Liang Xin still went on the blind date.
On the main road of the Jiangjing Military Compound, the metasequoia trees on both sides were turning from green to red, picturesque as if from a poem. Between the trees hung banners with slogans: “The political line is the key link; once it is grasped, everything falls into place.”
A mottled green military vehicle approached head-on. Liang Xin was pulled by Second Sister-in-law to the side of the road to make way.
The car window was half-open, revealing a stern gaze. With just one look, an ordinary person would have immediately stood at attention.
For example, Second Sister-in-law, who was gripping Liang Xin’s arm, instantly straightened up rigidly.
As the military vehicle passed, Second Sister-in-law wiped her cold sweat and looked at her “extraordinary” sister-in-law, who appeared lazy and unfazed. She clicked her tongue and said, “Newborn calves aren’t afraid of tigers—no, no, I shouldn’t call him a tiger. Let’s just say you have no idea what kind of cadre he is, which is why you’re not afraid.”
“He has nothing to do with me in this lifetime.”
“…True.”
Second Sister-in-law glanced back and saw the sentry at the gate saluting the military vehicle. She tightened her grip on Liang Xin’s arm and dragged her forward. “Don’t be disheartened. We may not have any connection to such high-ranking cadres, but today, we might just connect with an ordinary Military Cadre. If we succeed, you’ll be saved!”
Liang Xin’s face showed nothing but laziness, with no trace of interest.
As they passed the military service center, a loudspeaker on a utility pole suddenly blared a bugle call, its stirring melody echoing in all directions. From the training ground ahead came the shouts of soldiers drilling and the powerful, rhythmic sound of their footsteps.
Instead of feeling energized, Liang Xin yawned.
The guide stopped in front of a row of three-story red-brick staff buildings. Second Sister-in-law pinched her arm and whispered excitedly, “The Regimental Cadre Building! It’s for regimental-level cadres! Xiao Xin, I told you you’re lucky! Turn around and let me fix you up!”
Tears from yawning welled in Liang Xin’s eyes. “…So you dragged me here to meet someone without even knowing their family background?”
Second Sister-in-law took the red square scarf wrapped around Liang Xin’s head, shook off the dust, folded it into a triangle, and tied it around her neck. She looked at Liang Xin’s small, palm-sized face, flushed red from the cold.
“Who cares who it is? As long as they live in this Military Compound, anyone in the family quarters is bound to be a cadre. Their family background is nothing to worry about—they’ve all passed strict political screenings to become soldiers… Don’t frown!”
Second Sister-in-law scolded her and said sternly, “This connection was only arranged after I made a scene at my parents’ home, and even then, it was reluctantly given. If you don’t behave properly and make this work today, you’ll face a harsh scolding when we get back!”
Liang Xin said slowly, “You’re not looking for the soldier himself, but for the child of a cadre.”
“If the parents’ backgrounds are clean, what could be wrong with the son?” Second Sister-in-law’s eyes wavered slightly, and her tone softened. “If it weren’t for that ungrateful Wei Yuanyang, who abandoned you after using you…”
She abruptly stopped, as if nothing had been said, and changed the subject. “If you hadn’t raised those six extra chickens, this blind date wouldn’t have been so rushed. I wasn’t kidding earlier—our brigade has been assigned one criticism quota. If you get caught at a time like this, Dad, who’s obsessed with his official position, will definitely sacrifice you to set an example of ‘cutting off the capitalist tail.’ After the criticism session, you’ll be sent to the county jail for two months!”
Liang Xin quickened her pace. “Let’s go.”
Second Sister-in-law smiled with satisfaction. “That’s more like it!… Huh? Why is he leaving again?”
Passing by the three-story Regimental Cadre Building, the sentry stopped to salute a cadre with four pockets on his uniform before continuing forward.
The direction they were heading made the confusion in Second Sister-in-law’s eyes gradually transform into wild joy. Her voice trembled with excitement as she uncontrollably shook Liang Xin’s arm with excessive force: “Ahead is the West Compound!”
Liang Xin was surprised but said nothing as she followed along.
“Four-story buildings!”
Seeing the four-story red brick building on the right, Second Sister-in-law’s nails digging into Liang Xin’s arm nearly pierced the flesh. Her cheeks flushed crimson with excitement, she couldn’t suppress her voice, which rose slightly higher: “Division-Level Housing, little sister! These are all four-bedroom, one-living-room Division-Level Housing units! These are for senior cadres that even Dad, as brigade party secretary, might never get to speak with in his lifetime! You’re saved now! You’re going to live a blessed life!”
