For Jiang Yi, the idea of marriage had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Now, seeing the two of them getting along harmoniously, he felt considerably more at ease. Still, he couldn’t help but glance at Mu Jinyue a few more times. She seemed like such a smart person—how had she ended up in her current situation?

Unaware of the man’s thoughts, Mu Jinyue was busy chatting with mother Jiang, Zhang Yulan. However, the amount of energy she had transferred was too little, and after just a few sentences, Zhang Yulan’s legs began to ache again. Feeling weak all over, she shooed the newlywed couple out of the room.

Mu Jinyue naturally complied quietly and followed Jiang Yi out.

Jiang Yi led her directly into the room opposite. This one was much smaller than his mother’s. As soon as she stepped inside, her eyes landed on a large wardrobe pressed against the opposite wall. To the right, another set of cabinets lined the wall, though these only reached her waist in height. On top of them sat two large wooden chests, stacked so high they nearly matched her own height.

Looking to the left, she saw a double bed placed by the window, with a bedside table at its foot and a small square table on the mattress. Near the door on the left was a washstand holding a basin and a towel hanging beside it. Beyond these, the room held no other furniture. Though small, it had everything one might need.

After ushering her inside, Jiang Yi said, “If there’s nothing else to do this afternoon, you should rest. My mother will call if she needs anything. I have some business to take care of and will be heading out.”

“Alright.”

Mu Jinyue was indeed exhausted and in need of proper rest. Only after he left did she walk over to the bed and sit down. The sheets were made of blue-checkered fabric, the most common type in this era, and the bedding was spotless. Given the Jiang family’s current circumstances, she guessed it was Jiang Yi who did the laundry. She was pleased to have a tidy roommate.

Though tired, she felt too embarrassed to lie down and sleep immediately. Besides, she was worried she might not hear if mother Jiang called for her. So she decided to rest her head on the small table and take a short nap.

Unexpectedly, she ended up falling asleep. By the time she woke up, it was nearly evening. Her neck was stiff, her shoulders ached, and her mind was still foggy. She quickly got up, stretched, and moved around until she felt more awake and comfortable. Then her thoughts turned to practical matters—it was almost dinnertime, so she should probably start cooking. But the house only had two rooms. Where was the kitchen?

With only herself and mother Jiang at home, she’d have to ask. She stepped out of the room and walked to Zhang Yulan’s door, raising her hand to knock—just as the front door opened. Jiang Yi had returned.

Mu Jinyue looked at him and began to explain, “I was just—”

Before she could finish, he cut in, “Let’s eat.”

“…Alright.”

Dinner was served in mother Jiang’s room, which was more spacious. Aside from a large wardrobe, there were three deep cabinets about chest height, a long table, and several stools. Even with all that, there was still extra space. Jiang Yi had placed a round table near the bed.

He brought in three sets of bowls and chopsticks from outside, then pulled out six lunchboxes from his bag. Opening them one by one revealed braised pork with soybeans, scrambled eggs with leeks, stir-fried radish slices, coarse grain steamed buns, sautéed cabbage, and one box of white rice.

The rice was for Zhang Yulan, while the buns were for the other two. Sitting at the table, Mu Jinyue couldn’t help but feel suspicious. Jiang Yi had even borrowed money for the betrothal gifts, yet now they were eating like this.

Whether bought from the canteen or a state-run restaurant, meals like these were usually reserved for special occasions when guests were present. She wasn’t vain enough to think this was prepared in her honor. Judging by mother Jiang’s expression, this seemed like a normal meal for the family—something they ate regularly. Mu Jinyue’s mind buzzed with questions.

But food was food, and she still had to eat. The dishes were delicious—the best meal she’d had since transmigrating. However, her stomach had shrunk from long-term hunger, so she could only eat a little before feeling full. Her eyes, though, still lingered greedily on the food. Reluctantly, she set down her chopsticks.

Mother Jiang also had a small appetite, finishing only half her rice before stopping. Jiang Yi gathered the leftovers into one box and ate everything.

After dinner, Mu Jinyue didn’t have to lift a finger—Jiang Yi took care of clearing the table and washing the dishes. His mother chimed in, “No need for you to bother with these things. Xiaoyi can handle them.”

Well, if his mother said so, she’d obey. When Jiang Yi returned, he was carrying a thermos.

He walked to the washbasin in the room, poured out most of the water, and carried the basin to the bedside. Mu Jinyue perked up, watching carefully—this would likely be her responsibility from now on.

Perhaps to ensure she could observe properly, Jiang Yi moved slowly. First, he dipped a towel in the water and handed it to his mother, who wiped her own face. After all, her legs were the problem—her upper body was still mobile. From what Mu Jinyue could tell, mother Jiang didn’t seem to enjoy being waited on.

Once her face and hands were clean, Jiang Yi brought another basin of water to wash her feet. After drying them, he helped her into bed, sat beside her, and massaged her legs for a while before finally leaving with Mu Jinyue.

