Chapter 39.1

Guan Yue rarely took the initiative to speak when they went to visit the relatives and friends of the Gu family. She mostly stood next to Gu Sui, blending into the background.

Gu Jingde and Zhang Limin introduced her to others, saying that Guan Yue was Gu Sui’s partner and had brought her along so everyone could meet her. They mentioned that, in the future, they should interact more when the opportunity arose.

If anyone asked about Guan Yue’s family, they were told that both she and Gu Sui worked at the same institution, a sanatorium.

Upon hearing this, everyone thought that the second son of the Gu family had chosen a good partner—good-looking and with a good job. They casually complimented her, and then the conversation quickly shifted to Gu Ci.

Gu Ci was young but already a Colonel, and his future prospects were limitless. Many people wanted to introduce a partner to him. Some of the more thick-skinned ones even called their nieces over on the spot to set up a potential match.

Among the relatives who left, several were doctors. After asking about Gu Ci, they turned their attention to Gu Sui. They learned that Gu Sui had gone to the southwest to work as an Educated Youth, but unexpectedly, he had now become a doctor. This was clearly a sign of his ability! It was a pity, though, that he had brought his partner along. Otherwise, they could have introduced someone to him.

Guan Yue privately joked about Gu Sui, saying that he wasn’t as popular as Gu Ci, and that being in a relationship with her had lowered his status considerably.

Gu Sui smiled and pulled her into a secluded corner by the wall, where he kissed her deeply.

On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth month, the last family they visited was the one belonging to Uncle Bai, who had brought up the topic of visiting several times. This Uncle Bai was different from the other relatives—they hadn’t spoken much with Gu Ci and his brother, but had been talking happily with Guan Yue.

Bai Hongwei said: “Do you know Fang Lin? He’s my cousin’s son. He came by to wish us a Happy New Year a few days ago. When I told him Gu Sui would be coming today, he said for sure you’d be here.”

Guan Yue responded: “Fang Lin? I haven’t seen him in months.”

Bai Hongwei laughed heartily. “He’s been thinking about you. He even said he’s busy with something big lately, but once the New Year’s holiday is over, he’s going to Qingxi Village.”

Guan Yue was surprised. “You know about Qingxi Village?”

Bai Hongwei answered: “How could I not know? I work at the same institution. Your name is well-known within our circle.”

Zhang Limin, curious, asked: “What were you two talking about?”

Bai Hongwei smiled and said: “We were talking about how Guan Yue’s medical skills are exceptional. After the New Year, their medical school is reopening. She might even end up in the newspaper. I heard that Guan Yue is the principal.”

Gu Jingde was astonished. “Guan Yue is the principal?”

Guan Yue shrugged it off, saying: “It’s nothing much, just a nominal title.”

“No matter if it’s just a nominal title, she’s still the principal!” Zhang Limin exclaimed excitedly.

Bai Hongwei turned to Gu Sui and said: “When you asked me for help with the Zhang family matter back then, I was still a bit hesitant. But now it seems that I made the right decision. When you two get married, you must invite me to the wedding. After all, I’ve witnessed your relationship, haven’t I?”

Gu Sui understood what Bai Hongwei meant, and both Guan Yue and Gu Ci had some idea about it, but Gu Jingde and Zhang Limin were completely confused.

Gu Sui smiled faintly. “When the time comes, we’ll definitely invite Uncle Bai for a drink.”

Bai Hongwei laughed heartily, saying he had already prepared the red envelope for them.

Bai Hongwei’s house also had three rooms and a living room, with seven people living there. When the Gu family arrived, it felt a bit cramped. After having lunch, they decided to leave and return home.

On the way back, Gu Jingde asked what the matter with the Zhang family was.

Gu Jingde asked: “Is it about Zhang Lu? When we were on our way back, we heard that their whole family had gotten into trouble and was sent to labor reform.”

Gu Ci replied: “I’m not too clear about it, you can ask Gu Sui.”

What could Gu Sui say? He couldn’t exactly tell them that Zhang Lu had caused trouble for Guan Yue because she liked him and that he had to pressure the Zhang family through Uncle Bai. He could only say that Zhang Lu had created problems for him before getting arrested, and Uncle Bai had helped him deal with it.

Gu Jingde didn’t believe this explanation and wanted to ask further, but Zhang Limin interrupted: “It’s all in the past now. What’s the point in asking about it?”

Zhang Limin then said: “Tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve. Guan Yue, Gu Sui, you two should stay home tomorrow night, alright? Gu Sui, you can squeeze in with your brother.”

