Chapter 22.2

After the show, she got back to her own business. She unpotted her alpine rhododendron, trimmed the roots—cutting away the rotten ones—and soaked the whole root system in a willow-water solution.

It would soak all afternoon, and by evening, she could repot it.

Though most of the branches were withered, the roots were still healthy.

Lian Yanmei wasn’t wrong—spring was a time when even a twig could sprout. Ye Huan could sense the plant’s strong vitality. It would soon bud and grow, blooming beautifully by June or July.

The midday break was short, only an hour. Ye Yongzhen complained it wasn’t enough time—the family barely had time to sit down and exchange a few words before it was time to return to work. So, the next day after work, she invited Ye Huan over for dinner.

“Your uncle cooked everything today. Don’t let his being a man fool you—he’s a whiz in the kitchen, even better than me! He’s just lazy and rarely cooks. But when he heard you were coming, he insisted on taking over, claiming my cooking wasn’t good enough. You should come more often; maybe that’ll cure his laziness!”

Ye Yongzhen wanted Ye Huan to eat at her house every day, or even move in permanently, since she had plenty of space.

Ye Huan declined. Familiarity breeds contempt, and after all, it wasn’t her own home. Visiting for a meal was fine, but living there long-term would inevitably lead to resentment.

Besides, Ye Yongzhen lived in a small apartment, and having another person there would be cramped and inconvenient.

Ye Yongzhen reluctantly dropped the matter.

She lived in the military compound, which housed many military spouses. Whenever she saw someone she knew, she proudly introduced Ye Huan: “This is my niece, Ye Huan.”

A tall, robust woman approached, calling out from a distance, “Yongzhen, is this the niece you just adopted? No wonder everyone says she’s beautiful—she really is!”

Ye Yongzhen wasn’t as warm to her as she was to others, looking somewhat reluctant to acknowledge her. She merely grunted in response.

Undeterred, the woman walked closer, grabbed Ye Huan’s arm to stop her from leaving, and scrutinized her from head to toe. The more she looked, the more she liked what she saw.

Turning to Ye Yongzhen, she said, “Think about what I mentioned yesterday. I really think it’s a perfect match.”

Ye Yongzhen’s face darkened instantly. “Didn’t I tell you I’m not considering it? She’s still so young!”

With that, she snatched Ye Huan from her sister-in-law’s grasp and pulled her away.

The sister-in-law, having failed to get her way, muttered something under her breath and stalked off in a huff.

“Her name is Gao Yufeng,” Ye Yongzhen explained to Ye Huan. “She works at the farm too, over at Old Wan’s place. If she ever tries to talk to you, ignore her. If she pesters you, tell me, and I’ll slap her silly!”

They lived in the same building—Ye Yongzhen’s family on the second floor, Gao Yufeng’s on the first.

Gao Yufeng had a younger brother named Gao Qianjin, who was serving in the military.

Despite her tall and sturdy build, her brother was thin and short, barely 1.7 meters tall. It was said that if not for the special consideration given by Gao Yufeng’s husband, Li Genmao, Gao Qianjin wouldn’t have been drafted at all.

Lacking both looks and talent, he’d been stuck as a squad leader for nearly three years—a position he only held thanks to Li Genmao’s influence. If he didn’t get promoted again this year, he’d be discharged and sent home next year.

Yet in Gao Yufeng’s eyes, her brother was a dragon among men, perfect in every way. Whenever she saw a pretty girl, she immediately thought of setting her up with him.

No sooner had word spread that Ye Yongzhen had recognized a niece—a particularly beautiful one at that—than Gao Yufeng set her sights on Ye Huan. Without even meeting her, she was already scheming to marry her off to her brother.

Yesterday, on her way home from work, Gao Yufeng ran into Ye Yongzhen and half-jokingly suggested they become in-laws, showering her brother with exaggerated praise.

Despite Gao Yufeng’s glowing descriptions, Ye Yongzhen didn’t believe a word. Having seen Gao Qianjin for herself, she flatly rejected the proposal. To her surprise, after finally meeting Ye Huan in person and confirming her beauty, Gao Yufeng brought up the matter again today.

