The Truth and the Promise

"Aunt Jiang."
Song Xiang Dong ran over, calling out happily.
Jiang Nian stroked his head: "Aunt Jiang came to visit you, and brought you delicious food too."
Song Xiang Hong, hearing this, struggled to get out of Song Bai's arms: "Aunt Jiang, I want delicious food too."
Song Bai said angrily: "Uncle Two brought you some too."
Song Xiang Hong said: "I want to eat the snacks Aunt Jiang made."
Song Bai: ......
This, he really didn't know how to make.
"Feng Mei, have your family arrived?"
Across the way, an older woman was holding the wooden door, looking into Feng Mei's house. The men were handsome, and the women were beautiful. Feng Mei smiled and said: "They're here, they're all my relatives."
Feng Mei chatted with everyone for a few sentences, then led Jiang Nian and the others into the room.
The room had a stove, and the heated brick bed was warm, so it felt cozy as soon as they entered. Jiang Nian sat by the stove to warm herself for a while before taking off her coat. Feng Mei said: "You girls sit on the heated brick bed, it's very warm there. I'll go make us lunch."
"I'll help you."
Jiang Nian ran over, saw Feng Mei stop her, and smiled: "I'm much better, not so cold anymore."
Zhang Xiao also followed, sitting by the stove to light the fire. The men sat outside on the heated brick bed, chatting, and occasionally the laughter of Song Xiang Dong and Song Xiang Hong could be heard. Feng Mei asked: "Jiang Nian, did anything happen in the courtyard?"
Jiang Nian knew Feng Mei was in a gossipy mood again, thought for a moment, and said: "No."
Feng Mei said: "It's very lively on my side."
Jiang Nian was startled, turning to look at Feng Mei. Feng Mei smiled: "It's the house across the way, the woman who just spoke, her husband works under Old Song, he's a Company Commander. But now they're both almost 40 and haven't had a child yet. When her husband comes home, he scolds his wife, calling her a barren hen."
She leaned close to Jiang Nian: "A few days ago, she even came to me, asking if I had any traditional remedies to get pregnant. How would I know that?"
Jiang Nian was making carrot and meat wontons, and she whispered: "Have they both gone to the hospital for a check-up?"
Feng Mei shook her head: "The wife went for a check-up; they said she had no illness."
Jiang Nian pinched a dumpling and placed it on the steamer rack: "Did the husband go for a check-up then?"
"What does that have to do with men?" Feng Mei was a little annoyed: "I've only heard of women being unable to have children, never men."
Jiang Nian: ......
She smiled and said: "Maybe it's the man who can't."
Zhang Xiao asked curiously: "Sister Jiang, what do you mean?"
In this era, many people blamed women, especially in such situations at home. They often only blamed women, shifting all responsibility onto them, never thinking if it might be their own problem, which also led to women being bullied by their in-laws and only being able to endure it.
Jiang Nian heard Zhang Xiao's words, thought that Zhang Xiao and Feng Mei were both married, and she was also a widow, so she wasn't reserved and said: "Some men have low or no viable sperm. In this situation, they can have marital relations but cannot have children; women cannot be blamed. That man across the way should go to the hospital for a check-up to see if it's his problem."
Zhang Xiao was stunned, then suddenly blushed.
Jiang Nian: ???
So innocent? She hadn't even said anything.
Feng Mei was also startled for a moment, looking at Jiang Nian in surprise: "How do you know so much? What is sperm, what is viability rate, where did you learn all this?"
Jiang Nian: ......
She shouldn't have been so talkative.
Jiang Nian found an excuse: "I went to the hospital to take care of Lu Yu, and when I passed by the doctor's office——"
As a result, Feng Mei hadn't even finished listening when she immediately yelled: "Deputy Commander Lu? Is Deputy Commander Lu unable to have children? Did the doctor say that?"
Jiang Nian: !!!
Feng Mei's voice was not small; everyone on the heated brick bed heard it and looked towards the kitchen.
Especially Lu Yu, whose face darkened, his brows tightly furrowed.
Zhang Xiao, sitting by the stove, couldn't see outside. Hearing Feng Mei's words, she was startled for a moment, then said with some surprise: "Sister Jiang, is Deputy Commander Lu unable to have children?"
Jiang Nian: !!!
She truly admired Feng Mei's mouth!
Zhou Jun and Song Bai both looked towards Lu Yu's hip bone, where he had once been wounded by a bullet. Lu Yu's face grew even darker, and he said in a deep voice: "Sister-in-law! Come out for a moment!"
With that, he got off the heated brick bed and went outside first.
