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Chapter 19
Jiang Nian hadn’t had time to look when Lu Yu quickly turned around, showing his back to her.
Jiang Nian also reacted, and before closing the window, she quickly said, “I didn’t mean to.”
A “bang” sound was heard in the quiet courtyard.
Lu Yu exhaled, his hand gripping the towel tightly. He turned to look at the now-closed window, wiped his face with his wet hand, and sighed.
He hadn’t expected Jiang Nian to open the window. He had planned to wash his head while she was bathing.
Lu Yu tossed the towel into the basin and fetched another basin of water before returning to his room.
Jiang Nian sat on the edge of her bed, patting her face. Thinking about the scene she just witnessed, she felt she was losing her mind.
She had shamelessly wanted to feast her eyes.
She patted her face again and then began her bath. After washing, she felt much more refreshed. She changed into a vest, opened the window and lay on her bed without calling Lu Yu to pour out the bathwater.
She figured that not only was she embarrassed, but Lu Yu must be as well.
After what had just happened, Jiang Nian forgot her earlier doubts and unhappiness. She fell asleep shortly after lying down. The next morning, she was awakened by the sound of the bugle call and footsteps outside. Jiang Nian got dressed and opened the door to find Lu Yu setting breakfast on the table in the yard.
Ignoring the awkwardness from the previous night, Lu Yu said, “Breakfast is ready.”
Since he didn’t bring it up, Jiang Nian didn’t either.
She nodded lightly. “Mm.”
Jiang Nian went to the well to wash her face while Lu Yu went to her room, emptied the bathwater, and put the basin in the second room on the east side.
For breakfast, Lu Yu had made a vegetable stir-fry and porridge.
Jiang Nian ate a small bowl of porridge and a steamed bun, then washed the dishes in the kitchen. She peeled a chocolate candy and enjoyed it while sitting leisurely on a small bench in the courtyard, fanning herself.
Over the next ten days, Jiang Nian’s head injury completely healed.
Lu Yu took time each noon to plant vegetables in the private plot, finishing in a few days.
Jiang Nian borrowed a hoe from Feng Mei and started plowing the soil in a large corner of the courtyard’s west side. She had never done such work before, and soon her palms hurt. She looked at her red palms and felt disheartened.
“What are you doing plowing the ground?”
Lu Yu’s sudden voice startled Jiang Nian.
She shook her hands and said softly, “I want to plant some vegetables in the yard.”
Then she noticed Lu Yu was holding a watermelon. Jiang Nian was taken aback and instinctively swallowed. She hadn’t had watermelon since arriving here and had been craving it.
Seeing Jiang Nian’s gaze lingering on the watermelon, Lu Yu smiled slightly and said, “I’ll cut the watermelon. Sister-in-law, come have some.”
“Okay.”
Jiang Nian readily agreed, putting the hoe against the wall. She washed her hands and sat at the table, waiting for Lu Yu to cut the watermelon. The sweet juice satisfied her taste buds, though the watermelon wasn’t chilled, lacking that refreshing coolness.
Lu Yu ate two slices before going to the west wall with the hoe to plow the soil. Remembering seeing his sister-in-law standing there before, he casually asked, “Sister-in-law, have you been planning to plant vegetables here for a while?”
Jiang Nian, eating another slice of watermelon, nodded. “Mm.”
She ate four slices in one go before feeling full.
Lu Yu worked quickly, plowing over most of the land in no time. The courtyard was only about three units of land, and Jiang Nian planned to use one for vegetables, leaving plenty of space.
After cleaning up the watermelon rinds and wiping the table, Jiang Nian, noticing Lu Yu had returned early, curiously asked, “Why are you back so early today?”
Lu Yu’s movements paused for a moment before he continued working. “Sister-in-law, I have to go out in three days and won’t be back for about two months.”
Jiang Nian froze, her delicate eyebrows furrowing slightly.
She remembered the book mentioning that the male lead hadn’t gone out before being promoted. The author’s detailed description of the male lead’s deeds made her remember clearly, though the female lead’s matters were briefly mentioned.
She couldn’t have remembered the plot wrong.
However, Jiang Nian thought about how the plot had already deviated since the male lead saved the original owner, so she didn’t dwell on it. She simply said to Lu Yu, “Okay.”
After Lu Yu finished plowing the soil, he ate three more slices of watermelon. While washing his face by the well, he said to Jiang Nian, “Before I leave, I want to invite a few comrades over for a meal.”
He looked up, water dripping from his well-defined face down to his neck, and glanced at Jiang Nian. His dark eyes held a hint of a probing question. “There will be quite a few people that day. Would you mind, sister-in-law?”
He was still worried that she might feel uneasy or intimidated by the crowd.
