New Year’s Eve.
The biting cold wind couldn’t dampen the festive atmosphere.
As darkness fell, children who had finished their reunion dinners were already playing with firecrackers and skyrockets outside.
When the crackling sounds drifted into the warm house, the five members of the Huo family were just about to begin their meal.
The polished Eight Immortals table was laden with various delicious dishes.
Among them, placed right in front of Lin Ting, was a large bowl of Blood Sausage with Pork and Sauerkraut Stew – a clear display of her mother-in-law’s favoritism.
After they started eating, Hu Xiu, her forehead flushed, brought up the matter of Da Nier’s matchmaking with her son.
After hearing his mother’s account, Huo Xiao also found it rather unreliable.
However, being naturally reserved, he wouldn’t voice his doubts without confirmation, simply responding: “I’ll look into it tomorrow.”
Knowing her son always handled matters properly, Hu Xiu felt completely reassured.
She flicked Guo Guo’s forehead – the child was fidgeting restlessly, drawn by the firecrackers outside – and promised to take him out after dinner. Then she turned to ask about her son and daughter-in-law’s future plans.
Lin Ting was serving meat to Miao Miao beside her and didn’t rush to speak, instead glancing at the man to her left.
Huo Xiao indeed had plans in mind. Now that his mother had brought it up, he looked at his wife and explained: “I originally intended to discuss relocating to the troop with you after your visit back home.”
Lin Ting nodded in understanding.
Still, it wasn’t true that she hadn’t thought about it herself, especially since the next ten years would be unsafe outside.
After a moment’s silence, she asked: “Will we be going with you to the troop this time?”
Hearing this, Huo Xiao, who had been observing his wife, felt relieved: “Not together. I need to apply for housing first before I can bring you over. It should take about a month, barring any surprises.”
Lin Ting instinctively understood “you” to include her mother-in-law.
So after dinner, when Huo Xiao finished cleaning the dishes and took the Dragon and Phoenix Twins out to set off skyrockets,
Lin Ting, who was soaking her feet, was completely stunned to learn her mother-in-law wasn’t going: “You’re not coming? Why?”
Hu Xiu was amused by her daughter-in-law’s shocked expression: “Silly child, why do you think? I’ve lived in this village my whole life and I’m used to it. Besides, if I went to the troop, what would happen to our home here?”
Lin Ting didn’t understand: “What do you mean? What here needs you to personally watch over?”
Hu Xiu: “The chickens and ducks, this new house, the vegetables growing around it, and the farmland in the village… which of these can be left unattended?”
This time Lin Ting didn’t immediately argue back. From her mother-in-law’s detailed list, she understood that while there was some fear of the unknown, more than anything, she didn’t want to become a burden to her children.
To be honest, like most modern women, Lin Ting would naturally prefer living separately as a young couple after marriage.
But her marriage with Huo Xiao could be described as forcibly arranged. Though things seemed fine now, they still didn’t know each other well enough – who knew what the future held?
Moreover, while she liked children well enough, she hadn’t planned on becoming a full-time mother.
Selfishly speaking, only with her mother-in-law’s help could Lin Ting have the opportunity to work.
Of course, humans are emotional creatures.
It would be nonsense to claim Lin Ting was currently inseparable from her mother-in-law.
But even without considering the children, she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving the elderly woman alone in the village.
Still, some words would carry more weight coming from Huo Xiao than from herself. She only needed to make her position clear.
Thinking of this, Lin Ting lowered her lashes, pulled her feet—red from soaking—out of the wooden bucket, and picked up the earthen foot cloth beside her. As she wiped her feet, she said playfully, “Anyway, if you don’t go, I won’t go either.”
Hu Xiu’s nose tingled with emotion. She raised her hand and pointed affectionately at her daughter-in-law, smiling warmly. “You’re the only one who knows how to be cheeky. I’m old now, and you two are newlyweds—what would I be doing tagging along?”
So she really does see herself as a burden…
On New Year’s Eve, it was customary to stay up late.
But Hu Xiu hadn’t fully recovered her health, and the Dragon and Phoenix Twins were still young, so she took the children back to the bedroom early.
Lin Ting felt it wouldn’t be right for her to go to bed alone, so she voluntarily stayed with Huo Xiao in the outer room.
However, she wasn’t one to shortchange herself.
After asking Huo Xiao to make tea, she rummaged through the cupboard and found the sunflower seeds her mother-in-law had grown herself.
The sunflower seeds were still raw, and there weren’t many to begin with. Her mother-in-law had carefully saved them just to roast and eat during the New Year.
