In the late spring of April, just past six in the morning, the sun had already risen slowly.
The entire compound was bathed in the warm morning light.
Sunlight streamed through the spliced glass windows of the main hall, falling upon Xie Zhongming’s tall, straight figure. Thinking that Comrade Qiao had accepted his mother Huang Guilan’s Snowflake Cream but not his, the morning light suddenly made him feel dizzy. He didn’t realize that the stifling sensation wasn’t from the sun but from a sense of defeat he himself couldn’t quite distinguish.
A wave of frustration rose in his chest.
Huang Guilan emerged from the kitchen and, seeing her son fresh from his morning exercise, radiating masculine energy, pulled him into the vegetable garden outside the main hall.
“Old Fourth, any news about Pang Ya?”
Huang Guilan thought Xingyue’s refusal to accept the Snowflake Cream was due to being overly polite.
But when she had presented the Snowflake Cream to Xingyue, the girl had accepted it. This indicated that Xingyue had drawn a clear boundary between herself and her Old Fourth—she wanted to keep her distance and avoid any entanglement with him.
How vexing!
It seemed Xingyue had no interest in her Old Fourth. It must be because Old Fourth had a wife, which was why Xingyue was deliberately maintaining propriety.
Without waiting for Xie Zhongming to respond, Huang Guilan continued, “Old Fourth, you need to divorce Pang Ya as soon as possible. Why not draft the divorce report first and submit it to the authorities?”
Huang Guilan didn’t want Pang Ya to remain missing either. She just wanted to find Pang Ya quickly, compensate her, and then have her and Zhongming complete the divorce proceedings. With no feelings between them, staying bound in marriage was no good for anyone.
Xie Zhongming said resolutely, “Mom, Pang Ya’s disappearance is partly my responsibility. Let’s hold off on the divorce report for now. I’ll keep looking for Pang Ya.”
Over the past five years, he shouldn’t have only sent money to Chadian Village while completely neglecting Pang Ya.
“You silly child, why do you take all the blame onto yourself? This is clearly Pang Ya’s Mother’s fault. If she hadn’t driven Pang Ya out, Pang Ya would never have gone missing. Listen to me, let’s draft the divorce report first, okay?”
If Old Fourth didn’t get divorced, how could she even think of matchmaking Xingyue and him? There’d be no justification for it.
How long would she have to wait to see Xingyue and Old Fourth together?
Huang Guilan was frantic with impatience.
“Mom, I have my own plans for this matter.”
Behind the double-leaf doors of the main hall, Deng Yingying stood quietly.
She heard every word Huang Guilan said clearly. Clenching the wooden door bolt tightly, her heart filled with panic and unease—Was Aunt Lan so urgently pushing Zhongming to file for divorce because she was eager to pair Qiao Xingyue with Zhongming? To Deng Yingying, the way Aunt Lan looked at Qiao Xingyue was exactly like a gentle mother-in-law gazing at her future daughter-in-law—satisfied and fond of everything about her.
But she, too, wanted to marry Zhongming after he got divorced. The last time she tried to pursue a relationship with Zhongming, he had refused. This time, she couldn’t let Qiao Xingyue ruin her chances.
After breakfast, Deng Yingying called Jiang Chunyan outside. The mother and daughter walked along the ridges of the self-sufficient farmland outside the compound.
On the left side of the ridge, fields of harvested peas and broad beans were being picked by the logistics soldiers. To the right, the cornstalks in the maize field had grown as tall as a person, bearing freshly formed corn cobs with glossy green silks hanging downward. A breeze carried the refreshing scent of corn silk.
The mother and daughter chatted as they walked.
“Mom, I keep feeling Aunt Lan wants Qiao Xingyue to be her fourth daughter-in-law. Zhongming-ge doesn’t seem to dislike her either—in fact, he might even like her a bit. We can’t just sit back and do nothing.”
“What then? Should we drug Xie Zhongming? I’d have to buy several packs of breeding beast medicine from the veterinary station.”
“Mom, let’s not resort to that unless it’s absolutely necessary. Otherwise, Zhongming-ge would hate me forever. What I want is to win his heart.”
