Yang Dai hadn’t expected to miss, and she stared blankly at her own hand.
“This thing easily misfires, be careful with it.” Han Lin carefully inspected the object again, then rewrapped it with a cloth strip before cautiously handing it to Yang Dai.
Being able to hold it and take a close look satisfied her curiosity, so Yang Dai didn’t nitpick further.
“You’ve seen this thing before?” Yang Dai asked, noticing how familiar Han Lin seemed with it.
Han Lin tapped his own head. “You could say this thing is the Han family’s heirloom treasure.”
From childhood, the original Yang Dai had heard many stories about this “tumu-cang.”
During the years of war, Han Lin’s grandfather had obtained it from the Japanese invaders. At that time, having such a weapon in the house greatly increased the family’s chance of survival. In fact, Han’s father had been able to learn the carpenter’s trade largely thanks to this weapon.
Later, the weapon was passed down from Han’s grandfather to Han’s father.
In earlier years, Han’s father had even carried it to form patrol teams with people from Huangzhuang Brigade, helping eliminate dangers there.
But in recent years, as life grew more stable, every household’s only wish was simply to fill their bellies, and the weapon had been put away, collecting dust.
It was something one could only look at, not actually use. After indulging her eyes, Yang Dai set it aside.
The following days remained busy. Yang Dai rushed to finish her work as quickly as possible.
To complete the task sooner, she pushed herself to the fastest pace she could. Today was already the last propaganda wall.
Once she finished this mural, her propaganda assignment would officially be complete.
Standing on the ladder, Yang Dai raised her arm and sketched the rough outline.
But because she had been painting nonstop these past few days, her arms quickly became sore. Feeling the throbbing ache, she climbed down to rest.
At the beginning, when she first painted with the propaganda team, some brigade members had followed curiously behind her, watching and asking questions.
But after some time, their curiosity wore off, and for the past two days she painted entirely alone.
Now, as she climbed down from the ladder, she was surprised to find someone standing behind her.
The person had his hands clasped behind his back, examining her freshly drawn outline with a critical eye.
Yang Dai opened her mouth to speak, but the man unexpectedly tossed something at her.
“Without the right skills, you still insist on taking porcelain work? Just asking for trouble.” He let the object drop to the ground, not bothering with it.
Again, he gave Yang Dai a sweeping, critical look.
Without waiting for her to speak, he gave a cold snort and walked off with his hands behind his back.
Stunned, Yang Dai bent to pick up the object. She discovered it was several packets of medicinal plasters.
The man, after turning, hadn’t gone far. He lingered, watching her stoop to collect the medicine. Then, just as she was about to speak, he hastened away.
Yang Dai looked at the plasters, then at the retreating figure, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
She had been so startled just now that she hadn’t even greeted him.
If her memory wasn’t wrong, that man should be her uncle, Guan Changlin.
She didn’t have a deep impression of this uncle—hardly any meetings at all. She couldn’t even recall why he disliked her.
But today it didn’t seem so.
This uncle actually cared about her, otherwise he wouldn’t have come just to bring her plasters.
Yang Dai stored them away, rested a while, and returned to work.
She resolved that once her assignment was finished, she would ask her mother why her relationship with this uncle was so strained.
That evening, Mother Han came by with food and some news.
“Han Lin was recognized by the site leaders. Tonight he has to stay on the worksite, probably won’t be back until tomorrow afternoon.”
“Just as well, your job is done too. Tomorrow you both can rest for a day.” Mother Han always spoke gently to her daughter-in-law, even inviting Yang Dai and Han Lin to dinner the following evening.
With the assignment completed, all that remained was for the commune to inspect the work. Yang Dai felt completely at ease.
That night she took out the plasters to examine them. She had studied medicine before. After all, she had once been named crown princess at a young age; palace life was treacherous.
The Duke of Chengguo had wanted Yang Dai to have some skill to secure her footing in the palace, and medicine had been one of those skills.
She had studied for several years. Although often praised, her teacher had concluded she lacked talent, so she gradually gave it up. Still, she had retained basic knowledge of identifying formulas.
The plasters were dark and sticky, but Yang Dai could recognize several herbs and confirmed they would help relieve her sore arm.
The matter lingered in her thoughts. After breakfast the next day, Yang Dai went back to her family home.
