Su Rui was always well-behaved around soldiers. Admiring their broad shoulders and long legs, she felt her anger subside a little.

After all, even a villainess had mammary glands!

She still needed to go back and discuss a plan with Director Zhao.

Su Rui headed toward the women’s office but found it empty. After asking around, she learned that Director Zhao was distributing the beans purchased in bulk at the grain-sunning ground.

The collected beans had to be pickled and dried for storage to supplement nutrition in the winter.

Every year around this time, every household was busy. While the sea snail meat and dried fish hanging under the eaves could be stored away, a new batch of dried vegetables took center stage.

By the time Su Rui arrived, a long queue had already formed at the grain-sunning ground.

At the front, Aunt Song was chatting with Chen Xianglan. “These 810 long beans are a bit older than the fresh ones from May, but my husband says they’re perfect for pickling. One bean can flavor an entire bowl of rice—delicious!”

Chen Xianglan added, “My husband doesn’t like pickled beans. He prefers sauerkraut. How about we make a batch together?”

Aunt Song chuckled. “Your man is already sour enough. Do you really need to give him more?”

Before Chen Xianglan could respond, Su Rui and the others burst into laughter.

Everyone knew that Chen Xianglan’s husband was infamous for being a jealous man. He had one attitude when talking to women and a completely different one when talking to men.

Su Rui waited in line for over half an hour. When she finally got home, she saw her father in the courtyard, carving a stick for her.

When she returned, her father put down the stick and came over to meet her. Su Rui asked, “Dad, is this for me?”

Su Li put down the basket and said, “I promised you. Of course, I remember.”

Su Rui walked over, picked up the stick, and swung it a few times before saying, “Make it thinner and smooth out the splinters.”

Su Li’s face wrinkled into a smile. “Got it. Once I’m done, you—our little Team Leader Su—can check and approve it. If it’s not good enough, I’ll redo it.”

Su Rui was satisfied.

Back then, in order to keep her from starving, her father had humbled himself and agreed to become a live-in son-in-law for Su Yuqin. He was the first man in Xiaoba Village to do so.

Those years had been tough.

Her father had a weak personality, but he loved her. That was enough.

Su Yuqin knew that Su Li could tolerate anything except matters concerning Su Rui. When it came to her, he would fight with all he had.

That was why Su Rui dared to go against her.

She hummed as she got ready to sort the yard-long beans. Half of them would be dried and stored for the winter. When the time came to slaughter the New Year’s pig, she could cook them with lard for an especially delicious meal.

The rest would be made into pickled beans.

Su Yuqin didn’t like them, but her father did. She planned to make a lot—just for him.

“Heh, no wonder I couldn’t find any beans. You got to them first.”

Su Hongpei returned with an empty basket, set it down, and greeted Su Li, “Dad.”

Su Li put down his axe. “I’ll get you some water.”

Su Hongpei said, “I’ll get it myself. Be careful with your hands.”

Su Li chuckled honestly. “Alright.”

All year round, they barely had a chance to eat white rice.

Today, Su Rui had made a special pot of white rice just for her father.

After years of fishing at sea, Su Li’s health was poor. He needed proper nutrition—good rice and fresh vegetables.

Even Su Yuqin agreed with this.

Whenever they had white rice, Su Li’s bowl was always the fullest.

At mealtime, Su Rui scooped him a big bowlful, and the fragrance of the rice filled the air, drifting right into Su Chang’e’s nose.

She looked at the rice pot, which was already half empty, and couldn’t help but say, “You’re serving it like you’re using your feet to scoop it up!”

Su Rui didn’t want to argue. She pretended not to hear and simply said to Su Li, “Dad, finish this, and I’ll get you more.”

Su Yuqin stayed silent, and so did Su Li.

Su Chang’e was furious. She got up, intending to scoop up the remaining rice for herself.

But Su Hongpei grabbed the pot first and said, “You don’t do any work. You should eat less.”

Su Chang’e’s face turned red. “…Mom! Look at them!”

Su Yuqin spoke kindly, “It’s just some white rice. It’s not like we eat it every day.”

Su Chang’e huffed, “I didn’t even get a single bite!”

