The man from Qingnan Village wanted to retort, but when he saw the soldier leading them turn to look over, he quickly shut his mouth.

They arrived at the office building where the class was being held. The classroom was on the first floor.

It was probably a large conference room, spacious enough to accommodate nearly a hundred people from the three villages. The atmosphere was silent and serious.

The course was similar to what Su Rui had expected, but to her surprise, the instructor was none other than Brother Chen Haiyan.

He first explained the importance of military and civilian defense, then shared two real-life cases to illustrate his points.

Su Rui listened intently, sitting upright. Since they had arrived early, they gave up the front-row seats to those who came later. Su Rui ended up sitting in the very last row.

Just as she was deeply engrossed in the lesson, someone tapped her arm.

Without looking away from Chen Haiyan, she absentmindedly pushed the hand away.

The person tapped her arm again, and something was flicked onto her desk. Su Rui looked down and was surprised to see a White Rabbit candy.

She suddenly remembered that there was no one sitting beside her. Quickly turning her head, she found herself staring straight into a pair of smiling phoenix eyes.

Fang Chiye put a finger to his lips, signaling her to keep quiet. In front of him was an open notebook, making him look like he was diligently taking notes.

Su Rui watched as he scribbled down a line of words and slid the notebook toward her: ‘A reward for the student who listens attentively.’

Suppressing a smile, Su Rui picked up the pen and wrote back: ‘Thank you, Captain. Can I eat it now?’

Fang Chiye replied: ‘You can eat it, but no smacking your lips.’

Su Rui boldly rolled her eyes at him, then carefully unwrapped the White Rabbit candy and popped it into her mouth when Chen Haiyan wasn’t looking.

Up on the podium, Chen Haiyan had a clear view of the back row.

Just as he was about to call out a certain little comrade for eating candy during class, he glanced to the side and saw his highest-ranking superior standing there with his arms crossed, gazing at him meaningfully.

Alright, he saw nothing.

Chen Haiyan turned back around, pretending not to have noticed anything.

Fang Chiye had come prepared today. After making sure the little girl was in a good mood, he handed her a letter just before class ended.

Su Rui’s cheerful face immediately fell.

Fang Chiye said, “Read it when you get home.”

Su Rui frowned. For some reason, she felt like there was a hint of pleading in his voice. That must be her imagination.

Before she could think further, she noticed Fang Chiye looking off to the side. She followed his gaze and saw Su Chang’e quickly lowering her head, scribbling in her notebook.

“Let’s welcome Captain Fang to give a speech,” Chen Haiyan announced from the podium, leading the applause.

A few people in the front row stood up to clap. Su Rui immediately jumped up as well, smiling as she applauded.

Under the little girl’s gaze, Fang Chiye stepped onto the stage to speak.

Unlike his casual demeanor in private, on stage, he stood tall in his crisp military uniform. His strikingly handsome face and powerful words exuded the authority of a true leader.

After delivering a speech about welcoming them and his vision for military-civilian cooperation, the room erupted into thunderous applause. The little girl clapped so hard her hands turned red.

In the letter, Fang Chiye confessed everything. Before sending Su Rui off, he deliberately mentioned, “I probably won’t be here for the next class.”

Su Rui was surprised. “Where will you be?”

Not wanting her to misunderstand that he was avoiding her, Fang Chiye simply explained, “I’m involved in national recruitment. There will be two thousand new soldiers selected for the northwest region, and I need to personally evaluate them one by one.”

“Oh, selecting the best candidates,” Su Rui said with a smile. “A distinguished officer like you must also be looking for outstanding soldiers. So, when do you expect to return?”

Fang Chiye replied, “It should be in about two months.”

Su Rui nodded and said, “That’s just right. We’ll be busy with spring plowing, so by the time you return, you’ll see lush green wheat fields.”

Her eyes were bright and clear as she looked up at him, pure and full of life. Strands of her hair fluttered with the breeze outside the window, and the fine, soft hairs on her earlobes appeared both delicate and lively.

For a brief moment, Fang Chiye raised his hand, but realizing something, he quickly withdrew it and clasped it behind his back.

Hearing someone call her name, Su Rui ran off with a cheerful trot but didn’t forget to turn back and wave at Fang Chiye with a bright smile.

At that moment, he seemed to see a thriving wildflower, spreading freely in the fields of April.

Fang Chiye hesitated for a moment before leaving the classroom. After he left, Chen Haiyan, who had been chatting with someone inside, looked toward the back row and asked in confusion, “Comrade Su Chang’e, why are you sitting in Comrade Su Rui’s seat?”

Su Chang’e quickly stuffed the letter she had just picked up into her pocket and stiffly replied, “I saw that she forgot her pen, so I picked it up for her.”

Chen Haiyan said, “Alright then, hurry up and leave. There’s a meeting here later.”

With the letter still in her pocket, Su Chang’e could feel its thickness. She assumed it contained ration coupons that a labor reform prisoner had asked Fang Chiye to deliver.

When she reached a secluded corner, she casually crumpled the letter and tossed it far into the drainage ditch.

On the way home in the donkey cart, Su Chang’e couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling. Her eyelid kept twitching uncontrollably. Earlier, she had assumed the envelope was filled with ration coupons, so she didn’t dare to keep it—if someone caught her with it, she’d be accused of theft.

Anyway, Su Rui wouldn’t have used them for the family. She would have hoarded them for herself. Might as well just get rid of it.

