Preparing for the New Year

Jiang Nian was stunned for a moment before she realized who Feng Mai was talking about.

Feng Mai asked, "Are you and Vice Regimental Commander Lu going home for the New Year? He has so many days of leave, he should have time to go back for a visit."

Jiang Nian said, "He said he won't be back until the third day of the New Year. He has to finish handing over his work these few days before he can start his winter break."

Hearing Jiang Nian say he wouldn't be back until the third day, Feng Mai chuckled a few times, making Jiang Nian wonder to herself. She couldn't help but turn her head to look at her. "What is Sister Feng laughing at?"

The smile on Feng Mai's lips was almost uncontrollable, yet she shook her head and said, "I'm not laughing."

Jiang Nian: ...I'd be a fool to believe you.

There were only two days left until the New Year. On her way back, Jiang Nian saw the military wives and aunts in the compound gathering to go shopping, with children running happily behind them. Everyone's face was filled with smiles, making her deeply feel the strong atmosphere of the New Year in this era. It was unlike the new century, where the New Year flavor grew increasingly faint.

When Jiang Nian got home, she added some firewood to the braziers in her room and Lu Yu's room to keep them warm. She used some warm water to wash her hands, then took out the set of clothes from the cupboard that she hadn't finished last time—only one sleeve was left to complete. This was the outfit she was making for Lu Yu to wear for the New Year, a long army-green overcoat that combined modern style without losing the flavor of the 70s. She had originally planned to finish it early, but she had been so absorbed in her embroidery for the past twenty-odd days that it had been delayed.

In the cupboard, there was another coat she was making for herself, but it was only half-finished.

Jiang Nian sat at the foot of the bed, using the light from the window to sew the last sleeve. Suddenly, a figure appeared at the window, blocking a large patch of light and startling Jiang Nian. She looked up and saw Xu Yan outside the window, laughing with mock annoyance. "If you're coming in, just come in. Why are you climbing the window to scare people?"

Xu Yan smiled and placed a bowl of pickles on the table. "I just finished pickling these. I brought some for you to taste."

Jiang Nian said, "Then I won't be polite."

She cut the thread and sewed the seam once more. Xu Yan tilted her head to look, clicking her tongue in praise. "It's really beautiful. I haven't seen anything like this sold at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. I wonder if they have it in the city."

Jiang Nian said, "They don't." She looked at Xu Yan with a beaming smile, boasting with a bit of pride, "The clothes I make are one of a kind."

Xu Yan: ...This was the first time she had seen Jiang Nian be so thick-skinned.

At noon the next day, Jiang Nian learned about the Gu family's situation. Gu He was sentenced to three years in prison, and the compensation for Jiang Nian's damaged embroidery was also ready. The silk threads and damaged embroidery were compensated with five yuan, which Jiang Nian took and stored with Lu Yu's money.

The team had been relatively busy these few days, and Lu Yu didn't return until after nine in the evening. Jiang Nian was making dumplings in the evening as snow began to fall lightly outside. She saw Lu Yu's tall figure through the window walking straight into the kitchen, so she put down the finished coat on the bed and went to the kitchen to boil dumplings for him.

The kitchen had just been used to cook, so steam was rising everywhere, making it warmer than the rooms. As soon as Lu Yu entered the kitchen, Jiang Nian followed. She opened the pot lid. "There are dumplings in the cupboard. Take them out and I'll boil them for you."

"Alright." Lu Yu brought the steamer over. Looking at Jiang Nian standing by the stove, he stepped closer, his tall frame leaning slightly toward her as he grabbed the handle of the spatula in her hand. Their fingertips brushed against each other.

"Let me do it." The man's deep voice echoed in her ear. Jiang Nian was startled and turned around, almost bumping into his chest. Seeing Lu Yu standing right beside her, she instinctively let go of the spatula and took two steps back to maintain distance. "That works too. There's chili oil and vinegar in the cupboard; it'll taste better with a dip."

A faint, barely noticeable smile appeared on Lu Yu's face. "Alright."

By the time Jiang Nian returned to the room, the water was boiling. Lu Yu dropped the dumplings into the pot and stirred gently. His fingers lightly brushed the spot where he had just touched her hand, the rising steam blurring his deep eyes.

The courtyard was lit with warm yellow light, and the light in Jiang Nian's room was also bright. In other houses, people only dared to light one bulb to save electricity, but Jiang Nian was used to modern life. Even after living here for half a year, she still didn't have a deep concept of saving electricity.

She tidied up the spools of thread, planning to go to the Cooperative tomorrow to buy more ingredients for New Year's Eve dinner. Even though it was just her and Lu Yu, they had to have a truly prosperous New Year.

