After a moment of calm, Shao Qingfeng’s voice broke the silence: “I moved out of the dorm not because I had any issue with you, but because I thought that if the marriage application wasn’t approved, it wouldn’t affect your reputation.”  

“The application took longer because your family background is somewhat complicated, and they needed to verify it. That’s all there was to it.”  

In her past life, Lin Hongying had also been single, wholly dedicated to her scientific research. Though her superiors often introduced her to outstanding young men, her mind had no room for romance—only work.  

It was through this relentless drive that she had been recognized as an Outstanding Young Scientist.  

Lin Hongying said, “We have no emotional foundation. Whether it’s our thoughts, lifestyles, or family backgrounds, there are huge differences between us. If the marriage could be annulled, that would be for the best.”  

“If there’s someone else in your heart, I won’t stand in your way.”  

Shao Qingfeng replied coolly, “There are no ‘what-ifs.’ If there were someone else in my heart, you wouldn’t even have the chance to be standing here.”  

Hearing this, Lin Hongying felt relieved and began to think.  

Truthfully, marrying Shao Qingfeng was the best choice available to her right now. Without marriage, it would be difficult for her to secure a household registration and stay in the Northeast—she’d be sent back to her hometown immediately. The military was the safest place in this era, and the Shao family’s high status and influence meant nothing but benefits—her work would proceed more smoothly and securely.  

Finally, her gaze lingered on Shao Qingfeng’s handsome face, and she steeled herself.  

If this tall, rich, and handsome man was willing to take the plunge, what did she have to hesitate about?  

In her past life, as a key researcher at her institute, Lin Hongying’s single status had worried her superiors to no end. They enthusiastically set her up on blind dates every now and then, but none of those men could even compare to half of Shao Qingfeng’s looks.  

Just based on his face alone—even if he were a freeloading pretty boy—many would probably be willing to support him. And here he was, a self-sufficient tall, rich, and handsome man?  

“Alright, let’s team up and live together!” Lin Hongying said cheerfully. “Once the marriage application is approved, pick a time to move back in.”  

“I have a few conditions: I want household chores to be split fifty-fifty. I’m not great at dealing with your relatives, so if they visit, you handle them.”  

“You don’t need to hand over your salary—we can manage our own finances. Soon, I’ll start working at the Agricultural Reclamation Bureau. If I don’t have time to cook, you can eat at the canteen…”  

Shao Qingfeng listened quietly to Lin Hongying’s demands, then retrieved his savings passbook and handed it to her.  

His passbook had been left in the drawer all along—he hadn’t taken it with him.  

After hearing her out, he said, “No problem. I accept all of that.”  

“I’m a deputy regimental-level officer. My monthly salary is 127 yuan, and I don’t have many expenses since the military covers most living costs. My previous salary and bonuses are all saved here. You can withdraw money to buy anything the household needs.”  

“Due to the nature of my job, I’ll be away on missions often, so we’ll inevitably spend little time together. The burden of managing the household will fall on you, and I hope you can be a strong military spouse.”  

Lin Hongying nodded.  

A military spouse couldn’t have it both ways. These days, being a soldier was the most coveted iron rice bowl—a stable job with high pay and benefits. If she wanted to enjoy the perks and honor that came with his profession, she had to accept the reality of their time apart.  

Lin Hongying took the passbook and flipped it open, gasping inwardly at the balance—8,000 yuan.  

She glanced at Shao Qingfeng. Did this man never spend any money?  

After checking the passbook, she said, “Don’t worry, I’ll be strong. You just focus on serving the country.”  

The two quickly reached an agreement.  

Shao Qingfeng let out a sigh of relief, feeling for the first time how smooth and efficient communication with Lin Hongying could be.  

…

Sanleng Village

Old Man Li hunched over furtively as he sneaked back into his home.  

The house was icy cold, the fire in the stove pitifully weak, the embers nearly extinguished. For once, he added a few extra dry logs, stoking the flames until they burned bright, finally bringing some warmth into the room.  

Over the fire, he set up a pot and carefully pulled out a bundle of dried noodles from inside his coat, dropping a handful of snow-white strands into the boiling water.  

The tender, almost loving look in his eyes made it seem as though these weren’t just noodles—they were his beloved. Who would have thought this old peasant could wear such a gentle expression?  

Limping slightly, he reached into a bamboo basket and pulled out a slightly worn padded jacket, draping it over his sickly wife.  

The water bubbled for a while before Old Man Li carefully scooped out the softened noodles, his heart burning with warmth.  

His ailing wife, Granny Liu, groaned weakly. “Old Li, why’s the fire so strong? Burning through all our firewood, are you? No need, I’m warm enough.”  

Then her sharp nose caught the enticing aroma. “Do I smell noodles? Old Li, pinch me—am I dreaming?”  

Old Man Li let out an “Ah!” and, just as his wife opened her mouth, deftly slipped a few strands of noodles between her lips.  

Granny Liu froze. The impossibly soft, fragrant noodles melted in her mouth.  

As Old Man Li fed her bite after bite, two streams of tears rolled down her weathered face.  

“So good… so delicious…”  

Like a hungry baby bird, she opened her mouth again and again, the endless gnawing hunger in her belly soothed by the warm, silky noodles. It was as if a mother’s hand had gently comforted her starved stomach, filling it with warmth and satisfaction.  

Slowly, strength returned to Granny Liu’s long-ailing body, and she managed to sit up. When she noticed the thick padded jacket draped over her, her eyes lit up like bulbs. “Ah! You bought new clothes!”  

She was as thrilled as if she’d discovered a new world. “You bought noodles!”  

“And eggs!”  

Old Man Li nodded eagerly, continuing to feed her bite by bite.  

Finally, Granny Liu’s gaze fell on the nearly empty enamel bowl.  

Tears welling in her eyes, she stubbornly pushed the last of the noodles toward her husband. “You eat, you eat! You fool, why haven’t you had a single bite?”  

Old Man Li chuckled and opened his tattered coat, pulling out bundle after bundle of dried noodles from the warmth of his chest.  

“Don’t worry, I won’t starve! I’ll eat later. Today, I met a kind-hearted Bodhisattva—she gave me all this! Six whole jin, and I only paid one yuan!”  

He held up six fingers, whispering excitedly.  

The long road home had been nothing but wind and snow, yet for the first time, Old Man Li felt the journey was short, the cold bearable, his heart full of warmth. A man who had scrimped and saved all his life, he had already planned out the fate of every single noodle.  

One jin of fine noodles could be traded for four jin of coarse grain—he would exchange them for twenty jin of coarse food. The six eggs? He’d keep one for Granny Liu and trade the remaining five for another three jin of grain.  

If they could just make it through winter, spring would bring hope.  

Granny Liu murmured gratefully, her eyes crinkling with joy. “What kind soul would give us such good food?”  

Outside, the snowstorm raged on. But inside the little house, warmth and contentment filled the air.