“Why are you so stubborn? What’s the difference between having his heart and having his person? As long as you marry him, you’ll manage his monthly allowance. Xie Zhongming gets 168 yuan in subsidies each month. Even without his heart, with that money alone, your life would be more than comfortable.”
“Mom, I’m not like you.”
Deng Yingying knew that Jiang Chunyan had used the disgraceful method of drugging to marry her father, who was under Division Commander Xie’s command, which was why her father had little affection for her mother.
“Yingying, even if we can’t manage to marry you off to Xie Zhongming, you should seize this chance to return to the Jincheng Military Region. Doesn’t Jiang Beisong like you? He’s refused every matchmaking suggestion for him. So, don’t focus solely on Xie Zhongming—we should pursue both at the same time. Understand? Jiang Beisong also gets over 90 yuan in monthly allowances, which is nothing to scoff at.”
Jiang Beisong was Jiang Beiyang’s older brother, a year older than Xie Zhongming. They had grown up together in the compound, and now Jiang Beisong served in the Jincheng Military Region as a battalion commander.
Although Jiang Beisong’s conditions weren’t as good as Xie Zhongming’s, he was still on Jiang Chunyan’s list of potential sons-in-law.
It wasn’t that Deng Yingying didn’t want to marry Jiang Beisong—his 98-yuan monthly military allowance seemed quite good to her—but she simply preferred Xie Zhongming more.
“Mom, let’s focus on winning over Zhongming-ge first. If that doesn’t work, marrying Jiang Beisong later is still an option. After all, he only has eyes for me and wouldn’t marry any other female comrade.”
Hah!
Not only was Deng Yingying plotting to snag Regiment Leader Xie, but she had also long prepared a backup plan. Weren’t people in this era supposed to be simple and honest? How could there be a female comrade like Deng Yingying, who kept a spare tire in reserve?
What a rotten apple!
Qiao Xingyue happened to be passing by the ridge, carrying a water flask meant for Division Commander Xie, who was leading soldiers in harvesting the self-sufficient farmland’s peas and broad beans. She hadn’t expected to coincidentally overhear the conversation between Deng Yingying and Jiang Chunyan.
“Mom, I have a plan to get Qiao Xingyue out of Aunt Lan’s house. Come closer, I’ll whisper it to you so no one hears.”
What the mother and daughter said after that, Xingyue, standing behind the tall cornstalks, did not catch.
For the midday meal, Xie Zhongming ate at the army barracks, while Qiao Xingyue was on her way to the self-sufficient farmland to deliver lunch to Division Commander Xie.
The farmland was three li away from the compound, and Xingyue rode there on the Xie family’s Phoenix bicycle.
Nearly half an hour had passed, and Qiao Xingyue still hadn’t returned. Jiang Chunyan, sitting at the square table in the Xie family’s main hall, felt her stomach growling with hunger. “Guilan, Qiao Xingyue is just a nanny. Why must we wait for her return before eating? Can’t we start without her?”
Huang Guilan held her chopsticks firmly, refusing to let Jiang Chunyan eat first. Even when angry, her voice remained gentle. “Chunyan, let me make this clear again: Xingyue is not our nanny. I treat her like my own daughter. No one touches their chopsticks until she returns.”
Gurgle, gurgle!
This time, the hungry stomachs belonged to An An and Ningning sitting beside Huang Guilan. Immediately switching to a kindly smile, she gave each child a corn cake and wrapped two pieces of meat inside.
“An An and Ningning are hungry. Have some cakes to tide you over.”
“Huang Guilan, why can these two eat first?”
“You do realize they’re just children, don’t you?”
“Why can they eat but not me?”
Jiang Chunyan grabbed a corn cake in defiance, but Huang Guilan sharply tapped her hand with chopsticks and took the cake back.
“Stop acting like a starving ghost. I said we wait for Xingyue.”
Huang Guilan had never spoken to Jiang Chunyan this way before. But since Xingyue arrived and advised her not to live suppressed—to reject and resist anyone causing discomfort—everything changed. Why should Jiang Chunyan live here for free and still have her way? It made no sense.
Huang Guilan found that voicing her frustrations, as Xingyue taught, made her feel lighter—her liver stopped aching, her chest felt clear, and she breathed easier.
Seeing this, Deng Yingying quickly pulled Jiang Chunyan’s arm. “Mom, be reasonable. Sister Xingyue works hard cooking every day. We must wait for her.”
