The courtyard gate stood open, offering Jiang Ning a clear view of the space within.
Though small, the yard was impeccably clean. Facing the gate were three brick buildings. To the west lay the kitchen; to the east, a small plot of land had been fenced off for vegetables. In the far corner, Jiang Ning noticed a wooden pen housing a few chickens and geese.
An old woman emerged from the room next to the kitchen. She wore a gray side-fastening jacket, her silver-white hair swept back into a bun. Deep wrinkles, etched by years of hardship, lined her face. When she saw Jiang Ning in the courtyard, her eyes instantly welled with tears. She hurried over, taking Jiang Ning’s hand in hers.
“You must be Xiao Du’s wife,” she said, her voice trembling.
Jiang Ning nodded gently. “I am.”
“This is my grandmother,” He Zheng introduced.
“Hello, Grandma,” Jiang Ning said softly.
“Oh, hello indeed,” the old woman replied, tears now streaming down her face. He Zheng’s expression darkened as he watched her.
The old lady led Jiang Ning into the house and gestured for her to sit. “Commander Fang told me about the torrential rain you encountered on your journey. Dear, did you get wet?”
Jiang Ning smiled. “He Zheng shielded me well. I didn’t get wet at all.”
The old woman breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. As long as you’re dry.”
As they sat on the edge of the bed, the old lady kept Jiang Ning’s hand clasped in hers, wiping tears away as she spoke. She told her that the He family owed a debt to the Zhou family—that if it hadn’t been for Zhou Du, her own grandson would have died. The He family had failed the Zhou family.
Finally, the old lady patted Jiang Ning’s hand and choked out, “Dear, you can stay here with me from now on. Make this your own home. You are my own granddaughter, and the child in your womb is my own great-grandchild.”
Jiang Ning kept her head bowed, remaining silent whenever Zhou Du’s name was mentioned. She felt no connection to him and couldn’t bring herself to feign grief.
Afraid the old lady would mistake her lack of emotion for cold-heartedness, she played the part of a silent mourner. When the old lady finished speaking, she nodded slightly, her voice trembling with feigned sorrow.
“Thank you, Grandma.”
The old lady wiped her eyes again. “No, dear, it’s I who should be thanking you.”
Jiang Ning knew the old lady was suffering. The novel had described how she had wept continuously upon learning that Zhou Du had died saving her grandson. When she later found out that Zhou Du’s wife and unborn child were also gone, she had fainted from the shock. She never truly recovered her spirit, passing away less than two years later.
But now that she and the baby were fine, the old lady wouldn’t have to suffer the same fate as in the novel, would she?
The old lady and Jiang Ning were still talking by the bed, the door to the room left open. He Zheng entered, his tall frame forced to duck slightly to clear the doorway.
He looked at Jiang Ning and said, “Sister-in-law, you can just stay here with us. If you need anything, you can always tell me or Grandma.”
Jiang Ning kept her head bowed and gave a soft murmur of agreement.
Wiping away her tears, the old lady took Jiang Ning’s hand and helped her up. “Come, dear. Let Grandma show you your room. If there’s anything missing, I’ll have Xiao Zheng go buy it for you.”
Jiang Ning followed the old lady into the hallway. At one end was the old lady’s room, in the middle was He Zheng’s, and on the other side was her new room.
Inside, a wide wooden bed was made with clean bedding. A small table sat by the headboard, and against the wall stood an old-fashioned double-door wardrobe. There was also a washstand with a red enamel basin on top and a white one below.
Judging by their color, the basins must have been recently purchased.
“Is there anything else you need?” the old lady asked. “Grandma will get it for you.”
Jiang Ning shook her head. “No, this is more than enough.”
The old lady patted Jiang Ning’s hand. “Don’t be so formal, dear. Just tell Grandma if you need anything. You’ve traveled so far—rest for a while. I’ll go make lunch.”
Once the old lady left, Jiang Ning was alone in the room.
She glanced at the walls, which were simply whitewashed—a stark contrast to the interiors of her own time.
Suddenly, her stomach stirred.
Jiang Ning froze, then gently stroked her belly, feeling the baby moving restlessly inside. It had been several days since she’d occupied this body, yet she still hadn’t fully adjusted.
The midday sun shone brightly, filling the room with light. But a moment later, the brightness vanished. Jiang Ning looked up to see He Zheng standing in the doorway. His tall, powerful frame blocked the light completely.
His face was obscured by the glare from behind him, leaving his features hidden in shadow.
“Sister-in-law, I’m here to help you install the window screens and the mosquito net,” he said.
“Thank you for the trouble,” Jiang Ning replied.
“It’s nothing.”
He Zheng set the mosquito net on the table and began fixing the screens. Seeing Jiang Ning move toward him out of the corner of his eye, he said, “Sister-in-law, just sit there and rest. I can handle this.”
With his insistence, Jiang Ning stepped back and let him work.
Jiang Ning sat on the edge of the bed, watching He Zheng’s back as he hammered the window screens into place. The cicadas’ drone outside mingled with the steady thud of his hammer. He and the old lady had both insisted she stay here, but she couldn’t just eat their food for free. In this era, every household’s grain ration was strictly allocated. While the military might be better off than the countryside, she still couldn’t justify being a free rider.