Liang Xin pried off Second Sister-in-law’s excited hand and rubbed her arm. “You don’t even know who it is, and Tiger’s Great Uncle isn’t coming either. Can we really just go in like this for a matchmaking meeting?”
Second Sister-in-law grabbed Liang Xin again, about to say something, when she noticed the sentry passing the four-story building without stopping. Her expression instantly changed.
When Second Sister-in-law didn’t respond, Liang Xin turned to see her lips trembling. Following her gaze to the sentry’s retreating back, Liang Xin felt her drowsiness and lethargy gradually recede.
The two followed the sentry all the way to a guarded gate at the rear of the family compound.
Rows of two-story houses with gray-tiled roofs, gray walls, and deep red doors and windows stood hidden among lush trees, creating an atmosphere of secluded tranquility.
The sentry stopped before one of the houses, saluted the guard at the doorpost, then turned to salute Second Sister-in-law and Liang Xin before gesturing toward the entrance, indicating they had reached their destination.
Second Sister-in-law instinctively raised her stiff fingers to her temple in return salute, looking as if she’d been struck by lightning.
In the quiet road, the sound of swallowing could be heard.
After surveying the scene, Liang Xin looked at Second Sister-in-law with uncertainty in her eyes. “Here?”
Second Sister-in-law offered no response beyond continuously gulping “gulong gulong.”
The guiding sentry had already left, and another patrol squad appeared on the road. If Second Sister-in-law remained stunned much longer, they would face questioning.
Liang Xin pinched her cold cheek.
Startled awake, Second Sister-in-law showed none of the excitement she had displayed upon seeing the Regimental Cadre Building or Division-Level Housing. Instead, her face was filled with panic and confusion. “This… this…”
She clearly understood what this building represented.
The standalone two-story houses in the Military Compound were all General-Level Housing.
As the name implied.
General’s residences.
Family housing for Military District leadership.
“What should we do, I… I didn’t know, this… my brother, how did my brother arrange this…”
Second Sister-in-law stammered incoherently in fright. She had been dragging Liang Xin along all the way from the commune to the provincial capital, and now she still clung to her, but in complete contrast to before, she treated Liang Xin as her anchor. “Could it be that my brother is getting back at me, deliberately playing a trick on us? We… we should go back!”
This suggestion suited Liang Xin perfectly. As she began pulling Second Sister-in-law to turn back, the door guard suddenly called out: “Are you the ones introduced by Doctor Ma? Please come this way.”
Just like earlier at the compound entrance, Second Sister-in-law instantly straightened up stiffly and looked at Liang Xin.
Liang Xin looked at her unreliable sister-in-law. “…Then let’s go in.”
“Go in… th-th-this, can we really go in?”
Second Sister-in-law clung awkwardly to Liang Xin’s side as they ascended the steps one by one into the two-story house.
The ground floor living room featured green wainscoting on all four walls, with redwood flooring extending throughout. By the window sat a sectional sofa set draped with white lace covers, already occupied by two or three young female comrades uniformly dressed in green military uniforms—all cadre-style jackets with four pockets. Beneath their red-starred formal caps, their pleasant appearances lifted one’s spirits.
Several middle-aged women were chatting with beaming smiles.
When they noticed someone entering, all eyes turned toward the doorway.
The woman on the left appeared to be in her thirties, with delicate features that would stand out in any crowd, yet everyone’s gaze unanimously focused on the right side. Black cloth shoes with straps were spattered with mud spots, and a thin cotton coat’s collar was wrapped with a red scarf that framed a face as fair as frost and snow. Early winter dew droplets slid from her brows; with just a slight lift of her eyes, long lashes trembled slightly, and her pupils immediately reflected a watery gleam.
Anyone who met her gaze instinctively held their breath.
For a moment, the living room filled with varied expressions and countless unspoken thoughts.
The woman with ear-length bobbed hair sitting in the center was clearly the host. “Are you Doctor Ma’s sister, Ma Xiaoyan?”
Second Sister-in-law was so nervous she could barely swallow, unable to speak, and instinctively nodded.