Jiang Nian was stunned, then glared at Feng Mei with a somewhat embarrassed expression, only to hear Feng Mei say regretfully: "It's over, Deputy Commander Lu heard it; it'll probably hurt Deputy Commander Lu's self-esteem."
Jiang Nian: ......
She suppressed her anger, a stiff smile on her face, speaking softly, word by word: "I went to the hospital to take care of Lu Yu, and passed by the doctor's office and heard the doctor say that to a male patient, saying it wasn't Lu Yu. Sister-in-law Feng, can you please listen to me finish before yelling next time!"
Feng Mei: ......
Zhang Xiao: ......
The two looked at each other.
Feng Mei said awkwardly: "I was just anxious for a moment; I thought Deputy Commander Lu had a problem."
Jiang Nian: ......
She turned and walked out of the kitchen, unexpectedly meeting the eyes of Song Bai and Zhou Jun, who were suppressing their laughter.
Jiang Nian: ......
She sighed weakly, opened the door, and the cold air hit her face, making her shiver. Seeing Lu Yu standing under the wooden eaves in the east corner, the man's cold eyes glanced over when he saw her come out. Jiang Nian immediately lowered her head, slowly walked over, and whispered: "Sister-in-law Feng misunderstood; I didn't say you couldn't."
Lu Yu: ......
The man lowered his head to look at the timid Jiang Nian, his back teeth clenched, so angry that he almost laughed, but he didn't say a word for a long time.
Jiang Nian couldn't help but look up, meeting Lu Yu's deep, dark eyes. She pursed her lips and pointed towards the opposite side: "Sister-in-law Feng said the man across the way often scolds his wife for not being able to have children, so I said it might be the man who couldn't, and Sister-in-law Feng misunderstood."
Lu Yu sneered: "You said it was the man across the way, so why did it get dragged to me?"
Jiang Nian was speechless, looking at Lu Yu's tightly furrowed brows, realizing that the veins on the man's temples were tense; it seemed he was quite angry.
It was true; no man wanted to hear others say he couldn't.
Jiang Nian lowered her head, repeated what she had just said in the kitchen to Lu Yu, deliberately emphasizing that she heard the doctor say it, fearing Lu Yu would wonder how she knew so much, then said: "It was Sister-in-law Feng who didn't listen to me finish, and then she yelled, thinking you——"
She suddenly bit her lower lip, not continuing.
Lu Yu reached out and stroked her head, saying: "When the holiday ends, I'll report to Yuan City, submit the marriage report, and once it's approved, we'll get married."
Jiang Nian was stunned, then gently nodded: "Okay."
A fire blazed in Lu Yu's eyes, and he added: "Then you'll see my true capability."
Jiang Nian: ???
She looked up at Lu Yu in surprise, and the man pressed her head, turning her: "Go inside, it's cold out here."
Back in the room, Jiang Nian immediately went to the kitchen. Feng Mei poked her head in, a little embarrassed: "Deputy Commander Lu didn't scold you, did he?"
Jiang Nian said: "No."
Commander Song rushed back for lunch. As soon as he entered, he chatted with them, then raised his neck and said to Song Xiang Dong: "Xiang Dong, go to the company and get eight catties of white liquor. Your father wants to drink heartily with your Uncle Two and everyone today!"
Feng Mei poked her head out: "Aren't you going to the company this afternoon?"
Commander Song said: "No need to go these two days."
"Alright then, you all have a good drink today."
Jiang Nian was startled, looking towards Zhang Xiao, who was also surprised.
Eight catties of white liquor?!
What if Lu Yu and Song Bai got too drunk, how would they practice then?
Commander Song's voice came from outside: "Oh, Lu Yu, Song Bai, what's with your faces? Did you fight?"
The two coughed lightly, Song Bai said: "It's nothing."
Then they changed the subject.
Jiang Nian saw peanuts in the frame, so she told Zhang Xiao to shell them, and she helped Feng Mei cook. Feng Mei felt Jiang Nian cooked better, so she let her be in charge of stir-frying the vegetables. When Zhang Xiao finished shelling the peanuts, Jiang Nian fried them once in oil, then stir-fried them with dried chili, and the fragrant aroma instantly filled the kitchen.
Feng Mei sniffed: "Oh my, it smells so good."
Everyone ate on the heated brick bed. The small table wasn't enough, so Commander Song went to the neighbor's house to borrow another table. The heated brick bed was warm, men sat at one table, women and children at another, eating cross-legged. This was Jiang Nian's first time eating on a heated brick bed, and she found it very novel.
Song Xiang Dong brought the liquor back. Commander Song picked up a peanut, ate it, and sighed: "This peanut, one look and you know it's Deputy Commander Lu's sister-in-law's doing. It tastes really good, perfect with liquor."
