Chapter 55

Having been reborn, Lin Hongna had lived through two lifetimes and endured many hardships. Though she appeared to be in her early twenties, her mind was far more cunning than others her age.

She knew that Sun Jialiang had lost much of his interest in her. Attempting to seduce him in broad daylight was definitely out of the question.

Sun Jialiang was a man who valued his reputation, and the Sun family was a respected household in the town. If she recklessly approached him at home, her chances of success would be slim.

Fortunately, Sun Jialiang had moved out of the family home. He no longer lived with his parents. Through connections, he had secured a position as a cultural officer at the county’s light bulb factory. He was ambitious, sending gifts and building networks, hoping to make a name for himself in Yunshui County.

But little did he know that Yunshui County was far more complex than the town. While the Sun family still held some influence in the town, it didn’t carry much weight in the county.

Sun Jialiang struggled to make an impact in the county, frustrated and helpless. He even began neglecting his work as a cultural officer, eventually returning to the town.

In her previous life, Sun Jialiang had gone through the same process. The Sun family only began to rise during the early years of the economic reforms, after which Sun Jialiang’s fortunes soared. Within just a few years, he transformed from an obscure minor official into a powerful business tycoon, living in a luxury home, driving fancy cars, and exuding an impressive air of authority.

When you’re drowsy, the Heavens deliver a pillow.

Sun Jialiang is currently at a low point in his life. If Lin Hongna seized this opportunity to offer him warmth and understanding, she might just capture his heart.

Even if she doesn’t win Sun Jialiang’s heart, sharing a moment of intimacy with him wouldn’t be a loss. As long as she can ensnare him once, there will be a second and third time. Over time, after enough encounters, she wouldn’t have to worry about not getting pregnant.

Thinking about this, Lin Hongna felt both embarrassed and annoyed. She had been a proper young lady from a good family, and when she first got involved with Sun Jialiang, she was still pure. If Sun Jialiang had been a real man and taken responsibility after sleeping with her, she wouldn’t have resorted to underhanded methods to try to get pregnant.

The Sun family is very concerned with appearances and wants a daughter-in-law of equal social standing, yet they don’t consider how Sun Jialiang’s character was flawed. He has a history of promiscuity—who would want to marry their daughter to him?

It’s hard to understand why Lin Yao was so lucky. In her past life, she effortlessly married into the Sun family, and in this life, Gu Shi’an became the deputy director of the Public Security Bureau, making that little vixen the deputy director’s wife!

Meanwhile, despite all her efforts, Lin Hongna gained nothing!

Biting her lip, Lin Hongna went to the bathhouse on the night of the first snow, soaking in hot water, scrubbing herself with soap, and applying snow cream. Despite the biting cold, she wore only a thin floral jacket, paired with cotton shoes, and didn’t even take a scarf. Taking advantage of the heavy night frost, she left the dormitory of the soap factory and headed toward the cadre dormitory.

Sun Jialiang is currently the head of the propaganda department at the town’s lightbulb factory. As a bachelor, he naturally lives in a single dormitory. There are no communal dormitories in town. Back then, only senior cadres were given communal housing.

In Yunshui County, communal dormitories were only built in the 1970s. The cadre dormitory for the lightbulb factory is located behind the town’s post and telecommunications office, facing north and south, adjacent to the town’s old street.

The lightbulb factory was built by the French before liberation, and the dormitories are made of red brick and tile. Rows of low, single-story houses line the area. In front, there’s a pair of large iron gates with iron rose carvings, red brick, blue tile windows, adding a touch of foreign romantic charm.

Because of this, the young people in town broke one of the iron gates, leaving only one gate still standing precariously. Most strong young men couldn’t climb over it, but a petite girl like Lin Hongna could easily slip through.

Sun Jialiang lived in the fifth dormitory near the wall, a place Lin Hongna was very familiar with. She had been there countless times before and could find it even with her eyes closed. She turned off her flashlight and walked to Sun Jialiang’s room based on memory.

Lin Hongna reached the door of Sun Jialiang’s room and gently pushed it. The door was securely bolted, and looking through the window, the inside was pitch dark.

Based on Sun Jialiang’s usual routine, he should have just gone to bed.

Lin Hongna ran her fingers through her hair a couple of times, revealing a determined smile, and knocked rhythmically on the dormitory door.

Inside, Sun Jialiang was on the verge of falling asleep when he heard the noise outside. Annoyed, he got out of bed to see who was bothering him so late. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Lin Hongna’s shy and hesitant face. She lowered her head, revealing a long, white neck. Against the backdrop of the falling snow, her exposed skin looked as white as jade.

“Brother Jialiang.”

With that, the fire of desire ignited in Sun Jialiang, spreading throughout his body.

The door slammed shut, and the two figures at the entrance disappeared. Soon, the room was filled with the sounds of heavy breathing and kissing.

“…….”

*

The snow continued to fall heavily throughout the night, covering the courtyard with a thick layer. The branches of the two plum trees in the yard were laden with snow. The children in the alley, bundled up in thick cotton jackets, with their faces flushed from the cold, were having a great time playing in the snow, having snowball fights and building snowmen.

Gu Shidong, considering himself a big kid now, didn’t join the younger children in their silly games. Instead, he was busying himself with the coal stove.

The lazy brat hadn’t replaced the coal briquettes last night, so the stove cooled down in the middle of the night, and the room became freezing cold, causing him to shiver uncontrollably.

