Chapter 19

New Year’s Eve.

The freezing wind couldn’t stop the excitement.

As soon as it got dark, children who had finished their reunion dinner started playing with firecrackers and sky rockets.

Inside the warm house, the five members of the Huo family were preparing to eat. The polished Eight-Immortal table was filled with delicious dishes. In front of Lin Ting was a large pot of blood sausage and meat stewed with sauerkraut—her mother-in-law’s favorite dish to make for her.

As they ate, Hu Xiu, sporting a red forehead, talked to her son about meeting Danier.

Huo Xiao found the matter unreliable but, being a reserved person, didn’t express his doubts immediately. He simply said, “I’ll ask around tomorrow.”

Trusting her son’s judgment, Hu Xiu felt reassured. She playfully knocked on Guoguo’s head, who was too distracted by the firecrackers to sit still, and promised to take him outside after dinner. Then, she turned to her son and daughter-in-law to ask about their future plans.

Lin Ting, busy picking up meat for Miaomiao, looked at her husband instead of answering first.

Huo Xiao had already made a decision. Now that his mother asked, he turned to his wife and said, “I was planning to wait until you visited your parents before discussing my enlistment.”

Lin Ting nodded in understanding. She had already considered the future—things would not be safe in the coming decade.

After a brief silence, she asked, “Will I go to the army with you this time?”

Huo Xiao, having anticipated her concern, reassured her, “If not, I’ll have to wait until I apply for housing. That process will take about a month.”

Lin Ting assumed “you” meant both her and her mother-in-law.

After dinner, Huo Xiao cleaned up and took the twins outside to release flying monkeys ^[1]a type of firework..

Meanwhile, Lin Ting soaked her feet and was surprised to learn that her mother-in-law had no intention of moving. “You’re not going? Why?”

Hu Xiu chuckled at Lin Ting’s shocked expression. “I’ve lived in this village all my life. I’m used to it. Besides, if I leave, who will take care of the house?”

“What needs taking care of?” Lin Ting asked, puzzled.

Hu Xiu listed them off: “The chickens, ducks, new house, vegetable garden, and village fields—everything needs someone.”

Lin Ting fell silent. From her mother-in-law’s words, she understood—Hu Xiu wasn’t just afraid of an unfamiliar place, she didn’t want to be a burden to her children.

Lin Ting preferred living alone with her husband, like most modern women. But their marriage had been arranged. Although things were going well, they weren’t deeply familiar with each other. Who knew what the future held?

She also liked children but never imagined being a full-time mother. With her mother-in-law around, she could have the opportunity to work.

More importantly, even if she didn’t consider the kids, she couldn’t bear to leave Hu Xiu alone in the village.

Instead of arguing, she made her stance clear. She lifted her feet from the wooden barrel, dried them, and said casually, “If you’re not going, I won’t go either.”

Hu Xiu felt warmth in her heart, smiling as she pointed at her daughter-in-law. “You’re just lazy! I’m old, and you two are newlyweds. Why should I follow you?”

New Year’s Eve traditions included staying up all night ^[2]a custom believed to bring longevity and good fortune..

But Hu Xiu was still recovering, and the twins were too young, so she took them to bed early.

Lin Ting didn’t want to sleep alone, so she stayed in the outer room with Huo Xiao.

She didn’t like being idle, though. So, after asking Huo Xiao to make tea, she rummaged through the cupboard and found homegrown sunflower seeds. They were still raw—her mother-in-law had been saving them for roasting during the New Year.

Though the seeds weren’t very plump, Lin Ting loved chewing them with the shells. It was just a hassle to roast them. But since there was no TV or phone, it was the perfect way to pass the time.

By the time Huo Xiao brought the tea, the stove cover was already filled with seeds.

Concerned she might burn herself, he handed her the tea and said, “I’ll do it. You sit over there.”

Lin Ting handed him the chopsticks she was using to turn the seeds, scooted over, and said, “I need to tell you something.”

“Go ahead.”

“You know Mom doesn’t want to go to the army, right?”

Huo Xiao was surprised. “She told you that?”

Lin Ting nodded. “She says she’s used to the village, but I think she’s afraid of being a burden…” She then recounted her conversation with Hu Xiu.

As expected, Huo Xiao frowned at first but soon relaxed. Looking at his wife, he sincerely said, “Thank you. I’ll talk to her.”

Lin Ting felt a little guilty—she had selfish reasons, after all. But she wasn’t about to admit that. “No need to thank me. Mom’s a good person. Anyway, I told her that if she doesn’t go, I won’t either.”

Huo Xiao…

He was happy his wife got along with his mother, but also felt complicated that she gave up on him so easily.

The previous night’s exhaustion caught up with Lin Ting. Though she had planned to stay up all night, she had no idea when she drifted off to sleep.

It was unclear how she ended up sleeping on her stingy husband’s lap.

All Lin Ting knew was that when she woke up, she was lying on the kang in the east room, alone.

She felt a little embarrassed, knowing that Huo Xiao must have carried her back. But when she stepped out, he was nowhere to be found.

After asking around, she learned he had left early for the county town to wish Minister Hu of the Armed Forces a Happy New Year and to inquire about Dani’s blind date.