Feng Mei said: "You're in luck today."
The men ate and drank, Commander Song's voice was the loudest, Song Bai and Zhou Jun also spoke a lot, Lu Yu occasionally interjected a few sentences. Feng Mei chatted about various things with Jiang Nian and the other women. Commander Song turned his head and said: "You talk less about other people's affairs every day."
Feng Mei said: "You drink your liquor."
Zhang Xiao whispered: "Sister Jiang, won't they get too drunk?"
Jiang Nian turned to look. Lu Yu was sitting sideways, a faint sheen of sweat on his chiseled face. Noticing her gaze, the man turned to look at her. Jiang Nian noticed there was no hint of drunkenness on Lu Yu's face, and she whispered: "Drink less."
She was afraid Lu Yu would practice with Song Bai again.
Lu Yu curved his lips into a smile, nodding slightly at her.
Zhang Xiao and Zhou Jun chatted a bit from a distance. Jiang Nian turned to look and unexpectedly met Song Bai's gaze, so she smiled at him, and Song Bai also smiled, raising a small cup of white liquor and draining it in one gulp.
Jiang Nian heard Commander Song say he wouldn't go out these two days, so when would he go to Dongxiang County?
She looked at Commander Song's back, thinking of probing his intentions tomorrow, when she heard Lu Yu say: "Commander Song, we'll go hunting rabbits in the mountains the day after tomorrow."
Song Bai said: "It's rare to come here, a stroll in the mountains would be good too."
Commander Song took a sip of liquor, then smacked his lips: "Alright."
After this meal, Commander Song got drunk and was snoring on the heated brick bed. Zhou Jun also drank a lot and was trembling when he walked. Jiang Nian looked at Lu Yu and Song Bai; they also seemed a little drunk. The three of them hadn't slept much on the way here. Now that they had eaten, Feng Mei cleared the table, and the four big men all fell asleep on the heated brick bed.
Jiang Nian was afraid they would get cold, so she pulled out blankets and covered them.
Their sleep lasted until evening, and they still hadn't woken up. Feng Mei said they had drunk too happily.
In the evening, the girls ate dinner and went to sleep in the inner room on the heated brick bed. Jiang Nian woke up in the middle of the night needing to use the restroom. She put on her clothes and went out. Passing by the outer room, she saw that all four men had kicked off their blankets, and they were all sweating profusely.
Jiang Nian: ......
Was it that hot?
She opened the door, and before she could step out, she heard Lu Yu's hoarse voice: "Sister-in-law."
Jiang Nian was startled and turned around. Lu Yu sat up, rubbing his aching temples: "Where are you going?"
Jiang Nian said: "To the latrine."
Lu Yu stood up without a word, put on his coat, and came down: "I'll go with you."
"Ah."
Jiang Nian was actually a little scared, but compared to the hospital, she dared to go to the restroom alone here.
Song Bai and Zhou Jun heard the commotion next to them and also turned over and got up. They only saw Lu Yu open the door and go out, assuming he was going to the restroom, so they also put on their clothes and got up to go out. Lu Yu stood in the courtyard, and the cold wind blew past, dispelling his drunkenness. Seeing Song Bai and Zhou Jun go towards the latrine together, he stepped forward to stop them: "Wait a moment."
Song Bai was startled: "What's wrong?"
Lu Yu said: "My sister-in-law is inside."
Song Bai's steps paused. He rubbed his face and ran with Zhou Jun to wait under the eaves. Jiang Nian came out and was also startled to see Song Bai and the others; she didn't expect the people who were sleeping soundly a moment ago to be awake. They hadn't eaten dinner, so she asked: "Are you hungry? If you're hungry, I'll cook some noodles."
Zhou Jun rubbed his stomach and smiled: "Hungry."
Lu Yu looked at her: "Do you want to sleep a little longer?"
Jiang Nian shook her head: "I slept well."
Then she went inside, washed her face, and went to the kitchen, using red sweet potatoes to make fresh noodles, rolling out the noodles for them. Commander Song was also woken up by the aroma. By the time the food was ready and everyone had eaten, it was already dawn. Jiang Nian yawned, went back to sleep in, and didn't wake up until the sun was high. Lu Yu and the others had left for some unknown reason; there was no sign of them.
Feng Mei rubbed her neck as she came in from the outer room: "Jiang Nian, did you sleep like a war last night? Waving your arms and legs."
Zhang Xiao laughed: "Sister Jiang is always like this."
Jiang Nian: ......
These two days, Jiang Nian had stayed indoors. She was afraid of the cold, so she didn't go out if she could help it. She sat by the stove with Feng Mei, warming herself, and asked: "Sister-in-law Feng, will Commander Song go out in a few days?"