In those days, the coal stoves in the large courtyard were typically placed indoors, with chimneys installed for ventilation. As long as the vents were properly maintained for air circulation, the room would stay warm all night once the stove was sealed before bed.

As for safety, the street committee leaders would conduct regular inspections, and every household in the courtyard was careful. Carbon monoxide poisoning was no joke.

There was a family in the power plant residential area on Front Street that hadn’t paid attention to ventilation one night. The whole family ended up being poisoned by carbon monoxide and had to be rushed to the health clinic. Fortunately, they were discovered in time, and everyone was saved.

The Gu family’s coal stove was the most popular “flowerpot stove” at the time. As the name suggests, it looked like an upside-down flowerpot, with an iron grate in the middle. A kettle would sit on top of the stove, and the grate below could roast sweet potatoes, potatoes, chestnuts, and other treats. At night, washed socks, gloves, and arm sleeves could be placed on top to dry.

Gu Shidong was in the room, trying to get the stove going, but the fire wouldn’t catch, filling several rooms with choking smoke.

In the east wing, Lin Yao was nestled in Gu Shi’an’s arms, sleeping soundly. The smell of smoke drifted in, and she grumpily nudged him.

“What’s going on out there? It’s so smoky.”

Last night, this man braved the snow to come home. As soon as he finished washing up, he gave her a deep look.

Sensing something was off, Lin Yao twisted her waist and tried to run away.

But she didn’t get far before someone caught her in his arms and kissed her…

Anyway, now Lin Yao’s legs were weak, her waist was sore, and she was terribly sleepy. Yet, she still managed to bite Gu Shi’an, urging him to get out of bed and check what was going on outside.

Gu Shi’an gave her a kiss, put on his clothes, and got out of bed.

Outside, Gu Shidong, with a face full of soot, was holding a basin and scooping snow. When he saw his older brother, he asked for help.

“Brother, hurry and help me scoop snow to put out the fire in the stove! The room is about to catch fire!”

Gu Shi’an sighed, “Why aren’t you using the water from the water tank to put out the fire?”

Gu Shidong had a look on his face that said, “Brother, why are you so stupid?” “It’s snowing outside, and the water in the well is frozen solid, so I can’t break through it!”

Gu Shi’an was even more exasperated and reminded him, “There’s water in the jar in the kitchen.”

Gu Shidong’s face lit up with realization, and he flashed a grin showing his white teeth. “Oh, I forgot about that!”

After saying this, the little rascal hurried off with a basin to the kitchen.

Gu Shi’an took a deep breath, grabbed the little rascal, and tossed him into the small side room.

In no time, the honeycomb stove in the side room was lit by Gu Shi’an, and the pungent smoke inside dissipated through the open window.

The room was warm and cozy. Zhang Cuilan had a huge argument early in the morning. The family nearly had a quarrel over the little rascal’s behavior. It was no surprise she was upset.

The parents had been a bit careless this time, thinking that their ten-year-old son was old enough to manage on his own. In the countryside, a ten-year-old boy could already work in the fields and earn work points.

In the city, there was no need to work in the fields, so the little rascal should be fine living alone in a room.

Alas, the little rascal was always a source of worry.

When their eldest son was ten, he was already a reliable little adult. With the younger son’s behavior, it was impossible to feel at ease leaving him alone at home at night.

Gu Mancang sighed and, along with Gu Shi’an, set up a small bed in the room where the older couple slept. Zhang Cuilan took out the sewing kit from the wardrobe and used it to make a new bedding for the younger son.

Lin Yao finished washing up, dressed warmly in a thick cotton jacket, and went out with a hand warmer. Icicles of various lengths hung from the eaves, and snowflakes were drifting down.

The snow in the yard had already been cleared. Dongzi, the little rascal, was using a large broom to sweep the newly fallen snow.

Although Lin Yao woke up late, she heard everything that had happened at home early in the morning.

Even Uncle Dafu next door heard it. After all, the backyard was so small.

Zhang Cuilan’s furious shouting could have been heard from miles away.

As Uncle Dafu was leaving, he couldn’t resist teasing the little rascal. “Dongzi, if you can’t get the stove going in the future, just call me. I’ll help you out.”

Gu Shidong only mumbled in response.

Uncle Dafu laughed a couple of times and then playfully swatted Aunt Dafu, who was heading out after hearing the commotion.

“Old man, what’s the point of joking around with kids? What are you trying to show off?”

Uncle Dafu shrank his neck, quickly wrapped his scarf, and hurried off with his lunchbox.

The heavy snow covered the ground outside. Lin Yao had to go to work early in the morning. Riding a bicycle wasn’t an option, so the couple left half an hour early. Gu Shi’an pushed the bicycle while they walked to work. On the way, the county’s snow removal team had cleared the roads.

Gu Shi’an swung his long legs over the bike, giving Lin Yao a ride to the textile factory.

At the factory gate, the militia was conducting training. Lin Yao got off the bike, and after Gu Shi’an said something, Lin Yao gave him a disdainful look before heading into the office with her small bag.

Gu Shi’an watched her figure disappear at the factory gate with a gentle smile before turning around and riding away.

As the Laba Festival^[1]The Laba Festival, celebrated on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, is a traditional Chinese festival with roots in Buddhism, Confucianism, and folk customs. It is often associated with the … Continue reading of 1958 approached, Yunshui County erupted in turmoil.