Just as Ji Shuyu had anticipated, the letter never made it to the cultural troupe where Lin Feifei was stationed. Lin Feifei learned of its contents before it could be delivered.
This was precisely Ji Shuyu’s intention—to use this letter to slowly torment Lin Feifei, to wage psychological warfare against her.
In the dormitory of the cultural troupe, Lin Feifei held the accusation letter in her hand. Her eyes were bloodshot as she read its contents, her once beautiful face now deathly pale.
This was a matter she thought she had resolved before coming to the island. Who could have dug it up now? And even gone so far as to report her?
Her heart was filled with unease. Lin Feifei lifted her head, her gaze sweeping over her colleagues sitting not far away. These were friends she had made only after arriving on the island. They shouldn’t know about her past.
But where did this letter come from? Who wrote it?
She clutched the letter tightly, wondering whether the one she had intercepted was the only copy or if others had already reached the leadership. If they were to find out that she had secured her place in the island’s cultural troupe through deceit, her future would be completely ruined.
In the days that followed, she could neither eat nor sleep peacefully. Wherever she went, she felt as if eyes were watching her from the shadows.
Yet, after that one accusation letter, the leadership did not summon her, and the sender did not follow up with any new letters. It was as if it were merely a fleeting episode in her life, gone as quickly as it had appeared.
But Lin Feifei was still terrified. So terrified that she dared not go out alone. So terrified that she felt everyone was secretly plotting against her.
Then one day, during dance practice, a colleague accidentally bumped into her. Lin Feifei immediately screamed at the person beside her.
Li Meili, the colleague she had shouted at, frowned slightly, visibly displeased. “Lin Feifei, are you insane? I just bumped into you, and I already apologized.”
“Was it you? Was it you who’s been scheming against me behind my back?” Lin Feifei grabbed Li Meili’s wrist tightly.
Seeing her deranged expression, Li Meili exclaimed, “You’re crazy!”
“Meili, let’s go. She seems mentally unstable,” a friend nearby urged, pulling Li Meili away, afraid of what Lin Feifei might do next.
Li Meili spat in disgust, cursed once more, and then left.
Alone in the practice room, Lin Feifei crouched on the floor, clutching her head. As she recalled the contents of the accusation letter, she couldn’t help but scream, “Who is it?!”
For the time being, Ji Shuyu did not know that her letter had pushed Lin Feifei to the brink of a breakdown. But she could well imagine it.
Someone as proud and arrogant as Lin Feifei would undoubtedly be tormented upon learning that her past had been uncovered.
Ji Shuyu had other matters to attend to now. The torment of Lin Feifei was a long-term project. Revenge would lose its satisfaction if dealt with in one swift blow. Only by watching the enemy suffer day after day because of her actions would it be truly gratifying.
For now, she set aside thoughts of Lin Feifei.
Just like taming a hawk, she couldn’t rush—she had to take it slow.
Ji Shuyu was now preparing to move with He Yuan into the military family compound.
A house had already been assigned to them in the compound.
It was a place near the coast, with its own small, private yard.
The house wasn’t brand new—the previous occupants had moved away from the island, which left this vacancy allocated to He Yuan.
Ji Shuyu and He Yuan were currently there to take a look at the place.
The military family compound wasn’t far from the beach. Even before entering, they could feel the gentle sea breeze against their faces.
The yard gate was a simple wooden latch, creaking as it was pushed open.
Inside was a small courtyard—not large, but neat and rectangular, with traces left on the ground where the previous residents had grown something.
“We could grow some vegetables here later,” He Yuan pointed at the patch of soil, “or flowers, if you prefer.”
This yard was entirely their own, with no need to share space with others. Ji Shuyu could plant whatever she wanted.
Ji Shuyu nodded, already thinking about what to grow.
The house was built with red bricks and looked a bit dated, but it was solid overall.
The door was dark green, with some peeling paint.
He Yuan took out the keys and unlocked the door. Just inside was the main hall, with old-fashioned red brick floors that had been swept clean.
To the left stood a wooden square table with four chairs—clearly the dining area.
Against the right wall was a low cabinet, empty for now. Ji Shuyu thought it would be perfect for a thermos and teacups.
Directly ahead in the main hall was a window, offering a view of a corner of the small yard and the direction of the sea.
The curtains were military green, faded from washing, but tidy.
He Yuan led her to the right. “This is the main room, where we’ll sleep.”
The room wasn’t very large. Against the wall stood a sturdy wooden bed, its frame bare, without any bedding yet.
Beside the bed was a small window, and on the windowsill sat an empty clay pot. Ji Shuyu imagined how lovely it would look with a few wildflowers in it.
“This wardrobe is for you,” He Yuan said, opening a two-door wooden closet. “I don’t have many clothes—just enough space for everyday items will do.”
Ji Shuyu gave a soft hum of agreement, feeling a warmth in her heart.
To the left of the main hall was another small room, currently empty.
“This can be a child’s room later, or used for storage,” He Yuan said matter-of-factly, causing Ji Shuyu’s ears to grow warm. She didn’t respond.
The kitchen was a separate low building on one side of the yard. Inside were a clay stove, a water vat, and a cupboard.
It was simple, but it had all the essentials.
Ji Shuyu was already planning where to place the oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar, and where to hang the spatula and towels.
Most notably, not long after the house was assigned, He Yuan had hired someone to build an outhouse in the yard.
He knew Ji Shuyu wasn’t comfortable sharing a toilet with others, so he had taken care of it in advance.
Ji Shuyu was deeply touched. In these times, being assigned such an independent little home in the family compound was already a blessing, and even more so with He Yuan’s thoughtful considerations.
As they looked around, they discussed how to arrange each area.
He Yuan wasn’t much of a talker, but he listened carefully to every suggestion Ji Shuyu made, occasionally adding a comment of his own.
Our home—hers and He Yuan’s. It felt wonderful. From now on, they would have their own private living space.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling warmly on the red brick floor.
Ji Shuyu looked up and smiled at He Yuan. “When can we move in?”
“No rush. I’ll bring some people to clean up properly first. There are still some weeds outside, the outhouse isn’t fully finished, and it’s a bit dirty inside,” He Yuan said, pulling Ji Shuyu into an embrace and nuzzling her gently. “If you weren’t pregnant, I’d have someone repaint it in a color you like.”
He thought the current wall color wasn’t very appealing and was probably quite outdated in Ji Shuyu’s eyes. But repainting would take quite some time.
“It’s fine. I think this plain white wall is quite nice. We can make it cozy with some decorations,” Ji Shuyu replied.
The He family home was comfortable, but Ji Shuyu still wasn’t entirely used to living with his parents. Having another man in the house always felt a bit awkward in some ways.
“Alright, I’ll get things in order. It should only take about two or three days, and then we can move,” He Yuan said.
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