Days passed steadily with the cycle of dawn and dusk. It had been more than half a month since the warm-house banquet. In the awkward yet sincere interactions between Chen Shuang and He Yanzhi, a quiet understanding typical of ordinary couples was gradually forming.
That morning, as usual, He Yanzhi rose while it was still dim before dawn. His movements were far more practiced than at first, careful not to disturb the person sleeping beside him. Yet, just as he was about to lift the covers and get out of bed, a warm hand gently rested on his arm.
He Yanzhi paused and turned to look.
Chen Shuang, awake without him noticing, lay on her side gazing at him. In the soft morning light, her eyes were clear and gentle. “Today… will you be back late?”
“There’s a joint training exercise, might be late,” He Yanzhi replied quietly, taking her hand in his. “Don’t wait for me to eat dinner; if you’re hungry, eat first.”
“Mm,” Chen Shuang murmured, curling her fingers in his palm briefly before letting go. “Be careful on the way.”
Such a simple exchange, yet it warmed He Yanzhi’s heart. He bent down to plant a light kiss on her forehead before getting dressed.
By the time he finished washing and had breakfast, the sun was fully up. Chen Shuang was also awake, hanging yesterday’s laundry in the courtyard. Their eyes met for a brief moment in the morning light. He Yanzhi nodded to her and strode out.
Chen Shuang continued hanging clothes, watching his tall figure disappear beyond the courtyard gate, a small smile appearing on her lips. These mornings were simple yet steady.
In the late morning, she followed her routine—tidying the house and sewing. The dark blue wool coat was finished, and she was now mending the collar of an old military shirt for He Yanzhi. Her needlework was meticulous, her hands skilled, but her thoughts wandered.
It had been over a month since she arrived on the island. Life was peaceful; He Yanzhi treated her with respect and care, and Aunt Zhou doted on her as if she were her own daughter. But sometimes, in the quiet of night, when stitching by the kerosene lamp, a vague sense of melancholy crept into Chen Shuang’s heart.
She was not ungrateful… but after years of studying, learning Russian and self-teaching English, was this all her life would amount to—confined to the stove and sewing?
Lost in thought, a clear female voice rang from outside the courtyard gate: “Excuse me, is this Commander He’s residence?”
Chen Shuang looked up to see a young woman standing at the gate.
The woman was just over twenty, wearing a pristine military uniform. Her figure was slender, two glossy black braids draping over her chest. Her skin was fair, her features delicate, and her eyes… carried a maturity and an assessing gaze beyond her years.
Chen Shuang set down her sewing. “Yes… may I ask who you are?”
The woman surveyed her from head to toe. Her expression flickered with complex emotions—surprise, scrutiny, and a barely noticeable… resentment? Quickly, she replaced it with a sweet smile. “I’m Lin Xiaoyue from the division’s cultural troupe. I came to discuss something with Commander He.”
Chen Shuang tensed slightly. She had heard of Lin Xiaoyue—one of the troupe’s stars, reportedly beautiful and talented in singing. More importantly, rumors hinted that this Lin comrade was… very interested in Commander He.
“He’s out for training,” Chen Shuang said calmly. “Lin Comrade, is it business-related? I can pass on a message.”
Lin Xiaoyue’s smile faltered for a moment but quickly returned. “Nothing major, just… our troupe will be performing in the camp soon, and I wanted to discuss some details with Commander He.” Her eyes swept the courtyard. “May I come in and wait? When might he return?”
She spoke as if she owned the place. Chen Shuang frowned slightly but remained polite. “He’s in joint training today and will probably return late. If it’s official business, you should visit the office.”
Lin Xiaoyue’s smile dimmed slightly. “Sister-in-law, that sounds like you don’t want me here. I’ve known Commander He for years. I even cared for him when he was injured. Old friends should be able to drop by, shouldn’t they?”
Her words emphasized her “past connection” with He Yanzhi. Chen Shuang tightened the string in her heart but kept her face calm. “Lin Comrade, you misunderstood. He’s not home, and I’m new here, unfamiliar with military protocol. Since it’s business, the office is more appropriate.”
As they spoke, Aunt Zhou came out from the kitchen. Seeing Lin Xiaoyue, she frowned. “Who’s here?”
“Hello, Aunt!” Lin Xiaoyue instantly switched to an even sweeter smile. “I’m here to discuss the performance with Commander He.”
“The performance? Go to the publicity office, not him,” Aunt Zhou said lightly. “He’s training; come by the office another day.”
Blocked by Aunt Zhou, Lin Xiaoyue’s face showed some embarrassment, but she didn’t give up. “Then may I wait for him? I…”
“Lin Comrade,” Chen Shuang interrupted firmly but politely, “this is my home with He Yanzhi. He isn’t here, and as the lady of the house, I have the right to decide whether to receive guests. Sorry, it’s not convenient today. Please leave.”
