CHAPTER 15

Tuantuan was only about seven months old, not even a year. A tiny little thing—when she saw Lu Zhi, she waved her arms and legs excitedly, babbling “ya ya ya.”

Lu Yue handed her over, and as soon as Lu Zhi reached out to take her, Tuantuan planted a big kiss right on her cheek, looking even more thrilled.

Lu Yue: “That’s your auntie—say hi to your auntie.”

Little Tuantuan couldn’t talk yet, but she kept babbling, like she was trying to say “auntie.”

Lu Yue pinched her chubby hand. “If your brother-in-law saw this, he’d be jealous for sure. Tuantuan doesn’t even like being held by him. I suspect it’s because he looks a bit too rough around the edges.”

Makes sense—she clearly had an eye for appearances. No wonder, she was Lu Zhi’s niece after all. Looks ran in the family.

Lu Zhi glanced at Lu Yue’s vegetable garden. It was the harvest season already.

Cucumbers, eggplants, cabbage, cilantro, potatoes, chili peppers—even an apple tree.

Lu Zhi was tempted.

Aside from vegetables, she could plant a bit of fruit too.

At noon, Lu Zhi stayed for lunch at Lu Yue’s place. Lu Yue was busy in the kitchen, and Tuantuan stayed with Lu Zhi.

Zhou Jun crouched in front of Tuantuan, blinking at her. He’d seen little kids before, but this one was different—this one called him “uncle”!

Tuantuan crawled around on all fours, eventually hugging Lu Zhi’s leg, drooling with a big smile on her face.

Tuantuan, you’re seriously too adorable—do you even know that?

The little clingy baby stayed glued to Lu Zhi, so she simply picked her up and cuddled her for a while.

The tiny thing soon got sleepy, though she was still trying to play with Lu Zhi and didn’t want to nap.

But she really was too tired.

Tuantuan had a cradle for naps. Lu Zhi and Zhou Jun sat beside it, watching her fall asleep.

Zhou Jun whispered very softly, “Sister-in-law, Tuantuan likes you just like I do.”

Lu Zhi gently patted his head. “That’s right, she likes me just like you do.”

A few days ago, Lu Yue had gone down to the seashore and brought back a bunch of seafood. For lunch, she steamed a big tray of it. She also picked some eggplant and chili peppers from the garden and made a stir-fry, along with a cabbage and glass noodle stew.

Before long, lunch was ready.

Lu Yue: “You can nap here after lunch—just use Tuantuan’s room. Head back in the afternoon.”

Lu Zhi had no objections—she was too busy digging in.

Lu Yue: “Have you finished organizing your place?”

Lu Zhi: “Yeah, there wasn’t much to organize to begin with.”

They chatted as they ate.

That afternoon, Lu Zhi and Zhou Jun napped at Lu Yue’s place. After waking up, they sat outside enjoying the shade with Lu Yue.

Li Cuihua, who lived next door, came over. Seeing Lu Zhi, she smiled and asked, “Lu Yue, is this your younger sister?”

Lu Yue nodded. “That’s right.”

With that, the courtyard instantly became lively.

Li Cuihua, another military wife who had followed her husband to the island, sat on a stool and chattered nonstop. “You know the manager of the state-owned restaurant, Chen Yu, right?”

Li Cuihua was straightforward—afraid Lu Zhi wouldn’t know, she even explained seriously.

Li Cuihua: “It’s the state-run restaurant here on the island. Chen Yu just started recently.”

Lu Zhi nodded. “And then?”

Seeing how curious Lu Zhi looked, Li Cuihua smiled kindly and leaned in like they were sharing secrets.

Li Cuihua: “So Chen Yu is dating someone—Deputy Company Commander Zheng’s younger sister. But Deputy Zheng doesn’t approve of him. The two of them have been in a cold war these past few days.”

Lu Zhi didn’t know any of these people, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying the gossip.

Lu Zhi: “Why doesn’t he approve?”

Li Cuihua: “I’m curious too! From what I can tell, this Chen Yu seems pretty decent. But Deputy Zheng is a good guy too—he’s helped a lot of people. If he doesn’t approve, there must be something wrong.”

Unfortunately, Li Cuihua and Lu Yue only knew of Deputy Zheng, and since Lu Zhi didn’t know him at all, the three of them couldn’t figure it out no matter how they speculated.

Li Cuihua: “My younger brother works at the state-owned restaurant. I’ll ask him about it. Once I find out, I’ll let you know.”

Wow!

Li Cuihua really meant it when she said they were eating gossip together—she even offered after-sales service.

The more she thought about it, the more frustrated Li Cuihua felt. Why didn’t Deputy Zheng approve?

Before she left, Li Cuihua reminded Lu Zhi, “The chive and squid dumplings they serve at the restaurant on Mondays are amazing. You should go try them.”

Chive and squid dumplings?

Lu Yue nodded. “They really are good. Li Cuihua’s brother is a chef at the restaurant—he’s the one who makes them.”

Lu Zhi thought she should give them a try. She’d never had dumplings with that combination before.

