Today she was finally going to the state-run restaurant to eat braised pork. This was a must-visit spot for anyone traveling through time, and she wanted to see for herself if it really was as famous as people said.
Leaving the ward, she went downstairs to the nurse’s station and reported that she was going out for lunch.
The nurses knew she had no family watching over her. Director Hong from the police station and Director Yang from the street office had also informed them.
Any request from this young girl should be accommodated as much as possible. It wasn’t a serious illness—just extreme weakness and blood loss. The doctors had worried she might faint, which was why they ordered her to stay in the hospital for a while.
Ordinarily, staying wasn’t mandatory, but her situation was special, so the hospital made an exception. Besides, empty beds could generate extra income from short-term stays.
Once An Ning stepped outside the hospital, the street came into view—everything looked gray and dusty. People walked past in a stream, wearing mostly dark-colored clothes.
Most wore camel, gray, earthy yellow, or blue—very characteristic of the era.
The only red in sight were the slogans painted on mud walls:
“Self-reliance and hard work.”
“Sent-down youths go to the countryside to receive re-education from the poor and lower-middle peasants.”
“I am a brick—move me wherever I am needed.”
“Never forget the class struggle.”
These slogans lined the streets, far more widespread than what she had seen on television.
Following her memory, she headed toward the state-run restaurant. There were no tall buildings here; most were single-story houses, with the occasional two-story public building, like department stores or cinemas.
Before long, she spotted the restaurant. It wasn’t yet mealtime, so only a few diners were scattered around.
At one table sat two handsome young men in military uniform. One faced the door—a boyish-faced soldier—and the other sat with his back to the entrance, so she couldn’t see his face clearly, though he sat very straight.
A military cap rested on the side of the table. Judging by his uniform, he seemed to be an officer, slightly different from the young soldier opposite him.
Seeing two soldiers here gave An Ning a sense of safety.
A sign at the window listed today’s menu: braised pork, braised fish, stir-fried shredded pork with green peppers, braised tofu, and some seasonal vegetables.
Braised pork and fish alone were already good enough. An Ning ordered braised pork, braised tofu, and a bowl of rice. She sat at the table next to the soldiers, feeling safer there.
While waiting for her food, she listened in on their conversation.
“Commander, the mission’s over. Do you want to go home to see your grandparents? They said they want to find someone to match you with.”
“Yes, my grandparents are getting old. I want to find someone who can take care of them so I can be at ease when I’m on a mission.”
(Tuanzi, Tuanzi, what’s this handsome guy talking about? A matchmaking meeting? Could he be that big fool, Su Sinian?)
(Master, it should be him. Jiang Sisi came back last night, didn’t she?)
Su Sinian heard his name called and looked around. There was only a young girl nearby—no one else. Could she be the one speaking?
(The Jiang household has been emptied. Now they barely have enough to eat. Jiang Sisi must be trying to find a good match for her sister while the news hasn’t spread.)
(According to the original records, on the third day after Jiang Sisi returned home, she went to meet Su Sinian. He had a fairly good impression of her.)
Su Sinian again heard his name from the young girl’s side, though she hadn’t actually spoken.
What was going on? Could he really hear her thoughts?
Just then, a voice called from the window: “Braised pork and braised tofu are ready.”
(Ah, braised pork and tofu are ready! I want to try this era’s braised pork—let’s see if it’s really as good as rumored.)
An Ning stood up, taking the order slip to the window.
Su Sinian watched closely. The girl’s lips were tightly shut, yet the voice seemed to come from her.
Could he really hear her thoughts? It felt incredible. He decided he had to figure out what was going on.
An Ning returned with the dishes. The braised pork glistened red and glossy, perfectly balanced between fat and lean. The tofu looked oily and rich. She took a bite of the pork:
(Tuanzi, Tuanzi, the author of the era novel didn’t lie—the braised pork is amazing. It melts in your mouth, rich but not greasy, full of original flavor.)
(Sister, the pigs back then were fed on grass and rice bran. A pig usually took a year to grow. How could it not taste good?)
(Sister, can you give Tuanzi a taste too? Tuanzi wants to try this era’s local pork.)
(Okay, Tuanzi. Look around—do we have any lunch boxes among the Jiang family stuff?)
(No, sister.) Tuanzi sounded disappointed.
(No worries, next time I’ll bring a lunch box for you.)
(Hey Tuanzi, those two soldiers are still eating here. Su Sinian, the big fool, still doesn’t know. Jiang Sisi succeeded at the matchmaking meeting—he’ll take her home to show his grandparents.)
(That Jiang Sisi is shameless. She had a lover in the countryside, already carrying a child, and she treats Su Sinian as a replacement.)
(When Jiang Sisi took Su Sinian home to see his grandparents, she drugged him, forced herself on him, and imposed the child on him.)
(Su Sinian, that poor guy, confessed everything to his grandparents. They have had intimate relations and must report a marriage immediately—hurry up and marry Jiang Sisi.)
Although Grandpa and Grandma Jiang disliked Jiang Sisi, there was only one grandson. They couldn’t risk upsetting him.
Su Sinian, hearing this, knew that his grandparents had been urging him to return for matchmaking. He was ready—if he didn’t dislike her, he would finalize it quickly, letting his grandparents enjoy peace of mind.
He perked up his ears, wanting to hear more.