Marry my Ye Huan to your toad of a brother and send her back to that mountain village to suffer? Ye Yongzhen thought. She’s dreaming!

……

As they reached the corner between the first and second floors, they spotted a little girl, about eight or nine years old, clinging to the staircase. Her hair was tied in two small buns as she peered down from the stairs.

Seeing them return, she whirled around and dashed upstairs, shouting, “Dad! The sister mom was talking about is here!”

“That child,” Ye Yongzhen muttered, “has no manners at all. Doesn’t she know how to greet people properly?”

Ye Huan had heard from her that she had two children: an older son named He Qingsheng, who was twenty years old and had recently been recommended to Worker-Peasant-Soldier University, and a younger daughter named He Qingmei, who was the same age as Ye Mingqiang and attended the farm’s elementary school.

He Shiqiang had already come out to greet her, still cooking with an apron tied around his waist and a spatula in hand.

“Uncle,” Ye Huan called out.

“You’re here! Come in, come in. Xiao Mei, pour your cousin a glass of water with extra sugar,” he said warmly.

As he ushered her inside, the door to the neighboring room opened, and Gu Cheng emerged.

Gu Cheng lived next door to He Shiqiang.

Earlier that morning, He Shiqiang had gone to town to buy a large quantity of groceries. After work, he had been clanging and banging in the kitchen, chopping meat and hacking bones, explaining that Ye Yongzhen’s niece was coming for dinner.

Gu Cheng hadn’t heard that Ye Yongzhen had a niece in the area, but he wasn’t one to pry. When he heard Ye Huan’s voice from inside, he realized the “niece” mentioned was none other than her.

And she had never told him.

Thinking they were at least acquaintances, he figured she’d come out to greet him.

But before he could even decide, his feet had already carried him outside.

“Old Gu, have you eaten yet? If not, come join us,” He Shiqiang offered. “This is your sister-in-law’s niece, Ye Huan. She’s family.”

Assuming Ye Huan didn’t know Gu Cheng, he added, “This is Battalion Commander Gu Cheng, also from Nanzhou.”

As battalion commander and political instructor, Gu Cheng and He Shiqiang were close. The latter had grown used to calling him “Old Gu,” completely oblivious to how old that made him sound—especially since Gu Cheng was only 25, while he was twelve years older.

Ye Huan suppressed a smile. “Commander Gu and I shared a train ride from Nanzhou to the farm,” she said. “I also rode in his car when I came here. Yesterday, he gave me a ride to and from town. We’ve known each other for a while now.”

“That’s wonderful!” Ye Yongzhen exclaimed. “Commander Gu, it’s rare for Old He to cook. Why don’t you come over and try his cooking?”

Gu Cheng had been busy all day and hadn’t eaten yet. Since he was invited, he didn’t hesitate. “Alright, I’ll be over in a bit.”

He turned back into his room, shaved, washed his face, and changed into a clean uniform. Before leaving, he checked himself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

Just as he was about to go, he remembered his mother had packed a lot of food in his duffel bag. He had given some to He Shiqiang and told Fang Hui to take the rest. Fang Hui probably hadn’t taken all of it—there should still be some left.

He dragged the duffel bag out from under the bed, unzipped it, and found it empty.

“Damn brat!” he cursed. “He didn’t even leave me a single piece!”

He kicked the bag back under the bed and went next door.

…….

He Shiqiang and Ye Yongzhen were busy in the kitchen, while Ye Huan played with He Qingmei. She had brought a bag of assorted candies from home, which quickly won the little girl over. Clinging to Ye Huan, she kept calling her “Sister Huanhuan.”

When Gu Cheng arrived, Ye Qingmei was teaching her cat’s cradle. Ye Huan had never played before, but she picked it up instantly, creating patterns faster than her young teacher could follow.

Gu Cheng’s eyes were drawn to Ye Huan’s hands—nimble, quick, weaving and twisting until new shapes emerged. He Qingmei clapped with joy, and Ye Huan’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.

He had never paid attention to these girly games before, but watching her play was oddly fascinating.

He Shiqiang emerged from the kitchen carrying a plate of food and let out a whistle when he saw Gu Cheng. “Whoa, Old Gu! You cleaned up real nice in just a few minutes—even changed your clothes! Looking sharp, buddy! Are you here for dinner or a blind date?”

