Having honed her senses in the apocalypse, Jiang Zhen’s observational skills were sharp. In the brief seconds they passed each other, she had already assessed Qi Junshan’s aura, build, the look in his eyes, and the details of his downturned, chapped lips. She was certain—he was one of the bandits who had participated in hiring an assassin to kill “Jiang Zhen.”  

If they could kill once, they could kill again. The first time was to stop her from searching for her family. Now that she had cut ties with “Jiang Zhen’s” ex-husband, there was theoretically no reason to hire another assassin.  

However, “Jiang Zhen” had gouged out one of Qi Junshan’s eyes. That debt had been placed on Jiang Zhen’s head. Qi Junshan was a ruthless bandit who had even vented his rage on a corpse—he would definitely seek revenge.  

After they passed each other, Jiang Zhen said, “I’m sure. Qi Junshan is the bandit whose eye I gouged out. He won’t give up on revenge. To protect myself and the four kids in our family, can I just kill him first?”  

She spoke of killing a bandit as calmly as if discussing the weather, utterly unlike an ordinary civilian. Gu Liancheng had strong nerves—his steps remained steady, his posture upright, giving Qi Junshan no hint of anything amiss.  

“We’ll discuss it at home. He’s a bandit, so we need a plan. New China has laws. I’ll buy you a few books on criminal law later to read.”  

“Fine.” Jiang Zhen understood immediately.  

She suspected that Gu Liancheng and the department he belonged to had already investigated her identity, but given her current freedom and lack of repercussions, that was a good sign.  

…  

Qi Junshan, after his own brief observation, still couldn’t settle a few questions. First, Jiang Zhen had gouged out his eye. Seeing a man with an eyepatch should have frightened her, but then again, a woman that ruthless might not scare easily.  

That day, his face had been covered. Even if Jiang Zhen hadn’t recognized him, he couldn’t leave such a risk alive. Besides, he would never return the money he’d been paid for the hit—Jiang Zhen had to die.  

In his agony back then, he’d swung his sickle, seemingly slashing Jiang Zhen’s neck. How was she completely unharmed? Had he missed?  

The woman had rolled down the slope after his swing. Had there been blood? The ground had been shaking so violently he could barely stand—he hadn’t seen.  

Now that Jiang Zhen had married into the family next door, he could take his time. There would be opportunities.  

“Qi Junshan, my sister is willing to marry you.” An Qihui couldn’t muster a smile as she came downstairs to call the Qi family up to fetch the bride.  

Qi Junshan grinned. Did An Xiuqing really think marrying him would let her get close to his brother? Did she take him for Wu Dalang?  

He clasped his hands politely. “Eldest Sister, don’t worry. After marriage, I’ll treat your sister well. She won’t regret marrying me.”  

…  

An Qihui felt like a joke. Before her sister left, she asked one last time: “You really won’t regret it?”  

“No regrets.” An Xiuqing had thought it through carefully. She might not be able to marry Dr. Qi now, but she could in the future. In her past life, Dr. Qi had married his elder brother’s widowed sister-in-law. This time, if she became his sister-in-law, Dr. Qi would marry her instead.  

Qi Junshan would die. She could wait. As long as she refused to share a bed, could Qi Junshan force her? She didn’t believe it.  

…  

The wedding parties from both the Qi and neighboring Gu families hadn’t returned yet. Qi Junhai was still pleading desperately with his mother. His elder brother was impotent—he’d accompanied him to seek treatment elsewhere, but nothing had worked. Marrying an unmarried young woman under these circumstances was downright immoral.  

“Mom, this isn’t right. Big Brother’s condition… Aren’t we ruining that girl’s life?”  

Ji Fengmei slapped her younger son. “How can you say such things about your brother? If An Qihui’s sister hadn’t schemed against us first, none of this would’ve happened. Our family didn’t force her. Your brother and I gave her a choice—she could’ve refused the marriage. But if she still chooses to marry into our family, that’s on her.”  

…  

Jiang Zhen arrived at the Gu family, where relatives welcomed her warmly. The banquet was held at home. In the winter of 1949, with the nation still rebuilding, luxuries were scarce. But the Gu family had managed to procure half a pig. Cabbage and potatoes stewed with pork, two hotpot dishes per table—one meat, one vegetable—made for a lively and hearty meal.  

No matter how tough this world was, the food was far better than the apocalypse. Jiang Zhen remembered how sweet and delicious the raw sweet potato Gu Liancheng had handed her tasted. She knew meat would be even better. In all her time here, she’d only had a bit of pork fat fried with cabbage at the canteen, yet even that had felt like a delicacy.  

