The 1960s: The Story of a Country Girl's Journey to the City

When Bao Ya returned home, Deputy Battalion Commander Zhang was accompanying his mother as they went from house to house apologizing and returning things.

Inside his house were an aluminum pot for steaming buns, an iron wok for frying vegetables, two earthenware pots, a strainer, an iron spoon, a spatula, a cutting board, several bowls and plates, and the earthenware pot that Liao Chunhua had lent out.

When Xu Wanyun saw Bao Ya return, she greeted her and then carried the child back into the house, as if she were avoiding her like the plague.

"Baoya, these are all things that the old lady borrowed. Your sister-in-law is too wasteful, lending out so many things."

Liao Chunhua was whispering to Bao Ya in the kitchen. She thought her eldest daughter-in-law was so powerful, but now she found out she was just a bully at home.

"Did Deputy Battalion Commander Zhang send all of these back?"

"That's right, they're still going door to door delivering the apologies, saying it's what the leadership asked them to do. Deputy Battalion Commander Zhang will have to write a self-criticism when he gets back."

According to Wang's wife, he used to know that Aunt Zhang borrowed things and didn't return them, so he would give the money back to the borrowers and then say a few words to her mother when he got back, which would make the old lady cry and make a scene.

Later, he got too tired to argue with the old lady. He went out early and came home late every day. Today, when he took out the things, he was shocked.

I overheard the mother and son arguing at home this afternoon, saying they wanted to send the old lady back to her hometown.

When Qi Jianjun arrived home, Lin Chuxue had already prepared dinner. Seeing his light steps as he entered, she knew he was in a good mood, so she quickly invited him to eat.

After being stopped by the Little Red Soldier at Bao Ya's house last time, Lin Chuxue thought that Bao Ya would tell the brigade leader not to let her leave the village again.

Who knew that the brat wouldn't play by the rules? She actually went and told the Qi family that she was making money in the city, which made the Qi family keep an eye on her like she was a thief, and they would even find opportunities to search her house from time to time.

Finally, she made a tough decision, bought a train ticket, and went to the military base to find Qi Jianjun. No matter what, she didn't want to live with that group of awful people anymore.

The Qi family has four brothers, with Qi Jianjun being the youngest. His three older brothers all farm at home. Qi Jianjun sends half of his monthly allowance home, so their lives in the army are quite frugal.

Lin Chuxue had almost spent all the money she had earned and was looking for something to do to supplement her family's income. There were no extra positions available in the military, so she could only try her luck in the city. That's why she didn't run into Bao Ya in the military region.

"Did you hear who apologized on the radio today? It was hilarious. The person who was apologized to must be so upset."

Seeing that Qi Jianjun was in a good mood today, Lin Chuxue tried her best to find a topic to chat with him. Although it was the original owner who had schemed against him, they were now husband and wife, and she had nowhere else to go, so she still had to get along well with him.

"Yes, that's interesting."

Qi Jianjun smiled and nodded. That girl had been mischievous since she was little; there was nothing she wouldn't do. Thinking about it, he couldn't help but smile.

"She seems to be a military dependent who came to help out at the military base. I should go and see her when I have the chance. I'd like to get to know such an interesting person."

Lin Chuxue knew that Qi Jianjun was interested in this topic, so she simply showed the same emotion as him, hoping to shorten the distance between them in this way.

The original owner plotted against him to avoid being sold by the Lin family. The Qi family was so eager to pair them up because they were worried that Qi Jianjun would stop supporting the family after finding a wife outside.

Currently, she doesn't have a better choice than him. He's a decent person and handsome. Although they don't have feelings for each other, he takes good care of her in daily life, and she's willing to slowly cultivate feelings for him.

When Lin Chuxue mentioned wanting to get to know Baoya, Qi Jianjun didn't continue the conversation and simply finished his meal as usual.

When he went to sleep at night, Qi Jianjun lay straight and motionless.

Lin Chuxue sighed inwardly at his appearance. They hadn't consummated their marriage yet, and although they slept in the same bed, they kept a very clear boundary between themselves and their partner.

"hehe."

Qi Jianjun couldn't help but laugh as he recalled what had happened during the day.

In the quiet night, the sudden laughter startled Lin Chuxue, who gripped the corner of the blanket tightly and snuggled closer to him.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, go to sleep."

Feeling her move closer, Qi Jianjun shifted closer, gave a casual reply, and turned over to sleep.

The next day, after breakfast, Qi Jianjun changed into a new shirt, straightened his military uniform in front of the mirror, and polished his leather shoes until they shone.

After tidying everything up, I looked in the mirror and felt good about myself, so I happily went out.

Watching his retreating figure, Lin Chuxue felt strange; he had never acted like this before when he went out. Thinking this, she couldn't help but follow him.

Bao Ya went out after breakfast, and Wang Xiao was already waiting at the door, holding Wang Muchen's hand.

"Auntie, I don't have to go to school today. My dad said he'll take us bird hunting."

The little guy spoke excitedly, waving his slingshot at her.

"Yeah, it's all because of you. You take me running around everywhere all the time and you've corrupted me."

After Bao Ya finished speaking, she tossed her head and strode forward. Wang Muchen didn't care at all what she said and followed her like a little tail, hopping and skipping.

"Hey, how come it's my son who corrupted you?"

Wang Xiao followed along, quite unconvinced. His son, so carefree and oblivious, was like a little shadow, it was unbearable to watch.

But remembering how Bao Ya led a group of children running all over the mountain in Nanshan Brigade, it's not surprising. Some people are just naturally attractive to children.

After walking a few steps into the grove, they saw Qi Jianjun already waiting there. Bao Ya nodded to him, but before she could speak, Wang Muchen pointed to a tree and shouted:

"Auntie, there are birds in the tree."

"We're not hunting birds today. Let's go to the place where we caught pigeons last time and see if there are any left. We'll catch a few big ones to eat today."

Bao Ya grabbed his arm and continued walking inside.

"Okay, I know where it is."

Hearing that they were going to catch the big guys, Wang Muchen perked up and ran ahead to lead the way for them.

Soon, they arrived at the place where they had shot down the pigeons that day. Bao Ya and Wang Muchen each had a blade of grass in their mouths and sat on the mound of earth, gazing at the sky.

Wang Xiao and Qi Jianjun began a thorough search, which involved squatting on the ground and feeling around bit by bit.

"Auntie, what are my dad and the others doing?"

"Shh, look at the sky, a pigeon will tell me soon."

Lin Chuxue, who had come all the way with Qi Jianjun, stood not far from the grove of trees, unable to come back to her senses for a long time.

Who did she just see? Lin Baoya? How come she was in the army, and even went into the woods with Qi Jianjun?

Under the locust tree in the military family quarters, Officer Li's wife, who had just come out to wash clothes with a basin, spotted Lin Chuxue standing listlessly by the grove, her hands clutching the hem of her clothes, pale and bluish. She couldn't help but call out:

"Hey, First Snow Girl, why are you standing here in the sun? Come over and cool off!"

Lin Chuxue snapped back to her senses, her face drained of all color. Looking at the lush grove of trees, the dark light in her eyes was as cold as ice.

She forced a smile, shook her head without replying, and turned to walk towards her own yard, her steps so fast it was as if something was chasing her from behind.