Chapter 71

“This time, please marry me.”

Ye Qingshui looked at his face—slightly nervous yet still full of confidence. The breeze brushed past, and he curved his lips into a faint smile.

In two lifetimes combined, this was the first time she had ever heard Xie Tingyu say these words: Marry me.

A flood of memories rose in Ye Qingshui’s mind.

In her past life, he would express “I love you” in ways she couldn’t understand—he would care for her in ways that seemed cold but were actually clumsy, he would promise her a future before leaving her. But Ye Qingshui had never understood him.

That man had never truly let her see his heart.

If not for that accident, would their ending back then have been different?

Her nose suddenly stung with emotion.

Xie Tingyu, holding her hand slick with sweat, asked a little slow-wittedly and confused, “You don’t want to?”

Ye Qingshui looked at this man who had made her suffer for an entire lifetime—she hated him so much it made her teeth itch.

She laughed and said, “Depends on your performance.”

“You know, you made me sad for a very long time. Back then, I even thought about divorcing you. But thinking about it, in times like these, divorcing rashly would only bring endless gossip and finger-pointing…”

Looking at her dazzling smile, Xie Tingyu suddenly felt a breath stuck in his chest, unable to come out.

A tourist returned the camera to them, cheerfully saying, “You two really make a loving couple… just newly married, right?”

He glanced at the camera in his hands. Such a thing was rare and expensive; aside from journalists issued one by their work units, ordinary families couldn’t afford it.

Ye Qingshui smiled and replied, “You’ve misunderstood. He’s not my husband.”

Although the capital was more open-minded than small towns, moral conduct between men and women was still closely monitored. The tourist’s expression instantly turned strange. If they weren’t married, such intimacy could be reported to their workplace—losing one’s job aside, they could forget about ever being considered “exemplary workers.”

Xie Tingyu’s face immediately darkened like the bottom of a pot.

He pulled her into his arms and corrected the tourist firmly: “She’s just throwing a tantrum. She is my wife.”

Before Ye Qingshui could protest, her mouth was quickly covered by Xie Tingyu’s hand.

The tourist, seeing this handsome young couple, only smiled kindly.

Seizing the chance, Xie Tingyu whisked his “wife” around the capital, visiting all the scenic spots. By the end of the day, even Ye Qingshui, a strong country girl with good stamina, was gasping for breath.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Ye Qingshui began packing her belongings to return to the countryside.

Grandmother Xie was reluctant to let her go.

She said, “Can’t you stay a few more days? From now on, I won’t get to eat the meals Shui’er makes with her own hands…”

Light and delicate steamed fish, rich and fragrant meatballs, sweet braised pork, savory cured meats and sausages—just thinking about them made Grandma Xie’s mouth water.

The dishes Ye Qingshui cooked carried a unique flavor—eating them brought a sense of happiness.

It had only been a day since New Year’s Eve dinner, yet Grandma Xie was already longing for the next one.

She still remembered how upset she had been when she first received news from her grandson in the countryside about his marriage—angry and worried. But now, looking at this young woman, the more she saw, the more satisfied she felt. Truly, there was no one more suitable.

Holding Ye Qingshui’s hand, Grandma Xie said dotingly, “Why aren’t you wearing the bracelet I gave you? Your wrist looks so bare.”

Ye Qingshui thought of the jade bracelet Grandma had given her—warm to the touch, clear and lustrous, undeniably a family heirloom. Although jade had been devalued in chaotic times, smashed and looted, it was still the treasured heirloom of the Xie family.

How could she dare wear something so precious lightly?

After some thought, she said, “Now that big brother has returned home, I should give it back to him…”

The heirloom should rightly go to the eldest grandson—it wasn’t proper for her to keep it.

Grandma Xie scolded gently, “No giving it back! Who told him not to have a wife yet?”

Finishing the last of her packing, Ye Qingshui saw the old lady’s reluctant eyes and softened. She said, “How about I teach you how to make cured meat and sausages?”

“When I leave, if you miss me, just cut off a piece to eat. And I’ll send you some local specialties from the countryside too.”

Grandma Xie brightened with joy. “That would be wonderful.”

Ye Qingshui was as good as her word.

Though the New Year holiday wasn’t over and the supply cooperatives weren’t open, the black-market peddlers had already eagerly set up shop.

Spending a high price, Ye Qingshui secretly bought five jin of pork belly. Normally eight mao per jin, pork had risen to one and a half yuan during the New Year. She carefully hid the meat, circling around the streets before returning to the courtyard.

