Hearts Change

The man’s abdomen was firm and muscular, clearly powerful, with eight distinct abs! Jiang Nian’s heart pounded wildly. She suppressed the urge to reach out and touch, blushing as she turned away and asked, “Have you eaten?”

Lu Yu saw Jiang Nian’s flushed face, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes. “I have.” With that, he turned back into the room, emerging shortly after fully dressed.

Jiang Nian sighed inwardly, *Only to look, not to touch.* She walked to the well, pumped water to wash her face, and only stopped when the heat on her face subsided. Lu Yu’s voice drifted to her ears: “The well water is cold.”

Jiang Nian replied, “It’s… it’s fine.” She had deliberately used cold water to cool down.

Lu Yu watched Jiang Nian’s almost fleeing back, his smile deepening. He took a hoe and went to the west corner of the yard to loosen the soil. When Jiang Nian finished eating and came out, he asked, “Did you buy the vegetable seedlings with Sister Feng?”

Jiang Nian placed the seedlings in a cool spot, lowering her head as she replied, “Yes.”

Lu Yu hoed for a while, then left for the brigade. In the afternoon, Xu Yan paid a visit. Jiang Nian noticed that after two months, Xu Yan had lost a lot of weight; her formerly plump figure was almost gone. She sat in the yard, watching Jiang Nian tidy up threads, and said with a smile, “Jiang Nian, how have you been in the city these past two months?”

Jiang Nian smiled back, “I’ve been fine.”

Xu Yan said nothing more. She used to be diligent and talkative, but now she just sat there silently, her gaze seemingly fixed on Jiang Nian working, yet her mind was clearly elsewhere. Jiang Nian frowned, looking up at Xu Yan for a long time, but the other woman remained unresponsive. A sudden unease gripped her heart. *Could Xu Yan be… depressed?*

The thought startled Jiang Nian. She placed the threads into her basket and softly asked, “Xu Yan, would you like some pastries? I brought them back from the city.”

Xu Yan smiled and shook her head, “No, I won’t eat any.”

Jiang Nian pursed her lips, “Then where are Jian Ye and Jian Wu?”

Xu Yan smiled again, “They’re at home, the two children are very well-behaved and obedient.”

After that, it was mostly Jiang Nian asking questions and Xu Yan giving brief answers. Jiang Nian became even more convinced that Xu Yan’s state was problematic. She regretted not offering a solution two months ago when Xu Yan had come to her for advice, only telling her to let nature take its course. If she had known it would come to this, she would have helped Xu Yan again, even if it meant being scolded by Liu Qiang.

Jiang Nian lowered her head, her eyes stinging slightly. She sniffled, suppressing the urge to cry, and handed Xu Yan four milk candies. Xu Yan shook her head, but Jiang Nian smiled, “They’re for Jian Ye and Jian Wu.”

As Xu Yan took the candies, Liu Jian Ye and Liu Jian Wu walked in hand in hand. Jian Wu, being younger, didn’t understand much and cheerfully called out, “Aunt Jiang.” Jian Ye, a bit older but still only seven, had a somewhat gloomy expression and politely greeted, “Aunt Jiang.”

Xu Yan turned to look at her two children, waving them over. “Come here, Mama has something good for you.”

The two children approached. Xu Yan opened her palm, placing the four candies there, and said, “Open your hands, I’ll give each of you two.”

Liu Jian Ye looked at his mother and smiled, “I’ll listen to Mama.”

Jiang Nian turned her face towards the kitchen door, trying to hold back her tears. Perhaps it was all her fault; she shouldn’t have interfered in Xu Yan’s affairs from the beginning. But if she hadn’t, Xu Yan might have been married off to some old bachelor. She suddenly felt, *was Xu Yan’s fate a dead end, and no matter how she tried to change it, the outcome would remain the same?*

“Xu Yan,” Jiang Nian called softly.

Xu Yan finished distributing the candies and turned back, “What is it?”

Jiang Nian hesitated for a moment, but in the end, didn’t say it. “Nothing.”

“I’m going home now, Jian Wu is sleepy,” Xu Yan stood up, taking Jian Wu’s hand.

