Walking through the streets Yue lost the mood to buy anything else. Everything looked so dull...
"Shall we head back?"
"Yes.." he glanced up at Fan with a sad smile. He really wanted to buy a lot of stuff for their new home but he ruined the moment.
Fan Xui gently grabbed his hand.
As they were walking, Yue suddenly paused. He could not believe he was seeing this...
"Yue... what is it?" Fan Xui peered in the direction his lover was looking at. It was a short-blown-haired woman standing there with a young child. The boy looked about two years old. he was sucking on a lollypop. "Do you know them?"
Yue blinked.. "It's that woman, she was kidnapped along with Juda."
"Oh, it's good that she has settled down,"
"Yeah, it is..." his eyes lingered on the young kid. The young kid was wearing a puffer jacket with a hood over his face. He was about tall as his mum's knees clinging to her brown torn shirt. From this angle, he could not see his face though.
"I see a vendor selling wood beams. We can try to make our own bed." Fan Xui said suddenly.
Yue glanced at him blankly. "Yeah yeah we can. We can cut it and nail it down together. I think we have some tools at home,"
"Good then," they both walked over to that spot.
When Yue glanced back the mother and son pair were no longer there.
"Yue?"
"Yeah let's go," he ran over to the van. There were at least fifteen lumber wood cut into beams. They were about the thickness of his wrist and looked strong. They were long as well. If they could buy three of this lumber they could build a bed.
"How much for one?" Fan coldly peered at the man.
"Five ramen, family packs or five meal tokens for each,"
Fan looked at his way.
Yue subtly shook his head. it was costly.
"I'll give you two family packs, for two wood beams."
"No deal," the old man sat down calmly chewing on his toothpick. He looked about fifty years old and was wearing a torn shirt. His arms and legs were super thin.
Yue's heart went to him. Living in difficult times as an old-aged man was difficult. He had seen so many people being bullied and exploited. Even if they brought something from him, he was pretty sure the nearby bullies will beat him and take it from him.
"Where did you get the wood?" Yue examined the beams. They were all good quality red wood.
The old man just peered at him.
"They are good quality,"
"of course they are, they are imported African wood. It's good for carving,"
Yue looked at his hands. The man's hands were bruised right by the fingertips and the palm of his hands have large calluses. "Are you a carpenter? You make pieces?"
"Scoff, carpenter? It's called a woodcarver. Young people don't have a wide range of vocabulary don't they,"
Yue got close to him.
The old man flinched back. His calm disposure disappeared. "w-what do you want? You can't steal from me. Its waste wood. It won't be even worth a cent..."
"Calm down, I'm not trying to mug you. I just want to know if you can make pieces for me," he secretly whispered.
"What do you want?"
"I want a bed, sofa and four chair made out of wood,"
The old man looked at him with disinterest.
"You can't? I thought you were a woodcarver,"
"I worked with wood my whole life of course I can. but my skill in carpentry is not that good. I can decorate pieces but not make them well.... electric cutters don't work.. I have to saw them... it's a lot of work..."
"But can you do it?"
"I can. How much will you pay?"
Yue glanced around. People were looking their way. So many men were lurking in the shadows looking at them. "Why don't we talk about this in private?"
"Where?"
"Somewhere you deem safe,"
The old man scoffed. "Nowhere is safe. Just quote the price,"
"Food tokens? Is that okay?"
The old man's eyes showed interest.
"Do you want me to give it to you directly or do you want to drop by the barrack and have your meals,"
The old ma skeptically glanced at him up and down. "Scammers. I knew something was wrong with you both,"
Yue sighed. "If we give you money or food, you will be attacked. Look around you, people are waiting,"
"A-are you blackmailing me..."
"No, I'm helping you. My boyfriend here is in the administration office in the barrack, you can get food there with his permission. All we need is a bed, a sofa and four chairs."
The old man looked up at Fan Xui. "Proof?"
Fan held out his badge. It was just given to the lieutenants. "Just drop by. I'll instruct the canteen staff. But the food is only for you. No plus ones. If anyone tags along with you they won't be allowed in,"
He knew how many people can use this opportunity to tag along and get into the barracks for free food.
The old man looked hesitant.
Yue stood up, patting his knees. "Think about it,"
"Deal. Just one-bed sofa and four chairs, right?"
"yes,"
"I'll make them for you... but as I said, my equipment won't work without electricity. I would have to saw it... so... can you give me a month's free meals, three times a day..."
"Okay,"
The old man smirked. "Good. I'll get it done. I'll also drop by tomorrow at the barrack."
"I'll instruct the soldiers. What is your name?"
"Muxing."
"Meet me at the barrack tomorrow morning. I'll arrange people to receive you," Fan Xui held Yue's hand and they both walked away.
Today's shopping trip was a complete success. They had gotten almost everything they needed for their home.
Only thing left was to set up the solar sheets on the rooftop. That only Bohai could work on.