Chapter 14 : Be Good to Your Man

Qiu Shimin, fuming, pointed at Luo Yaqing and turned to sit on the stool by the stove.

Trying to calm her aunt’s anger, Luo Yaqing timidly stepped forward, “Auntie, I was wrong.”

As expected, the anger on Qiu Shimin’s face gradually faded. She sighed and said, “Since you’re already married, you should live a good life. Divorce won’t do you any good.”

“I never thought about getting a divorce…”

“I hope so.”

“……”

“Yaqing, Han Zhixu has a proper background and is also a military officer. He’s the best match for you.”

Qiu Shimin’s words were full of meaning, and Luo Yaqing wisely listened.

She rested her head on Qiu Shimin’s knee. “Auntie, I’ll live well with him.”

Qiu Shimin was skeptical. “You really think so?”

“I swear!” Luo Yaqing raised three fingers.

Qiu Shimin said, “Actions speak louder than words.”

Her gaze fell on the single bed and she added, “Be good to your man.”

Luo Yaqing followed her gaze and lowered her head.

That matter…

Given how things currently stood between the two of them…

It wasn’t something to rush.

Qiu Shimin noticed her silence and asked, “Cat got your tongue?”

“I got it…”

Even after being lectured, Luo Yaqing didn’t dislike Qiu Shimin for it.

She was the only person who had ever truly cared for the original host.

During the original host’s darkest days, Qiu Shimin wasn’t afraid of being implicated and still took her in.

Now that the original soul had long departed, Luo Yaqing felt it was her duty to respect those who had been kind to the original host, now that she was using her body.

…

To Qiu Shimin’s surprise, Luo Yaqing made handmade noodles.

“Auntie, come eat.”

The steaming bowl of egg noodles was placed on the table, and Luo Yaqing brought over a jar of chili sauce.

From the original host’s memories, she knew her aunt liked spicy food.

Qiu Shimin looked into the bowl and asked, “When did you learn to make noodles?”

Her niece was born into luxury, raised with everything handed to her.

She had never lifted a finger for chores, let alone cooked.

“I’ve always known how!” Luo Yaqing said proudly, then suddenly added, “I learned cooking from you, Auntie.”

“From me?” Qiu Shimin was puzzled—she didn’t recall ever teaching her.

Luo Yaqing giggled. “Before I got married, I watched you cook every day. Over time, I just picked it up. But at first, I used to get dough stuck all over my hands.”

Qiu Shimin believed her.

That made sense. Once a girl got married, she had to learn how to cook and adapt to her new life.

After the meal, Luo Yaqing cleaned up the dishes. Qiu Shimin suddenly asked, “Have you heard from the Luo family?”

“Huh?” Luo Yaqing froze for a moment. “No, they haven’t contacted me.”

In reality, the original host had received a letter a little over two months ago.

The Luo family had asked her to use her connections to help release her cousin, Zhou Yafen.

Qiu Shimin breathed a sigh of relief. “Good.”

Then she warned, “Don’t contact them. It took a lot of effort to finally cut ties.”

Luo Yaqing nodded.

Qiu Shimin continued, “Even though their ‘hat’ has been taken off now, who can guarantee anything? Their son-in-law’s political status is still a problem.”

“I understand, Auntie.”

Luo Yaqing understood what Qiu Shimin meant—and her concern.

The original host, being part of the Luo family, had narrowly escaped disaster.

There were reasons behind that.

Qiu Shimin played a crucial role.

She went to the committee and tearfully vouched for the original host’s innocence.

Qiu Shimin was the mother of a war hero.

Her only son had died heroically on the battlefield.

How could the committee bear to break such a mother’s heart? They reopened the investigation into the original host’s background.

The original host’s father had been talented and educated overseas, but he never took over the family business.

In fact, he had secretly married a commoner’s daughter, and as a result, had been disowned by the original host’s grandfather.

This meant the original host hadn’t grown up in the Luo family mansion.

After discussion, the committee decided to classify her as a small urban business owner’s daughter.

That classification wasn’t nearly as damaging as being linked to a capitalist family.