She said this deliberately for Huang Guilan’s ears.
The hungry Jiang Chunyan grumbled, “Qiao Xingyue’s been gone forever delivering food to Division Commander Xie. Did she ride that Phoenix bicycle into a ditch?”
Now truly angered, Huang Guilan slammed her chopsticks on the table. “Jiang Chunyan, shut your crow’s mouth! Keep this up, and you’ll move out of my house.”
Even if Jiang Chunyan cried about ingratitude, Huang Guilan wouldn’t tolerate such curses against her Xingyue—reputation be damned.
Worried by Xingyue’s delay, Huang Guilan muttered disapprovingly and hurried to the courtyard, followed by An An and Ningning like little shadows. Just then, they saw Qiao Xingyue riding the Phoenix bicycle into the yard.
Watching Xingyue’s slender figure nimbly dismount, Huang Guilan finally relaxed.
They had just entered the main hall when another visitor arrived.
“Oh, Aunt Lan, having lunch? Perfect timing—I haven’t eaten either. Don’t mind if I join you.”
The man who followed them in and sat at the square table had a buzz cut, was slightly plump, tall, and sturdy. His pimpled face with coarse pores and a large, red bulbous nose was instantly recognized by Qiao Xingyue.
How could it be him?
Four years ago, just two months after giving birth to An An and Ningning, when Ningning fell ill, she took both children to the provincial hospital in Kun City for treatment. On the way, they took shelter from the rain in a dilapidated temple and encountered this very same man who was also avoiding the rain.
The man, stirred by lust, attempted to assault her.
At that time, she was physically weak and caring for two children, nearly falling victim to his violation. Fortunately, a kind-hearted person arrived in time to rescue her.
Why was this man in the Jincheng Military Region Compound, and moreover, wearing a military uniform?
The man sat down directly, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating. He specifically targeted the meat, feeding piece after piece into his mouth without even glancing at Qiao Xingyue. It seemed he didn’t recognize her?
But that wasn’t surprising. Back then, Qiao Xingyue hadn’t fully lost weight; although she wasn’t as heavy as Pang Ya’s former 200-plus pounds, she still weighed over 140 pounds.
Now, she was just over 90 pounds.
It was normal that he didn’t recognize her.
“Aunt Lan, who is he?” Qiao Xingyue lowered her voice and asked quietly.
Huang Guilan also responded in a hushed tone, “He’s Jiang Chunyan’s second brother’s son, named Jiang Yongqiang.”
Three years ago, Jiang Chunyan demanded repayment for favors, insisting that Xie Jiang arrange a job as a logistics soldier in the army for this ruddy-nosed man named Jiang Yongqiang. Only then did she relent.
Jiang Chunyan patted Jiang Yongqiang. “Yongqiang, don’t just focus on eating. Take a look at Xingyue—what do you think of her?”
A pair of lecherous eyes fixed on Qiao Xingyue, immediately making her feel nauseated and uncomfortable all over.
“This girl is really pretty!”
The ruddy-nosed man appraised Qiao Xingyue from head to toe as if evaluating jewelry, even angering Huang Guilan beside them, who felt like gouging out his eyes.
“Girl, I heard your husband died, and you’re raising two kids alone, living a tough life. How about you start seeing me? I’m willing to help raise your two children, and I currently get a 26-yuan monthly allowance—enough to support you and your kids. If you…”
“You scoundrel! How dare you set your sights on our Xingyue?” Huang Guilan grabbed Wang Yongqiang’s ear and yanked him up.
“Ouch, Aunt Lan, it hurts, it hurts! Please be gentle.”
“What’s this about, Guilan? I thought since Xingyue is a widow with two kids, living a hard life, I’d introduce her to Yongqiang so he could help share her burden…”
“Share your nonsense!” Huang Guilan, who never cursed, not only swore angrily but trembled with rage.
She snatched the broom nearby and struck Jiang Yongqiang with it, driving him to flee outside the main room. “Jiang Yongqiang, if you ever dare come to my house again and scheme after our Xingyue, I’ll beat you until you’re picking your teeth off the floor!Qiao Xingyue quickly grabbed the trembling woman. “Aunt Lan, don’t be angry. Sit down and catch your breath.”