The family member of the senior officer maintained a friendly demeanor, gesturing toward the simple single-seater sofa on the left. “Please have a seat and rest. It happens that some children I’ve watched grow up came to visit today, so there are quite a few people here. Xiao Shi, bring two more cups of hot tea.”
Liang Xin guided Second Sister-in-law over and settled into the single sofa.
Superficially, the people in the living room withdrew their gazes and resumed their small talk, but sidelong glances continued to secretly observe Liang Xin.
The cook brought two cups of hot tea. Liang Xin picked up her cup, blew on it, took a tentative sip, found it wasn’t too hot, then drank it all in one go before placing the empty cup back on the tea table. “Comrade, could I trouble you for another cup?”
This immediately interrupted the surface-level conversation, drawing astonished looks from everyone.
The cook also stared blankly—never had they seen such a thirsty guest at the senior officer’s residence.
The family member instructed, “Xiao Shi, pour another cup.”
The cook snapped back to attention, hurriedly took the cup, then paused and set it down before rushing to the kitchen to fetch a bamboo-cased thermos. After refilling the tea, they waited briefly and, noticing Liang Xin had only drunk half, left the thermos by the tea table.
Not only was the cook watching Liang Xin, but everyone in the living room had forgotten their conversations and stared as she drank.
The family member cleared her throat lightly. “I heard from Doctor Ma that his sister was sent to Linhuai for rural work. Linhuai is an old revolutionary base—before liberation, it took a full day’s journey on dirt roads to reach Jiangjing. Since the highway was built in recent years, it shouldn’t take that long now, right?”
“Half a day.” Liang Xin picked up the teacup and handed it to Second Sister-in-law, who seemed to have lost half her wits.
Upon touching the warm cup, Ma Xiaoyan jolted back to awareness. Lifting her head, she met seven or eight pairs of eyes and stammered nervously again, “Wi-winter’s here, and it got colder today. We didn’t wear enough, al-almost froze.”
“Auntie Hu, I remember your doorstep used to have many orchids planted around it. In earlier years, we weren’t allowed to grow them, but now that policies have changed, I specially got my hands on some phalaenopsis seeds.” The female soldier sitting across from Liang Xin suddenly interjected, holding out a brown paper package to Hu Fenglian. “I’m on leave these two days—shall I help you plant them?”
Upon entering, Liang Xin had noticed through the folding patio doors a roughly two-hundred-square-meter yard lying neglected outside, covered with ginkgo leaves.
“I was just worrying about what to plant in the yard,” Hu Fenglian said with a laugh. “The logistics department suggested paving it with cement for cleanliness and convenience, but I wasn’t too keen. I’ve been thinking it over but couldn’t decide what to plant. Yonghong’s phalaenopsis orchids are lovely—does anyone else have suggestions?”
The female soldier holding phalaenopsis seeds stiffened slightly.
The other women, however, flashed pleased expressions and eagerly offered ideas. Some suggested roses, others ivy or grapevines. One proposed digging a pond for fish, while another recommended having the logistics department deliver expensive trees.
Only Liang Xin remained silent.
Everyone’s gaze followed Hu Fenglian’s as she looked toward Liang Xin.
With all eyes waiting for her response, Liang Xin had no choice but to speak. Casually, she said, “Plant chili peppers.”
The living room fell abruptly silent.
“Chili peppers?” Hu Fenglian asked. “What kind?”
“Green peppers, heaven-facing chilies, pequins, bell peppers, bullet chilies, erjingtiao peppers, spiral chilies, wild mountain peppers…”
“…………”
The women in the living room all stared at Liang Xin with indescribable expressions as she listed the chili varieties.
Second Sister-in-law’s rigid body grew warm and sweaty at the relentless recitation of chili names. She tugged at Liang Xin’s sleeve. “What are you talking about?”
Hu Fenglian’s previously unreadable face now showed a trace of curiosity. “Why would you plant so many types of chili peppers?”
“To eat,” Liang Xin replied. “Different chilies suit different dishes—chili-fried pork, chopped chili fish head, spicy chicken, boiled meat slices, mapo tofu, spicy snails, chili oil…”
“Tch!”
A burst of mocking laughter suddenly cut Liang Xin off. The phalaenopsis-holding comrade’s eyes held a hidden superiority. “Do you think this is some production team’s private plot? Poor and lower-middle peasants are the most politically conscious red categories. We just heard you’re from an old revolutionary base—how could you have such low tastes? You’re utterly disgraceful!”