Jiang Nian raised her head and looked at Lu Yu. After a long time, she smiled at him again, “I don’t mind.”
Her smile was beautiful, with fair skin, arched brows, and twin braids. It was a subtle smile, her eyes bright, like sunlight gathered in her radiant gaze.
This was the first time Lu Yu had seen such a smile on Jiang Nian’s face. It was different from the one on the day of the incident, yet even more captivating.
Lu Yu quickly snapped out of it, lowered his head, and splashed water on his face.
Lu Yu planned to leave in three days, so he informed his comrades about the meal the day before his departure. He invited Commander Song’s family, Captain Liu’s family, and Captain Lu’s family since they were all part of the same unit. Additionally, he invited He Yong and Kang Xiu’s family. He Yong had served under him for three years.
Early in the morning, Lu Yu went to the team while Jiang Nian planned to visit the food and vegetable stations. She took some money and tickets from a tin box, counted out ten yuan, and put the rest back, hiding the box again.
Xu Yan leaned over the wall, seeing Jiang Nian about to leave, and curiously asked, “Where are you going?”
Jiang Nian was startled and looked around before seeing Xu Yan’s head peeking over the wall.
Jiang Nian: …
This reminded her of the day she first arrived at the base when she was caught by Lu Yu peering over the wall.
She smiled, “I’m going to the food station to buy some things.”
Xu Yan thought of what Liu Qiang had told her when he left in the morning, asking her to go to Deputy Commander Lu’s house to help out at noon, and that they would have lunch there. She was wondering about this, and was planning to ask Jiang Nian over the wall. When she heard that she was going to the food station, she said, “Wait a minute, I’ll go with you.”
She jumped down from a wooden stool, and when Jiang Nian walked out of the yard, Xu Yan also emerged.
Jiang Nian hesitated, “If you come with me, what about your two children?”
Xu Yan laughed, “The eldest is grown up and can look after the younger one. They won’t run around.”
Over the past ten days, Xu Yan had grown very close to Jiang Nian, sharing everything with her, especially since Jiang Nian had given her advice that made her feel less troubled.
On the way to the food station, Xu Yan looked much better than before. She wore a bright yellow floral blouse, brown pants, cloth shoes, and had her hair in two braids, just like when she first married Liu Qiang.
Xu Yan, already fairer than Zheng Hong, now had rosy cheeks from the sun and a smile on her face.
The military wives passing by couldn’t help but be stunned when they saw Xu Yan. It was not until they were far away that they whispered to each other: “Was that Xu Yan just now?”
Another wife replied, “It seemed like her, but she looks different.”
“She does look different. She used to always look so sour, like someone owed her money, always arguing with Captain Liu, louder than a man.”
One of them then realized, “We haven’t heard any fights from Captain Liu’s house for over half a month, right?”
The other nodded, “You’re right.”
Seeing the increased cheer on Xu Yan’s face, Jiang Nian remembered encountering her with Feng Mei on the road, Xu Yan had been sullen and cold.
Jiang Nian asked, “How have things been these days?”
Xu Yan’s face brightened, “I took your advice, went to the supply and marketing cooperative, and bought a bottle of Snow Cream. I’ve been dressing up nicely every day, cooking, and working, keeping myself pretty. I treat Liu Qiang as if he doesn’t matter and avoid arguing with him. When he talks, I barely respond.”
She paused and chuckled, “You know, he’s been sleeping with our son most nights but recently has been lying beside me every night, trying to talk to me, but I just ignore him.”
Jiang Nian thought Xu Yan must have been deeply hurt to make such a decision. Without determination, any advice would have been pointless.
Worried Xu Yan might soften at Liu Qiang’s words, Jiang Nian added, “Don’t go soft. If you do, he’ll just take advantage of you.”
Xu Yan nodded firmly, “Yes.”
At the food station, Jiang Nian bought a fish, three jin of lean meat, and two jin of fatty meat. Lean meat was cheaper than fatty meat at the time. They happened to catch the shopkeeper after slaughtering a pig, and seeing the fresh pig blood, Jiang Nian asked, “Is the pig blood for sale?”
Pig blood, when prepared right, could make several dishes and had a detoxifying effect. Her grandfather loved it, often having her father cook it.
The shopkeeper, surprised that someone wanted the blood, said, “It’s for sale. How much do you want?”
Jiang Nian replied, “I’ll take two jin.”
Xu Yan tugged her sleeve, whispering, “Why buy something so bloody?”
Jiang Nian smiled, “To eat, of course. You’ll see when I cook it.”
Leaving the food station, they went to the vegetable station to buy vegetables and seasonings. Passing by the supply and marketing cooperative, Jiang Nian hesitated and then bought half a jin of white liquor for cooking.
