Chapter 83.2

This era’s mistakes caused many to suffer unjust “punishments” and unwarranted involvement.

Guan Lu put down her cup and stood up. “I’ll go get a notebook and a pen.”

She went into the room and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. She had just talked a lot with Jiang Nian, and she always had a feeling that Jiang Nian didn’t seem like someone who came from the countryside, nor did she seem like an uneducated person. She spoke appropriately and thoughtfully and had a quiet and gentle temperament. These were natural to her, not something she deliberately imitated or learned.

Guan Lu came out with a notebook and a pen and taught Jiang Nian how to read and write.

Jiang Nian learned earnestly, and her handwriting gradually became “beautiful.” The room was quiet, occasionally filled with Guan Lu’s gentle voice. As dusk fell, the door opened from the outside, and Luo Xiaoyue came home from school. Jiang Nian glanced out the window and realized it was almost dark.

Luo Xiaoyue was stunned when she saw Jiang Nian. She closed the door and looked at Jiang Nian without the sweet smile she had before: “Aunt Jiang, you are here.”

Jiang Nian smiled, “Yes.”

She noticed that since Luo Xiaoyue returned, the smile on Guan Lu’s face had faded significantly. Jiang Nian didn’t stay much longer, said a few more words to Guan Lu, and left. She returned home to prepare dinner, and as darkness fell, Lu Yu came back.

Jiang Nian hid in her room with the door closed, unsure of how to step out and face Lu Yu.

Caught off guard by the truth coming to light, Jiang Nian wished she could disappear into the ground.

Hearing footsteps outside, Jiang Nian quickly rolled under the blanket, pretending to sleep. The door opened, and steady footsteps approached the bed. Jiang Nian held her breath and gripped the edge of the blanket tightly. Suddenly, a weight pressed down on her, and despite her efforts to remain still, her body involuntarily trembled.

Lu Yu: …

He lifted the blanket along with Jiang Nian, revealing her small face. He chuckled, “Are you playing hide-and-seek with me?”

Jiang Nian: …

Her cheeks flushed, and she lightly coughed, pulling the blanket over her face. “The food is ready in the pot. I’m tired. I’m going to sleep first.”

“It’s still early to sleep.”

Lu Yu lay down beside her, uncovering the blanket. Jiang Nian’s blushing face unexpectedly came into view, startling him. “But I’m tired.”

“Move around a bit, and you won’t be.”

Jiang Nian: ???

This time lasted a long while.

In the dim room, Lu Yu looked at Jiang Nian’s dazed and dreamy eyes, his voice hoarse. “Nian Nian, tell me, who are you really?”

Jiang Nian, exhausted and still groggy, instinctively replied, “I’m Jiang Nian.”

Realizing what she had said, her blurry eyes focused on the man close to her, and she bit her lip, repeating, “I’ve always been Jiang Nian, and it has never changed.”

Then she wrapped her arms around Lu Yu’s neck and buried herself in his chest. After hesitating, she asked softly, “Lu Yu, do you believe in dreams?”

Lu Yu’s downcast eyes suddenly lifted, and his hand gently stroked the back of Jiang Nian’s neck. “I believe it.”

After he spoke, he felt Jiang Nian relax slightly.

Lu Yu’s gaze deepened, leading her to reveal the truth. “Your cooking skills were learned in a dream?”

Jiang Nian was silent for a while. “I dreamed of being in a very advanced city where I learned these skills from a chef. Everything in the dream felt real. Over there, you could buy things without tickets, just with money. Businesses didn’t need to be state-run. I had many such dreams, but after Xu Cheng passed away, I stopped dreaming.”

She knew her explanation was awkward, even unbelievable, and thought Lu Yu wouldn’t believe it.

The arms holding her tightened as if trying to merge her into his bones.

“Jiang Nian,” Lu Yu whispered.

Perhaps that old house was a significant point. He feared that if Jiang Nian returned, she might disappear from this body.

In a hoarse voice, he finally said, “Don’t go back to the old house anymore. I’ll take a few days off during the New Year to visit Xu Cheng and Uncle Xu.”

“What’s wrong?”

Jiang Nian leaned back a bit, looking at Lu Yu’s furrowed brow. She reached out to smooth it.

Lu Yu grasped her hand. “Nothing.”