“Little sister, you’re back! Come in, mother was just talking about you.” Her eldest sister-in-law, Huang Xiuxiu, greeted her warmly, without a trace of coldness.
“Stay for lunch. I’ll come home early to cook; you keep mother company.” Xiuxiu affectionately pulled her inside before reluctantly leaving for work.
“Big sis-in-law, did you pick up some money? You’re awfully cheerful today.” Yang Dai sat by her mother, still unused to Xiuxiu’s smiles.
If anyone in the family had disliked Yang Dai most, it was Xiuxiu.
A little sister-in-law who hadn’t married yet, stirring up trouble at home and competing with nieces and nephews for resources—what sister-in-law would like that?
“The commune job has been finalized. After discussion, the family decided to give it to your elder brother.” Mother Yang said, then looked at Yang Dai. “You really don’t want this job? Think again. It’s still in your father’s hands. If you want it, it’s yours.”
It wasn’t the first time she had said this. Yang Dai again firmly shook her head. She would not take it.
“Then I won’t bring it up again. You’ve made your choice. Just live your life well.” Mother Yang’s expression softened with relief.
Although Yang Dai had been married only a short time, the changes in her were obvious. At first they had worried that her life with Han Lin would fall apart. But now, they were doing better than most in Huangzhuang Brigade.
“I will live well. You and father too—just wait, your daughter will take good care of you.” Yang Dai had grown increasingly close to her mother, speaking more freely.
Her mother smiled happily and began recounting the family’s recent affairs.
Originally, she had intended to give the job to the second son, Yang Chengjun. After all, he was about to marry, and his bride was a teacher in the brigade. If Chengjun had a job, the match would seem even better.
But Chengjun adamantly refused. He said if they forced the job on him, he would sell it immediately, cancel the marriage, and run away from home.
Though it had caused a scene, Yang’s parents were secretly pleased. Their children knew gratitude and sense—that was a blessing.
With the job set for the eldest son, Yang Chengguo, Mother Yang constantly reminded Xiuxiu that Yang Dai had contributed greatly to securing it.
Xiuxiu, having lived alongside Yang Dai for years, didn’t believe it.
But now that her own family had benefited, and with Yang Dai married out, Xiuxiu was willing to show her some courtesy, to please the in-laws.
Yang Dai understood all this without being told. Xiuxiu’s changed attitude was also to her advantage, so she accepted it.
After hearing the family updates, Yang Dai asked about her uncle, Guan Changlin.
“You should find a chance to properly apologize to your uncle. About what happened back then…” Mother Yang trailed off, vague. “Your uncle still cares about you.”
“When I was young, I didn’t know better. Thinking of it now, I feel guilty. But mother, as a junior, for me to bring it up again…” In her memories, she couldn’t recall why relations with her uncle had soured. Since her mother avoided details, she could only echo the sentiment, half-speaking, half-guessing.
“Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll visit your uncle more often. When Han Lin finishes his work in the county, you two can buy some gifts and go see him together.”
“When you married, the date was set hastily. Your uncle was in training at the city hospital, ate one meal, and had to leave. He didn’t have time to say much. Next time, let him get a proper look at you.”
“You were young then, didn’t know what to say or not say. This time, just apologize honestly. For years he’s carried grudges over your words. Even if he gives you a cold face, you mustn’t leave in anger.” Her mother’s expression grew stern.
Under her gaze, Yang Dai swore she would behave properly. Only then did her mother relax.
Still, worry lingered, and she repeated more instructions.
From her mother’s scattered words, Yang Dai pieced together the truth.
In the end, the blame lay on the original self—too reckless, speaking without thought.
An occasional sharp remark could be dismissed as childish nonsense.
But again and again, to stab at someone’s sore spots—even a blood uncle would lose patience.
That he still brought her medicine showed an extremely generous heart.
If she herself had met the old Yang Dai as a child, she would have made her learn firsthand why flowers are so red.
Yang Dai was still lost in thought when her mother’s final warning landed.
“Whatever happens, remember—never mention your eldest uncle in front of your second uncle. Understand?”
Mother Yang gripped her hand anxiously, suddenly wondering if letting her return home was wise after all.
And at that moment, because of her mother’s words, a buried memory suddenly resurfaced in Yang Dai’s mind. Her face stiffened.