Chapter 8

Introducing a partner was not something that could be done.

It was merely a topic for mutual bickering and gossip.

They had argued all the way to the communications room. When they saw the long line of people, the two of them fell silent, and, with a mutual understanding, turned and headed toward the Colonel’s office instead.

“What are you two doing here?” asked Colonel Zhou Cheng from the Third Regiment. He was only a few years older than them and was not one to act all formal. On usual days, he would sit with them, holding a tea mug and chatting away casually.

Upon seeing the two of them, Fang Yuan immediately smiled and then added, “Come over to my place for dinner tonight. Your Sister-in-law received some cured meat from the hometown today. Steamed in the pot… the flavor… absolutely delicious!”

Shao Zheng immediately punctured the moment, “I see, you’re just using Old Chen and me as an excuse to drink, aren’t you? Your Sister-in-law is managing you for your own good.”

Zhou Cheng was a good man overall, but he had a certain pride, especially when it came to matters of face. Despite being a strict husband, he would never admit it, just like in this moment.

He immediately shot them a glare, straightened his back, and shouted, “What nonsense are you spouting? Your Sister-in-law can manage me? I’m the head of the household. What business does she have controlling things at home?!”

Seeing his blustering attitude, Shao Zheng could not help but twitch his mouth. He remembered the last time when it was Zhou Cheng who was dragged by his ear to apologize to his Sister-in-law.

However, there were more important matters at hand, so he did not want to get into it further. He nodded toward Old Chen, then grabbed the Colonel and started heading out. “I’ll take the troublemaker away. You hurry up.”

Zhou Cheng tried to resist, “What do you mean by that? What are you trying to do?”

Shao Zheng replied, “Old Chen needs to make a call to the family. The communications room is too crowded.”

“Let him make the call, why are you dragging me into this?”

“To keep you from eavesdropping.”

“Hey, how dare you insult me? Am I the kind of person to do that?”

“…You are!”

---

The Village Committee was located right next door to Old Secretary’s house.

Inside the house, there was no heated bed, so after making the call, they went to Old Secretary’s house to wait.

Here, Chen Nongmo not only received a red envelope from Fourth Uncle, but his arms were also filled with various snacks.

For example, a small handful of sunflower seeds, a dozen peanuts, or a couple of hard candies wrapped in candy wrappers.

When all these little things were accumulated together, they filled her two pockets to the brim, all gifts from the villagers gathered at the village chief’s house.

The weather was too cold. The fields were not only frozen but also covered by a thick layer of snow, making it impossible to farm.

Every year at this time, the villagers would bring along bundles of firewood and gather at Old Secretary’s house to chat, while also weaving baskets, repairing farming tools, or twisting some hemp ropes.

In any case, the hardworking and simple villagers never seemed to be able to rest.

Moreover, with the New Year approaching, even if their home environment was simple, they could still save up some snacks.

Today, all of this was a treat for Chen Nongmo.

“The little girl is quite well-behaved. I thought she would be a spoiled young miss, but now you can rest easy,” Old Secretary said with a smile, after watching for a while as Chen Nongmo squatted among a group of elderly villagers, helping with tasks and patiently answering various questions.

Before he fully understood the nature of my daughter, Chen Zong had been worried about his wife’s health and the stress on her, which was only natural. He showed little change in expression, simply replying in a low voice, “Yuyu is fine. I can see that there won’t be snow for the next two or three days. You can gather people.”

Old Secretary, knowing that he did not want to discuss the girl, smiled helplessly, revealing the deep lines on his face. “The old man can’t possibly eat up the little girl, can he? After all, she’s Demao’s child… There’s no need to gather anyone. They’re all waiting for you. Once you’ve made up your mind, I’ll shout into the loudspeaker.”

Chen Zong was the best hunter in the area, and every year during the twelfth lunar month, he would lead everyone into the mountains for a few days. This year, because he had to bring Demao’s daughter back, he was later than usual. Several villagers had already come looking for him to ask.

“Then, let’s meet at my house at 6 AM the day after tomorrow,” Chen Zong said, refilling his cup with tea and making a firm decision.

“Good! This year, there are also two spots for the Educated Youth. The city kids are delicate, so you’d better keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t get hurt.”

“Mm…”

“Grandpa, the phone’s ringing!” An energetic boy of about eight or nine rushed into the room, not bothered by the biting cold, and shouted.

Old Secretary tapped his tobacco pipe on the table, then stood up with his hands behind his back and walked outside. Chen Nongmo and the others followed him out.

It was a call from Chu Wuwen!

