“Is this Brother Lin?”
The man approaching them was around 1.75 meters tall, lean and lanky, with the square-shaped face that people of this era admired.
He wore a gray cadre-style uniform, and because of the cold weather, he also had on one of those black-and-green military overcoat hats.
In his hand was a bag of fruit. When he saw her and the little boy come out, he handed the fruit to her and asked, “Yueyue, can we talk for a bit?”
Qi Ziyue pointed toward the large tree outside the restroom and said, “Over there.”
Since he had already brought gifts, she didn’t refuse. After all, their family really had benefited from his help and had likely only been protected because of it.
Because she accepted the fruit, she could only let the little bean sprout walk ahead.
She had already mailed her large luggage parcel. The only thing she carried was a large denim shoulder bag.
Besides that, she had a medium-sized backpack beside her containing water bottles, fruit, and snacks.
She could have stored everything in her space, but if she walked around carrying absolutely nothing, it would easily arouse suspicion.
The man offered to carry her bag, but Qi Ziyue said they would be boarding soon, so there was no need.
He respected her wishes and only replied with a simple “Alright.” Later, he tried to carry An’an, but the little fellow immediately ran ahead.
Qi Ziyue explained, “I was insane for several years, so I didn’t educate him very well. Sorry about that.”
Lin Xuqiu’s expression remained natural. After a pause, he said, “During those years, Uncle and the others never spoke about you. I didn’t know where you’d gone either. I only recently heard that you weren’t doing well those past few years.”
The two walked one behind the other toward the tree.
Along the way, Lin Xuqiu hesitated countless times before finally asking, “An’an… is he…?”
Qi Ziyue knew what he meant and answered directly, “He’s my biological child. As for what exactly happened… because I was insane for several years, I can’t remember anything from before.”
“And the child’s father… he’s never come looking for you?”
After a pause, he finally asked that question.
Qi Ziyue shook her head. She only said she didn’t remember anymore.
By then, they had already reached the large jujube tree.
Lin Xuqiu stood a head taller than her. Standing atop a huge rock, he looked down at her silently for a long while before finally asking,
“If one day An’an’s father comes back… would you get back together with him?”
Qi Ziyue had never considered that question before.
She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Right now, she didn’t particularly want to get close to anyone. The more she cultivated the Peach Blossom Spirit technique, the more her future Peach Blossom physique would develop. Once that happened, simply being close to men would cause the peach blossom fragrance on her body to make them favor her. If intimacy occurred, it would make them unable to let go afterward.
In just this past month, she had already vaguely sensed the changes in her body.
This physique of hers really attracted trouble too easily.
Given how strictly male-female relationships were being cracked down on in this era, it was best not to pursue romance for now.
She needed to first learn to control the Peach Blossom physique.
After thinking for a moment, she added an explanation:
“Brother Lin, Second Sister-in-law already told me about your feelings. But I only recently recovered after several years of madness, and I still don’t know what condition my mind is in. That’s why I asked Second Sister-in-law to give you my answer—I’m not considering romance for the time being.”
Lin Xuqiu replied, “I’ll wait for you.”
Qi Ziyue: ?
This man…
For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond. Still, she explained:
“Brother Lin, everyone has the right to choose the kind of life they want. I can’t tell you what kind of life you should choose, but I hope you make this decision carefully. If one day in the future I choose someone, it will definitely be someone I genuinely want to be with—someone I truly like, someone whose values match mine, and someone I know reasonably well.”
“Although we were familiar before, I don’t remember any of the past anymore. So whether it’s you or An’an’s father, both of you are strangers to me now. I can’t give you any answer or promise.”
She was practically saying outright: I won’t choose someone just because I’m moved by them. Don’t wait for years only to regret it later and try to guilt me.
Fortunately, Lin Xuqiu was still a gentleman.
After thinking for a moment, he smiled gently at her.
“Yueyue, I won’t become resentful just because you rejected me. Whatever choices I make are my own. I also won’t try to pressure or guilt you into anything. Don’t worry.”
Qi Ziyue blushed.
She had judged a gentleman’s heart with a petty person’s mind.
“It’s just… my situation is special…” she said softly after a moment of silence.
Lin Xuqiu replied, “I understand your situation. I can’t let you go. I’m willing to try accepting him. Give me some time, and I’ll adapt. I’ll come visit you then.”
Qi Ziyue fell silent.
“That side has already been arranged. Take my letter with you. If you encounter any special circumstances, you can seek help from the person there. He’s with the county Revolutionary Committee and should be able to assist you. Yueyue, life in the countryside isn’t like life in the city. Take care of yourself.”
Without waiting for her response, Lin Xuqiu handed her an envelope.
On it was a strange address and phone number—probably the address of the friend he had mentioned.
The letter was clearly intended for that person, likely serving as a recommendation and explanation on her behalf.
