Chapter 37: Glutinous Rice Balls are White and Soft

The answer she gave was pretty obvious—who wants to be told they look like a glutinous rice ball? Xie Yan still had some awareness, at least. He pressed his lips together, his gaze landing briefly on the pale skin of her neck before shifting to her puffed-up, angry face. In a husky voice, he said lowly, “Yeah, a little.” All white and soft—wasn’t that exactly like a rice ball?

“Xie Yan!” She wasn’t a rice ball at all…

Xue Qingdai couldn’t be bothered to argue with him. She even saw the little smirk on his face. Shoving her worn clothes tightly into the laundry basket, she slipped on the warm military coat she’d prepared earlier and picked up the basin, ready to head back.

Xie Yan dangled her cotton shoes in front of her. “Daidai, aren’t you going to wear shoes? Your feet’ll freeze.”

“Did you put your own soap in the basin?” Xue Qingdai sat down on the bench by the door, letting Xie Yan help her put on her shoes. She saw her own towel in the basin, but the newly bought soap was indeed missing. The bathhouse provided a large communal soap, and just thinking about it made her scalp tingle. She had prepared a new bar ahead of time.

But as soon as she handed over the bath ticket and entered, she was stunned. Everyone was gathered around a square water pool. There were some curtains drawn to the side and a few small wooden beds for scrubbing backs.

She had to thicken her skin and wait until others finished bathing. Her fair skin seemed to glow as she lay there, and everyone who came in would sneak a glance at her. The whole bath experience had her on edge. Her frown was deep and obvious.

Xie Yan grabbed her exposed wrist. “It’s okay. I bet my mom held onto it for you.”

Coaxed by him, Xue Qingdai went back. Xie Yan walked ahead to block much of the cold wind for her, but she still sneezed as soon as they stepped into the room.

Xie Yan added new coal to the stove and kept the hot water going so the room would stay warm.

“In the morning, I’ll walk you over. There’s a shortcut to Jiren Clinic you don’t know.”

Xue Qingdai sat on the bed, her nose red from the cold. She nodded slightly. There were too many alleys around here. She didn’t know the way and always stuck to the main road. It was easier with Xie Yan leading.

She touched her half-dry hair and sighed, “My senior is really amazing—he made this shampoo, and it made my hair so smooth.”

Xie Yan wasn’t familiar with anything related to women. In his mind, washing hair was just a quick rinse. “You have a senior?” What he really cared about was that a new man had appeared beside her—one she’d be working closely with at the clinic.

Xue Qingdai pulled out a pearl bracelet that was originally meant to be ground into pearl powder. Her fair wrist swayed it in front of him. “He gave this to me. He’s got quite the hands.”

Xie Yan pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth, his brows twitching coldly. “Mm…” He didn’t really want to know.

His short, coarse hair had already dried. While his mom was chatting with Xue Qingdai and off washing clothes, he took the chance to escape. At this point, just hearing the word “senior” gave him a headache.

Zhang Shuying had just finished gossiping with Aunt Liu next door and pushed open the door to Xue Qingdai’s room. “Daidai, I left your soap on the windowsill.”

Xue Qingdai sat with her back to the sunlight, her flowing black hair draped down her back, waiting to dry. She suddenly remembered some beauty products she had stored in her space. One of them was a rose-scented lip balm she had collaborated on with a factory—it had once gone viral and sold out on livestream platforms. Might as well offer it as a gift.

“Okay, Aunt Shuying, I made a rose-flavored lip balm myself. You should try it when you get back.”

“Women’s lips get dry in winter. If you don’t put something on, they go dull easily.” Zhang Shuying’s eyes lit up. She had initially intended to politely decline, but that last line really struck her love of beauty. Even in middle age, she still enjoyed dressing up.

“Oh, Daidai, you’re so thoughtful! My lips have been chapped from this cold wind—this is just what I need.” She couldn’t help but pinch her daughter-in-law’s soft, smooth cheeks.

