Chapter 9 – This Distance Isn’t Right

Luo Yaqing’s eyes sparkled as she lifted her delicate hand toward Han Zhixu.

“Your hands are cold?” Han Zhixu asked, and immediately pulled out a pair of gloves from his pocket.

“…” Luo Yaqing gritted her teeth in frustration and threw the gloves back at him.

Han Zhixu caught them, confused by her sudden shift in mood.

They had only enjoyed a few peaceful days—was she about to…?

“You really are a block of wood,” Luo Yaqing muttered with a pout.

What could you do when faced with such a dense man? The only option was to slowly and patiently teach him.

Clearing her throat, she said, “You need to hold my hand to warm it up.”

Han Zhixu froze, his ears turning red. “What nonsense…”

“Warm my hands!” Luo Yaqing raised her hand again. “My hands are freezing. Just warm them for me, even putting them inside your coat will do.”

Her voice was loud enough that a few passing pedestrians glanced over.

Han Zhixu was mortified. He quickly scolded, “Luo Yaqing!”

“…” Luo Yaqing looked confused.

“This is a public street,” Han Zhixu said helplessly.

“So what…” Luo Yaqing chuckled and looked around. As she noticed the glances from a few passersby, her voice gradually lowered.

She had been too caught up teasing him and had forgotten the restraint and conservatism of this era.

“Want to check out the supply and marketing cooperative?” Han Zhixu broke the awkwardness.

“Oh, sure!”

They walked side by side, with a full meter of distance between them. Luo Yaqing found it ridiculous.

They were husband and wife, not unmarried young lovers.

This distance isn’t right!

It didn’t help with “unity.”

Casually, she edged left bit by bit until she could lightly brush against his sleeve.

Their fingertips accidentally touched.

Just as Han Zhixu had finally calmed down, another ripple stirred in his heart.

Luo Yaqing snuck a glance at his handsome face and saw that his ears were completely red.

She almost couldn’t hold back her laughter.

It was just a light touch—not even holding hands…

And yet he was blushing this much!

Shops lined the street, mixed with residential homes—there were state-owned outlets selling meat, side dishes, barber shops, and more, all marked with national signage.

It wasn’t market day, so there were no stalls set up, making the atmosphere less lively.

Speaking of stalls, not just anyone could set one up. Hoarding, cornering the market, arbitrage, and illegal trading were considered speculation and profiteering—strictly prohibited.

Barter stalls, however, were allowed.

They arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Luo Yaqing was dazzled by the array of goods and curiously looked around.

“See if there’s anything you need,” Han Zhixu said from behind.

Luo Yaqing flashed him a smile, then wandered from one section to another.

Seeing her only looking but not buying, Han Zhixu finally asked, “There’s nothing you want?”

She shook her head. “Nope.”

“Think again.”

“We’re not short on anything at home, no need to buy.”

“Peach crisps—you really like those, right? We could get some.”

His considerate reminder made Luo Yaqing scratch her head. “Actually, I’m not really into snacks. I prefer home-cooked meals… Ah, you—”

Before she could finish, he dragged her toward the food section.

“One pound of peach crisps, please.”

While speaking to the shop assistant, Han Zhixu pulled out money and a ration ticket.

“…That’s too much,” Luo Yaqing softly protested. “Just get a little.”

Han Zhixu ignored her.

The shop assistant quickly packed the crisps into a neat square bundle wrapped in paper.

“Comrade, your peach crisps,” the assistant said warmly.

Luo Yaqing hurriedly reached out. “Thank you!”

With the crisps in hand, she looked up at Han Zhixu.

She had planned to say, “Han Zhixu, you’re so sweet to me—I’m really happy. But as husband and wife… we should talk things through first.”

But before she could speak, he said, “I have some fabric coupons. Use them to buy material and make some clothes.”

Luo Yaqing glanced at the coupons. “I’ve got plenty of clothes. You keep them for now. I’ll use them in the spring to make lighter ones.”

She really didn’t lack clothes—the camphor chest was packed full for all seasons.

But Han Zhixu shoved the coupons into her hand. “Keep them!”

“…,” Luo Yaqing looked down at the fabric coupons in her hand.

So domineering.

But kind of cute.

She really liked it.

They walked back the way they came, chatting softly and getting along well.

Halfway, Luo Yaqing suddenly stopped, her attention caught by something.

“Why’d you stop?” Han Zhixu asked in surprise.

She pointed across the street. “Can we…?”

Following her finger, he saw a state-run photo studio.

“You want to take a picture?”

“Mhm…” Luo Yaqing nodded. She wanted a photo together.

“Let’s go, then.”

“You agree?”

“What?”

“Doesn’t matter—you already said yes…”

…

In the photo studio window, there were many beautiful black-and-white portraits for people to admire as they passed.