Qi Ziyue accepted it and asked, “Do I need to deliver it to him immediately?”
Lin Xuqiu raised a hand as if wanting to pat her head, but after thinking for a moment, he lowered it again.
“No need. Inside is an introduction to your identity—basically a letter of recommendation. If you ever need his help, give it to him, and he’ll look after you.”
For a brief moment, Qi Ziyue felt touched.
Aside from being older than her and already having two children, there really wasn’t much difference between them. After all, she herself also had a child.
Yet despite rejecting him several times, he still went out of his way to plan so much for her.
Most likely, even her transfer to Qiaoxi Commune had been arranged through his efforts.
After thinking for a moment, she said:
“Thank you, Brother Lin. I’ll remember this kindness. Since we’re parting ways, let me give you a sentence in return.”
“What sentence?”
Lin Xuqiu asked, slightly stunned.
Qi Ziyue said, “Brother Lin, thank you for taking care of me. I’ll give you a dream I once had.”
“A dream?”
Lin Xuqiu asked with an amused smile.
Qi Ziyue said, “In the dream, I was almost burned alive in a great fire. And in the end… this movement eventually came to an end.”
He hadn’t paid much attention to the first sentence, but when he heard the second, his expression froze slightly.
After a long silence, he finally said to her:
“Whether it’s true or not, Brother Lin will remember it.”
This man really did have an exceptionally good temper. Being around him felt like standing in a spring breeze.
If he truly ended up with a tragic fate after the political movement ended, it really would be a pity.
But his gentle tolerance also made her afraid to stay any longer.
She had very little resistance toward gentle people.
Qi Ziyue quickly called An’an over and prepared to leave.
Behind her, Lin Xuqiu asked:
“When Brother Lin has time, I’ll come see you. If you can’t endure life there, write to me anytime. I can always arrange a city job for you and bring you back.”
Qi Ziyue’s steps paused.
In the end, she still left herself one possible path forward.
Smiling faintly, she answered, “Alright.”
When they boarded the truck transporting educated youths to the countryside, An’an suddenly asked,
“Mom, are you going to find me a stepfather?”
Qi Ziyue: ??
She rubbed his head and only said, “Mom isn’t considering that for now.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to raise you first. But don’t overthink it—you’ve never been a burden to Mom.”
“Not a burden.”
Qi Ning’an silently repeated those words over and over, and afterward said nothing more.
From Jiang City to Qiaoxi Commune in southern Xiangbei Province, they first had to take a unified green train to Xiangbei Province, then ride a bus from the provincial capital to the county town, and finally travel from the county town to the production brigade beneath the commune.
Overall, it would take at least four or five days to arrive.
Just the green train ride alone lasted three days and two nights.
By the time they transferred at the provincial capital and boarded the bus to the county town, Qi Ziyue was already close to collapsing.
Mainly because she got motion sickness.
She could tolerate the smells on the train if she endured them, but once she got on the bus, she felt surrounded by overwhelming odors. Her head spun painfully and her entire body felt awful.
Especially during the ride from the provincial capital to the county town, her stomach churned violently, and something rose in her throat.
Before she even had time to warn anyone, sour liquid surged into her mouth and she suddenly vomited.
At that moment, the only person sitting beside her was the child.
But she had vomited quickly—Qi Ning’an reacted even faster.
He had already opened a black bag to catch it for her. Even so, some of the vomit still splashed onto the sleeve of his padded jacket.
The surrounding passengers instinctively covered their noses, and some quietly cursed at her.
Only Qi Ning’an’s expression barely changed.
He hurriedly pulled out tissues to wipe her mouth, calmly tied up the bag, and then handed her water bottle back to her.
“Mommy, drink some water.”
Qi Ziyue didn’t even bother drinking first. She hurried to wipe the dirty stains off his sleeve instead, feeling both embarrassed and guilty.
“I’m sorry, An’an.”
Since transmigrating here, she had never looked this miserable or undignified.
And now a five-year-old child was taking care of her.
But the smell was disgusting and nauseating. Every time she wiped at it, she felt like vomiting again.
Qi Ning’an instinctively rolled up his sleeve and patted her back.
“It’s okay, Mom. You don’t need to worry. I’ve already seen you at your worst. Just because you got better and now look bad again doesn’t mean I’ll stop liking you.”
As long as she didn’t leave him.
Back when she had been insane, he had endured situations far dirtier than this. This was nothing.
Qi Ziyue froze.
Looking at the little future villain before her, she suddenly felt warmth sting her nose.
She had never expected this little bean sprout to be so good to her.
Indeed, ever since transmigrating here, she had constantly watched every word and action, terrified of making mistakes and dragging herself or her family into danger.
She never expected a child to see through her disguise.
For a moment, her heart felt warm, and tears almost spilled from her eyes.
Qi Ning’an peeled an orange for her.
