Chen Baozhen’s husband, Gao Jianguo, typically returned home three to four times a week, usually every other day. For most of the time, only Chen Baozhen was at home.

Their assigned housing was a small two-story building. The first floor was damp and included a living room, a kitchen, and a utility room. The second floor had two simple yet spacious rooms: a master bedroom and a guest bedroom. Houses of this era often had large and open layouts.

From the moment Qin Yao entered Chen Baozhen’s home, she couldn’t help but sigh.

This friend of hers… If someone claimed she lacked any sense of dignity, they’d be wrong. After all, whenever she went out, she would dress herself impeccably, standing proud like a majestic swan.

But at home? She was the epitome of “a white swan when going out and a doghouse when at home”.

When her childhood best friend came to visit, Chen Baozhen didn’t even bother tidying up. As soon as Qin Yao stepped inside, a musty smell greeted her. In the dim light, dust particles could be seen floating in the air.

All the furniture appeared foggy and dull.

Everything was made of wood—wooden tables, chairs, and sofas. The walls were adorned with hanging paintings, while newspapers were scattered messily on the table, weighed down by a silver metallic harmonica. In a corner, a cello leaned haphazardly.

The house wasn’t so messy that there was nowhere to step, but it was far from clean and tidy.

The sofa was draped with sour-smelling clothes, and the mess in Chen Baozhen’s bedroom was even worse. Many of her outfits, briefly tried on but not worn outside, were discarded carelessly. She hadn’t bothered to hang them back in the wardrobe, nor was she motivated to wash them, letting them pile up.

Qin Yao let out another long sigh. Chen Baozhen’s contrasting habits were truly remarkable.

“What are you sighing about?” Chen Baozhen asked.

Qin Yao replied coolly, “Even a dog would sigh at this.”

“Yaoyao, you know I’ve always been like this since we were kids,” Chen Baozhen said, casually picking up a few clothes and piling them onto a chair, forming a small mountain. “Back then, my aunt handled everything at home.”

Chen Baozhen’s parents both worked, and the family had an unmarried aunt who diligently took care of the household chores.

Chen Baozhen had a close relationship with her aunt.

“I plan to have Gao Jianguo bring his younger sister over. Once she’s here, she can help me keep the place tidy,” Chen Baozhen said naturally. She initially hadn’t wanted to live with her sister-in-law, but since her own aunt couldn’t accompany her after marriage, she decided to rely on her husband’s sister.

Qin Yao couldn’t help but look at her with an expression that screamed, “Are you serious?”

Wasn’t this too much?

Casually roping in her husband’s sister to do housework as if it were the most natural thing in the world—what kind of behavior was this?

For Qin Yao, liking someone this self-absorbed was challenging, even if they were childhood friends and side characters in the original story.

Picking up a feather duster, Qin Yao said to Chen Baozhen, “I can’t stand staying in a messy environment. It puts me in a bad mood.”

“Me neither,” Chen Baozhen nodded in agreement.

Without hesitation, Qin Yao smacked her on the backside with the duster. “Lazy girl, start cleaning!”

“Hey!” Chen Baozhen exclaimed.

“No ‘hey.’ Get to work!” Qin Yao ordered firmly, wielding the feather duster like a supervisor. She ensured that Chen Baozhen washed every pile of clothes, especially those scattered about that she couldn’t even tell if they’d been worn.

The first floor had running water, but the flow was weak. Qin Yao used a large bucket to collect water. Beside it, a silver aluminum basin was filled with Chen Baozhen’s dirty clothes. Grumbling, Chen Baozhen sat on a small stool, her tall frame hunched as she begrudgingly scrubbed the laundry.

“Scrub the collars and cuffs thoroughly. The rest can be washed casually,” Qin Yao instructed.

“…Yaoyao, you’re acting like a tyrant,” Chen Baozhen complained.

By the time Qin Yao had supervised her friend in washing all the dirty clothes, including her own, and hung them out to dry in the courtyard, they had also tidied up the house. They swept, mopped, and wiped down all the furniture until the place was spotless.

Qin Yao opened all the windows, letting in a refreshing breeze. Although the yard outside was barren, the surrounding housing complex had lovely scenery. Buildings were low, offering a view of distant mountains, while slender coconut trees lined the green belts.

Still full of complaints, Chen Baozhen muttered, “Yaoyao, you’re so mean.”

