June 1972.
“Clackety-clack, clackety-clack…” The sound of a train arriving echoed as a green-painted locomotive, black smoke billowing from its chimney, slowly pulled into the station.
Ruan Yunyao wore a cotton white blouse paired with a black umbrella-shaped skirt and small black leather shoes. The loose fit added a touch of casual elegance. Holding a small red leather suitcase in her slender, pale hand, she stepped down from the soft sleeper platform onto the station.
The radiant and graceful young woman glanced at the dusty surroundings and the bustling, energetic crowd dressed in shades of blue, white, black, and gray, carrying bags of all sizes.
She raised a hand to shield herself from the blazing July sun, her delicate willow-leaf eyebrows slightly furrowed. Her clear, bright almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly as she scanned the crowd, searching for whoever had come to pick her up.
Those around her noticed her brand-new white blouse and skirt, along with her small black leather shoes. Those in the know also spotted the imported plum blossom watch on her wrist and the red leather suitcase beside her, recognizing her as the child of a cadre family. They instinctively kept their distance.
After all, if they accidentally dirtied or damaged her belongings, they couldn’t afford to compensate her.
Ruan Yunqiao paid no mind to what others thought. At the moment, her brow slightly furrowed as she endured the station’s complex and unpleasant odors, scanning the bustling crowd for the sign meant to pick her up.
In those days, people waiting for arrivals held up wooden boards with the names of those they were meeting written in chalk or black ink.
After a careful look, Ruan Yunqiao spotted her name. Pulling her suitcase, she made her way toward the person holding the sign.
It was a young, scholarly-looking boy with rosy lips and fair skin, around sixteen or seventeen years old, tall and holding a wooden board with Ruan Yunqiao’s name written on it.
When he saw the stunningly beautiful young woman approaching him, his face flushed bright red.
“Comrade, are you here to pick me up? It’s our first meeting—I’m Ruan Yunqiao.” Her voice was crisp and sweet, with a natural upward lilt at the end, pleasant to hear and almost intoxicating.
His face flushed even redder before he remembered what his father had told him, and his expression instantly turned crestfallen.
This was the granddaughter of his father’s old superior, here to visit her fiancé in the military. His budding first love…
“Comrade?” Ruan Yunqiao’s voice carried a hint of uncertainty as she blinked and waved her hand.
“Ah, oh… sorry, I’m Lu Chuan. My dad is Lu Weiguo.” He scratched his head shyly and added, “My dad said he should have come to pick you up himself, Comrade Ruan, but something came up in the county, so he sent me instead. I’m currently an apprentice in the N County transport team. Since you get motion sickness on buses, and my master’s truck happens to be free, I can take you to your fiancé’s place.” He stumbled over his words, unable to meet Ruan Yunqiao’s captivating almond-shaped eyes.
Ruan Yunqiao paused briefly, then smiled and nodded. “Thank you so much, Comrade Lu. When my fiancé and I come over to Uncle Lu’s for a meal, I hope you won’t mind.” How could she not notice his demeanor?
Hadn’t she seen plenty of boys in the compound fighting over her?
Still, Ruan Yunqiao wasn’t so conceited as to think he was head over heels in love with her. Human nature was simply drawn to beauty. With her own striking looks, it was only natural that someone would like her—she quite liked herself too.
However, Ruan Yunqiao was also grateful that in this life, she was born into a family capable of protecting her. Otherwise, with her looks, it would have been far too dangerous.
Not long after, she settled into the passenger seat of a Liberation-brand truck. Her small red leather suitcase had been placed in the back by Lu Chuan. “Comrade Lu, thank you. I’ll cover the fuel cost—I can’t take advantage of you,” she said, pulling a ten-yuan bill from the pocket of her black half-length skirt and handing it to him.
Lu Chuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. After a moment of silence, he replied, “Alright.” He reached out and took the bill, his heart a turmoil of mixed emotions.
Ruan Yunqiao pretended not to notice. Not only did she lack the patience to comfort a lovelorn young man, but she was also preoccupied with her own worries.
She was eighteen this year, having just graduated from high school—the age when one was sent down to the countryside.
The Ruan family had only two children: her and her older brother. According to the policy for educated youth, if a family had more than one child, at least one had to go to the countryside. Her grandfather and parents couldn’t bear to send her down alone, and her fiancé had joined the military years ago. How could the Ruan family, who doted on Ruan Yunqiao, ever let her go to the countryside by herself?
So, she had been sent here to see for herself whether her fiancé, Lu Yubai, had grown ugly or deformed, or if he had failed to keep his distance from other women.
Although Lu Yubai had written to her frequently over the years, sending all sorts of gifts—clothes, skirts, shoes, snacks, never missing a thing—Ruan Yunqiao had been pampered and cherished across two lifetimes. Did she really lack such things?
When Lu Yubai left to join the military six years ago, she was only twelve. What feelings could she possibly have had for him?
If Lu Yubai turned out to be her type and met her standards, she might reluctantly marry him. If not, Ruan Yunqiao could immediately call her grandfather, parents, and brother to inform them, and they would promptly start selecting backup candidates.
By the time she returned, it would be just the right moment to begin matchmaking.
As the truck slowly started moving, Ruan Yunqiao’s thoughts drifted along with the gradually changing scenery.
N County was located in Jilin Province and could be considered industrially prosperous.
The truck passed through the bustling, noisy county town and headed toward the military base, the surroundings growing increasingly quiet and desolate.
The scenery along the way was quite pleasant. Aside from rolling mountains and lush, verdant trees, there were clear, sparkling rivers winding through the valleys.
The journey passed in silence. Ruan Yunqiao closed her eyes, intending to rest for a while. She had spent a full day and night on the train and was thoroughly exhausted, even though she had traveled in a soft sleeper.
Along the way, she asked Lu Chuan to drop her off not far from the military base. In these times, anyone who could ride in a vehicle—even a truck—was no ordinary person.
She waved goodbye to the enthusiastic and friendly driver, Lu Chuan, smiling at him. “Goodbye, Comrade Lu.” Then, turning away, she pulled her small red leather suitcase along the gravel-covered road.
Lu Chuan watched her retreating figure with reluctant longing. Even the strands of her hair were exquisitely perfect, his goddess… wuwuwu…
After walking for five minutes, Ruan Yunqiao caught sight of the military camp and slowly made her way toward it.
“Hello, comrade. I’m here to visit family,” she said gently, addressing the soldier on duty.
Where had they ever seen such a beautiful girl in their lives? She was even more stunning than the legendary fairies or the leading actresses in movies! Fortunately, years of rigorous training kept them composed. After only a moment of awe, the soldier replied, “Comrade, whose relative are you?”
Ruan Yunqiao was very polite. Her grandfather had also served in the military, and she held the deepest respect for these most admirable people in her heart.
“I am Ruan Yunqiao, the fiancée of your unit’s Second Regiment Third Battalion Commander Lu Yubai. Could you please contact him for me?” She spoke with a serious expression, though this was a surprise visit—she hadn’t told Lu Yubai she was coming.
Since she was here to assess him, she certainly couldn’t give him time to prepare.
The soldier in green military uniform gasped in shock. “What did you say?” Oh no! Battalion Commander Lu’s fiancée, whom he always talks about, is actually this beautiful!