One week later.

Sister Zhao and Su Rui stood at the forefront of the engineering team, welcoming the soldiers alongside the village women.

In the past few days, Sister Zhao had been in smooth discussions with the military about the underground cable installation. After calculations, they confirmed that laying the cables through Xiaoba Village, though slightly detouring, would connect seamlessly with the newly built Aimin Road. This would be more beneficial for the future development of both the northern and southern sections of Aimin Road.

Qingnan Village refused to cooperate. They demanded money and new houses. Otherwise, they would obstruct the construction. Given the circumstances, choosing Xiaoba Village for the project was the right decision.

Sister Zhao’s proactive attitude also impressed the military leaders. After completing all the assessments, the project was set to begin today.

The engineering soldiers had anticipated resistance from the villagers. Thinking of how strongly Qingnan Village opposed the project, they had brought vegetables and fruits as gifts, hoping to appease the women of Xiaoba Village and avoid major pushback.

However, when they arrived, they were stunned.

Banners stretched across the roadside, reading, “Welcome the Military Construction Team” and “Wishing a Successful Start to Construction.” A group of women from the village had even formed a traditional yangko dance team, beating drums in celebration.

Chen Haiyan, a local soldier assigned to the project, had spent the entire night preparing arguments to persuade the villagers to accept the construction. Seeing the grand welcome, he was dumbfounded.

“I thought maybe the village officials agreed, but the villagers might still object,” Chen Haiyan said, wearing a flower garland around his neck. He couldn’t help but grin. “Xiaoba Village really has good foresight.”

Sister Zhao laughed and said, “We’ve all undergone ideological training. The women in our village have great trust in the military and are more than willing to support your work wholeheartedly.”

Chen Haiyan said, “Sister Zhao, don’t worry. We promised you that after we finish laying the cables, we’ll pave a cement road for you. I guarantee it will last a hundred years without sinking. We won’t go back on our word.”

Su Rui excitedly grabbed Su Hongpei’s hand and said, “Our village is finally getting a cement road.” If you want to get rich, build a road first. The future of Xiaoba Village was full of possibilities.

Sister Zhao didn’t expect the army to be so easy to talk to. Not only did they dig up their land, but they were also helping to build the road. The villagers only needed to pay for the materials. Everyone worked together, tightening their belts to gather the necessary funds.

“We’ve all discussed it. Right now, it’s the slack season. We, the women, will help with the labor. There’s no need to pay us.”

Aunt Song banged on a gong and shouted, “That’s right, we are all working voluntarily, we don’t want any money!”

Su Rui had spent several nights going door to door, explaining the importance of infrastructure. The women had no objections. When they heard that installing cables meant they would have electricity, they all agreed.

Some even said, “We trust the army, and we trust the village committee. Sister Zhao and the others wouldn’t lie to us!”

So, early this morning, Xiaoba Village was lively and bustling, with firecrackers going off in celebration.

Wu Dan sat in his donkey cart, pretending to pass by. He asked around and learned that Xiaoba Village had let the army dig up their land for free, without asking for money or compensation. They were even helping with the labor. He sneered, “A bunch of foolish women.” Then, he flicked his whip and drove off.

He was in a hurry to go to the township and request this year’s poverty alleviation funds. These fools were giving away money out of their own pockets instead of taking it. No one was dumber than them.

With a cigarette dangling from his mouth, he said to his companion, “That’s why women shouldn’t be in charge. Just look at this village, completely dug up, nowhere decent to step. The whole place looks like a bunch of beggars.”

Su Rui carried a shovel and arrived with the other women to help, but Chen Haiyan stopped them. “Things are different now. The army has plenty of manpower. You should go to the fields if you need to, or head up the mountain if necessary. If we need help, we’ll let you know.”

Su Rui grinned and said, “Alright, I was worried we’d get in the way. You guys keep working. I’ll go help my sister make tea for everyone.”

Hearing that Su Hongpei was there, Chen Haiyan touched his tanned face and said a little awkwardly, “That would be a big help.”

Su Rui smiled and said, “I’ll call you later. You have to come over.”

Chen Haiyan remembered what Su Rui had said, feeling both excited and uneasy.

On their way to the communal kitchen, Yan’er and Su Rui walked side by side. Yan’er asked, “Honestly, I think your sister likes him too.”

Su Rui said, “You noticed?”

Yan’er smirked. “I think Chen Haiyan is great. He’s an officer with four pockets on his uniform. I’m telling you, some things you have to see to believe. It’d be best if your sister married him soon.”

Su Rui frowned. “See to believe?”

Yan’er looked around and whispered, “Haven’t you noticed? No one from the Su family has come out in days. No one has even seen Su Chang’e’s partner. Su Yuqin hasn’t been showing off either. Instead, she’s been looking miserable, going to the supply and marketing cooperative every day to buy liquor and meat. We all think that doesn’t seem like a soldier’s behavior.”

