Chapter 14

That day, a shocking piece of news spread through Yunshui County’s steel mill—Gu Mancang’s eldest son, who was a battalion commander, had returned from the army!

Many young people from the 50s had gone off to join the army, and quite a few of them had come back after their service.

In a small county like Yunshui, it wasn’t unusual for two or three people to return every year.

It was noon, and the factory canteen was bustling with activity. Today, the canteen was serving a meat dish, including braised pig’s trotters, red-braised fish, cold bean sprouts, and cornmeal buns. The savory smells spread far and wide, making workers who had just finished their shifts rush to queue up.

A group of young men, sitting with their legs crossed on the wooden benches, were eagerly chatting.

“Hey, is it true that Mancang’s eldest son really came back from the army?”

“Don’t doubt it. I heard it straight from the factory director. The Party Secretary and the head of the security department were there when it was announced!”

“Well, if the leaders were present, it’s probably true.”

“Why was the head of the security department there? Was he cleaning out the place for the guy?”

“Cleaning out? You’re dreaming! Don’t forget, our security department head used to be in the army too.”

“That’s not the same! Gu Shi’an was a battalion commander, a battle hero with medals every year. Our security department head was just a company commander—no comparison!”

“Now hold on, I don’t like what you’re saying. All of us are people’s soldiers who defend our country! How can our department head not be compared to Gu Shi’an?”

“Exactly! Are you looking down on our security department?”

“Isn’t he just afitter in a workshop? What’s so impressive about him?”

“Hey, are you trying to start trouble? Just because I said Gu Shi’an is a battle hero, you jump to conclusions and drag our department into it. What does that have to do with us?”

“What’s wrong with us fitters? Are you looking for a fight?”

“Come on, let’s see who’s scared!”

“Enough! We’re all from the same factory. The working class is one big family. Stop fighting and eat your meal!”

The two sides were about to come to blows when a young man in gray overalls quickly rushed over to break up the fight.

“What’s going on here? Don’t you want to eat? If you’re done with lunch, then leave! The canteen isn’t a place for you to start trouble!”

Zheng Dacheng’s wife banged her bowl loudly and scolded the young men outside.

“Don’t cause trouble in the canteen! Do you believe I’ll make sure you won’t get lunch tomorrow?”

She was acting as if she were reprimanding her own child, looking down on them with a glare. The young men, feeling embarrassed, lowered their heads and sat back down, sulking.

They couldn’t argue with her. This woman was the canteen’s supplier, and her husband was the head cook. The two of them were notorious for holding grudges. Anyone who crossed them was guaranteed to suffer.

Ugh, they were a perfect match, like a thousand-year-old turtle and a cockroach—born to be together!

*

At the Gu family’s courtyard, it was a scorching afternoon. The sun hung high in the sky, and not a single breeze could be felt. Pedestrians walking on the street were hit by waves of heat, making it feel like walking through a steam room.

After lunch, the Gu family was all napping in their rooms.

Only Gu Shi’an, defying the heat, went to the county police station to report for duty.

At this time, Zhang Cuilan was still tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep. She kicked her husband, Gu Mancang, who was snoring loudly.

The old man slept soundly, not even waking up from the kick. Zhang Cuilan, frustrated, kicked him again.

Gu Mancang groggily opened his eyes and rubbed his backside. “Old woman, did a mosquito get into the mosquito net?”

How did he end up dreaming about poisonous mosquitoes biting him?

Zhang Cuilan was furious. She twisted Gu Mancang’s ear and wouldn’t let go. “You old man, all you do is eat and sleep! You don’t care about anything at home. And I, as the mother, can’t get any rest! You sleep so soundly, huh? What, our son isn’t from the Gu family…?”

Gu Mancang had been enduring Zhang Cuilan’s ear twists for half his life, and by now his skin was tough and he wasn’t bothered by pain. But he did worry about his wife getting upset and causing some trouble.

“Cuilan, let’s not get angry. Whatever’s bothering you, just tell me and we’ll think of a solution together.”

Gu Mancang gave her a flattering smile.

Seeing this, Zhang Cuilan, even though still upset, couldn’t stay mad. She sighed and let go of his ear. “Old man, what do you think—our son’s transfer back home, is it a good thing or a bad thing?”

Gu Mancang was confused. How could it be a bad thing for their son to come back?

Before he could respond, Zhang Cuilan, lost in her own thoughts, started ranting on her own. “Yes, it’s great that our son is coming home. We’re all going to be together again! But what kind of job did they assign him? Not just anything, no—they’ve sent Anzi to the county police station, and not just as an officer, but as deputy director! Things are getting chaotic outside, and even though the police carry guns, they’re no match for vicious criminals. And look at us—our family is cursed! Our son-in-law’s in the police, my in-laws are in the police, and now our own son’s in the police too! Before, I was worried about Xianqian, but now with Anzi, how are we going to live?”

The more she thought about it, the more worried she became. As a mother, she couldn’t help but be concerned. The old saying goes: “A mother worries about her child, even if he’s a thousand miles away.”

