“Coo-coo…”

As Su Ziyu ate his wild vegetable porridge at home, the familiar sound of a turtledove reached his ears. He immediately put down his bowl and headed out.

“You’re going out at this hour?” Zhang Fengxia glanced at the darkening sky, frowning.

“Something came up,” Su Ziyu replied without even turning his head, leaving those two words behind.

Watching her son disappear in a flash, Zhang Fengxia turned her gaze to Su Changjiang, who was quietly eating his porridge.

“It’s this late, and your son is still running around. Aren’t you worried at all?”

“The son who doesn’t listen to his mother is even less likely to listen to me,” Su Changjiang said, pushing his empty bowl toward her.

“Are you sure he’s your son?” Zhang Fengxia snapped, irritated. “Have you heard about the wild boar that came down the mountain in broad daylight? Your son’s heading out at night, and you’re not the least bit concerned?”

“Even a weak girl like Shen Zhihuan managed to take down a wild boar. You think a soldier like him would get hurt by one?” Su Changjiang scoffed, beginning to eat his second bowl of porridge.

“It’s not even completely dark yet. What do you mean it’s late night?” He waved off her concerns. “That boy has been catching wild chickens and chasing rabbits since he was five. If a wild boar runs into him, it’ll be the boar’s bad luck.”

“Mother, don’t worry about Second Brother. He’s capable enough to handle himself,” Su Zijun chuckled.

In the surrounding villages, Zhang Fengxia was often praised for her good fortune.

Husband: Su Changjiang, a caring and considerate man, was also the village secretary of Pan Shi Village.

Eldest Son: Su Zijun was hardworking and filial. At 18, he had joined a flour mill in town and secured a stable job, earning a government salary. His wife, Zhou Xiuchao, was a capable homemaker.

Second Son: Su Ziyu had entered military school at 16 and was rumored to hold a high-ranking position in the army, though the exact rank was unclear.

Daughter: Su Lixiu had recently married a cadre from a machinery factory, with a bride price of 300 yuan, envied by many local families.

Youngest Daughter: Su Lili, at 15, was bright and lively, drawing the attention of many nearby families with eligible sons.

“Still, he can’t even find a wife,” Zhang Fengxia sighed.

“Mother, Second Brother’s a big shot now. He wouldn’t be interested in the village girls who can’t even read,” Zhou Xiuchao said with a laugh. “Just wait. The next time he’s on leave, he might bring home a city girl as a bride.”

“All I want is someone who’ll care for him and treat him well,” Zhang Fengxia murmured, dismissing the idea of city girls.

Women from the city weren’t always ideal. The neighboring village head’s son had married a former educated youth from the city. She constantly clashed with her in-laws, refusing to cook breakfast or do laundry. The moment she got the chance to return to the city, she left her husband and children behind.

Poor kids… If they were lucky, they’d get a kind stepmother. If not…

Zhang Fengxia sighed deeply.

Meanwhile, Su Ziyu headed straight for the grove near the family’s farmland. As he approached, a shadowy figure emerged to meet him.

“Brother Ziyu,” Li Jiabao whispered, glancing around cautiously. “That old lady who lives behind Aunt Li’s house says Shen Zhihuan’s sick again. Pretty serious this time, I hear.”

Li Jiabao didn’t know why Su Ziyu had asked him to keep an eye on Aunt Li’s family, but since Su Ziyu had asked, he had obliged without question. They’d grown up together, and Li Jiabao trusted that Su Ziyu had his reasons.

“Did Aunt Li call Doctor Hua?” Su Ziyu frowned slightly.

“Yes. I saw him go to their house myself,” Li Jiabao nodded. “Everyone knows how much Aunt Li dotes on Shen Zhihuan. Doctor Hua’s been to their place more than he’s been to the clinic. He might as well move in with them.”

“Who went to pick up the pork from the distribution point?” Su Ziyu’s sharp eyes shifted toward the western side of the village.

“Aunt Li and Xiao Weidong, I think,” Li Jiabao replied after some thought.

“Let’s go check.” Su Ziyu strode off toward the west side of the village, leaving Li Jiabao startled.

Li Jiabao’s heart raced. Was Su Ziyu… interested in Shen Zhihuan?

The idea of Su Ziyu sneaking into a sick girl’s house at night was… bold, to say the least.

Li Jiabao himself was a bit of a rogue, known for teasing women, but even he wouldn’t dare pull something so audacious. Su Ziyu’s resolve was… on another level.

Before he could finish his train of thought, Su Ziyu climbed over the Shen family’s courtyard wall.

Inside, Su Ziyu quietly scanned the small courtyard before heading toward a dimly lit room. Through the half-open door, he spotted Shen Zhihuan lying on the bed, her pale face illuminated by candlelight.

Her brows were slightly furrowed, as if troubled by something.

Unconsciously, Su Ziyu reached out to smooth her brow. But the moment his fingers touched her soft skin, he recoiled as if burned, realizing how improper his actions were.

Just then, Shen Zhihuan kicked off her thin blanket, exposing her slender waist in the dim light.

Su Ziyu froze, his heart pounding. He didn’t even know how he managed to leave the Shen household. The image of her waist lingered in his mind, impossible to erase.

Outside, Li Jiabao, keeping watch, saw Su Ziyu vault over the wall and land silently beside him.

“That was fast!” Li Jiabao exclaimed, stunned. Wasn’t it supposed to take longer for… things like that?

---

This chapter was actually more vulgar than the translation, but I tried to tone it down as much as possible. I didn’t like how he entered a girl’s room while she was sleeping—that’s really creepy—and I especially disliked the friend. You might not notice it in the translation since I neutralized it, but the friend’s thoughts, if elaborated further, were quite disgusting.