It seemed as though recalling that moment, both of them showed faint smiles. Back then, how could they have ever imagined what today would be like?
Qi Xiaoyuan’s expression softened. “You were very brave, and this is the Military Unit. It’s very safe.”
After seeing Qi Xiaoyuan off and closing the door, Su Man suddenly slapped her head in frustration. “If I said I was scared, would he have moved in with me?”
But in the next moment, she laughed at herself. What was she even thinking?
This was not the modern world. Men and women were not so casual with each other. Besides, they had already called off their arranged engagement.
Su Man chose the largest room with the best light and view and arranged it according to her own preferences.
She walked into a small room specially partitioned for bathing, preparing to enjoy a comfortable soak, only to find a brand-new set of toiletries inside. There were even snow cream and clam oil.
Thinking of who had prepared them, a trace of a smile flashed in Su Man’s eyes. She hummed a tune as she returned to her room and slept soundly.
This was the most peaceful sleep she had had since arriving in the book world.
When she was at the Su Second Family’s home, her mind had been full of how to deal with them. When she arrived at the Military Unit and saw Qi Xiaoyuan’s attitude, and also could not meet Qi Family’s old master, she had felt a moment of panic. When staying at the guesthouse, although conditions were considered good for this era, the public washroom and latrine alone had made her uncomfortable.
Now, she finally truly felt that she had merged into this era. It was not a book, but a real world, where everyone was alive.
She was also going to begin her own life.
Aunt Xu learned that Su Man had moved and brought over a bowl of fried pork scraps to visit. When she heard Su Man say she wanted to host a meal, she immediately offered to help prepare everything before going home.
“Aunt Xu, your whole family is coming to eat. I already planned to treat you. I bought the meat and vegetables early this morning. If you don’t come, the food will go to waste.”
Only last night did Su Man discover that Qi Xiaoyuan had left some money for her on the table, along with grain coupons and meat coupons.
It was likely that Qi Xiaoyuan was afraid she would refuse, so he had not directly handed them to her in person—neither for the guesthouse expenses nor this time.
Su Man did not intend to be polite with him. If one wanted to deepen a relationship with someone, one could not always be overly formal. The same principle applied to all relationships.
Some people were kind-hearted and careful, afraid of taking advantage of others, but they did not realize that every meticulously calculated distance would slowly push people apart. Human relationships were built through repeated exchanges and closeness over time.
Since Su Man had decided to marry this man, she naturally would not be foolish enough to be overly distant about money. If he misunderstood her as being overly aloof, what if, after a divorce in the future, he refused to give her any money?
Then she would truly cry herself to death.
Aunt Xu knew this was Su Man’s kindness. When she first met her on the train, she had not been wrong about her. This girl was not only beautiful but also excellent in her conduct.
So Aunt Xu went home to inform her daughter and son-in-law.
But when Aunt Xu arrived with Li Qingqing and Tang Tang, the whole family looked dejected.
Su Man quickly put down what she was holding and asked: “What happened?”
Li Qingqing had a round face and was usually smiling, but now her eyes were red, her lips tightly pressed, saying nothing. The child in her arms, Tang Tang, seemed to sense the adults’ emotions and pouted as well.
Aunt Xu sighed. “Today Qingqing went to work, but in the afternoon she was told she didn’t need to come anymore. They said a mistake had been made in the earlier process, someone had been missed, and that person had a higher education level than Qingqing, so Qingqing was replaced.”
She said angrily: “Who knows what kind of tricks are involved. That person is the niece of the Deputy Director of the Food Factory. We had no choice but to accept it.”
“It’s all my fault. I even had Dajun write to his mother saying Qingqing now had a job and could earn money. I wanted his mother-in-law to value Qingqing more in the future. Now I don’t know how she will laugh at us.”
Su Man asked curiously: “Does Qingqing have a bad relationship with her mother-in-law?”
Aunt Xu had already accepted reality. While picking vegetables, she continued speaking.
“Isn’t the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law always difficult? Qingqing’s mother-in-law isn’t a bad person, just a traditional countryside old woman. She gets unhappy because Qingqing gave birth to a daughter and nags her whenever she has the chance. But Qingqing is honest and not good with words, so she can only swallow her anger.”
Su Man asked: “What about Qin Dajun’s attitude?”
Over the past days, Su Man had observed that Li Qingqing and Qin Dajun seemed to have a harmonious relationship. Qin Dajun also liked his daughter Tang Tang very much and often played with her when he came home.
He should not be the kind of person who favored sons over daughters like his mother.
“When things get serious, Qin Dajun does speak up against his mother. But in daily details, men are often careless or simply don’t care even if they notice. Qingqing is sensible and doesn’t complain to me, but she’s my daughter—I still feel sorry for her.”
“As for Tang Tang, Dajun does like her, but he still wants a son. He says it’s to give Tang Tang support in the future, but actually he’s afraid that when he dies, there will be no son to perform ancestral rites.”
“Aunt Xu, Qingqing will definitely find another job. It might come soon.“ Su Man comforted her a few words without further comment. Every family had its own difficulties; they could not be solved with a few sentences. Those involved often did not want outsiders’ shallow advice.
Aunt Xu sighed. “I hope so.”
Su Man put down the vegetables she had finished preparing. Just as she stood up, she saw Qi Xiaoyuan arrive, followed by three soldiers in military uniforms and a plainly dressed woman.
Qi Xiaoyuan introduced each of them to Su Man.
Besides Qin Dajun, one of them was someone Su Man had seen before—Zhang Yong. However, this time he was completely different from before. Previously he had been talkative and lively, but today he only greeted her briefly and said almost nothing, not even looking at her much.
Another was Zeng Yang, who smiled warmly and openly.
The woman beside Zeng Yang was his wife, named Zhang Xiaocao.
After the introductions, Qi Xiaoyuan took Su Man aside to speak privately.
“The bakery matter has a result. The higher-ups approved it and designated you as the person in charge.”
Just as Su Man became excited, Qi Xiaoyuan quickly added: “But there are conditions. You must find two military wives to work with you. There will be no official salary, and the Military Unit will not provide any guarantees. Everything depends on the bakery’s performance. Only after seeing profit can further arrangements be discussed. Do you understand?”
“In other words, if the bakery does not perform well, it will have to be closed.”
Su Man understood the leadership’s concerns very well. This was the 1970s after all. The fact that they were even willing to give her a chance was likely due to the influence of Qi Xiaoyuan and the Qi family.
She nodded seriously. “I understand. I will make it work.”
Qi Xiaoyuan curved his lips. “I believe you.”
Not far away, Zhang Yong and Zeng Yang leaned together, their gazes fixed on the man and woman in the corner.
Zhang Yong muttered softly: “No wonder Regiment Commander Qi froze me with his stare and made me run laps. I didn’t even dare look at Su Man today for fear he’d hold a grudge.”
Zeng Yang said: “Don’t say that. They actually look quite compatible.”
The two stood in the corner—tall and handsome man, delicate and lively woman. Even their aura harmonized perfectly. The man’s usual coldness seemed to have softened into tenderness in that moment.
Even though Zhang Yong still felt a trace of unwillingness, he had to admit Zeng Yang was right.
He had lost completely. Sob.