This was Lu Yu’s first time inviting comrades over for a meal. As Lu Yu’s sister-in-law and household representative, Jiang Nian felt it was essential to prepare a rich, delicious lunch, ensuring she didn’t embarrass him.
The two women carried their fully loaded bags home and placed their purchases in the kitchen. Exhausted, they sat on small stools in the yard. Xu Yan fanned herself with her hand and said, “It’s really hot today.”
“I’ll go home and tell my kids, and then I’ll come back to help you with the cooking,” Xu Yan said as she stood up and left.
Jiang Nian nodded, “Okay.”
After Xu Yan left, Jiang Nian went back into the house and returned the remaining money and tickets to the tin box. They had spent eleven yuan on the groceries. She had taken out thirty yuan when she was hospitalized, and now they had eighty-nine yuan left. This was all the money she and Lu Yu had.
If the money Lu Yu had sent home hadn’t been taken by her family, they could have saved a thousand yuan over the past four years. Lu Yu never brought this up, but that didn’t mean she had forgotten. Previously, she only thought about returning to her time and didn’t want to deal with the matters here. But now, things are different.
She was determined to reclaim everything her family had taken from her over the years.
Since they were expecting many guests for lunch, they needed to start preparations early.
Xu Yan returned to help, and Jiang Nian started by chopping and marinating the meat. She also processed the pig’s blood while Xu Yan cleaned and scaled the fish in the yard. Suddenly, they heard Feng Mei’s voice from outside.
“Oh my, if I had known, I would have come back from my parents’ place a few days earlier so I could help you.”
As soon as Feng Mei entered, she rolled up her sleeves and joined them in the kitchen. “I brought some pickled vegetables from my mother’s place. They are really delicious.”
She had just gotten home when her eldest son, Song Xiangdong, told her that Uncle Lu had invited them over for lunch, so she hurried over to help.
Jiang Nian, while cutting tofu and putting it in a bowl, said, “Thank you, Sister Feng.”
Xu Yan, sitting by the stove peeling garlic, joked, “Sister Feng is partial, bringing pickled vegetables only for Jiang Nian and not for me.”
Feng Mei laughed and said to her, “Alright,alright, I’ll bring some for you later.
With most of the preparations done, Lu Yu returned home.
He had come back early, intending to help his sister-in-law with the lunch preparations. As he entered the yard, he heard three women chatting in the kitchen. Jiang Nian’s voice stood out, clear and sweet, filled with a light-heartedness he had never heard before.
Standing by the well, Lu Yu watched through the window as Jiang Nian spoke with Sister Feng. The kitchen was hot, and her cheeks were slightly sweaty, her bangs sticking to her temples. Her face was a rosy pink, and her smile curved her eyes into charming crescents. Whatever Sister Feng had said made Jiang Nian laugh openly, showing her white teeth.
It was the first time Lu Yu had seen his sister-in-law so relaxed and genuinely happy.
“Deputy Commander Lu is back!”
Xu Yan, who was stoking the fire, turned and saw Lu Yu by the well.
Jiang Nian, hearing this, looked up and saw Lu Yu washing his hands. He came into the kitchen, intending to help, but sister Feng waved him off, “We’ve got it under control here. No need for you to step in.”
Besides, having a man around would make their conversation less free. Sister Feng was still interested in hearing more about Xu Yan and Liu Qiang’s recent days, admiring Jiang Nian’s idea that had seemingly worked wonders on Xu Yan’s husband. She even thought about trying it on her own husband someday.
Since Lu Yu was not needed in the kitchen, he went to the homes of Commander Song and Captain Liu to borrow benches and tables. Feeling that was not enough, he went to the other neighbor’s home to borrow another table and two long wooden benches.
Once the ingredients were ready, Jiang Nian began cooking. She rendered the fat first, filling the kitchen with a delicious aroma that made Sister Feng’s mouth water. She looked at the neatly arranged ingredients on the counter and exclaimed, “Jiang Nian, you’re really good at this. The colors alone are mouth-watering, let alone the taste.”
Xu Yan, sniffing the fragrant cooking, agreed, “It smells wonderful.”
Jiang Nian smiled modestly.
As lunchtime approached, the dishes were finally ready. Since there weren’t enough plates, Sister Feng and Xu Yan went home to fetch more. Jiang Nian had prepared several meat and vegetable dishes, braised fish, stir-fried pork intestines with peppers, twice-cooked pork, large plate chicken instead of spicy chicken for the children, and a large bowl of spicy blood stew. The rich aroma filled the air, making everyone’s mouth water.