He was now certain that the Jiang Nian in front of him wasn’t the same person as before. He didn’t know where she came from or why she occupied his sister-in-law’s body. But he was sure he couldn’t let her reconnect with that old house.

He wanted to keep this Jiang Nian by his side forever, letting no one take her away.

Seeing Jiang Nian’s puzzled eyes, Lu Yu smiled. “You’re very talented, learning cooking and embroidery just from dreams.”

Jiang Nian: …

How could she not hear the sarcasm in his words?

She looked away, feeling guilty, but still maintained a sense of righteousness. “I’m naturally gifted.”

Lu Yu chuckled. “Yes.”

Then he laughed again. “I can see that you are naturally very gifted.”

Jiang Nian: …

Seeing that Lu Yu wasn’t probing further, Jiang Nian finally relaxed. She couldn’t tell him she was from outside the book’s world, nor could she explain that their world was part of a book, and she certainly didn’t want to mention that the book’s protagonist was Sun Ying.

Lu Yu took her to the bathroom to freshen up, letting her eat first. He then changed the bed linens and washed them, and Jiang Nian watched him work while she ate.

After finishing, Lu Yu washed the dishes and returned to the room. Jiang Nian, resting on his arm, told him about Ning Xiu’s drawing. Then she looked up at him. “I’ll take the finished embroidery to the shop in a couple of days and talk to Sister Ge about Ning Xiu’s drawing.”

Lu Yu replied, “Let’s go on Sunday. Sunday is my day off.”

Jiang Nian smiled. “Okay.”

The next morning, Lan Hui came to find Jiang Nian, insisting she join the literacy class, saying the teacher would teach new things.

Not wanting to dampen Lan Hui’s enthusiasm, Jiang Nian agreed. As they walked downstairs, they met He Yue and Chen Ping returning and were also dragged to the class.

He Yue: …

Chen Ping: …

There weren’t many people in the literacy class today because there was a market in the neighboring village, and many military wives had gone shopping. He Yue whispered to Jiang Nian, “If I had known, I would have gone to the market. Now I’m just sitting here dozing off.”

Chen Ping yawned right after, her eyes watering.

Jiang Nian: …

It seemed the literacy class was indeed a challenge for the two of them.

After the class ended at noon, Jiang Nian and the others headed back. As they neared their building, they saw Tian Mai coming from the school with her two children. He Yue asked, “Did you go to pick up Xiu’er?”

Tian Mai replied, “I stayed with her at school in the morning. Once she gets more used to it, I won’t need to.”

Ning Xiu still kept her head down, standing next to Ning Qian, who greeted Jiang Nian and He Yue.

He Yue said, “It’s good to spend more time with her.”

“Mom, we’re back.”

Behind them were Fang Xia and Fang Guo. Everyone went their separate ways home. As Jiang Nian finished cooking lunch, Lu Yu returned. The vegetables in their private plot were almost ready, so after eating, Lu Yu went to water them.

Time flew by, and soon it was Sunday. Jiang Nian got up early, but Lu Yu was already up and had breakfast ready. After eating, Jiang Nian packed the embroidery into a small cloth bag, and they headed out together.

It was hot today, and Lu Yu wasn’t in his military uniform but wore a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his strong arms. Holding Jiang Nian’s hand, they walked towards the military base.

Lu Yu decided not to use the military vehicle today. They planned to take a bus to the city, which was only an hour away.

As they walked past the base, they encountered Gu Shizhou coming from the regiment. He was also wearing a white shirt, with his left arm in a sling. Seeing Lu Yu and Jiang Nian, his stern expression softened into a smile. “Where are you two going?”

Lu Yu replied, “To the embroidery shop. You?”

Gu Shizhou said, “Going to the city to see an old friend.”

Lu Yu: “Let’s go together.”

He held Jiang Nian’s hand, their fingers interlocked, and walked alongside Gu Shizhou. They discussed matters of the regiment, eventually touching on the issue of the private plot. Lu Yu said, “Thanks for helping with the weeding. Nian Nian told me about it.”

Jiang Nian noticed that Lu Yu had started calling her “Nian Nian” in public, which she wasn’t quite used to yet.

Gu Shizhou smiled, “It was nothing. The more I do, the less your wife has to.” 

Then he looked at Lu Yu, “If you feel guilty, you can treat me to a meal sometime.”

Lu Yu laughed, “Sure.”