Now, half a pig’s worth of meat was stewed right in front of her. Jiang Zhen couldn’t help but ask Gu Liancheng, “Can’t I sit down and eat?”  

Gu Liancheng suppressed a laugh. “Eldest Sister saved some for you. Eat after the toasts.”  

By the time the toasts were done, the banquet was nearly over. But no one left, idly chatting about the drama between the Qi and An families.  

After a morning of negotiations, Qi Junshan had brought An Xiuqing home. The Qi family’s wedding banquet was only just beginning.  

Jiang Zhen overheard Gu Liancheng’s eldest sister chiding her husband: “I predicted this, but thank goodness I didn’t interfere or try to warn them. See? Even after realizing she’d been tricked, she still married into that family. If you’d gone that day, you’d have been cursed out and come back with the Qi family’s hatred.”  

“Right, right. You know best,” the brother-in-law conceded, unable to argue.  

…

Gu Liancheng stood guard at the door, estimating that Jiang Zhen had probably finished eating. When he came in and saw her empty bowl, he smiled. “It’s about time. Let’s go see the guests off.”  

Thanks to his coordination, she’d been able to quietly enjoy a meal of the same dishes served at the banquet. It was delicious—no wonder the guests were so happy. Meat was a rare treat, so of course they were thrilled.  

She drank the last of the broth and licked her lips. “Part of the reason An Xiuqing chose to marry into the Qi family must be for the meat, right?”  

Gu Liancheng: “…Maybe. But most people think it’s because she wants to see Dr. Qi every day.”  

The Qi family probably thought the same. An Xiuqing would marry into a household where her husband was suspicious, her mother-in-law disdainful, and her brother-in-law avoiding her. She’d have a hard time.  

Only a few, like Gu Liancheng, knew the deeper reason—An Xiuqing, relying on her knowledge from the time reversal, had taken a risk without realizing she was stepping into a den of bandits.  

…  

After the toasts, the leftover cabbage and potatoes were divided among the relatives. Those who had helped with cooking even got some precious cracklings and lard. The Gu family had thrown an impressive wedding.  

As for the rumors that Gu Liancheng and Jiang Zhen were in a marriage of convenience, seeing Jiang Zhen holding his arm, leading Gu Pan, who in turn held Jiang Tang’s hand, with the two boys standing beside Gu Liancheng—no one could believe it was just an arrangement.  

So the whispers began: “They probably only said it was a partnership to keep the An family from making trouble, to soften the blow.”  

“Right, must be. The Gu family is decent, unlike the Qis—what they did was downright shameless.”  

Gu Liancheng’s eldest sister, Gu Jiaoxia, agreed wholeheartedly. Of course! Her brother and Jiang Zhen must have agreed on this excuse. Young people had fiery passions, and these two were both so good-looking—what kind of “arrangement” was this? They’d probably have a baby by next year.  

But the Qi family was truly despicable. Gu Jiaoxia fretted to her husband, “It’s a shame we only have this old house for them to live in. If only we could move. Doesn’t his work unit have housing?”  

But with Gu Liancheng’s family owning property locally, he wouldn’t qualify for allocated housing. Him giving up a spot meant another comrade could reunite with their family sooner.  

Besides, An Xiuqing and the Qi family needed to be watched. Having Gu Liancheng here was an unexpectedly good arrangement.  

“Didn’t Jiang Zhen say it? Whoever’s unhappy is the one who’s bitter. Look at her and Liancheng—they seem even closer than we were as newlyweds. Stop worrying.”  

Gu Jiaoxia glanced over. Jiang Zhen’s hand was still looped through her brother’s arm. Few young couples were this affectionate right after marriage—they were clearly a good match. Wonderful, just wonderful.  

…  

Eager to give her brother and Jiang Zhen some alone time, Gu Jiaoxia suggested to the four kids, “Gu Pan, Gu Hui, Tangtang, Jiang Zhao—how about you come stay with me for a couple of days?”  

Jiang Tang and Jiang Zhao were reluctant but didn’t dare say so. Gu Pan spoke for the group: “Auntie, our little family just got together. It wasn’t easy. We all want to stay. Don’t break us apart.”  

Gu Jiaoxia couldn’t help laughing. “You’re the naughtiest one. Fine, but behave. Don’t annoy your new aunt.”  

Xiao Jianzhou, noting the setting sun, said to his wife, “Let’s go. Don’t keep them from resting.”  

