Su Rui turned to head back to the office to call the military unit. If Sister Zhao was still there, it would be even better—Sister Zhao could help hold them off for a while.

“Su Rui! Su Rui!” The fool continued to jump and shout, attracting the attention of the neighbors.

Just as Su Rui was about to run, a clear, steady voice called out, “Comrade Su.”

Su Rui froze on the spot and slowly turned her head. In the courtyard stood a tall figure—Fang Chiye.

Why was he here?

The fool, who was normally boisterous and unruly, suddenly shrank like a chick in front of an eagle, hunching his shoulders and not daring to meet Fang Chiye’s eyes.

Following Fang Chiye out of the house were the fool’s parents, the matchmaker, Su Li, and a few others. The only one missing was Su Chang’e—perhaps she was afraid the fool might end up trying to propose to her instead.

Su Rui silently looked at Fang Chiye.

Fang Chiye gave her a slight nod.

At that moment, Su Rui’s heart settled.

Without waiting for the fool to keep yelling, she walked into the courtyard on her own. Before the fool could approach her, his parents, brothers, and the matchmaker quickly stepped in to hold him back.

Looking at the fruits, sausages, and dried goods on the ground, Su Rui feigned ignorance and asked, “What’s all this for?”

The fool’s parents exchanged awkward glances. One of his older brothers stammered, “We… we were just visiting relatives nearby, and my brother insisted on stopping by to see you. W-we’ll take these back with us.”

Su Rui turned to look at Fang Chiye, who smiled faintly.

She instantly understood—he must have warned them while she was gone. Otherwise, with those intimidating brothers, there was no way she and her father could have handled them alone today.

The fool’s family wasn’t having an easy time either. For the past two months, the fool had been causing a ruckus at home, refusing to eat and even jumping into the river, insisting on marrying Su Rui. His family had to restrain him, even injuring two people in the process.

A few days ago, they heard a rumor that Su Rui’s fiancé wasn’t actually a military officer but a labor camp prisoner. That gave them hope again. If she wasn’t marrying a soldier, then she wasn’t out of their league. However, since she was now a village cadre, they couldn’t use force. Instead, they brought gifts to pressure her into agreeing.

But who could have predicted that as soon as they entered the Su family’s home, a military officer would arrive as a guest? They didn’t dare say a word after that. They could only curse the person who fed them false information and wish them a miserable afterlife.

“Since you’re back, I won’t have to pass this along to someone else.” In front of everyone, Fang Chiye took out two envelopes and handed them to Su Rui. “These are from Comrade Ye. He asked me to deliver them to you.”

“You know Ye Chifang?” Su Rui stiffened, hesitantly reaching out to take the envelopes.

Noticing her change in expression, Fang Chiye thoughtfully said, “We’re not that close.”

Su Rui carefully asked, “Is he doing well inside?”

Thinking she was referring to the military unit, Fang Chiye nodded. “He’s performing exceptionally.”

Su Rui’s lips twitched. Great—now he might actually get released early.

She opened one of the letters. There wasn’t much written inside—just some thoughts on his recent reading of How the Steel Was Tempered.

The other envelope contained much more—inside were two ration coupons for soybean oil, five one-jin commodity grain coupons, a half-jin sesame oil coupon, and two nationwide fine cotton cloth coupons.

Seeing how well Su Rui and her fiancé got along and knowing for sure that he was a military officer, the family of the foolish man quickly made excuses about having other relatives to visit and hurriedly shoved him out the door.

The items scattered across the courtyard were taken back, making Su Yuqin’s heart ache terribly. But when she turned and saw the ration coupons in Su Rui’s hands, her eyes lit up. Fresh fruits were never scarce in the countryside, but commodity coupons were precious and rarely issued.

“You still want to kick him out for no reason even when he treats you like this?” Fang Chiye lowered his voice so only Su Rui could hear.

Su Rui’s hands trembled slightly. “Where did he get these from?”

Fang Chiye replied, “They were issued.”

