Chapter 33 Diligent

“…”
Chen Niannian, thick-skinned as she was, turned completely red in an instant, struggling to breathe from embarrassment. How could he critique her in such a cold tone?

Chen Niannian felt so aggrieved! But just as she was about to speak, the car turned into the alley. She hurried after it. “Jinchuan, I’m not mad — really!”

Jinchuan opened the car door and glanced up and down at her once more, a smile tugging at his lips. “I think everyone should have their own sense of style. This outfit is pretty, but it’s not for you.”

“That… then what kind of style do you like? I can learn…”

“It’s a waste of effort.” The gate slammed shut in front of Chen Niannian, nearly bumping her in the face.

After starting her new job at the cooperative store, Jinchuan had grown much colder toward her — even impatient. But just today, for the first time in a while, his expression had been gentle. His gaze hadn’t been a disguise; when he first turned toward her, Chen Niannian was certain she saw pure desire in his eyes. Perhaps this was a way forward in her quest to win him over…

…

As Mid-Autumn approached, many new sweets appeared in the cooperative store — aside from the usual dragon-eye candy, glutinous rice sticks, and sponge cakes, there were even limited-edition shaqima. Gu Zhiye, a company commander, had limited ration stamps, but most of them were for candy or cloth, a small indulgence during hard times.

While Liu Tao kept a close watch, Su Niannian opened each oil-paper packet at their dorm table. She insisted everyone tasted them, but food was so scarce that the rest would reluctantly take just a piece of dragon-eye candy and then dart away, not trusting their own discipline. The shaqima was crispy and rich, its surface glimmering gold, and Su Niannian finished them in just a few bites — a few traces of sesame fell from her lips, but a quick lick cleaned them up.

Liu Tao boldly drew up a stool and sat down beside her. Su Niannian’s expression softened, and with a slight smile, she said, “Tao Zi, come, eat together.”

Liu Tao glared with resentment. “Comrade Su, can’t you spare us a way out? Everyone knows we dancers need to keep in shape — normally we’re not even allowed more than half a pancake. Are you really going to let yourself indulge just because you’re currently on a roll? Sweet treats make you gain weight!”

Su Niannian paused, confused. “Is that… true?”
“Of course! You’ve been way too indulgent lately. Let me see…” Liu Tao boldly placed her hand on Su Niannian’s stomach. Su Niannian nearly burst into a laugh and hopped up, her eyes glimmering like a galaxy, her lips rosy — a breathtaking view.
Liu Tao drew in a sharp breath. Now she knew why this normally-cold girl kept a poker face — if she smiled, it was positively disarming.

Liu Tao swallowed, stuttering, “Y-your stomach… it’s growing a bit of… flesh.”

Su Niannian immediately put away the oil-paper packet and said solemnly, “Tao Zi, thank you for the reminder.”
Recently, it seemed that the deputy leader was thinking of sending her team to perform in the provincial capital, adding classical water sleeve routines to their repertoire. Staying in shape was crucial. Perhaps, due to heavy activity in A city and poor food, she had gone a bit wild with her diet after returning to Ning City — if Liu Tao hadn’t reminded her, a big mess might come from it. Thinking of this, Su Niannian grew serious.

…

The army mess hall’s food was simple but well-ordered. Su Jianshan was different from the other hired workers — he didn’t care much for the leftovers. All he wanted was for his sister to eat well and keep up her health. That was his greatest happiness. But today something was different. Just as he was about to spoon some meat into her bowl, she turned it away. So there was no piece of meat in her bowl at all.

Su Jianshan felt the sky was falling. As the main server, he couldn’t abandon his post, but he kept his eyes on his sister as she walked away. As soon as his shift was finished, he rushed over with his bowl of mushroom and pork soup in his hands. In two or three big strides, he reached their table and slammed his bowl down with a thunk. Some drops even splashed near Liu Tao’s bowl, but Su Jianshan didn’t care. Gruffly, he said, “Dried mushroom and pork soup — drink it!”

Su Niannian furrowed her brows in distress.
Liu Tao, sitting directly across from her, was dumbfounded. All the young men who normally tried to win Su Niannian’s favor were gentle, considerate, much more delicate — this was the first person to be so forceful, placing a bowl nearly bigger than her face in front of her and insisting she drink up.

He seemed to think it hadn’t been enough — he rapped his knuckles on the table, glowering at Su Niannian.

This made Liu Tao explode. She sprang up and stood in his way. “Comrade, aren’t you… forcing things a bit much?!”

Su Jianshan glared back at the girl, furrowing his brows. “Forcing… forcing what? I’m not letting you drink it.”

“…”

“Who would care to drink your soup anyway? With your aggressive attitude, you’re thinking of courting our Niannian? Look in a mirror — a toad wishing for a swan’s flesh!”

“Swan’s flesh? Do you want to eat swans?!” Su Jianshan was confused. “I… I hadn’t heard there were any swans in the mess hall…” His literal thinking made Liu Tao nearly choke in silence.

Not a moment later, Su Niannian finished her meal and pressed down on Su Jianshan’s shoulder. “Eat your own meal yourself.”
Then she turned and walked away, tugging Liu Tao with her. Liu Tao glared back at him once more.
A bowl of pork soup was left in front of him, growing cold.
Su Jianshan grew more and more worried. If his sister kept losing weight, it would be their Gu family’s loss. His eyes glimmered with resolve, and he turned and rushed toward the training grounds…