Chapter 26

Chen Nian Nian’s smile stiffened at the corner of her lips, pure embarrassment visible to the naked eye.

Jin Chuan casually removed his white lab coat and hung it on the nearby wooden rack. The aromatic tea was brought to his lips as he said warmly, “You don’t need to do all this. The Jin family is not in need of servants.”

The Chen family really was something — did they think sending Chen Nian Nian over would solve their problems? This is not a refuge for the homeless.

Chen Nian Nian trembled as she reluctantly drew out a letter from her pocket and handed it to Jin Chuan. She then repeated her mother’s words, “The Chen family is in danger. All previous promises are void — consider them gone due to Brother Jin Lou’s death. These are his handwritten betrothal letters and the messages that were previously delivered. We kept them safely until now. I know you think less of me, but if we had a choice, nobody would wish for Brother Jin Lou’s death…”

Jin Chuan’s feigned warmth shattered inch by inch. The tactic the Chen family used — yielding to advance — was truly clever. If his family knew he had kept their betrothal letters and made a mess at this crucial moment, they would certainly come after him. So, much as he wanted to break off the engagement, he couldn’t do it openly.

Jin Chuan said nothing. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. He raised his hand to adjust his glasses, casually placing his teacup down with a heavy “thunk.” From Chen Nian Nian’s view, the veins on the back of his hand grew visible in a rush of rage.

Chen Nian Nian stuttered, “Y… you…”

Jin Chuan forced his emotions back under control, turned slightly toward her, and said softly, “This is a matter between the Chen and Jin families. A child shouldn’t be worried about it. Go rest in the side room first. I’ll make proper arrangements after you’ve calmed down.”

Chen Nian Nian’s nervousness turned to surprise. “Good! I’ll do whatever you say.”

It’s said that Jin Chuan is the future master of the Jin family. When the Chen family fell upon hard times, she feared he would add insult to injury — instead, he sheltered her.

The following day, much to her surprise, Jin Chuan cleared his work schedule and personally made arrangements for her employment at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative — which was a secured, desirable job in those days. Chen Nian Nian was so excited, nearly rendered speechless, and kept thanking him. The Cooperative even provided separate accommodations for its employees, allowing her to move out of the Jin family’s residence. Living together before marriage was, after all, unconventional. Jin Chuan chose to be respectful in all his actions.

He was thoughtful in everything, a dramatic contrast to their first meeting’s coldness — causing a rush of romantic affection to bloom in Chen Nian Nian’s heart.

After all the procedures were completed, Gao Jianshe was waiting in his jeep by the road. He whistled when he saw Jin Chuan striding toward him. “All taken care of?” he asked.

“Mm.” Jin Chuan kept his answer brief — his mood was evidently heavy.

Gao Jianshe, meanwhile, chose to keep bouncing upon his raw nerves. “Such a fine young woman… a bit dark-skinned, sure, but you’re going to great lengths to find her a steady job… Is it because you… like her?”

“Did you forget your brain before you left home?” Jin Chuan pressed against the window, casually tugging a corner of his cigarette with his lips. His normally stiff demeanor fell away, turning somewhat wild and uninhibited, his piercing eyebrows half-obscured by a thin trail of smoke. “I’m only staying in Ning County for two months at most. As for her… Obviously, she’s not going to let go of that steady paycheck.”

Gao Jianshe fell silent for a moment and then sighed. “You’re really something — I almost feel sorry for that poor, dark-skinned girl…”

Jin Chuan let out a slight laugh, noncommittal. Did the Chen family really think someone like her — a substitute — could win his affection? How ridiculous.

Meanwhile, in a corner of A City near the mountains, there was a farm connected to a mine — a tough place where hard labor was performed. The soldiers’ biannual arts performance was not just a way to appreciate their service but also a form of entertainment for the people there — many of whom were illiterate or suspected of crimes. Few soldiers from the arts troupe came to perform for them.

When Su Nian Nian first got off the truck, a rush of oppressive warmth washed over her. She was greeted by barren land all around. Liu Tao hopped down afterwards and whispered unhappily, “What kind of place is this?!”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Su Nian Nian pressed her lips together and subconsciously turned her gaze in all directions. The weary, elderly men and women who passed by all cast envious glances toward their green uniforms — and toward their skin, which was so fair it seemed to glow.

Most members of the troupe were listless — many hadn’t wanted to come — but Su Nian Nian remained enthusiastic. She voluntarily found Mr. Yang, the person in charge, to go over their performance repertoire.

While setting up the stage, many locals warmly offered their help, even begging, “Comrades, we’ve never gotten a chance to watch a show… Could you perform a few more numbers…?

He Bi, reluctantly, blurted, “Our time is valuable — the program’s already been set. Do you think we can just add a number, like adding a plate of food to the table?” The locals fell silent, looking somewhat ashamed.

Mr. Yang seemed unsure. Among them, only Mr. Yang knew that this tour was meant to celebrate a visit by a high-profile official — a fact kept under tight wraps. This made him wish the troupe would perform their best. But this group was droopy, much less enthusiastic.

If it hadn’t been for the two from Second Squad — Su Nian Nian and Liu Tao — he might have gotten into an argument with them.

The two hadn’t noticed Mr. Yang’s worries. After dinner, Su Nian Nian and Liu Tao found a sheltered corner to practice their routines — Liu Tao was skilled at acrobatics, while Su Nian Nian was proficient in classical dance. The combination turned out to be beautifully harmonious — softness alongside toughness — with a unique allure.

A drop of sweat fell down Su Nian Nian’s neck as she fell backward gracefully, placing her hands on the grass. At that moment, a shadow darted across the corner of her view. She held her breath, her lashes quivering. “Who’s there?!”