Lin Wanqiu's hand gripping the shovel tightened suddenly, her knuckles turning white. The name "Shen Tingzhou" exploded in her ears like a thunderclap. She stared at the mottled wood grain on the door panel, her mind racing—was it the dark figure she had encountered on the back mountain last time? Or was it really... that "sacrificed" husband?

"Mother, who is it?" Shen Nian'an peeked out from the inner room, his little face full of fear. He had only seen his father when he was an infant, and now, hearing this unfamiliar name, he felt panicked and subconsciously shrank behind Lin Wanqiu.

Lin Wanqiu discreetly hid the shovel behind her back, her fingertips pressing against the cool jade pendant—the medical kit and powerful flashlight in her spatial storage were still there, enough to handle any unforeseen circumstances. She cleared her throat and deliberately raised her voice: "Who are you? I don't know anyone named Shen Tingzhou, you've got the wrong person!"

There was a moment of silence outside the door, followed by a deeper male voice, slightly hoarse: "Comrade Lin, I know Zhao Jianjun just left. He trampled half of the woodpile in the corner of your yard, so I've rebuilt it for you."

Lin Wanqiu's heart skipped a beat—she had been so focused on dealing with Zhao Jianjun that she hadn't noticed the pile of firewood in the corner of the yard. This man not only knew Zhao Jianjun had been there, but also seemed to know the situation in the yard. Was he friend or foe?

She slowly unlatched the wooden door, opening it only a crack to reveal half her face. Standing outside was a tall man in a dark blue work jacket, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His hat was pulled low, obscuring most of his face, revealing only his strong jawline and thin, tightly pursed lips. He carried an old canvas bag, and his trousers were splattered with mud, making him look like he had just returned from the fields.

"Who exactly are you?" Lin Wanqiu stared at him warily. "My husband sacrificed himself a long time ago, so don't talk nonsense!"

The man adjusted his hat brim, revealing a pair of deep eyes. When his gaze fell on her face, it carried a complex mix of emotions—guilt, heartache, and disbelief. "I know you don't believe me," he said softly, glancing around to make sure no one was watching before lowering his voice further. "I'm Shen Tingzhou. Something went wrong during the mission years ago, and I couldn't return in time. Zhao Jianjun has been keeping an eye on you. I saw him leading a group of men this way at the village entrance just now, and fearing for your safety, I followed them."

Lin Wanqiu's mind was in turmoil. The face before her bore a striking resemblance to Shen Tingzhou from the original owner's memories, only more weathered and with a sharper gaze that Lin Wanqiu couldn't decipher. But the idea of ​​"resurrection" was too bizarre; she dared not believe it easily—what if someone was deliberately impersonating her to steal her spatial resources?

"What evidence do you have to prove that you are Shen Tingzhou?" Lin Wanqiu didn't budge, instead closing the door even tighter. "What was the nickname you gave my daughter Nian'an when she was born? What was the token of love you gave me when we got married?"

The man paused for a moment, then smiled bitterly: "Nian'an's nickname is 'Little Stone' because when you were pregnant with him, you always said he kicked you like a little stone. The token of our love was a silver lock with the words 'Peace' engraved on it. I bought it with my first month's allowance. Later, you said you wanted to leave it for Nian'an, so you tied it around his neck with a red string."

These words struck a nerve with the original owner's memories, and Lin Wanqiu felt a pang of sadness—only the real Shen Tingzhou knew these details. Yet, she still wasn't completely at ease and asked again, "Since you're still alive, why didn't you come back sooner? Do you know the suffering Nian'an and I have endured all these years?"

The man's eyes darkened, and his tone was apologetic: "The mission back then involved secrecy, and I couldn't easily reveal my identity, otherwise it would implicate you. Over the years, I've been secretly watching you, knowing that you were tormented by Old Madam Shen, and knowing that Nian'an is malnourished. I'm sorry for what I did to you."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from afar, mixed with Zhao Jianjun's curses: "Damn it, I clearly saw that woman walk this way just now, where did she go? Look carefully again!"

Lin Wanqiu's expression changed—Zhao Jianjun had actually returned! If he saw Shen Tingzhou, who knows what trouble he might cause.

"Hide right now!" Without thinking, Lin Wanqiu yanked open the door and pulled the man into the yard. "Quick, hide in the woodshed, and don't make a sound!"

The man paused for a moment, then followed her lead and hid in the woodshed. Lin Wanqiu quickly closed the woodshed door, piled a few more pieces of firewood on top, and pretended that no one was inside.

Just as they finished tidying up, Zhao Jianjun kicked the door open from outside: "Lin Wanqiu! Open the door! How long do you think you can hide? Hurry up and bring out the tofu, or I'll tear your house down!"

Lin Wanqiu took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, opened the door, and said angrily, "Comrade Zhao, what are you doing? I've already told you, we don't have any tofu at home, why are you still so insistent?"

Zhao Jianjun barged in with two henchmen, looking around: "No tofu? Then who was the man you were talking to? I saw a man enter your house at the village entrance, don't try to fool me!"

Lin Wanqiu's heart tightened, but she pretended to be calm: "What man? I've been at home taking care of the children, there's no man around. You must be mistaken!"

"You're mistaken?" Zhao Jianjun sneered, walked to the door of the woodshed, and reached out to push it open. "I think he's hiding inside! Today I'm going to drag him out and see who dares to steal my woman!"

Lin Wanqiu quickly stopped him: "Comrade Zhao, don't go too far! The woodshed is full of firewood, there's no one there. If you continue like this, I'll report you to the commune for harassing a respectable woman!"

Zhao Jianjun was startled by her imposing manner, but then became arrogant again: "Sue me? Do you think anyone in the commune will help you? My dad is the brigade secretary. If you dare to sue me, I'll make sure you can't stay in the village anymore!"

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