Huo Tingzhou, however, didn’t take it—he still had a few dozen yuan on him.
Moreover, the grain rations for Third Uncle and Uncle Zhong weren’t tied to the military unit, so they couldn’t purchase supplies from the logistics department.
"Not tied to the unit?"
Jiang Si was genuinely surprised by this.
Their household registrations had already been transferred, so why hadn’t their grain rations been reassigned?
Huo Tingzhou explained, "Because parents and grandparents aren’t automatically eligible for dependent benefits, they can only be brought along under special circumstances for caregiving purposes. But grain rations are a strict regulation—they can’t be transferred."
In short, aside from needing the unit’s approval to bring them here, everything else had to be paid for out of pocket.
Jiang Si asked, "Then what do we do if their grain rations can’t be transferred?"
Not that she was short on food—her space was overflowing with more crops than she could ever eat.
Seeing Huo Tingzhou’s confident expression, Jiang Si suddenly had a realization.
How could she have forgotten? There was a free market in town.
And she’d heard from Hu Meili that fine grains could occasionally be bought there, though at a much higher price than at the state-run grain stations.
The higher price wasn’t an issue for Jiang Si.
She wasn’t short on money, and it would actually be more convenient to just take what she needed from her space.
Huo Tingzhou took one look at her expression and immediately understood.
If she’d dared to go to the free market alone back in Yangcheng, there was nothing she wouldn’t do.
With that in mind, he cut in before she could get any ideas, "Hold on—don’t rush off to the free market just yet. I haven’t finished explaining."
"You have another solution?" Jiang Si asked, puzzled.
Huo Tingzhou nodded, giving her a reassuring look. "While Third Uncle and Uncle Zhong’s grain rations can’t be transferred to the unit, the military can issue them a temporary purchasing permit for migrant populations."
"With this permit, they can buy grain at the town’s state-run shops at negotiated prices."
"Negotiated-price grain doesn’t require ration coupons, but it costs about twice as much as standard-priced grain. Each person is also limited to two purchases per month."
Huo Tingzhou laid it all out in one go, but to Jiang Si, it didn’t seem much different from the free market.
Actually, the free market was even more convenient—at least there were no purchase limits.
Before she could voice this thought, Third Uncle interjected, "We’ll follow Xiao Huo’s plan on this."
He then specifically warned Jiang Si, "No matter how ‘free’ that market is, you’re not to go. This isn’t Shanghai—if the inspection team catches you, someone might use it as ammunition against us."
Uncle Zhong nodded in agreement.
Over the past few days, while seemingly just strolling around the residential compound with the old man, he’d made sure to gather all the necessary information.
"Miss Jiang, with the young master climbing the ranks step by step, more and more eyes are on him."
"You both must be extremely careful—don’t let something this minor become a vulnerability for others to exploit."
Three people, six eyes, all fixed on her.
Jiang Si had no choice but to concede, "Alright, alright, I understand."
After a bit more small talk, Huo Tingzhou took Third Uncle and Uncle Zhong out once the time was right.
With the weather so nice, Jiang Si decided to give Dundun a bath.
They hadn’t even been in the residential compound for long, but the little one had already gone beachcombing with Third Uncle twice.
Its once-pristine fur was now a matted mess of dried seawater and sand.
No wonder the cafeteria cats hadn’t come by today in their usual group.
Just as she was finishing up, a knock came at the door.
"Back so soon?" Jiang Si muttered as she got up.
When she opened the door, she was met with yet another unfamiliar face.
Seeing the woman holding a box of goods with a friendly smile, Jiang Si instinctively frowned. "My husband isn’t home..."
After the Yang Xiaoyu incident a few days ago, rumors had spread throughout the compound.
Catching Jiang Si’s guarded tone, the woman quickly introduced herself, "Hello, Comrade Jiang. I’m Pan Caixia, director of the family committee."
"This round of health checkups involves quite a few people and items, so we’ve been instructed to organize a schedule."
She pulled out a sheet and handed it over. "Here’s yours."
"Yours is scheduled for five days from now, from 9 AM to noon. Remember to fast beforehand."
Jiang Si accepted it with thanks. "Thank you, Director Pan."