Each photo captured this generation’s pursuit of beauty and memories.

“Half-body or full-body?” the photographer asked with a smile at the counter.

“We want a portrait together,” Luo Yaqing quickly said.

Han Zhixu paused in surprise.

“Ah, a wedding photo,” the photographer nodded.

Luo Yaqing smiled and tugged at Han Zhixu’s sleeve.

He blushed slightly. “Yes.”

The camera was bulky, like those shown on old TV programs, with wheels at the base for easy movement. Several lights surrounded it for better exposure.

There was no need to change clothes. They sat side by side on a bench, a big red flower pinned to their chests.

“Comrade, scoot a bit to the right… Yes, sit closer… shoulder to shoulder with the lady…”

The photographer controlled the shutter while directing the couple nonstop.

Han Zhixu sat stiffly, awkwardly shifting closer, his hands tightly clenched on his knees.

“Miss, tilt your head slightly toward him,” the photographer said.

Luo Yaqing gently rested her head on his shoulder and smiled sweetly.

Han Zhixu’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

His heart was thumping—thump thump—strangely hard.

“Very good. Don’t be nervous, just smile… Look at the camera.”

The photographer, moved by the couple’s boldness and warmth, quickly snapped the photo, capturing their blissful moment.

After paying and asking when the photo would be ready, Luo Yaqing carefully kept the receipt.

“Let’s go!”

Han Zhixu gave a soft “mm” and followed her.

They also visited the grain station and picked up ten jin of rice and twenty jin of flour.

The ration book was still kept by Han Zhixu.

But today, Luo Yaqing was already very happy.

Trust was built day by day. Without a good start, she needed plenty of patience.

Men needed security too.

Looking out the truck window, Luo Yaqing contentedly admired the delicate winter scenery.

She hummed softly, her tune gentle, melodic, tinged with faint sadness.

Han Zhixu didn’t recognize the song.

But it sounded beautiful—more moving than a performance troupe singer.

She suddenly stopped humming and turned to smile. “Tonight I’ll make hand-pulled noodles for you.”

The truck pulled over. Han Zhixu turned, his deep eyes on her. “I met Farm Director Sun of May First Farm at the town government.”

Luo Yaqing looked puzzled. “…”

Who’s that?

Searching through the original host’s memory—no such person.

Han Zhixu continued, “Director Sun said that Luo Yafen committed murder, insulted a soldier, and has been detained.”

“Luo Yafen…” Luo Yaqing repeated the name.

She was the original host’s older cousin.

Now undergoing reform at a farm just outside town.

The family background was complicated. Even though the Luo family had been “rehabilitated,” Luo Yafen’s in-laws were once big landlords—and worse, her husband’s brother had worked for “bad elements.”

She hadn’t been kind to the original host either.

Back in the old Luo residence, both she and her well-off mother had often bullied her.

“Where’s she locked up?”

“Still at May First Farm,” Han Zhixu said, glancing at a fork in the road. “If you want to visit her, I can—”

“No need!” Luo Yaqing cut him off. “Luo Yafen has the wrong mindset. I don’t have relatives like her.”

Han Zhixu started the engine again.

He was surprised by her clarity.

Before, she had begged him to pull strings to get Luo Yafen back to the city.

He’d refused outright.

She’d thrown a huge tantrum about it.

Leaning back, Luo Yaqing took out the red flower the photographer had given them and played with it.

She had only asked out of curiosity.

There was no reason to visit a stranger.

That woman might be the original host’s cousin—but not hers.

Especially since she had treated the original host so poorly.

No need to go!

The vehicle stopped at the military district gate. Driving into the family compound directly didn’t look good.

After unloading their things, Han Zhixu returned to the driver’s seat. “I’m going to return the vehicle.”

“Okay.”

Luo Yaqing waited quietly, sneaking glances at the armed sentries and military personnel going in and out, feeling the pressure.

She stood out too much as a lone woman. She decided to just head in first.

“Comrade, let me help—”

“No, no, haha, I can carry it!”

She refused help and hoisted the thirty jin of grain, gritting her teeth as she walked toward the compound.

Her stamina was awful!

After just a few steps, she was panting like a dog.

“Come on!” she cheered herself on. “H-Hang in there!”

Soon there’d be rice and white flour to eat…

After returning the vehicle and reporting to his superiors, Han Zhixu strode out of the military district.

But at the gate—his wife and their things were both gone.

“Commander! Your wife’s over there!”

A soldier ran up, pointing into the distance.

“We tried to help, but she said no. Said she could handle it. No big deal.”

“…!”

Han Zhixu saw her—Luo Yaqing carrying thirty pound of grain, inching forward at a snail’s pace.