Su Rui was stunned. “The benefits are this good?”

“Of course,” Fang Chiye said. “One of the best in the country.”

Su Rui closed her eyes. Damn.

Fang Chiye observed her carefully. “Why do you look unhappy?”

Forcing a smile, Su Rui muttered, “He…”

“He’s very good,” Fang Chiye said firmly.

For some reason, hearing Fang Chiye talk about Ye Chifang made Su Rui feel a dull ache in her chest. But there was nothing between her and Fang Chiye—he was just lending a helping hand.

“Thank you,” Su Rui said, unable to think of anything else.

Fang Chiye noted her expression and felt a bit puzzled.

Su Yuqin came over with a smile on her face. Before she could say anything, Su Rui swiftly stuffed the coupons into her pocket and tilted her head to look at her.

Su Yuqin: “…” This greedy little thing.

Fang Chiye held back a chuckle and turned to Su Yuqin. “What I just said—”

Su Yuqin put on a false smile. “Arranged marriages are a remnant of feudalism. Seeing how well she and Comrade Ye get along, I feel reassured. I will fully support free love. From now on, if anyone comes to propose, I’ll drive them all away.”

Fang Chiye then looked at Su Li, his gaze briefly lingering on the sickle tucked at Su Li’s waist. “Uncle, you should trust that the Party and the military will never allow coercion. If you act rashly and cause harm, you’ll have to bear the legal consequences. The person you want to protect will only suffer because of you.”

Su Li, an honest man, nodded. “Thank you, Captain Fang. I understand now. I should rely on the Party and the military for support.”

“She has my number. She can call me anytime.”

Ignoring the shocked expressions of the Su family, Fang Chiye checked his watch. He had come over on short notice and still had other matters to attend to.

Su Rui walked him out. Before leaving, he nodded at Su Hongpei.

As they walked along the stone path away from home, Su Rui asked, “You know my eldest sister?”

Fang Chiye didn’t beat around the bush. “Comrade Su Hongpei saw that the foolish man’s family had entered the village and immediately went to Sister Zhao to request the security office’s phone number.”

What Su Rui didn’t know was that her photo had already circulated within the military. Upon hearing that something had happened at her home, the soldier on duty immediately passed the message to Fang Chiye.

Su Hongpei had unintentionally found the right person.

Just as they left, Su Chang’e suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Realizing that Captain Fang hadn’t gone far, she hurried after him.

Standing beside Fang Chiye, Su Rui watched Su Chang’e sway her hips with every step, her lips painted a striking red, and felt an overwhelming urge to strangle her.

Oblivious to Su Yuqin’s darkened expression, Su Chang’e greeted Fang Chiye and then eagerly asked, “Captain Fang, I’d like to ask you about someone.”

Fang Chiye glanced at her indifferently. “Go ahead.”

Su Chang’e would naturally ask about her partner, Zhan Huan.

“Zhan Huan?” Fang Chiye hesitated for a moment before asking, “Are you sure he’s a military officer?” The surname “Zhan” wasn’t common in the north. However, among the labor reform prisoners scheduled to be transferred, there was one with that surname.

“Yes, he’s a deputy company commander,” Su Chang’e replied confidently.

Since she spoke with such certainty, Fang Chiye simply responded, “No, there is no one with the surname Zhan in my unit.”

Su Chang’e grew anxious and stomp her foot. “That’s impossible! You must have remembered wrong. Think again!”

Fang Chiye’s expression darkened. He knew every officer under his command. Each position had been fought for on the battlefield. There was no way he could have forgotten someone.

Su Rui quickly interjected, blocking Su Chang’e. “If he says no, then it’s no. Ask your partner again. Some military units go by numbered designations—maybe he got it wrong.”

Fang Chiye’s voice turned cold. “If a soldier can’t even remember his own unit’s number, then he has no business being in the military.”

Su Rui exaggeratedly winked at him, signaling him to leave before Su Chang’e latched onto him again.

