Wen Yan really wanted to say, “Don’t you know if I’m lying or not?”
But then it occurred to her—this was an era where people could get married just by looking at a photo. Emotions were simple and sincere. Many couples met for the first time only when they got married, yet they spent a lifetime together.
Making jokes about men and women was a matter of conduct and would be criticized.
Jiang Baizhou was a good comrade. He had even spoken of spending a lifetime together, so he must be serious and pure-hearted.
Listen to that aggrieved tone.
Wen Yan felt a bit guilty.
There was a fundamental difference between coaxing a supervisor and coaxing a relationship.
Her thoughts raced for only a few seconds. Feeling guilty, Wen Yan evaded the question and said, “I’m here to live a good life with you.”
Under the dim moonlight, a smile spread across Jiang Baizhou’s lips. His voice carried a mix of delight and satisfaction as he said, “Mm, I believe you! I’ll write you a reply as soon as I get back.”
A reply?
To those twelve divorce telegrams?
Wen Yan pursed her lips.
What if Jiang Baizhou got angry while writing and decided to demand a divorce?
Wen Yan immediately grabbed the hem of Jiang Baizhou’s clothes. He turned sideways and stopped, his tone slightly rising as if hooked: “Hmm?”
When he heard Wen Yan mention love letters in the office, his heart had already begun to itch.
So, once they were outside, he wanted to tease her a little. Watching her “coax” him so seriously made him unable to hold back his laughter. He felt a bit happy.
“Wait until I write you a better one before you reply. The previous ones… I didn’t do my best.”
Jiang Baizhou tried hard to suppress his laughter. He bent down, bringing his gaze level with Wen Yan’s. His eyes shone especially bright in the darkness, as if pleasantly surprised: “Okay! I’ll wait.”
Wen Yan responded with a mechanical smile.
He was so easy to coax. How could he believe everything?
How on earth did he become a battalion commander?
He was even easier to coax than her strict supervisor.
Had her “coaxing” skills improved?
Jiang Baizhou straightened up, turning sideways to block the northwest wind. He felt delighted—he was about to receive his first love letter!
Written by his wife.
The two of them walked all the way back to the family quarters in the eastern district. Wen Yan’s luggage had already been delivered.
There were four large canvas bundles in total.
The room wasn’t very big to begin with, and with the four bundles brought in, it instantly felt like there was no place to step.
“This bundle is my bedding. I’ll take care of the rest tomorrow.”
As soon as Wen Yan finished speaking, Jiang Baizhou sprang into action.
He carried Wen Yan’s bedding and stood by the kang, asking as if casually, “Do you want to sleep on the left or the right?”
As for the idea of sleeping at his comrade’s place, he completely skipped over it.
His wife had come to live with him—why would he leave?
Wen Yan hadn’t even considered this question. After a glance, she said, “The right side.”
Jiang Baizhou deftly laid out the bedding for both of them on the kang. The kang wasn’t very large, so the two sets of bedding ended up right next to each other.
One set was army green, the other sky blue.
Somehow, they seemed to match?
Jiang Baizhou suddenly felt his throat go dry.
He knew nothing would happen tonight, but for some reason, it felt like he had swallowed a hot iron. His heart burned and churned like that of a young, inexperienced boy.
Wen Yan had no idea what Jiang Baizhou was thinking. She was exhausted from the day’s events and just wanted to sleep. She couldn’t afford to stay up late again and risk sudden death.
“Jiang Baizhou, I’d like to wash up. Where’s the water?”
Jiang Baizhou turned around, quickly bent down to pick up his washbasin, and said, “We usually use melted snow for washing. I’ll go get some. You eat the biscuits first, and I’ll cook the noodles.”
Wen Yan was instructed to sit down, warm herself by the fire, and eat the biscuits while watching Jiang Baizhou busily going in and out.
She watched until she started yawning.
Before long, Wen Yan was eating noodles cooked in a tea mug, seasoned only with salt but containing an egg.
After the meal, Jiang Baizhou had already melted snow water and mixed it with a bit of hot water, making it lukewarm.
The two of them washed up together.
While brushing his teeth, Jiang Baizhou dipped a little more tooth powder than usual and brushed for two minutes longer than normal.
With his back turned to Wen Yan, he secretly exhaled into his palm and sniffed.
Minty.
The kerosene lamp in the room wasn’t lit, relying only on the temporary fire in the middle for light.