“You don’t treat me like you used to anymore.”

Qin Yao walked over, rubbing her cheek against Chen Baozhen’s, secretly checking her favorability level.

[Favorability Level: 88 (She regards you as her best friend in the world.)]

Covering her face, Chen Baozhen—who usually carried herself with a proud and aloof demeanor—now pouted like a child. Her constant grumbling only made Qin Yao laugh.

Even after all the complaints, the favorability level hadn’t dropped.

It turned out that good sisters were nothing like those awful men.

*

After an afternoon of cleaning, the aroma of cooking wafted over from the heroine Bai Qiuling’s home next door. Smelling the food, Chen Baozhen rubbed her nose, feeling hungry. She decided to take Qin Yao to the canteen for dinner.

Despite her earlier claim about serving her homegrown cabbages to her best friend, it turned out to be just talk.

“I’m not going to the canteen,” Qin Yao declared, dragging Chen Baozhen to a grocery store to buy some condiments. They then stopped by a military fishing boat that had just returned and got some fish and a large bag of oysters.

The oyster shells were heavy and smelled fishy. Holding them at arm’s length, Chen Baozhen looked disgusted.

She didn’t like seafood much, finding it both smelly and hard to prepare.

Judging that their appetites weren’t big, Qin Yao decided to make garlic oyster vermicelli and barbecue the fish and oysters in the courtyard using a charcoal grill.

To mask the fishy smell and enhance the flavor, she started by frying garlic sauce. Oil was precious in those days, so she used it sparingly, but she added plenty of minced garlic. The fragrant aroma wafted from the pan, making Chen Baozhen sneeze.

Using a knife, Qin Yao pried open the oysters, cleaned them, and placed them in a steamer. She laid soaked vermicelli on top, poured garlic chili sauce over them, and steamed a dozen oysters for fifteen minutes.

As Chen Baozhen lifted the lid of the pot, the rich aroma stunned her. “It smells so good, so good, so good!”

She never expected the pungent smell of garlic combined with the briny essence of oysters to create such an extraordinary and savory aroma.

The vermicelli layered on the oyster meat had absorbed the rich, sweet flavors. Freshly steamed, it was so delectable that one could almost bite their tongue in excitement. Picking up an oyster and tasting a bit of the soup revealed a mouthful of vermicelli, now tinged with a light soy sauce hue, that was simply irresistible.

Each person had five or six oysters before they felt half full.

For the garlic vermicelli oysters, they used large ones. Qin Yao lit a charcoal fire, set up a grill, and placed smaller oysters on the rack. She drizzled them with garlic sauce, and the waves of savory aroma wafted into the neighboring courtyard.

In the adjacent yard, Jiang Dinghai and Bai Qiuling were hosting guests for a meal. The tantalizing fragrance from outside suddenly made the food on their plates seem bland.

In the past, it was always their cooking that tempted the neighbors, often making Gao Jianguo envious. But today, the tables had turned; even the neighbors were bustling with delicious scents.

“Mom, it smells amazing,” a child exclaimed.

The aroma of Qin Yao’s grilled oysters attracted several children, including Jiang Hao, Bai Qiuling’s six-year-old son, and his three-year-old sister.

In her previous life, Bai Qiuling had not followed her husband to the island. She stayed in their village to raise the children but was eventually seduced by a male educated youth. She abandoned her family to run away with him, only to be discarded in the end.

Regretful of her decisions, Bai Qiuling was reborn. Determined to live differently, she resolved to maintain her marriage with Jiang Dinghai, her arranged husband for whom she had little affection. This time, she chose to follow him to the island, raise their children, and support their family.

After arriving on the island, Bai Qiuling discovered that her husband held a significant position and enjoyed great benefits. Their neighbors were a newlywed couple who moved into the family compound just before and after them.

Bai Qiuling had been a rural bride for Jiang Dinghai, while Gao Jianguo’s wife, Chen Baozhen, was a city girl. Both men were about the same age, leading many in the compound to gossip.

“Old Jiang, if you hadn’t rushed to marry a village girl, you could have waited and found a city girl like Gao.”

“Gao Jianguo really knew how to plan ahead.”

Initially, everyone thought the rural Bai Qiuling couldn’t compare to the city-bred Chen Baozhen. But now, Gao Jianguo’s household was a mess. Chen Baozhen had no clue about managing a home, and public opinion shifted in favor of Bai Qiuling.