Jiang Nian looked at Liu Jian Ye and said to Xu Yan, “Can I let Jian Ye stay and play for a while?”

Xu Yan nodded, “Of course.”

After Xu Yan and Jian Wu left, Jiang Nian said, “Jian Ye, sit down, Auntie wants to ask you something.”

Liu Jian Ye was a little timid, hesitating before slowly sitting on the chair. His eyes, as he looked at Jiang Nian, didn’t seem like those of a seven-year-old, but held a gloomy, weary look, as if he had experienced too much.

Jiang Nian gripped the basket in her hand. “Jian Ye, tell Auntie, besides this morning, when else have your mother and father argued?”

At the mention of arguments, Liu Jian Ye’s eyes clearly grew fiercer. He lowered his head, pressing his fingers hard. Jiang Nian saw that his fingers, like Xu Yan’s before, were raw from pressing, with some scabs picked off and bleeding. She reached out and took his hand. “Don’t press anymore.”

Liu Jian Ye’s body stiffened. He whispered, “They argued once a month ago.”

Jiang Nian asked, “Was it related to Commander Lu and Zheng Hong?”

The boy nodded. “Yes, after Father dragged Mother back, he said Mother wanted to marry Commander Lu, which is why she deliberately fell in front of him. Mother explained, but Father didn’t believe her, and after that, he rarely let Mother go out.”

Even without seeing Jian Ye’s expression, Jiang Nian could feel his indignation through his trembling small hands. He continued, “Mother sits blankly in the yard every day. Father ignores her every time he comes home. Now Mother sleeps with me and Jian Wu.”

A seven-year-old child, clearly and distinctly recounted everything that had happened in the past month. Liu Qiang was not only psychologically manipulative but also emotionally abusive towards Xu Yan. No wonder Xu Yan had become like this, even more serious than before. Jiang Nian had thought that with Zheng Hong gone, if Xu Yan changed, Liu Qiang’s and her life would improve, but she hadn’t expected the result to be the same.

“Auntie,” Liu Jian Ye looked up at Jiang Nian, his eyes red, tears welling up but held back. “Can you help my mother one more time?”

“I know that because of your help before, my mother was happy for a few months. Can you help my mother this one last time?” His tears finally fell. “Auntie, if things continue like this, my mother will die.”

At this moment, Liu Jian Ye finally revealed his childishness, crying and wiping away tears. “I can do without Father, but I can’t lose Mother.”

Jiang Nian gripped his hand tightly, unable to refuse. After a moment of internal struggle, she replied, “Alright.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Jian Ye stood up and bowed deeply to Jiang Nian. “Thank you, Auntie.”

After Jian Ye left, Jiang Nian remained lost in thought for a long time. Xu Yan’s current situation could only be resolved by leaving Liu Qiang, but if she divorced, her family would surely marry her off to another old bachelor, leading to a dead end either way. The only path was to earn money herself, treating Liu Qiang as if he didn’t exist. Only with financial independence would she have a fallback, no longer needing to cater to Liu Qiang’s moods.

Jiang Nian looked at the threads in her basket, deciding that in a few days she would go to the city to find Sister Ge and see if there was any suitable work for Xu Yan. This favor, she would owe Ge Mei. She wanted a clear conscience; she didn’t want to stand by and watch a living person close to her walk towards a tragic end.

In the afternoon, Jiang Nian worked on a small embroidery piece, finishing the first part by dusk. She went into the kitchen to cook. The rice was just done when Lu Yu returned. As she carried the dishes out to the yard, Lu Yu noticed Jiang Nian’s troubled expression. He frowned and asked, “Is something wrong?”

Jiang Nian snapped out of it, shaking her head. “No, nothing.”

She took a bite of corn cake. Before she could pick up any food, Lu Yu stood up, half-kneeling beside her, reaching out to check her forehead. The sudden masculine scent made Jiang Nian’s heart race, feeling the warmth of his palm on her forehead.

Lu Yu frowned. “No fever.”

Jiang Nian awkwardly lowered her head, choking on the corn cake. “I’m really fine.”

