Chapter 52

After parting ways with Zhong Wenwen, Han Qingqing headed to the apartment her elder sister had rented. Her sister had only been married to Liao Chunxing for a few months. Although he frequently sent money home, the expenses were still substantial. During the divorce, to sever all ties cleanly, her sister secretly gave Dabao a savings account, explaining that it was money sent by their father, marking a complete break with the Liao family.

Her elder sister only had the thousand yuan Han Qingqing had given her, which was borrowed from her adoptive mother to repay stolen money. Since the restitution hadn’t been made, her adoptive mother no longer wanted anything to do with her.

Han Qingqing shared with her elder sister how Zhong Wenwen had come to the fish restaurant and actively befriended her. “Zhong Wenwen comes from a well-off family, so I wondered why she’d want to be friends with me. Today she asked about Jiang Ruan’s secret remedy, and I started thinking she might just be using me for it.”

Jiang Jianchun was relieved, “Qingqing, you’ve grown up. You should maintain your friendship with Zhong Wenwen. If she uses you, then you can use her as well.”

Liu Jinyun suggested that Han Qingqing teach Jiang Jianchun how to make sauerkraut fish. “Your elder sister mentioned that finding another job would be difficult, so she plans to open a sauerkraut fish restaurant. You should teach her so we can make money ourselves.”

Han Qingqing hesitated, the recipe for sauerkraut fish was developed by her best friend, Mu Xuehui. Though she could now make it, she had promised Mu Xuehui never to reveal the recipe to anyone, not even her family.

“Xuehui is my best friend. I just can’t share the recipe,” Han Qingqing said.

Liu Jinyun thought her daughter was too naive. “Look at Jiang Ruan, working hard to earn money. Aren’t you anxious? If you have a shop and make money, your future in-laws will look up to you. If your sister’s restaurant is successful, it’ll benefit you both. Your sister has always treated you well; she’s even divorced twice for your sake. You can’t be heartless, Qingqing.”

Jiang Jianchun interjected, “Mom, don’t pressure Qingqing. She’s just kind-hearted. I’ll figure out the sauerkraut fish recipe myself. Even if the taste isn’t perfect, it should still bring in some money.”

Liu Jinyun continued to persuade, “There are sauerkraut fish restaurants everywhere. If you teach your sister, we can open the shop far away from Mu Xuehui’s place. It won’t affect her business.”

Eventually, Jiang Jianchun learned how to make it without Mu Xuehui’s knowledge.

Han Qingqing explained, “My sister is in a tough situation. Xuehui, she said she would open her restaurant far away, so it wouldn’t hurt your business.”

Mu Xuehui felt a cold anger inside. Her recipe had been stolen and used to open a competing restaurant. Did they expect her to graciously offer her blessings?

It wasn’t the right time to confront Han Qingqing openly, but Mu Xuehui decided she would no longer keep Han Qingqing employed at her restaurant.

She said, “Your sister is about to have a baby. Qingqing, you should go help her.”

Han Qingqing was fond of her current job, where university students frequently visited, offering a stimulating environment.

She knew Mu Xuehui was still upset, so she reluctantly agreed. “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

Mu Xuehui helped Han Qingqing find a new location for the restaurant, more than ten kilometers away from the current one. It was a busy spot, but Jiang Jianchun wasn’t satisfied.

She told Han Qingqing, “Our restaurant has to be near the university. You can’t be too far from Shen Tianming. If it’s near the university, you’ll at least see him a few times a month.”

“But Xuehui would be upset. I don’t want to lose such a good friend,” Han Qingqing replied.

“Qingqing, you need to think more about yourself,” Jiang Jianchun said. “Only Mom and I will always be there for you unconditionally. Trust me, the restaurant needs to be near the university.”

Han Qingqing ended up changing the restaurant’s location without informing Mu Xuehui, opening it across from Mu Xuehui’s restaurant. She named it “Two Sisters Sauerkraut Fish.”

When the new restaurant’s sign was put up, Mu Xuehui’s mother went to the university to inform her daughter that Han Qingqing had opened her sister’s restaurant across the street.