He Shiqiang, known for his bluntness and casual familiarity with Gu Cheng, hadn’t thought much before speaking.

The words were barely out of his mouth when Ye Yongzhen slapped him from behind. “Commander Gu is a man of refinement, unlike you! You’d come straight from the mud pit, looking like a mud-caked dog, and sit down to eat!”

Normally, He Shiqiang could say whatever he wanted. Since their family had no eligible daughters, his words would be harmless, and no one would give them a second thought. But today was different. Ye Huan was sitting inside, and with both of them unmarried, his remark made the more reserved of the two feel too embarrassed to even sit at the same table.

Besides, what if Gu Cheng misunderstood and thought the invitation to dinner was actually a setup to introduce him to Ye Huan?

After Ye Yongzhen slapped him, He Shiqiang finally realized he’d spoken inappropriately. He set the plate he was holding on the table and slipped back into the kitchen.

Ye Yongzhen pushed the plate of melon seeds toward Gu Cheng, changing the subject. “Help yourself to some melon seeds. I roasted them myself for the New Year.”

Gu Cheng bent down to grab a handful of pumpkin seeds, but he didn’t crack any. He stood stiffly, clenching them in his hand.

Since Gu Cheng lived next door and was alone, He Shiqiang often invited him over for meals.

Though Gu Cheng wasn’t particularly casual, he’d never been this tense before—his entire body was rigid.

It was likely because Ye Huan was present. Although they knew each other, they weren’t close. Moreover, Gu Cheng disliked women who wore perfume—a well-known fact throughout the unit. Once, he even made a female soldier cry for wearing perfume.

Naturally, he felt awkward around Ye Huan.

Ye Yongzhen understood and moved a stool over, deliberately placing it a bit farther from Ye Huan before inviting Gu Cheng to sit. “Commander Gu, please have a seat.”

Gu Cheng sat down, his body still tense.

It was all because of He Shiqiang’s remark. He hadn’t thought much of it at first, but now, it made it seem like he was actually here on a blind date, making him self-conscious around Ye Huan.

He Qingmei nestled into Ye Huan’s arms, peeled a piece of candy, and popped it into her mouth. “Sister, have some candy.”

“Don’t cling to your Sister Huanhuan so much. Let her rest for a bit,” Ye Yongzhen chided gently.

But the little girl clung tighter, wrapping her arms around Ye Huan and pressing herself completely into her embrace. “I love Sister Huanhuan! She smells so nice.”

Already aware of beauty, she tilted her head up and asked curiously, “Sister Huanhuan, what kind of face cream do you use? It smells so good! When I grow up, I’ll ask my mom to buy me some too.”

Their teacher also used face cream, but none of them smelled as good as Sister Huanhuan’s.

Ye Huan fell silent.

She had never actually used snow cream. The fragrances were always too strong for her liking.

Yet people constantly asked her what brand she used. And when she said she didn’t use any, they refused to believe her, assuming she was deliberately hiding it or holding a grudge.

Just as she was struggling to respond, Ye Yongzhen grabbed He Qingmei by the pigtail and yanked her out of Ye Huan’s arms. “You’re still a child! Why are you thinking about snow cream? Go set the table!”

By the time the table was set, He Shiqiang had finished cooking. Ye Huan was about to get up and help carry the dishes when Gu Cheng stood up first. “You stay put. I’ll handle it.”

With his long legs, he strode into the kitchen in just a few steps.

Ye Yongzhen’s apartment was only about sixty square meters, divided into three bedrooms and a kitchen. The kitchen was cramped, and with both Gu Cheng and He Shiqiang being tall men, there was barely any room to move around once they were both inside.

Ye Yongzhen, familiar with Gu Cheng, didn’t stand on ceremony. She pulled Ye Huan down to sit. “Let’s relax while they do the work.”

One dish after another was brought to the table.

He Shiqiang had gone all out today—three meat dishes and three vegetable dishes—even more lavish than what they’d had during the Lunar New Year.

Ye Yongzhen had followed He Shiqiang to this place, over a thousand miles from home, and stayed for over a decade. Apart from their family of four, they had no other relatives nearby. Though she never voiced it, He Shiqiang knew she longed for family, especially during holidays.

