Meng Shiguang’s maternal aunt was a longtime resident here and well connected.
The state-run restaurant across the street used to be run by her family. After it was collectivized, the couple continued working there for a salary, and life was fairly comfortable.
“Can you get a newborn little wolf dog?”
Black wolf dogs, wolf-blue dogs, Kunming dogs all good guard dogs for protecting a home.
Su Die wanted two: one for the military family compound, and the other to guard Grandpa Ge’s courtyard.
“Sure, leave it to me,” Meng Shiguang said, patting his chest with a smile.
After arranging the dog, the two tactful people found an excuse to leave.
Once they were gone, Gu Jingzhou pulled Su Die into his arms and said tenderly,
“I’ll heat some water for you to wash, and then you can get some sleep.”
Su Die nodded. It was hot, and her body felt sticky and uncomfortable.
After a cold shower, Gu Jingzhou went to cook.
When she woke up, it was already dark.
Gu Jingzhou had made noodles, hiding three eggs inside.
“Honey, I’ll have to leave after lunch tomorrow.”
He felt guilty he had just brought his wife here, and already had a mission.
“Don’t worry, I can take care of myself. Besides, Grandpa Ge will be here soon.”
Military orders are absolute; Su Die had already prepared herself mentally for military wife life before marrying Gu Jingzhou.
Plus, she was an independent person, so she could adapt easily.
“If anything comes up, go ask Liu Juan, the wife on the family committee, for help.”
“Got it.”
Gu Jingzhou gave careful instructions; Su Die listened attentively, without a hint of impatience.
Mutual care between the couple, both making efforts, is what makes life flourish.
The noodles weren’t finished, so Gu Jingzhou politely ate the rest.
“Honey, you rest. I’ll join you after I clean up.”
Su Die nodded, brushed her teeth, and returned to the kang to lie down.
She fell asleep quickly.
After washing up, Gu Jingzhou secured the courtyard and house doors, then got into bed.
Around midnight, Su Die woke up from the heat.
Gu Jingzhou was like a furnace, his arm draped across her waist, chest pressed tightly against her back.
Feeling hot makes people thirsty. Su Die stirred.
Sensing movement, Gu Jingzhou instantly woke: “Honey, what’s wrong?”
“I want some water.”
Still half-asleep, Su Die’s voice was soft and tender, making Gu Jingzhou feel a surge of warmth.
“I’ll get it for you.”
Using the rattan thermos, Gu Jingzhou poured warm water into an enamel cup.
Su Die drank it in one go.
Moonlight spilled through the window onto her pale neck and arms, darkening Gu Jingzhou’s gaze.
“Mm… don’t tease me…”
Su Die giggled as he kissed her neck, which tickled.
“Honey, I have to leave on a mission tomorrow…”
His voice carried a hint of grievance, contrasting sharply with his usually dominant actions.
Su Die couldn’t help laughing. On the surface, he seemed disciplined and cold, but inside, he was a big, insatiable wolf.
She didn’t know when she fell asleep again too tired, her eyes couldn’t stay open, and she simply drifted off.
…
When she woke again, it was late morning.
Gu Jingzhou was in the kitchen stewing chicken.
Her voice was hoarse from last night’s antics he wanted to help her recover before leaving.
While he was busy, she took a long bath, did deep skincare, dried her hair, and lazily came out in cotton pajamas.
“Meal will be ready in half an hour. If you’re hungry, eat something first.”
Gu Jingzhou had bought a chicken in the morning, plus canned food and pastries from the supply store.
Su Die hadn’t eaten breakfast, so she ate a can of peaches.
Lunch was steamed rice.
Ingredients at this time were natural and unpolluted everything tasted good.
Chicken soup over rice smelled heavenly.
She ate two bowls of rice, one chicken leg, and two wings.
The rest, including soup and meat, naturally went to Gu Jingzhou.
She couldn’t help marveling: he looked lean but really could eat.
“Honey, if you don’t want to cook, go to the state-run restaurant across the street. Meng Shiguang already explained to his aunt whatever you want, they’ll make it just for you. Only pay for the food, nothing extra.”
Cooking is tiring; Gu Jingzhou wanted to make sure his wife ate well while he was away, easing her burden as much as possible.
Su Die thought that was perfect. She had been worrying about Grandpa Ge’s meals.
When the old man lived in Yangliu Alley, his meals were irregular.
She couldn’t hire a housekeeper due to the circumstances.
The state-run restaurant across the street was convenient.
“When I have time, I’ll go see Meng Shiguang’s aunt might need her help in the future.”