“My goodness, I’ve never seen such a feast in my life!” exclaimed Sister Feng, eyeing the spicy blood stew, amazed at how Jiang Nian had turned pig’s blood into something so mouth watering. Xu Yan, equally astonished, confessed that they had never eaten pig’s blood before, only receiving a small share of meat during the village’s annual pig slaughter.
In the yard, three tables were set up. One for men, one for women, and one for children. Jiang Nian divided the dishes, and Sister Feng and Xu Yan served them. Sister Feng’s and Xu Yan’s children arrived, drawn by the delicious smell, eagerly playing in the yard, waiting for the meal.
“Deputy Commander Lu’s sister-in-law made something that smells amazing from far away.”
“Indeed, it’s making me hungry.”
Commander Song and Captain Liu arrived, followed by Zhu Jun, Captain Lu, and He Yong with his family. He Yong’s family included a daughter named He Hua, who was seven, and a son, He Shu, who had just turned six. As soon as Kang Xiu, He Yong’s wife, came in she went to find Feng Mei and asked He Hua to take He Shu out to play.
He Shu left He Hua’s hand to play with the other boys. He Hua, the only girl among the boys, stood by the tree, watching them play. Jiang Nian noticed her and gave her a smile, which He Hua shyly returned.
Jiang Nian also smiled and looked at Kang Xiu who was trying to find topics to talk to Feng Mei. Jiang Nian remembered Kang Xiu from her first visit to the base. Kang Xiu had made fun of her and Lu Yu back then. Now, she left her daughter alone, and Jiang Nian didn’t really have a good impression of her.
Lu Yu invited Commander Song and the others to sit down. Commander Song, seeing the abundance of food on the table, was astonished. “My goodness, such a feast!”
The table was laden with fish and meat, and everyone felt a pang thinking about how much this meal must have cost. Lu Yu’s sister-in-law was indeed generous.
Jiang Nian noticed Captain Liu and Capptain Lu sat separately, with He Yong and Zhu Jun in between, along with two other captains. Everyone who should have been here had arrived, except for Zheng Hong.
Jiang Nian went to the kitchen to fetch extra chopsticks and turned to see Lu Yu entering the kitchen. She asked, “Why aren’t you eating?”
Lu Yu, noticing Jiang Nian’s slightly flushed cheeks from the heat, took the chopsticks from her hands. “You’ve been busy all morning. Go and eat first. I’ll take the chopsticks.”
The kitchen felt even smaller with Lu Yu standing there. His height and build made the space seem cramped. Jiang Nian coughed lightly and lowered her head, speaking softly, “Okay.”
Seeing her revert to her usual reserved self, so different from the relaxed demeanor she had around Sister Feng, Lu Yu tightened his grip on the chopsticks. “Sister-in-law, you can be yourself around me, just like you are with Sister Feng. We’re family.”
Jiang Nian was momentarily taken aback. Lu Yu was only two steps away, and she had to look up to meet his gaze. Seeing the concern in his dark eyes and the slight furrow of his brows, she nodded lightly and smiled, “Got it.”
Lu Yu was briefly captivated by her smile. Feng Mei’s voice called from outside the kitchen, “Deputy Commander Lu, why aren’t you eating?”
She glanced around the kitchen, not seeing Jiang Nian until Lu Yu turned and Jiang Nian’s head peeked out. “Sister Feng, I was getting the chopsticks.”
Feng Mei was momentarily speechless. Lu Yu’s tall frame had completely obscured Jiang Nian from view.
In the yard, the three tables had their own dynamics. The men discussed military affairs, the children noisily competed for food, while the women’s table was quieter, with only Feng Mei and Xu Yan chatting. Kang Xiu occasionally joined in, but the others ate silently.
Kang Xiu glanced at Jiang Nian, noticing that she looked even better than when they first met. Back then, Jiang Nian was skinny and silent, but now she occasionally smiled, her fair skin glowing. Kang Xiu felt a twinge of envy. Why should a widow look so good?
During the meal, Feng Mei brought up Commander Song’s family, mentioning his second uncle’s youngest son, Song Bai, who was about the same age as Deputy Commander Lu and still unmarried. She thought pairing Jiang Nian with Song Bai might be a good idea. Jiang Nian was beautiful, kind, and capable, without any children of her own.
She called over to Commander Song, “Hey, Old Song, how’s Song Bai doing?”
Commander Song, discussing tomorrow’s plans with Lu Yu, replied impatiently, “The same as always!”
Feng Mei continued, “What if I find a match for Song Bai? Would you consider it?”
Commander Song looked over, and Feng Mei patted Jiang Nian’s shoulder, smiling. “What do you think of Deputy Commander Lu’s sister-in-law?”
For a moment, the table fell into an awkward silence.
***
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I don’t think her brother-in-law will allow that~