Feng Mei shook her head: "I don't know."
In the afternoon, the woman from across the way came, and as soon as she entered, she sat on the heated brick bed and cried, saying her husband had scolded her again, calling her a barren hen. Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao frowned, looking at the crying woman who was both upset and aggrieved. Feng Mei recalled Jiang Nian's words from the other day and said to the woman: "If you don't call your husband, why don't you both go to the hospital for a check-up? What if it's your husband's illness?"
The woman was stunned for a long time, and finally, under Feng Mei's enthusiastic persuasion, she left not long after.
It wasn't until evening that Lu Yu and the others returned. Jiang Nian still hadn't found an opportunity to talk to Commander Song alone. It wasn't until the third day, early in the morning, that Lu Yu and the others went into the mountains. Zhang Xiao sat on the heated brick bed talking to Jiang Nian, who was a little distracted.
It wasn't until noon that a guard from Feng Mei's house came, saying he was looking for Deputy Brigade Commander Song.
Jiang Nian was startled for a moment before coming back to her senses. Commander Song had now been promoted to Deputy Brigade Commander. She heard Feng Mei ask: "What, are they calling Old Song for a meeting again? He's gone into the mountains; I'll tell him when he gets back."
The guard said: "Leaders from Dongxiang County are coming. The Brigade Commander called and said to tell the Deputy Brigade Commander to make a trip; he has some matters and can't go."
Feng Mei asked: "When is it?"
The guard said: "There's a train tonight; he can arrive by early morning."
This made Feng Mei awkward. She scratched her head and said: "I'll see if Old Song isn't back by this afternoon; I'll let you know."
Even after the guard left, Jiang Nian hadn't fully recovered.
Zhang Xiao nudged Jiang Nian: "Sister Jiang, what's wrong?"
Jiang Nian came back to her senses and shook her head: "Nothing." She then asked Feng Mei: "Sister-in-law Feng, will Lu Yu and the others be back this afternoon?"
Feng Mei wasn't sure: "They left before dawn this morning, and they're quick walkers, so they should be able to make it back this afternoon."
Jiang Nian lowered her head to look at the stove. So, Commander Song's accident happened in early 1973. She was now extremely fortunate that Lu Yu suggested going hunting rabbits in the mountains and took Commander Song with him. Otherwise, when the guard came, Commander Song would have had to go, and thus, he would have stepped onto the path of his previous life.
Jiang Nian hoped Commander Song would try to return by midnight, as long as he missed tonight's train.
If Commander Song returned this afternoon, she would have to find a way to keep him.
Feng Mei made corn cakes at noon. Jiang Nian had something on her mind and didn't eat much. Zhang Xiao noticed her unstable emotions and worriedly touched her forehead: "Sister Jiang, do you have a fever?"
Jiang Nian smiled: "No, just a little cold."
As soon as she heard Jiang Nian say she was cold, Feng Mei immediately added more firewood to the stove.
This continued until the afternoon, and Lu Yu and the others still hadn't returned. Feng Mei reluctantly went out to tell the guard, asking him to call the Brigade Commander back. When Feng Mei returned, it was already getting dark. As soon as she entered the door, Song Xiang Dong asked: "Mom, why aren't Dad and everyone back yet? Won't they run into wolves?"
At this time, there were wolves in the mountains looking for food, and the mountains here were large, with tigers in addition to wolves.
Feng Mei felt a little uneasy: "What nonsense are you talking about? Your father and the others didn't go deep into the mountains; they just walked around the periphery. Maybe there's too much snow in the mountains, and they're moving slowly."
The stone in Jiang Nian's heart finally fell. She asked Feng Mei: "Sister-in-law Feng, is Deputy Brigade Commander Song unable to go to Dongxiang County?"
Feng Mei heard this and nodded: "He can't go. There's only this train tonight. Even if he makes it back, it'll be useless to go tomorrow."
Jiang Nian finally felt completely relieved.
"I'll go cook for you girls."
Feng Mei went into the kitchen. Song Xiang Dong and Song Xiang Hong played with Zhang Xiao and Jiang Nian. After they finished dinner, they chatted for a while, then couldn't resist and went back to their rooms to sleep. It wasn't until midnight that there was movement outside. Feng Mei turned over, put on her clothes, and ran to the outer room. Jiang Nian also heard the commotion; she lay quietly on the heated brick bed, listening to the conversation outside.
"Why are you only just getting back?"
Feng Mei poured warm water for them.
Commander Song sat by the stove, wiping the snow from his head: "This time we went far, found nothing, only hunted a few rabbits. There was heavy snow in the mountains, and Lu Yu's injury hurt, so we rested in place for two hours before coming back."