She told Grandma Xie, “The best cured meat, once dried, turns translucent and glossy. The texture is firm yet tender, and the taste is rich—fatty but not greasy.”

Grandma Xie smacked her lips, recalling the cured meat they had eaten days earlier. Wasn’t it just like that!

Ye Qingshui began preparations, asking Grandma for some liquor. After a moment’s thought, Grandma Xie brought out her late husband’s treasured Bamboo Leaf Green wine.

Hand in hand, Ye Qingshui taught her: scraping the skin clean, washing and drying, slicing into pieces.

“Rub the meat with wine to remove any gaminess.”

The slices of pork belly, streaked with red and white, were sprinkled with sugar, wine, homemade spices, and a secret sauce. At once, a rich aroma of pork belly filled the air.

Grandma Xie’s eyes shone with greed. “So simple! Shui’er, what was that powder and that sauce you sprinkled?”

Ye Qingshui nodded. “Yes, it’s that simple. The powder is just ground spices, and the sauce is my own recipe. I’ll make a jar for you to keep, and I’ll write the recipe down too. Whenever you want to make it, just grind some up.”

If they had aromatic wood or herbs, smoking the meat before drying would make it even tastier. But since such things were hard to find here, she only taught Grandma Xie the simpler version.

Layer after layer of pork was brushed with sauce and stacked neatly in the clay jar, sealed and left to cure for three days.

“Grandma, the day after tomorrow, take the cured meat out, tie it with string, and hang it in the courtyard. After drying for a week, it’ll be ready to eat.”

Grandma Xie nodded repeatedly. Ye Qingshui then began teaching her how to cook with cured meat.

She sliced some of the cured pork she had brought from home, mixed it with rice and vegetables, and steamed it in a bamboo steamer.

The fragrance drifting from the kitchen couldn’t be contained, wafting right out the windows. The rich, savory smell of pork sent the neighbors on all sides into a frenzy. Even after feasting through the New Year, they were practically drooling.

What was going on with the Xie family? Every few days, something delicious came out of their kitchen. Wouldn’t they share a little with the neighbors, maybe send around some New Year’s treats? The neighbors were practically craning their necks, waiting for the Xies to head out visiting relatives so they’d have a chance.

When the steamed pork rice was ready, sauce was drizzled on top. The slices of cured meat gleamed with a bright, translucent sheen. Grandma Xie took a bite, her mouth full of fragrant oil.

It was a flavor that brought back memories of hunger years past—the taste of something truly precious.

Three days later, Grandma Xie hung the cured pork her granddaughter-in-law had left for her out in the courtyard. She stood proudly watching the neat rows of meat swaying in front of the house.

But the young girl who had taught her how to cure it had already gone south. The house was empty. Tears welled in the old woman’s eyes.

Next year, you must come home again.

Ye Qingshui and Xie Tingyu made it back to the countryside just before the end of the New Year holiday.

In the north, the land was still frozen for a thousand miles. But in the south, spring had already arrived. The warmth was overwhelming; as soon as they stepped off the train, sweat trickled down Ye Qingshui’s face.

Before long, the village would be busy with spring planting, but for now, there were still a few quiet days to rest.

As soon as she entered the village, fellow villagers greeted her warmly:

“Shuiya, you’re back from the capital!”

“How’s your husband’s family?”

“Did you see Chairman M?”

A schoolchild piped up, “Sister Shuiya, is ** really as big and grand as they say?”

People passing through the village looked at her with envious eyes. Just going to the capital was enough to make her seem worldly. To the older generation, the capital was like a place of faith—because that was where their most respected Chairman M lived.

Ye Qingshui responded one by one:

“Yes, I’m back!”

“My husband’s elders are all very kind, they take good care of me.”

She smiled helplessly, “No, I didn’t see Chairman M. I’m just an ordinary person.”

At last, she patted the child’s fluffy head and said seriously: “** is very big, and very grand. San Niu, study hard. When you grow up, you’ll see it with your own eyes.”

Carrying their luggage, Xie Tingyu said eagerly, “Shui’er, let’s hand out some wedding candies to the villagers.”

But he was frustrated.

Because after returning, Ye Qingshui intended to ask the village elder to draft a divorce paper. Just the thought made the happiness on his face vanish.

Without waiting for her reply, he put down the luggage, pulled out the candy, and with a bright smile handed it out one by one.

The villagers were stunned. They’d never seen wedding candy packaged so beautifully! In the countryside, even well-off families buying candy for weddings would settle for a single jin of hard fruit candies from the supply co-op. But this—bright red plastic wrappers filled with melon seeds, peanuts, creamy milk candies, fruit candies… all rare and precious!