Su Hongpei countered, “Neither did our little sister. This is for Dad and Mom. Stop making a fuss. Here, have this cornbread. It’s mixed with white flour.”

Su Chang’e took the mixed-flour cornbread unwillingly. As she chewed, she thought about her future as a military wife. When that day came, she would eat the best government-provided grains and refuse to share even a single bite with them.

After dinner, while washing the dishes, Su Hongpei invited Su Rui to go watch a movie.

They had already watched the same eight model plays over and over, so Su Rui wasn’t too excited. But then she thought about staying home and looking at Su Chang’e’s long face and big chin. Compared to that, going out for fresh air sounded much better. So, she agreed.

This time, the projectionist from the county also had to double as the voice actor because the movie’s audio wasn’t working.

A group of six or seven literate people was quickly gathered to read the script aloud. The only thing missing was a clear and crisp female voice for the heroine’s lines.

Since Su Rui had a beautiful singing voice, Director Zhao recommended her. Taking the makeshift microphone, Su Rui shouted with deep emotion, “Tell my mother—I’m not a coward!!”

Her voice was so powerful that Guo Qingwang, who had come to fetch someone, staggered and nearly fell flat on his face.

“She, she, she—what is she doing—”

Director Zhao, pleased with the situation, pressed her lips together to hide her smile and said, “The projector’s speaker is broken. She’s helping out.”

Guo Qingwang clasped his hands behind his back, thought for a moment, then let them drop. He waited until Su Rui had had her fill of fun. Just as she was about to sing the movie’s ending theme, he hurriedly sent someone to pull her down.

Su Rui was not happy.

She had been looking forward to a good karaoke session to relieve stress.

Now it was ruined.

Already in a sour mood, seeing Guo Qingwang only made it worse.

She slapped at her arm to kill a mosquito and forced a smile. “Uncle Guo, what do you want?”

Guo Qingwang had been waiting below for ages. His ankles had been bitten by flower mosquitoes, leaving four or five swollen bites. But when he saw Su Rui, he didn’t get mad. Instead, he beamed. “Little girl, since you have connections in the township, why didn’t you say so earlier? This was just a big misunderstanding between family.”

Su Rui sensed Director Zhao’s gaze on her and put on a serious face. “If I had told you, would you have believed me?”

Guo Qingwang exchanged a glance with the village affairs officer beside him. He knew it! This little girl had something up her sleeve!

Just that afternoon, right after Su Rui had sought him out, the township office called him.

They told him to ensure “fairness, justice, and transparency” in assigning off-season farm work. The labor count, working hours, and wages for the three villages had to be “equal, open, and clear.”

Right after that, a military officer handed him a list of names to be dismissed—all of them were fools who had been slacking off in Qingnan Village!

With the power dynamic flipped, Guo Qingwang edged closer, about to speak.

Su Rui hooked her thumbs into her fabric belt and adjusted it, ready to defend herself.

“…”

Guo Qingwang cleared his throat and finally said, “Director Zhao wants you to—”

Su Rui raised a hand to stop him and said sharply, “If Sister Zhao has something to say, she can tell me directly. There’s no need for a messenger.”

Director Zhao covered her mouth to hide a smile.

Guo Qingwang took a deep breath, then looked at the women chatting in small groups as they headed home. Anxiously, he said, “Here’s the thing—I spoke with the military. They agreed to let Xiaoba Village’s women take on the work.”

Su Rui raised an eyebrow. “You discussed it with the military?”

Guo Qingwang quickly corrected himself, “No, no, this was also the township’s decision.”

Su Rui was sharp. She immediately realized that Guo Qingwang had been lectured by his superiors. She lifted her chin and said, “We’re not going.”

Guo Qingwang sucked in a breath. “Say that again?”

Director Zhao chimed in, backing Su Rui up, “We just received a batch of yard-long beans today. We’ll be busy preparing winter vegetables for the next few days. We don’t have time to take on extra work.”

Aunt Song happened to walk by, carrying a small stool. She muttered, loud enough for Guo Qingwang to hear, “So busy. Haven’t even finished making canned food, and now the yard-long beans are here. Just too much to do.”

Chen Xianglan added, “We’ve made enough money this year. Whatever happens, happens. We’re done!”