The external sound of the phone was very clear. Chen Nongmo stood to the side, holding her breath as she listened to the conversation.

Her half-brother’s voice was very pleasant, especially when she heard him mention that their parents had not been sent to a harsh environment but had instead gone to the H Province Artillery School for unified management. His voice sounded even clearer and more soothing.

Chen Nongmo unconsciously moved closer to Mommy Qiuhua, resting her head on her shoulder as she listened intently to Big Brother’s concise account of their parents’ situation after arriving in H City.

Military-style management, attending ideological and political classes, reading Mao Zedong’s works, writing self-criticism… Although it sounded restrictive, it was much better than Chen Nongmo had imagined.

Of course, this was all just what she had heard.

She thought that maybe she should find an opportunity to go and see for herself…

“Yuyu, do you want to talk to Big Brother?” After hearing the news she wanted and discussing her daughter with the eldest son, Cao Qiuhua, in an effort to save time, handed the phone over to the three men.

Chen Nongmo snapped out of her thoughts. After hesitating for a few seconds, she shook her head and whispered, “Not this time. I think I’ll write Big Brother a letter first. Mommy Qiuhua, could you tell me more about how Big Brother managed to get this favor?”

Cao Qiuhua patted the girl’s thin shoulder, a little amused, and said, “You’re such a little thing, but you worry about so much… That person’s name is Shao Zheng. He’s Big Brother’s friend…”

---

On the other side.

When Chu Wuwen found out from his mother that, due to a series of coincidences, his never-before-met half-sister had been sent to Shanshun Village, he felt uncomfortable.

Even though he knew that his little sister was still young and had no ability to take care of herself, the news still didn’t sit well with him.

The discomfort might stem from not knowing how to interact with his little sister.

It could also be due to the many times during his childhood when he had to take his little sister to see a doctor, only to have his father fail to show up.

When he was younger, he had felt resentful and disappointed.

After all, he was also the child of his father.

Even though his father later rescheduled and came back to see him, that feeling of disappointment from back then was something that could never be erased.

As time passed, Chu Wuwen’s feelings towards his 13-year-younger biological little sister grew more and more complicated.

Of course, that was in the past.

Now that he had grown older and understood more, he realized that the disappointments he had felt back then weren’t anyone’s fault; they were simply the result of many unavoidable circumstances.

However, he still didn’t know how to face his little sister, who was connected to him by blood…

Chu Wuwen hesitated. Perhaps he should apply for a family visit leave.

“What are you thinking? Did something happen at home?” Shao Zheng, who had been chatting with the Colonel under the eaves, turned when he heard some movement. Seeing the serious expression on Old Chen’s face, he furrowed his brows. He waved to the Colonel, stepped away, and then voiced his confusion.

“It’s nothing.”

“Then why do you look like that?”

Chu Wuwen rubbed his face. “My… little sister. She’s arrived at Shanshun Village.”

Upon hearing this, Shao Zheng raised an eyebrow. “You mean Chen Nongmo?”

Chu Wuwen gave him a sideways glance, his tone slightly sarcastic. “Oh, you remember that clearly.”

Shao Zheng, irritated by the look in his eyes, was so angry that his teeth ached. He immediately punched him and gritted his teeth. “What kind of look is that? *Your sister!* Why are you acting so weird? Isn’t it normal to remember when your names are so easy to recall?”

Cough cough

Chu Wuwen barely avoided the punch, awkwardly clearing his throat.

Of course, he trusted Old Shao’s character. He didn’t know what had happened earlier, but instinctively, he had felt suspicious and blurted it out without thinking.

Chu Wuwen had intended to apologize, but as soon as he heard Old Shao’s words, his face darkened. “Bullshit! What do you mean *your sister!*? We’re not that close! She’s MY little sister!!!”

Shao Zheng was speechless, holding back the urge to laugh at the absurdity of it all. *This guy is so self-righteous… Wasn’t he all awkward just a moment ago?*

Too lazy to deal with him any further, Shao Zheng started walking ahead. Once he’d taken care of things at his old buddy’s house, he felt at ease and didn’t want to deal with anyone anymore. He needed to go check on the team.

Chu Wuwen caught up to him, ignoring his friend’s sour expression, and started talking to himself. “You think… what kind of things do teenage girls like?”

Shao Zheng: “…”

“Maybe I should wait until Sunday and go to the city to check out some flowered cotton jackets?”

Shao Zheng: “…”

“Wait, would just a jacket make me look stingy? What else should I buy? Hey, are you even listening?”

Shao Zheng: “…”