At the same time, he explained, “This routine happens twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed. You’ll need to prepare water to help her wash her face and feet, and massage her legs. It helps relieve the pain.”

“Got it. I’ll remember.” This had been part of their agreement when they married, and it wasn’t particularly difficult. She was confident she could handle it.

After helping his mother freshen up, Jiang Yi refilled the thermos with hot water and brought it to her room. Then it was time for the two of them to rest.

Jiang Yi fetched another basin of warm water and told Mu Jinyue to clean herself quickly. He’d take her to the public bathhouse next time he had a day off. After handing her a clean towel, he left the room.

Since it was her wedding day, Mu Jinyue had bathed thoroughly the night before and didn’t feel particularly dirty—at least, not enough to bother her. She gave herself a quick wipe-down, then carried the basin outside.

As she stepped out, she saw Jiang Yi standing in the courtyard. Hearing the noise, he turned and took the basin from her. “Go inside and sleep.”

Mu Jinyue handed over the basin and went back in, but since the room’s owner wasn’t there yet, she felt awkward lying down directly. After a moment’s hesitation, she sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for him to return.

Jiang Yi finished tidying up and entered the room. The space was already small, and with an extra person now, Mu Jinyue felt a bit nervous sitting there.

Jiang Yi closed the door, crossed his arms, and raised an eyebrow at her. “What are you waiting for? For me to tuck you in?”

Mu Jinyue flushed. “No…”

“Then hurry up and sleep. You take the inside.”

She murmured an agreement, took off her outer coat, and climbed onto the bed, pressing herself close to the edge. Jiang Yi pulled two thin quilts from the bedside cabinet, laid them out, and settled down on the outer side. Both lay on their sides, and since Mu Jinyue was petite, they left a fair amount of space between them.

Despite lying down, sleep eluded her. With her eyes closed, the chirping of insects filled her ears, and her mind buzzed with everything that had happened that day. She couldn’t calm down at all.

Jiang Yi, exhausted from the day’s events, would normally have fallen asleep instantly. But now, with the sound of her pounding heartbeat beside him, he found himself awake too. “Go to sleep. We’ve got to get up early to cook tomorrow.”

“Okay.” Maybe it was the command in his tone, but Mu Jinyue soon drifted off.

Listening as her breathing steadied, Jiang Yi gradually slipped into sleep as well.

While the Jiang household rested early, the Du family’s lights were still on. With so much happening that day, they’d only just settled down.

The Du family had four members, and aside from the youngest son, Du Jie, all three adults were workers. They lived in the best three-room house in the compound—the left room for the couple, the central one as a living room for guests, and the right one shared by their two sons, Du Yu and Du Jie. It was spacious.

Since Du Yu was about to marry, the family had long since prepared the right room as his bridal chamber. As for Du Jie, he made do with a plank bed in the living room.

Now, after dinner, the eldest son had taken food back to his room to eat with his new wife, while the younger son was already lying down in the living room, ready to sleep. Only Du Jun and his wife remained, sitting face to face.

The Du family was well-off and respected in the compound, but after the morning’s events—not only failing to reclaim the betrothal gifts but even losing twenty yuan—they’d lost face entirely.

Ma Huifen was seeing things with anger, and seeing Du Jun’s gloomy expression only made it worse. She turned away, refusing to speak to him.

It wasn’t until Du Yu returned with empty bowls that she finally had someone to vent to. “What exactly happened with Yunyun? Why didn’t you mention her before?”

With neighbors so close, even raised voices could be overheard. Du Yu kept his explanation vague. “Yunyun is the daughter of the textile factory director. She’s liked me for a while. When she heard I was getting married today, she secretly went with me to register.”

Ma Huifen frowned when she heard it had been done in secret.

Seeing her displeasure, Du Yu quickly added, “Mom, no matter what, she’s the director’s daughter. I want to move up in the factory—you’ll have to treat her well from now on.”

Ma Huifen forced her expression neutral, though her brows remained furrowed. Still, she agreed. “Don’t worry, I know what’s important.”

Once he’d reassured his parents, Du Yu returned to his room. Ma Huifen sat alone, mulling it over. At the end of the day, this was the textile factory director’s daughter—her looks and education were leagues above some country girl. Though the marriage had been rushed…

But her son was outstanding in every way. Even the director would surely approve. Who knew? Maybe one day her son could even become a director himself. The thought eased her anger, replacing it with hope for the future.

Du Jun, however, felt nothing but bitterness. This whole mess… Sigh. If only he’d been more capable. He lay down on the bed, burying his face in silence.

Ma Huifen, now satisfied with her reasoning, glanced at his pitiful state and gave him a few sharp kicks under the covers, finally feeling some relief.

Meanwhile, Du Yu returned to his room to comfort his new wife, promising to apologize to her father tomorrow. With his good looks and silver tongue, smoothing things over was child’s play.