“He Zheng,” she said, “I want to discuss something with you.”
He Zheng finished securing the screen and turned to her. “What is it, Sister-in-law?”
“I’m already troubling you and Grandma by staying here,” Jiang Ning explained. “I’d like to pay you for my meals each month. You promised Zhou Du you’d take care of me and the baby, but I can’t just live here for free. It doesn’t feel right.”
He Zheng cut her off before she could even finish. “No need. Just settle in, Sister-in-law. Eat and drink whatever you like. Don’t worry about the cost—my salary is more than enough to cover the household expenses.”
She knew he’d been promoted to deputy regiment commander, and his pay was higher than ever. But this wasn’t about whether they could afford it.
As she started to protest, He Zheng stopped her again. “Even if you offered, Grandma and I wouldn’t accept it.”
Jiang Ning fell silent.
Seeing He Zheng wouldn’t budge, she had no choice but to give in.
Fine, she thought. If they won’t take money, I’ll just buy more grain, oil, meat, and flour for the house. It’s the same as paying for meals.
He Zheng stepped out and returned a moment later with four bamboo poles. As he set one by the bedpost, Jiang Ning quickly moved to help him hold it steady. He wanted her to rest, but sensing her unease, he let her help.
With a few deft movements, He Zheng tied the poles together and hung the mosquito net.
Jiang Ning hesitated, then asked, “Will the organization approve a courtyard for me?”
He Zheng picked up the hammer and the remaining wire from the table. He glanced up at her. “I’ll submit the application and do my best to secure one. For now, just settle in here.”
Jiang Ning could only nod.
I hope they approve it, she prayed.
Staying with others for a short time was fine, but any longer would inevitably draw gossip. Besides, she had always lived alone and wasn’t used to sharing a space.
Before long, the savory aroma of cooked food drifted in. Jiang Ning only went out when He Zheng returned to call her for dinner.
In the courtyard, a well sat beside a wooden basin. He Zheng poured some water in and said to her as she approached, “Sister-in-law, the well water is too cold. I’ve added some hot water for you.”
“Thank you,” Jiang Ning murmured.
The old lady emerged, beaming, carrying bowls of food. She set the meal on the courtyard table and invited Jiang Ning to wash her hands before joining them.
As Jiang Ning stood up from drying her hands, she noticed He Zheng beside her. He was hunched over, legs braced wide as he splashed water on his face with rough, vigorous motions. Even the way he washed his arms seemed forceful; she felt that if his hands were on her face, he would scrub off a layer of skin.
Sensing her gaze, he paused, and his movements immediately softened.
He recalled what Brother Zhou had once told him—that his wife detested his rough and careless way of washing. She was an educated high school graduate, beautiful and gentle, with a soft, melodious voice.
Since their marriage, Zhou Du had learned to move with deliberate care whenever he washed, trying not to upset her. Though it felt awkward to him, his wife’s happiness was all that mattered.
He Zheng figured his rough movements must have reminded his sister-in-law of Brother Zhou.
The old lady had prepared a feast: pork stew with cabbage and glass noodles, pan-fried cornmeal cakes, and three steamed white flour buns. There was also a pot of soft white rice porridge.
Just as Jiang Ning took a bun from the old lady, a loud voice boomed from behind them. “Oh, Auntie Meng! What’s cooking? I could smell it all the way in my yard!”
The old lady and He Zheng were used to Huang Yuefang’s habit of leaning over the wall to chat. Jiang Ning, however, was seeing it for the first time. She turned and saw a head popping over the wall.
Huang Yuefang spotted Jiang Ning and waved cheerfully. “Zhou Du’s wife! Remember me? We just saw each other this morning.”
“Auntie Huang,” Jiang Ning replied.
“That’s right!” Huang Yuefang grinned. Before she could say another word, the old lady shooed her away. “Your husband will be home soon. Go on back and get busy.”
Right on cue, two children’s voices drifted from next door: “Mom, Dad’s home!”
The old lady glanced at Jiang Ning. Huang Yuefang had mentioned Zhou Du’s name, and she worried the reminder would upset Jiang Ning and ruin her appetite.
The old lady smiled. “Ningning, your Auntie Huang is just like that—she can’t keep her mouth shut and loves a good gossip. But her heart’s in the right place. She’s a kind person.”
“I know,” Jiang Ning replied with a smile.
The novel had described the family compound’s chaotic daily life in detail, especially when it came to Huang Yuefang. The author had written her as a meddlesome gossip but a fiercely protective friend. Just like Commander Fang, she was the kind of person who would be the first to rush into a fight if anyone she cared about was bullied.
“Ningning, eat more. Look how thin you’ve gotten.”
The old lady kept piling pieces of pork onto Jiang Ning’s bun, trying her best to get her to eat.
The buns were hearty and filling. Between them and the large bowl of rice porridge, Jiang Ning couldn’t possibly finish it all. The bun felt a little dry in her mouth, and just as she was about to take a sip of porridge, He Zheng picked up the bowl.
Jiang Ning froze, looking up in confusion.