Gu Sui glanced at Guan Yue, and she nodded in agreement.

Gu Sui responded: “Alright, we’ll stay at home on New Year’s Eve.”

Zhang Limin smiled and said: “Then come over early tomorrow, we’ll start preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner after lunch.”

Gu Ci, with a nonchalant attitude, said: “Mom, are you planning to make a feast? There are only a few of us, how much can we eat?”

Zhang Limin gave him a glare. “You’re saying that now, but once the time comes, you’ll be complaining there isn’t enough food.”

Gu Sui grinned. “Is there anything missing for the meal? If so, Guan Yue and I can bring it.”

Zhang Limin replied: “In the north during winter, every household has cabbage, potatoes, and radishes. There’s nothing particularly fresh.”

Gu Ci said: “Of course there are, I heard from Wang Ze that there are people selling bean sprouts, garlic shoots, and leafy greens on the black market. They’re grown secretly in greenhouses.”

Zhang Limin dismissed it: “Enough with that. I can’t afford those vegetables. During the New Year, even if someone is selling them, a handful of greens can cost as much as meat.”

Guan Yue replied: “As for greens, I know someone who grows them himself and sells them. We can go buy some from him tomorrow; the price won’t be too high.”

Gu Ci raised an eyebrow. “You’ve only been back for a few days, how do you know someone like that?”

Gu Sui glanced at his brother. “Otherwise, what do you think those vegetables you ate a few days ago came from?”

Gu Jingde, trying to sound wise, said: “As long as the family is together, it doesn’t matter what we eat. Just don’t risk everything for a meal.”

Gu Sui replied calmly: “Don’t worry, Dad. I know what I’m doing.”

At this point, it was around 2 p.m., and Gu Sui took Guan Yue back to the courtyard. “Mom, we won’t be coming back for dinner tonight.”

“Alright then, it looks like it’s going to snow tonight, so you two are probably too lazy to go back. Just come over early tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

Gu Ci and his parents returned home. As soon as they entered, Gu Jingde said: “Why didn’t you let me ask about that earlier?”

Zhang Limin huffed: “You don’t know which girl from the Zhang family likes Gu Sui? Old Bai already said it, so it must have been Zhang Lu who caused trouble for Guan Yue, and Gu Sui had no choice but to ask Old Bai for help.”

Gu Ci added: “I don’t know anything about Qingxi Village, but when we were in Qingchuan City, Zhang Lu tried to use her family’s connections to harm Guan Yue, but in the end, she was stopped by chance.”

Gu Jingde, being a big man who was always busy with work, had never really cared about which girl liked his son.

Zhang Limin said: “Let’s not bring this up again. It’s upsetting to think about.”

“Mm.”

As Gu Sui’s mom had predicted, before evening, snow began to fall again. Gu Sui and Guan Yue sat inside, enjoying a hot pot with fresh, vibrant vegetables spread out on the table.

The charcoal beneath the hot pot was still burning, sending out the fragrant steam of beef broth. Guan Yue, having eaten her fill, leaned back in her chair and looked out the window. “The snow is getting heavier.”

“Mm.”

Guan Yue remarked: “It’ll probably be really cold tonight.”

“Probably.”

Guan Yue stood up, moved to the opposite side, and squeezed in next to him. “Where are you sleeping tonight?”

Gu Sui replied: “I’ll sleep in the east wing.”

Guan Yue huffed: “So boring.”

Gu Sui couldn’t help but feel something was off. For the past few days, she seemed to be trying to tease him. 

She wanted to tease him but wasn’t taking responsibility for it. He couldn’t quite find the right words to describe her.

Guan Yue sat back down in her chair and immediately changed her expression. “You’ll wash the dishes later.”

Gu Sui replied: “When have I not washed them?”

Guan Yue chuckled: “Tonight, since you’ll be sleeping in the main room, you don’t have to wash them.”

“Then I’ll wash them tomorrow morning.”

“Wow, you’re so smart.”

Gu Sui snorted lightly. “Stop with the useless chatter. You have to promise me first, we’ll go get the marriage certificate tomorrow. Once we’ve gotten it, you can sleep on top of me if you want.”

Guan Yue’s face turned red. “But tomorrow, I don’t have to work.”

Gu Sui stood up and started clearing the table. “Then keep quiet.”