As soon as she heard Lu Yu's injury hurt, Feng Mei quickly asked: "What's wrong with you?"
Lu Yu sat by the heated brick bed, covering his hip bone with his hand, and smiled: "It's nothing."
Feng Mei sighed: "You, you went up the mountain with an injury; isn't that just asking for trouble?" Then she told Commander Song about what happened this afternoon. Commander Song rubbed his face: "It's too late. I'll call the Brigade Commander tomorrow."
"Sister-in-law, we're hungry."
Song Bai sat cross-legged on a chair, his clothes covered in snow. Feng Mei said: "Wait a moment; I'll go cook for you."
Commander Song looked at Lu Yu and asked: "Is your injury really okay? Do you want to go to the clinic to have it checked?"
Lu Yu said: "No need."
Jiang Nian came out of the inner room wearing a coat. She saw Lu Yu sitting by the heated brick bed, a tall, long-legged man, one leg stretched straight, one leg bent, his hand covering his hip bone, and a little snow still on his shoulder. Seeing Jiang Nian come out, Lu Yu moved his hand and casually placed it on his thigh: "Did I wake you?"
"I didn't sleep much anyway."
Jiang Nian looked at Lu Yu: "Maybe you should still go to the clinic?"
She worried about what if Lu Yu's injury left some sequelae?
Lu Yu smiled: "It's really nothing."
"I'll go get him some medicine."
Song Bai stood up and patted the snow off his shoulders: "Sister-in-law, don't worry. I brought medicine back for Lu Yu."
Lu Yu didn't speak. Jiang Nian smiled: "Alright then, thank you."
Song Bai smiled: "What's the trouble with me?"
With that, he left.
Since Commander Song was fine, the stone in Jiang Nian's heart finally dropped. She went to the kitchen to help Feng Mei. After everyone finished eating, Jiang Nian went back to her room to sleep. Her sleep was particularly deep. Only Feng Mei, who slept next to her, suffered. All night, she was either pushed aside by Jiang Nian, or tightly hugged by Jiang Nian, or Jiang Nian's arm would suddenly swing out and hit her.
Feng Mei woke up before dawn, got up, put on her clothes, and poked Jiang Nian's forehead: "You, you, you sleep worse than my Xiang Hong."
Jiang Nian was sleeping soundly and didn't react.
Feng Mei went out to the inner room. Everyone in the outer room was already up; they woke up before dawn every day, it had become a habit. Commander Song saw Feng Mei had some dark circles under her eyes and grunted: "Didn't you sleep well last night? Why are your dark circles so deep?"
Feng Mei: ......
She poured water to wash her face, and while washing, she said: "Jiang Nian hugged me tightly all night, almost suffocating me. She finally turned over, then swung an arm over, almost scaring me to death."
Commander Song: ......
He didn't expect Deputy Commander Lu's sister-in-law to be less well-behaved than his youngest son.
Lu Yu lowered his eyes and smiled.
After two nights on the train, Song Bai and Zhou Jun could be considered to have witnessed it all.
Feng Mei poured the water out and said: "In the future, if Jiang Nian wants to remarry, she must make this point about her restless sleep clear to the person, otherwise, she'll scare them to death at night."
Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao woke up a little later. Feng Mei had already made breakfast. After they finished eating, Lu Yu and the others cleaned the rabbits they had hunted last night in the courtyard. Jiang Nian planned to make a few rabbit dishes at noon.
Lu Yu and the others didn't mind the cold and directly washed the rabbits with cold water. After cleaning them, they placed them in an enamel basin and brought them inside. Jiang Nian stood at the kitchen door. As Lu Yu approached, she felt the cold air emanating from him, so cold that she took a step back.
Lu Yu frowned almost imperceptibly, and whispered: "What's wrong?"
He sniffed himself; there was no smell of fresh blood.
Jiang Nian whispered: "You're too cold."
Lu Yu smiled: "I'll warm myself by the stove later; I'll be hot right away."
Feng Mei chopped the meat, and Jiang Nian was responsible for preparing the vegetables. When the fragrant smell of meat filled the air, Commander Song said: "Heh, this smells delicious!"
Zhou Jun also said: "It smells really good."
Zhang Xiao sat by the stove, tending the fire, and laughed: "Sister Jiang, look, they're all dying of hunger."
Jiang Nian smiled: "Aren't you hungry?"
Zhang Xiao was embarrassed: "I am too."
The last dish was spicy rabbit head. The chili stir-fried in the pan made Feng Mei cough incessantly, and Zhang Xiao also coughed non-stop. Feng Mei said: "You quickly go outside, don't let the baby choke."