Before, they had never met many officers, so they wouldn’t have known better. But in the past two years, Xiaoba Village had seen enough of them to understand that military men were disciplined. How could one just stay in someone’s house all day, drinking and eating?

“Hey, remember what you said last time? You said Su Chang’e’s partner was a labor camp prisoner.” Yan’er linked arms with Su Rui. “I’m starting to think you were right.”

Su Rui said, “I’ll ask my elder sister later.”

Yan’er added, “If your sister has Chen Haiyan looking out for her, the Su family won’t dare to mess with her. But still, better to be cautious. That outsider is shady.”

Su Rui chuckled. “Why don’t you talk to my sister yourself?”

Yan’er sighed. “I’m too blunt. Sometimes my words are harsh. You talk to her. But if she doesn’t want to be with Chen Haiyan, she should tell me soon. I think he’s a good catch.”

Su Rui stopped in her tracks and stared at Yan’er. “Are you trying to steal him?”

Yan’er shoved her playfully. “Steal what? I told you, we’re supposed to push her a little today. I never want to get married. I just want to stay home and take care of my mother.”

She finished speaking and glanced at Su Rui, waiting for her reaction.

Su Rui didn’t think there was anything wrong with that. Marriage was important, but it wasn’t everything. She never liked interfering in other people’s lives. “Alright, let’s work together on this.”

“Don’t worry.” Yan’er let out a breath. In this environment, saying she would never marry was a challenge. Luckily, Su Rui didn’t overreact. Instead, she made it seem like it was no big deal.

“Big Sister, is the tea ready?” Su Rui stood at the communal kitchen’s doorway, poking her head inside.

Su Hongpei called back from behind the rising steam, “Yes, yes. One batch of balloonflower and chrysanthemum tea, and one batch of mung bean soup. Come get them.”

Yan’er deliberately shouted, “Give me Chen Haiyan’s share. I’ll bring it to him.”

Su Hongpei’s hand paused for a moment before she quickly ladled out a bowl. “He likes mung bean soup. Tell him not to drink it too fast.”

Yan’er teased, “I’ll take it outside and let it cool for him.”

Su Hongpei froze for a second before turning away to wipe the counter with a cloth.

After Yan’er left, Su Rui lowered her voice and asked, “What’s going on with Su Chang’e? Why haven’t we heard anything?”

Su Hongpei sighed. “I can’t tell either. That man moved into the main house and made Su Yuqin sleep in the east room. He sleeps with Second Sister… Can you believe that? These past few days, she’s been drinking and eating with him, spending money and ruining her reputation.”

Su Rui muttered, “No wonder we haven’t seen her.”

Su Hongpei added, “That guy looks fierce. You should stay away from him.”

Su Rui nodded. “And what about you? What do you think about Brother Chen Haiyan?”

Su Hongpei hesitated. “I’m three years older than him, and my family background doesn’t match his.”

She tugged at her sleeve. She had thought she could accept other women being nice to Chen Haiyan, but now she felt miserable. Yan’er wasn’t an outsider. She was the right age for him, had a good job, and yet… it still hurt.

Su Rui said, “He’s been interested in you for a long time. If you keep holding back, someone else might take him.”

Su Hongpei lowered her head. “I need to think about it. I don’t want him to end up being in-laws with someone like that.”

Su Rui asked, “Do you like him?”

If it were any other time, Su Rui wouldn’t have asked such a direct question, and Su Hongpei wouldn’t have answered.

Su Hongpei didn’t want to deny her feelings anymore. Seeing that there was no one else in the room, she lowered her voice and said, “Who wouldn’t like someone like that? I just don’t want to drag him down with me.”

“I’m not afraid of being dragged down by you!”

A voice suddenly came from outside. Chen Haiyan was caught at the door by Yan’er. Though eavesdropping wasn’t exactly honorable, he was desperate to know Su Hongpei’s true feelings.

Su Hongpei let out a startled “Ah!” and her face turned red as fire.

Yan’er, standing at the door, rudely shoved a bowl of mung bean soup into Chen Haiyan’s hands and said to Su Hongpei, “If you keep hesitating, I’ll just take him for myself.”

Chen Haiyan panicked and quickly said, “No, no, no, Comrade Yan’er, the one I like is Comrade Su Hongpei. I’m sorry, but my heart belongs to her.”

Yan’er spat on the ground and laughed, scolding, “Give you an inch, and you take a mile. Xiao Rui and I are just waiting for the day we can drink at your wedding banquet.”

“As much as you want!” Chen Haiyan blurted out, gazing at Su Hongpei like a fool, his voice filled with nervous anticipation.

