When Xu Ning went to the youth camp to find Wei Lanlan and Yang Xiaomei, she encountered Chunhua at the door, escorting an elderly woman out, likely the matchmaker.

She didn’t greet anyone, merely nodded at the two of them before entering Wei Lanlan’s room, where she placed a small jar that she had brought on the table.

Chen Xiangdong saw her arrive and exchanged a few words before heading to the male shared room.

Wei Lanlan invited her to sit on the kang and said quietly, “A couple of days ago, Chunhua sent a message saying she agreed to it. Today, the matchmaker is here to discuss it.

Chunhua originally planned to have the matchmaker help Jiaohua find a suitable family, but Jiao Hua doesn’t want to look in the countryside; she might still be thinking about going back to the city.”

After Wei Lanlan finished speaking, she sniffed the air and pointed at the jar on the table, asking, “What did you bring?”

Xu Ning unwrapped the cloth, saying, “I heard you haven’t had much of an appetite these days, so I pickled some spicy cabbage for you to try.”

As soon as Wei Lanlan saw the jar opened, she eagerly grabbed a piece and put it in her mouth, her eyes lighting up instantly.

She exclaimed, “This is delicious! Xu Ning, you really have skilled hands. How did you make this cabbage? Teach me how to do it later.”

“The method is quite simple, but you shouldn’t eat too much,” Xu Ning replied, explaining the process for making the spicy cabbage to her.

The day before the heavy snow blocked the mountains, Chunhua got engaged. Her fiancé was a young man about her height, looking honest and simple, and they planned to marry after the spring planting next year.

When Yang Xiaomei came to visit Xu Ning, she mentioned that since the snow had fallen, Wei Lanlan hadn’t gone out much.

Sometimes, Xu Ning would go to the youth compound to chat with the two of them. After the heavy snow blocked the mountains, Xu Mo’s school had also closed, and he stayed there with her every day.

The siblings spent their time at home reading books, listening to the radio, and making some delicious food, and the days passed by quickly.

When Xu An’s school was on break, it was almost time for the New Year. Since it was too cold, Xu Ning decided not to go to the city to buy New Year goods. The wild boar meat that Lu Xiaotang had hunted last time was still quite a lot, enough for them to eat until the spring planting.

On New Year’s Eve afternoon, the siblings were busy in the kitchen when Xu An asked, “Sister, I made plans with Jianmin and Da Lin to go into the city to have some fun tomorrow. Are you coming?”

Xu Ning waved her hand and said, “You all go ahead! It’s too cold outside; I don’t want to go out.”

“You haven’t gone out since the heavy snow blocked the mountains. What’s the point of staying at home every day? Come with us tomorrow!”

“I’m not going. I’m afraid of the cold, and I can’t compare to you young guys.”

After finishing their New Year’s Eve dinner, they planned to head to the cattle shed for a while to wish their elders a Happy New Year. Just as they stepped outside, they spotted someone walking toward the cattle shed on the road.

The siblings quickly retreated back inside. Xu Ning said, “It must be Lin Miao. We’re not going over there tonight.”

Xu An asked, “Sister, what do you think Lin Miao is trying to do? Why does she keep running over to the cattle shed? There are no relatives of hers there.”

What is she trying to do? She wants to find someone to cling to. With only a few years until the college entrance exams, and since she just broke up with Gu Wenping, she needs to find a support system while she still can.

Xu Ning shut the door and said, “What does it matter what she wants? Let’s just ignore her.”

The siblings returned home, turned on the radio, and sat on the kang, enjoying sunflower seeds while listening.

At the cattle shed, Lin Miao stood at the door holding a bowl of dumplings and said to Father Xu, who came to open the door, “Uncle, these are the dumplings I made. I brought some over for you to try.”

After speaking, she glanced inside, knowing that this man was the father of that child. He hadn’t seemed to be a person of much influence before.

Today, she had actually come to see another couple, planning to give the dumplings to them, but it was this man who had answered the door.

After thinking for a moment, she added, “There’s another aunt who looks a lot like a relative of mine. When I saw her, I felt a strong sense of familiarity. Since today is New Year’s and I’ve been feeling a bit homesick, I thought I’d come to see her.”

With that, she lowered her head, appearing quite sorrowful.

Inside, Uncle Lu and the others heard Lin Miao’s voice. Seeing her lingering at the door, they all came out together.

Aunt Lu sighed and said, “Young lady, you should go back. It’s not good for you to associate with us too much because of our status.”

Lin Miao hurriedly replied, “Auntie, it’s fine. I’m not afraid.”

Aunt Lu responded, “Dear girl, you may not be afraid, but we are. People will start saying we’re not working properly. It’s best if you go back!”

After saying this, they all returned inside, leaving Lin Miao standing at the door with a fluctuating expression. These people were truly unyielding.

Back inside, Father Xu said, “What does that girl want? She keeps coming over here. I thought it was Xiao Ning and Xiao An. Thankfully, I didn’t call out; I just opened the door directly, or else it would have been a problem.”

Uncle Lu said, “No matter what she’s up to, we need to be careful from now on. Tomorrow, let Xiao Mo tell Xiao Ning and Xiao An not to come over unless necessary.”

Mother Xu and Aunt Lu were both startled by what had happened that evening and urged Xiao Mo to inform Xu Ning and Xu An not to come over again.

1974

At the beginning of the spring planting, Xu Ning watched as Wei Lanlan stood at the field’s edge with her big belly and asked in surprise, “With such a big belly, how can you still come to work?”

Chen Xiangdong also disapproved, saying, “I told her not to come, but she insisted on following. No matter how I try to persuade her, she won’t listen.”

Wei Lanlan replied, “I still have several months before giving birth. I can eat and sleep well, and my health is great. Why can’t I work? Just look at the other women in the village; they’re still working in the fields even when they’re about to give birth.”

Xu Ning thought about it and realized that it was true; there were even women who had given birth in the fields!

The siblings, as they had in previous years, finished their assigned work and then went back to tend to their private plots.

This year, the few people from the cattle shed were assigned to work alongside the villagers, and at noon, they only brought some black bread to the fields.

Xu Ning instructed Xu An to prepare the meal a bit earlier, so they could send it directly to the cattle shed. That way, the others could eat when they returned and have an opportunity to rest earlier in the evening.

Lu Xiaotang’s letter and remittance arrived after the spring planting was finished. The letter stated that their marriage application had been approved, and he was now going to carry out his duties. After he returned, he would take leave to come back and get married.

After reading the letter, Xu Ning felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Did I agree to marry him?

Seeing her in a daze, Xu An took the letter, glanced at it, and happily said, “Big Brother Lu is coming back this year!”

Xu Ning shot him a glare and retreated into her room.

Xu An, puzzled by her reaction, wondered what was wrong with her.

He pulled the letter out again and read it once more. This time, he sensed something was off. Big Brother Lu was coming back to marry his sister?

He hurried over to his sister’s door and asked, “Sister, are you going to marry Big Brother Lu? Do Mom and Dad know?”