Volume One, Chapter 14: In What Way Could She Be Better Than Him?

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The tailor’s shop had nothing else, but plenty of scraps. When Song Yi expressed her interest, they handed her a large sack. “Comrade, it’s all in here. Pick whatever you want.”

Song Yi thanked them and began rummaging through the bag. She had expected ordinary fabric scraps, but to her surprise, the sack contained not only cotton, linen, and silk but even gauze.

With such variety, the types of hair accessories she could make would expand significantly.

Her eyes sparkled as she selected two large bags full. After some bargaining, she sealed the deal for eight yuan.

Li Wan helped carry one of the bags but couldn’t hide her curiosity. “Song Yi, what are you planning to do with these fabric scraps? They won’t be enough to make clothes.”

They might be suitable for mending shoe soles, but gauze wouldn’t be useful there. For sweat absorption, shoe soles were better made from light, breathable cotton or coarse cloth.

Song Yi decided not to hide it any longer and smiled, “I’m making hair accessories.”

“Hair accessories? What’s that?”

She knew about hair ties and rubber bands but had never heard of hair accessories.

Song Yi picked up a piece of gauze and deftly folded it into a bow with nimble fingers. “Like this. Attach a rubber band to it, and it becomes a beautiful hair accessory.”

The gauze was black, and Song Yi’s hands were skilled; the bow was exquisitely made.

Li Wan fell instantly in love with it, holding the bow tenderly. “This is so pretty! Song Yi, you really have a knack for this.”

Having fabric was one thing, but rubber bands were also essential.

Song Yi made another trip to the supply and marketing cooperative and spent two yuan buying a large batch.

Carrying her spoils, she and Li An returned to the military district compound.

Sister Wang and a few others were cracking sunflower seeds and cooling off beneath a tree. Seeing Song Yi return laden with bags, Sister Wang immediately spoke up, “Still saying you’re not a flirt, but buying all these must have cost the company commander a fortune! That’s his hard-earned money you’re wasting, not like the wind just blew it here. Such a spendthrift woman.”

Very well.

Now Song Yi had earned another nickname besides “flirt”: “spendthrift.”

Song Yi wanted to laugh bitterly but fired back on the spot, “Sister Wang, is that envy or jealousy? If you’re capable, why don’t you get the company commander to spend on you, too?”

She did not like trouble, but that didn’t mean she feared it. Sister Wang was practically riding her, so she certainly wouldn’t back down.

Sister Wang flipped her eyelids disdainfully. “As if my family doesn’t have some savings. My old man Wang has a salary too.”

Song Yi sneered, “Then go buy your own stuff. What’s the point of sulking here?”

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“You…” Sister Wang was furious. “Do you think we’re like you spendthrift women? Our money is saved, right there in the bank, two thousand yuan saved up.”

She was nothing like Song Yi, who spent money before earning a single penny. No matter how much the company commander had, it would never be enough for her to waste.

Money was valuable in this era, but in a few years, with prices soaring, two thousand yuan would be just an ordinary person’s month’s wage. No need to tell Sister Wang that, though.

Song Yi smiled faintly. “That’s quite a sum. Didn’t expect Sister Wang to be so wealthy. Keep it up and save it well.”

The others joined in praising Sister Wang, saying she had plenty of money.

In their minds, two thousand yuan was a huge amount. Though not a fortune, how many people in An City could claim to be millionaires?

Sister Wang, buoyed by their admiration, puffed out her chest proudly. “Well, being able to save is because I’m thrifty and know how to live within my means. Not like some people, who just drain their men’s pockets.”

After she spoke, she looked around for Song Yi.

Finding that Song Yi had already left, she almost had a heart attack from anger.

&

Song Yi truly had no interest in wasting time chatting with Sister Wang. Her mind was full of plans to make money—missing a day meant losing a day’s earnings, which was unacceptable. So she had to hurry.

Li Wan had already taken An’an home, so upon entering the room, Song Yi didn’t even rest. She pulled out needles and thread and began making hair accessories.

She planned to first make a dozen large fabric hair ties, then some with trailing ribbons from the cloth scraps. As for the gauze, she intended to make bow-shaped accessories.

The remaining narrow strips of fabric would be fashioned into bow ribbons.

With experience from her past life, she worked quickly and by evening had made fifty pieces.

Shang Chen returned and saw the fabric strewn everywhere. His brow lifted slightly. “What are you making?”

“Hair ties,” Song Yi said, wearing one with a bow ribbon half-tied in her hair. She swayed it at Shang Chen. “Do you like it?”

The ribbons were black silk. As she moved, the long strips fluttered beside her delicate, fair face.

She was already beautiful, but with her hair styled, she looked even more radiant than a flower in bloom.

The fan stirred a gentle breeze, causing the black ribbons to brush against her soft, rosy lips.

Shang Chen’s dark eyes flickered with an indescribable meaning. “It’s beautiful.”

Song Yi blushed, her heart pounding inexplicably. “I…I was showing you the ribbons. Why are you looking at me like that?”

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Shang Chen diverted his gaze from her cheek and glanced once at the ribbons. “Beautiful.”

Song Yi relaxed. If even Shang Chen, such a straightforward man, said it was beautiful, selling these hair accessories shouldn’t be a problem.

She used the excuse of tidying up to hide her unease and glanced outside at the sky. “You rest first. I’ll go cook.”

Shang Chen saw her rubbing her waist and quelled his chaotic thoughts. “Don’t bother. I’ll get some food from the canteen.”

Canteen

Song Yi didn’t refuse. After a busy day, she was indeed tired.

After eating and a quick wash-up, she went to the study to find Shang Chen. “Shang Chen, here.”

Shang Chen had already showered. Wearing a white tank top and military green trousers, his hair cut close to the scalp revealed his sharp facial features, which appeared even more striking under the light.

He glanced at the note Song Yi handed him, pressing his thin lips tightly. “An IOU? What’s this mean?”

Song Yi pushed the note closer to him, signaling for him to take it. “The betrothal money plus the two hundred you gave me today total two thousand two hundred. I’m giving you an IOU. Consider this money a loan from me to you.”

Originally, she intended to repay Shang Chen, but business required capital, and since she had no family wealth, she came up with this compromise.

Shang Chen didn’t take it and returned to his book. “No need. What I gave you is yours.”

Song Yi placed the IOU on the table decisively. “No, a debt is a debt. You have to keep this IOU.”

She didn’t plan to be his true wife, so how could she shamelessly take his money? Even calling it a loan felt brazen.

With a sharp snap, Shang Chen closed the book, his cold, piercing eyes fixed on Song Yi. “So, your IOU means you want to draw a clear line between us? Then why did you agree to join the military and say you want to go to university? Or is it because you’re not over him, still wanting to marry Xie Yu?”

Otherwise, how could he explain her initial refusal and then sudden change of heart?

That weakling, besides being a bit fairer, had what about him that was better than me?

Song Yi was speechless…