When Lin Aiyun walked out of the Liu household, her feet felt light as if floating—barely touching the ground. She hadn’t expected things to be settled so smoothly.
“We really stumbled upon a good opportunity.” Zhang Wenyue let out a sigh of relief, a hint of joy coloring her face. This was perfect—having a job would definitely help her niece if she decided to stay in the city.
“Yes, thank you, Auntie. I’d never have found such a good job without you.” Lin Aiyun was genuinely grateful. She had come to this area during her job search a few days ago, but no one had mentioned that this household was hiring.
There were gaps in information that an outsider simply couldn’t bridge.
“That’s because you’ve got the qualifications. If you weren’t up to par, they wouldn’t have taken you.” Zhang Wenyue said this, but the smile at the corner of her lips deepened. She waved off the thanks modestly and linked arms with Lin Aiyun as they headed home.
When the two of them quietly pulled off such a big move, the rest of the Ding family was astonished.
That night, as the couple lay in bed, Ding Weidong put down his copy of How the Steel Was Tempered, turned over, and wrapped his arms around Zhang Wenyue. His voice was low: “Have you really thought this through?”
“What’s there to think about? My sister asked me, and I agreed.” Zhang Wenyue opened her eyes and shot a sidelong glance at Ding Weidong, who was getting handsy. She clicked her tongue in annoyance.
But he wasn’t intimidated—he knew it was just a bluff. His hand slid further in, and he chuckled softly: “Have you picked a family yet?”
Zhang Wenyue was silent for a moment before speaking: “I remember your boss has a youngest son who’s not married yet, right?”
Ding Weidong was taken aback, then nodded slowly, hesitating: “You want to set him up with Aiyun? But the gap between their families—wouldn’t it be too big?”
“What’s the big deal? We won’t know unless we try.” Zhang Wenyue wasn’t particularly concerned about that. After all…
She reached out and grabbed his hand, which had already crept below her collarbone, and gave him a knowing look: “All men are the same—lecherous! Wasn’t it my face you fell for back then?”
“Nonsense! I got to know you over time, and our feelings gradually evolved beyond revolutionary comradeship.” Ding Weidong propped himself up above her and raised an eyebrow: “Comrade Zhang Wenyue, do you really think I’m that shallow?”
“Mm, yes.” Zhang Wenyue didn’t hesitate.
“…” Ding Weidong was momentarily speechless. He mulled it over for a long while but couldn’t come up with a retort. Before he could think of one, Zhang Wenyue continued: “Anyway, tomorrow you go gather some intel for me. If it seems feasible, set up a time for the two young people to meet.”
“Alright. When the head of the household speaks, how could I refuse?” Ding Weidong had actually planned to ask around anyway. But as her uncle by marriage, it wouldn’t have been appropriate for him to bring it up first. Now that Zhang Wenyue, as the aunt, had taken the lead, it was much more natural.
“So glib with your tongue.” Zhang Wenyue laughed, but her voice gradually faded into the space between their lips.
“Keep it down—people are sleeping next door.”
“I know. You’re the one who should keep it down.”
“Get the hell out.”
“…I was wrong.”
—
The night sky gradually took on a warm amber glow, gently seeping into the pale blue and blending with the dawn. Sunlight streamed through the open window, making the room brighter and more spacious.
Lin Aiyun got dressed, straightened the bedding, and headed to the kitchen to help Zhang Wenyue with breakfast.
The two worked quickly, and before long, the family’s meal was ready. By then, Ding Weidong had gotten up, tidied the house, and swept the fallen leaves and stray branches from the yard.
By the time the meal was ready, everyone else had gradually risen as well. The cornmeal porridge was fragrant and perfectly cooked—soft and sticky, whetting the appetite. No one spoke during the meal; they all quietly ate from their bowls.
Grain was precious, especially in these times. Not a single grain of rice was wasted—even the last bit at the bottom of each bowl was eaten clean.
“Take care on the way—don’t be late.” Since they weren’t heading in the same direction, Zhang Wenyue could only offer a few more words of caution; she couldn’t accompany her.
“Don’t worry, Auntie. I’ve got it memorized.” Lin Aiyun patted her satchel reassuringly. “I won’t be back for lunch.”
The distance between the two households wasn’t far, but it wasn’t exactly close either—going back and forth would take too much time. They’d said they would provide a midday meal, so she’d brought her lunch box. After eating, she’d find a corner to rest her head for a bit, then return to the Dings in the evening.
“Alright. Stay safe, then. We’ll be off now.”
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