But her right eyelid twitched so much it almost cramped. A bad feeling crept into her heart, as if she had just made a mistake.

When she got home, Su Yuqin was still lying on the kang bed, groaning softly.

She ordered Su Hongpei to fetch some firewood from the backyard. Seeing Su Chang’e return, she forced herself to sit up and asked, “So? Did you see the company commander?”

Su Chang’e shook her head and grumbled, “No, instead, I ran into a bunch of labor reform prisoners.”

“How could you run into those kinds of people?” Su Yuqin said. “Look at you, your complexion is worse than mine. Go wash your face properly with some scented soap.”

“Alright.” Su Chang’e shivered and obediently went to wash her face.

Su Rui had arrived home a little earlier. At this moment, she was rummaging through her belongings, her little face flushed with anxiety.

Su Hongpei passed by, carrying firewood, and asked, “What are you looking for?”

Su Rui checked the pockets of her cotton-padded jacket but still couldn’t find it. She tossed the jacket aside in frustration and said, “The letter that Captain Fang gave me! I put it in my pocket, but now it’s gone!”

Su Hongpei put down the firewood and helped Su Rui search through her pockets again. She also became anxious. “What should we do? If there was something important in that letter, wouldn’t it be a huge loss?”

Su Rui froze for a moment, then became even more frustrated. “I remember it felt quite thick. If I lost ration coupons, I’ll have to compensate him.”

“Come help start the fire,” Su Yuqin called from outside the window. “Old Third, cook the meal! Just because you’re a cadre doesn’t mean you don’t have to work. I never see you busy with anything.”

Su Hongpei whispered, “Forget it for now. Let’s eat first, and I’ll help you look for it later.”

Su Rui sat on the small kang bed, recalling what had happened that morning. Fang Chiye had handed her the letter, and she had casually stuffed it into her pocket. It must have fallen out somewhere.

Hurriedly, Su Rui ran outside and told Su Hongpei, “I’m going to the village committee to make a call.”

Su Hongpei watched as Su Rui ran off.

At the village committee, Su Rui called the security office and explained the situation. The soldier on duty assured her that they would contact Platoon Leader Chen, who had been in class that day. If the letter was left at the army base, it wouldn’t be lost, so she didn’t need to worry.

Su Rui guessed that it had likely fallen out at the back of the classroom. She made a mental note to sew her pockets shut when she got back, so she wouldn’t keep losing things.

When she returned home, she was surprised to see Su Chang’e in the kitchen, preparing a big bowl of sweet potato flour noodles. They were served with crisp celery leaf pickles and shredded potatoes.

Once everyone went inside to eat, Su Chang’e sneakily pulled out a bottle of sesame oil from the depths of the cupboard. Not long after, Su Rui heard her yelling, “Su Rui! Did you steal my sesame oil again? Are you a rat?”

Su Rui slurped a mouthful of noodles, enjoying them with the shredded potatoes, completely ignoring her wailing.

After dinner, Su Rui still had to go to work in the afternoon. On the way, she ran into the postman.

Since Su Chang’e had given him gifts, he now delivered letters from the company commander straight to their house, so she no longer had to wait foolishly outside the supply and marketing cooperative.

Su Chang’e rushed into the yard to grab the letter. Without even thanking him, she eagerly tore it open and scanned through it before letting out a sharp scream.

Su Yuqin, annoyed by the noise, opened the window and asked, “Now what?”

Su Chang’e said excitedly, “He said he’s coming to see me next month!”

Su Yuqin perked up and smiled. “If he’s coming to see you, does that mean you two are getting married?”

Su Chang’e, feeling pleased, said smugly, “Of course! Since he’s proposing, I have to make sure I hold onto him.”

Su Yuqin said, “That’s my good daughter. Once you marry into the army and follow him, you must take me along.”

Su Chang’e absentmindedly hummed in agreement as she changed her shoes. “I need to go to the village committee.”

Su Yuqin asked, “What for?”

Su Chang’e explained, “He said his unit has strict regulations. The village committee needs to issue an invitation with an official seal, so they can grant him a travel permit. Without it, he won’t be able to come.”

Su Yuqin said, “It’s only twenty li from here. Why does he need a permit for that?”

Su Chang’e replied, “I saw how strict things were at the army base today. Maybe the rules for the military and civilian areas are different. It’s better to get the permit, just in case.”

Su Yuqin said, “Then hurry up and go. When you get there, look for Sister Zhao and ask her to speed things up. If you become a military wife, she’ll also benefit from it.”

As soon as Su Chang’e stepped out, she was blocked by Su Hongpei. “Second Sister, tell me honestly, did you take Little Sister’s letter?”

Annoyed, Su Chang’e snapped, “I am your real sister! How many times do I have to say it?!”

Su Hongpei grabbed her arm and said, “Tell me the truth.”

Su Chang’e replied, “I didn’t take it.”

Su Hongpei let go of her hand and said in a low voice, “Really? You should know that many things come down to a single thought. You better not regret it.”

Su Chang’e chuckled and said, “I said I didn’t take it, so I didn’t. It wasn’t me.”

Su Hongpei had specifically called Chen Haiyan, who told her that the last person seen at Su Rui’s seat was Su Chang’e.

Lowering her voice, Su Hongpei warned, “Bad deeds will be repaid with consequences.”

Su Chang’e scoffed, “Am I supposed to be scared?”

She shook the letter from the company commander in her hand and laughed. “Then let my retribution come quickly!”