Now that Ye Huan had arrived—though technically a cousin’s daughter, she was as good as a niece—Ye Yongzhen was overjoyed. She brought out her precious food ration coupons, including meat coupons she’d been saving, and insisted that He Shiqiang prepare a feast.

Seeing his wife so happy, He Shiqiang naturally put his heart into the meal. He spent over an hour simmering the braised pork until it turned a rich, glossy red and melted in the mouth.

Gu Cheng and He Shiqiang ate with lightning speed, devouring their meals like men on a forced march. Before others had even taken two bites, their bowls were nearly empty.

This was a habit ingrained from their military days, and Ye Yongzhen had long grown used to it. But remembering that Ye Huan might not be, she said, “Just eat at your own pace, Huan. Don’t mind them. Soldiers eat like this—they practically shovel it down in one gulp.”

Gu Cheng paused, realizing he had always eaten this way. He had never thought much of it before, but now, he had to admit—it looked a bit rushed.

He slowed his chopsticks, picking up food with deliberate, refined movements.

He Shiqiang had never seen Gu Cheng eat so politely before, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. “Old Gu, you’re acting…”

He was about to say, “Old Gu, you’re acting strange today,” but Ye Yongzhen discreetly pinched his waist, forcing him to swallow the rest of the sentence.

The less said, the better. Time to eat.

……

After dinner, Ye Huan sat for a while before saying she needed to return to the Zhiqing quarters.

Ye Yongzhen, seeing how dark it was outside, said to He Shiqiang, “Give me the flashlight. I’ll walk Huanhuan back.”

“I’ll go,” Gu Cheng offered.

“How could I let you do that…” Ye Yongzhen protested.

“I happen to have business at the battalion headquarters anyway. It’s on the way,” Gu Cheng replied.

Since it was on the way, Ye Yongzhen didn’t insist further. She and He Shiqiang accompanied Ye Huan downstairs.

…

The door of a first-floor room creaked open. Gao Yufeng peeked out, then slammed the door shut with a huff. “One minute she’s saying her niece is too young to consider marriage, the next she’s cozying up to Commander Gu. What a social climber!”

“Who are you ranting about now?” Li Genmao asked.

“Who else but Ye Yongzhen?” Gao Yufeng snapped. “She just acknowledged that niece of hers. I thought the girl and Qianjin would make a good match, so I suggested it to her. First, she claimed she was just a distant aunt and couldn’t make decisions about the girl’s marriage since she’d just arrived. Then she said her niece was too young to think about marriage.”

“I almost believed her, but the moment my back was turned, she was pairing her niece off with Commander Gu! You should’ve seen how cozy they were getting! Gu is decent enough, but Qianjin isn’t that much worse, is he? Why does she look down on Qianjin?”

Li Genmao was stunned. How could she be so delusional? The two men were worlds apart!

In terms of family background, ability, and appearance, Gao Qianjin couldn’t hold a candle to Gu Cheng in any respect.

Family background: Gu Cheng’s parents and grandparents held high-ranking military positions. Gao Qianjin’s parents, on the other hand, toiled in a remote mountain village, barely making ends meet.

Ability: At just twenty-five, Gu Cheng had already risen to the rank of battalion commander. Gao Qianjin, a year older, was still a mere squad leader. If he didn’t get promoted this year, he’d be discharged and sent home.

Appearance: Need we even mention it? Only his sister, blinded by affection, could see Gao Qianjin as some kind of dragon among men.

In every way, he paled in comparison to Gu Cheng. Anyone with eyes would choose Gu Cheng without hesitation.

Li Genmao felt a headache coming on. How could he deal with a wife who lacked self-awareness? He couldn’t tell her the truth outright—she’d throw a fit.

After all, to Gao Yufeng, her younger brother was a precious treasure. As the only son among six daughters, he was the apple of his parents’ eye. His sisters doted on him too. He was the family’s prized possession, unmatched by anyone!

But to outsiders with clear eyes, he was hardly worth a second glance.

Li Genmao couldn’t bring himself to praise Gao Qianjin against his conscience, so he chose to remain silent.