Although these seeds didn’t have much meat, Lin Ting liked chewing them shells and all—she found them especially fragrant! The only downside was that roasting them was a hassle.
With no TV or phone to pass the time, it was the perfect activity.
By the time Huo Xiao finished brewing the tea and brought it over, a layer of sunflower seeds was already spread on the stove cover.
Worried she might burn herself, after handing her the tea, Huo Xiao reached out and said, “I’ll take care of this. Scoot over a bit.”
Lin Ting handed him the tongs she’d been using to flip the seeds, shifted to make room for him, and then said, “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“Go ahead.”
“Did you know Mom doesn’t want to go to the troop?”
Huo Xiao was surprised. “Did Mom tell you she doesn’t want to go?”
Lin Ting shook her head, then nodded. “She said she’s used to village life, but I think she’s probably afraid of being a burden to you…” She then recounted her earlier conversation with her mother-in-law in detail.
Sure enough, Huo Xiao’s brow furrowed at first, then relaxed. He looked at his wife sincerely and said, “Thank you. I’ll talk to Mom about it.”
Being thanked so earnestly made Lin Ting a little embarrassed—after all, she had her own motives too.
But she wasn’t foolish when it came to making a good impression: “There’s no need to thank me. Mom is just a good person. Anyway, I told her—if she doesn’t go, I won’t go either.”
Huo Xiao…
Though he was happy that his wife and mother got along so well, the fact that she was so quick to give up on him left him with mixed feelings.
Having slept poorly the night before, Lin Ting, who had promised to stay up, had no idea when she’d fallen asleep.
She was even less aware that she’d fallen asleep on her husband’s lap.
All she knew was that when she woke up again, she was alone on the kang in the east room.
At first, Lin Ting felt a little embarrassed—it was obvious Huo Xiao must have carried her back.
But when she finally overcame her awkwardness, got ready, and stepped outside, he was nowhere to be seen.
After asking around, she learned that he had gone to the county town early that morning to pay a New Year’s visit to Director Hu at the Armed Forces Department and to inquire about Da Ni’s potential match.
With that, Lin Ting quickly let go of her unease.
She ate breakfast while helping her mother-in-law receive the younger relatives who came to pay their New Year’s respects.
Meanwhile, Huo Xiao, who had gotten up at the crack of dawn, was already seated in Director Hu’s office.
During those years, there were no holidays for New Year’s, so even on the first day of the year, Director Hu had come to work early.
He was delighted to unexpectedly welcome his good friend.
Having not seen each other for years, the two had plenty to catch up on—from work and current events to family matters.
They talked for over an hour, refilling their tea several times, before Huo Xiao finally brought up the reason for his visit.
Director Hu bit down on his cigarette. “Is this really worth a trip on the first day of the new year? Between us brothers, there’s no need for such formalities. A phone call would’ve sufficed. What? Did your little wife kick you out?”
As he spoke, the middle-aged man wore a lecherous grin, completely devoid of the sternness he displayed in front of outsiders.
Huo Xiao couldn’t be bothered to entertain him, but at the thought of his wife obediently resting her head on his knee, a smile tugged at his lips. “There are some things you wouldn’t understand even if I told you.”
Director Hu wasn’t having any of that. “What do you mean I wouldn’t understand? I’ve got three kids! You think I know less than a greenhorn like you who’s just gotten a taste?”
At this point, he dropped the joking tone and leaned closer to his comrade, lowering his voice. “About the children… have you told her?”
Having served under Brigade Commander Wei in the past and being close to Huo Xiao, Director Hu was one of the few who knew the origins of the Dragon and Phoenix Twins.
Huo Xiao shook his head. “It’s not a small matter, so I plan to tell her after she joins me as a military dependent.”
Hearing this, Director Hu leaned back in his chair and took a drag of his cigarette, letting the smoke wreathe his face before speaking. “You’re doing the right thing. It’s wise to be cautious. But… that little wife of yours is a good one. You should treat her well.”
“That’s why I came to you, isn’t it?”
Director Hu paused in flicking his cigarette ash and laughed ruefully. “I knew you wouldn’t come to me for such a trivial matter. Go on, out with it. Consider it a favor for those two bottles of medicinal wine you brought.”
Huo Xiao said, “Help me get someone a position at the county furniture factory.”
He had good relations with the leaders of several factories in the county, so arranging a job wasn’t difficult. Still, Director Hu asked, “How are their skills? Who are we talking about?” Although his comrade wasn’t the unreliable type, it was necessary to get the details straight.
