Su Muqing stored all the items she had found into her Small Apartment. Since everyone else would be eating at the canteen at noon and wouldn’t return, she entered the apartment herself and had a meal of frozen dumplings she had stockpiled, also opening a bag of potato chips.
At two in the afternoon, she heard the sound of the door again—Song Ranran had returned, and her phone immediately rang.
“It’s done, Qingbao!” Song Ranran’s excited voice came through. “I’ve already printed everything on the envelopes for you, and I even managed to get you a bunch of stuff!”
Five envelopes appeared out of thin air on the coffee table. Su Muqing looked and saw that the envelopes were addressed to different recipient units in handwriting imitating Li Meifeng’s: the Factory Revolutionary Committee, the Factory Propaganda Department, the Factory Women’s Federation, the Municipal Educated Youth Office, and the Neighborhood Committee.
She opened one of the envelopes. Inside was an anonymous report accusing Li Jianguo and Wang Xiujuan of using their positions to steal public property, treating their two daughters unequally, and even abusing Li Zhaodi. There was also mention of Li Jianguo’s inappropriate conduct with Zhang Cuicui, a colleague from the same factory.
Su Muqing smiled. This wasn’t slander—anyone who entered the house would see it for themselves. Li Meifeng’s Dacron shirt and the iron stove Li Jianguo had welded himself were all items taken from the factory.
These might seem like minor issues, but in this era, they were considered undermining socialism.
Moreover, there was the matter of inappropriate conduct. The embroidered handkerchief from earlier that day was evidence enough.
Once these letters were sent out, even if an investigation were conducted, it would only trace back to Li Meifeng.
“Ranran, you’ve been a huge help!” Su Muqing praised sincerely.
“Of course!” Song Ranran said proudly. “I also prepared some things for you—they’re all on the sofa. Cotton-padded clothes, pants, shoes, hats, bedding… I heard Beidahuang is really cold, so I specially swapped out the fabric for coarse cloth on the outside. No one will notice, but I secretly got you a few down-filled items! They’re warmer than cotton!”
“Oh, and these two books—I heard they’re considered must-haves for time travelers, so I managed to find them for you. I also got some ration coupons and left them on the table for you!”
Su Muqing looked at the yellowed books with bold characters on the covers, clearly products of that era: Barefoot Doctor’s Manual and A Friend for Military and Civilian Talents.
These were indeed two legendary books, but it was clear that in 1968, they hadn’t been published yet. She would have to hide them carefully.
“And medicine! I bought all the common ones and repackaged them in plain plastic bottles without any manufacturer labels. Take them with you—medicine was scarce in that era…”
Listening to Song Ranran’s rambling over the phone and watching the items appear before her one after another, Su Muqing felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
She said earnestly, “Ranran, thank you. I really don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Song Ranran couldn’t hold back either, her voice trembling with emotion. “Qingbao, you have to live well over there! If you need anything, just tell me, and I’ll get it for you! Don’t ever let yourself suffer!”
Su Muqing’s eyes also reddened at this. She comforted Song Ranran until her emotions settled down. Seeing that it was getting late, she picked up the letters and said, “Ranran, I’ll go out and mail these letters first. Better to avoid any complications.”
Song Ranran wiped her tears and agreed. Su Muqing left the apartment, tucked a few letters into her clothes, closed the door, and went out. At this hour, since it was a staff dormitory area, most families in the vicinity were at work. She didn’t encounter a single person on her way out.
After applying a bit of camouflage to herself, she went to the post office to buy a few stamps.
Looking at the old-fashioned stamps in her hand, Su Muqing suddenly thought of a way to get Song Ranran some more funds. Could stamps from this era also be passed to Song Ranran through the Small Apartment?
She bought a few extra, planning to try it when she had time later.
The letters addressed to the educated youth office and the neighborhood committee were dropped into the mailbox, while the remaining letters were tossed directly into the reception room when the guard went to fetch hot water.
Then she hurried back home.
In the afternoon, Su Muqing had to cook. She casually rinsed some rice and started cooking it, then stir-fried a handful of greens. In her memory, the couple would bring back some dishes from the canteen.
Naturally, the more oily dishes weren’t for Su Muqing.
Soon, smoke rose from the surrounding tube-shaped apartment buildings as cooking began. Su Muqing timed it perfectly—the first to return was Li Meifeng.
As soon as she entered, Li Meifeng threw her schoolbag onto the table and said irritably, “It’s so hot! Is the food ready?”
“Almost done,” Su Muqing replied, keeping her head down as she brought the rice and stir-fried greens to the table.
Li Meifeng glanced at the food disdainfully. “This again? It’s disgusting.” But she still sat down and picked up her bowl.
Just then, Wang Xiujuan and Li Jianguo returned one after the other. Wang Xiujuan’s expression was grim, as if she’d had a rough day at work. She headed straight for the bedroom as soon as she entered, probably to change her clothes.
Suddenly, a scream came from the bedroom.
“Li Jianguo! What is this!”
Su Muqing and Li Meifeng were both startled and rushed over to look. They saw Wang Xiujuan clutching a pink handkerchief, with a small orchid embroidered in silk thread on one corner.
Wang Xiujuan’s hands were trembling, her face pale with anger.
“What’s going on?” Li Jianguo, who had just taken off his work clothes, frowned and came closer.
Wang Xiujuan stormed out of the bedroom and threw the handkerchief in his face. “Li Jianguo! Explain this to me! What is this thing!”
Li Jianguo picked up the handkerchief, his expression changing instantly, but he quickly defended himself. “What is this? It’s not mine!”
Seeing his expression, Wang Xiujuan understood everything. She immediately shrieked, “If it’s not yours, why was it under our pillow? How dare you, Li Jianguo! After all these years I’ve been married to you, what have I ever done wrong? You’re actually fooling around with someone else!”
Furious, Wang Xiujuan lunged at him to hit him. Li Jianguo tried to cover her mouth, but she struggled relentlessly, her words growing increasingly vulgar and her voice louder. The two of them wrestled with each other, while Li Meifeng ran out to try and break up the fight. The house descended into chaos, and the neighbors, disturbed by the commotion, peeked out and pointed fingers.
Su Muqing quietly retreated to a corner, her head lowered, but a faint, cold smile curled at the corner of her lips.
This was only the beginning.
By eight in the evening, the argument between Li Jianguo and Wang Xiujuan had temporarily subsided, but a cold war had begun. Li Jianguo smoked irritably, while Wang Xiujuan cried in the bedroom.
Suddenly, Li Jianguo stubbed out his cigarette and, without a word, turned and walked out the door.
“Dad, where are you going?” Li Meifeng asked anxiously when Wang Xiujuan didn’t react.
“Overtime at the factory!” Li Jianguo slammed the door behind him.
Su Muqing knew he had gone to find Zhang Cuicui. In the original host's memory, every time Li Jianguo went to see Zhang Cuicui, he would use overtime work as an excuse.
Wang Xiujuan had no appetite and went to bed without eating dinner. Li Meifeng also hastily ate a few bites before eventually going to bed to sleep.
That night, Su Muqing did not enter her Small Apartment. Instead, she lay in bed. Although she had only slept a few hours the previous night, she was now too excited to fall asleep.
It was not until the early hours of the morning that a series of urgent knocks shattered the silence of the night.
"Open the door! The Revolutionary Committee is conducting a night inspection!"