Fang Chiye, pretending not to notice, stood there long enough for Su Rui’s face to almost cramp before finally walking away.

After taking only a few steps, he heard Su Rui call out, “Hey! I’ll prepare a thank-you gift for you!”

Fang Chiye chuckled. “I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Su Rui muttered under her breath, “Looking forward to it? What am I supposed to give him, flowers?”

Su Chang’e coldly stared at Su Rui. “Since when did you get so close to Captain Fang? Could it be that Guo Jiarong was telling the truth?”

Su Rui smirked without humor. “You and him are birds of a feather. Be careful—you might end up just like him.”

The two of them returned home one after the other.

Su Hongpei anxiously asked Su Chang’e in a low voice, “Did you find out anything?”

Su Chang’e shot her a glare. “None of your damn business.”

Su Rui nudged Su Hongpei toward the house. “Ignore her. She’s just upset that she found herself a fool for a partner, someone who can’t even remember his unit number. Captain Fang completely humiliated her.”

Su Chang’e snapped, “Don’t be so smug. I’ll write him a letter and ask him myself.”

Fuming, she stormed into the house, only to find Su Yuqin looking hesitant, as if she had something to say.

“What is it?” Su Chang’e asked impatiently.

Su Yuqin couldn’t shake off the feeling that something wasn’t right about Su Rui’s partner. He didn’t seem like a prisoner at all. What kind of prisoner could command the help of a high-ranking officer? The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt.

But when she saw the expression on Su Chang’e’s face, Su Yuqin swallowed her words.

Su Chang’e sat at the dining table and started writing her letter. After some thought, she assumed her fiancé had simply hidden some personal details because he thought she wasn’t good enough for him. To reassure him, she even included a newly taken photo in the envelope, urging him to come see her as soon as possible.

With both Guo Jiarong and the foolish man’s matter settled, Su Rui was in high spirits. She treated herself to half a vat of brown sugar water, holding it close as she sat by the small stove, carefully picking out floral fabric patterns.

Su Rui had promised to give Fang Chiye a gift, but buying one was out of the question. So, she discussed with Su Hongpei about making a handmade present instead.

A few days ago, Su Hongpei had received a pair of knitted gloves from Chen Haiyan, which Su Rui found quite nice. She thought about making a pair for Ye Chifang but worried it might not be convenient for him in the labor camp. Then she considered making them for Fang Chiye, but the military probably provided gloves. After much deliberation, she slapped her thigh and decided—why not pamper herself? She would make them for herself.

Seeing her deep in thought, Su Hongpei suggested, “If you’re worried about interfering with his work, why not make a cotton hat? The north wind in winter is harsh. A cotton hat would keep his head from aching.”

Su Rui found this idea practical. After all, he had given her so many ration coupons. Whether their relationship would continue in the future was uncertain, but she should at least return the favor.

However, if things didn’t work out between them, she would have to return the coupons unused. So, a grand gift wasn’t necessary—something small but thoughtful would do.

As for Fang Chiye, Su Rui had noticed back in the cabin that everything he wore, down to his socks, was standard military-issued deep green.

…She hadn’t dared to look below his socks or above his abs.

Su Rui wasn’t sure if the military provided underwear, but they probably did. Otherwise, a splash of bright-colored underwear among all that green during laundry time would be quite the sight—hilarious, even.

After much thought, Su Rui decided to sew a pair of insoles for Fang Chiye. To make the gift more meaningful, she painstakingly embroidered two bright red peonies on them.

This way, they would be hidden inside his shoes, safe from gossip. He could wear them secretly.

For the past few days, whenever Su Hongpei came home from work, she would see Su Rui hunched over, diligently stitching the insoles.

“You should sprinkle a few drops of floral water on them. That way, when he puts on his shoes, he’ll be intoxicated by the scent,” Su Rui joked.

Su Hongpei was at a loss for words. If Fang Chiye was like the gentle warmth of April, then her dear sister was the down-to-earth essence of Northeast home cooking.