The next morning, Gu Ye left a simple breakfast and went off to work early.
Lin Wan, as usual, slept until she woke naturally. After eating, she put the dishes back on the counter—and only then noticed the salt shaker was empty.
Lin Wan: …
Sigh…
Gu Ye really had never cooked before. When he bought ingredients yesterday, he didn’t even think to get salt. She, on the other hand, had grown up in the modern era, assuming every household had salt, just like every home had water.
Honestly, with their level of cooking skills, if they really lived here in the mining area, they’d be doomed sooner or later.
Seeing the sun shining and feeling the warmth, she decided it was a good day to go out.
Lin Wan pocketed some coins and prepared to head to the only convenience store in the mining area.
The money had been deliberately left for her by Gu Ye last night. Seeing how much she enjoyed buying things, he told her to get whatever she needed. He had also repeatedly told her the location of the little shop.
But he had warned her that the store didn’t have much. Life in the mines was harsh, and few family members were willing to stay and endure the hardships. While there were female workers in the mines, most of the people willing to spend money were men. So naturally, the shop mostly sold cigarettes, alcohol, and small snacks.
Who would have thought that the advice given just last night would come in handy so quickly today?
Outside the convenience store, as usual, was the “information exchange station” for family members.
A few women were sitting on small stools, mending shoes and picking vegetables while chatting.
When they saw Lin Wan approaching, their voices lowered, and their eyes kept glancing her way.
To her surprise, Wang Manli was also there, her arm still in a sling, sitting in a shaded area as if waiting for something, her expression still unpleasant.
Seeing Lin Wan, she immediately turned her face away, jaw tight.
Lin Wan didn’t glance at her and walked straight into the shop, buying salt and a small pack of matches.
As she came out, a plump woman blocked her path.
“Who is it, walking—”
She stopped mid-sentence when she saw Lin Wan’s face, her expression changing instantly.
“Oh, so this is Lin Wan! I’ve never seen such a pretty girl around here. Are you here to buy something?”
The woman smiled broadly, but her eyes shrewdly scanned the items in Lin Wan’s hands.
“Why just these? Didn’t Gu Ye give you more money? Why not get some snacks?”
The door was narrow, and Lin Wan had no choice but to stop. She replied distantly,
“It’s enough.”
These people were notorious for their double standards. They said one thing, and if you actually bought more, they’d have another set of complaints ready.
“True, Gu Ye works hard for his money.”
The woman’s tone shifted, probing:
“You’re not from around here, right? Where’s your family from? How do you know Gu Ye?”
“Oh, that man… doesn’t seem to have much going for him, yet he’s lucky to have such a beautiful wife like you.”
Lin Wan tightened her grip on the salt packet, expression neutral:
“Auntie, we don’t seem to be acquainted.”
“And you’re blocking my way.”
“Our Gu Ye has a bad temper. If you make him late for a meal, he could really hit someone.”
Normally, two people could pass easily, but she was large enough to take up double the space.
The plump woman was a little embarrassed. Considering Gu Ye’s fierce reputation, she could only step aside slightly.
Just then, the familiar sound of an engine came again. The car from yesterday slowly drove out of the mine gate.
Wang Manli saw the car too. She subconsciously tidied her hair and tried to smile, but the car didn’t stop.
Lin Wan raised an eyebrow. What was going on with Wang Manli? Yesterday, she had been fawning over Gu Ye, and today she was suddenly showing attention to someone else?
The plump woman seemed to have found a topic:
“See that? That’s someone important from the mine! Even the mine leaders have to be careful around them…”
Lin Wan ignored it. She didn’t want to get tangled up and simply said,
“No need to worry about me,”
then stepped aside and left.
After a few steps, a man staggered toward her.
He looked barely in his twenties, wearing dirty work clothes. His eyes were puffy, and he reeked of last night’s alcohol and cheap tobacco.
Lin Wan frowned and tried to avoid him.
Li San, originally half-asleep, immediately perked up when he saw her face and figure.
“Whoa, when did such a beauty show up here?”
His cloudy gaze roamed over her, lingering on her chest and waist without any attempt to hide it.
Lin Wan felt a chill in her heart and quickened her pace, passing him.
As Wang Lei had said, all kinds of people could be found here.
