Huo Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Why do you ask?”

“She’s only 47. Staying at home all day must be boring.”

“Did she say she wanted to work?”

“No, but she mentioned how long the days feel. Maybe she’s just bored.”

Huo Xiao frowned slightly but reassured her, “I’ll ask her.”

Lin Ting pondered, “Mom is great at delivering babies. Could she work at our army’s hospital?”

Huo Xiao shook his head. “That’s unlikely. Some barefoot doctors are recruited, but our military clinic rarely handles childbirth.”

Lin Ting sighed. “I guess that was just wishful thinking.”

Huo Xiao smoothed her dress and coaxed her gently, “Stop overthinking. Maybe Mom is just feeling a bit down. Get some rest.”

Lin Ting, feeling comfortable, stretched a little.

Huo Xiao held her down, adjusted his breathing, and muttered, “Not sleepy anymore? Then let’s…”

Lin Ting quickly responded, “I’m asleep.”

Huo Xiao, frustrated…

The next day.

Knowing they were going out, the twins were thrilled and kept chattering excitedly, even after getting into the jeep.

They stared out the window and bombarded everyone with endless questions.

Eventually, Hu Xiu and Lin Ting, overwhelmed by the noise, each covered one of the twins’ ears, finally getting some peace.

April 1969.

The Yangtze River Bridge in Tianjin was not yet officially open to traffic.

However, the several-thousand-meter-long bridge was already constructed.

As China’s first self-designed double-track bridge, it symbolized technological advancement and modernization.

Even though it wasn’t open yet, many people used it as a backdrop for photos.

When Lin Ting’s group passed the bridge, they naturally stopped to take pictures.

Earlier, when Huo Xiao borrowed a car from Brigade Commander Wei, he also borrowed Wei’s prized camera and an extra roll of film—though not without getting a glare.

Since the film allowed for 24 photos, they felt quite “rich” in pictures.

The family walked, stopped, and took the children on a zoo tour.

By the time they arrived at the department store in the city center, it was already past one in the afternoon.

Lin Ting mainly planned to buy gifts for her elders back home and for Ms. Hu Xiu.

Upon entering the store, she held her mother-in-law’s arm in one hand and her salary and industrial coupons in the other, heading straight to the rain boots counter.

As expected of a big city, the rain boots came in five colors. They couldn’t compare with future styles, but at this time, such variety was rare.

While Lin Ting was discussing colors with her mother-in-law, an unfamiliar male voice called her name.

She looked in the direction of the voice and saw a man of medium height, wearing black-framed glasses, standing next to the counter. He looked honest and familiar.

Lin Ting studied him for a moment before recalling: “…Are you Qian Haitao?”

Relieved to be recognized, Qian Haitao smiled. “It really is you! You’ve changed so much, I almost didn’t recognize you.”

He looked at his former college classmate, noticing that after two years, she was even more attractive. Her good complexion suggested she was living well.

Lin Ting remembered their relationship had been average but friendly. She smiled. “I’m married now, of course, I’ve changed. But you look the same as in college.”

She turned to her husband, who was holding Miaomiao and following her, and introduced him with a smile: “This is my husband.”

Huo Xiao’s expression darkened slightly. He locked eyes with his wife for a moment before nodding politely. “Hello, Comrade Qian, I’m Tingting’s husband, Huo Xiao.”

Everyone fell silent.

Lin Ting’s use of “husband” was natural, but Huo Xiao’s emphasis made it seem oddly possessive.

Only Lin Ting understood—he was showing off.

She nudged him with her elbow, then turned to Qian Haitao. “My husband likes to joke, don’t mind him.”

Qian Haitao glanced at the imposing man in military uniform and swallowed his response, instead changing the subject. “Are you in Tianjin because of his assignment?”

Lin Ting nodded. “Yes. What about you? You’re from Tianjin, right? Are you married?”

Qian Haitao beamed. “Yes, I’m local. I have a fiancée, and we’re getting married soon.”

Lin Ting congratulated him. “That’s great! Are you here shopping?”

He shook his head. “I work here. What are you looking for? I can help you find good products.”

Originally planning to chat only briefly, Lin Ting immediately perked up and lowered her voice. “What do you have?”

Qian Haitao… He was caught off guard by how much she had changed.

With his help as an insider, Lin Ting managed to buy several high-quality items at very low prices due to “minor defects”—though the items were actually fine.

Before leaving, she enthusiastically invited everyone to a meal at a state-owned restaurant. However, Qian Haitao declined, waving his hands. “Next time.”

Although they didn’t dine together, they exchanged addresses and phone numbers.

Just as Lin Ting was about to get in the car, Qian Haitao hesitated before whispering, “I heard Liu Hao has a limp.”

Lin Ting paused. “Limp? Why?”

Liu Hao had been the original Lin Ting’s first love. His parents were professors but were later accused of political crimes. To protect himself, Liu Hao publicly severed ties with them, quickly married the daughter of a Revolutionary Committee official, and fled to the border as an educated youth.

It had only been a year and a half—how had he ended up with a limp?

Still, hearing this news felt satisfying.

Noticing her indifference, Qian Haitao chuckled. “I don’t know the details, but I heard he got into a fight over a romantic dispute and was beaten up by the locals.”

Lin Ting smirked. “That sounds about right.”

Qian Haitao added, “What he did was disgusting, and no one thought highly of him. But that’s all in the past. Comrade Huo seems to care about you a lot, so just focus on your life.”

Lin Ting realized he brought this up because he remembered how the original Lin Ting had cried when Liu Hao broke up with her. He was trying to reassure her.

He was a good person.

She sincerely thanked him. “Thanks, Qian Haitao. I’m happy now. I don’t think about him anymore.”

Embarrassed, Qian Haitao scratched his head and grinned. “I hope you don’t think I’m meddling. Go on, your husband is waiting.”

Lin Ting turned and saw Huo Xiao sitting in the driver’s seat, quickly looking away.

Lin Ting…

She smiled. “Alright, we’ll meet again next time.”

This time, Qian Haitao agreed without hesitation. “Okay!”

As soon as she got in the car, before she even sat properly, Huo Xiao asked in a neutral tone, “What were you talking about?”

Lin Ting waved at Qian Haitao outside and replied seriously, “We talked about my husband.”

Huo Xiao smirked. “Good.”

Lin Ting’s brother, Lin Wei, shuddered. “Ugh, so cheesy.”