On the opening day of “Two Sisters Sauerkraut Fish,” Jiang Ruan dragged Qin Yan over to try it. Jiang Jianchun was busy directing the staff, while Han Qingqing was handling the cash register and greeting customers.

The sauerkraut fish tasted almost the same as Mu Xuehui’s, and business was booming. Many regular customers moved over because of Han Qingqing, leaving Mu Xuehui’s restaurant much quieter.

Jiang Ruan said to Qin Ao, who was enjoying the food, “Qin Ao, if you ever want to split up and go solo, let me know ahead of time. Don’t do it without any notice.”

Qin Ao had no intention of going solo. Running a business wasn’t easy, and he didn’t have the confidence to go it alone. Working with Jiang Ruan made him feel secure.

“I won’t,” he replied. “But this sauerkraut fish is really good. Should we stock up on more black fish seedlings in the spring?”

“Yes, but we’ll wait until we have enough feed before buying the fish,” Jiang Ruan said.

Qin Yan chuckled. “Mu Xuehui must be furious. What kind of friend is that?”

“Han Qingqing has already fallen out with Mu Xuehui. It won’t be good for her,” Qin Yan said.

After settling the bill, they saw Zhong Wenwen arriving with classmates to support Han Qingqing’s restaurant. Qin Yan walked about ten meters away before speaking, “Ruan Ruan, if you have time, you should check what Zhong Wenwen’s mom has been up to lately.”

If Zhong Wenwen’s family was targeting Jiang Ruan’s secret remedy, they would likely take action soon. It was better to be prepared.

The three of them planned to go to the countryside to check on the chicks. Han Changfeng arrived with news that called for their caution.

“Liao Chunxing killed a guard and escaped from prison. We suspect he’ll return to Jing City, most likely to find Jiang Jianchun. But he could also seek revenge on others. Don’t go out at night for now.”

An escaped convict with nothing to lose was dangerous.

Jiang Ruan wasn’t afraid, she told Qin Yan to stay on campus until winter break and warned Qin Ao not to go out at night.

Jiang Jianchun was also terrified. After being notified of Liao Chunxing’s escape, the local police informed the Jiang family. She knew how ruthless Liao Chunxing could be and feared he had planned to kill her all along.

She ran home in panic. “No wonder he agreed to the divorce so easily. Mom, he must have been planning this escape and intended to kill me from the start!”

Liu Jinyun was equally scared and called Jiang Baomin to discuss bringing their eldest and second sons home for protection. “With more people, we won’t be so vulnerable.”

Jiang Baomin was outraged. “I’ve told you not to push things too far. I’ve already disowned her publicly. I won’t let her drag us down.”

Jiang Wangshan also considered going home, but his wife insisted he stay away. “We’re our own family now, with our own kids. I can’t risk anything. If you go back, we’ll divorce first.”

The eldest son had no choice but to stay away. As for the second son, he was flourishing at his father-in-law’s house and refused to return upon hearing about Liao Chunxing’s escape.

Liu Jinyun debated taking Jiang Jianchun in, but even with three women, they couldn’t fend off a killer. Her thoughts turned to Jiang Ruan, and she began to regret the past.

If only she had treated Jiang Ruan better, she could have asked for her help now. But no matter what, she had still raised her for over a decade.

For the first time, she went to Jiang Ruan’s spacious new house and asked, “Jiang Ruan, you have an empty room here. Can you rent it to your sister?”

Liu Jinyun still hadn’t acknowledged her own mistakes. If she had, she wouldn’t have asked Jiang Ruan to protect Jiang Jianchun.

She tried to appeal to Jiang Ruan, “We wronged you, but I raised you for over ten years. Your sister is in danger. Please help her. We’ll be grateful and mend our relationship. You’ll gain parents, just like your cousin’s family.”

Jiang Ruan responded bluntly, “You’ve got it wrong. I don’t have a sister. My father is Han Huaiye, my mother is Fu Yunying, and my brother is Han Changfeng. On my ID, my name is Han Jiangruan. Don’t try to exploit me.”