Huo Xiao understood his concern. “My brother-in-law. His craftsmanship is solid, and he’s honest and diligent… You can test him first. It’s fine to only hire him if he passes the skills assessment. Like you said, my wife has been nothing but good to me, and she’s even willing to join me as a military dependent. Who knows when she’ll be able to visit her family again in the future, so I thought I’d arrange a job for her eldest brother.Compensation wasn’t just empty words or merely bringing lavish gifts that were a bit heavier than others when visiting her family.
Satisfied with the explanation, Director Hu nodded in agreement and sighed. “They always say military life is tough, but it’s hard for military dependents too. It’s good that you have this awareness.”
Knowing the matter was settled, Huo Xiao smiled. “I owe you one, brother.”
Director Hu laughed heartily. “Damn right you do! I’m definitely noting down this favor.”
As he spoke, he stood up. “Let’s go! I know you’re pressed for time. We’ll head to the furniture factory now. If all goes well, your brother-in-law can come for the assessment tomorrow.”
That was ideal. Huo Xiao didn’t bother with pleasantries and stood up to follow him out.
On their way downstairs, Director Hu muttered, “Since you’re already here, come have lunch at my place. Your sister-in-law’s cooking is top-notch!”
Watching the other man’s raised thumb, Huo Xiao thought for just a few seconds before nodding.
They spent half the day touring the county town.
By the time Huo Xiao returned home, it was nearly four o’clock.
Before he could even take off his military overcoat, he was cornered by his aunt, who had been waiting for him for hours.
Remembering that the arranged blind date was the day after tomorrow, Huo Xiao could understand her urgency.
Seeing her daughter-in-law sitting by the stove with her eyes closed warming herself, Huo Xiao simply sat down beside her. While warming his hands, he said, “I don’t think he’s suitable.”
Chen Guilan, who had been so overjoyed at the prospect of having a city son-in-law that she barely slept all night, couldn’t accept this answer. She immediately pressed, “Why isn’t he suitable? Is he foolish? Or disabled?”
Lin Ting twitched her lips. So as long as it wasn’t either of those two things, her aunt-in-law would consider him acceptable?
Hu Xiu scolded unhappily, “What kind of talk is that? Character is most important. Wait until Xiao finishes speaking before getting anxious.”
Chen Guilan stammered, “I… I just want Danizi to marry into the city and live a comfortable life…”
Huo Xiao frowned disapprovingly, “Many city households live worse than rural families.”
Having inherent respect for city dwellers, Chen Guilan dismissed this, “They’re still city people.”
Hu Xiu couldn’t be bothered to argue further with her sister-in-law and directly asked her son, “What exactly makes him unsuitable?”
Huo Xiao relayed what he had learned: “He’s 22 this year, didn’t finish junior high, has no proper job, likes running around with the red armband groups causing trouble. Oh, and his height… about the same as Aunt.”
“That’s it? His conditions are quite good! He’s a city person!” Chen Guilan genuinely couldn’t see what was wrong. So what if the man was short? Work isn’t a concern either – his father is a workshop director!
Hu Xiu was genuinely angry for once, “I think you’ve gone mad!”
Lin Ting glanced at her aunt-in-law, who was probably only around 150cm tall, and also thought she was crazy.
Never mind all the other messy conditions, the height alone would be a dealbreaker for her. She was somewhat of a looks-conscious person.
Thinking this, Lin Ting looked at the handsome man beside her and felt even more satisfied.
Noticing his wife’s gaze, Huo Xiao turned his head and asked quietly, “What’s wrong?”
Lin Ting asked, “Did you drink?”
“Just two liang, is the smell bothering you?”
Lin Ting sniffed again, “Not really, just a faint smell on your clothes.”
Mentioning clothes, Huo Xiao instinctively touched his coat pocket.
After hesitating for a few seconds, he still quietly took a paper package from his pocket and slipped it into hers.
Lin Ting instinctively reached to feel it, “What is it?”
Huo Xiao coughed lightly and whispered, “Food.”
He had noticed yesterday that his young wife had quite an appetite.
So on his way back, he had specially gone to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy several types of snacks.
The walnut cookies in his pocket were the last two left at the cooperative, so he wanted to save them for his wife.
But this was essentially hoarding treats for himself, and Huo Xiao, doing this for the first time, felt somewhat embarrassed, making his actions inevitably furtive.
Unexpectedly, the short-statured Guo Guo spotted it anyway. The little one immediately cried out, “Daddy’s secretly giving Mommy good food! I want some too!”