Chapter 18 Revealing Its True Face

Ye Tao carefully picked through the ground moss greens. It had just rained, and the plants were coated with mud and bits of moss. If not washed thoroughly, each bite would be full of grit.

Ground moss greens were delicious either in soup or stuffed in buns. She remembered that when she was a child at her grandmother’s home in the countryside, her grandma often took her out to the fields to gather them. But after her grandmother passed away, her visits to the village grew fewer and fewer, and the taste she remembered never appeared again.

Worried that some poisonous mushrooms might have slipped into the basket, Ye Tao asked her mother-in-law to check again.

Liu Wenxiu picked out three or four dangerous ones. Ye Tao let out a breath of relief—thank goodness for the extra check. Otherwise, they might soon be seeing “little dancing figures” in front of their eyes.

Huo Tingjie poured boiling water evenly over the pheasant so the feathers would pluck easily later.

The wild pheasant’s feathers were bright and beautiful. Ye Tao thought about making a shuttlecock. Liu Wenxiu, finding it simple enough, picked out the prettiest feathers and set them aside, planning to pin them onto a few copper coins later.

Huo Tingting only wanted a basket of mushrooms, refusing the pheasant no matter what. Meat was too precious, and she felt embarrassed to take it for free.
“This is Second Sister-in-law’s catch. She should use it to nourish her health.”

Ye Tao, however, snatched the basket and stuffed the pheasant to the very bottom.
“If not for you inviting me up the mountain today, we wouldn’t have caught it. If you don’t take it, I’ll feel too embarrassed to go with you next time.”

“Don’t!” Beads of sweat broke out on Huo Tingting’s nose. “Then I’ll take it. Thank you, Second Sister-in-law.”

Ye Tao told her there was no need to be so polite.

But Huo Tingting shook her head—when her second sister-in-law treated her so well, she couldn’t not say thank you.

Liu Wenxiu decided to butcher both chickens today—set aside the tender meat to make dumplings, chop the rest into pieces to stew with mushrooms and vermicelli. Just the smell would make people want to swallow their tongues.

Meanwhile, Ye Tao carried her bamboo basket into the house, fetched a basin of water, and carefully wiped the jade with a damp towel.

“Taotao, what are you doing?”

Huo Tingwu had just returned. Not seeing his wife in the courtyard, he asked his mother and was told she was in the room.

Finding the door closed in broad daylight was odd. He pushed it open and saw his wife with her back to him, busy with something.

Hearing his voice, Ye Tao turned with a bright smile. “You’re back.”

At once, Huo Tingwu’s stern face softened, the corners of his lips curving gently. “Mm.”

The timing was perfect. Ye Tao tugged at his hand and animatedly reenacted how she had nearly tripped on the mountain.

Alarmed, Huo Tingwu immediately checked her hands, only relaxing when he found no injuries. “Next time, let me go with you. Old Third is unreliable.”

“It’s fine. I’ve got a surprise for you,” Ye Tao said.

Surprise? Huo Tingwu’s mind flashed back to their kiss that morning before parting, his throat going dry as he hoarsely asked, “What surprise?”

Without noticing the depth in his eyes, Ye Tao stepped aside and revealed the jade. “Look!”

His pupils contracted. He quickly strode over and picked it up, examining it carefully before finally saying, “This is jadeite. Where did you find it, Taotao?” And such a large piece too.

“I tripped over it,” Ye Tao said helplessly.

Somehow it sounded both lucky and tragic.

“Tingwu, do you know anyone who can help us get it appraised?”

“That’s not difficult,” Huo Tingwu replied. “Uncle Wen has an old family friend who loves antiques. We can ask him to take a look.”

Ye Tao’s eyes lit up. “That’s wonderful! If it really is jadeite, we’ll be rich.”

Huo Tingwu smiled. “Do you really like money that much?”

“Of course. Only a fool wouldn’t like money.”

“Then when we go back, I’ll hand over the passbook to you.” He hadn’t thought much when he came home, only bringing a few hundred yuan.

Curious, Ye Tao asked, “How much do you earn each month?” Then quickly added, “If it’s not a secret, I mean.”

“It’s fine. With salary, mission pay, and border allowance, I get about 150 yuan a month. Aside from the pension I give my parents and occasional social expenses, the rest I’ve saved.”

“Wow!” Ye Tao looked at him with wide eyes. “That’s amazing!” In this era, his income was considered top-tier—but understandable. Soldiers gave so much for their country.

What he didn’t say was that his parents hadn’t wanted a cent of the pension at first. Only after much persuasion did they accept it. Even then, they barely spent any, saying they hardly needed money in the countryside. Their health was still strong enough for another decade of work.

Unable to dissuade them, Huo Tingwu had taken to secretly leaving money at home whenever he visited.

Ye Tao put the jade somewhere safe, covered with cloth. “By the way, what were you doing this morning?”

Only then did Huo Tingwu remember he hadn’t told her—he had gone to the county to pick up a telegram. “Our marriage application has been approved.”

Ye Tao’s big, watery eyes sparkled. “Really? That’s wonderful!”

With the application approved, they could now get their marriage certificate. They planned to go to the county tomorrow.

“Taotao, Second, come eat!” Liu Wenxiu called from the courtyard.

Suppressing their excitement, the couple went hand in hand to the table.

Liu Wenxiu had steamed white rice and served a big pot of chicken stewed with mushrooms. The fragrance filled the air.

“All thanks to Taotao, we get to eat pheasant today.”

Huo Tingjie eagerly added, “Second Sister-in-law, let’s go again sometime. Maybe we’ll even catch a wild boar next time!”

Ye Tao: …You look more like a pig yourself.

Under the table, Huo Tingwu stomped on him. “You dare say that? I asked you to watch her carefully, and you nearly let her fall.”

“It’s fine, it was my own carelessness,” Ye Tao smoothed over. Besides, it had been a blessing in disguise—they’d found such a huge piece of jade! Even an actual bruise would’ve been worth it.

Tears welled in Huo Tingjie’s eyes. “Thank you, Second Sister-in-law.” His mean Second Brother always bullied him. While Second Brother was busy serving food to his wife, Huo Tingjie silently made faces behind his back.

One sharp glance from Huo Tingwu made him shrink instantly.

Ye Tao chuckled. “Don’t always scare him.”

Huo Tingwu obediently picked a tender piece of meat and placed it in her bowl. “Alright. I’ll listen to you.”

Watching the young couple’s interaction, Liu Wenxiu’s eyes curved with joy—they were such a perfect match.

She nudged her husband to take a look.

Huo Xiaolin, too busy eating, only gave a perfunctory glance before burying his head back in the bowl. The pheasant was just too good.

So different from her considerate second son! Liu Wenxiu rolled her eyes. Forget it, he was old now—no use expecting him to change.

The next morning, as dawn’s first light broke and roosters crowed, Ye Tao woke up right on time. Remembering the big task ahead, all traces of sleepiness vanished.

After breakfast, she packed their things neatly into a shoulder bag. Huo Tingwu pedaled the bicycle, taking her to the county.

Their first stop was the supply cooperative to buy some gifts for Uncle Wen.

Uncle Wen was surprised to see them so early.

“Uncle Wen, we have something we’d like your help with,” Huo Tingwu said.

“Oh? What is it?” Seeing his mysterious expression, Uncle Wen’s interest was piqued.

Ye Tao carefully took the jade out of her bag, removed the cloth covering, and revealed its true face.