Lin Su had started running a fever in the middle of the night, then began to sweat heavily as the temperature gradually came down. When she woke up the next day, her body felt completely dry and refreshed.
There was no sign of Qin Zhoucheng in the room. Lin Su realized she had been wrapped tightly in a cocoon of blankets, with only her head sticking out. She struggled free in a flurry of movements, quickly got dressed, and then the smell of food drifted in from outside.
It was Qin Zhoucheng cooking again.
Ever since she started spending her days sewing clothes and staying up late studying by lamplight at night, he had taken over almost all the housework without discussion.
Even though he was clearly busy—going to work after breakfast and disappearing all day—he still came back in the evening to cook and tend the fire. In most households, men didn’t even get a ready-made meal like this.
Lin Su, who came from a modern background, didn’t believe women should be confined to the kitchen. But this was the 1980s, and in Yu Family Village, traditional thinking was still strong. Especially since Qin Zhoucheng was so capable—a technician and a junior factory leader—he had become a highly sought-after “ideal man” in everyone’s eyes.
Originally, they had agreed to simply live together as partners. She had planned to work hard and repay him. But now, she was busy every day, and even the housework had been taken over by him.
Lin Su felt very embarrassed.
But Qin Zhoucheng didn’t seem embarrassed at all. Lin Su stayed up late every day, living such an exhausting life—how could he still expect her to do housework and serve him?
Besides, he was already used to doing things himself. After years in the military, even when he had an orderly, he still handled his own affairs.
“You made breakfast again… I’ll cook tomorrow,” Lin Su said with a reflexive smile.
But that smile seemed to sting Qin Zhoucheng for some reason. He turned his head away, the tips of his ears faintly heating up—though his skin tone made it impossible to see clearly.
Lin Su didn’t understand why he suddenly stopped looking at her mid-conversation. Had he gotten angry?
“Um… sorry. I’ll start doing housework today. I’ll make sure you have a hot meal in the evening. Don’t be mad.”
She was usually energetic and bold, someone who wouldn’t tolerate being wronged—but in front of him, she smiled awkwardly, a little silly, even somewhat cautious.
With others, she would immediately fight back if wronged. But with him, she kept apologizing, afraid he might be unhappy.
Why was she being so distant? Did she think he was a stranger?
Even if they were just “living together,” he was definitely closer to her than people like Xu Ermei. Being polite meant distance.
Qin Zhoucheng felt uncomfortable.
Last night, she had clung to him so tightly—like an octopus refusing to let go, her face pressed against his chest like a helpless little animal. He had tried to push her away all night but couldn’t.
And now, the moment she woke up feeling better, she acted as if nothing had happened.
A tight, blocked feeling rose in his chest, like a stone pressing down.
“I’m not angry,” he said finally, though even he didn’t know how to explain his mood.
After a pause, he added again, “You don’t need to do anything. You’re already busy during the day with work and at night with studying—there’s no time for housework.”
“That won’t do either. You shouldn’t be doing everything alone. We agreed to share life together. How can I push everything onto you?”
“Then just focus on studying,” Qin Zhoucheng said as he placed half a salted duck egg into her bowl. “Getting into university will be the best reward for me. That’s final—no discussion.”
Lin Su puffed her cheeks slightly.
“Do you have time today?”
“Yes.”
The porridge he cooked was thick and fragrant with rice aroma. The salted duck eggs—likely factory-issued benefits—were rich and oily, with bright orange yolks.
“A few days ago, didn’t you say you wanted to visit your fourth sister in Haicheng? I’m on leave today. I’ll take you there. She’s studying at a normal college there. I’ve already asked around about her location. And those fashion magazines you wanted—we can also look for them in Haicheng.”
“Today? I do have time, but how are we getting there? I don’t have a bicycle,” Lin Su asked, eyes wide.
Because of her unconscious closeness last night, she had become slightly distant again this morning. Qin Zhoucheng’s inner irritation inexplicably eased.
His palm even felt a little itchy, like he wanted to touch her long, dense eyelashes.
But that would probably scare her.
“No need for a bicycle. We’ll take the factory shuttle from Huigang directly to Haicheng.”
He looked at her and added, “You can dress a little nicer.”
Lin Su glanced at herself—her outfit had already been altered into a more fitted casual military-style set—and paused.
“Why are you suddenly telling me to dress nicely?”
Qin Zhoucheng replied with absolute seriousness.
“This trip to Haicheng isn’t just to see your sister. There’s also the department store. Don’t you want to go? The sales clerks there can be a bit… how should I put it… they judge people by appearance.”
He frowned slightly.
“There was even an incident before where a clerk hit a customer at the Haicheng department store. You’ve made so many nice clothes—if you don’t wear them yourself, it’s a waste. If you wear your own designs, it’ll also be good publicity.”
His reasoning was sound, logical, and entirely focused on her work.
Lin Su’s eyes lit up.
“You’re right. I completely forgot about that. I’ve lost weight now too—maybe they’ll look even better on me. My brain is still a bit foggy from the fever last night.”
Qin Zhoucheng smiled faintly, pleased to see her so excited.
But at the same time, a faint heaviness rose in his chest.
When would she look at him with those bright, sparkling eyes the same way she looked at her clothes?
This house had only one main room and a small kitchen area. The kitchen was too small and far too cold to live in. Sharing a single kang bed meant that sooner or later, problems would arise.
Thinking of how she had unconsciously clung to him last night, Qin Zhoucheng felt his ears heat up again.
And she often went to the kitchen stove at night to study so as not to disturb him. As the weather grew colder, she would eventually catch a chill.
Housing had to be addressed soon. The Huigang factory’s family housing was almost completed, and he had already submitted an application. Even if it wasn’t a proper apartment and didn’t have centralized heating, it would still be far better than this mud house.
Lin Su changed into a new outfit—a white fitted short-sleeve blouse, a high-waisted sky-blue long skirt, and a light blue knitted cardigan on top.
She tied her hair into a loose bun at the back, leaving soft strands on both sides of her face, giving her a relaxed and gentle look.
It softened her otherwise striking beauty, making her skin appear almost translucent—pure and clean, like Zhang Ziyi in her early roles.
When she walked out, Qin Zhoucheng froze completely.