Lu Yu sat back down opposite her, his dark eyes fixed on her face. “Is there something on your mind? You can tell me, don’t keep it all to yourself.”

Jiang Nian felt that since returning from the city, Lu Yu’s attitude towards her had been a little different, more intimate and caring than before. She thought for a moment, still deciding not to tell him about Xu Yan. “There’s really nothing.”

“Is it related to Xu Yan?” Lu Yu looked at her.

Jiang Nian hadn’t expected him to guess so accurately. “Yes.” She hesitated for a moment, then recounted what Jian Ye had told her to Lu Yu. She lowered her head, poking a potato with her chopsticks, and said, “Sometimes I wonder, what has Xu Yan gained from being married to Liu Qiang all these years? Women don’t necessarily only have the path of marriage; they can also have many other choices.”

But in this era, women’s choices were too few; most still had to rely on marrying a good husband. If Xu Yan left Liu Qiang, her life might be even more miserable than now.

Lu Yu’s eyes flashed with a profound, unreadable look. “You’re right, women can also have their own careers, like you.”

Jiang Nian looked up at him. “What?”

Lu Yu asked, “Who taught you embroidery?”

Jiang Nian immediately became wary. “I already told you, I’ve loved embroidery since I was a child. When I was little, I didn’t have the opportunity, but I only got the chance to try it here.”

“Hmm.” Lu Yu lowered his head, unclear whether he believed her or not, but Jiang Nian still felt a pang of guilt.

“Jiang Nian,” the man’s deep voice resonated.

This was the first time, when it was just the two of them, that Lu Yu called her by her given name. Jiang Nian broke out in a cold sweat, gripping her chopsticks tightly, swallowing hard as she asked, “What is it?”

Lu Yu looked up at her. “We’re not really brother-in-law and sister-in-law.”

“I know.”

“You’re still very young.”

Jiang Nian didn’t understand his meaning. “And then?”

Lu Yu’s eyes were deep. “If you want to remarry, I won’t stop you.”

Huh?? Jiang Nian didn’t understand why the topic had shifted so quickly. They were talking about Xu Yan, and now it had jumped to her. The small courtyard was quiet, the sound of Lu Yu’s chopsticks hitting his bowl was very clear.

Jiang Nian ate this meal in a complex state of mind. After finishing, Lu Yu stood up, cleared the dishes into the kitchen, washed them, and then boiled water for Jiang Nian’s bath. He added firewood to the stove, then turned to look at Jiang Nian, who was sitting blankly in the yard.

Although the old professor had spoken ambiguously last time, he had understood. No matter how smart a person was, they couldn’t make many different kinds of pastries just by hearing others describe a few. That year, when he was arranging Xu Cheng’s funeral, he had gone home and eaten his sister-in-law’s cooking; the taste was completely different from what Jiang Nian made.

Based on what happened with Xu Yan and Zheng Hong’s family, the formerly timid and quiet sister-in-law couldn’t have done such things. Before, his sister-in-law was foolishly filial; how could someone, in just half a year, abandon over a decade of family ties and coldly and rationally demand payment from the Jiang family?

During the two months Jiang Nian was at the embroidery shop, he had subtly inquired with Ge Mei. Someone without a master’s guidance couldn’t possess such excellent embroidery skills, nor know so many different stitches and pattern combinations. This sister-in-law had initially disguised herself very well, but human nature would unintentionally reveal itself. Lu Yu didn’t know who she was, but she was indeed Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian sat in the yard for a while, then snapped out of her daze at the sound of Lu Yu’s water. She stood up, guiltily looking at Lu Yu in the kitchen, feeling as if he knew something. Especially those sharp, dark eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through her disguise. Jiang Nian pursed her lips and quickly ran into the room.

“Sister-in-law.” Just as she reached the room door, Lu Yu called her back.

Jiang Nian clung to the doorframe, stiffly turning around. “What is it?”

Lu Yu walked over with a few pieces of firewood, standing very close to her, lowering his head to look at her, smiling as he asked, “Are you full?” As he spoke, his warm breath enveloped them both.