She didn’t need to be sent to labor reform—just had to report her thoughts regularly.

Still, Qiu Shimin feared unexpected changes, so after careful consideration, she decided to find the original host a husband with a solid background.

Someone honorable, who could protect her.

That’s how the original host ended up marrying Han Zhixu, completely severing ties with her capitalist roots.

If she kept in contact with the Luo family, people would say her political stance was unstable…

After a long journey and chatting for half a day, Qiu Shimin was exhausted and went to rest in the inner room.

Seizing the opportunity, Luo Yaqing ran over to Zhang Guiqin’s house.

She informed her that since a relative had come over, the pickling of the sauerkraut had to be postponed.

As she was leaving, Zhang Guiqin handed her a bundle of spinach. “Take this and make a dish for dinner.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

“No need to thank me. It’s from my own garden. Oh right, Yaqing, tomorrow’s market day. Are you going?”

“I probably should…” Luo Yaqing replied.

She thought about how they didn’t have anything fancy at home. Usually that was fine, but with a guest here, she needed to prepare something better.

Zhang Guiqin asked again, “Can you ride a bicycle?”

Luo Yaqing nodded.

Zhang Guiqin grinned. “We’ve got one at home. My son-in-law left it when he was transferred to Mingzhou. My son is always at the base, and I can’t ride it, so it’s just rusting away.”

Luo Yaqing quickly said, “I can ride it. I can take you.”

With a bike, the trip to town would be much faster.

Zhang Guiqin smiled. “Great, let’s go early and be back early.”

They agreed on a time, and Luo Yaqing left carrying the spinach.

…

That night, the man who had been coming home late for days actually returned early.

He walked in carrying a lunch box, and upon seeing Qiu Shimin, respectfully greeted, “Auntie.”

He didn’t show much surprise on his face.

Qiu Shimin smiled, “Zhixu, you’re back? Perfect timing—we’re just about to eat.”

She turned to Luo Yaqing, who was wiping the table. “Yaqing, hurry and pour some hot water for your man so he can wash his hands.”

Your man…

Luo Yaqing’s cheeks turned red.

Those three words sounded a bit rustic, but coming from someone else’s mouth, she found them oddly sweet.

She put down the rag and picked up the aluminum kettle from the stove, carefully mixing warm water for Han Zhixu.

Because of Qiu Shimin’s visit, the home that had felt cold and lifeless for days suddenly seemed full of warmth again.

On the small dinner table were a few simple dishes: stir-fried cabbage with pork drippings, shredded potatoes, spinach egg-drop soup, and radish meatballs from the lunch box. It was just enough to be called a hearty meal.

“How’s Uncle’s health?”

“He’s doing well. He actually planned to come to Beicheng with me, but something urgent came up.”

“We’ll go back to the capital during the New Year break.”

“That’s great. Drink a few more cups with your uncle when you’re there.”

“Mm.”

Han Zhixu chatted with Qiu Shimin as they ate.

Luo Yaqing couldn’t get a word in and just quietly listened.

After a long while, Qiu Shimin finally noticed her. “Yaqing, serve your man some more rice.”

“……”

Taking the bowl, Luo Yaqing filled it with rice for Han Zhixu.

“Eat more,” she said softly.

Han Zhixu only glanced at her, then continued his conversation with Qiu Shimin.

Luo Yaqing felt a pang of disappointment.

Since he walked in, he hadn’t said a single word to her.

After dinner, Luo Yaqing cleared the table and washed the dishes, then boiled another kettle of water.

She mixed warm water in a basin and said, “Auntie, let me soak your feet for you.”

“I’ll do it myself,” Qiu Shimin stopped her as she headed toward the inner room, took the basin from her hands, and added, “It’s getting late. You two should go rest.”

She then sat by the single bed, removed her shoes and socks, and began soaking her feet.

Luo Yaqing was stunned.

Han Zhixu gave her a quick glance and said to Qiu Shimin, “Auntie, you should sleep in the inner room. It gets really cold at night in Beicheng.”

Qiu Shimin waved her hand. “No need. I’m fine here. Just warm up a hot water bottle, and it won’t be cold at all.”