The crowd buzzed with excitement as if fortune had dropped straight into their hands.

These were prepared by Grandpa and Grandma Xie. Ye Qingshui didn’t stop him. She remembered Grandma Xie’s regret when they left:

“If only your mother could come to the capital—we could hold a wedding feast properly.”

After all her hard work raising her grandson, not even a wedding banquet to celebrate—it left her deeply unhappy.

Ye Qingshui hadn’t thought of these things beforehand. The Xie family’s change of heart toward her had been unexpected.

Grandpa Xie comforted her: “Later, we’ll choose a good day, invite your in-laws to the capital, and hold the banquet properly.”

To make up for the regret, they had carefully prepared wedding candy.

Knowing Ye Qingshui loved milk candies, Xie Tingyu had bought several jin, mixed them in with the other sweets, and packed 99 portions.

As he passed out the candies, he peeled one and offered it to his wife: “Shui’er, you should have one too.”

Afterward, they returned home.

Ye Qingshui looked at the brand-new house—bright, spacious, and spotless—and stepped in with long strides.

The new house had been finished, but she hadn’t yet lived in it!

Her grandmother spotted her from afar and called out heartily: “Shuiya’s back!”

Ye Qingshui nodded and unpacked the things she’d brought from the capital, handing them out one by one:

“Grandma, these shoes are for you. The soles are soft cloth, breathable and comfortable.”

“Mother, this set of clothes is for you—simple and pretty, pure cotton. Try it on, if it doesn’t fit, I’ll alter it.”

“This milk powder is for Auntie, to help her stay healthy. Uncle, these medicated plasters are for you—when it rains and gets cold, stick them on and your legs won’t ache so badly.”

Xie Tingyu piped up eagerly: “And mine?”

Uncle immediately burst into laughter, and soon Grandma, Mother, and the others were laughing too.

Grandma said joyfully: “Our Shuiya is the most thoughtful—she even remembered to bring milk powder for your aunt. Shuiya, you’re going to have a little brother or sister soon.”

“You and Tingyu had better hurry up too. You married before your uncle, but at this rate, you’ll be overtaken.”

Uncle scratched his head, embarrassed. Nearly thirty already, his dark face flushed red.

After all his hard “plowing” at night, surely it wasn’t for nothing?

Auntie blushed deeply and turned away.

Tingyu replied cheerfully: “I’ll work harder.”

Uncle teased: “You look like a bookworm, weak as a reed. You need to build up your strength if you want children, right, Shuiya?”

Ye Qingshui’s ears burned.

Though Tingyu looked scholarly, that was just his clothes. Underneath, his muscles were solid, and he could shoulder two hundred jin of water for ten li without breaking a sweat. He hardly needed “supplements.”

She quickly changed the subject, retreating to her own room.

The room had been tidied until spotless, the bedding freshly washed. Her belongings had been carefully moved into the new house.

In her past life, she hadn’t seen this house finished until five years later, after years of hard work in the city. Now, she already had what once took her years to earn.

Her uncle had also married and started a family—so much had already diverged from her past life’s path, all because of her efforts.

The sweetness of it filled her heart like honey.

She pulled a letter from her luggage and shut the door to read it in secret.

It was from her eldest brother, Xie Tingjue.

In it, he clearly explained how Tingyu’s car accident had happened. In the spring of ’78, on February 23rd, on his way north to register at university, he had run into Tingjue—just as Tingjue was being sought out by his kin—and the accident occurred.

Tingjue wrote: “I hope you’ll watch over him. Don’t return to the capital before ’78. Leave the rest to me.”

Afraid the young couple might still be quarreling, at the end of the letter he even teased: “If you have time, take a look at Tingyu’s chest.”

Her eyes drifted toward Tingyu’s wooden trunk. The solid box gleamed with a fresh coat of varnish.

In her past life, she had never dared touch it. Once, needing something, she’d brushed against it by accident, and Tingyu had lashed out furiously:

“You don’t understand, don’t go poking around my things… Don’t touch my chest again!”

Ye Qingshui stared at it in silence for a long while, then finally looked away.

Just then, Tingyu appeared at the door. He saw her staring at his trunk with eyes like a cat eyeing a fish, and quickly interrupted:

“Shui’er, what are you thinking of doing?”

Originally, she hadn’t wanted to pry. But the sight of him so flustered suddenly made her curious.

“Can I take a look inside your chest?”

Tingyu forced a smile. “There’s… there’s nothing worth looking at.”

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