Jiang Nian gripped the doorframe tightly, looking into his dark eyes, shaking her head then nodding. “I’m full.”

Lu Yu brushed past her into the room, adding firewood to the brazier. “Add a little more fire to warm up, so you won’t get cold when you bathe later.”

“Okay.”

Lu Yu stirred the fire and said, “You don’t need to worry too much about Xu Yan’s situation; Liu Qiang’s position is about to change.”

Jiang Nian breathed a sigh of relief and asked, “What kind of change?”

“There’s an order for reassignment from above. Liu Qiang will frequently go out for military training in the future, sometimes only returning once every one or two months. Him and Xu Yan separating is the best outcome,” Lu Yu continued. “Are you planning to ask Sister Ge to find a job for Xu Yan?”

Jiang Nian truly suspected Lu Yu was a worm in her stomach. Lu Yu stood up and looked at her. “The only person you know here with the ability to help is Sister Ge. I guessed you would ask her to help Xu Yan, but this won’t work. Liu Qiang’s mother is far away, and there are still several grandchildren at home who need care. Xu Yan’s mother is unreliable. Even if a job is arranged for Xu Yan in the city, what about the two children? Do you think Xu Yan can abandon her two children?”

Jiang Nian fell silent. She hadn’t thought of those things, only wanting to find a way to help Xu Yan. A shadow fell before her eyes. Jiang Nian blinked, looking at Lu Yu’s long, straight legs standing close beside her. She looked up in surprise, realizing Lu Yu was almost pressing against her.

Jiang Nian instinctively stepped back two paces. Lu Yu grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, his palm caressing her smooth skin, his voice husky. “There’s a chair behind you, don’t bump into it.”

“Okay.” Jiang Nian curled her fingers, trying to ignore the tingling and strange sensation on her wrist, intending to pull her hand away when she heard him ask, “Did you ever love Xu Cheng?”

Jiang Nian was startled, looking up and answering immediately, “Of course I loved him!” Feeling that her answer was too quick, like she was trying to hide something, she softened her voice. “Of course I loved him, he was my husband, my man. If I didn’t love him, who would I love? Lu Yu, don’t worry, even though you just said you’d agree to me remarrying, I won’t marry anyone else. I will definitely remain chaste for your brother; you don’t need to worry about me having any intentions of remarrying.”

Lu Yu lowered his head a little more, his breath fanning her face. “What if I want you to have thoughts of marrying?”

Jiang Nian froze, looking at Lu Yu right beside her. If he leaned down a little more, their lips would touch. Jiang Nian’s heart suddenly beat uncontrollably, as if it wanted to leap out of her chest. A terrifying and absurd thought arose in her mind: *Lu Yu’s behavior towards her seemed a little unusual.*

As soon as this thought appeared, it spread like wildfire. She blinked, feeling that everything was ridiculous and unreal. Lu Yu released her hand, afraid that saying more would scare her, and said, “It’s cold outside, you go into the room first. I’ll go get the bath water.”

Jiang Nian dazedly retracted her hand, went into the room and sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at the spot Lu Yu had just held. That patch of skin felt as if it had been branded with a hot iron, both hot and numb. She pursed her lips and looked inside. Lu Yu was carrying water and pouring it into the tub. His figure was bent, his white shirt stretched across his broad back, revealing the balanced lines of his muscles. She remembered the first time she met Lu Yu; he had been very reserved, his words and actions proper for a brother-in-law, never overstepping boundaries. But now it was different.

At this moment, her mind was clearer than ever. When did Lu Yu start to change? Was it when she moved to the state-owned embroidery shop? If Lu Yu hadn’t personally said he wanted her to have thoughts of marrying, she wouldn’t have thought in this direction.

After the sound of water stopped, Jiang Nian blinked. Taking advantage of Lu Yu standing up, she quickly turned her face to look out the window. At this moment, she was more sensitive than ever; even looking outside, she could still feel Lu Yu’s gaze on her before he left.

The room door closed. Jiang Nian breathed a sigh of relief, quickly bathed, then burrowed into bed, falling asleep with a jumble of thoughts.

