Chapter 25: A Man Who Sides with Outsiders

Han Zhixu hadn’t even managed to get up from the mess when a head poked out from the inner room.

“Oh, the bed collapsed again?”

“…”

“Are you okay?”

“…I’m fine.”

Wrapping himself in the quilt, Han Zhixu awkwardly stood up, relieved that the wooden planks hadn’t broken.

Luo Yaqing frowned, “Seriously, why don’t you make the bed sturdier?”

Han Zhixu was puzzled. He had clearly reinforced the bottom of the bed with more bricks, and it had held up for several nights. Why did it suddenly collapse?

“Do you need help?” Luo Yaqing blinked and asked.

Han Zhixu shook his head. “You should go to sleep early.”

Luo Yaqing pulled her head back in, shut the door, and quickly dove into her blanket.

It was freezing.

She hugged her hot water bottle tightly to chase away the chill. Honestly, she kind of missed that natural furnace.

…

Three days later, around noon.

Zhang Guiqin brought great news: the job at the soap factory had been secured. She would report to work in town the next day.

Luo Yaqing was so thrilled she almost jumped for joy—finally, she could start working and earn money.

Zhang Guiqin pointed to the bicycle in the yard. “I brought the bike over for you.”

Luo Yaqing grabbed her arm. “Come on, let’s go inside. I’ll treat you to some sweet water.”

Zhang Guiqin glanced toward the house. She’d heard city folks had a lot of rules and didn’t like outsiders coming into their homes.

“That’s alright, I still have things to do at home…”

“What could be so urgent? A cup of sweet water won’t take long.”

As she spoke, Luo Yaqing pulled Zhang Guiqin into the house.

Once inside, Zhang Guiqin sat a little stiffly and looked around.

There wasn’t much—just some basic household necessities. A wedding photo of the couple hung on the wall; she had accompanied Luo Yaqing to pick it up.

She glanced more than once at the single bed near the wall.

“Auntie, here’s your sweet water,” Luo Yaqing said, handing her an enamel cup.

Zhang Guiqin smiled and took it, holding it to warm her hands instead of drinking right away. “Your aunt’s been gone for days now. You still haven’t taken down the bed?”

Luo Yaqing froze. “Uh… not yet.”

She had been so happy she completely forgot…

Luckily, Zhang Guiqin thought the bed was put up because relatives had visited and there wasn’t enough room.

Zhang Guiqin took a sip of the sweet water. “You should take it down soon—otherwise people might think you two aren’t getting along.”

Luo Yaqing nodded.

The two chatted for a while. They agreed on a daily departure time to go to the soap factory together, and then Zhang Guiqin left.

With the job now locked in, Luo Yaqing felt she needed to share this good news with someone.

That evening, Han Zhixu came home with a slab of pork back fat.

Luo Yaqing weighed it in her hand—it was at least four or five jin (about 2–2.5 kg).

Han Zhixu said the logistics unit had slaughtered a pig today and saved some back fat.

Luo Yaqing was a little moved.

Despite harsh conditions, to improve soldiers’ meals and save money, the logistics unit had created small farms in every camp to raise animals and grow fruits and vegetables.

The winter cabbages, potatoes, and radishes that every household in the compound had all came from the military’s mini farms.

At dinner.

In a good mood, Luo Yaqing picked up some spinach with her chopsticks and placed it in Han Zhixu’s bowl. “This spinach is from Aunt Guiqin—have some more.”

Han Zhixu glanced at her.

Smiling, Luo Yaqing said, “I’ve got amazing news—I’m starting work tomorrow!”

Han Zhixu was a bit surprised and replied mildly, “Is that so?”

Luo Yaqing nodded. “At the soap factory in town.”

On hearing this, Han Zhixu looked even more shocked. There had been no official allocation of work slots for military families.

He hadn’t even heard any relevant news. Where did Luo Yaqing get this opportunity?

Who gave her a spot?

“Who let you go?” he asked with a frown.

Luo Yaqing cheerfully recounted the entire story, her face full of excitement and anticipation.

Han Zhixu glanced at her. “Don’t go. Give the position to someone else.”

Luo Yaqing froze for a moment, then quickly jumped up. “Why should I give it to someone else?”

Han Zhixu calmly swallowed a mouthful of rice. “Others are in more need.”

“I’m also in need. Extremely in need!” Luo Yaqing flared up.

This man—he’s siding with outsiders!

“What difficulties do you have?” Han Zhixu asked.

Luo Yaqing tamped down her anger and sat back down. Arguing wouldn’t help—if anything, it would only make things worse.

“I don’t have a job, I don’t have money, and I live with my hand out every day.”

“Without financial independence, I feel incredibly insecure.”

“Han Zhixu, do you understand what I’m saying?”

She spoke calmly, hoping to be understood.

Han Zhixu said nothing but pulled out a small red booklet with black characters from his coat pocket.

“Here. Take this.”

He handed the booklet to her. Luo Yaqing looked at the cover and froze.

He misunderstood her.

That’s not what she meant at all!

Han Zhixu placed the passbook on the table. “All my salary is in here. You can withdraw money from it whenever you need.”

Luo Yaqing felt underestimated.

She wanted to push the passbook back out of pride—but then thought better of it. She was already misunderstood.

Besides, she still had to live before she earned her own income.

Han Zhixu saw her staring at the passbook in a daze and quietly got up to clear the dishes.

Good. She accepted it.

Luo Yaqing did reach for the passbook—but that didn’t mean she was backing down.

She swallowed hard. “Han Zhixu.”

He paused mid-dishwashing and turned to look at her.

Luo Yaqing smiled at him. “I won’t give up the job at the soap factory. I am going.”

“…”

“And I’m keeping the passbook for now, too.”

“…”

“Good night!”

Before Han Zhixu could reply, Luo Yaqing darted back into the inner room and shut the door behind her.

Only then did she slowly flip through the passbook. The balance was surprising—over 300 yuan.

She hadn’t expected that, despite the original owner’s constant demands for good food and drink, Han Zhixu had still managed to save money.

It really hadn’t been easy for him.

Luo Yaqing never intended to take that money as her own. She would only withdraw a small monthly allowance and wouldn’t waste a single cent.

Once she found her footing in this era, she would return the passbook to Han Zhixu.

She’d even pay back every bit she used.

…

Han Zhixu finished the dishes, washed the back fat, and cut it into chunks to render lard.

It seemed Luo Yaqing’s declaration hadn’t affected him much.

But just as he was about to move to the next step in rendering the lard after blanching it, he sealed the stove instead.

He looked at the door to the inner room, then grabbed his coat and left the house.

At the soap factory’s employee dorms, the supervisor of the night shift knocked on the factory director’s door.

“Director, there’s a call from the Military Region’s Personnel Bureau.”

“Oh?”

Director Jin buttoned up his clothes and quickly headed toward the office, mumbling to himself: What important matter could there be this late at night?

At the office, he picked up the phone. “Hello, this is Jin Shuishan.”

Whatever was said on the other end, Jin Shuishan nodded repeatedly in agreement.

“Section Chief Gao, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her.”

“Yes, I understand. Okay, goodbye!”

He hung up the phone, chuckling and shaking his head. Who would’ve thought hiring a few temps would stir up someone as high up as Chief Gao?