Guo Qingwang glanced at Chen Xianglan with a deep, meaningful look.

Chen Xianglan smiled shyly. “I have no manners.”

Guo Qingwang: “…”

Are you actually proud of that?

After they left, Su Rui also said, “Working isn’t as important as pickled long beans. I’m leaving first.” With that, she headed home.

Guo Qingwang turned to Director Zhao and said, “Look at the women in your village. They’re completely out of control! Hurry up and organize them. They need to report for work tomorrow!”

Director Zhao replied politely, “You’re the leader. How could I overstep my bounds? You’re capable, so you do more work. I’m leaving too.” She bent down, picked up her small stool, and left.

Guo Qingwang always used his position as the top leader to pressure Director Zhao, but this time, it backfired. That night, he went home fuming.

The task assigned by the commune couldn’t be ignored, so he tossed and turned all night.

The next morning, the loudspeaker in Xiaoba Village broadcasted Guo Qingwang’s voice.

He said, “The relationship between the military and civilians is as close as fish and water. The army needs our labor, and this is the time for our female comrades to step up and help complete the cement road as soon as possible. Won’t Xiaoba Village be the biggest beneficiary of this road?”

He continued to ramble on, “I strongly urge all women not to put on airs, not to hold grudges, and to focus on construction work. The world is vast, and there is great potential for achievement!”

…

Su Rui had some money on hand, so she frugally bought two feet of floral fabric and sat at home sewing herself a pair of underwear.

Meanwhile, Guo Qingwang talked until his mouth went dry, drinking cup after cup of water from his enamel mug, yet not a single woman signed up for work.

Everyone was still angry.

If anyone secretly signed up, they would be branded a traitor to Xiaoba Village.

And Xiaoba Village had everything—except traitors.

Su Rui happily sewed her underwear. After finishing, she kneaded dough for long beans. It was a rare day off, and she enjoyed a leisurely time.

She had no idea how the township leaders found out about Guo Qingwang’s situation. She assumed it was Sister Zhao who reported him, leading to his exposure. Thinking that Guo Qingwang was about to be removed from his position, she felt energized and even hummed a little tune.

By the afternoon, Guo Qingwang couldn’t sit still anymore.

He gathered several brigade cadres and drove a donkey cart from house to house, personally inviting the women to work. He even brought along the tools that Qingnan Village had claimed for themselves—hoes, shovels, pickaxes—delivering them right to their doors.

When he arrived at Su Rui’s house, she noticed a huge blister on his lips.

She exaggeratedly exclaimed, “Why do you have a blister?”

Guo Qingwang forced a smile, but the moment he grinned, it hurt.

He waved his hand, and the cadre behind him handed Su Rui a brand-new shovel. Knowing that Su Rui had a sharp tongue and that he was at a disadvantage, Guo Qingwang wisely handed over the shovel and left without another word.

Su Rui had been all geared up for a verbal battle, only to be left hanging.

After making a full round through the village, Guo Qingwang returned to Qingnan Village, shoulders slumped in defeat.

Sitting beside Su Rui, Su Hongpei, who was patching a hole in her winter coat, whispered, “I heard the township leaders criticized him and even made him write a self-reflection report.”

If Su Hongpei knew about it, then the news had already spread across all three villages. This was equivalent to peeling off Guo Qingwang’s face and stomping on it.

Su Rui figured the timing was just right. Coincidentally, Director Zhao came over to discuss with her, and the two quickly reached an agreement—tomorrow, they would lead the women to work.

The women had no respect for Guo Qingwang, but they would give Director Zhao some face. That night, after dinner, Su Rui went door to door, encouraging and mobilizing the women.

Early the next morning, the women carried the communal tools, grinning and joking as they greeted one another.

When they passed by Guo Qingwang, their gazes were laced with mockery, their eyes practically shooting daggers at him.

Guo Qingwang had no choice but to force a smile, afraid that if he upset them, they would refuse to work again.

Su Rui walked among the group, carrying a shovel over her shoulder. She also borrowed Wanzi’s magnet.

She had heard that there might be scrap iron in the mountains where the road was being built. She planned to collect some iron sheets, wires, or nails and trade them for malt candy for Wanzi.