“Xingyue, don’t worry. As long as I’m here, I won’t let you marry such a scoundrel.”
“Aunt Lan…” Qiao Xingyue’s eyes welled up with heat. She was just a nanny for the Xie family—why would Aunt Lan protect her so fiercely?
Beside them, Jiang Chunyan spouted a stream of smooth talk, seemingly trying to persuade Huang Guilan to match Xingyue with Jiang Yongqiang. Huang Guilan shot her a sharp glare. “If it were your daughter Yingying, would you be willing to marry her off to a man like Jiang Yongqiang?”
“Yingying is my daughter. Qiao Xingyue is your nanny—how can they be compared?”
“Xingyue is just like my own daughter, why can’t I compare them?”
“Huang Guilan, I think you’re just waiting for your fourth son to get divorced so he can marry Qiao Xingyue. No wonder you’re so protective of her. I don’t know what’s wrong with your head – even as a divorced man, women would line up to marry your fourth son. Why would you want to bring this widow into your family?”
“You’re the widow!”
“Huang Guilan, you…”
“Mom.” Deng Yingying grabbed Jiang Chunyan’s arm firmly. “If you keep arguing with Aunt Lan, we’ll pack our things and move out.”
Seeing that Huang Guilan was truly angry, Deng Yingying quickly tried to smooth things over. “Aunt Lan, please don’t be angry. Sister Xingyue is both beautiful and capable, my cousin really isn’t good enough for her. I’ll definitely criticize my mother severely later – she shouldn’t have such improper ideas.”
“Deng Yingying, it’s not that you…”
“Shut up! If you say one more word, I’ll go upstairs right now to pack and move out, so you won’t make Aunt Lan sick with anger.”
…
Evening.
Qiao Xingyue was collecting clothes drying on bamboo poles in the Xie family’s courtyard when Jiang Yongqiang walked in carrying a bundle of brown sugar.
Jiang Yongqiang was 36 years old and still unmarried. Seeing that Jiang Chunyan had found him such a beautiful potential partner, he felt he had to try his luck.
As Jiang Yongqiang carefully examined Qiao Xingyue’s profile, she looked increasingly familiar, as if he had seen her somewhere before. When he noticed the black mole near her ear, he suddenly remembered – could she be that young widow he met in the abandoned temple in Kun City?
“Comrade Qiao, you wouldn’t happen to be that chubby girl, would you?”
Jiang Yongqiang approached with the brown sugar. Qiao Xingyue glared at him. “What are you doing here?”
“Comrade Qiao, don’t misunderstand. I genuinely want to help share your burdens. Would you consider dating me?” Jiang Yongqiang offered her the brown sugar.
A strong, firm hand intercepted the brown sugar and shoved it back into Jiang Yongqiang’s arms. “Jiang Yongqiang, you old bachelor still dare to set your sights on Comrade Qiao? Looking for a beating?”
The newcomer was Xie Zhongming, who had just returned from outside.
Though he didn’t raise his voice much, it carried an intimidating authority. His icy stare made Jiang Yongqiang retreat two steps back.
About half a year ago, Jiang Yongqiang had followed a young female comrade. Though he didn’t do anything, he frightened the woman pale. Xie Zhongming happened to witness this and gave Jiang Yongqiang a severe beating.
Jiang Yongqiang still remembered that thrashing clearly. He quickly hugged the brown sugar and fled.
Only then did Xie Zhongming’s gaze return to Qiao Xingyue, looking her over. “Comrade Qiao, did Jiang Yongqiang bully you?”
“No.” Qiao Xingyue shook her head.
“Was it Aunt Jiang’s idea to introduce Jiang Yongqiang to you as a potential partner?”
“Yes, it was Aunt Jiang’s idea.”
“Comrade Qiao, don’t worry. With our Xie family here, that Jiang Yongqiang won’t dare to cause trouble.”
“…” Qiao Xingyue felt a sudden warmth in her heart. Not only was Aunt Lan protecting her, but Comrade Xie was also guarding her like family.
Then, Xie Zhongming slightly furrowed his brows and asked with curiosity, “Comrade Qiao, just now Jiang Yongqiang said you were some chubby girl he met before? Were you… quite plump before?”