This led to frequent arguments between Gao Jianguo and Chen Baozhen.

“Come on, everyone gets one,” Qin Yao said, handing out grilled oysters to the children. Jiang Hao received one too. Qin Yao had no personal grudge against Bai Qiuling, so she didn’t go out of her way to befriend or target her.

“Thank you, sister,” the children chirped, their voices innocent and sweet.

After grilling some fish, Qin Yao and Chen Baozhen sat together, each enjoying a piece. Later that evening, they bathed to wash off the barbecue smell before sharing a bed.

They didn’t sleep in the master bedroom but in the guest room. The summer heat was manageable with a mosquito net, a cotton quilt, a bamboo mat, a light blanket, and a fan. Lying side by side didn’t feel stifling.

Qin Yao had a restful sleep. The next morning, Chen Baozhen woke up earlier, dressed in baggy shorts and a t-shirt, and went downstairs to brush her teeth and wash up.

When Qin Yao finally woke, Chen Baozhen had already finished her morning routine.

“Yaoyao, you look like you’ve lost weight,” Chen Baozhen exclaimed, flopping onto the bed and staring intently at Qin Yao’s face.

Fresh out of sleep, Qin Yao’s loose black hair cascaded down, framing her face. Her skin, smooth and delicate like a freshly peeled egg, glowed softly.

Picking up a mirror, Qin Yao realized she did seem slimmer. Her previously plump face now looked like a delicate rose, vibrant with early morning freshness, astonishingly beautiful.

“Yaoyao, if this were the Tang Dynasty, you’d be a peerless beauty like Yang Yuhuan. You’re stunning,” Chen Baozhen said, unable to resist touching Qin Yao’s cheek, barely stopping herself from planting a kiss.

“Let’s go to the outdoor pool tomorrow. I want to experience the joy of Tang Minghuang and his consorts. My lady, shall we bathe together in the Huaqing Hot Springs?”

“Pervert,” Qin Yao retorted, slapping her hand away.

It baffled her how Chen Baozhen could maintain such a high-and-mighty demeanor while spewing nonsense.

Qin Yao got out of bed, dressed, and noticed while buttoning her shirt that her waist had indeed slimmed.

She hadn’t done anything to lose weight and had even indulged in sweets with Chen Baozhen the day before. Yet her reflection in the mirror revealed a striking transformation.

This body was becoming more and more like her original appearance before transmigration—a youthful eighteen-year-old full of collagen. A good night’s sleep had refreshed her. Her skin was snowy white, her lips cherry red, presenting an extraordinary contrast of color that was breathtaking.

There are countless forms of beauty. Despite being more fleshy than ordinary girls, Qin Yao had to admit that this body had a unique allure—sensual and captivating in a way she never possessed before.

She pinched her arm. It was soft and tender, impossibly pleasing to the touch.

After a simple breakfast, Qin Yao supervised Chen Baozhen as she tidied the yard, pulling weeds and exterminating pests.

“You’re so beautiful, I’ll do whatever you say,” Chen Baozhen grinned, adding, “Hehe, Yaoyao.”

The two busied themselves in the yard. Around ten in the morning, a tall, lean male officer and a female medical worker walked by.

The female medical worker, Hong Yuyin, had a good relationship with Bai Qiuling. Knowing Bai Qiuling’s cousin was looking for a match, she brought along Dr. He Guangzhi to introduce them.

Dr. He was reserved but highly skilled. He spent his days reading medical books and rarely displayed the liveliness typical of young people. Previous blind dates dismissed him for being too dull.

Despite his quiet personality, Dr. He had excellent credentials, making him an ideal match otherwise.

Hong Yuyin enjoyed visiting Bai Qiuling’s house, but her secret, unspoken reason was her fondness for observing the neighboring courtyard. Each time she saw Bai Qiuling’s neatly maintained, vibrant yard and then glanced at the disorganized mess of Chen Baozhen’s home next door, an indescribable sense of satisfaction surged in her heart.

She harbored hostility toward Chen Baozhen.

It wasn’t just her. Within the residential compound, the art troupe, and even the hospital, many young women felt varying degrees of resentment and jealousy toward Chen Baozhen.

Chen Baozhen had once been introduced to Commander Gu as a potential match. Her arrival in the compound had been for that very purpose, stirring curiosity and envy among the married women and young girls who eagerly awaited the outcome. Although the match didn’t work out, Chen Baozhen’s fleeting connection to Commander Gu was enough to provoke admiration and envy.