Just as they were talking, Tuantuan woke up.

….

Zhou Cheng’an and Li Changyuan walked back from the military base together.

Li Changyuan was feeling bitter. Life used to be so easy, but now he had to start learning how to be gentle and thoughtful like Zhou Cheng’an.

Li Changyuan said, “I swear, Cheng’an, how did I never realize—you got married and totally turned into the kind of guy who gets completely whipped.”

Zhou Cheng’an paused in his tracks, and Li Changyuan straightened up.

Zhou Cheng’an: “Zhi Zhi’s not home. I’m going to her second sister’s place to check on her.”

With that, he picked up his pace and walked off in another direction.

Li Changyuan was left standing there in confusion, stunned by the sea breeze.

Wait… did he even hear what I just said?

….

When Zhou Cheng’an arrived at Lu Yue’s house and saw Lu Zhi, he finally slowed his steps.

Lu Zhi: “You’re back from the base?”

She had been playing with Tuantuan and had completely forgotten that Zhou Cheng’an would be returning around this time.

She walked over and said, “Come look at Tuantuan.”

Lu Zhi gently played with Tuantuan, her expression soft and voice even softer. “Tuantuan, who is this?”

Zhou Cheng’an answered, “Tuantuan, this is your uncle.”

Lu Zhi looked up—turns out Zhou Cheng’an wasn’t looking at Tuantuan at all, but at her.

Ahhh!

Lu Zhi: “Yes, that’s your little uncle.”

Lu Yue invited them to stay for dinner again, and after eating, they finally got ready to leave.

Tuantuan was still in Lu Zhi’s arms, chubby little hand gripping her shirt, babbling away happily.

Lu Zhi said, “Tuantuan, I’m going home now, okay? I’ll come see you again next time.”

Tuantuan: “Yayayaya!”

Lu Zhi handed the baby back to Lu Yue. Even after snuggling into her mother’s arms, Tuantuan was still waving her arms and kicking her legs at Lu Zhi.

Lu Zhi: “Bye-bye, Tuantuan.”

Zhou Jun wanted to say goodbye too, but he was too short and had to crane his neck. Lu Zhi tried to pick him up—but he was too heavy.

Zhou Cheng’an chuckled softly and lifted Zhou Jun up. “Say bye to Tuantuan.”

Zhou Jun: “Bye-bye, Tuantuan!”

The little family of three headed home.

The sea breeze blowing in was soft and refreshing—perfect for the evening.

Lu Zhi listed the things she wanted to grow: “Cabbage, potatoes, green peppers, scallions… and fruit! Let’s plant a jujube tree.”

Zhou Cheng’an listened attentively and nodded. “Alright.”

Seeds were easy to buy, but a jujube tree might be harder to come by.

Lu Zhi: “Oh, and on Monday, we’re going to the state-owned restaurant to eat chive and squid dumplings. I’ve never had them before.”

Zhou Cheng’an made a mental note. “You two go ahead at noon. I’ll meet you there later, okay?”

Lu Zhi nodded. “No problem!”

Zhou Cheng’an explained again how to get to the restaurant.

Zhou Jun: “Sister-in-law, I remember the way!”

He could help guide her!

For a second, as she looked at the big one and the little one, Lu Zhi started to doubt if she even knew the way herself.

Lu Zhi: “I remembered it the first time you told me.”

Zhou Jun: “Sister-in-law, you’re amazing!”

Even that got her a compliment.

….

That night, Li Cuihua couldn’t sleep. She tossed and turned and ended up waking her husband.

Li Cuihua: “Tell me, why do you think Deputy Chen doesn’t approve?”

Li Cuihua’s husband: “……”

Sleep. Please, just go to sleep.

This clearly wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

Her husband gave a half-hearted answer. “Go to sleep. I’ll ask around when I get the chance.”

It wasn’t until quite a while later, when she finally got sleepy, that Li Cuihua rested her head on the pillow and drifted off.

Deputy Chen was a good man. It must be something about Chen Yu. If it really was his fault, she had to let her younger brother know—to stay away from Chen Yu in the future.

….

Monday.

Lu Zhi brought Zhou Jun to the state-owned restaurant. One tall, one small, hand in hand, Lu Zhi hummed a tune softly.

Only the weather was a little hot today.

She went to look for Lu Yue, planning to go together.

Lu Yue said, “I’m not going. Tuantuan is still napping. One of my old classmates is coming over—they were sent down here for re-education and want to drop by later.”

She didn’t forget to stuff some money and ration coupons into Lu Zhi’s hands.

Lu Zhi took the coupons and laughed. “Second Sister, I’m married now.”

Before Lu Yue got married, the two of them had lived together. Every time Lu Zhi went out, Lu Yue would always give her money and coupons. Even after she married and moved to the island, she still wrote Lu Zhi letters with pocket money and coupons tucked inside.

Lu Yue said, “You’re married, but I’m still your Second Sister.”

Lu Zhi nodded quickly. “Okay, okay! Thanks, Second Sister!”

