in the way. Go see if the water is hot yet, and the thermos is out of water too, fill that up as well."

Shen Yiguang reluctantly moved away, sniffed near her neck, and asked in a husky voice, "Wife, how about we bathe together later?"

Yang PeiMin shook her head disapprovingly, "No, the bathroom is so tiny. How can it fit two people? Don’t start with that nonsense..." Before she finished speaking, she already felt his hands on her... and her face flush with heat, "You... let go of me now..."

Shen Yiguang did listen, quickly bringing in the hot water.

He adjusted the water temperature for her.

When she entered the bathroom, he squeezed in too.

In certain matters, this man always persisted with his original intentions, not stopping until he achieved his goal.

Fortunately, considering her physical and mental state hadn’t fully recovered, he only played around once.

They then lay on the bed talking.

Yang PeiMin talked about her spat with Du Juanjuan that day and, now that she had calmed down, started thinking about some things. She couldn’t help but ask him, "Me teasing her like that, it’s not a problem, right? Will it affect your work?" Shao Hui was only about a year older than Shen Yiguang but joined the army later. Now their ranks were the same. Shen Yiguang had struggled hard to climb up, which Yang PeiMin knew a bit about, but Shao Hui was different. Although his capabilities were outstanding, the medals he actually earned were far fewer than Shen Yiguang’s, clearly indicating he had connections up high.