The next morning when she woke up, Lu Yu had already made breakfast. Seeing her come out, he called, “Time to eat.”

Jiang Nian paused. “Okay.”

After eating, Song Bai and Tang Ze arrived. As soon as they entered the yard, Song Bai smiled and greeted, “Sister-in-law.” Tang Ze called, “Younger sister-in-law.”

Song Bai frowned, elbowing Tang Ze in the stomach, making him double over in pain. Song Bai gritted his teeth, “Whose advantage are you taking?!”

Jiang Nian was speechless. That elbow wasn’t light; she felt pain just watching Tang Ze. Tang Ze grimaced, stood up to kick Song Bai, but he dodged. Tang Ze cursed, “What advantage am I taking? I’m older than both of you, what else should I call her if not younger sister-in-law? Should I also call her sister-in-law like you guys?”

Song Bai nodded, “I don’t mind if you call her sister-in-law.”

Song Bai and Tang Ze were long-time comrades, one could say they became friends through fighting. Now that they were in the same brigade, they spent even more time together, having a small fight every three days and a big one every two. Brigade Leader Tang would scold them every time he saw it, but after fighting, they would be as close as brothers again.

Song Bai walked over, took a few candies from his pocket, and placed them on the table. “Sister-in-law, have some.”

Jiang Nian looked up blankly. Tang Ze spoke for him, “Just bought them for Xiang Dong and Xiang Hong, you can try them too.”

“Thank you.” Jiang Nian lowered her head, taking a candy and putting it in her mouth. Song Bai looked at her fair fingertips, feeling that his sister-in-law’s fingers were even whiter than the candy wrapper, truly beautiful.

Lu Yu finished washing the dishes and came out. Seeing the candies on the table, he picked them up and said, “Eating too much sugar will give you cavities.”

Song Bai and Tang Ze: “…”

Jiang Nian watched the candies disappear, not thinking much of it, and also felt that Lu Yu was right. She had suffered from cavities in the 21st century; every visit to the dentist was terrifying, the sound of the drill made her scalp tingle. Jiang Nian watched Lu Yu’s retreating figure disappear behind the courtyard gate, only snapping out of it after a long while. She patted her face and went into the room to embroider. The small embroidery piece was partially done, but she had forgotten some colors in a few spots. She stood up, opened the cabinet, and rummaged for a large cloth bag. As she took out the design, her hand touched a stack of embroidery fabric, feeling something was off. Taking it out to examine, she frowned: *Sister Di gave her the wrong fabric.*

Jiang Nian went to the guard room at the military camp gate to call the state-owned embroidery shop. Zhang Xiao answered, recognizing her voice and happily exclaiming, “Sister Jiang, you finally called us!”

Jiang Nian laughed and exchanged a few pleasantries, then got straight to the point: “Can you ask Sister Di if she accidentally gave me the wrong embroidery fabric?”

Zhang Xiao knew that embroidery fabric was no laughing matter; each pattern required different fabric and colors. She called out to the inner room, “Sister Di, did you accidentally give Sister Jiang the wrong embroidery fabric?”

Di Bei Bei’s voice echoed from the inner room, “Let me check.” She opened the cabinet, checked, and then exclaimed, “It really is the wrong one!”

Zhang Xiao reported back to Jiang Nian, who said, “Alright, I know. I’ll go to the city tomorrow to exchange it.” After chatting for a few more sentences, she hung up.

At noon when Lu Yu returned, Jiang Nian had already finished cooking. Seeing him engrossed in eating, she softly said, “I’m going to the city tomorrow. Sister Di gave me the wrong embroidery fabric, so I have to go exchange it. I’ll also take the opportunity to visit Sister Ge and everyone else.”

Lu Yu replied, “There’s a logistics vehicle going to the city tomorrow; you can hitch a ride with the military district.”

Jiang Nian nodded, “Okay.” A military vehicle would be great; she didn’t want to squeeze onto a passenger bus.

The logistics vehicle usually departed at four in the morning. Jiang Nian was still half-asleep when Lu Yu knocked on her door. “Sister-in-law, time to get up.”