"Jiang Nian, why do you choke every time you make spicy food?"
Jiang Nian's eyes were also red from choking, her eyelashes wet, and the tip of her nose pink. She covered her mouth and coughed twice. The spicy smell spread outside, and she heard people outside also cough a few times. One might think the whole family had a cold.
After the rabbit meat was out of the pot, Jiang Nian ran out of the room to get some fresh air, then splashed water from the basin onto her face.
Lu Yu added some warm water to the basin, looking at the drops of water running down Jiang Nian's face, her eyes wet and red, as if she had just cried. He put down the hot thermos, his voice a few shades hoarser: "Feeling better?"
Jiang Nian nodded: "Much better."
She rubbed her face, then ran to the window to breathe some fresh air. Commander Song turned his head and said: "Don't stand too close to the window; be careful not to catch a cold."
Jiang Nian said: "Got it."
Song Bai brought the food out of the kitchen and saw Jiang Nian's slender figure, an apron tied around her waist, the delicate belt highlighting her small waist. He lowered his head to look at his own waist, wondering why her waist was so small, as if it could break with a little force.
Song Bai suddenly paused, put down the food, and ran back to the kitchen, almost bumping into Feng Mei when he turned around. Feng Mei was startled: "Slow down."
Song Bai's face was a little unnatural: "I wasn't paying attention."
"Jiang Nian, why are you still standing there?"
Feng Mei urged a little, but Jiang Nian waved to Feng Mei. Feng Mei curiously walked over and leaned with her against the window, looking outside. They saw a couple outside the wooden door, the couple from across the way. They seemed to have just returned from outside, wearing thick cotton coats, pushing and shoving and arguing.
"Old Song, the Dou family couple across the way are fighting."
Commander Song stood up and went outside. Feng Mei also followed him out. Zhang Xiao ran to Jiang Nian's side and leaned with her against the window, looking outside. Lu Yu came out of the kitchen and saw these two craning their necks to watch the commotion.
The commotion outside lasted for a long time. The rooms were not soundproof, and the woman's voice was loud.
Jiang Nian heard the woman say: "It's confirmed now; the doctor said you can't, it's you who can't have children! You Dou family have bullied me alone for so many years, opening and closing your mouths to call me a barren hen, and I've been scolded by you for so many years, looked down upon by so many people——"
She said a lot, pouring out all the grievances she had suffered over the years.
The woman's voice was very loud, and neighbors around all came out to watch the commotion. Commander Song, with a stern face, told them to go back. Family shame shouldn't be exposed outside, let alone talking about one's husband outside. Company Commander Dou's face was livid and ugly; Jiang Nian felt he could have burrowed into the ground.
Zhang Xiao said: "Sister Jiang, you were really right; it really is the man who can't have children."
Jiang Nian also felt indignant for this woman. After so many years of being looked down upon and humiliated, she finally got her vindication at this moment, so she said: "I was just guessing."
The couple was pushed inside by Feng Mei, and the commotion was over. Jiang Nian turned around and saw Lu Yu and the others looking at her and Zhang Xiao.
Jiang Nian: ......
She was so engrossed in watching the commotion that she almost forgot there were three people in the room.
She coughed lightly, wanting to go to the kitchen to bring out the food to avoid embarrassment, but Song Bai said: "Sister-in-law, the food is already on the table."
As he spoke, his voice was suppressing laughter.
Jiang Nian: ......
A moment later, Feng Mei and Commander Song returned. When everyone sat on the heated brick bed to eat, Feng Mei began to talk about how the woman had been trampled by the Dou family for so many years.
In the afternoon, Zhou Jun and Song Bai went to the train station to buy tickets for the next day. Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao were pulled by Song Xiang Dong to build a snowman in the courtyard with Feng Mei. Feng Mei said: "Jiang Nian, I remember you built a very beautiful snowman in the courtyard last year. Build another one before you leave."
So Jiang Nian, wearing gloves, shoveled snow with Song Xiang Dong, Song Xiang Hong, and Feng Mei. Zhang Xiao couldn't touch the cold, so she watched the commotion from the side. Lu Yu sat by the stove, talking with Commander Song, and turned to look out the window. Jiang Nian's face was flushed, her lips curved in a smile, revealing her white teeth.
"Lu Yu——"
Commander Song called twice and didn't get a response. He craned his neck to look. A few people were building a snowman outside: "What's there to see?"
Lu Yu retracted his gaze: "The two children are playing happily."
Commander Song smiled: "When are you going to Yuan City to report?"
Lu Yu said: "I'll go after the fifteenth, and then I'll go back to my hometown to see my eldest brother and Uncle Xu."