Liu Jinyun was about to say more, but Grandma Huang interjected, “The Han family raised your daughter for over ten years too. Have some shame, Liu Jinyun.”

Liu Jinyun was unconvinced. “Grandma Huang, if Liao Chunxing comes here to kill, do you think you can outrun him with your legs?”

Grandma Huang remained calm. “At my age, what is there to fear? Besides, I wasn’t the one who angered his mother to death or abandoned his two sons in the orphanage.”

Liu Jinyun’s expression soured, still feeling uneasy. She hurriedly packed her things, disregarding appearances, and forcibly took Han Qingqing back to the Han family’s house for a short stay.

Grandma Huang, fuming inside, said, “I wonder if your second aunt has come to her senses yet. How can she even consider letting her come back to live?”

Jiang Ruan was indifferent. “Whatever my second aunt wants to do with her own family, it’s up to them. If she lets Han Qingqing stay, big brother will really stop calling her ‘mom,’ and it’ll be her own loss.”

Grandma Huang helplessly tapped Jiang Ruan on the forehead. “Child, it’s good that you understand, but don’t say it out loud.”

Jiang Ruan changed all the winter bedding to the sun-dried, soft ones. She was already looking forward to her upcoming winter vacation trip with Qin Yan to the countryside. There was only one house at the foot of the mountain, so they would have to share a room together, not even big brother could object to that.

Jiang Ruan asked, “Grandma, do you think Liao Chunxing would really come back to kill Jiang Jianchun?”

Grandma Huang shook her head. “He still has two sons, and Jiang Jianchun is carrying another child. That unborn baby is her life-saving talisman. I don’t think Liao Chunxing would kill again.”

Jiang Ruan thought it made sense. Someone who wanted to live wouldn’t risk getting caught again. Now that there were police stationed at the Jiang family’s place and the orphanage, they were just waiting for Liao Chunxing to fall into their trap.

…

In the past few days, she kept a close eye on the orphanage and indeed overheard something. A man who had donated to the orphanage had a private conversation with Dabao and Xiaobao, saying, “Your father asked me to tell you both to live on stubbornly and wait for him. He’s off building a kingdom and securing a legacy for you.”

“Where did Dad go?”

When Xiaobao asked this, Jiang Ruan was listening, and the police were also eavesdropping nearby, all on high alert.

The man didn’t seem afraid. “Your dad is already abroad.”

He whispered in Dabao’s ear, “Don’t tell anyone. I’ll have someone send money to you every month.”

Then he returned to his normal volume. “Your father also said that if you don’t want your stepmother, then let it be. But in the future, if a little brother or sister is born, please take good care of them. Don’t let the stepmother teach them bad things. Siblings should always stay united, like a fist.”

Dabao nodded vigorously and said, “Dad probably won’t come back. When we grow up, we’ll go find him abroad.”

Whether the man was a decoy or telling the truth was uncertain.

He had no criminal record and, when questioned by the police, he produced a prepared excuse: “I was a former patient of their father’s. I once visited him in prison. Those things I said were just made-up stories to comfort the kids. I truly don’t know where their dad is.”

But Jiang Ruan believed that he was telling the truth.

…

School started winter break today. After leaving the orphanage, Jiang Ruan went to wait for Qin Yan at school. Qin Yan was talking with Mu Xuehui’s stepmother, Shen Yuzhen. They only exchanged a few words before parting ways.

Jiang Ruan ran over, curious. “Qin Yan, why did Shen Yuzhen look for you?”

In the past, Mu Xuehui had sent Shen Yuzhen to disrupt Qin Yan’s father’s marriage. Qin Yan had confronted Shen Yuzhen and advised her to stop hitting a brick wall. It would be better for her to have Mu Xuehui’s father step in and take care of her two sons. Shen Yuzhen had listened and was now living quite comfortably. Her second husband was a mid-level leader at his workplace, and he loved her and her two sons. Her stepdaughter was away at university, and life was good.

