In the family housing compound, Bai Wanrou was cooking. The summer kitchen was suffocatingly hot.

Ma Xiangyang and Ma Qingxiang were both immobile due to their injuries. Liu Cuihua lounged in the living room, cracking sunflower seeds. 

Ma Hongxia, the lazy younger sister-in-law, had done nothing since graduating high school. She stayed home every day eating and drinking.

Though unwilling, Bai Wanrou still cooked for them to maintain her reputation of being gentle and virtuous. Her back was soaked with sweat, and droplets dripped from her forehead.

“Dinner’s ready.” She brought the food to the table, and everyone gathered immediately.

“Mother, Xiangyang, come eat,” she said gently, serving rice.

They had been hungry all morning. But when Ma Hongxia saw the table covered in green vegetables, her face fell. “Sister-in-law, what is all this? It’s just cabbage and radish. Not even a bit of meat!”

“That’s right,” Liu Cuihua chimed in, displeased. “Xiangyang’s still recovering, he needs nourishing food. At least make some bone broth. How can we eat just leafy greens?”

The two women grumbled, and even Ma Xiaojun pouted. “Mom, I want braised pork. I don’t like vegetables.”

Buying groceries and cooking had always been Comrade Jiang Manyue’s responsibility. Now that she had walked away from it all, Bai Wanrou had to handle everything herself and still faced constant complaints. She clenched her chopsticks, her frustration simmering.

She had just washed Ma Qingxiang’s bedpans and soiled clothes, holding back her disgust. After cooking and cleaning, her delicate hands were red and scalded with oil splatters. She glanced at Ma Xiangyang, her eyes brimming with tears.

Ma Xiangyang sighed helplessly. “Mother, Hongxia, stop criticizing. Wanrou worked hard to make this meal.”

Then he asked, “Mother, do you have any money left? Buy some better groceries this afternoon.”

“What? I have no money!” Liu Cuihua snapped. “Didn’t Jiang Manyue buy all the groceries before?”

Without Comrade Jiang Manyue, the household was left eating scraps. Ma Xiangyang searched his pockets but found nothing.

After their bland meal, Bai Wanrou was eager to get to the textile factory to finalize her job transfer. Without Comrade Jiang Manyue’s cooperation, she had to secure that position soon to feel at ease.

Ma Xiangyang, still unable to walk, sat in a wheelchair and accompanied her to the factory.

In Director Sun’s office, the official seal was stamped on the transfer paperwork. Bai Wanrou’s face lit up with satisfaction. At last, the job was hers.

Director Sun was surprised to see Ma Xiangyang. “Deputy Secretary Ma, I thought you were still recuperating. Why are you here?”

He wished he could stay in the hospital, but they’d been kicked out for failing to pay. He hesitated before asking, “Director Sun, can I get an advance on this month’s salary?”

His hospital fees were still unpaid, and they had no money for household expenses. Comrade Jiang Manyue wasn’t helping, so he had no choice but to ask.

Director Sun looked troubled, then glanced disdainfully at Bai Wanrou. “Deputy Secretary Ma, didn’t you just borrow three thousand yuan from the factory yesterday to buy Bai Comrade’s job?”

“The factory head specifically said that fifty yuan will be deducted from your salary each month until it’s repaid. That leaves you with just thirty-seven yuan for now.”

His monthly wage of eighty-seven yuan would be docked for years. Ma Xiangyang’s expression darkened, dissatisfaction flashing in his eyes. Bai Wanrou felt awkward, clutching her newly approved work documents.

“I understand.” Ma Xiangyang could only accept the small advance.

With five mouths to feed and medical bills to cover, this wouldn’t last half a month. He had to win Comrade Jiang Manyue back and get her to hand over the money.

Just as he was about to leave, Director Sun remembered something. “Ah, wait. Comrade Jiang isn’t here, so you should give this to her.”

It was an envelope from the civil affairs office. Ma Xiangyang frowned but opened it without waiting for permission. Inside, he found their marriage application, stamped with a glaring red rejected.

“What’s this? Why is our marriage application here? Why was it rejected?”

Director Sun replied, “You didn’t know? Comrade Jiang Manyue requested to withdraw the application.”

His breath caught. She actually wanted to cancel their marriage? He’d thought she was just throwing a tantrum. He never expected her to seriously seek to dissolve it.

Bai Wanrou smiled faintly but said with mock regret, “She’s too hot-tempered. The wedding was already held, how can she back out?”

Enraged, Ma Xiangyang tore the application. “Director Sun, I want to reapply for marriage.”

“You—” Director Sun was caught off guard. Marriage wasn’t a one-sided decision.

“Comrade Jiang said she doesn’t want to get married,” Director Sun recalled with a frown.

Ma Xiangyang forced a smile. “Director Sun, you know we’ve been together for seven years. This is just a little fight. She already apologized to me this morning.”

He didn’t wait for a response, quickly filling out a new application. “Please submit this. We’ll both thank you.”

Bai Wanrou watched the new application being filed away, her heart sinking. But for the house and the money, she swallowed her anger.

“Yes, Director Sun, she really regretted it and told me so this morning.”

Director Sun remained skeptical but accepted the form. “You two need to work things out. Marriage isn’t a game.”

“We understand. Thank you for your help.”

Ma Xiangyang’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. Want to cancel the marriage? Dream on.

Meanwhile, Comrade Jiang Manyue had dinner at her uncle’s house and collected two new batches of denim fabric from Wang Baozhu. She was ready to make more jeans that night.

When she returned home, the living room lights were still on. As expected, the shameless family hadn’t moved out. Ma Xiangyang was alone, clearly waiting for her.

His face brightened. “You’re back.”

The sight of his fake smile made her nauseous, especially with the burn scar on his face.

“I saved some food for you,” he said, wheeling toward the kitchen. “It’s a bit cold, I’ll reheat it.”

Such a dramatic change. Before, when she worked late, he never even left her a mouthful. People don’t change without reason, and when they do, there’s always a hidden agenda.

She was indifferent. “No need, I’ve eaten.”

Heading to her room, she noticed the door was unlocked. The padlock she’d secured that morning had been broken. When she opened the door, she was shocked.

The room was a mess. Clothes were scattered across the floor, and her books had been torn into shreds. It looked like the place had been ransacked.