Commander Song nodded: "That's right."
After Jiang Nian finished building the snowman, she put Song Xiang Dong's hat on the snowman's head. Song Xiang Hong then wrapped his scarf around the snowman. Zhang Xiao broke two branches from a tree and stuck them into the sides of the snowman's body as arms. Feng Mei exclaimed in surprise: "Jiang Nian, you're so skillful! You're good at embroidery, and even your snowmen are beautiful."
Jiang Nian smiled. Zhang Xiao said: "Sister Jiang, it seems to be missing a nose."
"That's right."
Jiang Nian said: "There's a red chili in the kitchen; we can use it as a temporary nose. Tomorrow, we can still use it for cooking."
"I'll get it."
Song Xiang Dong said, then ran into the house. Not long after, he came back with the red chili in his hand and stuck it into the snowman's head.
Lu Yu and Commander Song came out. Song Xiang Hong ran over and hugged Commander Song's leg: "Dad, isn't the snowman Sister Jiang and I built beautiful?"
Song Xiang Dong said: "And me and Mom too!"
Song Xiang Hong nodded: "And my brother and Mom too."
Commander Song picked up Song Xiang Hong and placed him on his shoulder, saying: "My son is so skillful."
"Dad, I want a hug too."
Song Xiang Dong chased after him. Commander Song smiled: "Alright, alright, we'll do it one step at a time."
Jiang Nian looked at their happy family of four and couldn't help but smile joyfully.
"Cold?"
Lu Yu's voice came to her ear. Jiang Nian rubbed her hands: "My hands are cold."
"Go inside and warm up."
Lu Yu led Jiang Nian inside to warm up. Zhang Xiao and the other girls stood outside. The two of them sat by the stove. As soon as Jiang Nian extended her hand, it was clasped tightly in Lu Yu's warm, large palm. The man rubbed her hands: "Don't touch the snow next time; don't catch a cold again."
Jiang Nian pursed her lips and smiled: "Yes."
Lu Yu looked at Jiang Nian's wet eyelashes and quickly kissed her eyes lightly. Jiang Nian blinked, and it took her a long time to come back to her senses. Just then, Song Bai and the others returned. A group of people opened the door and entered. Lu Yu reluctantly pinched Jiang Nian's slender, soft fingers before letting go.
The train was still scheduled for 6 PM the next day, with two sleeper berths and three seats.
On the day of departure, Feng Mei hugged Jiang Nian and cried. Commander Song pulled Feng Mei away: "Alright, alright, stop crying and let them have some fun."
This time, Commander Song drove them, taking them to the train station, and only left after seeing them board the train.
Lu Yu and the others first settled Jiang Nian and Zhang Xiao before going to their seats. Jiang Nian lay on the sleeper berth, talking with Zhang Xiao, until it was completely dark before falling asleep. She woke up several times during the night, vaguely seeing Lu Yu sitting by her feet, keeping her company.
Lu Yu and Jiang Nian got off the train midway; the two had to go home for a trip. Song Bai and Zhou Jun's holiday was also almost over, so they left a step earlier.
Here, the weather was clearly not as cold.
The two got off the bus and walked back to the village. As soon as they entered the village, they met many acquaintances. Jiang Nian smiled and greeted them, just like returning home after the New Year last year, relaxed and generous. There was no longer any trace of her former self.
"Second Brother Lu is back."
"When did you and your sister-in-law arrive?"
Several people chatted and greeted them. As soon as they reached their doorstep, Aunt Zhao came out with her chubby grandson in her arms: "Jiang Nian, why are you back so late this year?"
Jiang Nian smiled: "Visiting friends."
Knowing Jiang Nian was back, Aunt Wang and other neighbors also came to chat for a while.
"Jiang Nian, how do you like my chubby grandson?"
Aunt Zhao loved her grandson very much. Ever since he was born, she held him in her arms and didn't want to let go, showing him off to everyone she met. Jiang Nian looked at the baby's round eyes and smiled: "So adorable, just like Zhao Gang."
She then asked: "He must be about one year old now, right?"
Aunt Zhao smiled: "He'll be one in a few months."
At this time, Zhao Gang and his wife also came out of the room and chatted with Jiang Nian and Lu Yu for a few sentences. As soon as the baby saw his mother, his smiling mouth suddenly pouted and he burst into tears. Aunt Zhao cooed and patted the baby: "Grandma held you for so long, why do you cry as soon as you see your mother?"
After chatting, everyone left.
Jiang Nian entered the house. A lot of snow had fallen inside, but Lu Yu had repaired the roof a bit last year when he left. Except for Xu Cheng's father's house, which couldn't be slept in, Xu Cheng's house and the house she slept in were fine; there were no snow leaks. Although the bedding was a bit damp, it would be fine after drying.