Li San watched her graceful figure until she turned into a small alley. Then he smacked his lips and staggered to the convenience store entrance, holding out his hand to the plump woman:
“Mom, give me some money. I’m out of cigarettes.”
It turned out Li San was the plump woman’s son, also a notorious ne’er-do-well at the mine.
Unlike Gu Ye, who was cold and fierce, Li San was universally disliked: shameless and unethical.
Seeing her son’s hungry, wolfish expression, the woman’s heart sank. She lowered her voice and warned sternly:
“What were you looking at just now? I’m telling you, don’t lay a hand on that woman! She belongs to Gu Ye!”
Li San shrugged, unconcerned:
“So what about Gu Ye? He’s just a poor worker… Besides, isn’t an ‘unmarried fiancée’ still technically not official?”
“You don’t know anything!”
The woman pinched his arm in frustration.
“Gu Ye is a living devil! If you provoke him, you won’t even know how you’ll die! Put away your tricks, do you hear me?!”
Li San shrank his neck and replied half-heartedly:
“Yeah, yeah, nagging.”
But in his heart, he didn’t take it seriously.
No matter how fierce Gu Ye was, could he watch over her twenty-four hours a day? Such a fresh, beautiful woman…
He licked his cracked lips.
The plump woman watched her son’s behavior anxiously, feeling trouble was brewing.
Meanwhile, back in her small room, Lin Wan refilled the salt shaker, her thoughts wandering.
Seeing the car again reminded her of the gaze from inside yesterday, and the plump woman’s nosy questions left a shadow over her mind.
Information was scarce; she was too passive. Otherwise, she wouldn’t even know the intentions of the people she encountered.
She needed to come up with a plan.
That evening, Gu Ye returned, carrying the characteristic smell of coal dust from the mine.
Lin Wan poured him hot water while casually mentioning:
“I saw that car again today when I went to the store.
Is something happening at the mine? Why is it always around outside?”
Gu Ye paused while washing his hands.
“I heard it’s an inspector sent from above, probably because of rumors about the previous mine collapse.”
Whether the visit was serious or just for appearances, no one knew. They were supposed to leave soon.
“I also saw Wang Manli today. She seemed a little interested in that inspector.”
“Mm.” Gu Ye draped a towel over his shoulders, unconcerned about Wang Manli. Whoever she chased, as long as it wasn’t him, it was fine.
Otherwise, if she annoyed Lin Wan, he’d have a headache. Gu Ye had already started to understand a rule: do not provoke Lin Wan.
Gu Ye asked: “What’s for dinner?”
Lin Wan: “Did you try cooking today?”
She was impressed. Even while busy with work, he still found the time. A man’s effort was easy to see.
Gu Ye: “I learned from Old Zhang who goes down the mine with me. His wife works in the mine cafeteria, so he told me a few menus and some tricks.”
“Verbal instructions? Did you really get it?”
“Should be fine.”
Lin Wan was skeptical.
…And rightly so.
A few minutes later, black smoke rose from the pot.
“Gu Ye!! If you want to poison me and find another wife, just say so!”
Gu Ye: “…”
He was confused, bewildered, and speechless. He had followed the steps, so why had it gone wrong?
…
After another ten or so minutes, they finally gave up and stood obediently at the cafeteria entrance.
The road to mastering cooking was long and arduous. To be safe, they’d eat at the cafeteria today.
Han Mingyuan sat on the sofa in the mine director’s office, lightly tapping his fingers on his knee.
He had been sent by the department to investigate safety production, holding the position of special commissioner. Young, yet no one dared underestimate him.
Outside the window, part of the miners’ dormitory area was visible.
Deputy Mine Director Sun accompanied him with smiles:
“Comrade Han, we have always strictly implemented safety standards…”
Han Mingyuan nodded slightly, but his mind wasn’t on the report. He lifted his teacup casually and asked:
“Deputy Director Sun, have there been new workers at the mine recently? Or… family members? Any incidents?”
Sun was momentarily stunned. He immediately remembered Wang Manli coming back to complain and silently cursed Liu Shichang for being inefficient, though he smiled on the surface:
“They’re all old workers. Family members come and go; it’s normal. Why, Comrade Han, do you know someone here?”
Han Mingyuan smiled and set down his cup:
“Just asking casually.”