The lip balm was tiny and barely noticeable in her hand, but the gesture warmed her heart. Now she finally had something to brag about to her fake friends. Standing by the window, Zhang Shuying applied the balm and actually smelled a lovely rose fragrance. She then stepped outside in new clothes, pretending to take a casual stroll.

Xie Yan was hanging up some clothes with bamboo clips. “My mom hasn’t looked that pleased in ages. What did you say to her?”

His mom didn’t have a ton of troubles, but the eldest in the family clearly wanted to inherit the old courtyard house—and wasn’t subtle about it either. Zhang Shuying was disgusted by some of the eldest’s recent actions and had been stewing over it.

Now that she’d spent just a few days with Daidai, she was smiling a lot more. If Daidai really wanted to move out with him someday, his mom might be the first to object. Daidai was even harder to please than his mom, but the two actually got along better than he expected.

Still upset about being compared to a rice ball, Xue Qingdai snapped, “Men shouldn’t meddle in women’s business!”

Xie Yan was just hanging up the clothes he’d washed for someone. “…” Daidai had quite the temper.

Xie Yan was actually very busy. After hurriedly sending Xue Qingdai off that morning, he headed straight to the military district. Xue Fengrong, already aware that his youngest brother had gotten into trouble, was waiting for Xie Yan there. Coincidentally, they ran into a mutual superior, Wang Guodong.

“Xiao Xue, when are Xie Yan and your sister getting married? He’s almost thirty now. At his age, my kid was already in grade school.”

“Old Xie’s really in no rush. Seems like the dad fears marriage, and now the son does too,” Wang joked.

Xue Fengrong felt awkward, like sitting on pins and needles. He would’ve preferred to toss this question to Xie Yan. He was always blunt when it came to his little sister.

“My sister’s still young. Let Xie Yan wait.”

Wang Guodong just smiled and said nothing as he smoked.

Xie Yan first saw Xue Fengrong holding an enamel mug, his expression cold as always—something Xie Yan was used to. But then he spotted their old leader, Wang Guodong. Instantly, his lips tightened and he stood up straight to salute.

“Sir, is there something you need from me?”

Wang Guodong turned his gaze on Xue Fengrong, who quietly stepped out the door.

Wang Guodong stubbed out his cigarette, the sharpness between his brows softened with a touch of warmth, making it impossible to read his thoughts.
“Xie Yan, everyone sees your capabilities clearly. You’ve been stationed in the frigid north of Heilongjiang, and also in the scorching south of Jiangsu.”

“The country’s resources are scarce—we’re lacking in almost everything. One Li Zhonghao wants to build a hotel, and we can’t even produce a single thing ourselves. Everything has to be imported.”

“Some of the machines in our factories are still foreign-made—used over a hundred and fifty years ago.”

“That really chills me to the core.”

“If we want our country to be strong and no longer bullied, we have to put our talents where they’re most needed.”

Xie Yan clenched his hands, his expression unwavering. “I’m always ready.”

Wang Guodong let out a satisfied laugh, clapping Xie Yan on the shoulder. Outside the door, Xue Fengrong heard that hearty laugh and had a sinking feeling.

“You just got back not long ago. Take care of your personal affairs first—only then can we feel confident about sending you out again. It wouldn’t be good for you to go all alone, right?”

“Xue Fengrong, come on in.”

“Xie Yan, your second brother-in-law is here—no need to be so formal.”

As he walked, Wang Guodong lit another cigarette. The cold wind rustled his white hair as he continued on to his next meeting.

Xue Fengrong sat there for a long while without speaking. He had too much he wanted to ask, and his right hand trembled slightly.

“Xie Yan, my third brother has caused you trouble. I thought he was just in the capital with Daidai for a few days of fun. Once we’re back home, we’ll make sure to give him a proper scolding.”

At the mention of Xue Qingdai, his voice suddenly wavered. “If Daidai throws a bit of a tantrum, I hope you’ll be patient with her.”

Xie Yan was still caught up in the whirlwind of his leader’s not-so-subtle push toward marriage. Almost without thinking, he blurted out, “Second Brother-in-law, how soon do you all want me and Daidai to get married?”