A hearty, satisfying dinner came to an end, yet the sun had not fully set. The sky was brushed with a magnificent purple‑red hue from the evening glow, while inside the house it remained dim and shadowy, making it almost hard to see clearly.
Unwilling to waste the fading daylight, the Xiao family moved their small wooden table outside. Once the meal was finished, everyone went about their tasks: some carried the bowls away to wash, others cleared the table.
Ye Qing glanced around and, seeing no one had asked her to help, picked up a broom and swept the small courtyard clean.
After eating, the family did not immediately go inside to sleep. Chen Xiuzhi brought out her basket of needles and thread and began mending clothes, working by the remaining light.
Shi Fengxia directed the men to carry over a large basket of dried corn cobs. Sitting down beside Ye Qing, she explained, “These were dried last winter. We’re running low on cornmeal now, so we’ll shell another basket of kernels. Once we’re done, we’ll take them to the brigade office to be ground into meal — that should keep us going for a few more days.”
Ye Qing nodded, picked up a cob, and sat down to start shelling it.
The whole family gathered around the table: some mending clothes, others stripping corn. The kernels fell into the basket with a steady pat‑pat‑clatter.
They did not work in silence. While their hands moved, they chatted about everyday matters — how they planned to get through the coming winter, what supplies they needed to store up for the cold months, and how they would pay off the family’s debts. Everything had to be carefully planned out.
Even though she had the original Ye Qing’s memories, this world still felt unfamiliar to her. Listening to the family talk, she felt like parched earth finally receiving rain, and she leaned in, listening closely and attentively.
She stayed quiet for quite some time, and the more she heard, the more interesting she found this family.
As the mother‑in‑law, Chen Xiuzhi never put on airs or acted like a superior elder; she discussed every matter openly with her children. Xiao Lei, the eldest son, and Xiao Yang, the second, were like two quiet, hardworking oxen — steady and capable, speaking only occasionally while keeping their hands busy.
The most talkative of all was Shi Fengxia. After exchanging a few words with her mother‑in‑law, she turned and noticed Ye Qing sitting quietly, stripping corn. It was only then that Chen Xiuzhi realized Ye Qing had not said a single word since the conversation began.
She ran her needle through her hair to smooth its tip, making it glide more easily through the fabric. “Xiao Ye, ever since you married into this family, you’ve either been resting or recovering from illness. You don’t yet know us well, and it’s only natural you’d feel awkward. When we’re all talking, you might not know how to join in — it must feel uncomfortable.”
“Since we’re all sitting together today, let me introduce everyone properly. Once you get to know us, things will feel easier. Remember, from now on, we’re all one family.”
“Very well, Mother,” Ye Qing replied, adopting the new title smoothly. She liked the warm, open atmosphere and felt no resistance calling Chen Xiuzhi “Mother.”
A flicker of pleasant surprise crossed Chen Xiuzhi’s face. She composed herself and pointed to the eldest couple. “This is my oldest son, Xiao Lei, and this is his wife, Shi Fengxia. You two met earlier today.”
Ye Qing nodded toward Xiao Lei.
Xiao Lei struggled to force a natural smile. He was still uncomfortable interacting with his younger brother’s wife.
Shi Fengxia, however, laughed openly and good‑naturedly. “No need to introduce us, Mother! We even cooked a meal together earlier today.”
Chen Xiuzhi ignored her remark and turned back to Ye Qing. “Besides these two, I also have a daughter named Xiao Ping. She’s already married and lives in the mountains too — in the village farthest from here, but closest to the main road out. She just gave birth, so she won’t be visiting for a while. When she has time, I’ll take you to see her.”
Finally, she came to her youngest son, and for a moment her words faltered.
“And this is your husband, Xiao Yang. You two are about the same age, both young folks. You’ll get to know each other better with time — I don’t need to say much more.”
Ye Qing’s gaze naturally shifted to Xiao Yang, and she looked him over from head to toe.
To be honest, he was quite handsome — a fine‑featured, clean‑cut young man.
Perhaps because of the altitude, people in the mountains were generally tall, but Xiao Yang stood even taller than most. He had a sturdy frame and broad bones, yet was not gaunt; his limbs were long and strong. Right now, he sat with his head lowered, stripping corn. With a quick twist of his fingers, bright yellow kernels tumbled into the basket.
He seemed focused on his work, but Ye Qing noticed his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down constantly, and his eyelashes trembling slightly — clearly he was listening closely to the conversation.
“How is your arm?” Ye Qing’s eyes settled on his left forearm.
She had not paid much attention to him earlier that day, but now she saw it clearly: his forearm was wrapped in bandages, and his left hand was noticeably weak. He could only hold the cob loosely, doing all the work with his right hand.
Xiao Yang kept his head down as he twisted the cob, his voice muffled. “I got hurt. It happened the day I jumped into the river to save you.”
Ye Qing felt a tangle of emotions. She could not help but think: what kind people this family were! Not only had they spent a great deal of money to save her, but their son had also been injured in the process. Yet not a single one had shown any resentment toward her since she woke up. In the harsh world of the apocalypse she came from, people like this had long since ceased to exist.
Coming back to herself, she moved closer. “May I take a look? If it’s just a surface wound, it should be healed enough by now to remove the bandage.”
She added, “I didn’t have much guidance growing up, but I learned a few things from a local healer. I can change the dressing and rewrap it properly if you’d like.”
“No, I don’t want you looking at it,” Xiao Yang refused immediately. He lifted his head just long enough to glance at her, then quickly averted his eyes as if he had seen a ghost. He grabbed his stool, moved over to sit beside his older brother, and even shrank slightly behind Xiao Lei.
Ye Qing raised an eyebrow.
Had she imagined it? For a split second, she could have sworn she saw fear flash across his face — he was actually afraid of her.