Jiang Nian struggled to get up, seeing that it was still pitch black outside. She quickly dressed, washed her face, and followed Lu Yu out to the military camp. The logistics vehicle was already parked outside, its headlights brightly illuminating the area in front. A soldier jumped down from the vehicle and greeted, “Deputy Commander Lu, Sister-in-law.”

Lu Yu nodded and told Jiang Nian, “Get in.”

The logistics vehicle was high off the ground. Jiang Nian grabbed the door handle, intending to climb in, when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, lifting her effortlessly and placing her in the seat. Jiang Nian trembled, turning to see Lu Yu retract his hands.

Lu Yu instructed, “If you get hungry on the way, eat the steamed buns.”

Jiang Nian lowered her head. “Okay.”

Another soldier climbed into the back of the truck, tapping the roof to signal, “Let’s go.”

The driver glanced at Jiang Nian, thinking that Deputy Commander Lu’s sister-in-law was indeed as rumored, fair and beautiful. “Sister-in-law, it takes four hours to get to the city. If you’re tired, you can sleep for a bit; I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

Jiang Nian replied, “Okay, thank you.” The driver smiled shyly.

Jiang Nian slept soundly the entire way, only arriving in the city at eight in the morning. The driver, following Lu Yu’s instructions, parked right in front of the state-owned embroidery shop and said, “Sister-in-law, we’ll be back to pick you up at four in the afternoon.”

Jiang Nian waved. “Alright, thank you.”

“Sister Jiang!” Zhang Xiao heard the vehicle, looked out the window, and happily ran out to take her hand. “I thought you wouldn’t arrive until eleven.”

Jiang Nian smiled. “I hitched a ride with the military vehicle.”

The two chatted and walked inside. Lu Xiao Jing and Di Bei Bei also came out to greet her. After a few pleasantries, Di Bei Bei took a stack of embroidery fabric from the cabinet. “Look at my memory, I’m getting old and forgetful, even gave you the wrong fabric.”

Lu Xiao Jing teased, “In a few years, you probably won’t even be able to see the needle eye anymore?”

“Bah, shut your mouth,” Di Bei Bei scolded with a laugh. Everyone chatted for a while. Jiang Nian didn’t see Ge Mei and asked, “Where’s Sister Ge?”

Zhang Xiao replied, “She was called by the leadership early this morning; I don’t know when she’ll be back.”

Di Bei Bei and Lu Xiao Jing went inside to embroider, and Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao followed. Jiang Nian showed Lu Xiao Jing a few new embroidery stitches to make the patterns look more natural, then heard Di Bei Bei ask, “Jiang Nian, aren’t you planning to come back to work at the embroidery shop?”

Jiang Nian recalled what had happened during her two months in the city and understood Lu Yu’s concerns. “I’m not sure yet.” She was worried about potential changes on Lu Yu’s side. Remembering that dream, she had always been thinking about Lu Yu’s transfer. Brigade Leader Song had transferred on the first day of the Dragon Boat Festival, because the novel stated that he had talked a lot with Lu Yu the day before he left. The Dragon Boat Festival was two months away; she wondered if it was this year or next? But she felt it wouldn’t be this year, as Lu Yu had just been promoted to Deputy Commander and would need two or three years for further advancement.

Ge Mei only returned at eleven. As soon as she saw Jiang Nian, she hugged her tightly. “Honestly, after you left, the embroidery shop felt so empty.”

Zhang Xiao chimed in, “Yes, it did.” She also whispered, “I wasn’t used to sleeping at night without you to hug.”

Jiang Nian laughed. “It was the same for me the first night I came home; I felt like something was missing without you.” Both burst into laughter.

Ge Mei said, “Jiang Nian, shall we go for a walk outside?”

Jiang Nian immediately understood that Sister Ge had something private to discuss. She bid farewell to Zhang Xiao and went out with Ge Mei. As they walked, Ge Mei said, “The leadership just met with me to talk.”

Jiang Nian knew about this from Zhang Xiao, but not the details, so she asked, “Is it convenient for me to hear?”