Jiang Baizhou’s heartbeat quickened. With his back to the kang bed, he listened to the rustling sounds of clothes being removed behind him. His ears flushed red, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.
A thought surfaced in his mind: Men really are no good.
But he was legitimate, wasn’t he?
A little voice in his head argued back and forth.
He shifted his attention and said, “We have to put out the fire tonight, or it’s easy to get carbon monoxide poisoning. It might get a bit cold, so put your cotton-padded jacket over the quilt.”
“Also, put the clothes you’ll wear tomorrow under the mattress, or they’ll be as cold as ice in the morning.”
On the kang, Wen Yan quickly pulled up the quilt after taking off her cotton-padded jacket and pants, shivered her shoulders, and lay face down on the pillow. In a drowsy, soft tone, she murmured, “I’ve already put them away.”
Hearing this, Jiang Baizhou felt a tingling itch in his heart and slowly exhaled as he stood up.
Only the faint glow from the stove pit remained in the room. His limbs felt slightly stiffer than usual.
He slipped off his shoes, climbed onto the kang, took off his clothes, and got under the covers.
All in one smooth motion.
Jiang Baizhou hesitated, wondering what to say, but when he tilted his head—
Was she asleep?
Jiang Baizhou didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
He was, after all, a vigorous and legitimate man.
His fragrant, soft wife was right beside him, having just said a bunch of sweet words to him, yet she fell asleep in seconds.
Was he that unattractive, or was it this damn sense of trust?
Jiang Baizhou sighed and turned on his side, his gaze lingering thoughtfully on Wen Yan.
She was sleeping so soundly!
Early the next morning.
The stirring bugle call jolted Wen Yan awake, leaving her momentarily disoriented, unsure of the day or year.
“Awake? No need to rush. I’ll go to the canteen to get breakfast and bring it back for you. You can look around the camp during the day, but don’t leave the camp. It’s wilderness outside, and it’s easy to get lost.”
“We have reclamation duties and won’t be back at noon. You can have lunch at the canteen—just ask around and you’ll find it. I’ve filled the thermos with hot water.”
Jiang Baizhou rattled off a series of instructions, then looked at Wen Yan with concern and froze.
Wen Yan, just awakened, had messy, fluffy hair but rosy cheeks. Her eyes were hazy with sleep, and she lay on the pillow, staring at him without blinking.
What was he going to say again?
His wife looked so beautiful.
No, wait—he meant… his wife was so adorable.
Jiang Baizhou’s thoughts bounced back and forth before he finally asked, “Did you remember everything?”
His feet moved uncontrollably toward her. He slowly crouched down and placed his hand on Wen Yan’s head.
So soft.
Even softer than he had imagined.
Wen Yan’s brain was still booting up. Her nose and forehead felt chilly from just waking up. She wrinkled her nose slightly, and her pupils gradually focused.
Jiang Baizhou withdrew his hand as if nothing had happened, rubbing his palm.
Then he pretended to be busy by picking up Wen Yan’s cotton shoes and placing them near the charcoal fire.
“I’ve lit the fire. Warm your shoes by it so they won’t be cold when you put them on later.”
After giving his instructions, Jiang Baizhou went out to fetch breakfast. When he returned, Wen Yan was already dressed neatly, her eyes clear and alert.
A flicker of regret passed through his eyes as he took out the lunchbox from his arms and placed it on the table.
Wen Yan glanced at it: dark steamed buns, salted fish pieces, and a small lump of pickled vegetables.
“The cafeteria only has these. In a few days, I’ll go into town and buy you some fine grains.”
Wen Yan: “Great! Fine grains are tasty, but I can manage with this too.”
Jiang Baizhou’s smile deepened. He liked Wen Yan’s straightforwardness—if she wanted something, she said so.
He praised her with a “Well done,” couldn’t resist patting her head again, and then hurried off, his steps quick.
Wen Yan squinted at Jiang Baizhou’s retreating figure: Why run away?
Could it be that she hadn’t washed her hair?
Wen Yan, single by sheer force of will, muttered to herself: I’ll wash it when I get back tonight.
Once decided, Wen Yan huddled by the fire, nibbling on a steamed bun that was neither tasty nor easy to swallow.
She had fine grains in her space and could use her luggage as an excuse to take some out.
Unconsciously, she finished the steamed bun, pickles, and salted fish.
After tidying up her luggage, Wen Yan prepared to go out for a stroll. Surely many people would be curious about her today.
She would take the initiative.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
“Wen Yan? Are you home? It’s… Bai Shanshan.”