Chapter 7

“She lives at the east end of the village. Just a few minutes’ walk from the educated youth spot,”

Han Deguang looked at her with that lovestruck expression and thought she must have lost her mind.
“Comrade Qi, are you alright?”

“I… I’m fine, thank you, Captain.”

After saying that, Qi Zhilan went into the house, not daring to chat any further.

Anyway, now that she knew where Shen Yan lived, she would have plenty of time and excuses to visit the Shen household.

Meanwhile, Gu Keting was rummaging through the big freezer in her spatial storage, pulling out some old hens.

She planned to bring two of them out to stew once she got to the city tomorrow.

She also found some seasonings — once cooked together with the chicken, the flavor would be amazing.

Hearing Shen Yan and his mother talking, she quickly slipped out of the space and into the kitchen.

“Where’s my wife?”

As soon as Shen Yan stepped into the courtyard, that was the first thing he asked.

“She’s in the kitchen cooking. Keting’s so hardworking — she made mung bean soup for you early, and it’s already been chilled.”

Mother Shen beamed from ear to ear. Nothing made her happier than seeing her son and daughter-in-law getting along so well.

“You’re back — have a bowl of mung bean soup.”

Smiling, Gu Keting handed Shen Yan a bowl of sweetened, chilled mung bean soup.

“Was it tiring today? Why did you finish work so early?”

Shen Yan took the bowl and drank it in one go. “Tastes great.”

Before, the Shen family also had mung beans, but they only ever made them unsweetened and unchilled.

Gu Keting had made up her mind to make sure Shen Yan ate well and ate enough — after all, doing heavy labor was exhausting.

“We went to pick up the new educated youths this afternoon, so no work in the fields today.”

Once he finished drinking, Shen Yan carried the bowl into the kitchen to wash it.

Hearing “new educated youths” made Gu Keting’s heart give a jolt.

In the book, Qi Zhilan was part of the second batch to arrive in summer.

So the timing lined up exactly.

Gu Keting thought to herself: Ha! That was quick.

“Wife, what are you thinking about?”

When Shen Yan came out after washing the bowl, he saw her sitting there in a daze.

“I was thinking about what to buy in the city tomorrow.”

Gu Keting smiled, took Shen Yan’s hand, and sat him down. “Your clothes are all a bit worn. I want to get you a new one.”

She had actually wanted to say “a few,” but given the Shen family’s circumstances and the era, it was better to say less.

“Alright, buy whatever you want. Don’t worry about the money.”

Shen Yan spoke with a man’s confidence — he could hunt and earn money, and he was sure he could give his wife a good life.

“Good. I’ll take the brigade’s ox cart first thing tomorrow morning.”

Gu Keting gave Shen Yan a gentle smile and went into the kitchen. “I’ll make dinner.”

“I’ll help you.”

…

Dinner was noodles.

Although Gu Keting had been a pampered daughter before entering the book’s world, she had spent several years studying abroad, cooking for herself, so her skills were excellent.

They had already finished the beef from lunch, so she secretly took some mushrooms and greens from her space, chopped them up, and added them in.

Dinner was therefore lighter.

Qi Zhiyun had originally wanted to help cook, but her heart was bothering her, so she slept all afternoon.

She only got up when Shen Long came back.

Once everyone was gathered, Shen Yan and Gu Keting brought out the food.

“Smells amazing! Second sister-in-law, did you make this?”

Shen Ming had been working all afternoon and was starving.

He picked up his bowl and slurped away, nodding as he chewed. “So good.”

Gu Keting was amused by the way he ate. “Slow down, careful it’s hot. When you’re done, have some mung bean soup too.”

“Father, Mother, big brother, sister-in-law, please eat too. It’s lighter tonight without meat, but tomorrow when I go to the city, I’ll buy more meat and make you a stewed old hen, Shen Ming, so you can have chicken soup.”

She knew Shen Ming was still young and needed good nutrition to grow, so she deliberately said it like that — no one could refuse the idea of buying meat then.

“Thanks, second sister-in-law.”

Shen Ming grinned until his eyes squinted.

Mother Shen smiled.

“Keting, you’ve just married into the family and you’re already spoiling him. Don’t always spend money buying things for the family — once you have children, there’ll be plenty of expenses.”

“Mother, I know how to make soap and brew wine. Before getting married, I often made them to sell to neighbors and factories, so there’s no need to worry about money. Tomorrow I’ll bring some of the soap and wine I made before and sell them.”

Gu Keting had already thought up this excuse while cooking.

If the Shen family asked where the money came from, she would just say this.

Shen Yan frowned slightly, about to say something, but Gu Keting shot him a look.

He pressed his lips together — fine, he’d wait until they were in bed to talk about it.

Mother Shen saw the little exchange between them and just smiled, saying nothing more.

After taking her medicine and sleeping all afternoon, Qi Zhiyun said with a smile,

“Keting, that medicine you gave me really works. I feel so much better now, and my heart isn’t bothering me as much.”

“Really?”

Shen Long’s biggest worry was his wife’s heart condition. They had seen many Chinese and Western doctors, but nothing worked.

“As long as it works, big sister-in-law, keep taking it.”

Gu Keting smiled at the couple.

How could the medicine not work? It was imported and cost tens of thousands per small bottle.

“Thank you, younger sister-in-law. But the money for this medicine…”

Shen Long knew their current circumstances were nothing like when they were in the army.

Their pockets were as empty as their faces.

“Come on, we’re family. Just make me a few sets of clothes when I bring back some fabric tomorrow.”

Today, Gu Keting had looked through the original host’s clothes — not a single one without patches, all worn and shabby.

From the original host’s memories of her time with the Gu family, she knew life had been hard.

So she planned to make a scene at the Gu house in the future and get back the 1,000 yuan they had swindled from Shen Yan.

When Grandma Gu saved someone back then, it wasn’t so the Gu family could use it to hold them hostage with gratitude.

She could understand the current stepmother caring more about her own children, but demanding 1,000 yuan was far too much.

“Keting, are you going back to your family’s house tomorrow to get the soap and wine?”

Qi Zhiyun still felt embarrassed after taking her medicine.

She thought of going with her to the city to help sell things.

“No, big sister-in-law, I made them with a close friend, and they’re stored at her house. Those grains and meat from yesterday were from her too.”

Gu Keting lied without blinking.

She had no choice but to invent a close friend — otherwise, how could she openly buy things and earn money?

Qi Zhiyun said, “Then I’ll go with you tomorrow morning.”

“Big sister-in-law, your health isn’t good. Don’t run around. I’ll be back quickly after selling the things. Once you’re recovered, we’ll go to the supply and marketing cooperative together every day.”

Smiling, Gu Keting refused. How could she let someone follow her? Wouldn’t that give her away?

“Alright then.”

Hearing that, Qi Zhiyun could only nod helplessly.

“Second daughter-in-law, let Shen Yan go with you tomorrow. Two young women wandering around the city alone isn’t safe.”

Father Shen, who had been a commander before being sent down, had always taken safety very seriously.

Shen Yan put down his chopsticks, squeezed his wife’s small hand, and said, “Dad, I’ll take her to the city tomorrow.”