Clutching the wrinkled candy wrapper like a ticket to wealth, Widow Zhao moved as if carried by the wind, jogging all the way to the Wang family’s front gate.
She didn’t knock right away. Instead, she pressed herself against the crack in the door and peeked inside.
The yard was quiet, with only a few sparrows pecking at scattered grain husks on the ground.
She smoothed her windblown bangs, cleared her throat, then called out loudly, “Aunt Guihua! You home? I’ve got something huge to tell you!”
Zhang Guihua was sitting in the main room, sewing shoe soles, still thinking about what was going on with Su Wan’s belly.
Hearing Widow Zhao’s grating voice, she impatiently rubbed the needle against her hair. “What are you howling for? The door’s not locked—come in!”
Widow Zhao pushed the door open, looking secretive. She even turned back to close it behind her.
“Auntie, you’re still in the mood to sew?”
She plopped down on the edge of the kang, her narrow eyes darting around as she lowered her voice. “Your backyard’s about to catch fire!”
Zhang Guihua paused, rolling her eyes. “Cut the crap and get to the point.”
Widow Zhao grinned, pulling the colorful candy wrapper from her pocket and slapping it down in front of her.
“Auntie, take a look—what’s this?”
Zhang Guihua squinted, picking it up.
It had a big white rabbit printed on it, along with some foreign lettering.
“Isn’t it just a candy wrapper? What, you craving sweets?”
“Oh my dear auntie, how can you be so dense!”
Widow Zhao slapped her thigh anxiously, spit flying as she spoke. “This is White Rabbit milk candy! It costs several yuan per jin at the supply store! What ordinary family would splurge on this?”
“I just saw it with my own eyes—your Su Wan took it out from that old locust tree hollow in the back hills! Not just this wrapper—there was a whole tin of powdered milk too!”
“Powdered milk?!”
Zhang Guihua’s voice shot up instantly, her eyes nearly popping out.
That was a luxury item, something only the children of city officials drank!
How could Su Wan, who could barely get a bowl of thick porridge, afford powdered milk?
“I swear it’s true! I saw it clearly!”
Widow Zhao leaned close, her tone venomous. “Think about it—hasn’t Su Wan gained weight lately? Doesn’t her complexion look better? That’s from eating good stuff!”
“She’s just a housebound young wife—where would she get the money? It’s got to be from some wild man outside!”
That single sentence struck Zhang Guihua right where it hurt.
She thought about Su Wan’s recent healthy glow, then about the chickens and pigs that had mysteriously gone missing from their home.
So she had been taking their things to support a lover—and he, in turn, bought her sweets?
“That shameless slut!”
Zhang Guihua trembled with rage, crumpling the candy wrapper and throwing it to the ground.
“I knew something was off with her lately! So she’s been sneaking around right under our noses! I’ll skin her alive!”
She started to climb off the kang to go catch Su Wan.
Widow Zhao quickly grabbed her. “Auntie! If you go now, you’ll alert them!”
“Then what should we do?” Zhang Guihua demanded, panting.
Widow Zhao’s eyes rolled, a sly smile forming.
“To catch a thief, you need the stolen goods. To catch adultery, you need both parties. We’ve got to trap that wild man in the house so they can’t deny it!”
“Here’s what we’ll do…”
She leaned in and whispered her plan.
As Zhang Guihua listened, a vicious grin slowly spread across her wrinkled face.
“Good! We’ll do it your way! If we catch them tonight, I’ll drown that pair of dogs in the pond!”
…
By evening, the sky was overcast, as if snow might fall.
Wang Dajun limped back from outside, his expression sour.
Zhang Guihua packed up a bundle while calling out to Su Wan in the kitchen, “Su Wan, my aunt’s old illness has flared up again. She sent word for me and Dajun to go check on her.”
“We won’t be back tonight. Lock the doors and don’t run around.”
Su Wan was slicing pickled vegetables. Her hand paused at the words.
She turned and looked at Zhang Guihua. Though she tried to hide it, there was an unmistakable hint of excitement on her face.
Something felt off.
Usually, this old woman wouldn’t let her out of her sight—so why was she suddenly so at ease leaving the house to her?
But she didn’t dwell on it.
After all, having a quiet night to herself was something she could only dream of.
“Got it, Mother. Be careful on the road,” Su Wan replied obediently.
Though Wang Dajun didn’t want to go, one harsh glare from Zhang Guihua forced him to follow her out.
With a loud bang, the gate closed.
The large Wang household courtyard instantly fell silent.
Standing in the yard, listening as their footsteps faded, Su Wan let out a long breath.
She touched her belly, a gentle smile forming on her lips.
Finally, she could rest properly.
Night deepened, and the north wind howled.
Su Wan tightly shut the doors and windows of the woodshed and even pasted a layer of newspaper over the broken window to block the wind.
She was just about to take out the powdered milk hidden in the firewood pile to make herself a drink—
When suddenly, a faint sound came from the top of the backyard wall.