Qin Yan said, “Shen Yuzhen told me that Mu Xuehui wants to collaborate and asked her to help at the pickled fish restaurant, offering her 30% of the profits. She asked if she should take the offer. I just said, ‘If you don’t have a problem with money, go ahead and do it. It’s up to you.’”

Shen Yuzhen still had her own plans, wanting to learn the trade herself, which couldn’t hurt.

Jiang Ruan looked at the two pickled fish restaurants across from each other. The flavors were similar, but Han Qingqing and Jiang Jianchun’s newly opened “Sisters Pickled Fish” restaurant was far more popular, always packed with customers.

Suddenly, Jiang Ruan understood. Mu Xuehui couldn’t manage the restaurant while attending classes, so she urgently needed a smart and charming person to help.

Shen Yuzhen was certainly shrewd enough, and she was also quite attractive, no less charming than Han Qingqing.

If Shen Yuzhen accepted the offer and earned that 30% share, she would manage the restaurant well, potentially even outdoing Han Qingqing’s business.

Jiang Ruan asked, “Qin Yan, do you think Shen Yuzhen will agree?”

“If I were her, I would. The money would go straight into her pocket, and she could also maintain a harmonious family appearance in front of Mu Yongwang.”

“They really are tireless troublemakers,” Jiang Ruan said. She had been planning to have some pickled fish before heading to the countryside, but now she didn’t feel like it anymore.

…

After staying home for a night, the next day, Jiang Ruan and Qin Yan each rode bicycles to Daywang Village, bringing along bedding, food, and other supplies.

The two small cottages at the foot of the mountain had undergone renovations, with new floor tiles, roofing, and freshly painted walls. The stove was newly built too. However, there was only one room, the other was used as a kitchen and storage for firewood.

Jiang Ruan, worried Qin Yan would be cold, had brought thick quilts. “In this cold, no one should sleep on the floor.”

Qin Yan glanced at the small, one-and-a-half-meter-wide bed and made up his mind. “I’ll sleep on the inside.”

“Okay.” Jiang Ruan happily made the bed, using four quilts to make it thick and comfortable. Although Qin Yan insisted on sleeping in separate quilts, she agreed.

Winter break was a month long, and they wouldn’t return to school until after the Lantern Festival. Besides going back to the city for the New Year, they would be staying in Dawang Village, so they had brought plenty of food and supplies.

They had already brought enough rice, flour, and oil in previous trips to last a month. Jiang Ruan put the cured meat and dried plums in the cupboard, then prepared to go to the village to buy winter cabbage and radishes and exchange some soybeans for making tofu.

“Qin Yan, stay at home. I’m going to trade for some soybeans.”

“Alright. If you can get some pickled cabbage, bring some back. Didn’t you want pickled fish? I’ll cook it for you.”

Jiang Ruan went to Zhou Chengzhong’s house and asked his son Xiaosheng to weigh out ten jin of soybeans. She also received a ten-jin salted fish as a gift from Zhou Chengzhong.

Jiang Ruan accepted it and asked, “Do you have any pickled vegetables?”

“Yes, we have two large jars.”

Jiang Ruan asked Xiaosheng for two heads of pickled cabbage and told him to deliver everything to the chicken farm. “Tell Qin Yan that I’ve gone to make tofu, and he should prepare for pickled fish tonight.”

Xiaosheng, who had never had pickled fish, swallowed eagerly and ran off to find Qin Yan with the ingredients.

After delivering the beans, Jiang Ruan bought some freshly made tofu and pig blood from a pig slaughter in the village, intending to add it to the pickled fish. By the time she returned, Qin Yan had already prepared the black fish they’d brought.

As the days were short, dinner was served early, and by five o’clock, the iron pot on the stove was already simmering with pickled tofu and fish slices.

Xiaosheng ate two bowls of rice and, rubbing his full stomach, said it was delicious. Jiang Ruan walked him home, bringing back two large cabbages and a small bag of sweet potatoes.

Qin Yan had already washed the dishes and was heating water for a bath. Jiang Ruan, sitting on a small stool by the stove, watched him stoke the fire. “You even know how to use a big stove?”

