Chapter 20: Treating the Women in the Compound to Candy

When they returned to the family compound, the neighborhood gossip crew at the entrance was already in full swing.

A group of women were sitting along the wall, chatting energetically about everyone’s private affairs.

As soon as someone with sharp eyes spotted Luo Yaqing and Qiu Shimin, the conversation instantly halted.

The rest of the women followed her gaze and all turned to look.

Luo Yaqing forced a dry smile and glanced at Qiu Shimin, unease rising in her heart.

Can anyone really handle this kind of pressure?

She cleared her throat slightly. “Auntie…”

But before she could finish, Qiu Shimin took the lead, stepping forward and greeting the women warmly.

“Hello, Aunties, Sisters.”

The women were caught off guard and quickly stood up.

“Good… good, hello!”

“Hello, hello…”

“You too, hello.”

The women scrambled to return the greeting, some still with sunflower seed shells stuck to their lips.

Qiu Shimin smiled and said, “I’m Luo Yaqing’s aunt,” while pulling candies from her bag and handing them out. “Here, everyone, have some candy.”

“……”

“Don’t be shy, take some.”

Soon, the women’s hands were filled with candies, their enthusiasm barely containable.

Even Luo Yaqing was stunned.

“You’re from the city, right?” one woman asked.

Qiu Shimin nodded kindly. “Sister, I’m from the capital.”

Another woman chimed in, “That’s a big city, real far away.”

“My son says it takes two days and a night by train,” added Grandma Zhou.

Qiu Shimin nodded repeatedly. “Yes, two days and one night.”

The women clicked their tongues in sympathy. “That’s such a long ride. Must be exhausting.”

“It’s not too bad,” Qiu Shimin replied gently. “My niece married far away, and the couple doesn’t have time to visit, so I missed them and decided to come see how they’re doing.”

She looked every bit the concerned mother, worried about her daughter married far away.

Zhang Guiqin squeezed forward. “Don’t worry. This is the family compound—life here is good. Commander Han is famous for doting on his wife.”

Qiu Shimin smiled. “I believe that. It’s just… about Yaqing… I hope you can be patient with her.”

“Don’t worry about it, we’re all working folks,” said Zhang Guiqin.

The others echoed, “Exactly, all working folks here.”

After a bit more small talk, Qiu Shimin took her leave with Luo Yaqing.

As they walked away, the women started talking again—about city people’s manners, politeness, and fashion.

Luo Yaqing glanced back and said to Qiu Shimin, “They’re all praising you.”

Qiu Shimin had her hands in her coat pockets. “They’re very cute.”

“Cute?” Luo Yaqing was surprised by the word.

It was an unusual way to describe them.

Qiu Shimin smiled. “I know what you’re thinking. But their world is just this small circle. If they don’t gossip, life would be too dull.”

Luo Yaqing completely agreed.

It’s only when people have nothing else to do that they love to gossip and stir the pot.

As they crack sunflower seeds and chat away, that crisp crunch

might just be someone’s life being chewed up.

As the shells fall to the ground, so too are others’ secrets stripped bare.

They lived like this every day. It had become a habit.

They were both adorable and legendary.

Qiu Shimin peeled a candy and handed it to Luo Yaqing. “You don’t need to get close to them. Just maintain appearances.”

Luo Yaqing understood that very well—and acted accordingly.

If she got along with someone, she would engage sincerely.

If she didn’t, she kept her distance.

And if she met a weirdo, she simply ignored them…

…

Back in the courtyard, the women sucked on candy, having moved on from city gossip to new topics.

“Oh, what’s so lively here?”

Ma Xiaolian returned from the health clinic and spotted the group chatting by the wall. She walked over, laughing.

“I say, Xiaolian, what are you always so busy with? We barely see you.”

“What else? Probably back at the clinic getting poked in the butt by Nurse Ye again.”

“Every day? Wouldn’t that make her backside a beehive by now? Xiaolian, show us your butt!”

“Haha—”

The women bantered, teasing Ma Xiaolian.

She didn’t bother responding, her eyes already locked on the candy in everyone’s hands.

Quick with her hands, she snatched a piece from someone. “Is someone in the compound getting married?”

“No one’s getting married,” Liu Chahua replied, whose candy had just been stolen.

Ma Xiaolian unwrapped the candy and popped it into her mouth. Smacking her lips, she asked, “Then who handed out the candy? Everyone got one—why’s there none for Ma Xiaolian?”

Grandma Zhou pursed her lips. “You weren’t here. How could we give you one?”

“Fair enough. So who gave them out?”

Seeing the amount of candy, Ma Xiaolian turned green with envy.

Who’s so generous?
Once she found out, she’d go over herself.

“Your next-door neighbor.”

“…Luo Yaqing?”

Ma Xiaolian stared at Liu Chahua, utterly incredulous.

Liu Chahua nodded. “Yep, it was her.”

Another woman added, “To be precise, it was her aunt who treated everyone to candy.”

Ma Xiaolian scoffed. “So, a big capitalist and a little capitalist teaming up to bribe everyone?”

“Xiaolian, that’s way out of line!” Zhang Guiqin stood up for them.

Ma Xiaolian put her hands on her hips. “What? I’m wrong? Luo Yaqing is a capitalist’s daughter. And that relative from the city? Also a capitalist.”

She then pointed around the group. “And you lot—so easily swayed by a few lousy candies. No backbone!”

Everyone: “……”

Grandma Zhou spoke slowly, “They’ve accepted the state’s reform. They’re now working people.”

“Deep down, they’re still capitalists,” Ma Xiaolian retorted. “Their candy shouldn’t be eaten!”

Grandma Zhou looked at Ma Xiaolian’s bulging cheeks. “You didn’t eat it? Then what’s in your mouth?”

Ma Xiaolian froze, speechless for a moment before blurting out, “So what if I did? I’m biting off capitalism’s tail!”

Everyone: “……”

She loudly crunched the candy—crack!—not eating it would be a waste.

Only a fool passes up free stuff.

Eyeing the rest of the candies, she reached for more.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Liu Chahua had already anticipated her move and dodged.

Grandma Zhou quickly stuffed her candy into her pocket, guarding it like treasure.

The others also moved to protect theirs.

Ma Xiaolian got nothing and, more importantly, completely lost face.

She forced a laugh. “I was just joking around. You think I actually care about a few lousy candies?”

Everyone: “……”

“Anyway, what are you all making for dinner tonight?”

Quick to change the subject, Ma Xiaolian tried to smooth things over.

As the sun dipped lower, Luo Yaqing started preparing dinner: a plate of stir-fried cabbage and a pot of crucian carp tofu soup.

The dough in the basin had finished resting, and she made a few flatbreads.

She had planned to make fried pancakes, but Qiu Shimin found them too greasy, saying they had just eaten fatty pork dumplings at lunch.

So Luo Yaqing didn’t insist.

“Zhixu should be getting off work soon, right?” Qiu Shimin asked.

Wiping down the table, Luo Yaqing replied, “Yeah, he should be on his way.”

On the way back—

“Sir, there’s a movie screening at the hall tonight. Bring your wife along,” said subordinate Lu Mo, catching up with Han Zhixu and inviting him with great enthusiasm.

Han Zhixu gave him a mild look but said nothing.

Lu Mo grinned, “It’s settled then. I’ll save you two seats.”

With that, he turned and walked off.

Han Zhixu thought for a moment—better than just staring at each other at home…

A movie.
She’d probably like that.