Many had longed for the chance to be introduced to Commander Gu, but Chen Baozhen had nearly succeeded in becoming his wife.

Commander Gu was tall, handsome, and cut a striking figure in his pristine white military uniform, drawing every girl’s gaze. Beyond his appearance, he came from a good family, was highly capable, and possessed exceptional physical and command abilities. His outstanding leadership during last year’s military exercises earned him regional recognition and numerous commendations.

The honor boards near the community hall displayed his achievements, and his section was a daily attraction. Some people pretended to pass by, while others made deliberate detours to admire it, lingering long enough to memorize the details.

It was fortunate they hadn’t ended up together.

Chen Baozhen married Gao Jianguo instead. Gao Jianguo was an excellent officer, and their marriage initially drew admiration from his peers. However, as time passed and their marriage became less ideal, many began mocking them behind their backs.

Hong Yuyin was one of those who found amusement in their situation.

“Teacher Chen, you’re so diligent today, tidying up the yard,” Hong Yuyin remarked just as Chen Baozhen stood up and turned around. The person behind her also lifted their head, revealing a full, radiant face.

Qin Yao had a tall figure and striking features. Her face, though undeniably beautiful, resembled a vibrant oil painting or the vivid enamelware in the Forbidden City.

She was undoubtedly attractive, but her figure—large and full—added an incongruous blend of traits that made it difficult to judge her appearance.

Crossing her arms, Chen Baozhen retorted, “Is it that surprising? I have a guest, so I thought I’d tidy up a bit.”

“Not surprising at all,” Hong Yuyin replied hastily, shifting her attention to the neighboring courtyard. Behind her, He Guangzhi stood frozen, his gaze fixed on Chen Baozhen’s guest.

“Doctor He,” Hong Yuyin called, snapping him back to reality. His delicate features flushed slightly, and he quickly averted his gaze.

Once inside Bai Qiuling’s yard, Hong Yuyin teased, “Doctor He, were you staring at Teacher Chen’s friend just now?”

Embarrassed, He Guangzhi nodded.

“Her friend is so plump! She probably doesn’t enjoy doing chores, just like Teacher Chen,” Hong Yuyin remarked with a hint of sarcasm.

He Guangzhi’s gaze wavered as he muttered, “It’s not necessary for women to do chores all the time.”

As an internal medicine doctor, he wasn’t as busy as surgeons, and his work schedule allowed him ample free time to manage a household.

Even if she was lazy… it wouldn’t matter.

“What?” Hong Yuyin blinked in surprise.

At Bai Qiuling’s house, they chatted over tea with Tian Shuyun, who had no expectations for her first matchmaking meeting. However, seeing the gentle, well-educated young military doctor before her, Tian Shuyun couldn’t help but feel impressed.

Doctor He seemed like an excellent candidate for marriage!

Tian Shuyun was intrigued, but He Guangzhi felt restless. While he made polite conversation, his discomfort was evident. Tian Shuyun assumed he was shy, which aligned with the rumors of his reserved personality, and she didn’t mind. She even appreciated his honesty.

“I have some things to attend to; I’ll be leaving now,” He Guangzhi said, finding an excuse to leave. Later, he discreetly told Bai Qiuling’s husband that he found the match unsuitable, politely declining further arrangements.

He Guangzhi’s heart was a mix of emotions, with one vivid image lingering in his mind—the radiant face he had seen earlier.

After much internal debate, desire finally overcame his hesitation. For the first time, he gathered the courage to visit the military hospital’s head nurse, Ge Yunxia, hoping she could help him make inquiries and play matchmaker.

When the reserved Doctor He, with his flushed face and hesitant manner, made his request, Ge Yunxia teased him playfully, causing his cheeks to grow even redder.

“Teacher Chen’s guest? Are you talking about Chen Baozhen?” Ge Yunxia frowned upon hearing the name. She didn’t have a favorable impression of Chen Baozhen, who often served as a negative example in her advice to male officers about choosing spouses.

Doctor He nodded bashfully.

“Well, it’s rare to see you so motivated,” Ge Yunxia remarked with a chuckle. “I’ll help you out and go ask around.”

Blushing, He Guangzhi added, “Please don’t say it’s me… just help me gauge the situation, Head Nurse Ge.”