Relieved, Lin Ting put the matter aside. During breakfast, she and her mother-in-law hosted younger relatives who came to pay their respects for the New Year.

_

Meanwhile, Huo Xiao had been up at dawn and was now sitting in Minister Hu’s office.

There were no holidays during the Chinese New Year, so Minister Hu had come to work early. Seeing an old comrade unexpectedly, he was delighted.

The two men hadn’t met in years and had much to discuss—work, current affairs, and family. They talked for over an hour, refilling their tea several times before Huo Xiao brought up his reason for visiting.

Minister Hu bit his cigarette and smirked. “Did your wife kick you out? Was that worth coming here on New Year’s Day? A phone call would’ve been enough.”

The middle-aged man, usually serious in front of others, now wore a mischievous grin.

Huo Xiao ignored him, but the thought of his wife lying on his lap made him smile. “You wouldn’t understand, even if I told you.”

Minister Hu scoffed. “I wouldn’t? I have three kids. You’re just starting out, what do you know?”

Then, dropping the jokes, he leaned in and lowered his voice. “Did you tell her about the children?”

Minister Hu had once served under Brigade Commander Wei and was one of the few who knew the twins’ background.

Huo Xiao shook his head. “It’s no small matter. I’ll wait until she joins the army before telling her.”

Minister Hu leaned back in his chair, exhaling a cloud of smoke. “That’s wise. Still… your wife is a good woman. Treat her well.”

“That’s why I came to see you.”

Minister Hu paused mid-motion, then laughed. “I told you, this isn’t worth troubling me over. But since you brought me two bottles of medicinal wine…”

Huo Xiao got to the point. “I need someone placed at the county furniture factory.”

Minister Hu had connections with factory leaders, so arranging a job wasn’t hard. But he still asked, “How skilled is he? Who’s the candidate?”

Huo Xiao assured him, “My eldest brother-in-law is skilled, hardworking, and reliable. He can be tested first, then hired if he meets the standards. My wife is willing to follow me to the army, and I may not return to her hometown often. I want to arrange a stable job for her brother.”

Minister Hu nodded approvingly. “People say soldiers have it tough, but military families endure just as much. You have a good heart.”

Huo Xiao smiled. “I owe you one.”

Minister Hu chuckled. “You bet you do! I’ll make sure to remember it.”

Standing up, he added, “Let’s go. We’ll visit the furniture factory now. If all goes well, your brother-in-law can take the assessment tomorrow.”

Huo Xiao agreed without hesitation.

As they headed downstairs, Minister Hu grinned. “Since you’re here, stay for lunch. My wife is cooking!”

Seeing the man’s thumbs-up, Huo Xiao thought for a moment before nodding.

_

After spending half the day in town, Huo Xiao returned home at nearly four o’clock.

Before he could even take off his military coat, his second aunt, who had been waiting all day, rushed over. Given that the blind date was the day after tomorrow, her urgency made sense.

Seeing his wife sitting by the stove, half-asleep, Huo Xiao sat beside her, warming his hands. “I don’t think he’s suitable.”

Chen Guilan, who had been excited all night about getting a son-in-law from the city, was alarmed. “Why? Is he stupid? Or disabled?”

Lin Ting’s mouth twitched. So, as long as he wasn’t those two things, he was fine?

Hu Xiu scolded, “What nonsense! Character is most important. Let Xiao finish.”

Chen Xiulan sighed, “I just want my daughter to marry into the city for a better life…”

Huo Xiao frowned. “Many city families live worse than those in the countryside.”

Chen Xiulan didn’t agree. “But they’re still city people.”

Too tired to argue, Hu Xiu asked directly, “What’s wrong with the man?”

Huo Xiao explained, “He’s 22, didn’t finish junior high, has no proper job, hangs around troublemakers, and… he’s about the same height as Second Aunt.”

“That’s it? Those aren’t bad conditions! He’s a city boy!” Chen Guilan truly didn’t see the issue. What was wrong with being short? He wouldn’t lack a job—his father was a workshop director!

Hu Xiu finally lost her temper. “You’re insane!”

Lin Ting glanced at her second aunt—barely 1.5 meters tall—and silently agreed.

Setting aside his other faults, the man’s height alone was a dealbreaker for her. She valued appearances.

Glancing at the handsome man beside her, Lin Ting felt even more satisfied.

Noticing his wife’s gaze, Huo Xiao tilted his head and asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong?”

Lin Ting asked, “Have you been drinking?”

“Just two ounces. Can you smell it?” he replied.

Lin Ting sniffed again. “Not really, just a little on your clothes.”

Huo Xiao instinctively touched his coat pocket. After hesitating for a moment, he quietly took out a paper bag and slipped it into Lin Ting’s pocket.

Lin Ting reached for it. “What’s this?”

Huo Xiao cleared his throat and whispered, “Food.”

Yesterday, he realized his young wife loved snacks. So on the way home, he stopped by the supply and marketing cooperative and bought various treats. There were only two peach cakes left, so he kept them for her.

But since this was his first time sneaking food just for himself, he felt a little guilty. His movements were hesitant and awkward. Unfortunately, his little son, Guoguo, caught him in the act and immediately shouted, “Daddy is secretly giving Mommy food! I want some too!”