Looking beautiful and full of spirit, she was in high spirits for this endeavor.

Walking nearby, Brother-in-law Chen and Chen Xianglan were deep in thought. Brother-in-law Chen was once again contemplating the possibility of setting up his younger brother with Su Rui.

Among the scattered Qingnan villagers who came to work, a few were still single.

They resented Su Rui for stirring things up and preventing their fellow villagers from earning money, and they were looking for ways to get back at her.

But when they finally saw Su Rui in person, her snow-white skin seemed to glow among the women. Her stunning face was like that of a celestial maiden descending from the heavens.

All thoughts of revenge vanished.

They nudged each other forward, all eager to catch her attention.

Meanwhile, Su Rui was also secretly observing the single men from neighboring villages.

She only had one question for them—did they have a maternal family?

This was crucial.

A man who ran back to his mother’s house every few days was unacceptable. If they quarreled and his aunts and cousins came in droves to gang up on her, her happy days would be ruined.

Handsome, capable, and loyal to his wife. Hardworking, filial, and with no maternal family to run to.

Not a single requirement could be compromised.

Just then, another convoy approached from the foot of the mountain.

There was an imposing air about it.

The first ten vehicles were all heavy-duty trucks, so massive they resembled moving mountains.

Behind them were more than a dozen jeeps, followed by military transport trucks carrying nearly a thousand fully armed soldiers.

The engineer troops who had been working on the road immediately stood at attention and fell silent. Dozens of them collectively saluted the person in the first jeep.

The villagers by the roadside also stopped to watch.

Next to Su Rui, Aunt Song gasped in surprise, “Oh my, that must be a high-ranking officer! I heard someone call him ‘Captain’!”

Su Rui stretched her neck to see, but she couldn’t catch a clear glimpse of the so-called “Captain.”

Finally, the first jeep, flying two red flags, stopped at the road checkpoint. The door opened, and a long leg clad in polished leather military boots stepped out.

Wow.

Exciting.

That height had to be at least 185 cm.

The captain’s military uniform was crisp, his collar buttoned up neatly to his throat. After stepping out, he turned his back to Su Rui and saluted the soldiers in return. His movements were steady and composed, exuding an air of elegance and authority. Under the sunlight, the shining insignia on his uniform gleamed with brilliance.

A young sentry, seeing the legendary Captain Fang Chiye in person for the first time, was so overwhelmed by his battlefield-honed aura that he could barely speak.

Su Rui stood about thirty meters away, still carrying her shovel over her shoulder.

She vaguely noticed that the captain had more insignia on his shoulders than anyone else.

She wasn’t sure what rank he held, but she knew one thing for sure—he was a man born to stand above others.

“So young!”

Just as the man turned slightly, Su Rui caught a glimpse of the contours of his face from afar. Before she could get a clear look, he turned back again.

Good heavens, he was handsome!

And he had phoenix eyes!

She wasn’t sure if he had heard her, but he tilted his head slightly in her direction before indifferently turning away and getting into the car.

That was a checkpoint ahead—part of a military restricted area where unauthorized personnel were not allowed.

A soldier rushed over to open the door for the silent and imposing convoy. Even after the vehicles drove away, the lingering pressure remained in the air.

The dust kicked up by the tires still floated midair.

Beside Su Rui, Aunt Song clutched her chest and gasped, “My goodness, just one look from him made my heart tremble.”

Su Rui, holding her shovel, was taken aback. “Why would he look at you?”

Aunt Song, believing herself to be still charming, smiled faintly. “If not at me, then at you?” Her gaze swept over Su Rui’s chest.

Su Rui, unable to tolerate it, straightened her back to prove that she still had something there.

Aunt Song scoffed, “Even a little chick like you knows how to check out men now?”

Su Rui sneered, “Of course, I do.”

Aunt Song, adopting the tone of someone experienced, asked, “Then what do you think of that one just now?”

What did she think?

That broad chest, the shining insignia, the lean waist, the long legs! He had to be at least 1.85 meters tall, and with his arms spread, he could probably cover the length of her small bed!

Without hesitation, Su Rui blurted out, “He looks like a great candidate for tucking in a quilt!”

Aunt Song: “…You’re completely hopeless, aren’t you?”