In the next moment, a tall shadow nimbly flipped over, landing silently like a swift leopard.
Su Wan’s heart skipped a beat. Before she could speak, the person had already pushed the door open.
A gust of cold air mixed with a familiar scent of tobacco rushed in.
“Brother Lei?”
Su Wan called out in surprise, nearly dropping the tin of powdered milk in her hands.
Lei Deshui wore a thick military coat and a dogskin hat that covered most of his face.
As soon as he entered, he took off the hat, revealing a face reddened by the cold but full of smiles.
“So? That old hag left?”
He rubbed his hands together as he moved closer to her.
“Mm. Said she went to visit relatives. She won’t be back tonight.”
Su Wan set down the tin of powdered milk and, feeling a pang of concern, reached out to touch the back of Lei Deshui’s icy hand.
“It’s so cold—why did you come again?”
“Missed you.”
Lei Deshui turned his hand over, clasped her small hand, breathed warm air onto it, then tucked it into his own heated chest.
“I heard it’s going to snow tonight. I was worried your broken shack would let in the wind, so I brought two thick felt blankets. I’ll nail them over the window later.”
As he spoke, he seemed to perform a magic trick, pulling out from inside his military coat a bundle of steaming roasted sweet potatoes and a packet of braised beef wrapped in oil paper.
“Eat while it’s hot. I bought it on the way back from the county—an old shop, good flavor.”
Looking at the food laid out before her, Su Wan’s eyes grew warm.
This man always treated her like a child, spoiling her endlessly.
“Brother Lei, don’t keep buying things for me. You should save your money…”
“Enough nonsense. Just eat.”
Lei Deshui peeled the sweet potato, revealing the golden, syrupy flesh inside, and held it up to her mouth.
“Open up.”
Su Wan took a bite. The soft sweetness melted on her tongue and warmed her all the way to her stomach.
They sat together under the dim kerosene lamp—one feeding, one eating—the atmosphere impossibly warm.
Lei Deshui watched her puffed cheeks, his gaze so gentle it seemed to drip with tenderness.
He reached out his rough hand and lightly touched her now noticeably rounded belly.
“How are the three little rascals today? Any trouble?”
“No, they’ve been good,” Su Wan said with a smile. “Maybe they know their father brought something tasty.”
Lei Deshui chuckled foolishly and leaned his ear against her belly.
“Mm, strong little ones. Their heartbeat’s like a drum.”
At that quiet, tender moment—
Suddenly—
“BANG—!!!”
A loud crash shattered the stillness of the night.
The front gate of the Wang household was kicked open violently.
Immediately after, a chaotic rush of hurried footsteps thundered toward the backyard like an advancing army.
“Quick! They’re inside! I heard them!”
It was Widow Zhao’s sharp, excited voice, like a hyena that had caught the scent of blood.
“Block the door! Don’t let that wild man escape!”
Zhang Guihua’s vicious roar followed, filled with a savage intent to tear them apart.
Inside the woodshed—
Su Wan’s face turned deathly pale. The roasted sweet potato slipped from her hand and dropped to the ground.
“Brother Lei… they… they’re back!”
Her whole body trembled as overwhelming fear surged over her like a tidal wave.
It was a trap.
A trap set specifically for them.
If they were caught inside together, it would be undeniable—caught in the act.
Her life would be completely ruined—and she would drag Lei Deshui and her unborn children down with her.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Lei Deshui suddenly stood up. The tenderness on his face vanished, replaced by a dark, terrifying expression.
He pulled Su Wan behind him, his eyes quickly scanning the room.
There was only one door. The window was too small—and sealed shut.
There was nowhere to hide.
The footsteps outside had already reached the door.
“Su Wan! You shameless slut! Get out here!”
Zhang Guihua pounded on the door like she wanted to tear it down.
“And that wild man too! Daring to mess around under my roof—tonight I’ll make sure you both come in standing and leave lying down!”
Su Wan clutched Lei Deshui’s clothes tightly, tears streaming down her face.
“Brother Lei… run… climb over the wall… leave me…”
If he escaped, she could bear it alone—at worst, she’d just be beaten.
But if he were caught, it would be a serious crime—he could go to prison.
Lei Deshui turned back to look at her.
Her peach blossom eyes were filled with despair and fear, like a small deer driven to the edge of a cliff.
Run?
He, Lei Deshui, had never been a deserter in his life.
If he abandoned his woman and ran, what kind of man would that make him?
He took a deep breath, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
Instead of retreating, he strode over to the crooked table.
Then sat down heavily.
He pulled out a wrinkled ledger from his coat and slapped it onto the table.
Then, unhurriedly, he took out a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and struck a match with a sharp scratch to light it.
Every movement was smooth, steady as a mountain.
“Open the door.”
Lei Deshui exhaled a ring of smoke. His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a chilling edge that made one’s scalp tingle.
Su Wan froze.
“Brother Lei… you…”
“Go open the door.”
He looked up and gave her a steady, reassuring glance.