The air grew awkward. Even Shi Fengxia, who usually spoke without thinking, fell silent. Everyone stared at Xiao Yang, confused by his sudden reaction.
“Xiao Yang, she’s your wife, not some ghost!” Shi Fengxia asked, puzzled. “What on earth are you doing?”
Chen Xiuzhi also spoke up. “Ever since Xiao Ye woke up this morning, you’ve been acting strangely. What are you scared of? What are you hiding from?”
Xiao Yang stared hard at his injured hand, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. After a few awkward mumbles, he finally blurted out, “I hardly know her, and suddenly she’s my wife! Is it so wrong that I need time to get used to it?”
“Even so, you don’t have to act like you’ve seen a spirit — it hurts her feelings,” Chen Xiuzhi said gently. She pulled Ye Qing closer and took her hand. “Please don’t take this to heart. Xiao Yang was never like this before. He’s still adjusting. His father passed away unexpectedly last year, and now he’s hurt himself. He’s just feeling low and unsettled right now.”
“Mother, you don’t need to explain,” Ye Qing replied, patting her hand in return. She did not let it bother her. Even if their marriage meant nothing, Xiao Yang was still the man who had saved her life.
She would never forget that debt. Even if Xiao Yang wanted nothing more to do with their union, she would understand. She only needed a place to stay for the time being; if things did not work out, she could always make other plans.
Returning to her earlier question, she asked, “Is it really just a surface wound? Did you take him to see a doctor at the time?”
Something still felt off. If it were only a minor injury, why would he still be unable to use his hand properly after several days? The wound must be worse than it sounded.
Chen Xiuzhi dismissed her concern with a smile. “Of course we did! As soon as we pulled you both out of the river, we rushed him to the clinic. The town doctor examined him and said it was nothing serious — just a scrape and bruise. He said it would heal with rest. There’s no need to worry; once he recovers, he can go back to work.”
Speaking of her youngest son’s job brightened her mood considerably, and her voice grew animated. “You two are from different villages, so you might not know: Xiao Yang has a steady job. Right now he’s an apprentice at the state‑run restaurant in town. If he learns his trade well, he’ll become a full‑time cook someday.”
“Once he’s a regular employee, life will get much easier for us. Even as an apprentice, he earns a wage. When he brings that money home, we’ll buy more grain to fill our bellies. And when the autumn harvest comes in, we’ll pay off our debts. After that, we’ll have nothing more to worry about.”
With hope for the future laid out before them, everyone felt warm and driven, filled with renewed energy.
Chen Xiuzhi glanced toward the horizon, where the sun was almost gone. Seeing darkness falling fast, she hurried her hands. “Come on, everyone, let’s finish up. Once it’s fully dark, we’ll wash up and get to bed. We’ve worked hard all day — no need to keep going until we’re exhausted.”
Ye Qing looked down at the golden kernels in her hands, popped one into her mouth, and chewed it with a crisp crunch.
Suddenly, a question came to mind. “By the way, I saw Eldest Brother digging up wild yams from the hillside today. If my health improves and I go looking for food in the mountains too, would someone report me?”
Her understanding of this era was still limited; her mind was still full of survival instincts from the apocalypse, and only fragments of the original Ye Qing’s memories remained.
Asking this question would help her plan ahead and put her mind at ease.
The whole family found her question amusing. Chen Xiuzhi shook her head. “Maybe in other places, but not here in the mountains.”
“All the villages around us are surrounded by hills, with only one road leading out. Up north, summers are short and winters long — snow comes early every year, and once it falls heavily, the road out is blocked. If we run short of food up here, relief grain from the commune can’t reach us. So the authorities turn a blind eye to us gathering food in the hills. No one stops us.”
“As for reporting you? That’s just nonsense. If anyone tried to tell the village chief, he’d scold them right back. If we didn’t go up the mountains to find food, what would we eat? Relying only on our fields, we’d have starved long ago.”
“People here live off the land and the hills — it’s been that way for generations. It’s not easy to travel far, so the commune doesn’t interfere,” added Shi Fengxia. “And there’s even a small market sometimes where the three nearest villages meet. Once you’re stronger, I’ll take you there. On a clear day, it’s quite lively.”
Ye Qing nodded, feeling reassured. As long as no one was watching or making trouble, she could head into the mountains whenever she was fit enough.
Chen Xiuzhi finished mending her clothes and looked up, catching the expression on Ye Qing’s face. Her heart skipped a beat. “Xiao Ye, are you thinking of going up there already? You haven’t fully recovered yet. Right now, you’re weaker than even a half‑grown child. Don’t be foolish — wait until you’ve built up your strength before heading out.”
Worried she might rush into danger, Chen Xiuzhi gave her a few more earnest reminders.
Ye Qing did not give a definite yes or no, only replied vaguely.
As their conversation drew to a close, the afterglow faded from the sky, the moon rose above the treetops, and the heavens turned a vast, deep blue.
Here in the mountains, the night sky felt closer and clearer than anywhere else. Ye Qing felt as if she could reach out and touch the cool, silvery moon itself.
One by one, the family began putting things away. The shelled corn was carried inside, water was heated for washing, and everything was tidied up. Soon, the eldest couple retired to their small room, while Ye Qing followed Chen Xiuzhi into the main house.
Space was tight in the Xiao home: the eldest couple had their own room, while Ye Qing, Xiao Yang, and Chen Xiuzhi all shared the same large heated brick bed. They slept separately, of course — neither Ye Qing nor Xiao Yang was yet comfortable acting as husband and wife.
Xiao Yang had gone inside first. When Ye Qing entered, he was already sitting on the bed.
The moment she stepped through the door, he jumped up like a startled mouse and darted to the far corner of the bed, pressing himself tightly against the wall.