But it was still early! Gu Jiaoxia would have loved to stay for dinner with Jiang Zhen. Reluctantly, she said, “Jiang Zhen, since you don’t have family to visit for the third-day return, come to my house instead.”  

“Sure! Thanks, sis.”  

“Don’t mention it. We’re family.”  

As they left, the Qi family was also seeing off the An family at their door. An Qihui’s eyes were red from crying. What a gloomy atmosphere for a wedding day. But at least Jiang Zhen was easygoing—life as neighbors wouldn’t be hard on her.  

An Qihui shot them a furious glare, still nursing her grudge. Gu Jiaoxia glared back disdainfully and reminded Jiang Zhen, “Lock the door tight. Don’t listen to gossip from irrelevant people.”  

…

Jiang Zhen and Gu Liancheng’s marriage merged two families into one, and the six of them had already worked out the sleeping arrangements: Gu Pan and Tangtang would share the side room, Jiang Zhao and Gu Hui would take the east room, while Jiang Zhen and Gu Liancheng’s new marital bedroom was set up in the west room.  

Holding Tangtang’s hand, Gu Pan made a new request: “Uncle, Tangtang and I want to sleep with Auntie. You can sleep by yourself.” 

Gu Liancheng was fine with that. Their marriage had been agreed upon as a partnership, and he had been worried about the awkwardness of sharing a room. Using the kids as an excuse for Jiang Zhen to sleep separately would solve the problem neatly.  

He tactfully suggested to Jiang Zhen, “It’s cold. Why don’t you take Tangtang and Gu Pan to sleep in the side room? It’s warmer there.”  

Jiang Zhen didn’t even think before refusing. “No way. Your sister gave us several hot water bottles—we can give two to each bed. With their new cotton quilts and four hot water bottles, the girls won’t freeze.” 

Gu Liancheng: “…”  

“Then you explain it to the kids.”

“Fine.” Jiang Zhen turned to Gu Pan. “Sorry to disappoint you, but your uncle says he also wants to sleep with his wife and can’t give me up. You’ll have to make do with Tangtang.”

Gu Pan pouted. “Uncle, you’re so grown up and still need someone to sleep with you? How embarrassing. I don’t like you anymore!” 

Gu Liancheng: “…”  

Great. By tomorrow, this would reach his sister’s ears, and she’d probably be so delighted she’d eat an extra bowl of rice.  

…

Jiang Zhen and Gu Liancheng, both young and strong, didn’t need hot water bottles. But Gu Liancheng’s body temperature was higher than Jiang Zhen’s—especially around his stomach, which was wonderfully warm. Unfortunately, the moment Jiang Zhen tried to slip her feet over, he firmly tucked them back into her own quilt.  

“I washed my feet,” Jiang Zhen said. “Do you have a cleanliness thing? You should’ve mentioned that during the matchmaking. It’s too late now.”  

Gu Liancheng: “…” (This was the *nth* time today he’d been left speechless.)  

“No, it’s just… our agreement was a partnership. Earlier, during the toasts and seeing off guests, I played along because people were watching. But now that we’re alone, you’re being too… familiar. It makes me nervous.” 

Jiang Zhen grinned. “Oh, I was just testing you—to see if you’re as principled as you claim.”

“And the result?”  

“Fake principles.” She laughed. “We’re comrades-in-arms on the same front. If you won’t warm my feet, can’t you at least warm the bed? Don’t be so stingy—come here.”

…

Before Gu Liancheng could even take off his outer robe, unsettling noises came from the neighboring Qi household. If those were *bed sounds*, they were far too distressed—but there was no mistaking An Xiuqing’s voice.  

Then, abruptly, the sounds were cut off—as if someone had clamped a hand over her mouth.  

Jiang Zhen bolted upright, throwing on her clothes to rush out. Gu Liancheng grabbed her arm. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to see what’s happening.” 

“Qi Junshan may be ruthless, but he’s not stupid enough to harm An Xiuqing outright. The law won’t let him off for that.”  

“Qi Junshan *will* come after me eventually. If I want to understand my enemy, I need to see for myself.” 

Seeing that he couldn’t stop her, Gu Liancheng asked, “Aren’t you afraid of getting caught?” 

Jiang Zhen smirked. “I traveled a thousand miles alone with Jiang Tang and Jiang Zhao to reach Fancheng. I’m not exactly ordinary.”  

The original *”Jiang Zhen”* had already been remarkable, but the Jiang Zhen from the apocalypse? Eavesdropping on a neighbor’s drama? There was *no way* she’d be discovered.