Ge Mei smiled bitterly, putting her hands in her coat pockets and sighing, “I’m very conflicted.” Jiang Nian remained silent, waiting. Ge Mei looked at the familiar street. “The leadership wants to transfer me to Yuan City for development. Yuan City is much larger than our city, and the state-owned embroidery shop there is also very large-scale, not only cooperating with Hong Kong but also exporting embroidery abroad. If I go, I’ll have a great opportunity for promotion, but if I stay here, I’ll always just be the head of a small embroidery shop.”

Ge Mei looked at Jiang Nian. “But my roots are here; my husband, son, and daughter-in-law are all here. If I go, I’ll only see them a few times a year, constantly busy, with no time for family.”

From the beginning, Jiang Nian had recognized Ge Mei as a strong, ambitious woman. Their conversation that night only confirmed it. Perhaps Ge Mei already had an answer in her heart, only reluctant to leave her family. Jiang Nian said, “If you want to do something, do it thoroughly, do it as best as you can, so you won’t have regrets when you’re old.”

Ge Mei looked at her. “What about you? If I go to Yuan City, do you want to come with me?”

Jiang Nian was stunned. Before she could answer, Ge Mei laughed heartily. “I’m just kidding, I’m not leaving right away. I have to wait for the new head to arrive and complete the handover, which will probably be in the latter half of the year.” Jiang Nian smiled.

Back at the embroidery shop, Ge Mei went home to discuss with her husband. Jiang Nian stayed to chat with Zhang Xiao when she suddenly heard shouts outside: “Stop! Stop quickly!”

Jiang Nian curiously looked out the window and saw a couple holding a child, running frantically, with several militiamen chasing after them. Soon, they were caught. The husband knelt and begged the militiamen to spare his family, but they were still taken away. The wife, holding her child, sobbed uncontrollably, only to be yelled at: “Quiet down, no making trouble!”

Zhang Xiao sighed. “It’s the militiamen arresting people without proper documents again.”

Jiang Nian frowned; she had never seen such a scene in her two months here. She asked, “Has this been happening a lot lately?”

Zhang Xiao nodded. “In the past two days, seven or eight people have been arrested on the street. The weather is warming up, so many people are fleeing to the city, either to rely on relatives, or to find someone, and some want to find work but don’t have letters of introduction…” Zhang Xiao rattled on.

Jiang Nian knew this was a turbulent period. Witnessing this scene, she felt a heavy, complex feeling in her heart. She sat blankly on the chair. At noon, she and Zhang Xiao went to the textile factory canteen for food. Before they even entered, they heard a loud argument inside. A female worker ran out, and Lu Xiao Jing stopped her and asked, “What’s wrong?”

The woman panted, “They’re fighting, the workers are smashing up the canteen!”

The woman pushed Lu Xiao Jing’s hand away and ran off. The canteen door was pushed open by several male workers, and the noise grew even louder.
“Your canteen skimps on our food every day! We pay with our grain coupons!”
“We’ve seen it many times, the canteen staff’s cloth bags are always bulging with food and flour when they go home at night!”
“Everyone works for money, why do we pay for our food while you don’t? Give us back our fairness!”
“Smash it! Smash this canteen to pieces!”

Inside, it was chaotic like a broken dam. Jiang Nian saw people running out with several white steamed buns, and some carrying bags of corn flour. The sound of breaking glass and shouting echoed. Several wooden chairs were thrown out, almost hitting Jiang Nian’s group. Di Bei Bei reacted the fastest, quickly pulling Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao. “Let’s go, quickly back to the embroidery shop, this is serious!”

Jiang Nian was once again shocked by the chaos before her eyes. She was pulled back to the embroidery shop by Di Bei Bei, secretly grateful for Lu Yu’s earlier decision. She felt that living alone in this era was truly not good at all.

Witnessing the arrests and the smashing of the canteen, everyone seemed to go mad, venting their long-accumulated dissatisfaction. Jiang Nian recalled the trembling hands of the auntie scooping rice; at that time, she had vaguely guessed that people would eventually revolt, but she hadn’t expected it to be so fierce. Di Bei Bei saw Jiang Nian standing blankly at the door and touched her cold hands. “This child is scared.”