Understanding immediately, Ge Yunxia replied, “I get it. You want to keep it low-key. Don’t worry; I’ll approach it tactfully and see how it goes.”

Ge Yunxia loved matchmaking and thrived on challenges. The more difficult the task, the more determined she became.

*

That afternoon, at the naval port, Gu Cheng stepped off the ship in his pristine white uniform, adjusting his hat.

Behind him lay the deep blue sea, vast and boundless, with a massive vessel anchored upon it. Striding forward, Gu Cheng received salutes from soldiers stationed on both sides.

The sea breeze made his uniform billow as the hat’s brim shielded his expressionless, stern face from the sun.

Gu Cheng handed a document to Gao Jianguo, who hurriedly expressed his gratitude. Gao Jianguo hadn’t expected Gu Cheng to assist him.

Ever since marrying Chen Baozhen, Gao Jianguo had felt awkward about interacting with Gu Cheng privately. However, as time passed, his discomfort faded, and he was relieved that Gu Cheng never let the matter affect their relationship.

“If anyone contacts you here looking for me, let me know discreetly and don’t tell others,” Gu Cheng said coldly, his face betraying no emotion. Gao Jianguo couldn’t quite grasp the meaning behind his request.

“Sure.” It wasn’t a big deal, so Gao Jianguo readily agreed and smiled. “Commander Gu, if you have time tonight, come to my house for dinner.”

As soon as he said this, Gao Jianguo realized it wasn’t appropriate. After meeting Gu Cheng today and receiving his help, it was a rare opportunity. However, he had just argued with his wife, Chen Baozhen, and her friend was visiting these past few days. Inviting Gu Cheng over now would be inconvenient.

Gao Jianguo felt a headache coming on.

Luckily, Gu Cheng declined right away.

Gao Jianguo let out a sigh of relief but felt compelled to make a polite effort. “Come on, it’s such a rare chance. Baozhen marrying me is thanks to you.”

Chen Baozhen had traveled a long distance, obeying her family’s arrangement to meet Gu Cheng for a blind date, but she ended up marrying him instead. Gao Jianguo felt like he had “gained a great advantage” and couldn’t shake off the guilt, even though Gu Cheng and Chen Baozhen never really fancied each other. He took this opportunity to bring it up.

Gu Cheng probably understood his situation and might even pity him.

“Alright, I’ll come,” Gu Cheng said unexpectedly.

Gao Jianguo was stunned. “What?!”

Gu Cheng gave him a puzzled glance, and Gao Jianguo quickly recovered. “Alright, alright, you’re more than welcome…”

After speaking, Gao Jianguo’s mind went blank as he thought about how to prepare. But how could he get everything ready on such short notice?

Gu Cheng didn’t pay much attention to Gao Jianguo’s expression. His thoughts were elsewhere.

Since disembarking that night, he hadn’t seen Qin Yao again. He had left her an address, and she would surely contact him, wouldn’t she?

The address he left was for a fishing company where he had acquaintances. Visiting the family compound would be a convenient way to check on things.

Thinking of Qin Yao, Gu Cheng felt a restless irritation within him, as if an annoying cat’s paw was clawing at his heart and lungs.

He regretted leaving the information. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t be wondering if Qin Yao had tried to reach him.

Last night, he had a strange dream. He dreamt that he and the chubby girl were sharing an umbrella. She held it up, but the wind blew her into his arms. The dream was chaotic; one moment, they were under the umbrella, and the next, they were in his cabin, his workspace. Before he could even open the files in his hands, the chubby girl was dozing off on his shoulder. Someone knocked on the door outside, and he panicked, thinking of how to hide her—then he woke up in shock.

Why was he having such bizarre dreams?

“When you come over, we’ll drink together. I’ll bring out my good liquor,” Gao Jianguo said, his gaze flitting to Gu Cheng’s sharp profile. Feeling like he had nothing to lose, he resolved to let things be.

Thinking about his own yard and living room, which were hard to tidy up quickly, Gao Jianguo sighed internally. If Gu Cheng saw it, so be it—he wasn’t trying to play the sympathy card.

When Gao Jianguo married Chen Baozhen, he thought he was the luckiest man in the world. Who could have guessed how things would turn out…

Gao Jianguo stared at Gu Cheng’s face, swallowing the words he wanted to say:

Does your family hold a grudge against you?