The cold December night, like ink spilled on an inkstone, bathed the Red Flag Production Brigade in tranquility. A light layer of freshly fallen snow had accumulated outside the courtyard wall, and moonlight filtered through the sparse branches of the poplar trees, casting dappled shadows on the window paper, like a net woven in the shadows. Inside, the kerosene lamp flickered twice, its dim yellow light casting long shadows of the two people on the kang (heated brick bed). Lin Wanqiu's fingertips traced the rough edge of the money pouch, its solid feel reassuring—this was the day's harvest, savory with soy sauce and sweet with sesame candy, the heavy hope of the entire sideline production team.
Shen Tingzhou pushed the hand warmer closer to her, the warmth of his palm seeping through her coarse cloth clothes. "I asked someone to find a stone mill for the tofu shop in the county town. It should be back in a few days. Then I can teach the villagers how to make the curdling process." His voice was deep, his gaze falling on the fine lines at the corners of her eyes, formed from her busy work, with a barely perceptible tenderness. Lin Wanqiu smiled and nodded, about to say something, when a sudden knock on the courtyard gate was like a pebble thrown into still water, instantly shattering the warmth inside.
"Sister Wanqiu, it's me, Jasmine! I'm back, open the door and see me!"
The voice, carried on the cold wind, was cloyingly sweet like syrup that wouldn't dissolve, yet it instantly froze Lin Wanqiu's smile on her face. Her fingers tightened sharply, the hemp rope of the purse digging painfully into her palms, and the warmth in her eyes was instantly covered by frost. Lin Moli? This white lotus cousin, who had taken advantage of her predicament and played the victim when she first transmigrated, while secretly instigating Old Lady Shen to torment her, hadn't she already gone to another place with distant relatives to seek her "future"? Why would she suddenly return to the village on this cold winter night?
Shen Tingzhou's gaze also suddenly darkened. His martial arts skills allowed him to detect the deliberate smugness hidden in the voice. He subtly moved half a step towards the door, blocking Lin Wanqiu's path, and whispered, "Don't open the door yet, check the situation first."
The knocking on the door grew more urgent, accompanied by feigned sobs: "Sister Wanqiu, I know I was immature before, but I've suffered so much on my way back, my feet are all swollen from the cold... Please open the door, even just let me stay under the eaves to keep warm!"
Lin Wanqiu took a deep breath, suppressing the surging disgust in her heart. She knew Lin Moli's tricks all too well; this weak and boneless appearance was nothing more than a disguise to numb people's hearts. In her previous life, when she first arrived, she was deceived by this illusion, thinking it was her own cousin taking pity on her, only to become a stepping stone for the other party to steal benefits and spread rumors. Now, given a second chance, how could she fall into the trap again?
“Nian’an is already fast asleep. It’s too late to entertain guests. Let’s talk at the brigade headquarters tomorrow.” Lin Wanqiu walked to the door, her voice cold and indifferent, her aloofness palpable even through the door.
The crying outside the door stopped abruptly, followed by the sound of light footsteps, as if someone was whispering words of comfort. Then, a slightly arrogant male voice rang out, tinged with impatience: "What are you babbling about? I'm giving you face by letting you open the door, don't push your luck."
The voice was unfamiliar and jarring, and Lin Wanqiu's heart skipped a beat—sure enough, Lin Moli dared to return at this time; she must have someone backing her up. She peeked out through the crack in the door, and by the moonlight, she could see clearly what was happening outside: Lin Moli was wearing a brand-new floral cotton-padded jacket, her hair was slicked back, and she didn't look like she was "suffering" at all. Standing next to her was a man in his twenties, wearing a crisp cadre uniform, his leather shoes making a crisp sound on the snow. His brows and eyes were full of arrogance as he glanced sideways at the courtyard gate with a condescending expression.
Shen Tingzhou's hand was already on the door latch, his knuckles white from the pressure. Lin Wanqiu pressed his hand down and shook her head—now was not the time for a direct confrontation. She wanted to see what tricks these two were up to.
"Comrade, isn't it against the rules to break into a private residence late at night?" Lin Wanqiu's voice remained calm, but carried an undeniable firmness. "Our brigade has a rule that outsiders must obtain the secretary's approval to stay overnight. Should I go and call the secretary over now?"
The man was clearly taken aback by her assertiveness. He paused for a moment before scoffing, "Secretary? Even Secretary Zhao would have to be polite to me. I'm Officer Li from the County Revolutionary Committee, accompanying Comrade Jasmine on her family visit. Do you dare refuse me entry?" He deliberately raised his voice, as if to make sure the neighbors could hear.
A cadre of the county revolutionary committee? Lin Wanqiu's heart skipped a beat. This position certainly carried some weight in a small town; no wonder Lin Moli dared to be so arrogant. She glanced at Lin Moli, who was covering her mouth and chuckling, her smugness barely concealed. Clearly, she regarded this cadre Li as a powerful backer who could suppress her.
Shen Tingzhou suddenly spoke, his voice as cold as the snow outside: "Officer Li, is that right? Since this is official business, you should know the rules. Disturbing people's rest late at night will have a bad influence if word gets out." His aura was so powerful that even through the door, Officer Li outside inexplicably shrank back.
Just as Officer Li was about to snap, Lin Moli tugged at his sleeve and put on her pitiful look again: "Brother Li, don't be angry. Sister Wanqiu probably misunderstood. I just missed her and Nian'an so much that I rushed to knock on the door. How about we come back tomorrow?" As she spoke, she glanced out of the corner of her eye at the window, as if confirming something.
Lin Wanqiu witnessed all of this, her suspicions deepening. Lin Moli's seemingly yielding stance seemed more like a test. Just as she was about to shoo her away, she heard light footsteps outside the courtyard wall, followed by the voice of Sister-in-law Shen, Zhang Lan: "Oh dear, isn't this Moli? You're finally back! Wanqiu, how could you let your sister freeze outside?"
Zhang Lan ran over through the snow, banging on the door and shouting, "Wanqiu, open the door! Jasmine is bringing back a distinguished guest, and your hospitality is too stingy! Be careful not to offend Officer Li, or our brigade's sideline business will be affected!" She had obviously been hiding nearby, just waiting for this moment to jump out and stir up trouble.
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