“Mom, don’t worry. Once we get there, I can protect you. Eat some orange.”
The childish voice sounded as though it came from somewhere far away, and in that instant, all of Qi Ziyue’s burdens suddenly melted away.
She had transmigrated from the modern world perfectly fine. Although she now possessed a good body, before she had even married, she somehow ended up with a child.
In such a dangerous era, the child’s father was nowhere to be found, and the child hadn’t even had a household registration.
Step by step, she had schemed and struggled until finally the child obtained a hukou and they were sent down to the countryside.
How could she not feel wronged?
But at this moment, all those grievances dissolved.
She hugged the little boy tightly and said seriously,
“Thank you, An’an.”
She stuffed an orange slice into his mouth, then took ginger, medicated oil, and wet wipes out from her bag—which were actually from her space.
Suppressing her nausea, she carefully wiped his sleeve clean again and again.
But the stain simply wouldn’t come out.
In the end, she took off his outer padded jacket, stuffed it into the bag, and changed him into a fresh cotton coat before finally putting ginger into her own mouth and applying medicated oil to herself.
She hadn’t stocked motion sickness medicine in her space. She’d never imagined she would suffer from motion sickness.
Small things like medicated oil she did have—but it wasn’t very effective.
Qi Ziyue endured her dizzy head and tried to draw a motion sickness pill into existence with her power, but her spiritual energy was too weak. After several attempts, she still failed.
Seeing that another bump in the road nearly made her vomit again, she hurriedly took out the remaining quarter of the peach from her space.
She ate another half of it.
Only when the peach had been reduced to one-eighth remaining did her condition finally stabilize.
“An’an, do you want some?”
There was only a tiny piece left now, and she had no idea when her spiritual power might fail completely. It was emergency food.
Still, if the little fellow wanted it, she could let him try some.
Qi Ning’an shook his head.
He had already noticed that after his mother ate the peach, she stopped vomiting. Why would he take it from her?
When she later tried to stuff it into his hands, he instead popped an orange slice into his own mouth.
“I like oranges.”
In the end, Qi Ziyue didn’t force him and simply gave him all the oranges instead.
When they finally got off at the county town, Qi Ziyue took the little bean sprout to a state-owned restaurant to eat something.
By the time they returned, a light drizzle had started falling.
Now they had to wait together for representatives from the various communes to come pick people up.
This time, many educated youths from different regions had gathered for assignment to the communes.
Some came from the capital, some from Shanghai, and some—like them—from Jiang City.
Where there were people, there was conflict.
Especially because of Qi Ziyue’s face.
At home she hadn’t dared apply makeup or disguise herself too much, and in the end, her beauty still caused trouble once she arrived.
Because she was pretty, while everyone lined up waiting for the commune secretaries to collect them, several male educated youths proactively approached to chat with her, asking which commune she had been assigned to.
When Qi Ziyue said “Qiaoxi Commune,” a few educated youths assigned there immediately invited her over to line up with them.
These young men had never seen a girl like Qi Ziyue before—delicate and fresh-looking, with skin so pale and tender.
Especially those eyes of hers.
Just one gentle glance from her could fill a person’s heart with joy.
The young men all tried desperately to find conversation topics and show off in front of her.
The female educated youths from the capital were usually the center of attention themselves. How could they tolerate being ignored like this?
The leading girl snorted coldly at Qi Ziyue and said disdainfully,
“She just looks like some fox spirit. What’s so amazing about her? Who does she think she is, flirting with people everywhere?”
“And she’s even carrying a child around. Who knows what kind of person she is?”
The girl sneered, practically fuming with rage.
Qi Ziyue glanced at the girl.
She wasn’t ugly, though not especially beautiful either. Her brows were sharp, she liked looking at people sideways, her cheekbones were a little high, and her eyes looked fierce.
The kind of fierce personality boys usually didn’t like.
Seeing how the other female educated youths vaguely treated her as their leader, her family background was probably good, and she was used to ordering people around.
Qi Ziyue only looked at her once before withdrawing her gaze.
She turned back, squeezed An’an’s hand, then smiled sweetly at the girl and replied gently:
“And what kind of person I am is none of your damn business. Does your family own the ocean? Why are you sticking your nose into everything?”
Pfft.
Someone at the scene failed to hold back and burst out laughing.
Meanwhile, the girl was trembling with rage.
“You—!”
“What about me? Did I say anything wrong? Are you my mother or father? Why should I let you point fingers at me? Besides, who even are you? If I feel like answering you, I will. If not, then go cool off somewhere else.”
Qi Ziyue continued provoking her fearlessly.
“You—!”
This time the girl was so furious her hair practically stood on end.
Pointing at Qi Ziyue with a trembling finger, her eyes reddened with anger as she spat out,
“Fox spirit!”
Qi Ziyue merely shrugged indifferently.
Because at that exact moment, a vehicle suddenly arrived.