Zhang Xiao said in a trembling voice, “Sister Di, they’re fighting too fiercely.”

Di Bei Bei recounted, “This happened once five years ago. At that time, the canteens of all the surrounding factories were smashed, and some people even died. The factories had to stop operating for a whole month. I didn’t expect this scene to repeat five years later.” Di Bei Bei was older and had experienced many ups and downs of this era.

Lu Xiao Jing asked, “Sister Di, if the factory closes, where will we eat after this?”

Di Bei Bei reassured, “At worst, we’ll set up our own kitchens in the dorms and cook our own meals.”

Lu Xiao Jing agreed, “Exactly, cooking ourselves is cheaper and much tastier than canteen food.”

In the afternoon, Ge Mei dropped by; she had also heard about the factory incidents. She said it was possible the factories would be closed for a whole month, or perhaps sooner, as workers still needed wages to support their families. But this time, the commotion was quite large, similar to the upheaval five years ago. Ge Mei said, “This afternoon I’ll go apply for permission to set up temporary kitchens in the dorms for everyone to cook.”

At four in the afternoon, the military vehicle came to pick up Jiang Nian. She packed her belongings, said goodbye to everyone, and got into the car to return to the military camp. Looking out the window, the bustling street from the morning was now deserted. Passing by the textile factory, the factory gate was tightly locked, and the security guard stood in front, sighing repeatedly.

By the time she returned to the military camp, it was already dark. Jiang Nian jumped out of the car and saw Lu Yu waiting outside. He wore a green military uniform, tall and straight. The light from the gate post illuminated his cold but profound face.

“Why are you out here?” Jiang Nian walked over, holding her cloth bag.

Lu Yu saw her slightly pale complexion and replied, “I just came out too.”

On the way back, Jiang Nian remained silent, head bowed. Lu Yu looked at their two long shadows on the ground and asked, “Did something happen?”

Jiang Nian pursed her lips, then recounted everything she had witnessed in the city to him. The man was silent for a moment, then reached out and took her wrist. Jiang Nian trembled, staring at his hand, pursing her lips for a long time before looking up at him. Lu Yu squeezed her hand gently, then released it, saying, “It’s over, it’s fine.”

“Okay.” The spot on her wrist where he had held her still felt warm.

Back home, Jiang Nian put the embroidery fabric in the cabinet, then went to the kitchen to cook. Lu Yu sat lighting the fire, and Jiang Nian chopped vegetables. After dinner, Lu Yu went to wash the dishes. Jiang Nian lay on the bed, thinking about the day’s events, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. She realized that ever since Lu Yu’s words last night, her mind had never been at peace, constantly thinking about the question: “What if I want you to have thoughts of marrying?”

Ten days later, Liu Qiang’s transfer order was issued. Jiang Nian had just finished planting vegetable seedlings in the yard and was washing her hands by the well when she saw Liu Qiang walk past with a bag. She lowered her head, then heard footsteps entering the courtyard. Liu Qiang stood there with his bag. Jiang Nian stood up, looking at him with cold eyes. She hated this man, for he had not fulfilled his duties as a husband to Xu Yan, nor as a father, making Jian Ye withdrawn and gloomy.

Liu Qiang lowered his face and said, “I’m leaving. Please help me look after Xu Yan and the children.”

Jiang Nian replied, “I would do it even if you didn’t say anything.”

Liu Qiang looked at Jiang Nian with a slight surprise. They had been neighbors for over half a year, and this was the first time he had spoken to her privately, and he clearly felt her disdain for him. Liu Qiang didn’t bother to question it, thanked her, and turned to leave.

Jiang Nian went into the kitchen to cook. She had just finished chopping vegetables when she heard footsteps behind her. She knew Lu Yu had returned, so she didn’t turn around. “Dinner is almost ready…”

“What’s Sister-in-law cooking?” Lu Yu’s voice came from right beside her ear. Jiang Nian instinctively turned her head, her lips brushing against his cheek. She hadn’t expected him to lean in so close; the warmth from his skin immediately sent her into a panic!