Lu Yu went to the company first to buy corn flour and food, then swept the snow in the courtyard. Jiang Nian lit charcoal basins for both houses. After Lu Yu finished sweeping the snow, she told him to come and dry the blankets over the charcoal basin to remove the dampness.
She first made her bed, then went to make Lu Yu's. Lu Yu was cooking dinner in the kitchen. The two of them divided the tasks, wanting to finish a little faster.
Jiang Nian was standing by the heated brick bed when her vision suddenly darkened. She shook her head, then suddenly looked towards where Xu Cheng used to lie. In Jiang Nian's memory, Xu Cheng had lain here for four years. In those four years, he had never done anything inappropriate to the original owner.
They were clearly husband and wife, yet they lived together harmoniously like relatives.
The original owner had been married into the Xu family for four years, and Xu Cheng always went to Lu Yu's house to sleep.
Xu Cheng, a strong and resilient man, ended up in such a plight. Jiang Nian knew this was related to the original owner's weakness and filial piety, but even so, Xu Cheng had never complained about the original owner.
Xu Cheng's face in Jiang Nian's mind became clearer and clearer, his eyes and brows carrying a smile that hinted at the distance between them. Jiang Nian seemed to feel Xu Cheng lying on the heated brick bed, smiling at her, calling her name.
Jiang Nian suddenly felt like she was being foolish, her mind hazy and confused, as if everything was Xu Cheng's voice.
She blinked, and before she could fully recover, she heard Lu Yu's voice coming from behind her.
"Jiang Nian."
Lu Yu walked closer to her, seeing that her face was a little pale, his brows slightly furrowed: "What's wrong?"
Then he glanced at the bedding on the heated brick bed, his deep dark eyes narrowing in an instant. He took Jiang Nian's hand and led her to the next room. Jiang Nian leaned against the cabinet, her back against the edge of the cabinet. Her head was still a little dizzy at this moment, and she generally felt that this return seemed different from before.
It was as if... someone was occupying her mind.
As this thought appeared, a cold shiver immediately ran down Jiang Nian's spine. Lu Yu bent down and grasped Jiang Nian's thin shoulders, lowering his eyes to look at her: "Tell me, what are you thinking?"
The man's hands gradually tightened, as if forcing her to look up and speak the truest thought in her heart.
At this moment, Jiang Nian suddenly felt that Lu Yu was afraid.
She didn't know what Lu Yu was afraid of.
"Jiang Nian, look up at me."
Lu Yu's voice was low and carried a hint of pressure. Jiang Nian endured the dizziness before her eyes, slowly looked up at Lu Yu, opened her mouth, wanting to speak, but something seemed to be stuck in her throat, unable to make a sound.
Jiang Nian's heart tightened, and the cold air behind her grew heavier and heavier.
"Jiang Nian, who am I?"
Lu Yu leaned down, staring intently into Jiang Nian's currently confused and dazed eyes. His fingers gripping Jiang Nian's shoulders suddenly tightened, as if wanting to use pain to stimulate Jiang Nian. The clarity and radiance in her eyes were gradually covered by confusion and numbness. Lu Yu's usual calm and steady demeanor suddenly showed a crack. He lowered his head and kissed Jiang Nian's lips.
On her lips, he bit down hard, and an invisible hot breath intertwined.
Lu Yu hugged Jiang Nian tightly, making her body, which carried warmth and vitality, merge into his bones and flesh. He used force, biting Jiang Nian's lip until it bled. The smell of fresh blood spread between their lips and teeth, and finally, he heard his beloved in his arms let out a cry of pain.
Lu Yu released Jiang Nian, his hands once again gripping Jiang Nian's thin shoulders, lowering his gaze to stare intently at her, his deep voice, however, trembled slightly: "Jiang Nian, tell me, who am I?"
He kept repeating these words.
Jiang Nian's pupils gradually dilated, restoring their former clarity. She licked the corner of her mouth, tasted the fresh blood, and felt the pain in her lips. Then she looked at Lu Yu, who was close at hand. The man's deep dark eyes, the tense veins on his temples, and his thin lips were stained with fresh blood.
"Lu Yu."
Jiang Nian finally spoke.
As she exhaled softly, she reached out and hugged Lu Yu's slender, firm waist. Although it was through his cotton coat, Jiang Nian still clearly felt the muscles on the man's body tensing. She buried her head in his embrace and said again: "Lu Yu, is dinner ready?"
"It's ready."
Lu Yu hugged Jiang Nian, his hand resting on the back of her neck, his fingers gently pinching her soft skin: "What were you thinking just now?"