Chapter 24 Relatives

“We’re all family — there’s nothing inappropriate about it.”
Gu Zhiye lowered his gaze, glancing at Su Niannian. “Or… do you not want your brother to live in the family quarters?”

As soon as he heard he might move into the army’s family quarters — the red-brick buildings that were normally out of reach — Su Jianshan’s eyes immediately lit up. He turned back to Su Niannian in high spirits. “I’ve never been in the army, nor have I ever lived in a building, sis. I want to live with my brother-in-law. Whenever you’re free, you can come see us. I’ll cook for you — I guarantee I won’t cause you any trouble, honestly! I swear…” Su Jianshan was so anxious he was turning in circles.

Gu Zhiye quietly drew his brother-in-law back, waiting for Su Niannian’s answer. As long as Su Jianshan stayed with him, he would know Su Niannian’s whereabouts every week — there was no way for her to avoid him.

Su Niannian was forced into a corner. “…Alright.”

Where the two couldn’t see, Gu Zhiye’s lips curved up almost imperceptibly.

…

After a series of events, Su Niannian’s trust in Gu Zhiye grew. She believed he would handle things well. This trust was not about money — it was about a deep faith in their future. Su Niannian, alongside Liu Tao and Liao Yu, walked into the mess hall. The young man serving food trembled, adding two extra pieces of chicken to Su Niannian’s plate. She reflexively raised her eyes and met Su Jianshan’s excited gaze. He was wearing a cotton mask, dressed in a mess hall worker’s uniform, dishing food to soldiers in the queue.

Su Niannian’s pupils tightened. Just as she was about to speak, Su Jianshan called out warmly: “Next! Next!”

“…”

Su Niannian kept all her doubts to herself. Currently, with Su Jianshan living in the family quarters — which fell under Gu Zhiye’s jurisdiction — it was safest for them to keep their distance. She didn’t want to cause trouble for him. Her plate was nearly a mess, food practically smeared, when Liu Tao, confused by her expression, asked, “Niannian, what’s up? Did you get too much food?”

She casually forced a smile. “Seems I got a bit more.”

“Attractive people do get special treatment…” Liu Tao said, eyebrows arching mischievously.

“That new mess hall worker… is he new? There seem to be quite a few new faces lately…”

Liao Yu, who had kept her head down while dining, suddenly raised her eyes. As someone frequently called to meetings, she was well-informed. Glancing in Su Jianshan’s direction, she said quietly, “It seems there’s a new expansion. Some temporary workers are being recruited from outside the base. This is all under Captain Zhang’s oversight.”

“Zhang… Captain?”

“That’s Captain Zhang Jie — the deputy group leader who’s been injured and now oversees mess hall logistics. He’s the one who’s in charge of this group. He’s a veteran with a few battle injuries…”

“Liu Tao!” Liao Yu interrupted, eyebrows furrowing. The mess hall was a sensitive place; a careless word could bring a warning or even punishment.

Liu Tao fell silent, reluctantly pouting.

“By the way, there’s a tour performance in A County’s Red Flag Commune this weekend. Are you going?”

Liao Yu shook her head in rejection.

Su Niannian was about to follow suit when Liao Yu grabbed her arm. Her expression was sincere as she said quietly, “Assignments like this aren’t for the first team; normally we select people from the second or third team instead — it’s a voluntary thing. But I hope you’ll go. I’m injured and can’t travel, but you… the team’s role is to bring happiness and peace to ordinary people. While the imperial capital might be desirable, sometimes the greatest contributions come from places that need us the most.”

Su Niannian fell silent for a moment, then nodded. “Don’t worry, team leader — I’ll sign up.”
Whatever the case, staying idle was not a solution.

…

Last week, the two had made plans with Su Niannian to celebrate Su Jianshan’s employment and his settling down in Ningcheng. The two men had gotten up early and gotten ready — but Su Niannian stood them up. She disappeared without a word.
As the host, Gu Zhiye had to bring his brother-in-law to the state-owned restaurant. It was a weekend, with plenty of food available. He ordered a plate of rich braised pork knuckle and two bowls of white rice. Su Jianshan’s drool was practically dripping down his chin. He scratched his head and said with a nervous smile, “Zhiye, am I causing you trouble? The neighbors keep asking why I’m the one following a soldier instead of my sister. It’s strange…”

“It’s convenient for both of you to be in the army base.” Gu Zhiye fell silent for a moment, then explained, “Getting you a mess hall job was Captain Zhang’s idea — not mine.”

“It’s because he thinks well of you… you’re his buddy.” Su Jianshan placed the fattest piece of pork knuckle into Gu Zhiye’s bowl in a show of loyalty. Gu Zhiye smiled faintly, then got up to fetch some rice soup. Just as Su Jianshan was about to dig in, someone suddenly bumped his shoulder. A girl’s anguished voice cried out: “Brother! I missed you so much —”

Su Jianshan nearly dropped his chopsticks. He turned his head, and there was Chen Niannian’s rough face. “Niannian, why are you here?!”

“It’s a mess! The Chen family is finished! I thought I was going back to a life of ease, but a group of people came in and destroyed our home, took everything, and my parents were forced away. My mother used up all her strength to send me to you — I came to find the Ji family’s fiancé. I shouldn’t have gone back in the first place…”

The sound of familiar footsteps came up from behind. Without thinking, Su Jianshan reached forward and covered Chen Niannian’s chattering mouth.