Su Hongpei realized she had fallen into Su Rui’s trap. She clenched her fists, pretending to hit Su Rui, but Su Rui just laughed and dodged. “You two have a nice chat. Yan’er and I will go serve tea.”

Chen Haiyan watched Su Rui and Yan’er leave with gratitude, then turned back to Su Hongpei. Stammering, he said, “I-I’m going to submit a report.”

Su Hongpei asked, “What report?”

Chen Haiyan shouted, “A marriage report! I want to marry you!”

Su Hongpei covered her face and stomped her foot in frustration, facing the wall. “Who rushes things like this?!”

Chen Haiyan stared at her thick, shiny braids, his heart full of affection. “And you say I’m rushing? I’ve liked you for years. Comrade Su Rui can testify to it. She told me everything—what food you like, what drinks you prefer, what fabrics you favor, what flowers you love. Your joys and sorrows are my joys and sorrows. Su Hongpei, give me a chance to love you.”

Su Hongpei was so embarrassed that she wanted to slam her head against the wall. She had no idea what had gotten into Chen Haiyan today.

Outside, Su Rui and Yan’er were walking together, whispering to each other—

“Let me love you.”

“I love you too.”

The two of them giggled as they walked away.

Yan’er asked, “How did you know that calling Chen Haiyan over would work?”

Su Rui replied, “He’s always worried about my big sister being mistreated in the Su family. I’ve seen it over the years. I figured there’s no better time than the present. A good opportunity won’t wait. It’s best to lay everything out now. Whether it works out or not, at least everyone can stop guessing.”

More importantly, she had noticed that Su Hongpei seemed to have feelings for Chen Haiyan too. So, she was happy to give them a little push.

Su Rui was still laughing about someone else’s love life when she and Yan’er reached the village entrance to bring tea to the soldiers. Just as she lifted her head, she saw Fang Chiye’s jeep coming down from the mountain.

Fang Chiye had gone to inspect the electrical cable project. When he saw the white lime markings outlining the construction routes in Xiaoba Village, he said to Sister Zhao, “It’s going to be a tough six months for everyone to get around.”

It was easy to imagine what a mess the village roads would become once they were dug up.

Restoring them to dirt roads would be simple, but the women of Xiaoba Village were determined to prove themselves. They tightened their belts and decided to build cement roads instead, which meant another three months of hardship.

Sister Zhao waved it off. “It’s no problem. Everyone is happy about it.”

Fang Chiye nodded. “Thank you for your cooperation. The army will always remember this.”

After exchanging a few more words with Sister Zhao, he strolled over to stand beside Su Rui.

Su Rui didn’t say anything. She let the May breeze brush over her hands, enjoying the comfort of it.

Suddenly, her hand felt a light tickle. She looked down to see Fang Chiye secretly scratching her with his fingertip.

Su Rui pursed her lips and smiled. Fang Chiye grinned and said, “Can I have some tea?”

Su Rui replied, “I’ll buy you a soda. Let’s go?”

Fang Chiye said, “Good timing. I brought you something to eat.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a package of tiger skin chicken feet, handing it to her. “I remember you like these.”

One yuan and fifty cents for just five pieces—what a spendthrift!

Su Rui accepted the chicken feet and swallowed her saliva. They were delicious, no doubt about that.

Forget it, let him be extravagant.

The two of them walked side by side toward the supply and marketing cooperative, staying close together without caring what others thought.

As they neared the entrance, they ran into two people.

Fang Chiye had sharp eyes. He lowered his voice and said, “Zhan Huan?”

Opposite them, Su Chang’e looked exhausted. She had brought Zhan Huan to the village committee to find Su Rui, but when they didn’t find her there, they planned to head to the construction site. Unexpectedly, they ran into her on the way.

Even though Su Chang’e’s face wasn’t fully visible, Su Rui recognized her posture immediately. She folded her arms and stood waiting.

Zhan Huan had grown a thick beard over the past few days. Resting his arm on Su Chang’e’s shoulder, he squinted at Su Rui. “That’s your little sister?”

Su Chang’e tried to please him. “A village beauty, very pretty. She’s only eighteen this year, still fresh and tender.”

Zhan Huan moved his jaw, his fist tightening with an audible crack. “Who’s that beside her? Why’s he wearing a green uniform? You better not be messing with me.”

Su Chang’e suppressed the fear in her eyes and whispered, “Probably just a soldier helping with road construction. Just watch her for now. Later, I’ll help you—”

Before she could finish, Zhan Huan yanked her hair, forcing her to tilt her head back. “You really are a piece of work.”

Su Chang’e didn’t dare make a sound. She knew from experience that if she screamed, Zhan Huan would only hit her harder. Instead, she learned to keep quiet and obey him. If she was submissive enough, he might hold back a little.

“Go on, then,” he sneered. “Say hello to your dear little sister.”