Lin Xiaoyue’s smile finally disappeared. Her gaze darkened briefly but she forced another smile. “Fine. I’ll come another day. Sister-in-law, we… have time ahead.”
With that, she cast a deep look at Chen Shuang and left.
Once she was gone, Aunt Zhou spat. “What a character! Really thinks she’s someone important!”
Chen Shuang watched Lin Xiaoyue leave but didn’t feel as calm as she appeared. She sensed this Lin Xiaoyue… was no ordinary girl. Her eyes held far too much, unlike a woman just over twenty.
“小霜, don’t take it to heart,” Aunt Zhou said, patting her hand. “Maybe Lin Xiaoyue is imagining things. He Yanzhi never had any interest in her.”
Chen Shuang nodded. “Mm, I know.”
She knew He Yanzhi’s character. If he had ever been interested, he wouldn’t have married her. Yet, that look Lin Xiaoyue gave her stirred an uneasy feeling—a strange familiarity mixed with jealousy, resentment, and scrutiny.
Chen Shuang shook her head, pushing the feeling aside. Perhaps she was overthinking.
That evening, He Yanzhi returned while Chen Shuang was helping Aunt Zhou in the kitchen. Hearing the door, she wiped her hands and stepped out, seeing him hang his military cap behind the door.
“Back?” she asked, taking his coat. “Training tiring?”
“Not too bad.” He looked at her, frowning slightly. “What’s wrong? You look pale.”
Chen Shuang hesitated but decided to be honest. “Today… Lin Xiaoyue from the troupe came looking for you.”
He paused in surprise. “She came here?”
“Yes. She said it was about a performance. I told her you weren’t home and she should go to the office.”
He frowned deeper. “Did she say anything?”
“Just… that she’s known you for years and took care of you when you were injured,” Chen Shuang said, keeping her tone calm. “She wanted me to pass that on.”
He Yanzhi was silent for a moment, then held her hand. “That was all in the past. When I was hospitalized, the troupe organized visits, and she came a few times as a member. That’s it.”
His explanation was concise, factual, without unnecessary defense. Chen Shuang’s unease gradually melted under his sincere gaze.
“I know,” she whispered. “I didn’t overthink.”
Looking at her, He Yanzhi suddenly said, “Next time she comes, don’t let her in. If it’s business, send her to the camp office.”
Direct words, yet they warmed Chen Shuang’s heart. He was setting clear boundaries and giving her confidence.
“Alright.” She nodded, finally letting a genuine smile surface.
After dinner, He Yanzhi went to handle some documents at the office. Before leaving, he said to Chen Shuang, “For the upcoming performance, if you don’t want to go, you don’t have to.”
She looked up at him. “Why not? I heard the show is quite good.”
He met her clear eyes and finally said, “Then go. I’ll accompany you.”
After he left, Chen Shuang returned to her room, sitting by the kerosene lamp to continue sewing. But she couldn’t shake the image of Lin Xiaoyue’s complicated eyes—they lingered in her mind.
The gaze was strange, unlike that of a first-time meeting. It was as if… Lin Xiaoyue had known her for a long time and harbored some deep emotion.
Chen Shuang shook her head, forcing herself not to dwell. Perhaps it was just her imagination.
Unknown to her, in the temporary dorm of the troupe, Lin Xiaoyue stared into a small mirror, her expression dark.
A young, beautiful face reflected back, but her eyes were filled with a weariness and resentment far beyond her years.
“Chen Shuang…” Lin Xiaoyue murmured the name, a cold curve forming on her lips. “I never imagined, in this life, you’d still marry He Yanzhi.”
She closed her eyes, memories of her past life surfacing—
In her previous life, she also admired He Yanzhi, but he never looked at her. Later, he married Chen Shuang—a seemingly ordinary woman who nonetheless captured his heart for a lifetime. Lin Xiaoyue’s resentment drove her to schemes, only earning He Yanzhi’s greater disdain. She married another man, suffered in marriage, and endured a lonely old age.
But He Yanzhi and Chen Shuang remained devoted, loving each other their whole lives.
Reborn, Lin Xiaoyue swore to change her fate. She joined the troupe and tried everything to get close to He Yanzhi, yet he remained cold and distant. Until she heard—He Yanzhi married again, and it was that Chen Shuang!
“Why…?” Lin Xiaoyue clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. “Why is it still her in this life?”
She refused to accept it. Reborn, she would take He Yanzhi for herself. As for Chen Shuang… a sharp glint appeared in her eyes.
This time, she would never lose again.