"Of course, of course." Director Pan smiled, then added, "Oh, take these pears too."
"What’s this for?"
"It’s a token of appreciation from the military for the families’ hard work this past year."
To reassure her, Director Pan pointed at a cart in the distance. "Don’t worry, every household is getting some."
Hearing that, Jiang Si accepted the gift.
Feeling a little bad for her earlier suspicion, she offered politely, "Director Pan, would you like to come in for some water?"
To be honest, it was just a courtesy.
But Director Pan actually took her up on it.
Once inside, though, she got straight to the point. "Comrade Jiang, I didn’t come in just for water."
Surprised by her bluntness, Jiang Si chuckled. "That’s fine. Have some tea first, then talk."
She handed over a freshly poured cup.
"Thank you."
Director Pan accepted it with a smile. She really was busy today, so she cut to the chase.
"Someone asked me to inquire about something, and since I’m here, I figured I’d ask. No hidden meaning to it."
"An inquiry about me?" Jiang Si gave her a puzzled look.
She hadn’t even been in the compound long enough to know everyone’s names—what could anyone possibly want to ask her?
Director Pan nodded. "Here’s the thing—Battalion Commander Wang’s mother tripped and sprained her ankle in the compound yesterday. She claims an elderly man helped her up."
"I asked around, and everyone says it was your uncle."
"Comrade Jiang, did you know about your uncle’s good deed?"
Jiang Si shook her head. She had no idea!
But something about this didn’t sit right with her.
If Third Uncle hadn’t mentioned it, he probably didn’t consider it worth mentioning.
Trusting her gut, Jiang Si replied flatly, "Third Uncle never brought it up, so I don’t know the details. But I wouldn’t call it a ‘rescue,’ would you?"
Director Pan hesitated.
She felt the same way.
But... Battalion Commander Wang’s mother seemed to disagree.
Before she could respond, Jiang Si continued, "And thanks aren’t necessary. We’re all part of the same compound—anyone would lend a hand if they saw someone fall. Don’t you think so, Director Pan?"
"Yes, yes," Director Pan said with an awkward laugh. What a mess.
After a moment’s hesitation, she confessed, "Comrade Jiang, I’ll be straight with you—Battalion Commander Wang’s mother... she asked me to play matchmaker. I don’t know the full story myself."
"I’ve passed on the message. Just keep it in mind."
Jiang Si nearly laughed in disbelief.
So Third Uncle’s good deed had somehow earned him an admirer?
Seeing Jiang Si’s darkening expression, Director Pan didn’t linger.
She shifted the conversation back to the health checkups, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and excused herself.
Though she left, Jiang Si’s mood remained unsettled.
By the time Huo Tingzhou and the others returned, she was still sitting in the living room with her arms crossed, silent.
They’d never seen her this angry before.
But they knew Jiang Si's temperament all too well.
This girl only crossed her arms when she was angry.
Seeing this, Third Grandpa and Uncle Zhong exchanged glances before turning their eyes to Huo Tingzhou in unison. "What did you do to upset Si Si like this?"
Huo Tingzhou actually paused to reflect for a moment.
He hadn’t teased her last night.
And earlier that morning, he’d only told her she couldn’t go to the free market.
If she’d been upset about that, she would’ve lashed out right then—not waited until now.
Just then, Huo Tingzhou noticed the teacup on the table.
Before he could ask, "Who was here earlier?"
Jiang Si was already staring at him.
When her gaze lingered, Third Grandpa pointed at himself. "Is it me?"
Jiang Si nodded. "Yes, it’s you."
Third Grandpa was baffled. "What did I do?" He hadn’t done a thing.
Jiang Si narrowed her eyes, torn between irritation and amusement. "Third Grandpa, you’re in trouble! Someone’s got their eye on you."
"Wha—?!"
Third Grandpa’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.
Jiang Si figured wide-eyed shock wouldn’t help now—they needed to get to the bottom of this first.
"Third Grandpa, did you help an elderly woman in the residential compound yesterday?"
If she hadn’t brought it up, it might’ve been fine.
But the moment she did, Third Grandpa nearly jumped out of his seat. "When did I ever help an old lady?!"