Then she set off again for the state-run restaurant.

Passing by the supply and marketing cooperative, Lu Zhi bought a bottle of soda for herself and Zhou Jun to share.

Standing outside the restaurant, Lu Zhi could only sigh—buying that soda had been the right call.

The island they lived on was a big one, and with that came lots of locals. The state-owned restaurant was always busy, and even now, people were still lining up to get in.

Lu Zhi quickly took Zhou Jun to join the queue.

Zhou Cheng’an came over. “Zhizhi, go inside and find a seat. I’ll stand in line.”

Lu Zhi wanted to take Zhou Jun back with her, but when she looked up and saw the fine sheen of sweat on Zhou Cheng’an’s face, she figured he must’ve run over in a hurry.

She pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to him. After he wiped off his sweat, she gave him her soda. Only after he took a sip did she head inside.

Watching the two of them being all lovey-dovey, Li Changyuan twitched the corner of his mouth. Even when he had just gotten married, he and his wife hadn’t been this clingy.

Li Changyuan said, “You two are really stuck to each other.”

Zhou Cheng’an turned his head, trying hard to keep his mouth from curling up. “You think we’re clingy?”

Clingy? Him and Lu Zhi?

Li Changyuan scoffed, “Oh please, Zhou Cheng’an, have a little self-respect.”

Lu Zhi heard Li Changyuan’s voice and turned back. When did he get here? How had she not noticed him earlier?

….

There were still some empty seats inside the restaurant, and some people had gone in early like Lu Zhi.

At this time, state-owned restaurants came in a few types. Some followed a fixed-supply model: you ordered, picked up your food yourself—similar to what would later be known as fast food. Others had table service, where you ordered and waitstaff served you. This one was the former.

Lu Zhi picked a seat by the window and sat down, watching the view outside before turning her eyes to Zhou Cheng’an, still waiting in line.

Mm. No wonder she’d set her sights on this man. Even in a crowd, he stood out.

He really was good-looking.

A few more people joined the line outside. From the table next to her, Lu Zhi overheard someone speaking.

“Those are the educated youths sent down to our island, right?”

“Seems like it.”

Educated youths…

Lu Zhi remembered that one of her second sister’s classmates was among the batch of youths sent down this time.

She probably didn’t know them personally. Otherwise, her second sister would’ve mentioned it. Her sister’s previous friends had all liked Lu Zhi too—Lu Yue used to bring her along to hang out with them.

Since Lu Yue hadn’t said anything, it was probably just an ordinary classmate, not someone she was close to.

Some of the educated youths discussed among themselves and also came into the restaurant to wait.

Lu Zhi and Zhou Cheng’an made eye contact across the room, and she smiled at him.

Li Changyuan muttered, “Cheng’an, those must be the educated youths. Cheng’an, you… I, I could never do what you’re doing. No way.”

It really was tough on him, Li Changyuan.

Lu Zhi rested her chin in her hands, and who knows how much time passed when someone beside her suddenly called her name.

“Lu Zhi.”

She looked up at the man in front of her and was momentarily stunned.

She hadn’t expected to run into him.

This was one of her previous blind date matches—before Zhou Cheng’an.

Chen Yu, the manager of the state-run restaurant. What was he doing here?

Oh? Wasn’t this the same guy Li Cuihua had mentioned—the prospective brother-in-law that Deputy Company Commander Chen didn’t approve of?

So he was her old blind date?

“Comrade Lu Zhi, I know you’re pretty, but you don’t have a job.”

“You didn’t really think you could land some factory director’s son just because of your looks, did you? Come on, do you think a factory director’s family would agree to marry off their son to someone jobless like you?”

Those words had left a deep impression on Lu Zhi.

After that, she appreciated Li Yu even more—because comparison really does make a difference.

Later, Chen Yu had been given a good beating by Lu Zhi’s eldest brother, and he even came to apologize.

Yesterday when Li Cuihua mentioned Chen Yu, Lu Zhi hadn’t made the connection. She didn’t expect it to be him.

Lu Zhi frowned slightly.

Chen Yu said, “Educated youth?”

His face was full of smug satisfaction as he spoke.

Back then, after Lu Zhi rejected him, he tried all sorts of ways to win her over—even begged her. He really thought she’d end up with someone impressive. Who would’ve guessed she’d just gone down to the countryside as an educated youth? Couldn’t even find a decent match!

Now, he was just glad he hadn’t married her. He was about to be with Deputy Company Commander Chen’s sister, after all.

Chen Yu beamed. “Comrade Lu Zhi, what a coincidence running into you here. Oh, right—forgot to introduce myself. I’m the manager of this state-run restaurant.”

He stood straight and smiled as he continued, “If you ever run into any problems, feel free to come to me. Even though we didn’t end up together, I’m a magnanimous person. If you need help, I’m happy to offer it.”

Lu Zhi: “……”

Still exactly the same as ever.

Zhou Cheng’an’s voice cut in, cold and sharp:
“My wife doesn’t need your help.”