She slept so deeply it felt like the world had turned upside down. When she woke up, the sun was already setting. She quickly got up and tidied herself. Looking into the mirror, her cheeks were rosy and her skin so tender it seemed you could pinch water out of it. She loosened her braids and tied her hair into a high ponytail, then adjusted her bangs and loose strands in front. She had to be a delicate, refined young beauty at all times.
When she opened her bedroom door, no one else was home yet, so she went to the kitchen to start cooking. By now, her parents were used to her making meals whenever she was at home. They no longer made a big fuss about it like they had in the beginning. It seemed she had gradually changed the image they had of her.
She wasn’t an ungrateful person, and her family weren’t villains either. She was the type who would repay even a small kindness twofold.
So she was very willing to cook for her family. More importantly, she had supplies. When she cooked, she could “cheat” a little—adding extra oil and better ingredients to nourish her family. Of course, she got to enjoy it too.
After finishing the meal, her parents still hadn’t returned. She thought she might as well go downstairs for a walk. Ever since the public security officer had come that one time, she hadn’t lingered downstairs much.
Downstairs, the aunties were gathered together sewing shoe soles, chatting animatedly about whose son had done well, whose daughter-in-law was lazy, or which child had promising prospects…
The power of the aunties’ gossip was not to be underestimated. Before you even got close, you could already be talked into social ruin. Just thinking about it was scary.
Lin Shiyao only wanted to stretch her legs—she had slept most of the day and her body felt stiff. She had no intention of joining the gossip circle. Unfortunately, the aunties had no intention of letting her go.
Seeing her strolling alone, they began whispering and pointing at her. Lin Shiyao tried to pretend she didn’t notice and hurried to walk past.
One auntie called out, “Isn’t this Yaoyao? Haven’t seen you in ages!”
“Yes, Auntie. I’ve been working, so I don’t have much time. Just came out for a little walk today,” Lin Shiyao replied awkwardly, swinging her hands back and forth.
“Yaoyao, does your factory still need people? Your Brother Dazhu still hasn’t found a job,” another auntie suddenly asked.
“Uh… Auntie, I really don’t know. I just go to work and come home. Even if there were openings, the leaders wouldn’t tell me,” she answered. She had only gotten her job through sheer luck. How could she possibly help others inquire about work?
“Look at you. Jobs aren’t that easy to find. Don’t put Yaoyao on the spot,” another auntie quickly said, helping her out.
Lin Shiyao just smiled without saying anything, thinking: Can I leave now?
“Well, Aunties, you carry on chatting. I’ll head back first,” she said, giving up on her walk and returning home.
After dinner, she learned from her father that he had been promoted and was now the deputy factory director. They planned to visit her grandparents in a couple of days to celebrate and inform them of the news.
Winter in the north came a bit early. The cold wind made Lin Shiyao shiver uncontrollably. It was her first time experiencing a northern winter like this—the wind seemed to cut straight into your bones. It was different from the damp chill of the south; this was a dry cold. As someone who had been from the south in her previous life, she found it especially hard to adapt.
That day, her factory announced they would be holding a cultural performance, and she was chosen to be the host. Leaders from above would attend. They said her voice was pleasant and she was pretty. The event was scheduled for New Year’s Day next month, January 1st.
Lin Shiyao counted the days—there was still a week left. She had time to prepare.
…
In the Southern Air Force Military Region dormitory, a soldier with a resolute face and bronze skin sharply defined like it had been carved with a blade was writing something, a broad smile on his face.
A soldier beside him teased, “Battalion Commander Lin, writing to your sweetheart? I never see you smile usually. Now you’re grinning like that. Are you even our Battalion Commander Lin? Or have you been possessed?”
“Get lost. What sweetheart? I’m writing to my sister. What would a rough guy like you understand?”
“Hmph, as if I don’t have a sister.” Well… actually, he didn’t. He only had a stinky little brother. Boo hoo, Battalion Commander Lin was bullying him.
Lin Xiangdong ignored his theatrics and continued writing seriously. He hadn’t gone home to visit in a long time. He wondered how things were at home—were his parents in good health? Was that brat Lin Zhengbin behaving himself? Had his little sister been bullied?
It couldn’t be helped. A soldier’s duty was like this. Defending the country was their responsibility. He hadn’t gone home last year, but this year he should be able to return for the New Year.
In the letter, he briefly described his situation in the army. It wasn’t convenient to say much, so he only mentioned his daily life, assuring his family he was doing fine and telling them not to worry. He would come home for the New Year.
Taking the letter to the mailbox, he was stopped while passing the training ground. The man who called him over had sharply defined brows, eyes as deep and calm as a still pool. His slightly raised brows added a touch of coldness. Beneath his bronze skin were firm muscles. The whole man was like an unsheathed military saber—sharp, yet tempered with the steadiness of years.
“Old Gu, what’s up? I’m heading to the post office to mail this letter home. Got anything to send? I can take it with me,” Li Xiangdong asked, assuming he needed help mailing something.
“Nothing. Just wanted to ask if you’re going home for the New Year this year,” the man replied.
“I am. It’s been a long time since I went back. After mailing this, I’ll submit my leave application.”
“Alright.” He turned and left.
Lin Xiangdong was baffled. Whatever. Old Gu was always unpredictable, wearing that iceberg expression all day long. He didn’t understand what the female comrades liked about him. Just yesterday, he heard that a female soldier from the arts troupe had confessed to him.
When Lin Shiyao returned home from work, she saw her mother sitting alone at the table, holding a letter, wiping away tears as she read.
Thinking something had happened, Lin Shiyao walked over softly. “Mom, what’s wrong? Did something happen? Why are you crying?”
Hearing her daughter’s voice, Mother Lin quickly wiped her tears and sniffed. Sigh, at her age she was still crying. How embarrassing to be seen by her daughter.
“It’s nothing. Your brother sent a letter. He says he can come home for the New Year. Come take a look—he asked about you in the letter.”
“Oh, my brother wrote? Mom, let me see!” She had been here for several months and still hadn’t seen her biological brother yet.
In her memories, her brother had always been very gentle with her. She loved following him around as a child. No matter where he went, he would take her along. If anyone bullied her, he would beat them until they were bruised and swollen. He had been a total sister-doting maniac. When he left to join the army, she had secretly cried for several days.
Her brother was stationed on a sea island. She wondered if she would ever have a chance to go there. She loved the ocean—the kind of place with blooming flowers, warm breezes, and bright sunshine. It was the kind of life she had always longed for.