Su Die found her man very thoughtful, so she cupped his face and pecked him lightly. “I’ll wait for you to come back.”
Gu Jingzhou immediately melted, almost not wanting to leave.
“Make sure the doors are locked tonight. I’ll be back soon.”
The military insisted on recalling Gu Jingzhou from leave because he was the most skilled marksman efficient, ruthless, never leaving loose ends. Sending him on missions was reliable.
After all, in the 1960s frontier, the situation was unstable; missions were routine.
Gu Jingzhou never thought missions were difficult before but now, with a wife, it was both physical and emotional torture.
Reluctantly, he left. Su Die went back to sleep.
Not long after, someone knocked on the courtyard gate.
“Who is it?”
Su Die put on her clothes and asked from the courtyard.
“I’m Meng Shiguang’s aunt, here to deliver the puppies.”
Wu Yuexia had gotten two newborn wolf-blue puppies from relatives in Tash Township.
Su Die quickly opened the door, smiling: “Aunt, come in.”
“Oh my, you’re Commander Gu’s wife! So beautiful I’ve never seen such a pretty girl in all my life.”
Wu Yuexia was honest-looking, simple, and sincere. Su Die immediately liked her.
“Ah, you’re flattering me.”
No sooner had Su Die spoken than the fluffy puppies in Wu Yuexia’s basket caught her attention.
Wet noses twitched, soft little bodies like marshmallows, big watery eyes, irresistibly cute.
“So adorable.”
Su Die picked up one and gently patted its head.
“Thank you for coming all this way, Aunt.”
She hadn’t expected the puppies to arrive so quickly.
Wu Yuexia smiled:
“It’s fate. My relative’s wolf dog just had a litter. These days, people can barely feed themselves, let alone dogs. This morning, my eldest nephew went to town to deliver vegetables, mentioned it in passing, and they arrived this afternoon.”
“Aunt, take this two yuan.”
Su Die handed her two yuan.
Wu Yuexia waved it off, refusing firmly. “No way. Commander Gu takes such good care of Shiguang, and you rented my house how could I accept money too?”
Wu Yuexia was a generous, upright person.
Su Die had no choice and poured her a cup of brown sugar water.
“Aunt, I also have something to ask for your help with.”
Wu Yuexia smiled: “Whatever it is, I’ll help if I can.”
Su Die explained her idea: she’d provide ingredients, and Wu Yuexia could cook for Grandpa Ge, charging monthly.
Grandpa Ge treated her well; she wanted to make his later years comfortable.
Wu Yuexia agreed immediately:
“No problem. Whatever ingredients you send, I’ll cook for him and deliver each meal. It’s just a few steps, very convenient.”
After arranging this, Wu Yuexia left, the kitchen still busy.
Su Die happily held the two puppies, cooked some rice porridge, and fed them.
After feeding them, she locked up and went to the post office to send telegrams.
She sent one each to Niu Zhenzhu and Zhao Shuyi, letting them know she had arrived safely.
After leaving the post office, Su Die wandered the county town.
Seeing people riding bicycles, she realized she needed transportation to travel between the county and the military family compound.
Otherwise, coming to Grandpa Ge’s place daily to translate documents would be inconvenient. A bicycle would be much easier.
She checked the tickets from Zhao Shuyi and Gu Jingzhou there was a bicycle ticket.
With the ticket and money, she bought a 26-inch Phoenix-brand bicycle.
She rode around the streets a couple of times before heading home.
Perhaps because she was strikingly beautiful, or the new bike stood out either way, she caught the attention of someone.
The northwest was dusty, and locals were generally tanned and rough-skinned.
Su Die, dressed well, with fair skin, alone, and delicate she looked like an easy target.
“Little sister, you don’t look like a local. So pretty.”
“Yeah, where are you from? Want me to take you home?”
“I’m great at cherishing girls like you.”
Three men, carrying wooden sticks, smoking, blocked her while speaking vulgar words.
Su Die raised an eyebrow and smiled: “Go ahead, tell me what charge you’re bringing me to the station for. Grandma here will help you.”
Her smile nearly blinded them the face was stunningly bold and beautiful.
The bald, fat man whispered to the shortest one:
“Brother Hu, I think this woman is tough. If we offend someone important, we’re doomed.”
Xue Hu was too dazzled by Su Die’s beauty to listen. “Important? My uncle is the most powerful in the county. Who am I supposed to fear?”
Xue Hu, relying on his uncle as the county committee director, did terrible things. Most young women without family or status had suffered under him many were even driven to death.
“Who’s your uncle? Tell me so I can be scared.”