Qin Yan: … I used to live in the countryside as a child too.

“The water is boiling. You should take a bath first,” Qin Yan said. “The stove still has some heat; you can bathe right here.”

“Alright, I’ll go first, then warm up the bed for you,” Jiang Ruan replied. Qin Yan thought to himself, “She really isn’t afraid of taking advantage, nor is she shy.” He recalled when she first came to his house as a helper. Back then, he had asked if she had any sense of shame, and she had boldly replied that she only saw him as a patient.

But now, he wasn’t a patient anymore.

After Qin Yan finished his bath, he tidied up the kitchen and washed his clothes in hot water, hanging them to dry indoors since the kitchen was spacious enough. When he returned to the bedroom, his heart was beating a little faster. He had said he would sleep on the inside to avoid falling off the bed while trying to avoid Jiang Ruan. The bed had two separate blankets, with Jiang Ruan sleeping on the inner side.

“The bed is all warmed up. Hurry and get in,” Jiang Ruan said as she climbed out, carefully tucking in the blankets to keep the warmth in before returning to her own bedding.

Qin Yan calmly sat down on the edge of the bed, stepped over the outer blanket, and slipped into the spot Jiang Ruan had warmed up, feeling a burning sensation in his chest.

“Is it warm enough?” Jiang Ruan asked.

“Yes.” Qin Yan actually felt a bit too warm. “Are you cold?” he asked.

“I’m not cold,” Jiang Ruan said confidently. She truly didn’t feel the chill and turned to Qin Yan with a smile. “Get some sleep, the power is going to go out soon.”

“The power? What about the chicks in the coop?” Qin Yan asked, concerned that without the heating lamp, the young chicks wouldn’t survive.

“It’s fine,” Jiang Ruan reassured him. “If the chicks can’t survive this bit of cold, they’re not worthy of being the chickens at my farm.”

Qin Yan suddenly understood something and chuckled softly, his eyes filled with a gentle warmth.

Jiang Ruan was puzzled. “I was talking about the chicks. Why are you laughing, Qin Yan?”

Then it dawned on her why he was laughing, and she laughed too. “I was talking about the chicks, not you. It’s okay if you’re a bit weaker.”

…

A few days after they arrived, it started snowing. When the snow piled up to three or four centimeters, Jiang Ruan took Qin Yan to see the seedlings of the miraculous herb she had planted in the forest. The plants had grown over a foot tall and bloomed with vibrant red flowers clustered together. Jiang Ruan said that once the flowers produced seeds, she could collect them for planting.

Qin Yan knew that ginseng could bloom, but he had never heard of it flowering in the dead of winter. With a smile, he asked, “If I said it’s amazing for a plant to bloom in winter, would you tell me that if it can’t flower in the cold, it’s not worthy of being your miraculous herb?”

Jiang Ruan nodded. She had brought Qin Yan here just so he would ask about it, and once he did, she would explain. But Qin Yan never asked, leaving her to keep her little secret.

Suddenly, Jiang Ruan liked him a lot—more than she ever had before.

She looked at the footprints they left in the snow. “I’m worried someone might follow our tracks. Should we dig it up and take it with us?”

“It would be a shame to uproot it. Don’t worry,” Qin Yan replied. He covered the flowering plant with dried branches and a pile of snow, then took Jiang Ruan by the hand, and they walked backward, erasing their tracks. Finally, they took another path back.

“The snow is still falling. By tomorrow morning, our footprints will be completely covered. Nobody will come here in heavy snow; it’s fine,” he reassured her.Time seemed to stand still in the mountains. They spent their days feeding the chickens and ducklings, visiting neighbors, and watching the butchering of pigs for the New Year. At one point, Qin Ao and Liang Yong came over for a homemade barbecue. Before they knew it, it was New Year’s Eve, and fireworks could already be heard early in the morning. Jiang Ruan opened her eyes to find Qin Yan smiling at her. He handed her a big red envelope. “I can’t stay up with you tonight, so here’s your New Year’s money in advance.”