Guan Yue thought to herself, *I’ve messed up, I’ve messed up! What was I teasing him for? This man is becoming less cooperative, getting angry after just a few words.*

A while later, Gu Sui finished cleaning the kitchen and brought a basin of hot water inside. “Come over and wash your face.”

“Okay.”

Guan Yue climbed out of bed, and Gu Sui handed her a cloth. “Remember to take these cloths with us when we leave.”

The cloths she pulled out couldn’t be produced with today’s manufacturing processes. These things needed to be carefully kept, or they could get lost.

“Mm, I remember. Tomorrow morning, should we bring the vegetables back with us? What about the meat? I still have a lot of meat here.”

Gu Sui said: “Don’t take the beef, but you can take some lamb.”

“What about the vegetables?”

“Just make some home-style dishes, but make more. After the New Year, when we go back, Dad and Mom can still have more to eat.”

“Then we should take some vegetables that are easy to store, like yam and taro.”

“Do whatever you think is best.”

After Guan Yue washed her face and feet, Gu Sui took the basin of water outside. Guan Yue walked him to the door, stood on tiptoe, and kissed his cheek before closing the door with a loud *bang*.

Gu Sui smiled and walked off, carrying the foot basin.

The snow had fallen all night, and the cold wind howled outside, but inside the house, it was warm like spring. When Guan Yue opened the door the next morning, the massive temperature difference between the inside and outside was so stark that she almost turned around and went back inside.

It was just too cold. Even with her abilities, she couldn’t handle this kind of cold weather.

Gu Sui laughed and said: “Don’t wear a coat, go change into a down jacket.”

Guan Yue grumbled: “My down jackets are all so eye-catching. I can’t wear them out.”

She went back into the room and rummaged through her space for a long time, eventually finding a box of down vest jackets. They were very warm when worn under a coat.

Guan Yue not only wore one herself but also gave one to Gu Sui. She casually grabbed five vests and decided to take them to Gu Sui’s parents later.

Gu Sui said: “Two are enough. The rest would stand out too much.”

“The extra ones can be given to others!”

Gu Sui replied: “These are for personal use. It wouldn’t be right to give them away.”

Since they had returned, Gu Sui had noticed that the atmosphere in the city wasn’t as tense as it had been in previous years, but there were still things to be cautious about.

Guan Yue listened to him and put the other three back.

“It’s getting late, we should hurry up.”

They had a lot of vegetables and meat to deliver that day, and carrying them by hand was inconvenient. Guan Yue grabbed a basket and put it on Gu Sui’s back.

Since they were already using a basket, they decided to add a little more. She packed ten pounds of sticky rice for strengthening the body.

Gu Sui had touched her hand and asked: “Where are your gloves?”

“I don’t want to wear them.”

“Then put your hands in your pockets.”

“Mm.” Guan Yue turned her head and smiled at him.

Gu Sui also smiled, patted her braid, and helped her adjust her scarf. “Let’s go.”

Gu Sui carried a large basket of things back, and Gu Ci opened the door for them. “Oh, you really bought all of this?”

Guan Yue said: “Quick, put the basket down.”

After Gu Sui set the basket down, Gu Ci began taking things out of it: “Millet, vests, lamb, celery, garlic sprouts, yam, sweet potatoes…”

Zhang Limin and Gu Jingde both looked over. “Why did you buy so much stuff?”

Gu Ci replied: “We had extra money.”

Gu Sui casually said: “We had money and coupons left over, and they’d expire anyway. Might as well use them now.”

Zhang Limin remarked: “You really don’t know how to manage your money. You two are living easy now, but when you have kids in the future, expenses will be higher. Shouldn’t you save a little for later?”

Gu Jingde also said: “Your mother and I don’t lack money. Just take care of yourselves.”

Gu Ci said: “If you give it, just take it. Don’t lecture them. When the time comes, just think of Gu Sui as a son-in-law. Guan Yue has everything, and raising Gu Sui and the kids will be easy for her. Guan Yue is generous.”

Zhang Limin laughed and gave Gu Ci a playful slap. “What kind of talk is that?”

Gu Sui glanced at Guan Yue, who smiled with her eyes narrowed.

Gu Sui thought: The little girl was indeed very generous with his parents.

Gu Jingde then said: “We won’t finish all these vegetables. Should we send some to your Uncle Bai?”

“Guan Yue, what do you think?”

Guan Yue said: “Send it, we can always go buy more.”

“Buy more?” That meant there was no need to be so stingy. They sent garlic sprouts and greens to a few families they were close with.

Gu Ci also grabbed a handful and sent it to Wang Ze’s house.