Second Sister-in-law’s face changed, and she opened her mouth to retort, but Liang Xin pressed her arm.
“Disgraceful?” Liang Xin asked, puzzled. “Comrade Chairman said, ‘No chili peppers, no revolution.’ He personally grew chili peppers in his own courtyard and gave his homegrown red chilies as gifts to Stalin. During the early counter-encirclement campaigns, he used chili eating to illustrate combat tactics. Beyond revolution, Comrade Chairman elevated chili eating to philosophical and political levels. How does that become disgraceful in your view?”
The phalaenopsis comrade’s face instantly paled.
The middle-aged woman beside her also turned white.
The living room fell into silence again, but this time it was a stern, eerie quiet.
The commanding officer’s wife pondered briefly, then her face flashed with sudden understanding. She quickly looked toward the kitchen: “Xiao Shi, once spring begins, till the yard and plant it all with chili peppers. Remember to grow plenty of the revolutionary red chilies!”
“I was also wondering what to plant at home—now I know. I’ll plant chilies too. I’ll fill all the old flowerpots and clay jars on my balcony with red chilies. When spring comes, remember to include me.”
“The state-run vegetable station outside the compound sells chili seedlings every mid-February. Fenglian, let’s go together then and buy plenty—we’ll plant them all around our yards!”
The Military Compound was in a sensitive period of rectification. Every family member present now understood the deeper significance of chili peppers. They quickly reached consensus, vying to plant what no one had previously considered—chili peppers.
Liang Xin received Second Sister-in-law’s admiring glance and noticed the dismissive looks in the eyes of the young female comrades present gradually fading, yet she continued sipping her tea unhurriedly.
As if she weren’t the one who had just spoken words that made others turn pale with fright.
The family member of the senior officer cast an appreciative glance at Liang Xin, then briefly looked at the woman nicknamed “Butterfly Orchid” and the pale-faced woman beside her. “Those with low political awareness can’t enter the Military Compound. Those who do get in generally don’t have issues with their political awareness.”
The comrade nicknamed “Butterfly Orchid” quickly nodded. “Auntie Hu, at this year’s All-Army Performance Festival, the duet dance between your family’s Yueji and me won first prize in the dance competition. We were both received by leaders from the General Political Department. After returning, I was successfully promoted. Unlike others who slack off after promotion, I’ve been practicing a new solo dance recently that has been selected by the military district. I’m giving my all to prepare for next year’s All-Army Performance Festival to win another award.”
Liang Xin watched as Butterfly Orchid poured out a stream of self-praising words, after which a slender female comrade behind her visibly soured and immediately spoke up competitively:
“Although I haven’t danced since my promotion, I was transferred to the drama troupe. I previously performed as Li Tiemei in ‘The Red Lantern,’ and due to the positive reception, the troupe’s Party committee not only approved my Party membership application but also plans to have me simultaneously perform as Xiao Changbao in ‘Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy.'”
Hu Fenglian smiled and nodded. “I enjoy watching ‘The Red Lantern’—never tire of it no matter how many times I see it.”
“Our child isn’t as accomplished as your Yueji. Although previously rated as an advanced individual and March 8th Red Banner Pace-setter, after serving so many years, she only just became the political instructor of the Second Company of Female Communication Soldiers this year.” “How could Yueji compare to your Baihe? Every day it’s talk of joining the Party, tomorrow it’s talk of promotion—after two or three years of this, she just got promoted last month.”
“Both are better than our Yongmei. Back then she insisted on studying medicine, and now she’s become an old maid who can’t even find a partner.”
“Yongmei has received a third-class merit citation and now works as a doctor at our military district headquarters clinic. What more do you want from the child?”
……
Second Sister-in-law, who had just gained strong confidence from Liang Xin’s rebuttal, now listened to singers, dancers, instrumentalists, and medical professionals—each not only more beautiful than the last but also more capable and driven—and felt her heart sink to the depths.
Her sister-in-law’s looks were no worse than any present, even more outstanding than some. But aside from a high school diploma, she only served as a part-time broadcaster at the brigade headquarters, reading compiled news excerpts from newspapers and the latest directives from the commune revolutionary committee through the loudspeaker morning and evening.
She simply couldn’t compare with these female comrades present.
Just as Second Sister-in-law was feeling despondent and deflated, she heard the senior officer’s family member suddenly ask: “Liang Xin, what are your plans for your life?”