After Lu Yu finished eating and tidying up, Jiang Nian brought out the army-green overcoat and called him over. "Come here and try this on. I just finished it."

Lu Yu looked at the neatly folded coat in her hands. "Okay." He closed his room door and went to Jiang Nian's room. As soon as he entered, he smelled the faint scent of soapberry on her. Jiang Nian's hair was down; she must have just washed it. Her long black hair draped over her slender back, with a few strands resting on her shoulders, accentuating her fair skin.

Jiang Nian shook out the coat and handed it to Lu Yu. "Try it. If any part doesn't fit, I'll fix it."

Lu Yu looked at it; it was a long overcoat, styled differently from a military uniform but with a similar color. He put it on, adjusted the collar, and looked down at Jiang Nian. "I think it fits perfectly."

It really did fit perfectly! Jiang Nian couldn't hide the amazement in her eyes. The man before her was tall with broad shoulders and a narrow waist—a perfect clothes hanger. Wearing this coat, his usual steady aura gained a touch of sharp, cold elegance.

Jiang Nian saw the hem was a bit wrinkled and said, "I'll use the hot water bottle to iron it flat tomorrow."

She thought to herself, as expected of the male lead; whether it was his physique or his appearance, he was beyond reproach. She looked down, recalling his firm abs from the summer, wondering how many packs he had.

Lu Yu looked at Jiang Nian, who was only two steps away, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. "Alright."

The snow wasn't heavy that night. The next morning, when the bugle sounded, Jiang Nian woke up and looked out the window to see only a thin layer of snow on the ground. Today was New Year's Eve. Lu Yu seemed busier; he was already gone when she woke up, leaving only food kept warm in the pot. After breakfast, she wrapped her scarf and headed to the Cooperative.

Passing by Feng Mai's house, she heard her scolding Song Xiangdong and Song Xianghong. On the way, she met Kang Xiu, who had just stepped out of another military wife's house. Seeing Jiang Nian, she no longer had a cold face but didn't smile either, simply stepping aside in silence. Jiang Nian didn't bother to care.

Outside the camp, she unexpectedly met someone she hadn't anticipated: the female lead, Sun Ying. Sun Ying wore a cream-white coat, black leather shoes, and a white scarf. Her hair was braided in front of her chest, and a beauty mark under her right eye made people want to protect her at first glance.

Jiang Nian remembered the last time she saw Sun Ying was when she was hospitalized. She guessed Sun Ying was here for Lu Yu. Sun Ying looked at Jiang Nian for a long time, feeling that after a few months, she seemed even more beautiful and fair. Sun Ying took the initiative to step forward. "Hello, I want to see Vice Regimental Commander Lu, but the guards said he's busy. Could you help me call him? I have something very important."

Jiang Nian refused, "Sorry, I can't decide his affairs. He's very busy at the end of the year. If you have an emergency, just tell me, and I'll pass it on."

If Lu Yu didn't want to see her, she had no reason to go looking for him. A flash of contempt crossed Sun Ying's eyes. She really wanted to ask Vice Regimental Commander Lu if he had the same dreams as she did, but she ultimately refrained. "No need then. I'll come back another day."

"Regimental Commander Tang." The guard's greeting sounded. Tang Ze walked over, his eyes first drawn to Sun Ying. He felt this girl looked very familiar, but before he could remember, she bowed her head and left.

"Jiang Nian—" Feng Mai's voice called from behind. She ran over, panting. "I just went to your house and didn't see you. I guessed you went to the Cooperative, so I ran after you."

The two went shopping together. Feng Mai bought salt, while Jiang Nian bought a fish, a chicken, two kilograms of meat, candy, melon seeds, two kilograms of white liquor, and spices. Feng Mai watched Jiang Nian spend money with heartache, thinking that if she spent like this, who could afford to keep her later? But then she thought that Jiang Nian earned her own money from embroidery, so her life would surely be fine.

Back home, Jiang Nian began preparing the New Year's Eve dinner. She minced meat, prepared the fish, and got the dumplings ready. Lu Yu was busy until five in the afternoon. As soon as he returned, he helped her paste the couplets. Chu Jun also came to join the fun, bringing some candy as a gift.

In the warm kitchen, the aroma of food wafted out. Lu Yu started the fire, Jiang Nian stir-fried, and the New Year atmosphere filled the small house. Though they were simple dishes, they contained the warmth of a family. Jiang Nian looked at the man sitting by the stove, her heart suddenly feeling an unusual peace. A new year was coming, bringing new hopes.

Lu Yu took the initiative to clean up and boil the dumplings, telling Jiang Nian to go into the room to stay warm. Chu Jun also went in to help, the sound of laughter and talk dispelling the winter chill. On New Year's Eve, everything seemed to be shifting in anticipation of the coming spring.