Her old friends at the pig farm envied her for having such a successful son. But Zhang Cuilan would rather have her son live a peaceful, uneventful life, free from trouble.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as she wished. Her son was born to be a soldier, and after being injured in the line of duty, his transfer back didn’t stop him from joining the police force!

Gu Mancang finally understood after listening for a while. Cuilan was worried about their son joining the police.

Both their son-in-law and their son had ended up in the police force.

No wonder Cuilan was concerned. Even Gu Mancang, who wasn’t usually bothered by much, couldn’t help but mutter a “Hmm,” feeling gloomy. He wasn’t good at comforting others, but after a long silence, he finally said, “Children have their own fate.”

He even used his own experience as an example. Back when Grandma Gu was worried about her son being too slow-witted to manage the fields and having only physical strength, she stayed up at night worrying, thinking that her son might end up begging on the streets.

But, as it turned out, Gu Mancang didn’t end up begging. Because he wasn’t quick-witted and wasn’t someone who’d cheat or cut corners, he worked hard, learned from his mentor, and found a stable job as a fitter in the steel factory.

“If not for that, I wouldn’t have married such a capable and virtuous woman like Cuilan.”

Zhang Cuilan laughed at his words. “You smooth talker, who said you’re bad with words? I think you’re better at talking than anyone!”

Gu Mancang felt wronged. He was just speaking from the heart.

*

After Gu Mancang’s advice, Zhang Cuilan’s worries faded away.

Actually, what he said made sense. Life is what it is. The paths we walk, the work we do, and the people we end up with, all seem to be fated.

Back in her day, Zhang Cuilan had been known as the most beautiful girl in the area, with many suitors knocking on her door. But she chose Gu Mancang.

Not only was Gu Mancang reliable and steady, but he also had a handsome face. Though now his skin had darkened from years of work, back then… Well, let’s not digress. The point is, it was all because of fate!

Since life’s path is already set, worrying wouldn’t help. Instead, she decided to focus on helping Yao Yao and her “slow-witted” son.

Her son had come back, but he hadn’t even spoken much to Yao Yao yet.

He was the deputy director of the police department, yet still couldn’t win over his own wife!

Zhang Cuilan was frustrated, and decided to teach her son how to pursue his wife.

Meanwhile, in the east wing, Lin Yao had no idea about her mother-in-law’s plans.

She was sitting in her white floral nightgown, resting her chin in her hand, lost in thought.

How was the original story written about Gu Shi’an’s demobilization?

If she remembered correctly, Gu Shi’an had gone on a secret mission, only to be shot in the shoulder by a hidden enemy. Although the injury was serious, he recovered, but his shoulder was never as strong as before, preventing him from handling a gun as well. He was then transferred from the front lines and went to the county military department, later taking up studies in the provincial capital. After returning, he became an engineer at the factory.

But the real situation didn’t match the original story.

Gu Shi’an had indeed been injured, but the wound wasn’t serious, just a minor gunshot wound that healed in a few days.

Which meant he didn’t have to be demobilized. It turned out that the county party secretary, Gu Shi’an’s former superior, saw his potential and fought with the military to bring him back, where he was then assigned as deputy director at the county police station.

Lin Yao was baffled. She knew she was living in a story, but the current developments weren’t following the original plot. Why was that?

Could it be that her rebirth caused a butterfly effect, leading to all these changes?

If that’s true, was this butterfly effect a good thing or a bad one?

Would the rest of the original plot still unfold as expected?

Lin Yao’s head started to ache from thinking so much. She hadn’t napped all day and was getting sleepy. She decided to lie down for a bit, to recharge and think things through later.

To her surprise, when she woke up, it was already sunset. The sky was painted with fiery clouds, and Gu Shi’an was on his bike, heading home from the police station. The last rays of the sun shone through the branches, casting a warm glow on his handsome face, making him even more striking as he rode through the streets.

He was focused entirely on going home.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Zhang Cuilan, who had been waiting eagerly, rushed to greet him, pulling him inside.

Zhang Cuilan immediately scolded, “What’s wrong with you, child? Why are you so late getting back? You stayed at the police station for so long! Fine, that’s work-related, and it’s important, but today I have just one question for you. What are your feelings for Yao Yao?”

The straightforward question from his mother left Gu Shi’an no choice but to answer honestly.

In the past, he only thought of Lin Yao as a younger sister. When Aunt Lin and her daughter came to visit, Lin Yao was still a little girl with pigtails.

Gu Shi’an was always serious, so little Lin Yao was scared and would shy away from him.

He didn’t want to bother her.

Later, when Lin Yao’s parents passed away, he learned about the engagement arranged by his grandfather. He had always been serious and thoughtful about marriage, and if Lin Hongna wanted to be with him, he was willing to fulfill his duties as a husband. However, deep down, he couldn’t give her the feelings that a wife deserved.

Then, Lin Yao took her place as the bride.

Gu Shi’an still held the same thoughts until yesterday when he returned home. The bright and beautiful young woman, Lin Yao, smiled at him, and suddenly everything felt different.